Apple introduced a new M1 MacBook Pro in November 2020, but the new model does not include any design changes. That is set to change in 2021, with rumors suggesting that Apple has a major MacBook Pro design update in the works.
The 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models coming in 2021 have the most important design upgrades to the MacBook Pro series we’ve seen since 2016, and the updated machines will also address complaints that users have had with the MacBook Pro. for years by bringing back older features that include MagSafe, more ports and physical function tests.
The rumors in this guide are available from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloombergsays Mark Gurman, both of whom often provide accurate insights into Apple’s plans.
Design
Apple has updated both the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. The 14-inch model will replace the current 13.3-inch model, while the 16-inch model will replace the existing 16-inch version available.
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For the revamped 14-inch model, it is likely that the overall size of the case will remain similar to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, with the increase in screen size mainly due to the reduction of the top and side panels of the machine .
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The current 13-inch MacBook Pro
However, there may be a slight increase in physical size. When Apple switched from the 15.4-inch MacBook Pro to the 16.1-inch MacBook Pro, the physical size went from 13.75 x 9.48 inches to 14.09 x 9.68 inches, and we could similarly seen with the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
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The 16-inch MacBook Pro
Both of the new models that are coming are expected to include significant design changes. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the new MacBook Pro models will have a flat-bottomed design that is ‘similar to the iPhone 12’, without curved edges like current models.
Gurman confirmed Kuo’s report, but his information suggests that the flattened design may not deviate too much from the current design. He says that the upgraded models will be ‘similar’ to the current models, but that they will have ‘small design changes’, so we have to wait and see how important these changes appear to be to the overall design.
The updated MacBook Pro models will use the same heat pipe design as the current 16-inch MacBook Pro model. Apple overhauled the heat system of the 16-inch MacBook Pro, increased the size of the heat pipe, added the heat cubes and increased the size of the heat sink by 35 percent.
This new thermal system allows for increased computing power thanks to improved airflow and heat management, which offers many benefits to the performance of the Apple silicone chips that are expected to be included.
Hawens
Although the chassis updates are smaller than Kuo has revealed, there are other adjustments that will make the 2021 update a major update. Kuo believes Apple will add additional ports to the MacBook Pro models, although he did not specify which ports they could be.
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Apple rolled out a new MacBook Pro design in 2016 that eliminated all ports except USB-C ports and the 3.5mm headphone jack, but previous models from 2012 to 2015 had a MagSafe jack, Thunderbolt ports, USB-A ports and an HDMI port, an SD card reader and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
With the 2021 machines we could see the return of some of these ports with long termination. It is likely that most ports will remain USB-C, as Apple has been switching to USB-C for years now, but there may be additions such as an SD card slot or an HDMI port.
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Given Apple’s emphasis on USB-C and the slim design of the MacBook Pro series, it’s probably not going to see the return of USB-A, but Kuo said the new machines will have enough ports so that most users’ do not have to buy additional dongles. ”
Gurman’s report mentions the inclusion of USB-C ports, but it does not mention other types of I / O.
MagSafe
Along with additional ports, the new machines are expected to bring MagSafe back to the Mac range. AgMagSafe connections were used for MacBook Pro models from 2006 to 2016, when Apple replaced the agMagSafe connector with a USB-C port, but now we seem to be returning to a agMagSafe design.
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Both Kuo and Gurman expect that the new MacBook Pro models will be equipped with ‘MagSafe’ for charging purposes, and that the ‘MagSafe’ charging port differs from the other USB-C ports.
AgMagSafe in the new MacBook Pro models is expected to be similar to the MagSafe 2 connectors and ports used before 2016, which enabled a fast magnetic connection that could prevent damage to the computer and cable when the cord has been drawn.
MagSafe’s charging functionality is expected to enable faster charging speeds than available with USB-C, and as Apple switches to a new charging technology, we can expect the upcoming MacBook Pro models with a MagSafe charging cable and accompanying power adapter.
No touchbar
Apple introduced a touch bar in the 2016 Macs, which offers a small OLED screen where physical function tests used to be located. Apple had big plans for the Touch Bar and suggested it would be a customizable mini-display that offered customizable controls and different features per app base, but the Touch Bar apparently never grabbed the consumer.
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Kuo says the Touch Bar in the 2021 MacBook Pro models will be removed and replaced with physical functional keys. Gurman confirmed that Apple has tested versions of the MacBook Pro that do not have a Touch Bar.
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Show
Gurman believes the new MacBook Pro models will have improvements in the form of ‘brighter panels with a higher contrast’. In previous rumors, Kuo has suggested that the updated machines will be the first Macs with mini-LED screens, indicating a significant improvement. in display quality.
Since Kuo in his most recent report made no mention of mini-LED technology, it is possible that the mini-LED functionality was delayed until a later time.
If Apple switches to mini-LEDs for the 2021 MacBook Pro models, the screens could use about 10,000 LEDs, each under 200 microns in size. Mini-LED technology allows for a thinner and lighter design, while offering many OLED benefits, such as a better color gamut, high contrast and dynamic range, and more black.
Processor
The entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro already has a M1 chip, and by 2021, all new MacBook Pro models will get Apple silicone chips. Apple is not expected to release MacBook Pro models with Intel chips, and phase Intel chips completely out of the notebook line.
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Apple is working on high-quality Apple silicone chips with as many as 16 power cores and four efficiency cores, which will destroy any Intel processor in terms of performance. New GPU technology is also underway, with Apple designing 16- and 32-core GPU options, some of which can be used in the new MacBook Pro models.
Start date
The new MacBook Pro models are expected to be launched in the third quarter of 2021.
Read more
We have more 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 range.