Space Pirate
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Atlanta
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It looks like we won't see the new pro laptops sporting Apple Silicon until Q2 of 2021.
MacRumors shares a DigiTimes report that (once again) it sounds as if Mini-LED screens are coming with those new machines . I wonder what the battery savings will be with those new screens? ... |
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DigiTimes's track record isn't great.
(I wish MacRumors would do a subsite that compares their sources' track records. Someone did that but I can't remember the URL.) But, Q2 sounds about right to me. |
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Mr. Vieira
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee
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Makes me wonder how long it’ll be until the iMac switches over.
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Space Pirate
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Atlanta
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Mr. Vieira
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee
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True.
Okay, then...re: the MacBook Pro situation, I do find this odd, and wonder what will come of it: Assuming this rumor is legit and we see new, redesigned 14" (replacing the 13") MacBook Pro models by spring/summer...does the entire 13" MacBook Pro lineup get redesigned with the new 14" body - all four tiers, including those two lower-end $1,299 and $1,499 models that just got the M1 - or do only the two beefier, upper-end current 13" MacBook Pros (the $1,799 and $1,999 models) get the new 14" redesign, along with the 16" (both sizes I assume to be sporting a more powerful take on the M1?) Surely they won't have the smaller MacBook Pro models split into two different designs (old style 13", redesigned 14"), both sporting the new architecture. Just seems weird/confusing. But ~8 months sure seems like a short time (for Apple) to have a product in existence (if these current lower-end 13" models are also going to get a new size in the spring). Maybe they planned all this and these initial M1 13" models were a stopgap just so they could put something out there with the word "pro" in it for those who care about those things. Maybe by the time April-June rolls around, these just-released 13" MacBook Pros will be due for an update and the entire lineup goes to a new 14" design? These transitions periods are always weird and impossible to make plans during. Hopefully by Thanksgiving 2021, most of this is sorted out and no longer anything to think/wonder about. The MacBook Pro lineup will be all transitioned, redesign and all, along with maybe another popular, actual-selling model or two. Last edited by psmith2.0 : 2020-11-30 at 11:19. |
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meh
Join Date: May 2004
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I wouldn't be surprised to see the 14" MBP only replacing the 4 port 13" Intel MBP and the two port 13" MBP M1 remains as is.
1. Upsell value. 2. Mini-LED is supposedly more expensive right now so keeping it in the higher end machines maintains profit margins. giggity |
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Which way is up?
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Boyzeee
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I'm with Quagmire. There will be a differentiation between low-end and high-end MBP systems.
But, there shouldn't be. Should just be MacBook and MacBook Pro, each in two screen sizes (13" and 15" / 14" and 16"). MacBooks don't have fans, MacBook Pro's do, and include more cores or some other "power" feature. MacBook: 13" with Apple M-1 8-core / 8 or 16 RAM / Up to 2TB - $1299+ 15" with same - $1499+ MacBook Pro: 14" with Apple M-1 10-core (or something) / 16, 32, or 64 RAM / Up to 8TB - $1799+ 16" with same - $1999+ Something like that. - AppleNova is the best Mac-users forum on the internet. We are smart, educated, capable, and helpful. We are also loaded with smart-alecks! :) - Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Mat 5:9) |
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It’s gotten better compared to 2017, but the MacBook line-up is still a bit stupid. Why are there two significantly different 13-inch MBPs?
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Mr. Vieira
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee
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I'd be okay with that. As we've talked about before, stuff with "pro" in its name should mean it. Maybe those two new lower-end MacBook Pros qualify now, with the new guts? I don't know. But they're still different from the others in ports, base RAM, etc.
Yes, I think the Air name is pointless anymore, and the Apple notebook line should just be a simple two-part thing...MacBook and MacBook Pro. They're all "air" at this point, and have been for a long time. But that wedge design, no fan, etc. could be the new MacBook, and the two Pro models should be as much power as you can get for the money spent. I don't think Apple does themselves any favors by chopping things up and having some models of this sporting better specs than that, when the price/tiering doesn't always make sense. I said before that the MacBook should be elevated/brought up via BTO for those who want "a little more" than stock. But the MacBook Pro should never been crippled/hobbled or otherwise made less-than. If you buy a MacBook Pro, even if the entry-level price is $1,700+, then you should get the four ports, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, the nicer display specs/tech, etc., even at the entry level. That $999-1,500 space, IMO, is better served by a MacBook (two ports, 8GB base RAM and not trying to be something it isn't, or sporting a false, misleading name). However, I don't know if these two new M1 models change all that. Is a $1,299 13" M1-based MacBook Pro truly all that and way more than you'd get with the $1,799 Intel-based 13" model? I don't know, I'm asking. After the honeymoon/goo-goo-eye period, are we going to start seeing more sober, grounded reviews about these things? Again, when all this transition stuff settles out, maybe it'll all make more sense. But, yeah...I'd be okay with a 13" and 15" MacBook (wedge, two ports, no fan, 8GB RAM/256GB stock, etc. and able to BTO to something much nicer for those who want). And then everyone else, who needs it, can buy a 14" or 16" Pro with no worries of "but is it really...?". For the money asked for these things, there should be nothing not "pro" about the MacBook Pro, any size. They shouldn't cheapen that designator, IMO. Make it mean something, as it seems to on the desktops. Otherwise, just let the wedged, fanless MacBook be the notebook for the majority of buyers. I could see me opting for a 16GB 15" in a wedged, sleek design over 14" Pro, easily. Especially if the bezels came down a bit and a future 15" Apple notebook isn't quite the footprint as current ones. |
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Mr. Vieira
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee
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A hobbled Pro is much worse proposition, PR/marketing-wise, than a tricked-out non-pro MacBook (or Air), IMO. You bring products up, you don't knock them down and confuse/frustrate customers with names that don't really mean what they say. But I don't know what others use to mean "pro". I know what yardstick I use... |
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Space Pirate
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Atlanta
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Latest projection for a radical redesign of the MacBook Pro includes:
- return of MagSafe - elimination of touch bar - more ports - squared off corners Unfortunately for those of us holding out, he's saying 3rd quarter release. https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/15/2...ar-magsafe-kuo ... |
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Mr. Vieira
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee
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“Radical redesign” = returning to everything that was right/good to begin with? Interesting.
“If you’ll notice, our new manned explorer and ISS transport vehicle looks just like the Mercury capsule.” - NASA “For our 2021 lineup, we’ve made everything a Telecaster.” - Femder “All titties, all the time..” - Cinemax All four of those things existed once already on these models, and two of them - MagSafe and useful ports - actually mattered and made for a nicer, more capable and worth-all-the-money purchase. I don’t think that touchbar ever really hit in the way they probably expected. It almost seemed like unasked-for showing off. Some of this that seems like a shot at Jony’s “minimalist design over all else” obsession/leanings. “Alright guys, enough of this shit...make these things work well out of the box without a mandatory dongle-buying spree...”. If this is true...awesome. The Air can be the minimalist, bare-bones “notebook for the rest of us”, but maybe something with the word “pro”’ in its name should be a bit more versatile and full-featured? Maybe, as it turns out, ultra-stark minimalism isn’t a “pro” feature request? Last edited by psmith2.0 : 2021-01-15 at 05:39. |
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These sound more like a wishlist of a disgruntled user than an actual plan. Maybe they'll do it regardless, but I don't know about that.
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Space Pirate
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Atlanta
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Maybe it's just some wanker trying to see how long I can make my old machine last?
... |
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Mr. Vieira
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee
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Hold my beer...
I actually buy into this. The current 13” models might stay as they are, an “in between” option/hybrid for the “I need a bit more than the Air offers, but not $1,799+ worth” crowd (of which I’d be a member). And this is exactly where naming, marketing and all that comes in. If they’re gonna keep the streamlined, fanless and wedge-shaped Air, and this latest rumor on the upcoming 14” and 16” MacBook Pro pans out, then, when that happens, they should immediately change the name of the existing M1 13” models ($1,299 and $1,499) to just...MacBook. That one, simple little change immediately simplifies/clarifies everything, allows them to keep an affordable “middle ground” 13” notebook in its existing form (a fan, the 8-core graphics...all the things making it a bit more capable/robust than the $300-cheaper Air). But no longer saddled with the “pro” designation and coming across as slightly “less than”. Because even in the Intel days, those two models never matched the two pricier variants in anything but body design/color options. Without changing anything other than the nameplate (and website/packaging wording), there’s their mid-range, default “just MacBook” model in the $1,299-1,499 (stock) range. The new, different-looking - and differently-sized - Pro models would then occupy their own $1,799+ piece of the lineup, fully stand apart in power, ports, its own design, etc. No confusion about what "pro" means, and which models its attached to. If you want all that performance, and ports, then you're going to be forking over $1,799, minimum. But be sure you couldn't do with the $1,299 or $1,499 MacBook first. Many probably could. I’d be all for that. Three distinct Apple notebooks - affordable and minimalist and balls-out pro performance/features...and a nice bridge between the two sitting right in the middle. A three-tier lineup, each with its own design/look and naming. I’m telling you: if that rumor pans out and new upper-end MacBook Pros get that level of redesign (with the extra ports, the beefier M1 variant, etc.) they’re crazy if they don’t do the above and quit calling those two lower-end models “Pro”. MacBook Air ($999+),Macbook ($1,299+) and MacBook Pro ($1,799+). The first two keep their current specs, design, pricing. The third is what such a machine with “pro” in its name should be. Simple. But, knowing Apple, they’ll keep the existing 13” models around and still call it MacBook Pro, just thoroughly confusing everyone for no good reason. “Why are these two Macbook Pros different looking, fewer ports, a different processor, etc. than those brand new 14” and 16” models? They’re really kinda just a...I don’t know, Macbook?” Yes, Virginia. They are. Even now, it's confusing and a mess...two MacBook Pros with M1 guts at $1,299 and $1,499 which, for all I've read, run rings around the two Intel-based models still in the lineup for $1,799 and $1,999 (and even the 16" model, well into the $2,000's). Maybe they should've called these new M1-based models "MacBook" back in November upon release, to help pave the way for what I talk about above...everyone knows that a new M1-based true Pro would be coming at some point in 2021. My idea above is the only way you can explain/recommend an Apple notebook to a casual person/newcomer without their heads exploding...you can't do that in the way it currently is, or in the way it's been for years. You just can't. Weird overlap, non-apparent differences, mismatched performance, names that don't mean anything, pricing that doesn't make full sense when you look at the benchmarks, etc. But hopefully, soon, it's simply a matter of "okay, you've got three distinct tiers/models to choose from, and there's enough difference in design, performance and pricing to truly set all three lines apart, providing you with three clear options. Now you primarily write a blog, stream music and watch porn, so the top-end "pro" model definitely isn't needed, so let's immediately cross that off the list. That leaves us with the MacBook Air and the MacBook. Now, with that $999 Air you get...". You'd have it figured out/decided in about four minutes: good, better and best, in the true meanings of the words. And priced/named accordingly. Beats the current situation all to hell. Last edited by psmith2.0 : 2021-01-15 at 10:11. |
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Lord of the Rant.
Formerly turtle2472 Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Upstate South Carolina
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I could see them ditching the TouchBar. If I had enable analytics to Apple they would see I touch mine about once a month and that is typically an accident when I'm using TouchID.
Getting MagSafe back would be awesome, especially for a user like Mrs T. Not needed for me, though I wouldn't complain. The ability to charge with my single TB port is great for me given I use a dock. Maybe the ability to charge with TB or a MagSafe would be phenomenal. Do I think Apple will actually clean up the line... maybe now that Ives is gone. We might get real work machines that aren't focused on being smaller and less powerful. Given the size and power the M1 seems to be able to handle, I would assume small package with lots of power is very much on tap though. Louis L'Amour, “To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.” Visit our archived Minecraft world! | Maybe someday I'll proof read, until then deal with it. |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: UK's most densely packed city. It's not London...
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MacBoobs? Relief Clinic fodder?
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Mr. Vieira
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee
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While I don't own a MacBook with one, I've used it enough over time to form an opinion. I've never seen the Touch Bar as anything amazing. And I've yet to read any review or article that makes the case for it in any real way. If it went away tomorrow, I can't imagine too many people having a problem with that.
I hear more negative, or just neutral, stuff about it than any positive, glowing praise and "it's changed my computer-using life" tales. It doesn't do anything new or different - or, most importantly, better - than what was already there. It's just a fancier, eyeball-massaging implementation that looks neat in product photos. But I've always viewed it more as a "look what we can do!" thing than any sort of "OMG!" game-changer (because it isn't). But, as always, I'm open to having my mind changed on that; so tee up and take your best shot if you think you can. Good luck. |
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Mr. Vieira
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee
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I actually love the idea of a new 2021 M1-based 14" and 16" MacBook Pro looking more like a Titanium PowerBook G4 than anything since. Just a solid, unapologetically squared-off chunk of aluminum without the slope or bevel or any tapering around the edges. I know those things can help give the illusion of (false) thinness, but that's all it is...false thinness (like the 2012 iMac redesign where, when viewed from a specific angle, the iMac looks about 4mm thick. But as soon as you cough or shift your weight, you see it bulge out the back like any other expected all-in-one would have to do. So what's the point, big picture? A few hollow seconds of bragging rights and product photography that only really works from a certain angle?
Get cute and design-y with the $999 consumer-focused Air if you must. There's already no fan, so you've got some room to work with among a crowd who isn't looking to demand more than it's designed/priced to do. But own the bulk if you're going to put out a no-apology "professional" notebook. Have it be a squared-off chunk of aluminum, as sleek, light and thin as possible, of course; but it needn't be absurd, Ive-levels of such. Not to the point where performance, battery or thermal issues are affected. Not for a machine costing $1,799-and-up, and squarely aimed at a specific user category. Because, once that happens, what's the point? Who are you truly pleasing then? Not that customer/user. You're just lunging for design awards and accolades. And that shouldn't be the main goal. And it feels like that has been the case in recent years. We all know this, it's okay to say/agree. He's gone. He's currently hard at work on a vibranium-encrusted waffle maker that weighs less than a cloud. He's happy, and Mac users are better off for it. |
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Space Pirate
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Atlanta
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MacBoobs was an accident, turned experiment, turned canon.
It is what it is! ... |
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Mr. Vieira
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee
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I just noticed this today.
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Space Pirate
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Atlanta
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Laugh now. When they actually NAME it the MacBoob Pro I'LL be the one doing the laughing.
... |
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Veteran Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Toronto
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The cost of the TouchBar added about $400-$500 to the MacBook Pro, right?
Will we get a sizeable price reduction once it's gone? |
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Mr. Vieira
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee
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I seriously doubt it. That doesn’t seem very Apple-y. But I suppose anything is possible.
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meh
Join Date: May 2004
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I do like the Touch Bar on my 13" MBP M1. But same time I wouldn't miss it most likely. It makes some functions easier( like the word suggestions makes for a faster way for spell check and fix spelling errors) and depending how I am using the computer, makes for going to my favorites or switching tabs faster in Safari than moving the trackpad. But I also rarely used the physical F1 keys so, guess I see touch bar as a gain in functionality for me.
And MagSafe coming back, yes please! giggity |
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@kk@pennytucker.social
Join Date: Jan 2005
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I just brought this up with my wife, and she's super interested in getting rid of the Touch Bar and ports on both sides.
Mind you, we just bought 2 M1 MBPs, so I'm surprised she's on board with that, but she really does not like the Touch Bar and would be on board with MagSafe, so we'll see what the resale values on the first M1 MBPs are when these are announced. No more Twitter. It's Mastodon now. |
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Sneaky Punk
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You never know, the Mac Mini price dropped going M1, which surprised me lot. I doubt the New MacBooks will see much of a price change though, they just throw in some new feature, maybe better screens?
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Given that they left the bigger Intel Mac mini around, I'm guessing we'll see that being replaced by a ($999-ish?) M1X/M2 model that brings those back. |
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