Historically, Apple ahs always tried to develop products that are different from competitors. IT started with processor, 68xxx and PowerPC. Then when Apple adopted Intel CPUs in 2006, teh company had to come up with something new to make its products "think different". In addition to the design, Apple launched new products, such as the MacBook Air, but also adopted really thin enclosure as well as high-capacity Li-Ion battery, way before competitors. The MBA created a new segment on hte compueter market with the Ultrabook, making the netbook history.


While the competition was trying to catch up on the Ultrabook, Apple launched the iPad, demonstrating that the concept of tablet was viable is properly thought and designed; as couple years before Microsoft failed to create a market for such device. There again, Appel created a new segment, and competitors try to follow. Then Apple, moved to the Alu enclosure for all its products, making it possible to provide rigid, light, recyclable and durable products. Then came the Retina HD display on iPhone first, then on iPad, and we can now, following yesterday news and dissection of Mountain Lion code, easily imagine that such display will find their ways in the forthcoming MacBook Pro and iMac. Considering popularity of Apple, it is very likely that the company did not have much difficulties to find a partner among companies producing TV/computer display.


Such display, associated with the last evolution of MAc OS X could again create a gap between Mac models and competitors. So, even if the next generation MBP will drop the optical drive, Ethernet and the FireWire, there will be enough companies to offer Thunderbolt adaptors to be able to make the bridge towards an entire wireless world (not that I personally support it). The 802.11 ac is in theory faster than Gigabit Ethernet (1.3 Gbit/s vs. 1 Gbit/s). We will of course never reach 100 MB/s with the 802.11 ac hotspot on the routine basis, but rather 50-60 MB/s, pending you are too far away from a compatible wireless station.
By linathael, original by linathael