Introducing the next generation of Mac • Hacker News Board

Re: Introducing the next generation of Mac

#171

Post by whiddershins » Tue, Nov 10, 2020, 7:38 PM UTC

regulation_d wrote: post #46

Did I miss something, or are they, once again, not upgrading the camera? The low light performance of the current version is real bad. Since we're all using these cameras way more, I really thought there would a hardware bump. You can only squeeze so much detail out of an under-exposed, noisy image with software.

I saw mention of a whole bunch of camera stuff including improved face detection.

Re: Introducing the next generation of Mac

#172

Post by egypturnash » Tue, Nov 10, 2020, 7:40 PM UTC

dotancohen wrote: post #28

api wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Has anyone ever seen anyone use the Touch Bar? Like really use it?

I think that the Photoshop crowd likes it.

Depends on how you use it, if you use a lot of actions (basically macros) via keyboard shortcuts then you probably hate the touchbar, because they can only be bound to f-keys.

Re: Introducing the next generation of Mac

#173

Post by ogre_codes » Tue, Nov 10, 2020, 7:40 PM UTC

dcchambers wrote: post #37

The 16GB RAM limit is unfortunate. Five years later and I still can't buy a new 13" laptop from Apple with more RAM than my 2015 MBP. Edit: Apparently you can configure a (Early 2020) Intel-based 13" MBP with 32GB of RAM - I was not aware of that. Hope they bring that option to the ARM versions ASAP, especially if the performance gains are as good as Apple claims.

This is almost certain to be temporary.

Keep in mind the rollout of the new CPUs is a 2 year process.

Re: Introducing the next generation of Mac

#174

Post by spear » Tue, Nov 10, 2020, 7:40 PM UTC

OJFord wrote: post #157

AnonHP wrote: post #140

Apple mentioned in the event that these Macs will have hardware verified secure boot. Since I’m not very knowledgeable in this area, can someone explain (or even try to guess) what this would/could mean for running Linux on these? I use Macs way beyond Apple’s support timeframe with OS X/macOS, and Linux is the one that runs on some of the older Macs and provides adequate security and security related software update…

I don't know the answer^, but how old is your current old Mac hardware? I don't know about the desktops, but Macbooks from 2016 are not well supported hardware-wise in Linux - things like no WiFi even. There was a good GitHub repo tracking it for up to I think the first touchbar Pro, and basically it was dismal then and only got worse (according to repo owner who consequently stopped bothering iirc). So.. depending w…

Yeah, I think you mean this repo: https://github.com/Dunedan/mbp-2016-linux

I bought a 2017 MBP hoping the situation would eventually improve but it never did, so I never got around to installing Linux. I'm expecting it'll be even worse for these M1 systems.

Re: Introducing the next generation of Mac

#175

Post by jklein11 » Tue, Nov 10, 2020, 7:41 PM UTC

entropea wrote: post #153

davio wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From MacBook Pro tech specs: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and: One external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz Thunderbolt 3 digital video output Native DisplayPort output over USB-C VGA, HDMI, DVI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)

Am I reading right that it only supports one display output? I may be reading that incorrectly....

I was under the impression that Native display port would be able to drive 2 external monitors. I do not consider my self to be an authoritative source on this.

Re: Introducing the next generation of Mac

#176

Post by sneak » Tue, Nov 10, 2020, 7:41 PM UTC

stjo wrote: post #158

AnonHP wrote: post #140

Apple mentioned in the event that these Macs will have hardware verified secure boot. Since I’m not very knowledgeable in this area, can someone explain (or even try to guess) what this would/could mean for running Linux on these? I use Macs way beyond Apple’s support timeframe with OS X/macOS, and Linux is the one that runs on some of the older Macs and provides adequate security and security related software update…

IIRC at WWC Apple said it would still be possible to boot unsigned OS, but it would show some kind of warning.

This is the best news I’ve heard all day, thank you!

I’m totally fine with a chromebook-style unsigned boot warning.

Re: Introducing the next generation of Mac

#177

Post by bochoh » Tue, Nov 10, 2020, 7:42 PM UTC

mseidl wrote: post #163

brundolf wrote: post #142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is a good point and begs an interesting question: will they continue using the same ARM chip across the whole line when the 16" MBP and the other iMacs make the switch, and if so, will all Macs of the same generation always have the same amount of RAM? Or will they branch the chips (M2 and M2S, or something)? Is RAM becoming less relevant when you have smart integration of software and hardware components, to a…

I'm waiting for their mac pro with apple silicon to be capped at 16gb of ram! ;)

I'm imagining the mac pro with n M1 chips such that you get the memory you want. Not dissimilar to how Ryzen memory access works.

Re: Introducing the next generation of Mac

#178

Post by brundolf » Tue, Nov 10, 2020, 7:43 PM UTC

mseidl wrote: post #163

brundolf wrote: post #142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is a good point and begs an interesting question: will they continue using the same ARM chip across the whole line when the 16" MBP and the other iMacs make the switch, and if so, will all Macs of the same generation always have the same amount of RAM? Or will they branch the chips (M2 and M2S, or something)? Is RAM becoming less relevant when you have smart integration of software and hardware components, to a…

I'm waiting for their mac pro with apple silicon to be capped at 16gb of ram! ;)

Haha yeah. I assume the Mac Pro will remain a special case (as it is now), probably getting its own totally custom ARM chip when the time comes.

Re: Introducing the next generation of Mac

#179

Post by bochoh » Tue, Nov 10, 2020, 7:43 PM UTC

entropea wrote: post #153

davio wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From MacBook Pro tech specs: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and: One external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz Thunderbolt 3 digital video output Native DisplayPort output over USB-C VGA, HDMI, DVI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)

Am I reading right that it only supports one display output? I may be reading that incorrectly....

It will only drive one 4k display at 60hz, I would imagine it would support multiple lower resolutions with no issues.

Re: Introducing the next generation of Mac

#180

Post by egypturnash » Tue, Nov 10, 2020, 7:43 PM UTC

tobr wrote: post #31

Surprised that they didn’t take the opportunity to update the industrial design, especially of the MacBook Air which retains its wedge-shaped heft.

How would you improve on the Air? It's such a beautiful, sleek little thing. I've currently got a 13" Pro and it just feels so damn clunky next to the succession of Airs it replaced.