Where do you see the MacBook Pro 5 years from now ?

[TheRealAlex]

Many threads on Here revolve around I’m waiting for OLED, or I’m waiting for WiFi 6. I’d like to ask everyone where do you see the Apple Flagship MacBook Pro in 5 years from now ? How will it change or will it self destruct like Intel has ? Apple being a luxury brand and due to the Pandemic a global recession lasting for 5 years estimated.

I am guessing that in 5 Years time the ARM based MacBook Pro will have a MiniLED Display and will be Labeled a XDR Pro Display. So creators and editors can have seemless workflow and color correct work from a 34” $6,000 Pro Display XDR to a MacBook Pro.

Also 32GB LPDDR5 RAM will be standard my Note 20 Ultra already has 12GB LPDDR5.

But besides Specs Design wise the FAA 99Watt Hour battery size has been reached. Only way to improve is to use 3nm ARM CPUs
My guess is a Dual A17X System with Two ARM CPUs

And lastly a LCD Based Mouse Trackpad which will act as small Display.

 

[pshufd]

I'm running fine on a 2015 MacBook Pro. The performance delta between the 16 and my system is ridiculous. I am quite fine with current 2019/2020 technology. Just improve the thermals and/or battery life and I will be quite happy with whatever Apple puts out. I do expect their flagship to be Apple Silicon with better specs than Intel/AMD can assemble.

 

[easy4lif]

Dual A20x processor each 8 big/8little

max 256 gb memory
20tb storage
Gpu 2080ti Equivalent
6k screen
1 day battery life


personally, I’d like if apple called the Mac CPU’s “M” series and their line of gpu’s “g” series

 

[pshufd]

Apple had a huge lead with the iPhone for several years. They had a huge lead with the iPad. They had a lead on ultrabooks for quite some time. It will be interesting if this gives them a considerable advantage over x86 system where it takes competitors several years to compete. Or maybe they won't ever be able to as Apple will advance technology even as competitors try to catch up.

In this environment, will everyone who can afford one, go Apple?

 

[velocityg4]

4K/5K OLED displays for 14 and 16 inch models, respectively. Probably called Retina 2.
PCIe 5.0 Thunderbolt connectors with USB 4.3x6 rev b gen 3.
Face ID webcam
16/32 core CPU for 14 and 16 inch models, respectively
32GB and 64GB ram standard for 14 and 16 inch models, respectively
touch keyboard that changes based on the open app. Entire surface touch. LCARS mods will be hugely popular
mobile afterburner chip
iOS and macOS will be thoroughly blended. Installing none app store apps will be very difficult.

 

[KittyKatta]

Apple had a huge lead with the iPhone for several years. They had a huge lead with the iPad. They had a lead on ultrabooks for quite some time. It will be interesting if this gives them a considerable advantage over x86 system where it takes competitors several years to compete. Or maybe they won't ever be able to as Apple will advance technology even as competitors try to catch up.

In this environment, will everyone who can afford one, go Apple?

Apple also tends to squander leads. So even if Apple tech does a solid jump next gen, it may not move at all in the 5 years after it. (Siri. HomePod. AppleTV. Laptops. iMac. iCloud. Every single piece of software they've ever made).

 

[pshufd]

Apple also tends to squander leads. So even if Apple tech does a solid jump next gen, it may not move at all in the 5 years after it. (Siri. HomePod. AppleTV. Laptops. iMac. iCloud. Every single piece of software they've ever made).

The lead this time, though, is hardware which seems to be quite a bit different. I've always wondered why Apple is always ahead of Qualcomm in ARM chips. One other differentiator is that Apple is going to get better performance from integrating GPU and CPU whereas the x86 market has fragmentation between Intel and AMD/Nvidia.

 

[terminator-jq]

I believe many of these things we will see trickling down within the next couple years:

1. We will have a 14” (4K mini LED) and 16” (5k mini LED). HDR support, 120hz refresh rates. 1000nit+ brightness with special coating to make the screens more useable in bright environments and especially outdoor.

2. Face ID on all models.

3. Home grown Apple chips that are actually very... VERY good (like surprisingly good). I really think we will be pleasantly surprised by these Mac A series chips. Also the GPU will be mid blowing. The Pro users will be very happy and surprisingly the gamers will be happy too.

4. The Mac laptop lineup will be simplified: There will be the Macbook as a low cost option (128gb for $799 and 256gb for $899). The Macbook Air will be merged into the 14” MacBook Pro. Then the flagship will be the 16”. So, you’ll just have the MacBook, MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16. All with similar designs and slim bezels

5. Insane battery life. Even for intense task (3D modeling, gaming, video editing) the battery will still last for 6-7 hours. Like the iPhone, the MacBooks will have an optional low power mode to extend battery life even longer. Moreover the MacBooks will stay much cooler, even for demanding task.

 

[TheRealAlex]

But do we ever get an RGB LED Apple Logo. Heck F that. Give me as an $500 Option to replace the Apple Logo with an Apple Logo LCD screen

 

[ultrakyo]

1. Mini LED display with 120Hz refresh rate
2. Ultra quiet machine with 0 RPM fan on idle
3. Thinner macbook pro
4. PS5 equivalent graphic or more
5. At least 15 hours music or apple TV playback
6. 1.5 Kg
7. Face ID + 1080 webcam
8. Glass laminated keycap
9. OLED Trackpad (maybe far fetch but could be useful
10. 32GB LPDDR5x RAM on base model
11. 1TB SSD on base model

 

[bluecoast]

I believe many of these things we will see trickling down within the next couple years:

1. We will have a 14” (4K mini LED) and 16” (5k mini LED). HDR support, 120hz refresh rates. 1000nit+ brightness with special coating to make the screens more useable in bright environments and especially outdoor.

2. Face ID on all models.

3. Home grown Apple chips that are actually very... VERY good (like surprisingly good). I really think we will be pleasantly surprised by these Mac A series chips. Also the GPU will be mid blowing. The Pro users will be very happy and surprisingly the gamers will be happy too.

4. The Mac laptop lineup will be simplified: There will be the Macbook as a low cost option (128gb for $799 and 256gb for $899). The Macbook Air will be merged into the 14” MacBook Pro. Then the flagship will be the 16”. So, you’ll just have the MacBook, MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16. All with similar designs and slim bezels

5. Insane battery life. Even for intense task (3D modeling, gaming, video editing) the battery will still last for 6-7 hours. Like the iPhone, the MacBooks will have an optional low power mode to extend battery life even longer. Moreover the MacBooks will stay much cooler, even for demanding task.

Think you’re spot on there.

 

[Fishrrman]

Question:
"Where do you see the MacBook Pro 5 years from now ?"

Looking at the way the Mac OS seems to be going with Big Sur, I reckon it will become something of a souped-up iPad Pro, with the keyboard and USBc ports, but without the touch screen...

 

[jerryk]

@Fishrrman is correct on the Mac being an extension from the iPad Pro. That is Apple's goal. To make the experience such that it is an easy transition from your iPhone to iPad or Mac and visa verse. They will likely even add touch support to Macs. They have already started down this path by making their controls slightly wider to support touch.

 

[maerz001]

Apart from Hardware upgrades nobody is speaking of added functionality.

Once the ARM Macbook supports all good iOS bells and whistles don’t you think there would come a new product category?

Like some iPad/MB hybrid aka XPS 2in1
which could switch between desktop and touch input.

 

[nicho]

I’d like if apple called the Mac CPU’s “M” series

I'd prefer a new mac to be a little more capable than a pedometer, thanks 😉

 

[ultrakyo]

1. Mini LED display with 120Hz refresh rate
2. Ultra quiet machine with 0 RPM fan on idle
3. Thinner macbook pro
4. PS5 equivalent graphic or more
5. At least 15 hours music or apple TV playback
6. 1.5 Kg
7. Face ID + 1080 webcam
8. Glass laminated keycap
9. OLED Trackpad (maybe far fetch but could be useful
10. 32GB LPDDR5x RAM on base model
11. 1TB SSD on base model

flashback on my comment and most are already achieved now with current macbook pro M1 Max lineup!!!