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appex said:

Mac should run on Intel x86 to be compatible with the rest 97% of the world out there (read Windows). Did Apple learn from previous Apple-IBM-Motorola PowerPC disaster? Try to switch Mac to ARM and we will also switch to Windows. A shame for all. Do not get me wrong. I love the Mac, but I also want to improve it, not degrade it.

And yes, a true headless Mac like Mac mini is a must. Actually, the iMac is a waste, when you have to throw away a perfectly working and expensive display just because the CPU inside is obsolete. 


Apple should use standards on all devices, like Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1 Type-C (reversible) Generation 2 and SDXC with extra pins supporting maximum read/write speeds (300 MB/s). And implement many ports. Not just one as in MacBook.

Last but not least, if Apple really wants to boost market share (continuing making billions in cash), it should reduce to half pricing of all its products. As an example, it is really shocking that Apple charges two to three times more than original manufacturer or reseller like Amazon for the very same make/model of RAM or SSD at Apple Store. That is utterly unacceptable, besides being greedy.

Half pricing on all its product?

Implement many ports? 

The he post has so many wrong I don't even know where to start. This is suppose to be a joke right ? 

roundaboutnow said:

I wonder if Apple would consider offering an integrated do-all home "hub." A device that combines ATV, Time Machine, Airport (with at least 4 Gigabit ports) AND a cable/DSL modem. Just plug into your home cable or phone line, login to your Apple ID, and you could be set with WiFi, streaming/apps, centralized server and backup. An external (Bluetooth?) mic/sensor array could provide Siri and/or gesture control.

It is not that difficult for the reasonably tech savvy to piece the parts together to get the features above. I've done most of it for my own place. But I don't even suggest to any of my non-tech friends or family that this would be a good solution for them, even if I had the time or inclination to set it up for them. However, if there were a single appliance that could easily do all this, I would be happy to sell the concept to anyone.

I wanted the the same as well, I just read on this thread people putting router in their Closet. Wow. Because everyone I know tend to put router next to the TV in living room, connecting to TV / STB / Apple TV, Modem along with Time Capsule or NAS as well as their Gaming console. So it make sense to lump it into a one thing. 

I am not so sure about DSL / Cable Modem, simply because the difference around the world in ways they Connect to the internet. You will have to support ADSL / ADSL2 / VDSL / VDSL2 / G.Fast / Cable DOCSIS 1.0 - 3.1， along with FTTH ONT. That is RJ45 / Coacial Cable / Fibre Slot all in the same product. Hardly something Apple's character would do. But if they do, then it will cover likely 95%+ of world wide Home Internet connection users. ( 5% of  user using Satellite and 4G )

iwarriorpoet said:

I've been hoping for awhile now that Apple would provide some sort of Home Server/Backup/Wifi center that would allow OSX and iOS devices to have local (not iCloud) backup and purchase/rent options via iTunes (iTV).

It would be great if this pull of Airport Extreme/Time Capsule is a prelude to that----but I actually think it is more likely the other reason cited in the article---new compliance regs.

Again. The same here. A local copy of iCloud Backup where All your Apple devices, iOS / Mac OSX or Tv OS etc. Are backed up to the Time Capsule. Along with cache Copy of iCloud Photos if possible. There would be a lot of other use case for Apple where you could use this as a Server, and your iDevices put to sleep. Also helping everyone who has very slow Internet Connection, and upload speed.

But in typical Apple fashion this likely wont happen. Apple will likely wait out until the world Internet speed improves, and they want everyone's devices connect directly to their Cloud, both strategic and security reason. ( God I hope i am wrong )

bradmacpro said:

Apple could be adopting the new Wave 2 802.11ac standard, supporting the previously mentioned multi-user multiple input/multiple output and also 160Mhz channel bonding. They could really push the envelope and go for the 802.11ax preliminary standard. Should be publicly released in 2019, but Apple could put in circuitry that will support it, and with a firmware update, enable it when it's ready for prime time.

Back to Airport, a lot of people have different requirements. Hence you cant really have Best router. Apple's Router is definitely not the best range router. It is also not the fastest router around either. The software even hand capped the WAN speed to 300Mbps. Which means for those who have fast Internet connection speed you are limited by your router.

What the Airport is good then, is that it is one of the most reliable, and well tested router on the market. Those who have Router that are so powerful but failed due to heat problem etc will know. This is Closer to Enterprise Grade, along with the extreme ease of use that still beats most other brands. It doesn't have the most features set, its USB to HDD is still very slow, hence I dont recommand you to do Time Capsule with USB attached HDD. In recent years you could get a Ubnt and some ASUS router, Netgear has also upped their firmware quality as well.

It is EXTREMELY unlikely if not impossible to have 802.11ax now or in next 6 months. While the first draft was available in early 2016, there are still too many problem unsolved. And this wont be another ARM 64 where apple could surprise the market, where apple use their own SoC, your WiFi are expected to play well with many. Another point is Apple will likely introduce 802.11ax in their devices first before getting out AX Router.

There is actually quite a lot of similarity between LTE, LTE Pro and 802.11ax. Given how many wireless engineers Apple have hired over the years I wont be surprise if they have some major innovation coming soon.

potatoleeksoup said:

Apple is one of the last companies I would worry about regarding environmental impact.

ireland said:

One of the few corporations I'd actually trust. Just look at the impact Tim is having. He's a really great CEO for Apple.

Exactly, if they want ANY DC in ireland, Apple is the ONLY you have least to worry about.

That is why we need Time Capsule.

You get native TB3 & USB 3.1 Gen 2 support on Kaby Lake platform without using Apline Ridge controller. ( Not sure if this is on Core M though ) 

Not to mention Apple likely don't want your MacBook to drive another display with its current iGPU. 

Both will likely be fixed once Kaby Lake arrives.