neilm

I don't know that there was any need to reopen and reargue the whole Pro Stand issue, much less in 1,955 words. But this article is nonetheless completely on point: the stand is an elaborately engineered product, built in low volume for the professional market. (That Sony 4K rig shopping list provides a telling comparison.) Don't like it? Then don't buy it. 

As usual with such things, the loudest voices of internet outrage are from people who aren't even remotely part of the target market.

KITA said:

Still no dGPU?

Razer fit a GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q 4 GB into their 3 lbs laptop with a 25W Ice Lake i7 CPU. They also have the option for a 120 Hz or 4K display.

As well, AMD's 4000U series (up to 8 cores and 16 threads at 15 W) is hitting the market with far better performance than this in both CPU and iGPU performance.

Apple fixing their keyboard is nice, but this is a very weak update.

The problem with a dGPU in a 13" laptop, where there's not much room for a big battery, is battery drain. The Razer you cite is optimized for gaming, which isn't Apple's thing. I can't find any claims for how long its battery lasts under load, but my guess is that its usage case calls for AC power to be connected for any kind of extended use with the dGPU active. I do see that the Razer calls for a 100W AC power supply, which seems...troubling.

In fact the Tesla Model 3, a newer design than the S or X, uses a switched reluctance 3-phase permanent magnet motor. 

According to Tesla’s Chief Motor Designer, Konstantinos Laskaris:
“So, as you know, our Model 3 has a permanent magnet machine now. This is because for the specification of the performance and efficiency, the permanent magnet machine better solved our cost minimization function, and it was optimal for the range and performance target.”

Although permanent magnet motors are more expensive from a material content standpoint, they are also more efficient due to the lower I^2R losses in the rotor. This also reduces rotor heating, and may allow a reduction in the motor's overall size and weight for a given power output. The switched reluctance type of permanent magnet motor that Tesla uses in the X does require more complex electronic controls, but delivers higher efficiency in return.

There's no real limit to motor rpm in a variable frequency drive system other than the obvious mechanical constraints. (Centrifugal force increases with the square of a rotating part's radius, so beyond some size and rpm limit everything just wants to fly apart.) Tesla's Model S induction motors turns at up to 18,000 rpm, but at the other end of the size/output spectrum you can buy tiny ultra-high speed electric motors that hit 500,000 rpm or more (https://www.celeroton.com/en/products/motors.html).

mr o said:

A silver back would make this iPhone truly irresistible. With chrome edges, it would make iPhone X very reminiscent to the original iPhone. Perhaps with iPhone X series 2?

>:x

Because its metallic content a would impede "wireless" charging, a silver back isn't likely to happen.

sog35 said:

Nice.

the wireless keyboards are a joke.

So small. 
So cramped.
Hate when it gets disconnection problems.
Hate when i have to change batteries.
Hate that it does not have a key pad built in.

This is an example of Apple taking form over function to the extreme.

Hate that you don't even bother to keep up on what Apple offers as keyboards before spouting off.

I'm typing this on the current, full size (w/numeric keypad) Apple wireless keyboard with integral rechargeable batteries. Also works while tethered and recharging. We have a number of these at the office and they work nicely.

The new Matias will be a nice option for those who only need a basic wired keyboard or don't want to pay for something more expensive.

AniMill said:

So the new iMac doesn’t support Thunderbolt at all?!

Huh? It certainly does. 2xTB4 ports on the base model, 4xTB4 on the others.

I've had my 14" MBP (10-C/16-C 32GB/1TB) for about a week now.

It's noticeably heavier and bulkier than my outgoing 2016 13" MBP, but while it looks thicker, it isn't. It's the lack of taper in the new MBP's top and bottom surfaces that no longer fools the eye. However eliminating the taper also opens up a lot of space inside, and makes the HDMI port and card slot possible. So there's logic behind the new MBP's slightly chunky appearance. Nonetheless, the old one is better looking.

The new MagSafe is terrific, although I don't use it on a daily basis because I have a single TB cable link to a 27" 5K LG monitor, which also provides charging power, wired network, etc. Wish Apple would get with the times and supply a compact GaN power supply.

The 14" screen is gorgeous. Notch, who cares? You're getting an extra 74 pixels of screen height over a regular 16:10 anyway. Keyboard is great, although it'd be better with a case-colored grid between the keys rather than black. The new speakers won't make you throw your studio monitors to the curb, but they're pretty good for a laptop — another benefit of the extra space around the case edges.

Migrating 400+GB of content from the old MBP over TB never caused the fans on the new one to kick in, at least not that I could tell. Running Cinebench R23, which repeatedly renders a photo image over about 10 minutes did cause the fans to wake up, but even so they're not loud, just present.

Performance is obviously very good. In Cinebench R23 the multi-core core score exceeds that of a 14-C iMac Pro. I haven't run on the battery for long enough to test that, but clearly it'll be fine.

Sure it'll pass on its own, but afterwards it'll sound like shit.
On the plus side, the kid'll never want to put it in his mouth again...

verne arase said:

Good God. On a Monday no less.

Apple used to do Monday events, but attendees complained about having to travel in over the weekend, so they switched to Tuesdays. Now that events are virtual, any day should work.

I'm sure slotting this one in the day before Google's is just a coincidence. Yeah, coincidence, that's it!  ;-)