I addressed the issue of ballooning SKUs. See the very post to which you replied. There would be a few more but not a lot more, and buyers would have better choices.
Mea culpa. That said, there is definitely an argument to be made for having a wider range of Macs but there is also an argument to be made that it wouldn't increase profit and could end up costing the company money.
there is also an argument to be made that it wouldn't increase profit and could end up costing the company money.
True. I don't think that's how it would play out though. I think Apple would wind up capturing more of the fence riders who are presently choosing to buy something other than a Mac.
How does that make any sense whatsoever? They have NOTHING until 2015 and you want them to ignore that and keep having NOTHING until 2017? THIS HARDWARE until 2017?!
It has been pretty far in the distance for some time, but the tech sites occasionally like to claim that Apple and others will somehow defy intel's rollout schedule.
I don't think they will defy Intels roll out schedule. The fact of the matter is that Intel rolled out chips suitable for upgrading some of Apples hardware yesterday. That could hold Apple for another six months if they upgrade next month that puts them into early 2015. Broadwell is so far delayed that they (they being Intel) might cancel the bulk of the roll out for SkyLake.
It's also the same thing over again. They say that the generation after is still on target, but they aren't going to ship something for 3 months and then immediately switch over.
Normally it is a case of design delays with Intel. However in this case it looks like the basic designs for Broadwell and SkyLake are already done. That's is Broadwell is complete except for a process to build it upon. If that prices is only ready in 2015 (it is debatable what ready means here) then which does Intel go for? Oh and yes I could see Apple pressuring Intel to make an early jump to SkyLake.
So is it really the same thing here? Intel could find itself with two architectures looking for a process to run on.
Yep, they’re certainly going to be able to release Broadwell’s successor–which is built at the same scale–when they’re having trouble making Broadwell in the first place¡
Yep, they’re certainly going to be able to release Broadwell’s successor–which is built at the same scale–when they’re having trouble making Broadwell in the first place¡
Yep that is the point, by the time they get 14 nm up and running they might as well release SkyLake. The funny thing is Global AMD Samsung will not be far behind with 14nm. 2015 will be pretty interesting.
Hmm. The new USB plug is now finalized. While I'm sure many think Apple will see it as a competitor to Lightning (which it is), it also affords Apple the chance to make MacBooks that are even thinner. Especially the MacBook Air.
Will Apple jump to this connector and USB 3.1 with the next rev?
Hmm. The new USB plug is now finalized. While I'm sure many think Apple will see it as a competitor to Lightning (which it is), it also affords Apple the chance to make MacBooks that are even thinner. Especially the MacBook Air.
Will Apple jump to this connector and USB 3.1 with the next rev?
1) it's not a competitor to Lightning. In fact, once it's adopted it will likely be the USB 3.1 Type-C connector on one end of the cable and Lightning on the other.
2) In the next rev? I doubt it will occur for a couple years. Remember it was just finalized. There are still chipsets and other HW that needs to be made to support this specification. Will Apple wait for Intel to include it? I sure hope not if USB 3.0 was any indication, but regardless it's not going to happen for awhile. My guess is 2016 would be the earliest to expect it.
3) I have to wonder if Apple hadn't introduced the Lightning connector would the USB-IF had sought to create a small, reversible connector.
Like Apple's Lightning cables, the new connector is reversible so that it can be used in any orientation.
Any orientation? So sideways? I smell a class action!
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
3) I have to wonder if Apple hadn't introduced the Lightning connector would the USB-IF had sought to create a small, reversible connector.
Of course not. Every single time Apple has done ANYTHING, the industry copies them. Even after Lightning’s (and Thunderbolt’s) announcement, the USB group was vehement that their way was better.
1) it's not a competitor to Lightning. In fact, once it's adopted it will likely be the USB 3.1 Type-C connector on one end of the cable and Lightning on the other.
2) In the next rev? I doubt it will occur for a couple years. Remember it was just finalized. There are still chipsets and other HW that needs to be made to support this specification. Will Apple wait for Intel to include it? I sure hope not if USB 3.0 was any indication, but regardless it's not going to happen for awhile. My guess is 2016 would be the earliest to expect it.
3) I have to wonder if Apple hadn't introduced the Lightning connector would the USB-IF had sought to create a small, reversible connector.
1. It's a competitor only in the sense that they are both playing in the same connector space. I wouldn't be surprised to see calls for Apple to adopt the new USB connector in place of Lightening in iDevices for environmental reasons.
2. Yeah, but I was hoping that Apple and the industry have been working alongside the USB guys. Using the example of how new 802.11 hardware is almost ready upon finalization of new wi-fi protocols. But yeah, USB work is slow for some reason. 3.1 was finalized about a year ago, and hasn't shown up anywhere yet.
3. No, Apple does drive things forward. Which is why the USB forum needs to get them shipping the new connector and 3.1 asap.
The followers will then follow, as they always do.
So when in 2015 exactly can we expect the Broadwell rMBP 15 inch ? For me not even the first quarter looks promising !
That is the problem, nobody knows! I honestly don't think Intel knows as they have failed to meet their own deadlines several times.
As I mentioned above, there is a strong possibility that Global (AMD), Samsung and TSMC will be shipping 14 nm class hardware around the same time frame as Intel. Possibly within a quarter or two. That is unheard of as Intel generally has had a two year lead with process tech for ages.
To look at this another way, Apple could ship 14 nm "A" series chips in the same year that Intel ships its 14 nm hardware. That would be something!
That is the problem, nobody knows! I honestly don't think Intel knows as they have failed to meet their own deadlines several times.
As I mentioned above, there is a strong possibility that Global (AMD), Samsung and TSMC will be shipping 14 nm class hardware around the same time frame as Intel. Possibly within a quarter or two. That is unheard of as Intel generally has had a two year lead with process tech for ages.
To look at this another way, Apple could ship 14 nm "A" series chips in the same year that Intel ships its 14 nm hardware. That would be something!
Well I am here sitting on the fence waiting to buy my first ever rMBP in life ( not in a hurry am using my windows machine right now) but I am waiting for Apple to start including the Broadwell chips (once they came out ) in heir 15 inch rMBP and that is when I would like to take that Plunge ! But the way Intel is looking elusive with its Broadwell Release Plans it looks like an ever going plan and hence I am getting frustrated not knowing how long will this wait be !!
Comments
Mea culpa. That said, there is definitely an argument to be made for having a wider range of Macs but there is also an argument to be made that it wouldn't increase profit and could end up costing the company money.
there is also an argument to be made that it wouldn't increase profit and could end up costing the company money.
True. I don't think that's how it would play out though. I think Apple would wind up capturing more of the fence riders who are presently choosing to buy something other than a Mac.
Never heard of SkyLake?
By the way Intel just released new chips suitable for some of Apples platforms: http://www.cpu-world.com/news_2014/2014072101_Intel_refreshes_Core_i5_i7_and_N-Series_mobile_lineups.html. This is good news, I smell updates coming.
Normally it is a case of design delays with Intel. However in this case it looks like the basic designs for Broadwell and SkyLake are already done. That's is Broadwell is complete except for a process to build it upon. If that prices is only ready in 2015 (it is debatable what ready means here) then which does Intel go for? Oh and yes I could see Apple pressuring Intel to make an early jump to SkyLake.
So is it really the same thing here? Intel could find itself with two architectures looking for a process to run on.
Yep, they’re certainly going to be able to release Broadwell’s successor–which is built at the same scale–when they’re having trouble making Broadwell in the first place¡
Yep that is the point, by the time they get 14 nm up and running they might as well release SkyLake. The funny thing is Global AMD Samsung will not be far behind with 14nm. 2015 will be pretty interesting.
Hmm. The new USB plug is now finalized. While I'm sure many think Apple will see it as a competitor to Lightning (which it is), it also affords Apple the chance to make MacBooks that are even thinner. Especially the MacBook Air.
Will Apple jump to this connector and USB 3.1 with the next rev?
1) it's not a competitor to Lightning. In fact, once it's adopted it will likely be the USB 3.1 Type-C connector on one end of the cable and Lightning on the other.
2) In the next rev? I doubt it will occur for a couple years. Remember it was just finalized. There are still chipsets and other HW that needs to be made to support this specification. Will Apple wait for Intel to include it? I sure hope not if USB 3.0 was any indication, but regardless it's not going to happen for awhile. My guess is 2016 would be the earliest to expect it.
3) I have to wonder if Apple hadn't introduced the Lightning connector would the USB-IF had sought to create a small, reversible connector.
Any orientation? So sideways? I smell a class action!
Of course not. Every single time Apple has done ANYTHING, the industry copies them. Even after Lightning’s (and Thunderbolt’s) announcement, the USB group was vehement that their way was better.
1) it's not a competitor to Lightning. In fact, once it's adopted it will likely be the USB 3.1 Type-C connector on one end of the cable and Lightning on the other.
2) In the next rev? I doubt it will occur for a couple years. Remember it was just finalized. There are still chipsets and other HW that needs to be made to support this specification. Will Apple wait for Intel to include it? I sure hope not if USB 3.0 was any indication, but regardless it's not going to happen for awhile. My guess is 2016 would be the earliest to expect it.
3) I have to wonder if Apple hadn't introduced the Lightning connector would the USB-IF had sought to create a small, reversible connector.
1. It's a competitor only in the sense that they are both playing in the same connector space. I wouldn't be surprised to see calls for Apple to adopt the new USB connector in place of Lightening in iDevices for environmental reasons.
2. Yeah, but I was hoping that Apple and the industry have been working alongside the USB guys. Using the example of how new 802.11 hardware is almost ready upon finalization of new wi-fi protocols. But yeah, USB work is slow for some reason. 3.1 was finalized about a year ago, and hasn't shown up anywhere yet.
3. No, Apple does drive things forward. Which is why the USB forum needs to get them shipping the new connector and 3.1 asap.
The followers will then follow, as they always do.
As I mentioned above, there is a strong possibility that Global (AMD), Samsung and TSMC will be shipping 14 nm class hardware around the same time frame as Intel. Possibly within a quarter or two. That is unheard of as Intel generally has had a two year lead with process tech for ages.
To look at this another way, Apple could ship 14 nm "A" series chips in the same year that Intel ships its 14 nm hardware. That would be something!
Well I am here sitting on the fence waiting to buy my first ever rMBP in life ( not in a hurry am using my windows machine right now) but I am waiting for Apple to start including the Broadwell chips (once they came out ) in heir 15 inch rMBP and that is when I would like to take that Plunge ! But the way Intel is looking elusive with its Broadwell Release Plans it looks like an ever going plan and hence I am getting frustrated not knowing how long will this wait be !!