Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
65,600
34,189


Following the 16-inch MacBook Pro, Apple plans to release a new 13-inch MacBook Pro with a scissor switch keyboard in the first half of 2020, according to industry sources cited by hit-or-miss Taiwanese publication DigiTimes. A preview of the report was shared with paying subscribers.

16-inch-macbook-pro-scissor-switch-keyboard-800x533.jpg
16-inch MacBook Pro's new scissor switch keyboard via iFixit

The report claims the display size will remain 13.3 inches, although given the source is DigiTimes, we would not completely rule out hopes of a larger 14-inch display. Wistron and Global Lighting Technologies are said to be among the suppliers of the keyboards for the smaller notebook.

The new 16-inch MacBook Pro features a redesigned scissor switch keyboard, largely based on the standalone Magic Keyboard for the iMac. Given the tried-and-tested design, the keyboard should prove far more reliable than the troublesome butterfly keyboards used across the MacBook lineup in recent years.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro also features a physical Esc key and an inverted-T arrow key layout. It is unclear if the 13-inch MacBook Pro will follow suit.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously predicted that Apple will transition its entire notebook lineup to scissor switch keyboards in 2020, including all MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models.

It would be hardly surprising if Apple completely moves past its butterfly keyboards, which have suffered from issues with sticky, repeating, or nonfunctional keys since their inception in 2016. Apple continues to offer free repairs to affected customers as part of its worldwide service program.

The entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro was last updated in July, while higher-end 13-inch models were refreshed in May.

Article Link: 13-Inch MacBook Pro With Scissor Keyboard Expected in First Half of 2020
 
Last edited:
  • Sad
Reactions: MrUNIMOG

Nick A

macrumors 6502
May 10, 2009
293
928
I think we'll see similar updates to what the 16" received. The bezels on the 13" are large, and a 14" display makes sense along with the magic keyboard, improved speakers and mics, and updated thermal design.

Even if it increases the weight/thickness slightly, this is a "Pro" machine and I like the direction Apple is taking in that regard.
 

Nick A

macrumors 6502
May 10, 2009
293
928
Shouldn't 2020 be the year of a "complete" redesign?

I think this is it. The slimmer bezels, updated thermal design, and magic keyboard are the redesign, they just started it with the 16". I think this is the design we've got until they move to mini-LED and ARM.

Edit: I'm going to predict that a FaceID sensor with a upgraded camera is likely to come before the next redesign, but it's probably not going to be anytime soon or else we would have seen it in the 16".
 
Last edited:

Pelea

Suspended
Oct 5, 2014
512
1,445
If we’re going to have the privelidge of getting a high quality brand new scissor switch mechanism, that no other laptop in the mark has, this better start at $2000 and no less. We don’t want cheap plastic laptops!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mr.Bigglesworth

redpandadev

macrumors 6502
Jun 3, 2014
351
314
If they offer the new keyboard on a new 14 inch form factor, better radeon Navi graphics, and Wifi6, plus 32 GB of RAM, I might sign up.....

The 16” did not get WiFi 6. Doesn’t mean a new 13” will not, but just keep in mind the 16” didn’t actually get any hardware upgrades (other than additional CTO options) - it just got effectively a slightly new enclosure.
 

revmacian

macrumors 68000
Oct 20, 2018
1,745
1,468
USA
I have not done a side-by-side comparison with the magic keyboard in my MacBook Air 2019 model, but would putting the magic keyboard layout into a 13" MacBook Pro require a larger case (14")? Is that part of the reason that the new larger MacBook Pro is 16" instead of 15" (keeping speakers the same size)?
 

Mainsail

macrumors 68020
Sep 19, 2010
2,427
3,229
Well, I like the feel of the keyboard on my 2019 MBA, so there would need to be substantial evidence that the scissor mechanism is more reliable than the latest iteration of the butterfly KB. So far, the 2019 butterfly KB seems to be holding up pretty well and is more reliable than the older versions.

If the MBA became thicker and heavier to accommodate the scissor KB, I am not sure what I would be gaining, since the MBA is all about being a slim portable notebook. And, I would lose a 4 year warranty on the KB. So, I would probably keep my current MBA until it is ready for an update, per usual cycle. I tend to update every 5 years +-.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MacLawyer

mike...

macrumors 6502
Oct 9, 2008
382
967
The 16” did not get WiFi 6. Doesn’t mean a new 13” will not, but just keep in mind the 16” didn’t actually get any hardware upgrades (other than additional CTO options) - it just got effectively a slightly new enclosure.

The base spec was increased, the screen was made bigger, the audio was improved, the battery and charger are bigger and more powerful. No hardware upgrades, you say?
 

ddtmm

macrumors regular
Jul 12, 2010
229
780
Much rather see a 14" notebook in the same size case as the current 13". They did it with the 15" so should be able to do the same thing with the 13"
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.