The HP is also larger and heavier than the MacBook. I haven't seen one live, but just about all PC manufacturers say their fans are quiet. Even Apple has done so before. However, nothing is as quiet as fanless. All processors throttle. Even the 15W chips in a larger, more traditional form factor. For sustained operations CPU can make a difference, but in this class, there is little real-world difference. The Core M is a good chip for consumer notebooks, and I think more OEMs should be using it. That way they could focus their design efforts on other aspects besides trying to shoehorn a higher wattage chip into an ultrathin form factor.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
What to Expect in the Third Generation MacBook
- Thread starter Hellhammer
- WikiPost WikiPost
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
- Status
The HP is also larger and heavier than the MacBook. I haven't seen one live, but just about all PC manufacturers say their fans are quiet. Even Apple has done so before. However, nothing is as quiet as fanless. All processors throttle. Even the 15W chips in a larger, more traditional form factor. For sustained operations CPU can make a difference, but in this class, there is little real-world difference. The Core M is a good chip for consumer notebooks, and I think more OEMs should be using it. That way they could focus their design efforts on other aspects besides trying to shoehorn a higher wattage chip into an ultrathin form factor.
I'm guessing Core m Kaby Lake. Apple seems committed to this chip. I don't see them adding a fan to add a Core i5/i7 just because ASUS and HP have done so on their competing notebooks.
Given the new rMB release with Core M Broadwell and the update using Skylake, I agree that Apple is committed to the Core M chip; they pretty much have to be at this point unless they execute a chassis redesign to accommodate....what exactly? Going higher power will require a fan. Nothing is going to change drastically in the next year or two that will allow anything but Core M to be installed in the rMB. Additionally, I can't think of any computer line in the past decade that Apple redesigned in under 3 updates, and as time goes on and processor advances have slowed, those update intervals have only gotten longer.
That's basically my point. Adding a fan would require a chassis redesign even if the physical size and shape stayed the same (the battery would get smaller and the logic board bigger). If the MacBook were not selling well, they might rush out a redesign (or release an updated MacBook Air), but that does not seem to be the case.
It's too early to say for sure, but as I mentioned in the OP, I don't expect Kaby Lake to be as significant as Skylake was. Initially it wasn't part of Intel's roadmap, but when Cannonlake (10nm) got delayed Intel had to introduce Kaby Lake too the roadmap to provide something new this year.
For me, this would make the rMB an instant purchase for me
- Proper 1080p quality web cam (5MP+?)
- TouchID integration
- Edge-to-Edge screen (like XPS 13)
- 2 TB3 ports
I love the idea behind it and would even entertain a 13/14inch version of it. I do wonder if we can get a more powerful version of a processor while maintaining it being fanless, currently skylake 5w goes up to m7 which is 1.2ghz turboboosted up to 3.1? I wonder what will the future hold (with better heatsink technologies).
- Proper 1080p quality web cam (5MP+?)
- TouchID integration
- Edge-to-Edge screen (like XPS 13)
- 2 TB3 ports
I love the idea behind it and would even entertain a 13/14inch version of it. I do wonder if we can get a more powerful version of a processor while maintaining it being fanless, currently skylake 5w goes up to m7 which is 1.2ghz turboboosted up to 3.1? I wonder what will the future hold (with better heatsink technologies).
I think larger model(s) will come before the 3rd gen but they may be announced alongside the 3rd gen as it would be more consistent.
Either way, I believe Apple will Implement the alpine ridge chip in order to gain Thunderbolt 3 functionality, if not in the 12" then in larger models, in order to ensure the latest MacBook lineup is compatible with the new Thunderbolt Display.
As for the camera, it was almost certainly due to physical constraints as the lid casing is quite a bit thinner than the lid for the MBAs and MBPs. That being said, hopefully they find a way to include a 720p webcam.
As for removing the headphone jack, I don't know if they would do that however a move towards wireless options would likely cause them to replace the headphone jack with another USB C port in order to prevent confusion with having a lightning port there.
Either way, I believe Apple will Implement the alpine ridge chip in order to gain Thunderbolt 3 functionality, if not in the 12" then in larger models, in order to ensure the latest MacBook lineup is compatible with the new Thunderbolt Display.
As for the camera, it was almost certainly due to physical constraints as the lid casing is quite a bit thinner than the lid for the MBAs and MBPs. That being said, hopefully they find a way to include a 720p webcam.
As for removing the headphone jack, I don't know if they would do that however a move towards wireless options would likely cause them to replace the headphone jack with another USB C port in order to prevent confusion with having a lightning port there.
While with a smartphone I use the 3.5mm all the time, I am yet to use it with any of my laptops, so in case of rMB I don't mind if it is replaced by anything else. I'm waiting for the 14" version though and quietly praying the keyboard will change for the better. It doesn't seem possible, but I also expected Disk Utility to remain the Duplo version and it's been improved in Sierra. So maybe...
I'm not sure how having two different ports on two different sides of the Mac would cause significant confusion. They look physically different and they are two different sizes. And current MacBooks have multiple ports already which look similar to each other. But once you try to stick the wrong plug into the wrong port, then the confusion is pretty much over.
I suppose there is a possibility that someone might buy a Mac who doesn't have an iPhone or an iPad, and has never seen a Lightning cable before, but that's probably the rare exception ... The iPhone and iPad have pretty much been the products moving people to the Mac platform. Then again, anybody who buys a Mac now who's never used Apple products before are likely to be just as confused by the Thunderbolt port.
When Apple adds Lightning, they might even switch the charging cable to Lightning, which leaves the USB-C ports free when charging (of course it also blocks the headphone port). But there is no way they're going to force their iPhone customers to use an adapter to use the new Lightning earbuds Apple is sure to give them in the box, with their new Macs.
But the problem is that it would cause major confusion amongst the average consumer who has their iPhone and iPad that charge through lightning, so figures that the Lightning port can be used to charge it.
The point that you make about it being used for charging is good - it would avoid the confusion with charging ports and free up the USB C port which is arguably more useful. The only issue that may occur is if the user starts charging it with a weak (I.e. iPhone) wall adapter which probably wouldn't charge it significantly or would charge it really slowly.
I'm pretty sure the iPhone and iPad will switch to USB-C within the next couple of years. The only reason Lightning exists is because the USB spec was inferior back then, but USB-C provides practically the same functionality in the same size.
USB-C is bigger than Lightning. Seems odd that Apple would go backwards in that respect. Because Apple has MFi guidelines, they can assure all accessories (licensed) for use with iDevices behave in a consistent manner. They'd lose that, if they went with a USB-C interface. Consider all the headaches rMB owners have now with aftermarket USB-C accessories, I doubt Apple would want that frustration to spill out to 100M iPhone/iPad per users year.
Yes everybody keeps saying that they will switch to USB C. I think it is quite obvious that the won't due to the size of USB C and the fact that they have already integrated Lightning into their product ecosystem after introducing it not even 4 years ago. They won't be changing Lightning anytime soon.
There is basically no chance of Applr switching away from Ligjtning on iDevices. Especially after they drop 3.5mm jack this fall and ship Lightning EarPods.
As much as I'd like you to be right and see Apple switch their entire product line to USB-C - Lightning is here to stay.
Many people probably never thought Apple would change the original iPod/iPhone connector.
It's possible Apple may switch to USB-C or even micro USB. Anything is possible.
Never Micro-USB. That has no advantages over USB-C.
Apple did say in 2012 that they intended to use Lightning for "a long time." The 12.9" iPad Pro's incorporation of USB 3 shows how they can adapt it as standards evolve.
Nope - there were persistent rumors of Apple redesigning their 30-pin connector, and it was apparent for some time that 30-pin was going to be replaced by a smaller redesigned connector.
There are absolutely no indication Apple is even considering moving away from Lightning. All the signs point to increased role of the Lightning connector (new Apple Pen, Siri Remote, future Ear Buds).. not the other way around.
USB-C on iDevices = not happening in foreseeable future. And Micro USB - you must be insane
Nope - there were persistent rumors of Apple redesigning their 30-pin connector, and it was apparent for some time that 30-pin was going to be replaced by a smaller redesigned connector.
There are absolutely no indication Apple is even considering moving away from Lightning. All the signs point to increased role of the Lightning connector (new Apple Pen, Siri Remote, future Ear Buds).. not the other way around.
USB-C on iDevices = not happening in foreseeable future. And Micro USB - you must be insane
Yes I would agree. the iPod connector lasted 11 years, and now after less than 4 years after Lightning, people are suggesting a move towards a larger USB C port. Lightning exists because they needed to reduce the size of the port - it made sense. USB C doesn't make sense due to size, timing, and the fact it is used by Macs already.
