Ming-Chi Kuo, who is often referred to as the leading Apple insider, has shared details for Apple’s upcoming redesigned MacBook Pro, which is expected to arrive in Q3 2021. According to the TF International Securities analyst, the new models will feature MagSafe, no Touch Bar, added ports, and a new “flat-edged” look.
The “all-new design form factor” of the machines, said to come in 14-inch and 16-inch variants, is expected to resemble the design of the current-generation iPad Pro as well as the recently launched iPhone 12, and will run on Apple Silicon over Intel processors.
Kuo says MagSafe will return to the Mac this year and the Touch Bar – the OLED panel at the very top of the keyboard that allows users to interact with their Mac with dynamic controls – will be removed, likely due to the lack of developers introducing Touch Bar controls into their apps, and many Mac users missing the row of function keys the Touch Bar replaced.
Image: Apple
One of the biggest gripes with Apple’s latest portable Mac models is the lack of IO ports. Kuo suggests Apple will address this with this year’s MacBook Pro iteration with added ports, although no mentioning of what new ports will be added was shared.
Kuo expects MacBook shipments to grow 25-30% year over year to hit 20 million units in 2021, with the redesigned models forecast to account for 60-70% of all shipments.
There was no mentioning of Face ID coming to the next MacBook Pro as some had hoped. Presumably Apple will keep Touch ID on the next-generation models as it does with the MacBook Air, which also doesn’t have a Touch Bar.