Intel Slowing Down CPU Advancement →

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Transitioning to 10nm isn't expected to be any better, so Intel is extending the timelines. Cannonlake is being pushed back, from 2016 to the second half of 2017, and in the interim, a third "lake" generation processor will be released in 2016. Like Skylake, this processor will continue to use the 14nm process. News of this processor appeared to leak last month along with its full name: Kaby Lake. Little concrete is known about Kaby Lake, but it's likely to be available in a range of lines from a 4.5W laptop part up to 80W dual-socket server and workstation parts.

Since selling my 2008 MacBook Pro a few years back, I've been patiently waiting for a newer architecture and design replacement to Apple's current 15-inch Retina Display. With Broadwell's deployment stagnant and almost non-existent, I'm hoping they just skip it and go straight to Skylake for a Fall release. I was definitely disappointed with the latest spec bump still on Haswell but at least the change in dedicated graphics cards helped increase processing power by 70%. Maybe I'll "settle" for that!.

A MacBook Letdown →

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The MacBook just looks and feels like the obvious, no-brainer choice for a small Mac. That’s why people buy it. That’s why I bought it. I loved it before I bought it. I love looking at it and picking it up.

I just hate using it.

I hate typing on it, I hate the trackpad, it’s slower than I expected, the screen is noticeably blurry from non-native scaling to get reasonable screen space, and I don’t even find it very comfortable to use in my lap because it’s too small.

I hate returning things, but I’m returning this.

Some really strong words by Marco Arment about Apple's latest Macbook. I'll agree whole heartedly with all his conclusions and unfortunately, after waiting years for an upgrade to the latest MacBook Pro Retina Display, might take his suggestion in buying yesterday’s model on the cheap and saving some money.

I sold my late 2008 MacBook Pro two years ago and have since been using a late 2010 MacBook Air, but it’s time that I give this laptop back to the wife and grab my own. I’m just sad that the latest MacBook Pro’s released just yesterday are still running Haswell instead of Broadwell and with Intel’s Skylake around the corner, who knows what Apple might do. Not to mention Marco’s disdain for Apple’s new Force Touch Trackpad.

The one thing that I do like with the latest $2,499 MacBook Pro is the new AMD Radeon R9 M370X video card. Clocking in at 70% faster1 than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M, it’s quite remarkable but the price is a little much. You’re essentially paying $700 for the Force Touch Trackpad and discrete graphics which end up making it TOO HARD to justify. Going with the pre Force Touch Trackpad MacBook Pro and without discrete graphics at $1799 is too hard to pass up.

  • Footnote #4 under the the MacBook Pro Performance Retina Page: Testing conducted by Apple in April 2015 using preproduction 2.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i7-based 15-inch MacBook Pro systems with AMD Radeon R9 M370X and 2GB graphics memory, and shipping 2.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i7-based 15-inch MacBook Pro systems with NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M and 2GB graphics memory, all configured with 16GB RAM. Resolution used: 1440x900. Tomb Raider tested using the built-in benchmark, with anti-aliasing turned off and low graphics quality. Formula 1 2013 tested using the built-in benchmark, with 2x anti-aliasing and default graphics settings. Batman: Arkham City GOTY tested using the built-in benchmark, with 4x anti-aliasing and high quality setting. MacBook Pro continuously monitors system thermal and power conditions, and may adjust processor speed as needed to maintain optimal system operation↩

    • Image Retention Pops up once again on Various new iPad mini's

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    Marco Arment posted a follow-up article today in regards to his latest finding with his personal iPad mini. Over a year ago, image retention started popping up in multiple user experiences on the Retina MacBook Pros which led him to create a simple test image. This can "detect" whether or not you have a faulty LCD screen and once again it applies here to Apple's new iPad mini with Retina Display. It comes without mentioning that if you have a Retina MacBook Pro, you can look up your model ((The manufacturer that had the most hits for positive image retention came from LG while the Samsung variant produced far less instances.)) by running this simple command in the terminal window:

    ioreg -lw0 | grep "EDID" | sed "/[^<]*</s///" | xxd -p -r | strings -6

    credit: MacRumors user: kpdillon

    With the new iPad minis selling out this week and other LTE versions shipping out next, you should give this test a shot immediately when taking delivery. And if you're able, exchange the product if you demonstrate image retention. As Marco also mentions, because of the short supply, the chances of an exchange can be hindered but if you plan on keeping your iPad mini for years to come, I'd highly recommend trying as best to squash the problem before it's too late.

    On a good note, not all screens are presenting this issue as he also goes on the mention that the new iPhone 5s and iPad Air do NOT exhibit this symptom.

    Here's his direct link to the screen test.

    The New MacBook Pro with Retina Display

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    Bottom line: I can't wait to buy this beast of a computer. With reviews trickling in, the best of the best it here. If you ask me, I'm all for the MacBook Pro w/ Retina Display 15" with maxed out CPU (+ $200) that also includes the dedicated graphics card. So yes, $2799 total. Then there's Apple Care Plus too. It's getting expensive! MBPRD1

    The 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is probably the best all-around laptop on the market. It checks every box, from “portable enough” to “insanely powerful” to “beautiful trackpad” to “reasonably priced for its market.” At $1,999 it’s a mile from cheap, but compared to other laptops with its capability that price tag isn’t so bad. This is the most versatile laptop I’ve used, one of only a couple that’s at home in any situation, simple or complex, personal or professional. Rated: 9.1

    via The Verge