The 2020 MacBook Air on the left versus the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro on the right.
Todd Haselton | CNBC
Ting’s Ming-Chi Kuo, one of Apple’s leading analysts, said in a note on Friday that Apple would launch two new MacBook Pro models this year with 14- and 16-inch screens, a new design and the return of MagSafe loading gates. .
MagSafe charging used to appear in MacBook designs before Apple switched to USB-C charging in recent years. People like it because the cord comes in and pulls out easily, which reduces the risk of damage to the laptop if someone pulls the cord. Apple recently revived the MagSafe brand with the latest iPhone 12 models, which charge with a magnetic pack attached to the back of the phones.
“The MacBook Pro has not changed the form factor design for five years,” Kuo said. “We believe the launch of two new MacBook Pro models in 3Q21 will grab consumers’ attention and increase demand for replacement.”
Apple Mac’s revenue was 28% higher in October than in year, when the company reported its fiscal fourth quarter 2020 earnings. There is a clear boost in demand as people work from home due to the continued spread of Covid-19. Apple also released the first computers with its new M1 chip in late 2020. But the computers look the same as previous models and the MacBook Pro has not been designed for a long time.
Kuo said Apple plans to get rid of the curved edges and will use sharper lines, making the edges look a bit more like the sloping edges of the iPhone 12, the iPad Air and the iPad Pro. Kuo said Apple would remove the touch bar, allowing people to tap shortcuts on a touch screen at the top of their keyboard.
“Benefit from the replacement demand for new models, we predict that total MacBook shipments in 2021 will grow significantly by 25-30% year to 20 million units,” Kuo said in the note.