I saw a new Dell XPS up close - and its design puts the current MBP design to shame (IMO). Given that technology advancements allow for better screens and Apple's specific advances allow for less cooling and battery space - I'd expect any mac redesigns to be pretty spectacular... That is their wheelhouse.
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Buyer's Guide: Don't Buy a MacBook Pro Now
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Some time back bought the latest and greatest from Apple and the coating came off the screen
Then later again bought the latest and greatest from Apple and the butterfly keyboard filled with debris.
Am not so sure latest and greatest from Apple is a good deal. Or maybe I just had bad luck.
I ma sticking with my Dell XPS 13" 2019 and investing graphic design software and MLB,tv instead of purchasing a new M1 MacBook pro this or next year. while having the MacBook air my main typing machine and staying with Mojave.
i need to relove windows10 tho.
i need to relove windows10 tho.
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you are so right, i compared both XPS and Pro at a micro center in 2019 and the Dell was more sturdier, solid with a better screen (non-4k) the typing is better for me on th macbook and the battery on the pro puts the XSP to sham tho,
i get 4 hours if im lucky, 2 hours after i unplug the chord- which is designed much better than at the ones.
I've been holding onto my 2011 MacBook Pro (the last one with an optical drive) waiting for Apple to finally get it right. More ports are desperately needed. When flying or in airports I see people with a clear plastic bag full of dongle's trying to get functionality out of the limited ports of their MacBooks. Also, with the exception of one previous commentor I don't know anyone that uses the Touch Bar, I'm glad to see it go. The MagSafe was a wonderful design element and I'm glad to see it coming back. With the advent of 1000 year lifetime M-Disc, our business is seeing a big resurgence in optical media. I would love to see a built in optical drive (100GB) but I suspect that's unlikely at this juncture. I will be first in line for the 2021 MacBook Pro.
I agree, better wait, as my Macbook Pro 16 inch has serious heating problems when using simple apps. My previous Macbook did not have any issues with the ventilator.
New MacBook Pro models are expected to arrive later this year with some of the biggest improvements to the product line to date, including some surprising changes, so now is not the best time to buy a new MacBook Pro.
With major upgrades expected to key features such as the chipset, display, Touch Bar, charging, ports, and design, customers eyeing a new MacBook Pro may be better off waiting for updated models to arrive later this year.
Most of the reliable rumors surrounding the new MacBook Pros are sourced from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who have established reputations for providing accurate insights into Apple's plans. Based on their reports, the 2021 MacBook Pro lineup is currently expected to feature:
- New 14-inch model in place of current 13.3-inch model, facilitated by reduced bezels.
- New, flatter design, said to be "similar to the iPhone 12."
- More powerful next-generation Apple Silicon chips with up to 16 power cores and four efficiency cores instead of Intel processors.
- Potentially a custom Apple Silicon GPU with 16 or 32-cores.
- Updated thermal design for the 14-inch model, currently used by the existing 16-inch MacBook Pro, with a larger heat pipe, added thermal pads, and a 35 percent larger heat sink.
- "Brighter, higher-contrast" display panels, with the possibility of a mini-LED option.
- Additional ports to reduce need for dongles, including an SD card reader and an HDMI port.
- MagSafe connector with faster charging speeds.
- No Touch Bar, with physical function key row instead.
Design Changes
The 2021 MacBook Pros are expected to come in 14 and 16-inch sizes, with the new 14-inch model replacing the current 13.3-inch model. It is likely that the 14-inch MacBook Pro will retain a very similar footprint to the 13.3-inch model by reducing the bezels around the screen.
Both models are expected to receive a flat-edged design that is "similar to the iPhone 12." While it is possible that the overall look may still be quite similar to current models as Gurman suggests, Kuo says that Apple will eliminate the slight curvature on the top and the bottom, resulting in a slimmer, flatter appearance.
Internal Upgrades
Following the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, which gained an M1 chip in November last year, all 2021 MacBook Pro models are expected to sport Apple Silicon chips, with Intel processors being phased out entirely, to deliver significantly better performance and power efficiency.
The higher-end MacBook Pro models are highly likely to feature Apple Silicon chips that are more powerful than the M1, and Apple is believed to be developing options with as many as 16 power cores and four efficiency cores. Apple is also working on custom GPU technology with 16 and 32-core options, which may be used in the new MacBook Pros.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro is believed to adopt the improved thermals of the current 16-inch MacBook Pro model, with a larger heat pipe, added thermal pads, and a 35 percent larger heat sink. This would likely increase the machine's performance potential and allow it to run at cooler temperatures.
Display Improvements
The MacBook Pro is expected to receive a "brighter, higher-contrast" display panel. In addition, there have been multiple suggestions that the updated machines will be the first Macs to feature mini-LED displays, marking a significant improvement in display quality, with an improved wide color gamut, higher contrast and dynamic range, and truer blacks.
Restored Features
Apple is also expected to backtrack on several of its controversial design decisions that were first made with the 2016 MacBook Pro. For example, the 2021 models will reportedly gain more ports to reduce the need for dongles. Prior models from 2012 to 2015 included a MagSafe connector, Thunderbolt ports, USB-A ports, an HDMI port, an SD card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, before being reduced to just four USB-C ports and a headphone jack in 2016.
Likely in addition to its current selection of USB-C ports, Gurman has said that the SD card reader will be among the restored features. Kuo has since supported this, saying that the SD card reader will be returning, alongside an HDMI port.
MagSafe charging is also expected to return to the MacBook Pro this year. MagSafe connectors were used for MacBook Pro models from 2006, allowing users to easily connect and disconnect the power cable with magnets, before eliminating the feature for USB-C charging alone in 2016.
Both Kuo and Gurman expect the new MacBook Pro models to be equipped with a MagSafe connector for charging, which is also expected to achieve faster charging speeds than via USB-C.
Finally, Apple is looking to remove the Touch Bar and restore the physical function key row. Apple introduced the Touch Bar on the 2016 MacBook Pros, providing a small OLED touchscreen strip along the top of the keyboard to offer customizable controls and different functions on a per-app basis, but the Touch Bar never seemed to catch on with consumers.
Gurman has confirmed that Apple has tested versions of the MacBook Pro that do not have a Touch Bar, and Kuo has gone one step further, saying that the Touch Bar will be removed entirely on the 2021 MacBook Pro models, to be replaced by physical function keys.
What About the M1 MacBook Pro or Air?
In November last year, Apple revealed a 13-inch MacBook Pro with an M1 Apple Silicon chip, so some customers may feel compelled to buy this fairly new MacBook Pro now. However, it is important to note that this model is the lower-end MacBook Pro, indicated by the fact that it has only two Thunderbolt ports. Apple still offers high-end four-port MacBook Pros with Intel processors, and it is these more powerful machines that are expected to be updated this year.
The M1 MacBook Air is very similar to the M1 MacBook Pro in both features and performance so should be considered if you are looking to buy a machine right now.
Release Date
Multiple sources have placed the new MacBook Pro's launch timeframe in the second half of 2021, with Kuo zoning in on the third quarter of 2021. This means that we could see the updated MacBook Pros arrive as soon as July.
MacBook Pro customers can therefore expect to have to wait just five to seven months for the new models. Considering the scale of the update, which looks to drastically affect almost every aspect of the MacBook Pro, it certainly seems to be worth the wait.
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 roundups.
Article Link: Buyer’s Guide: Don't Buy a MacBook Pro Now
Better wait, since the my current Macbook 16 inch has serious heating problems.
I think it is a good idea to wait anyways for the new model as my 16-inch has serious heating problems, like many other 16-inch users. Let's hope the new 16-inch is performing better.
I think it is a good idea to wait anyways for the new model as my 16-inch has serious heating problems, like many other 16-inch users. Let's hope the new 16-inch is performing better. BTW my previous Macbook didn't have these issues.
I do not want a flatter design. I like the tapered edges. Honestly I don't really see the need for multiple types of ports either though it's not really an ergonomic issue in the way the tapered edges are. I think a square edge is going to be more difficult to put on a desktop in practice -- even a small amount of clutter will throw it off kilter -- and more difficult and uncomfortable to handle when packing and unpacking the device or moving it around.
My 2015 MBP just developed a bloated battery and my backup machine (a 2011 MBP) shuts down every 2 min.
So I need a mac now. Are the models we expect in Q3 going to have a substantial better CPU or just more cores of the same?
Also I'm not sure if a MBP or a Macbook Air is the better option.
If Apple really redesigns the MBP completely for Q3 then this might be a good thing for me because if I buy a cheaper MBP M1 or a Macbook Air now i can wait to get a higher end 16" MBP in a year or so when the new models have matured and maybe a M2 CPU is available.
So I need a mac now. Are the models we expect in Q3 going to have a substantial better CPU or just more cores of the same?
Also I'm not sure if a MBP or a Macbook Air is the better option.
If Apple really redesigns the MBP completely for Q3 then this might be a good thing for me because if I buy a cheaper MBP M1 or a Macbook Air now i can wait to get a higher end 16" MBP in a year or so when the new models have matured and maybe a M2 CPU is available.
I suspect the Q3 models will have better CPU and GPU performance. If you need a Mac right now, then I would get the M1 MBA. These models are heavily discounted right now and the performance is on-par with the 16" MBP.
Apple can (think they are) providing more by taking something away for only so long before things "correct" themselves. We're heading into what sounds like quite a nice time of correction.
With the new model coming out soon with hopefully more I/O I would definitely not buy the one out now.
My biggest complaint with the M1 Pro is that you can't close the lid and run two external monitors. I hope that is an option in the new model. That's a bigger problem for me than the I/O.
Also holding out on this. I guess it works out cause I’m able to save more in a couple months to be able to go with the 16’ M1 model. My parents have the M1 MacBook Pro 13’ and I can’t deal with the screen size after having MacBook Pro 15’ for less than a couple years and then having it stolen from my house. It sucks cause semester starts in fall so I’m HOPING that the release dates will coincide with semester start or somewhere along that time. Dunno how long I can hold out trying to complete coursework in a computer lab or doing notes by hand or on my iPhone, haha.
Some people really love the Touch Bar hey? I didn’t really use it at all on my MacBook Pro 15’, but Logic seems to have some unique uses. Dying waiting for the 16’ M1 to come out here!
Wish the Touch Bar was an option, I personally won’t buy a MacBook without it as it loses interactivity. It feels like the biggest problem with it is not giving consumers a choice to have or not have it on higher end models, and like lidar, not really doing much with it outside of apple in-house apps.
The new macbooks look great BUT I still don't understand the rationale of removing the touch bar... IMO it was one of the best feature I've seen on laptop in these last years. I've been using extensively it with BetterTouchTool to display a tons of different widgets / shortcuts / custom alerts (like applescript generating a red icon if something is going wrong on some external hardware etc...).
I agree that it had a cost but it's the first time I'm seeing such a regression on an apple product...
I agree that it had a cost but it's the first time I'm seeing such a regression on an apple product...
Of course, if you don't customize the TouchBar using dedicated softs, it's not really useful but it's like saying a computer is not useful if you don't actually use it
TouchBar was actually so amazing (you could put custom sliders, custom widgets, custom alerting that remains always on top no matter which app you were using). Honestly the TouchBar was one of the most misunderstood innovation....
The Touch Bar was immensely unpopular from the moment that they were introduced if you go by comments here, on other Mac centric sites or on computer sites in general. I had a pre Touch Bar MacBook Pro so I never used the Touch Bar but I sure saw a lot of negative comments and very few positive ones concerning it. I wouldn’t hold your breath waiting for it’s re-introduction.