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

[darthbane2k]

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

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

This is a computer not an iPhone. If you need a computer now then you need a computer now, there’s no two ways about it.
I totally ‘get’ the article, but to imply that the industry acclaimed M1 machines are now considered a ‘bad buy’ is laughable.

 

[pawkor]

Waiting ...

 

[ingambe]

It will be an instant buy for me as soon as it is released!

I don't think they would reintroduce usb 3 port, makes no sense to go back. Plus nowdays it's quite rare to use usb and having an adapter in your bag is not a big issue IMHO.
I carry an adapter for my ipad pro all the time, never caused me any problem.

 

[ingambe]

Glad I bought mine in mid 2020 so I could get the touch bar. I love the touch bar and it’s a shame they are removing it!

I'm curious about your workflow. Where does the touchbar makes sense for you?

The only places where it's attractive for me are iMessage with the emoji and while watching videos being able to select easily a timestamp.

 

[lamerica80]

I absolutely cant wait to upgrade my 2016 13 MPB TB to the 14 inch version. I am happy to see the TB go. As excited and impressed I was by the feature when it was released, it turns out i literally never use it. It just makes more difficult to change volume and skip tracks in spotify. I have really tried to incorporate it into my workflow, but I just cant, my body rejects it. Such an epic fail really, im happy to see it gone.

 

[mrklaw]

Q3 is a long time to suggest people hold off if they need an update. Perhaps an M1 MBA would tide them over and then they can get a MBP in a few years?

The magsafe still confuses me a little. They're reducing the need for dongles but we would guess not doing away with it entirely - we'll need a dongle for a HDMI or full displayport monitor for example, and likely ethernet/USB-A. So if you have a dock/hub dongle they usually have power passthrough so magsafe is actually adding a cable where you could manage with one before.

 

[mrklaw]

The low end 13 inch M1 MacBook Pro is the perfect consumer notebook in my opinion.

I'd say the base M1 MBA is that - pretty much same performance for 25% less cost. Most consumers won't notice a difference day to day

 

[richinaus]

I’ve just upgraded from 15,4” MBP with 6x core i7 processors (~$3000) to a MacBook Air M1 16GB, and couldn’t be happier. I use the new laptop as it is an iPad: no noise, plenty of power, no heat, never seen battery life, ultra fast app launch.... so, telling these machines are not for prosumer users because that lack 2 additional usb c ports is no good advice.

GPU?
16gb ram?
13” screen?

 

[jwolf6589]

I'm curious about your workflow. Where does the touchbar makes sense for you?

The only places where it's attractive for me are iMessage with the emoji and while watching videos being able to select easily a timestamp.

In apple apps such as Safari (filling out forms), iWork's apps which are more useful for the Touch Bar than MS office apps. Also paying or donating money via apple pay in Safari is a breeze with the Touch Bar. Without the Touch Bar I need to do it on my watch or iPhone and its a pain compared to the Touch Bar.

I create a lot of MS Word docs as I write allot and I just wish they made the Touch Bar more useful there. But I am starting to journal again and this time its in Pages which makes more use of the Touch Bar. Also Numbers makes use of the Touch Bar and I use this app for my budget over Excel.

 

[Digital Dude]

'Blast from the past,' I'm pleased to see that Apple has become less stubborn with the return of ports and getting rid of the somewhat useless touch bar. It appears that Apple is finally listening to its customers.

 

[mazz0]

You're not alone. In fact I'm certain that 100% of what you prefer is what Apple will be doing. I prefer the USB-C ports and the Touch Bar. Just because some forum keyboard warriors don't like the Touch Bar doesn't mean Apple is saying; "OH MY GOSH WE MADE A MISTAKE, CUZ MACRUMORS MEMBERS HATE IT SO THAT MUST MEAN EVERYBODY HATES IT."
This type of front page news is what these keyboard warriors want to hear and it helps MR get clicks so take much of this crap on the front page news about this with a grain of salt.

I hope so, but I'm a little worried. Kuo's got a good track record hasn't he?

 

[laz232]

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...

Better to sell a Macbook and an iPad

 

[GuruZac]

These will look great if they resemble these mock up images. I am holding out for the 21” or whatever size replaces it iMac with new design. I like the idea of having a 12.9” iPad Pro and iMac for home use. I imagine with the M powered processors, the delta between what a Mac can do and what an iPad can do is going to continue to close, especially for the MacBook Air and smaller non-power MacBook Pro users.

 

[gnasher729]

the current M machines are entry level consumer machines to me. The 14 + 16" are the prosumer level machines.
That is what we are waiting for.

Except for the "prosumers" who need more power than a quad core Intel processor and nothing else. As a software developer, the MacBook Air with 16GB and an external monitor would be a huge improvement above what I have. Plus I'd need to change my 7 port USB hub + 3 charge ports to one that has a USB-C connection to the Mac.

 

[gnasher729]

The 14" seems like what the current 13" should've been. I wonder why Apple even bothered releasing the 13" M1 Pro, other than as a placeholder so they can raise the base price of the upcoming models.

Tons of people who like a low-end MacBook. Who don't want to pay twice as much for a computer that may be twice as good.

 

[bf2008]

Sorry but this time I don't really agree with this advice. The next Macbook Pro is expected in Q3 this year, and that is still a rumor. If you need a machine now I don't see why you should keep waiting. The current MBP is an amazing machine, way better than any Windows laptop. Super powerful, quiet and with incredible battery life.

 

[christophermdia]

I think the current versions are cheap enough where I decided to buy, and when I see what improvements there are, I will get the new one, and pass this one down to the kids or wife ...

 

[grantew1]

“Don’t buy a MacBook Pro now” should have been advised ever since the 2016 models launched.


Though, the improved keyboard, thermal performance of the M1, potentially removed touchbar, and potential readdition of some I/O may change that.

There is a reason I haven't purchased a macbook pro since 2016. The keboards, I refuse to buy a purchase that has a known flaw to it.

 

[ian87w]

Tons of people who like a low-end MacBook. Who don't want to pay twice as much for a computer that may be twice as good.

That’s what the MacBook Air is for.

The 13” M1 MacBook Pro seems to be out of place once the 14” drops. It’s too expensive for lay users for the same hardware (minus the fan) as the MacBook Air, and it’s not Pro enough for the Pros compared to this upcoming 14”

 

[technole]

M1 MBP is better than an i7, so if you really need one now it's not a bad price.

Still have doubts touch bar goes away, they dug their heels into this courage with other developers, and went great lengths to remove the non-touchbar model in the MBP series. It took awhile for even Microsoft Office have full support, which is pretty good. The ESC key is fine since that tends to always be used, but I think the rumormonger forgets that F1-F12 isn't really used often in many apps today and it would be a total waste of space again.

The Touch Bar is also at eye level of the screen in a lot of situation so the whole "well I don't watch my keyboard" is a bit overblown too.

 

[jlocker]

Sorry but this time I don't really agree with this advice. The next Macbook Pro is expected in Q3 this year, and that is still a rumor. If you need a machine now I don't see why you should keep waiting. The current MBP is an amazing machine, way better than any Windows laptop. Super powerful, quiet and with incredible battery life.

I agree, I have had my 2019 MacBook Pro 16 for 15 months now and it has been the best laptop I have owned. Can I use a EGPU? yes, Can I run Windows 10? yes Can I Use a Nvidia 3080 card? yes Can I multi-thread like a monster with a i9? yes, Can I play games like cyberpunk 2077 and Call of Duty Cold War better than a game console yes.

So if you want to wait for something that is not finished and still has a lot of software and hardware technical design. Then I would wait, but if you need a computer buy it now, there will aways be something better around the corner.

 

[fourthtunz]

I was sorely tempted by the 2020 M1 mac pros, but I am going to wait for these.

I've got the $1000 m1 MacBook air and I think that's a great compromise!

 

[fourthtunz]

I agree, I have had my 2019 MacBook Pro 16 for 15 months now and it has been the best laptop I have owned. Can I use a EGPU? yes, Can I run Windows 10? yes Can I Use a Nvidia 3080 card? yes Can I multi-thread like a monster with a i9? yes, Can I play games like cyberpunk 2077 and Call of Duty Cold War better than a game console yes.

So if you want to wait for something that is not finished and still has a lot of software and hardware technical design. Then I would wait, but if you need a computer buy it now, there will aways be something better around the corner.

I had the 16" and loved it but I couldn't downgrade it to Mojave, so I sold it and bought the m1 air.
It crushes logic pro! great deal for the money! But yes if you need what the 16" provides its great!

 

[gnasher729]

The magsafe still confuses me a little. They're reducing the need for dongles but we would guess not doing away with it entirely - we'll need a dongle for a HDMI or full displayport monitor for example, and likely ethernet/USB-A. So if you have a dock/hub dongle they usually have power passthrough so magsafe is actually adding a cable where you could manage with one before.

We have no idea what it is and what it will look like. I personally think an extra port for charging and nothing else is nonsense. I would expect that it might be just USB-C with a very "interesting" connector that disconnects safely whatever angle you pull it. Hopefully licensing the plug for companies making charging hubs. So if you use it, you have one more free USB-C port.

 

[GuruZac]

There is a reason I haven't purchased a macbook pro since 2016. The keboards, I refuse to buy a purchase that has a known flaw to it.

Keyboard became a non-issue last year and the year before with the 16” model. They got rid of the scissor switch keyboards on 2016-2019 MacBook Pros and replaced with the Magic Keyboard which has the more traditional butterfly mechanism. I can tell you using the Magic Keyboard on my iPad Pro vs using the scissor switch keyboard on my 2017 MacBook Pro is a much better experience.