Buyer's Guide: Don't Buy a MacBook Pro Now

[rmoliv]

Old ports back, Magsafe, keys instead of Touch Bar. Apple’s so out of ideas they have to bring old ones back to life.
And what ever happened to their obsession with thinness?

 

[performa_6400]

I've been waiting (and saving) since the last WWDC. Super pumped to upgrade my mid 2014 MBP.

 

[Maconplasma]

• Additional ports to reduce need for dongles, including an SD card reader.
• MagSafe connector with faster charging speeds.
• No Touch Bar, with physical function key row instead.

I'm calling BS on these last 3. I think this was posted just to get the Touch Bar and Dongle haters excited.

 

[jonnysods]

I fully intend to follow that advice! Holding on with my current MBP and saving my pennies...

 

[dgdosen]

If Apple wants a good idea - why not make a convertible - Macbook pro (macos) by day, but with a keypress, you can change the device to "iPad mode" (ipad os) - where you can also detach the screen, and it's a garden variety iPad Pro.

I'd pay extra for that. I don't think it's that difficult of an engineering problem...

 

[Deliro]

Guys, just wait for the 2022 model, it will rock the 2021.

 

[4jasontv]

• Additional ports to reduce need for dongles, including an SD card reader.
• MagSafe connector with faster charging speeds.
• No Touch Bar, with physical function key row instead.

I'm calling BS on these last 3. I think this was posted just to get the Touch Bar and Dongle haters excited.

They could add additional USB C ports and satisfy the USB port issue. With USB 4 using a C connector it really doesn't make sense to add legacy A ports to a premium device. I even question the value of supporting the legacy SD format. And yes, it's a legacy port at this point.

Magsafe is great, but I like being able to charge from either side of the device. Hopefully, however, this is implemented retains that feature.

 

[djbeav]

Well, that was a great plan until this morning when my 2016 MBP decided to go "fuzzy" ... seems like a display connector glitch that comes and goes based on how far the screen's open. Too bad the only place the screen works is about 20% open Checked with Apple, and there's no service program for the 15" ... but there is one for a similar issue on the 13"

 

[MobiusStrip]

So... put some obsolete ports back on, go back to overpriced proprietary charger connectors, and... profit?

The only good rumor here is the elimination of the disgraceful emoji bar. What Apple should do is stop soldering the SSD and RAM to the motherboard. SSDs wear out; it's a fact (which Tesla owners learned the hard way this week). When they do, you get to throw your "high-end" Apple computer away.

poundCOURAGE

 

[topdrawer]

Guys, just wait for the 2022 model, it will rock the 2021.

that will just be a speed bump. wait till 2023

 

[Dozer_Zaibatsu]

The return of magsafe is an interesting theory. I assume even if they do, Apple will (must!) support still charging via USB-C.

There is a good reason to have magsafe charging just to support making use of the old adapters, I suppose. My company has a whole lot of them lying around, and it would be environmentally friendly of Apple to make sure they're still usable for some time to come. If it's a choice to make use of the old chargers, good for Apple, I guess. But that's unusually accommodating for them.

But the structure right now where you can purchase a dock that supports pass-thru USB-C charging is extremely convenient. I can't see where Apple would backtrack and force users to go back to always having two cables going into a Mac to have charging and a dock. The Cal-Digit SOHO dock is what I'm ordering for users now, usable with pass-through charging with the charger that comes with the Mac.

 

[00sjsl]

It better have a notch.

I would love it to have face id.

 

[Dozer_Zaibatsu]

Or you can buy a new MacBook Pro now and have months of enjoyment using it and then sell it and put the money towards a new model when it comes out. My motto has always been if you need a tool now, buy the best you can afford now. If you can afford to wait, then you don't really need it.

Except I'm looking at refreshing a fleet of developers. If it's March or July makes a big difference in what we're going to get for the money. I'm hoping if they're going to come out with something like the rumors, that it is as soon as possible.

 

[theluggage]

It’s actually a rumor roundup. Most of these rumor round ups are very useful. They turned out to be true with iPad, iPhone, and Macs in the past.

Sure - but MR could just call them "rumour roundup" rather than the "Buyer's Guide" and overly simplistic "Buy"/"Don't buy" advice.

Does anyone know what the status is of running Windows 10 normal Intel edition and programs in a virtual machine on the Apple silicon MacBooks (need this for work)

It will most likely happen in the coming months - people have already got QEMU and UTM to work - but it will always be "full" emulation of the whole OS and won't have the same performance that you get with "native" virtualisation on an Intel Mac - but for non-demanding business software it might get the job done.

Running Windows 10 for ARM with "native" virtualisation under Parallels - and hence running Intel apps via Win 10's built in emulation - has also been shown to work promisingly well in a flaky pre-beta sort of way but (at last report) wasn't ready for the big time - it will probably happen unless Microsoft just refuses to license it because egos.

My guess is that someone like Parallels will release a Win10-on-ARM bundle, and that will cope with most "I need this one Windows app for work" problems - but you might want to wait for that to actually happen before switching to Apple Silicon.

Old ports back, Magsafe, keys instead of Touch Bar. Apple’s so out of ideas they have to bring old ones back to life.

Yeah, I mean its been nearly three months since they introduced a game-changing new processor. Hopeless! :->

 

[carrrrrlos]

Bring glowing Apple logo on the outside please, yes I realize the glow was there as a result of the old style led displays - but would be cool to see again.

 

[mazz0]

I may be alone here, but I really don’t like most of these rumoured changes.

I want everything to move to USB C, and as we’ve seen countless times Apple’s willingness to abandon old standards has helped bring such transitions about. Reintroducing old ports like USB A and niche ports like card readers would be such a backwards step, and so un-Apple that I actually have a hard time believing this, even if Kuo supports it. MagSafe seems stupid as well: it’s a feature that should be built into the cable (breakaway cables have been around for years), not the port, so that a) you don’t waste port space on this single use feature, and b) it’s interoperable - the cable works with other devices and other cables with with the Mac. DP or HDMI ports I could get behind, but that’s it.

I also don’t see the point wasting space on physical function keys. How often do you need to manually change screen brightness for example? For me the answer is extremely rarely, and when I do I do it through control centre anyway (same with volume). Giving these things dedicated buttons is such a waste of space (same for exposé and other things you can trigger with gestures). Give the Touch Bar taptic feedback and it’d be great! It should always have had that. If Apple kill it without ever giving it haptics then that’s one of the dumbest things they’ve ever done (behind the Siri Remote and their mouse designs).

</rant> Probably going to get one anyway :’D

 

[bklement]

I guess base cpu pros will be killed, and will only come with m#x or similar processors in the future. The m1 pro is essentially a test how much people would pay for a touchbar option, and the differences in wait times between air and pro are quite telling.

 

[Kiimora]

Ok thnx , I won’t because I’ve been waiting endlessly for the redesigned iMac. Will I jump on the MBP 16” band wagon if it comes out ahead of the iMac ? I doubt that very much!

 

[fishmongerer]

"but the Touch Bar never seemed to catch on with consumers."

Rofl. That's putting lipstick on a pig. The Touchbar was an abject failure from day one. Hardly any apps ever used it and the most exciting thing about the touchbar was when somebody hacked Doom onto it:

Word is they had a lot of problems with them. Customers had problems with them. And it used to be a $300 premium. Those things were expensive to make.

 

[Legalese78]

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 insight 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.
• 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 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.

While it is mostly unclear what ports may be coming to the MacBook Pro in addition to its current selection of USB-C ports, Gurman has said that the SD card reader will be among the restored features.

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

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 insight 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.
• 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 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.

While it is mostly unclear what ports may be coming to the MacBook Pro in addition to its current selection of USB-C ports, Gurman has said that the SD card reader will be among the restored features.

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

For whatever it's worth, I traded in both my 2017 5k iMac and 2018 15" MacBook Pro for the M1 Mac mini and M1 MacBook Pro, respectively. Seeing as how the most taxing program I run is Capture One, these both work perfectly for me...I've honestly never worked on faster computers. It'll be interesting to see what avenues a "Pro" silicon chip opens up; however, I have to assume it'll be for people who are working with, e.g., 8K video or who want to convert 4K video in an insanely fast amount of time.

 

[mdorais]

I'm probably not going to buy a MBP M1 anytime soon. So if you need to hold onto Intel versions (where I am), then buy might still be a good option right now. I depend on certain software and Boot Camp a great deal. Switching to M1 would impact that in a huge way.

I’m in the same boat. I will stick with an Intel MBP as long as I can for both Mac OS & Windows.

 

[transpo1]

I need that new 16 inch MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon STAT!!

These really can’t come soon enough. My friends and I are salivating over the 16 inch model.

 

[Maconplasma]

If Apple wants a good idea - why not make a convertible - Macbook pro (macos) by day, but with a keypress, you can change the device to "iPad mode" (ipad os) - where you can also detach the screen, and it's a garden variety iPad Pro.

I'd pay extra for that. I don't think it's that difficult of an engineering problem...

I'm sorry was this supposed to be a good idea? It's not.

 

[QCassidy352]

I disagree 100% !

I did my own Analysis & while NOT the M1 Pro model, picked up an M1 Air on Saturday from the Los Gatos Apple Store.

How do you disagree? This is saying don’t buy a pro, and you did the research and didn’t buy a pro.

 

[Hibi]

How about the price of new 14” MBP? It will be the same as the basic version of M1 MBP or higher? What are your predictions?