New MacBook Pro models are expected to release later this year with some of the biggest improvements to the product line to date, 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 from key features such as the chipset, display, Touch Bar, charging, ports and design, customers looking at a new MacBook Pro should wait for the updated models to arrive later this year.
Most of the reliable rumors about the new MacBook Pros come from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and BloombergMark Gurman, who has earned a reputation for providing accurate insight into Apple’s plans. Based on their reports, the 2021 MacBook Pro series is currently expected to include the following:
- New 14-inch model instead of current 13.3-inch model, made possible by smaller bezels.
- New, flatter design, said to be “similar to the iPhone 12.”
- More powerful next-generation Apple Silicon chips with up to 16 power cores and four efficiency cores instead of Intel processors.
- Possibly a custom 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.
- “Brighter, higher contrast” displays, with the option of a mini LED option.
- Additional ports to reduce the need for dongles, including an SD card reader.
- MagSafe connector with faster charging speeds.
- No Touch Bar, instead with physical function keys.
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. It is likely that the 14-inch MacBook Pro will maintain a similar footprint to the 13.3-inch model by reducing the bezels around the screen.
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Both models are expected to feature a flat-edged design that is “similar to the iPhone 12”. While it’s possible that the overall look is still very similar to current models, as Gurman suggests, Kuo says Apple will eliminate the slight curvature at the top and bottom, resulting in a sleeker, flatter appearance.
Internal upgrades
Following the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, which received an M1 chip in November last year, all MacBook Pro models before 2021 are expected to have Apple Silicon chips, with Intel processors being phased out completely, for significantly better performance. and energy efficiency.
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The more expensive MacBook Pro models most likely have “Apple Silicon” chips that are more powerful than theM1 “, and Apple is expected to develop options with as many as 16 power cores and four efficiency cores. Apple is also working on custom GPU technology with 16- and 32-core options, which may be used in the new MacBook Pros.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro is believed to use the improved thermal properties 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 operate at lower temperatures.
Improvements in the display
The MacBook Pro is expected to have a “brighter, higher contrast” display. In addition, there are suggestions that the updated machines will be the first Macs to feature mini LED displays, which means a significant improvement in display quality, with improved wide color gamut, higher contrast and dynamic range, and truer blacks.
Restored functions
Apple is also expected to come back to some of its controversial design decisions first made with the 2016 MacBook Pro. For example, the 2021 models will reportedly get more ports to reduce the need for dongles. Previous models from 2012 to 2015 had 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-C ports and a headphone jack in 2016.
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While it’s largely unclear which ports could be coming to the MacBook Pro, beyond the current selection of USB-C ports, Gurman has said the SD card reader will be one of the restored features.
MagSafe charging is also expected to return to the MacBook Pro this year. MagSafe connectors were used for MacBook Pro models from 2006, allowing users to easily connect and disconnect the power cable with magnets, before the USB-C charging feature was only eliminated 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 is also expected to achieve faster charging speeds than over USB-C.
Finally, Apple wants to remove the Touch Bar and restore the row of physical function keys. Apple introduced the Touch Bar on the 2016 MacBook Pros, with a small OLED touchscreen strip along the top of the keyboard to provide customizable controls and different functions per app, but the Touch Bar never seemed to catch on with consumers.
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Gurman has confirmed that Apple has been testing versions of the MacBook Pro that do not have a Touch Bar, and Kuo has gone one step further and says the Touch Bar will be completely removed on the 2021 MacBook Pro models, to be replaced by physical functions. Keys.
What about the M1 MacBook Pro or Air?
Last November, Apple unveiled a 13-inch MacBook Pro with an M1 Apple Silicon chip, so some customers may feel compelled to buy this fairly new MacBook Pro now. It’s important to note, however, that this model is the lower-end MacBook Pro, which is indicated by the fact that it only has two Thunderbolt ports. Apple still offers high-end four-port MacBook Pros with Intel processors, and it’s these more powerful machines that are expected to be updated this year.
The M1 MacBook Air is very similar in features and performance to the M1 MacBook Pro, so this should be considered if you want to buy a machine right now.
Date of publication
Multiple sources have placed the launch of the new MacBook Pro in the second half of 2021, with Kuo as the zoning plan in the third quarter of 2021. This means that we could see the updated MacBook Pros arriving in July.
MacBook Pro customers can therefore expect to wait only five to seven months for the new models. Considering the magnitude of the update, which seems to drastically affect almost every aspect of the MacBook Pro, it certainly seems worth the wait.
We have more information on the current MacBook Pro models and the upcoming redesigned MacBook Pro models in our dedicated 13-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro roundups.