What Apple did to Mac computers late last year was just exercise. The company is poised to continue its plan to migrate all MacBooks, iMacs, and even Mac Pros to Apple’s own Silicon (ARM) processors this year. It is expected that the new Mac will acquire powerful chips (M1X or even just M2) and undergo design changes. However, we are still asked why you shouldn’t buy a MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or Mac mini with an M1 now. If this is the question for you, check out what we expect from the Mac this year. It will disappear by itself.
With the expected significant updates to MacBooks and other Apple computers, buyers eyeing the new MacBook Pro may be better off waiting for the updated models to arrive later this year.
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MacBook Pro 2021 update
Most of the rumours about the new MacBook Pro come from Apple analyst Min-Chi Ko and Mark Gurman, a Bloomberg journalist, who has repeatedly predicted exactly what Apple will show. These guys have excellent sources. According to them, the MacBook Pro lineup in 2021 will include the following parameters:
- New 14-inch display with smaller side bezels
- New iPhone 12-like design;
- More powerful next-generation Apple Silicon chips with 16 powerful cores and four energy-efficient cores instead of Intel processors;
- Optional Apple Silicon GPU with 16 or 32 cores;
- The updated thermal design currently found in the 16-inch MacBook Pro with a 35% larger heatsink
- mini-LED display (optional);
- Additional ports to reduce the need for USB hubs, including an SD card reader ;
- MagSafe connector with faster-charging speed;
- Physical keys instead of Touch Bar.
The 2021 MacBook Pro is expected to come in 14 and 16-inch screens, with the new 14-inch model replacing the current 13.3-inch version. The 14-inch MacBook Pro will likely retain its predecessor’s dimensions by reducing the bezels around the screen.
MacBook Pro 2021 Specifications
Following the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, which received the M1 chip last November, all 2021 MacBook Pro models are expected to feature Apple Silicon chips, and Intel processors (at least in this lineup) will be phased out to provide significantly better performance and energy efficiency.
Older MacBook Pros are likely to come with M1X or M2 chips, which are more powerful than the M1. Apple is also working on a GPU with 16- and 32-core options that can be used in the new MacBook Pros.
The MacBook Pro is expected to have a brighter screen. Besides, there are speculations that the updated computers will be the first Macs with mini-LED displays, which will bring significant improvements in display quality, wider colour gamut, higher contrast and dynamic range.
MacBook Pro 2021 ports
Apple is also expected to ditch some of the controversial designs first seen in the 2016 MacBook Pro. For example, 2021 models will receive more ports to reduce the need for adapters. Previous MacBook Pro models from 2012 to 2015 included MagSafe, Thunderbolt ports, USB-A ports, HDMI port, SD card reader, and 3.5mm headphone jack. While it’s unclear what ports may appear in the MacBook Pro in addition to the current set of USB-C ports, Gourmet said the SD card reader would definitely appear in the new MacBook.
Finally, Apple wants to remove the Touch Bar and restore several physical function keys. Apple introduced the Touch Bar on the 2016 MacBook Pro, but then did little to develop it.
Is it worth buying a MacBook on M1 now or is it better to wait?
Last November, Apple introduced the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 chip, which received rave reviews. And many wanted to buy it. However, it’s important to note that this model is a junior MacBook Pro, as indicated by the fact that it only has two Thunderbolt (USB-C) ports. Apple offers the powerful 16-inch MacBook Pro with 4 ports and Intel processors and is expected to update this year.
The MacBook Air M1 is very similar to the MacBook Pro M1 in both features and performance, so this should be considered if you’re looking to buy a laptop right now. It might be better to grab a MacBook Air and not pay extra for the Touch Bar.
When will the new MacBook Pro come out?
Sources say new MacBook models will start appearing in Q2 or Q3 2021. This means that we can see updated MacBook Pros at WWDC in June.
Thus, MacBook Pro buyers will only wait five to seven months for new models. Given the updated scale, which seems to have a huge impact on nearly every MacBook Pro feature, the wait is definitely worth the wait.