14-Inch MacBook Pro Now Rumored to Launch in 2021

[MacRumors]

Ever since Apple discontinued the 15-inch MacBook Pro in favor of a new 16-inch model with slimmer bezels last year, the natural assumption has been that a 14-inch MacBook Pro will eventually replace the 13-inch model.

Apple ended up sticking with the same size display when it refreshed the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Magic Keyboard and faster processor options earlier this month, but a 14-inch model might still be on the table, with the anonymously-run Twitter account "L0vetodream" today hinting at a 2021 release. No further details were provided.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1259830152994754560

The same Twitter account accurately revealed several details about the new iPhone SE before anyone else, including that the device would launch in the second week of April and come in three storage capacities. Likewise, the account accurately claimed that new iPad Pro models would launch in the third week of March.

Given that the 13-inch MacBook Pro is typically only updated once per year, a 2021 release would hardly be a surprise at this point, but it is noteworthy that Apple apparently still has a 14-inch model on its roadmap.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously said that Apple plans to release at least six Mini-LED products by the end of 2021, including both 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. All together, these rumors could suggest that a 14-inch MacBook Pro with Mini-LED backlighting will be released at some point next year.

Article Link: 14-Inch MacBook Pro Now Rumored to Launch in 2021

 

[Zdigital2015]

Arm-based, not Intel. New CPU means new form factor to entice new users.

 

[JamieLannister]

Apple, please give this 14” an AMD processor.

 

[blueflame]

Consumer 13” air
Prosumer 14.1/16” pro

 

[furbzv1]

Time to get a 2019 at an extremely good price then.

 

[Sunshower]

Egg on my face.

 

[ph001bi]

Arm-based, not Intel. New CPU means new form factor to entice new users.

It's very likely, the initial plan might have been to implement the new keyboard November 19 as on the 16 inch, then the new size + mini-led Q4 2020, and ARM CPU in Q4 2021. The initial launch was delayed to April, making a launch in late 2020 redundant. They will now change everything at once in Q2 2021 instead. Exactly one year after announcing the switch to ARM in late June 2020.

 

[malko]

Still waiting for an upgrade to my 12" retina Macbook. The line hasn't been updated for three years now and once you go fanless and ultra slim there is no way back to a fat old laptop with a spinning fan...

I've noted that the 12" models were criticised for having slow CPU:s and while it was a fair point for the 2015 models, my 12" i7 from 2019 is as fast as the two year newer (mid 2019) Macbook air base model. Only a couple of %-point difference in Geekbench.

Holding my thumbs for new fanless Macbooks with ARM next year...

 

[xflashx]

I’m so torn right now... buy the currently refreshed rMBP 13 2020 or wait one year for the new 14 MacBook Pro? I’m still using the rMBP from 2015 and it’s still going strong, however I just wished Apple would have introduced the 14 inch right now. What’s for sure is that I’m not going to buy an Arm processor MacBook, as I cannot wait for the devs to port their apps to the arm platform. Hopefully they will use the new Ryzen processors next year 🤞

 

[otternonsense]

Take your time Apple. It's not like anyone's expecting you to innovate on your Mac line a little

 

[roland.g]

Used to have a 13” Air. Replaced it after 6 years with a 15” Pro. Love that but always wished for a 14” as I felt that was the sweet spot in balancing screen size and form size/weight.

 

[Malus120]

Disappointing but not super surprising as Apple typically likes to keep updates to each line on an annual timetable :/
Was really hoping to see AMD Ryzen 4000 CPU's in the 13/14" MBP this year but looks like that's not on the table.

I'm sure some people are jumping at the idea of Apple A series ARM chips next year but the MBP seems like the wrong place for them at least initially. If Apple's going to test the ARM Mac waters (even if they want to transition) they should start with the MBA and leave the pro machines alone until they've proven they can provide something pros (or really just anyone who uses their computer for anything other than the bare minimum) will actually want to use...

Either way I'm guessing we'll have a better idea as to Apple's direction for the Mac after WWDC as it's hard to see them bringing ARM to the mac without giving developers significant lead time.

 

[FastLaneJB]

I’m so torn right now... buy the currently refreshed rMBP 13 2020 or wait one year for the new 14 MacBook Pro? I’m still using the rMBP from 2015 and it’s still going strong, however I just wished Apple would have introduced the 14 inch right now. What’s for sure is that I’m not going to buy an Arm processor MacBook, as I cannot wait for the devs to port their apps to the arm platform. Hopefully they will use the new Ryzen processors next year 🤞

So I have a 2020 MacBook Pro 13 on order but did wonder the same. In fairness I need something in the next month or two so I couldn't wait but at the same time I'd still probably have jumped on regardless.

It depends on your use case, if you mainly use your Mac for browsing, mails, Photos and mainly Apple apps then I'm sure they'll all be fine right from the get go. However I need to run Windows in Parallels and quite a wide selection of apps. Also I imagine if you need Bootcamp, that's probably going away or you'd have to run ARM based Windows (Which has a lot of issues). I remember the move from PowerPC to Intel and while there was an emulator, the performance and battery hit from it wasn't ideal plus some stuff wouldn't run regardless.

I'm looking forward to the ARM Transition as I think it'll give apple an edge, just not sure I want to be on the bleeding edge of that one. Everything is going to keep working on the Intel models for years to come, some stuff might not run on ARM however...

 

[willyx]

Still waiting for an upgrade to my 12" retina Macbook. The line hasn't been updated for three years now and once you go fanless and ultra slim there is no way back to a fat old laptop with a spinning fan...

I've noted that the 12" models were criticised for having slow CPU:s and while it was a fair point for the 2015 models, my 12" i7 from 2019 is as fast as the two year newer (mid 2019) Macbook air base model. Only a couple of %-point difference in Geekbench.

Holding my thumbs for new fanless Macbooks with ARM next year...

You are aware that Apple does not make/sell 12'' Macbooks anymore, right...

 

[Populus]

It's very likely, the initial plan might have been to implement the new keyboard November 19 as on the 16 inch, then the new size + mini-led Q4 2020, and ARM CPU in Q4 2021. The initial launch was delayed to April, making a launch in late 2020 redundant. They will now change everything at once in Q2 2021 instead. Exactly one year after announcing the switch to ARM in late June 2020.

So according to you we’ll see an announcement of an ARM switch in the Mac on this 2020 WWDC? It will make this WWDC more fun if that’s true.

 

[MacLawyer]

I'm typing this on the 2020 13" model with the "new" keyboard and 10th gen. processor. It would take a LOT to make me part with this in the next few years.

 

[MoreRumors?]

I think 14" may be the sweet spot size for me. Since this is estimated to launch next year, I hope it will have WiFi6 too.

 

[Falhófnir]

Arm-based, not Intel. New CPU means new form factor to entice new users.

That lines up with what Jon Prosser is now saying as well (he said next 16" would be mini LED and Arm, but presumably that also applies to the 14" which has been linked to mini LED from the start).

 

[edubfromktown]

I'm happy biding my time with a 2020 Air i7. Hopefully the 14" will have a no doofus touch bar option!

REAL KEYS ONLY PLEASE 🙃

 

[jercompton]

So I have a 2020 MacBook Pro 13 on order but did wonder the same. In fairness I need something in the next month or two so I couldn't wait but at the same time I'd still probably have jumped on regardless.

It depends on your use case, if you mainly use your Mac for browsing, mails, Photos and mainly Apple apps then I'm sure they'll all be fine right from the get go. However I need to run Windows in Parallels and quite a wide selection of apps. Also I imagine if you need Bootcamp, that's probably going away or you'd have to run ARM based Windows (Which has a lot of issues). I remember the move from PowerPC to Intel and while there was an emulator, the performance and battery hit from it wasn't ideal plus some stuff wouldn't run regardless.

I'm looking forward to the ARM Transition as I think it'll give apple an edge, just not sure I want to be on the bleeding edge of that one. Everything is going to keep working on the Intel models for years to come, some stuff might not run on ARM however...

Since you did update to this year model? Will you trade it in next year to get eh 14 inch if it still had intel processor?

 

[malko]

You are aware that Apple does not make/sell 12'' Macbooks anymore, right...

Yes, they haven't launched any new models since the 2017 I'm typing on now. As I wrote. And I'm waiting for an update/successor to this one. As I wrote.

 

[fbr$]

Consumer 13” air
Prosumer 14.1/16” pro

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[Bug-Creator]

You are aware that Apple does not make/sell 12'' Macbooks anymore, right...

And they haven't made a 14" since 2005 (last gen iBook) but still you are in this topic...

Apple will need to differentiate the "pro" and consumer lines (with or without the "air") and as such it would make sense to have a 12" again.

 

[Madhatter32]

Arm-based, not Intel. New CPU means new form factor to entice new users.

I, for one, would be interested to see what they can do with a new form factor. I like the old design, but they need to progress a little. I agree that it would create a lot of interest if they can come up with something beautiful and functional. I think they'll need to do something interesting and differentiating if they are going to drop an ARM cpu in it.

 

[drsox]

Still waiting for an upgrade to my 12" retina Macbook. The line hasn't been updated for three years now and once you go fanless and ultra slim there is no way back to a fat old laptop with a spinning fan...

I've noted that the 12" models were criticised for having slow CPU:s and while it was a fair point for the 2015 models, my 12" i7 from 2019 is as fast as the two year newer (mid 2019) Macbook air base model. Only a couple of %-point difference in Geekbench.

Holding my thumbs for new fanless Macbooks with ARM next year...

I'll bet the 12in Macbook was a manufacturing trial run at making the form factor for an ARM offering.