Since the 'Hey Siri' event, some Mac fans have gotten upset over the lack of innovation that that Mac has had. I see things in a different way. I think the Mac market is going to remain strong - especially for work. Apple has proven that it doesn't mind spreading it's attention away from the iPhone.
To me, the Mac belonging to the same company that's making the iPhone is actually a strength for the Mac. Apps like Reminders, Maps, FaceTime, and Notes might not have been a part of a Mac. Not without the work that Apple did on iOS. Though - to be clear - expecting that Apple would spend as much time on the Mac as the iPhone defies logic. Or at least ignores the dollar signs.
So, with optimism, I lay out my thoughts on what Apple will do with the Mac in 2016. For starters, it's out with the old. The non-retina 27-inch iMac, and non-retina 13-inch MacBook Pro are out.
OS X 10.12
The main theme of 10.12 is centralization and consistency. Continuity 2.0.
iCloud Account Management
Connect accounts like Dropbox or Foursquare with iCloud. You can have all your services set up across all your devices - no thinking required. Just sign in with your Apple ID and you're set. This is an extension of iCloud Keychain. But, it's actually signing you into apps and accounts which are linked to our device's OS or the apps within it.
Siri
This also means that you can expect your experiences to travel with you to the Mac, now including Siri. Integrated with Spotlight, Siri automatically gives you suggestions before you even start typing. Spotlight is also now a Launchpad page.
Universal Apps and Centralized App Store
In the effort of centralization, the App Store is now the central App Store for both iOS and the Mac. This allows users to instantly see which devices an app supports and it allows developers to be rewarded when they make apps for a user's entire ecosystem of devices. Users would be able to remotely install apps on their iOS device from their Mac (and vice versa). Part of this could also happen with App Thinning, a new technology for iOS that allows users to only download the parts of their app that are relevant to the device they want to use it on.
iCloud-based Notification Settings
If you're using the same iCloud account, notification settings could be mirrored across devices. Including Mac. Notifications without a Mac app would give the user options to open it on their iOS device. Or the app’s web app if it had one.
And here's a handful of other features and optimizations:
Low Power Mode
Touch ID support for sign in, system authentication, purchasing, and accessing secure apps
Native and third-party cellular support for setup, data usage tracking, and signal strength
News, Health, Voice Memos, Weather, Stocks, Find My Friends, and Wallet apps
Discontinuation of Dashboard
MacBook
MacBook is a pretty great device, and I don't think it makes sense to revamp the product in it's second year. The coolest update is another new trackpad, this time with Touch ID. Also, there's a new option to have a built in cellular antenna which uses an Apple SIM just like the iPad.
On the technology side, the USB-C port gets an update to support Thunderbolt 3 as well. Typical processor and graphics updates along with a Bluetooth update to 4.2.
MacBook Air
MacBook Air won't get a revamp either, but that's because this device is on it's way out the door, getting replaced with the (even airier than the Air) MacBook. So just technology updates. All USB 3 and Thunderbolt 2 ports are removed, being replaced by 3 USB-C + Thunderbolt 3 ports. The processors, graphics, and Bluetooth antenna also get an update.
MacBook Pro
I think it would actually make sense for MacBook Pro's design to get a bit of a refresh. The current design is still based on the unibody design that was established 8 years ago. Next year, the notebook will have had the exact same design for 4 years. So making it a bit thinner and lighter would be great, and there's a few new things that the MacBook is doing that could easily be brought to the MacBook Pro. The thinner keyboard, the tapered battery, new aluminium color options, and a more energy-efficient Retina display with larger pixel apertures. Like the MacBook, the Pro would also get a Touch ID trackpad.
And of course the regular technology updates. All USB 3 and Thunderbolt 2 ports would be removed. Three USB-C + Thunderbolt 3 ports would take their place. Two on the left side and one on the right. The processor, graphics, and Bluetooth antenna would also be updated. The graphics and USB-C + Thunderbolt 3 port mean that MacBook Pro now supports an external 5K display.
iMac
With the non-retina 27" iMac out the window comes the introduction of the 21.5-inch iMac with Retina display. But other than that, these computers are fine, only needing new technology. Getting any Mac with a HDD should no longer be possible, so a Fusion drive or SSD are the only options available. Also new processors, graphics, and Bluetooth connection upgraded to 4.2.
Mac Pro
Mac Pro has a long road ahead of it. At this stop on the road, it's just getting technology updates. All USB 3 and Thunderbolt 2 ports are removed, being replaced with 8 USB-C + Thunderbolt 3 ports. The processors, graphics, and Bluetooth antenna should also be updated.
Mac Mini
Much like the Mac Pro, the Mini's design has a long life ahead of it, so there isn't much of a need to redesign it at this point. It'll get the same 'no HDDs allowed' rule as the iMac. So just SSDs and Fusion Drives. The USB 3 and Thunderbolt 2 ports are removed, being replaced by 5 USD-C + Thunderbolt 3 ports. With a new processor, graphics card, and Bluetooth antenna, it should also support an external retina 5K display.
Apple Retina 5K Display
Retina 5K resolution
Built-in FaceTime HD camera with microphone
Built-in 2.1 speaker system
Detachable MagSafe 2 cable
Detachable USB C + Thunderbolt 3 cable
USB-C + Thunderbolt 3 input (x4)
HDMI 2.0 input
3.5-mm stereo headphone minijack
Gigabit Ethernet
Similar industrial design to the iMac
Magic Trackpad + Magic Mouse
These interfaces get some nice updates including an integration of Touch ID into the surface of the trackpad and the top of the mouse. The batteries should be integrated, allowing for much longer battery life. Just like the Siri Remote, charging would happen via a Lightening cable. Also to increase both battery life and connection strength, the devices would be updated to Bluetooth 4.2.
Magic Controller
In El Capitan, Apple added some surprising new frameworks to help developers make gaming on the Mac a little better. So while gaming isn't a core strength of Apple's, I don't think they dislike it by any means. There has been documentation for developers to support game controllers on iOS and OS X for a little while now, so I think it only makes sense for Apple to put it's hat in the ring. The controller would support an accelerometer and gyroscope. It would have an integrated battery, being charged via a lightening cable. With Bluetooth 4.2, battery life would be great as well.
Apple Wireless Keyboard
Super minor update to give it Bluetooth 4.2 and an integrated battery that's charged with a Lightening cable. Noticing a pattern?