MacBook Pro models launched this year will see significant design changes, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports. There has been talk of Apple working on MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch models powered by its own M1 or the rumored M1X processors, but the Cupertino giant has yet to reveal any official details. Kuo states that the new MacBook Pro models will have a flat design and that there won’t be a touch bar this time around. In addition, upcoming iPhone models may come with vapor chamber cooling.
Apple is working on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, according to a report by MacRumors quoting an investor’s note from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. These laptops are expected to have a “flat” form factor that is similar to the new iPhone 12 models. The OLED touch bar is not available this time and will be replaced by physical function keys, according to the analyst. Additionally, Apple will reportedly be bringing back its MagSafe charging port, which was originally used as a replacement for the Type-C USB charger.
Kuo also announced that the new MacBook Pro models will have additional ports. This is good news as customers don’t need to invest in additional dongles. There won’t be any Intel-based options this time around, and Apple will be using its own M1 processors in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, according to Kuo.
Additionally, the updated 16-inch MacBook Pro may have the same heat pipe design as the current Intel model. Given the efficiency of the M1 processor without a fan and only with passive cooling, it would be very interesting to see how the performance could look with active cooling and presumably two fans.
Kuo spoke about the launch date for these new MacBook Pro models and said they can be expected in the third quarter of this year. A recent report suggested that the upcoming M1-powered MacBook Pro models could hit the market as early as March or April, so it’s unclear when they will see the light of day. Interestingly, the report quoting Kuo doesn’t mention anything about mini-LED displays for the new MacBook Pro models this time around.
Finally, Kuo announced that upcoming iPhone models for 2021 may have vapor chamber cooling as Apple is “aggressively testing” this new thermal system. The report mentions that this will be required for high-end iPhone models, which could be the Pro and Pro Max models.
As of now, Apple has not officially released any information on the rumored MacBook Pro models, so that information should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Is the MacBook Air M1 the portable beast of a laptop you’ve always wanted? We discussed this on Orbital, our weekly technology podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or RSS, download the episode, or just hit the play button below.
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