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Steve Jobs killed this MacBook feature 20 years ago. Now it’s coming back
By Alex Blake
In the future, your MacBook could come with wireless connectivity, allowing you to access the internet even without a Wi-Fi link. That would be perfect for any time you head out onto the road with your MacBook and struggle to connect to the internet, and would bring it on par with the iPhone and Apple Watch.
How do we know this? Well, it’s the latest claim from reporter Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, and the journalist claims this won’t be any old wireless chip — it will be an in-house component built directly into the Apple silicon chip that powers all the best MacBooks of the future.
Unfortunately, it’s not likely to see the light of day until 2028 at the earliest, meaning you’ll have to stick to tethering your iPhone as a mobile hotspot for now. Gurman notes that the wireless chip will potentially be ready by 2026, but that Apple will need two to three years to fit it inside its devices.
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Still, if your MacBook does belatedly get 5G connectivity (or something even faster), it could be a brilliant move for Apple fans, especially if you head off into the wilds with your laptop and need solid internet coverage.
20 years in the making
Apple has been trying to design more of the parts in its devices for a long time now — after all, that control is what led to the company ditching Intel chips in favor of Apple silicon a few years ago. In the case of the wireless chip, there’s a very clear reason why it makes sense.
In 2008, Steve Jobs claimed that Apple had explored adding some sort of 3G connectivity to its MacBooks, but abandoned the plans because the required chips would take up too much space inside the laptop’s case. If Apple can integrate a wireless modem into its Apple silicon chips by 2028, however, that problem could be fixed — 20 years after Jobs admitted defeat.
Sure, you can get 5G on your MacBook right now if you tether your iPhone to it, and that works well for a lot of people. But it’s an imperfect solution. What if you forget your iPhone, or you wander out of range with your phone while your MacBook is downloading something? Building wireless connectivity into the Mac itself avoids all that.
Plus, it gives Apple even more control over its ecosystem and lessens its reliance on third-party manufacturers, something the company has evidently been keen to do for years. Whatever the motivation, though, the upshot will be the same: a better experience on your Mac when you’re away from the Wi-Fi router. And I’m all for that.
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In ancient times, people like Alex would have been shunned for their nerdy ways and strange opinions on cheese. Today, he…
Whatever you do, don’t buy a MacBook Pro right now
I know plenty of people walk into Apple Stores and buy a MacBook right off the shelf because they need one. I get it.
But if you’re considering a purchase of a MacBook Pro, in particular, it’ll really pay off to pump the brakes. Apple is holding a surprise product launch event next Monday, and if the rumors are to be believed, all three MacBook Pros are going to get updated. Upgrading all three at once would be an unprecedented way to upgrade these laptops for Apple as it simultaneously launches the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips.
Apple has enjoyed three years of remarkable success for the MacBook. Heading into 2020, Macs felt like the ugly stepchild of Apple’s major product lines, often ignored in favor of updates to the iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. I never would have guessed that Mac hardware would become the most exciting aspect of Apple press events for the next few years.
But as 2023 comes toward its finish, MacBook sales have shrunken back down, just as rumors point to a holiday season lacking any new Mac releases. It’s clear that the massive surge in innovation and interest in the MacBook has fizzled out — even if that isn’t necessarily a bad thing in the long run.
A perfect storm
Why it’s still a good time to buy an M2 MacBook Air
If you’re shopping for a new MacBook, timing is important when trying to get the most for your money. It’s especially important since we know the next MacBook Air is currently in the works, and it’s said to come with the anticipated M3 chip.
Considering it’s been over a year since the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air made its debut, you might assume the update is coming. If you’re in the market for a MacBook Air, I would normally advise you to wait until the M3 model comes out. But according to the latest reports, the M3 MacBook Air may be further away than we originally assumed.
[ For more curated Apple news, check out the main news page here]
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