Apple is Preparing Modest Mac Updates for 2017: Speed Bumps, USB-C, New GPU [Report]

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Posted December 20, 2016 at 4:32pm by iClarified

Apple is not expected to unveil any radical designs for Mac in 2017, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

In an article on how Apple has alienated many Mac loyalists, the site predicts only modest updates next year.

Mac fans shouldn't hold their breath for radical new designs in 2017 though. Instead, the company is preparing modest updates: USB-C ports and a new Advanced Micro Devices Inc. graphics processor for the iMac, and minor bumps in processing power for the 12-inch MacBook and MacBook Pro. Cue the outrage.

Apple's Mac Pro hasn't been updated since 2013 and the Mac mini hasn't been upgraded since 2014. The company's new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar has been criticized for not meeting the needs of professional users due to a lack of ports and performance.

Notably, one of the key innovations planned for the MacBook Pro didn't work out. Apple wanted to use higher capacity battery packs that were shaped to the insides of the notebook; rather than square cells. This would have boosted battery life; however, sources say the battery failed a key test and so Apple had to quickly revert back to the old design. This required roping in engineers from other teams and delayed work on other Mac devices.

Despite this, Apple CEO Tim Cook claims the company is still committed to Mac. ""We have great desktops in our roadmap. Nobody should worry about that," said Cook at a recent company Q&A.

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Apple is Preparing Modest Mac Updates for 2017: Speed Bumps, USB-C, New GPU [Report]

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daf - January 4, 2017 at 10:30pm

today our iMac's logic board died. I was shocked to see that the entry-level iMac is 1200 euro's while this iMac has a lot of specs the same as the entry-level model of 2011 which died today. still an i5 processor with 8 GB ram and 5400 rpm hdd. for 1200 euro they should include SSD to be a good valua. we will be waiting for the microsoft surface studio because whatever apple has planned for mac it hasn't been good until now.

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Pete17 - December 21, 2016 at 6:14pm

With nvidia 1080 out there it's a no brainer. I know it's a wild shot that anyone at apple sees this and even bigger that they act on it, but Please! We really need a big gpu bump.

Steve Nojobs & Tim Crook - December 21, 2016 at 6:11pm

Booooooooo!!! More fail from Apple

Really? - December 20, 2016 at 6:47pm

They've had the same design for a very long time, it's definitely time for a change, maybe transparent displays? It's almost 2017 when are we going to see more advanced looking tech.