Following a report by Ming-Chi Kuo with a range of new details on the 2021 MacBook Pro update, Bloomberg is out with its own report on the changes. The report adds additional details about the return of MagSafe and teases a redesign for the MacBook Air.
If you missed it overnight, Kuo reported that Apple is anticipating some major changes to the 2021 MacBook Pro, which is available in 14-inch and 16-inch variations. The new MacBook Pro is reportedly going for a flattering design similar to the Phone 12 and iPad Pro, adding more IO ports on the side, bringing MagSafe charging back and letting the controversial Touch Bar swing.
Bloomberg’s report confirms that the new MacBook Pro will include MagSafe for charging features, with the additional details that laptops can load faster:
The return of MagSafe with the next MacBook Pros will also allow the laptops to load faster, the person said. The connection will be similar to the elongated pill-shaped design of the older MagSafe port. Despite moving away from USB-C for charging, Apple will still include multiple USB-C ports on its future Macs.
The report also provides additional information on the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro screens, which are expected to use mini-LEDs:
In addition to the more powerful chips, Apple also plans to sharpen the displays in its new MacBook Pros with brighter, higher contrast panels, the person said. The new Macs look similar to the current versions, albeit with minor design changes. Apple plans to launch the new MacBook Pros around the middle of the year.
Finally, the Bloomberg report teases that Apple is also planning a ‘redesigned MacBook Air’, but that it will only be released ‘long after the next MacBook Pro’.
We heard earlier that Apple would release a cheaper MacBook Air in 2022. It’s unclear if this is the same machine and if Apple would plan a redesigned version and keep the current MacBook Air at a lower price.
9to5Mac’s take
2021 is becoming a massive year for the Mac, both with Apple Silicon expanding to new models and other changes like MagSafe returning, the end of the Touch Bar and more ports.
In many ways, it looks like Apple plans to combine the best of the MacBook Pro before 2016 with the best of the latest models. Similar to how Apple stepped back the infamous butterfly keyboard, it now appears to do the same with the USB-C design and Touch Bar.
What do you think of the recent MacBook Pro rumors? Are you excited to see Apple reverse some of the controversial changes of the past five years? Let us know in the comments!
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