When to Expect Apple's Rumored October Event Based on Prior Years

[Kevbasscat]

My 2009 isn't even useful for playing youtube videos anymore, and I've been waiting since about 2013 for a worthy followup to the great 2012 Mini. I gave up this year and built a PC.

"i7-8700K, 32G DDR4, GTX 1060 6G, 1TB+500G SSDs, Win 10 Pro replaced my 2009 Mac Mini for less money than a 2-core i7, half the RAM, less drive space and no dedicated video in Apple's 4-year-old 2014 Mini. Try harder, Apple."

Nice bite you have🙂. Luckily I have a 2012 mini, but I don’t any Macs newer that 2012. My 9,1 iMac is literally crawling. It’s downright lame. Let me just say, "hurry the hell up Apple!"

 

[navaira]

If that new laptop doesn't have a proper keyboard I have to move to Windows, so I'm hanging on to it as my last hope, even if it's underpowered. Give me a retina screen, a few USB-Cs, a keyboard that lasts longer than two weeks, and I will buy it.

iPad Pro is one of those things I don't need but I kind of want because it's so purdy. I don't really have any better reasons 🙂 I'd like FaceID and a Pencil. But that would really be luxury spending which I can't really afford.

I'd be tempted to get the iPhone XR, but it STARTS at €859 here. I used a promo with both T-Mobile and a Samsung payback, and as a result I replaced a S7 edge with S9 at the total price of €250, then sold the S7 edge and my total spending on a new phone was €95. I'm sorry, Apple, the XR looks very nice and lovely, but €859 is NOT a cheap phone unless you have a management position at Apple...

So I have the luxury of being very curious, not knowing what's coming, and hopefully being very excited by the new Mini and Pro until I see the prices. 😉

 

[L-Viz]

So you’re buying a Surface Studio 2 then?

I already really liked the first surface studio when I saw it at the MS Store. Giant display, nice touch control, it is something different, clearly innovative... and now that it receives a hardware update, I don't see any competing product from Apple. Apple only produces toys and oversized phablets...

 

[Zdigital2015]

I already really liked the first surface studio when I saw it at the MS Store. Giant display, nice touch control, it is something different, clearly innovative... and now that it receives a hardware update, I don't see any competing product from Apple. Apple only produces toys and oversized phablets...

The Surface Studio (both models) have impressive industrial design, and the SS2 has certainly increased its specifications, but it is still behind the curve in terms of CPU power and connectivity, which I find ironic, as so many people in these forums have rushed to complain about Apple not updating its hardware to keep up with what is currently shipping and that the price being charged was exorbitant.

With a starting price of $3499 and escalating up to $4799, Microsoft is shipping 2017 MacBook Pro innards and a 2016 NVIDIA GPU with a 27" iMac class display in 2018, and at a ridiculous premium considering the only meaningful feature on the SS that separates it from other All-In-Ones, including the iMac, is the display.

Microsoft had the opportunity to make sure the CPU was current and include a six-core i7-8850H (2.6GHz), which is the generational successor to the quad-core i7-7820HQ (2.9GHz), room for up to 64GB of RAM instead of 32GB max, Thunderbolt 3 versus a USB-C port (which I think is simply a Gen1-5Gbps port), 802.11ac 2x2 and Bluetooth 5.0. Just like the previous Surface Studio, Microsoft is again behind the curve specs wise when they had a chance to create something that could justify its price. The first one could not, and this one cannot either. It is an expensive curio piece for most...although for its limited use-case, I hope it works well.

Apple is just not interested in making a competing product to the Surface Studio...macOS is not meant to be a touch OS. I strongly disagree that Apple only produces toys and oversized phablets, but you have already made up your mind. I hope you enjoy your Surface Studio.

 

[TallManNY]

If that new laptop doesn't have a proper keyboard I have to move to Windows, so I'm hanging on to it as my last hope, even if it's underpowered. Give me a retina screen, a few USB-Cs, a keyboard that lasts longer than two weeks, and I will buy it.

iPad Pro is one of those things I don't need but I kind of want because it's so purdy. I don't really have any better reasons 🙂 I'd like FaceID and a Pencil. But that would really be luxury spending which I can't really afford.

I'd be tempted to get the iPhone XR, but it STARTS at €859 here. I used a promo with both T-Mobile and a Samsung payback, and as a result I replaced a S7 edge with S9 at the total price of €250, then sold the S7 edge and my total spending on a new phone was €95. I'm sorry, Apple, the XR looks very nice and lovely, but €859 is NOT a cheap phone unless you have a management position at Apple...

So I have the luxury of being very curious, not knowing what's coming, and hopefully being very excited by the new Mini and Pro until I see the prices. 😉

I think the new keyboards released in the Macbook Pro have solved the keyboard failure issue by protecting the keys from crumbs. I'm guessing the Air replacement will meet your needs. Or maybe a new MacBook will have two USB-Cs and that will be enough for you.

Yes, the phones are expensive. I think a used X or a used 8 might be the way to go. Though of course the S9 is amazing phone as well. So I think you are set there and you got there so cheap! Presumably at some point you will sell that S9 for way more than 95 Euros as well!

 

[navaira]

I think the new keyboards released in the Macbook Pro have solved the keyboard failure issue by protecting the keys from crumbs.

I am on my third replacement and was going to replace it again today due to keyboard failures, but there was a scratch on the screen, so now I have to wait 2-3 weeks for repair. None of the three managed longer than two weeks before the first key failed. And since the scratch would mean I'd have to pay 25% of the €2489 to have the laptop replaced – or lose that 25% when returning it, I will unfortunately not be getting a Matebook X Pro instead. I'm stuck with the keyboard until I win the lottery.

And no, I don't eat over the computer (or in the same room), my hands are not covered in dust, etc.

 

[TallManNY]

I am on my third replacement and was going to replace it again today due to keyboard failures, but there was a scratch on the screen, so now I have to wait 2-3 weeks for repair. None of the three managed longer than two weeks before the first key failed. And since the scratch would mean I'd have to pay 25% of the €2489 to have the laptop replaced – or lose that 25% when returning it, I will unfortunately not be getting a Matebook X Pro instead. I'm stuck with the keyboard until I win the lottery.

And no, I don't eat over the computer (or in the same room), my hands are not covered in dust, etc.

That is terrible. Stories like this make me believe that Apple really did screw over a generation of their laptops. But this isn't the Macbook Pro they just released, right? This seems to have a fixed keyboard with a rubber membrane in it. Presumably the new laptops released this year and next year will have the improved keyboard.

Note, I certainly do eat near my laptops, not just in the same room but on the same desk. That is normal, in my opinion, and the keyboard should be robust enough for this to not be an issue.

 

[navaira]

But this isn't the Macbook Pro they just released, right? This seems to have a fixed keyboard with a rubber membrane in it.

Yup, that's the 2018. I had a rMB 2016 before, used canned air twice. The three 2018 MBPs with membranes are fantastic to type on. Until keys stop functioning. In all three cases the keys that failed were the ones used the most in English language (I type a LOT) – E, O, I, A, space bar. I've got it written somewhere, but in any case E and O were first to go. I think this new keyboard was tested for about three days, then deemed perfectly functional.

(Mind you, the membrane GREATLY improves the sound and comfort of typing. It's even easier to type on than the rMB. The only times I needed to slam the keys was... well... when they stopped registering...)

Tomorrow I will be getting a call from Apple. Apparently emailing tcook@apple.com can sometimes be a good idea. Not that I know what Apple is going to do about it, but I'm looking forward to finding out. (I asked in the email whether Apple perhaps considered releasing a Macbook Pro Pro with functional keyboard for people who type a lot...)

 

[largefarrva]

The keyboard was a huge reason why I wasn't so disappointed to have to sell my MBP a few months ago to help cover a huge unplanned expense. I really wish they would dump the whole butterfly key mechanism or whatever it's called and go back to the older style keyboards....they were so much nicer to type on.

 

[utilitas]

I would like to see a new generation MB 12" in the coming months of this year. Intel just released the new m/y Amber Lake cpu generation less than two months ago which would just fit the MB in case of a refresh. Also the MB was last updated 492 days ago which is a lot higher than the average MB and MBP update cycle. If they wait for a refresh until april 2019 this would add around 180 days to the cycle which would result in a total of more than 650 days. That is what is making me believe that there will be an update this year. Probably a silent update like we have seen it before with the MB 12". Design will most likely stay the same with only the cpu, maybe a thunderbolt 3 type-c port and the new 3rd gen. butterfly keyboard updated. Also we might see Bluetooth 5.0 in it.

Edit: Also the last MB 12"s cpu was launched in April 2017 and the refresh of the new MB with that came in June 2017 two months after. If this could be applied to a possible MB 12" refresh this year, it might be released in the end of october scince the new Amber Lake chips were launched in the end of August of this year.

Forget the silent update part, there will probably be an event if there is a refresh. I hope to see an updated 12“ or a 13“ MB in the 12“ form factor..

 

[TallManNY]

Yup, that's the 2018. I had a rMB 2016 before, used canned air twice. The three 2018 MBPs with membranes are fantastic to type on. Until keys stop functioning. In all three cases the keys that failed were the ones used the most in English language (I type a LOT) – E, O, I, A, space bar. I've got it written somewhere, but in any case E and O were first to go. I think this new keyboard was tested for about three days, then deemed perfectly functional.

(Mind you, the membrane GREATLY improves the sound and comfort of typing. It's even easier to type on than the rMB. The only times I needed to slam the keys was... well... when they stopped registering...)

Tomorrow I will be getting a call from Apple. Apparently emailing tcook@apple.com can sometimes be a good idea. Not that I know what Apple is going to do about it, but I'm looking forward to finding out. (I asked in the email whether Apple perhaps considered releasing a Macbook Pro Pro with functional keyboard for people who type a lot...)

That is very disturbing to read. I'm hoping to buy a Mac Laptop this year and my expectation is that it lasts at least 6 years. This is based on all my experiences with Macs over decades. This makes me think that I can't expect the Laptop to last three years. There is no way Apple is doing free repairs and replacements after that point. That is a big problem.

 

[kazmac]

The Surface Studio (both models) have impressive industrial design, and the SS2 has certainly increased its specifications, but it is still behind the curve in terms of CPU power and connectivity, which I find ironic, as so many people in these forums have rushed to complain about Apple not updating its hardware to keep up with what is currently shipping and that the price being charged was exorbitant.

With a starting price of $3499 and escalating up to $4799, Microsoft is shipping 2017 MacBook Pro innards and a 2016 NVIDIA GPU with a 27" iMac class display in 2018, and at a ridiculous premium considering the only meaningful feature on the SS that separates it from other All-In-Ones, including the iMac, is the display.

Microsoft had the opportunity to make sure the CPU was current and include a six-core i7-8850H (2.6GHz), which is the generational successor to the quad-core i7-7820HQ (2.9GHz), room for up to 64GB of RAM instead of 32GB max, Thunderbolt 3 versus a USB-C port (which I think is simply a Gen1-5Gbps port), 802.11ac 2x2 and Bluetooth 5.0. Just like the previous Surface Studio, Microsoft is again behind the curve specs wise when they had a chance to create something that could justify its price. The first one could not, and this one cannot either. It is an expensive curio piece for most...although for its limited use-case, I hope it works well.

Apple is just not interested in making a competing product to the Surface Studio...macOS is not meant to be a touch OS. I strongly disagree that Apple only produces toys and oversized phablets, but you have already made up your mind. I hope you enjoy your Surface Studio.

The SS2 specs killed it for me. No way I am paying that much for older internals on a system whose OS I barely use at work and not at home.

Shame, because I love the idea of an AIO I can draw on too.

 

[HowardEv]

I think apple will make a big seller from mac mini if the refresh is done correctly with all kind of ports and power
Since the mac mini is an old mac...but not too older for everybody to switch to other ecosystem...mac mini alone can have millions of units sold in this year

And an all-day battery! If the new Mini still has to stay plugged in it’ll flop. I’d rather it have just one USB C port and a battery than lots of ports and a cord.

 

[navaira]

I think we should expect the October event either in November or in 2019...

 

[redheeler]

October 30 is looking most likely at this point, meaning there is still another week until the invites are sent out.

 

[Zdigital2015]

The SS2 specs killed it for me. No way I am paying that much for older internals on a system whose OS I barely use at work and not ar home.

Shame, because I love the idea of an AIO I can draw on too.

Yes, I got excited to see what the specs would be for the SS2 and was immensely disappointed. When the first SS was released, the specs for it were just horribly underwhelming considering that the SS was essentially a blank slate product. What I thought would have made the specs tolerable would be a manageable price considering the premium price Apple had just slapped onto the 2016 MacBook Pro, and that it was Windows PC. Except, no, this was an premium priced product, and a narrowly focused one at that.

For me, the price to value ratio on the original SS was askew, especially with that Hybrid SSHDD combo for storage, but even with the SS2 performance upgrades to the storage and the GPU, the price increase really puts it into an even narrower boutique category, IMHO.

Although I would be intrigued to use that touch display in a DAW, I would rather get a high end iMac, add a Behringer or Softube control surface and pocket the difference.

 

[ghboard2010]

Well, for all the October 30 calls for a special event, we now have winner! Congratulations to everyone for playing. However, there are no prizes for anyone 🙁