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When might 4k@60 fps and 720p webcam come to the Macbook?

M

macbook123

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Feb 11, 2006
1,869
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What prevents me from buying one of these:

1. 4k@60fps
2. 720p webcam
3. second USB-C port

When might any of these come to the Macbook?
 
EugW said:
These computers also support 60Hz refresh rate over HDMI when used with a supported HDMI 2.0 display, HDMI Premium Certified cable, and a compatible third-party USB-C to HDMI 2.0 adapter.
Click to expand...

OK, but can I charge the Macbook at the same time?
 
macbook123 said:
I must be blind. The link says 30 hz, not 60.
[doublepost=1507991342][/doublepost]Also, can I charge the MacBook while using 4K at 60 Hz?
Click to expand...

The larger text in the link is referring to HDMI 1.4 - HDMI 1.4 does not support 4k60hz. IIRC, Apple's own adapter does NOT support 60hz, and this is why they have worded it this way. However, HDMI 2.0 does support 4k/60hz, and so the retina MacBook is indeed capable of this with either a USB-C-->mDP/DP/HDMI cable/adapter that is of the revision needed to support 60hz.

You can charge it while using 4k60hz. The limitation is that USB data transfer speeds will be running at the 2.0 protocol (so something like 40 MB/s) where as 4k30hz they will be USB 3.1 gen 1 speeds. Additionally, many of the passthrough chargers seem to have relatively inconsistent longevity and reliability. One alternative to passthrough would be a monitor like Andy mentioned. Another would be a USB-C dock that supplies power, such as the one from CalDigit.

FWIW and IMHO, the MacBook Pro is often the better pick for 4k60hz.
 
I tried to use the 2017 MacBook's camera for FaceTime yesterday. Man, it sure is crappy. The 480p isn't great, but what's worse is the low light quality. It's horrible. So I just used my iPhone instead. Way, way better.

The reason I tried using the MacBook is because I had a wired Ethernet connection for it. Nice stable connection. But it turns out the WiFi in this hotel is pretty good, and I'm not stuck at the desk on WiFi, so I'd prefer to use WiFi anyway. So, in 98% of cases, the FaceTime camera of the MacBook is superfluous to me as I would just use my iPhone 7 Plus for FaceTime.

Perhaps that's why Apple isn't in a hurry to up-spec the camera in these. I realize the technology may not be as mature in terms of sizing, but if they can put a high quality front camera in the iPhone, then they should at least be able to put something nicer in the MacBook too. Maybe not quite as good due to the thinness of the MacBook screen portion, but better than what they have now. However, since so many MacBook owners would have iPhones or at least decent Android phones anyway, this MacBook camera is of secondary importance.

Maybe I'm extrapolating too much, but that's certainly case for me. If I had to choose, I'd pick an improved trackpad over an improved FaceTime camera. The trackpad in the MacBook is a bit weak in its haptic feedback. It's certainly a step down in feel compared to my now ancient 2009 MacBook Pro, or my even older 2008 aluminum MacBook.

However, the feature I want the most is a 2nd USB-C port. And then after that, Thunderbolt 3. So here is what I'd look for in a future hypothetical MacBook:

1) 2 x USB-C
2) Thunderbolt 3 support, along with 10 Gbps USB-C
3) Improved trackpad
4) Wide colour gamut screen
5) 1080p front FaceTime camera, plus or minus FaceID
 
Last edited:
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