Apple impressed the industry with its M1-based MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro and Mac mini last fall. Now we expect an even more exciting round of professional hardware with the supposed updates to the 14 and 16 inch MacBook Pro. Here is everything we know so far.
Ports galore!
When Apple redesigned the MacBook Pro in 2016, it moved all-in on USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 and literally replaced all I / O with these ports. Several models include 1, 2 and 4 USB-C ports for charging, transferring data and using dongles to adapt the new ports to more practical I / O, such as SD, HDMI and USB-A card readers.
Five years later, Apple is expected to give professional users what they’ve been asking for since MacBook Pro 2016: more ports! The redesigned MacBook Pro is currently expected to retain the USB-C ports for Thunderbolt 3, but revive MagSafe charging, HDMI and an integrated SD card reader. If true, this would free all Thunderbolt 3 ports for fast data transfer and eliminate the need for essential adapters that MacBook Pro users currently depend on.
The new machines should also feature a full keyboard and no touch bars like the MacBook Air.
Did you say 14 inches?
Ah yes, the much-talked about 14-inch revision of the MacBook Pro line. Apple slightly modified the screen and body of the 15.4-inch MacBook Pro to create a 16-inch version in the last revision. Since then, rumors have circulated about a natural update of the 13.3-inch MacBook Pro that would reduce the bezels around the screen and increase the screen size to 14 inches. Unlike the 16-inch MacBook Pro, this never happened in the Intel era, but it is totally under discussion for a new version of the Apple Silicon chip.
Speaking of monitors …
An increase of 0.7 inches is not the only screen change rumored to be the next revision of the MacBook Pro. It is rumored that Apple plans to change the screen type of new Mac notebooks for the first time in years. Both models currently use high-resolution LED backlit LCD screens with IPS technology or plane switching. Supply chain reports indicate that rumors of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro monitors will be the first Apple laptops to switch to a new mini-LED technology.
Mini-LED is exactly what it looks like. Smaller LED components are used for backlighting. This means that illuminating bright pixels and darkening dark areas can be much more accurate. This in turn allows for higher contrast rates, deeper blacks and generally less halo effects.
A new style
Apple avoided introducing new designs on the MacBook Pro, Mac mini and MacBook Air (in addition to removing its fan) for the first round of Apple Silicon computers. Multiple sources expect this to change when updates for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro drop. Our best description based on rumors so far is something more like the current design of iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPhone 12. Rigid right angles are expected to remain, but bulbous covers and bottoms should flatten out to create depth uniform.
There’s a lot to expect in the next round of MacBook Pro updates. From a noticeable increase in screen size on the smaller model, more ports for both models, a new type of screen for higher contrast ratio and an updated design for the first time since 2016, these should appeal to everyone – unless your heart is on Face ID and the built-in phone. Both features do not appear to be on the cards for 2021.
Still, that before mentioning Intel’s move to Apple Silicon for the first time on the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Based on the performance and battery life of today’s M1 chip computers, any improvement in the performance of a successor chip is sure to impress you. As for the moment, rumors point to the second half of this year for announcements and product availability.
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