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Tim Cook got everything he wanted: a soaring stock, TV shows and movies to grant him a seat at the Golden Globes table, a subscription yoga service and a diversity center in Detroit.

Even if he doesn't go anywhere as CEO, I pray that an actual technologist with a vision and sense of care takes the helm for Apple's hardware and software products/services.
Don’t forget he gets to dabble in politics as well.
 
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The wants for MBA 2021/22: M2, 14" (rounded display corners), SD Card slot, MagSafe (with charge-status light + cable management), 2 USBc, 1 USBa, headphone jack.

My 2015 MBA: i7, 13.3" (squared display corners), SD Card slot, MagSafe (with charge-status light + cable management), 2 USBa, 1 display port, headphone jack.

There's no good reason why we can't have the above ☝🏻

All MBPs should have M2X (M1X this year) and 4 USBc ports. They should get rid of the lower end MBP as it is too close in every way to the MBA. And get rid of the lower end MBP with the worse speakers too. Even now the remaining 13" Intel model has better audio setup than the 13" M1 MBP.
The Intel MBP needs better speakers so you can hear them over that jet-engin fan.
 
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Tim Cook got everything he wanted: a soaring stock, TV shows and movies to grant him a seat at the Golden Globes table, a subscription yoga service and a diversity center in Detroit.

Even if he doesn't go anywhere as CEO, I pray that an actual technologist with a vision and sense of care takes the helm for Apple's hardware and software products/services.
I find this comment very out of touch along with your perception of things because the investment in Detroit is just more that a simple “Diversity” center and that’s all I am going to say to you about this because there is a great feature I am going to use to remedy seeing any further posts from you on this board.

Good day.
 
Will this be the year that I get rid of my fully maxed out early 2015 13 inch mbp that is still kicking?
Find out next time on Dragon Apple Z
 
for those who are keeping score, the new MacBook designs will basically undo everything Jony Ive whittled down from the MacBooks the last few years he worked there
 
I hope the Magsafe is iPhone style, allowing you to connect the circle to a corner of the back side of the screen or something.
It can't be induction based. MBP15/16 needs 80W power delivery - and still under certain loads it will not charge, but simply use all available power from the brick.

Even if they lower power consumption on the MBP and raise what induction can do, I doubt there will be overlap. It will be likely a version of what we had on old Macs and/or what we have on the back of new iPads.
 
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I'll be getting a 16 when it's announced, but I expect well into third quarter if not 4th. If they return to MagSafe, I hope we can also still use USB-C. I really enjoy the ability to charge from either side depending on classroom/coffee shop I happen to be in (assuming we ever.. ya know, go outside again).
Yes its an instant buy. I literally been using the M1, and its epic fast.

I also picked up for Christmas a year sub of Shadow PC. I been gaming ever since on this MacBook m1 connected to a external hub.
 
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It can't be induction based. MBP15/16 needs 80W power delivery - and still under certain loads it will not charge, but simply use all available power from the brick.

Even if they lower power consumption on the MBP and raise what induction can do, I doubt there will be overlap. It will be likely a version of what we had on old Macs and/or what we have on the back of new iPads.
it would also be counter productive to try charging through an aluminum case :D:D:D
 
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So, there are those that supported the touch Bar, and those that knew it was bad and would be gone as soon as Apple realized it.

Which one are you? :D
 
With you on the USB C. Headphone is nice but if gviong it up means more ports I'd be OK with that.


Hope the rumors of square edges is true.

Skip Displayport. With USB C an and adapter you can get video out (and in) easily.


Sdame here. Add MagSafe but keepp USB C charging.




SD would be useful; especially with some variant of mini SD adapter that is flush with the edge. I used that on my last Mac with SD and with a 128gb card and CCC would do hourly backups.

I doubt we CF as that is pretty much relegated to serious photography. Why add a port 99% of the purchasers don't need and probably don't even know what it is.



Why? It makes the laptop thicker and you can easily use an adpater iif you need it.
Losing the audio out port would be another dongle/cost imposition. Wireless head/ear phones are adequate for basic listening, but the quality is compromised, let alone the ability to work in audio or video based apps where any delay makes it non functional.
 


Apple introduced a new M1 MacBook Pro in November of 2020, but the new model didn't include any design changes. That's going to change in 2021, with rumors suggesting Apple has a major MacBook Pro design refresh in the works.


The 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models that are coming in 2021 will feature the most significant design overhaul to the MacBook Pro line that we've seen since 2016, and the updated machines will also address complaints that users have had with the MacBook Pro for years by bringing back older features that include MagSafe, more ports, and physical function keys.

The rumors in this guide have been sourced from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, both of whom often provide accurate insight into Apple's plans.

Design

Apple has both updated 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models in the works. The 14-inch model will replace the current 13.3-inch model, while the 16-inch model will replace the existing 16-inch version that's available.

Flat-2021-MacBook-Pro-Mockup-Feature-1.jpg

For the revamped 14-inch model, it's likely that the overall casing size will remain similar to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, with the increase in display size coming largely from a reduction in the top and side bezels of the machine.

13inchmacbookpro20203.jpg

The current 13-inch MacBook Pro

There may be a slight increase in physical size, however. When Apple transitioned from the 15.4-inch MacBook Pro to the 16.1-inch MacBook Pro, the physical sizing went from 13.75 x 9.48 inches to 14.09 x 9.68 inches, and we could see something similar with the 14-inch MacBook Pro.

16inchmacbookpromain.jpg

The 16-inch MacBook Pro

Both of the new models that are coming are expected to feature some notable design changes. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the new MacBook Pro models will feature a flat-edged design that's "similar to the iPhone 12," with no curved edges like current models.

Gurman has corroborated Kuo's report, but his information suggests that the flat-edged design may not be too much of a deviation from the current design. He says that the upgraded models will "look similar" to current models, but will feature "minor design changes," so we'll need to wait to see just how significant these changes to the overall design turn out to be.

The updated MacBook Pro models will use the same heat pipe design used by the current 16-inch MacBook Pro model. Apple revamped the thermal system of the 16-inch MacBook Pro, increasing the size of the heat pipe, adding thermal pads, and increasing the size of the heat sink by 35 percent.

This new thermal system will allow for increased computing power thanks to improved airflow and heat management, which bodes well for the performance of the Apple silicon chips that are expected to be included.

Ports

Even if the chassis updates are more minor in scale than Kuo has made them out to be, there are other tweaks in the works that will make the 2021 refresh a major update. Kuo believes Apple is going to add additional ports to the MacBook Pro models, though he has not specified which ports these might be.

Ports-2021-MacBook-Pro-Mockup-Feature-1.jpg

Apple in 2016 rolled out a new MacBook Pro design that did away with all ports except for USB-C ports and the 3.5mm headphone jack, but 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.

With the 2021 machines, we could see the return of some of these long-discontinued ports. It's likely that most ports will continue to be USB-C as Apple has been transitioning to USB-C for years now, but there could be additions like an SD card slot or an HDMI port.

2015-macbook-pro-side-profile-article.jpg

Given Apple's emphasis on USB-C and the slim design of the MacBook Pro lineup, it's not likely we're going to see the return of USB-A, but Kuo has said that the new machines will have enough ports so most users "may not need to purchase additional dongles."

Gurman's report mentions the inclusion of USB-C ports, but it does not mention other types of I/O.

MagSafe

Along with additional ports, the new machines are expected to bring MagSafe back to the Mac lineup. MagSafe connectors were used for MacBook Pro models from 2006 to 2016, when Apple replaced the MagSafe connector with a USB-C port, but now it looks like we're returning to a MagSafe design.

macbook-pro-magsafe.jpg

Both Kuo and Gurman expect the new MacBook Pro models to be equipped with MagSafe for charging purposes, with the MagSafe charging port to be distinct from the other included USB-C ports.

MagSafe in the new MacBook Pro models is expected to be similar to the MagSafe 2 connectors and ports used prior to 2016, which allowed for a quick-release magnetic connection that prevented damage to the computer and the cable when the cord was yanked.

The MagSafe charging functionality is expected to allow for faster charging speeds than are available with USB-C, and given that Apple is swapping over to a new charging technology, we can expect the forthcoming MacBook Pro models to ship with a MagSafe charging cable and accompanying power adapter.

No Touch Bar

Apple introduced a Touch Bar in the 2016 Macs, providing a small OLED display where physical function keys used to be located. Apple had grand plans for the Touch Bar and envisioned it being an adaptable mini-display that offered customizable controls and different functions on a per-app basis, but the Touch Bar never seemed to catch on with consumers.

macbook-pro-touch-bar-m1.jpg

Kuo says that the Touch Bar will be removed in the 2021 MacBook Pro models and will be replaced with physical function keys. Gurman has confirmed that Apple has tested versions of the MacBook Pro that do not have a Touch Bar.

touch-bar-close-up.jpg

Display

Gurman believes the new MacBook Pro models will feature display improvements in the form of "brighter, higher-contrast panels," and in past rumors, Kuo has suggested the updated machines will be the first Macs with mini-LED displays, marking a significant improvement in display quality.

Given that Kuo made no mention of mini-LED technology in his most recent report, it's possible that mini-LED functionality has been delayed until a later date.

If Apple does transition to mini-LED for the 2021 MacBook Pro models, the displays could use somewhere around 10,000 LEDs, each one under 200 microns in size. Mini-LED technology will allow for a thinner and lighter design, while offering many OLED-like benefits such as improved wide color gamut, high contrast and dynamic range, and truer blacks.

Processor

The entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro already has an M1 chip, and in 2021, all new MacBook Pro models will gain Apple silicon chips. Apple is not expected to release MacBook Pro models with Intel chips, phasing Intel chips out of the notebook line entirely.

applesiliconbenefits.jpg

Apple is working on higher-end Apple silicon chips that have as many as 16 power cores and four efficiency cores, which would annihilate any Intel CPU in terms of performance. There's also new GPU technology in the works, with Apple designing 16 and 32-core GPU options, some of which could be used in the new MacBook Pro models.

Launch Date

The new MacBook Pro models are expected to launch in the third quarter of 2021.

Read More

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: Upcoming 16-Inch and 14-Inch MacBook Pros: Everything We Know
Conjecture which will surly morph as time goes by.....
 
One thing I learned about switching from 2018 mbp to m1 air. It’s damn satisfying to use physical tactile keys again to increase/decrease brightness, backlight, and volume. And accessing emoji is easier too by holding the fn button. I don’t miss the touchbar at all.
 
No Touch Bar ....

Plot twist: they add a digitiser to the screen to finally make the whole thing multi touch.
I've always liked the Touch Bar. Bet it's still available .......would also bet that all the new ports mentioned, with the exception of the mag safe (a replacement and not a new port)...are a pipe dream. USB-C. But, we'll see....
 
Getting rid of the touchbar makes sense.. it's a feature only available on Macbook Pros and nothing else, not in iMac Pro nor Mac Pro, and there were no signs of Apple bringing it to desktop Macs, which makes one question if it was just a gimmick feature, if not why weren't desktop users clamoring for it?
 
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Losing the audio out port would be another dongle/cost imposition. Wireless head/ear phones are adequate for basic listening, but the quality is compromised, let alone the ability to work in audio or video based apps where any delay makes it non functional.
So it would not work great and in high quality with the AirPod Max?? That is wireless only in case you didn’t know...
 
Getting rid of the touchbar makes sense.. it's a feature only available on Macbook Pros and nothing else, not in iMac Pro nor Mac Pro, and there were no signs of Apple bringing it to desktop Macs, which makes one question if it was just a gimmick feature, if not why weren't desktop users clamoring for it?
I heard a rumor that a standalone keyboard with touch bar will be released in 2021...
 
I don’t understand why people wanting USB-C on the iPhone, yet now want all the legacy ports on the MacBook. Going USB-C is already the right move, as it is truly a versatile port. Going with USB PD as charging made the MacBooks using standard charging instead of the proprietary MagSafe. What Apple needs to do is put more USB-C ports on both sides of the MacBook, not wasting space with legacy ports.

And the complaints about dongles is not just on Apple. Any Windows thin ultrabooks all need dongles. The difference is most OEMs included a basic dongle (like USB-C to USB-A + HDMI) while with Apple, you have to buy them separately. So maybe what people want is not the ports on the Mac, but free dongles.
 
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I noticed there has been an uptick in resales of Early 2020, 2019 and earlier Intel MacBook Pro’s on Facebook Marketplace; especially the 16 inch MacBook Pro. Hmm, I wonder why?
 
I can gladly say, this is the first time ever I really hope all rumors turn out to be true. Looking forward to these although I'm sure Tim will pull some kind of penny pinching sadly (maybe on RAM, storage, webcam, thermals, etc)

Nail it Apple!!
 
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