New MacBook Pro models are expected to arrive later this year with some of the biggest improvements in the product line so far, including some surprising changes, so now is not the best time to buy a new MacBook Pro.
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With major upgrades expected for key features like chipset, screen, Touch Bar, loading, ports and design, customers looking to a new MacBook Pro can look forward to the arrival of updated models later this year.
Most of the credible rumors surrounding the new MacBook Pros come from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and BloombergMark Gurman, who has established a reputation for providing accurate information about Apple’s plans. Based on your reports, the MacBook Pro line 2021 should feature:
- New 14-inch model in place of the current 13.3-inch model, facilitated by reduced bezels.
- New flatter design, considered “similar to the iPhone 12”.
- More powerful next-generation Apple Silicon chips with up to 16 cores of power and four cores of efficiency instead of Intel processors.
- Potentially, a customized Apple Silicon GPU with 16 or 32 cores.
- Updated thermal design for the 14-inch model, currently used by the existing 16-inch MacBook Pro, with a larger heat pipe, added thermal pads, and a 35 percent larger heat sink.
- Display panels “brighter and high contrast”, with the possibility of a mini-LED option.
- Additional ports to reduce the need for dongles, including an SD card reader.
- MagSafe connector with faster loading speeds.
- No Touch Bar, with row of physical function keys instead.
Design changes
The 2021 MacBook Pros are expected to come in 14 and 16 inch sizes, with the new 14 inch model replacing the current 13.3 inch model. The 14-inch MacBook Pro is likely to retain a footprint very similar to the 13.3-inch model, reducing bezels around the screen.
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Both models must have a flat edge design “similar to the iPhone 12”. While it is possible that the overall appearance is still quite similar to current models, as Gurman suggests, Kuo says that Apple will eliminate the slight curvature at the top and bottom, resulting in a thinner, flatter appearance.
Internal Upgrades
After the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, which won an M1 chip in November last year, all 2021 models of the MacBook Pro must feature osApple Silicon chips, with Intel processors being completely eliminated, to deliver performance and efficiency. significantly better energy.
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The more advanced models of the MacBook Pro are more likely to feature Apple Silicon chips that are more powerful than the M1, and Apple is believed to be developing options with up to 16 power cores and four efficiency cores. Apple is also working on custom GPU technology with options for 16 and 32 cores, which can be used in the new MacBook Pros.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro is believed to adopt the improved thermals of the current 16-inch MacBook Pro model, with a larger heat pipe, added thermal pads and a 35 percent larger heat sink. This would likely increase the machine’s performance potential and allow it to run at lower temperatures.
Screen improvements
The MacBook Pro is expected to receive a “brighter and higher contrast” display panel. In addition, there have been suggestions that the upgraded machines will be the first Macs to feature mini-LED screens, marking a significant improvement in screen quality, with an improved wide color gamut, greater contrast and dynamic range and more true blacks.
Restored features
Apple is also set to step back in several of its controversial design decisions that were first made with the MacBook Pro 2016. For example, the 2021 models are said to gain more ports to reduce the need for dongles. Previous models from 2012 to 2015 included a MagSafe connector, Thunderbolt ports, USB-A ports, an HDMI port, an SD card reader and a 3.5mm headphone jack, before being reduced to just four USB ports -C and a headphone jack 2016
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While it is unclear which ports may be reaching the MacBook Pro in addition to his current selection of USB-C ports, Gurman said the SD card reader will be among the restored features.
The MagSafe upload is also expected to return to the MacBook Pro this year. The MagSafe connectors were used for 2006 MacBook Pro models, allowing users to easily connect and disconnect the power cord with magnets, before eliminating the USB-C charging feature alone in 2016.
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Both Kuo and Gurman expect the new MacBook Pro models to be equipped with a MagSafe connector for charging, which should also achieve faster charging speeds than via USB-C.
Finally, Apple is trying to remove the Touch Bar and restore the row of physical function keys. Apple introduced the Touch Bar on MacBook Pros 2016, providing a small strip of OLED touchscreen at the top of the keyboard to offer customizable controls and different functions per application, but the Touch Bar never seemed to catch consumers.
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Gurman confirmed that Apple has tested versions of the MacBook Pro that do not have a Touch Bar, and Kuo has gone a step further, saying that the Touch Bar will be removed entirely on the 2021 models of the MacBook Pro, to be replaced by physical key functions.
What about the M1 MacBook Pro or Air?
In November last year, Apple unveiled a 13-inch MacBook Pro with an M1 Apple Silicon chip, so some customers may feel compelled to buy this relatively new MacBook Pro now. However, it is important to note that this model is the low-end MacBook Pro, indicated by the fact that it has only two Thunderbolt ports. Apple still offers next-generation four-port MacBook Pros with Intel processors, and these are the most powerful machines that should be updated this year.
The M1 MacBook Air is very similar to the M1 MacBook Pro in terms of features and performance, so it should be considered if you are thinking of buying a machine now.
Release date of
Several sources put the launch schedule for the new MacBook Pro in the second half of 2021, with Kuo zoning in the third quarter of 2021. This means that we will be able to see the updated MacBook Pros arriving as early as July.
MacBook Pro customers can therefore expect only five to seven months for new models. Considering the scale of the update, which seems to drastically affect almost every aspect of the MacBook Pro, it certainly seems worth waiting for.
We have more information about current MacBook Pro models and upcoming MacBook Pro models redesigned in our 13-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro comparisons.