Will Thunderbolt 3 be present in next-gen rMB

[electorate]

As we know now that Thunderbolt 3 takes on the same form factor as USB-C, it leads me to believe that we will see full support for it in the next generation rMB. If that's the case I'd rather hold off on buying an rMB for that rather than buy a laptop now that only supports USB-C.

Unless I've gotten things completely wrong? Huge fan of the rMB but I see Thunderbolt 3 as a big enough point to make me wait until the next generation. Can we expect it in the next rMB or will it be a few generations away?

I understand no-one actually knows the answer but I figured some discussion about how/when it will impact the rMB line would be appropriate for this sub-forum.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

It is probably more a question on wether Apple want to distinguish the MBP and the MB. Usually the Pro machines get the high end ports first, and then the low end versions get them a couple of revisions later.

But one can hope, since, as you say, they share ports.

 

[cfedu]

It is probably more a question on wether Apple want to distinguish the MBP and the MB. Usually the Pro machines get the high end ports first, and then the low end versions get them a couple of revisions later.

But one can hope, since, as you say, they share ports.

You don't think the MBP and the MB are distinguishable? If Apple can put a thunderbolt chip in the next macbook without compromising the design, they will. I don't remember Apple in the recent past holding out on "ports" for a couple of revisions. The MB was in the first batch of macs to get MDP, the Mac Mini was in the first batch of Mac desktops to get MDP. Thunderbolt did not skip a generation when it was implemented either, except for the high end Mac Pro, which took years to get it.

 

[Queen6]

Personally I think TB-3 is given and it will be over USB C

Q-6

 

[MyopicPaideia]

Personally I think TB-3 is given and it will be over USB C

Q-6

Yup.

 

[sfwalter]

I guess its a question of whether the chipset that the Core M processor uses can support thunderbolt.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

I guess its a question of whether the chipset that the Core M processor uses can support thunderbolt.

Already confirmed that it does. That's why it is a given.

 

[placidity44]

Maybe over USB-C but a dedicated thunderbolt port on the rMB is highly unlikely.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

Maybe over USB-C but a dedicated thunderbolt port on the rMB is highly unlikely.

That's the point. TB3 IS going to exclusively be over USB-C, that was the big announcement made by Intel.

 

[cfedu]

Maybe over USB-C but a dedicated thunderbolt port on the rMB is highly unlikely.

There is no dedicated thunderbolt port as thunderbolt 1 and 2 used the mDP connector which could be used for DP. From my understanding, and thunderbolt 3 devices will use the USB-C connector so most upcoming thunderbolt devices will not be using the mDP connector.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

There is no dedicated thunderbolt port as thunderbolt 1 and 2 used the mDP connector which could be used for DP. From my understanding, and thunderbolt 3 devices will use the USB-C connector so most upcoming thunderbolt devices will not be using the mDP connector.

Correct, and slight correction, ALL TB3 devices will not be using the mDP connector, because TB3 is going to be exclusively via the USB-C connector port. One will need (special, expensive) adapters to interface with TB1-2 peripherals.