Like the title says, any idea when the 2012 Macbook Pro refresh is happening, as well and what is rumored to be included?


Was planning on purchasing a Macbook Pro, but am thinking on whether i should wait on the refresh or bite the bullet and grab one now

Tuesday.

Not much rumors in the rumor mill... Perhaps we must wait a while still...

Not much rumors in the rumor mill... Perhaps we must wait a while still...

Really? There's been loads of rumors lately about the 2012 refresh. The 15"/17" models have Ivy Bridge processors coming at the end of the month (quad-core mobile processors). And while the CPUs are the typical 5-20% faster, The intel hd 4000 integrated graphics are twice as good as the intel hd 3000 ones found in the current 13" MacBook Pro and MacBook airs.

The low-voltage processors for the MacBook air and 13" pro (if it survives the 2012 refresh, which I kinda doubt) won't arrive till June, however.

More info here: Ivy Bridge Quad-Core Desktop and Mobile Processors Reportedly Launching on April 29 - Mac Rumors (http://www.macrumors.com/2012/03/28/ivy-bridge-quad-core-desktop-and-mobile-processors-reportedly-launching-on-april-29/)

Lots of chatter about the MBPs going the way of MBAs.... losing the optical drive, offering an outboard drive like the current MBA. A logical move... and then there's Apple's mega-deal with the makers of LiquidMetal, for which they have so far only made a SIM ejector tool for the iPhone. Seems like a materials change may also be coming.

Tuesday.

+1

or..maybe...NEXT tuesday

Really hoping they will put some type of Retina display with super high resolution. The iPad looks so much better than my Macbook, not fair! lol

I am waiting for the next release as well, wanting to replaced my i5 to whatever is next. Just want more processing punch for CS5 and 6 when that comes out. Hopefully sooner rather then later.

I am waiting for the next release as well, wanting to replaced my i5 to whatever is next. Just want more processing punch for CS5 and 6 when that comes out. Hopefully sooner rather then later.

I would think you'll likely be disappointed. The new Ivy Bridge appears to test a bit faster than the Sandy Bridge, but it's not a revolution or anything. The chips are still called i5, i7 etc to reflect that fact.

Replacing an i5, seriously?? Man must be nice to be that rich ...

PS. I think those that subscribe to the "by the end of the month" rumour are, again, setting themselves up for disappointment ...

and anyone needing 10.6 will SOL most likely as with the current Airs.

A new physical design is often a tad risky to get into the first model year.

A lot will depend if Apple makes two drive bays available as that is a very very popular configuration with the current models.

A lot will depend if Apple makes two drive bays available as that is a very very popular configuration with the current models.

Wait ... I'm confused ... you mention the Air but it sounds like you are talking about the MacBook Pros now ... :confused:

Apple has already said (via Jobs) that future MacBook models would look like the Air. My interpretation of that is "no optical drive and SSD-driven" so I'm not sure where the "two drive bays" would be ... more like "no drive bays" would appear to be the current direction.

My almost 6-year old MBP, while still in excellent condition, wasn't doing everything I needed it to. So if something launches shortly it's because I just bought one. Mind you, if they change the design to be like the Air, I'l be very happy I bought one.

Well if they get rid of the SuperDrive; then that frees up room for a second hard drive; or SSD. They could then slim the design down and maybe divide the ports so that a few are on each side. Kinda like the 13" Airs...

They may have discovered that some people are using their MBPs for pro work. They will therefore probably remove the optical drive and slim it down so you can still only get 1 HD in, remove the FW port, insist on no USB 3 and the battery life will remain the same. This way we won't be distracted by creating media or working. It's all part of the plan to make us all media consumers only. Not creators.

Apple has already said (via Jobs) that future MacBook models would look like the Air. My interpretation of that is "no optical drive and SSD-driven" so I'm not sure where the "two drive bays" would be ... more like "no drive bays" would appear to be the current direction.

Losing the optical drive does not preclude having two drives nor does it preclude thinner - it would be a serious error on Apple's part.
OLED screens for instance would slim the top half.

The air's are 1.7 cm thick at the back - that's lots to accommodate 9.5 mm standard and SSD drives.
The optical drive has by necessity a large footprint so makes it far more difficult to slim.

They may have discovered that some people are using their MBPs for pro work. They will therefore probably remove the optical drive and slim it down so you can still only get 1 HD in, remove the FW port, insist on no USB 3 and the battery life will remain the same. This way we won't be distracted by creating media or working. It's all part of the plan to make us all media consumers only. Not creators.

Lol

Right, there will be no drive at all.

Everything will be in the iCloud.

They may have discovered that some people are using their MBPs for pro work. They will therefore probably remove the optical drive and slim it down so you can still only get 1 HD in, remove the FW port, insist on no USB 3 and the battery life will remain the same. This way we won't be distracted by creating media or working. It's all part of the plan to make us all media consumers only. Not creators.

Nobody uses an optical drive anymore, and the few that do use it when they're at home, not on the road. I would sooner buy a box full of 8GB thumb drives and GIVE THEM AWAY with the file I want people to have on em than waste a weekend burning multiple DVDs.

As for no USB 3 (and possibly no FW), that's possible. Thanks to Thunderbolt, however, you can have all of that and more things Apple will never support (like e-sata).

But of course we are just speculating (well, I am -- you appear to be donning your "leaping to conclusions" boots). Maybe we should just wait and see, eh? Does the world really need more preemptive BnMing?

I'm not too sure how I'm feeling about this refresh. I'd love to see Ivy Bridge and updated graphics, but I'm worried what'll happen with a slimmed down Pro.

As a music producer storage space is very important. Right now on my Mac's 250 GB hard drive, I've got 90 Gigs of just audio, and I've had to hold off on installing alot of plugins and sound libraries simply because of space restrictions. My big studio desktop has a 2 TB drive dedicated to just audio. SSD's are great, I have one in my desktop and I love it, but as a content creator having lots of hard drive space is key.

Another thing with iCloud, is connectivity. Even in a developed nation like Canada, with decent 3G coverage (southern Ontario) I often find myself in areas with poor connectivity. How am I supposed to access all my files on a plane or train with no/questionable wifi? Even in Toronto, I lose all contact with the world when I go into the Subway.

Durability is also a main concern I have. When I DJ I'm in a loud club environment with drunk people, and other potential hazards everywhere. I've had so many things break in the most unpredictable ways. Although it has taken a few dings and dents, the heft of my current Macbook Pro keeps it from being knocked all over the place. I'm not sure if I'll be able to say the same if it's like the Air.

I really hope the next Macbook Pro isn't just some oversized Facebook machine.

Nobody uses an optical drive anymore, and the few that do use it when they're at home, not on the road. I would sooner buy a box full of 8GB thumb drives and GIVE THEM AWAY with the file I want people to have on em than waste a weekend burning multiple DVDs.

That's just flat out wrong. I still burn many, many DVDs and CDs every year. As I travel in the motor home, relatives in rural areas want copies of videos and pictures from our visit to the area and what do they want it on? Yep DVDs they can play at home or CDs for the still pics. I burned over 40 DVDs at our last big birthday get together alone.

It's all part of the plan to make us all media consumers only. Not creators.

I really hope the next Macbook Pro isn't just some oversized Facebook machine.

I agree 100%

However, this is making me feel better about my decision to buy one now. :lmao:

I too would not horribly miss my DVD drive. I use it sporadically. I can share most files in the home wirelessly; or when thats not convenient I use an external FW drive. I think i may have burnt 10 CD's or DVD's in the past year. Most for older Macs that don't have slow wireless or none at all.