Apple is working on two new MacBook Pro models that will undergo significant design changes, respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today in a note to investors obtained by MacRumors.
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According to Kuo, Apple is developing two models in the sizes 14 and 16 inches. The new MacBook Pro machines will have a flat-edged design that Kuo describes as “similar to the iPhone 12” with no curves like the current models. It will be the most significant design update for the MacBook Pro in the past five years.
No OLED Touch Bar is included, but Apple is reverting to physical function keys. Kuo says the MagSafe charging connector design will be restored, although it’s not entirely clear what that means as Apple has switched to USB-C. The updated MacBook Pro models will have additional ports, and Kuo says most people may not need to buy dongles to supplement the ports available on the new machines. Since 2016, Apple’s MacBook Pro models have been limited to USB-C ports with no other ports available.
All new MacBook Pro models will feature Apple silicon chips, and there will be no Intel chip options.
1. The two new models are equipped with approximately 14-inch and 16-inch displays respectively.
2. As for the case design, the new models cancel the curved top and bottom design of the existing models and adopt a flat-edged form factor design, similar to the iPhone 12.
3. The MagSafe charging connector design has been restored.
4. The OLED touch bar will be removed and the physical function buttons will be restored.
5. There is no Intel CPU option for the new models.
6. They are equipped with more types of I / O and most users may not need to purchase additional dongles.
The MacBook Pro models will use the same heat pipe design used by the current 16-inch MacBook Pro model, which Kuo says is much better than the current 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air because it allows for more computing power.
Kuo says we can expect the new MacBook Pro models to be released in the third quarter of 2021. Due to the revamped design and strong demand for replacements, Kuo expects the total number of MacBook shipments to grow 25 to 30 percent year over year to 20 million. units.
Kuo also said high-end iPhone models released in 2021 are likely to use a vapor chamber thermal system, which Apple is “aggressively testing.” The thermal VC system is required for the high-end iPhones due to their greater computing power and faster 5G connection speeds. There are already smartphones from companies like Samsung, Razer and LG that use vapor chamber cooling technology, which is used to keep a device cooler when under heavy loads.
It’s unclear whether the vapor chamber’s thermal system will meet Apple’s high standards, according to Kuo, but he’s optimistic about the reliability improvement scheme and expects at least high-end models to be deployed in the near future.