16-Inch MacBook Pro Touch Bar Layout Confirmed in Image Found in macOS Catalina 10.15.1

[MacRumors]

We've been hearing rumors about the 16-inch MacBook Pro for months now, and saw possible reference images of the device in the macOS Catalina 10.15.1 beta.

Now macOS Catalina 10.15.1 is out, and it appears the update was hiding even more 16-inch MacBook Pro secrets -- including an image of the machine's updated Touch Bar and Touch ID layout.

The new 16-inch MacBook Pro will feature a Touch ID power button that's separate from the Touch Bar, as first found by 9to5Mac. That's a design change that's distinct from the 15-inch MacBook Pro, which has its Touch ID button positioned as an extension of the Touch Bar.

There have also been hints based on the previously leaked images that the 16-inch MacBook Pro will feature a separate ESC key that is an actual physical key that's no longer a part of the Touch Bar. That's not confirmed in the image found today, but given that the Touch ID button is separate, it would make sense for the escape key to be separate as well.

GIF depicting current MacBook Pro and the new 16-inch MacBook Pro design​

The original 16-inch MacBook Pro icon that was discovered earlier in October has now been removed from macOS Catalina 10.15.1, which suggests that the images being found in the update are not signs of an imminent release as previously thought.

We were expecting the 16-inch machine to see a launch in October, but the month is close to over and Apple made no announcements beyond the AirPods Pro this week, so it's not entirely clear when the new MacBook Pro is going to launch.

It could, of course, still come in November or December, but historically, Apple hasn't done many late fall updates. Chances of a fall event also seem highly unlikely because October is almost over and Apple hasn't held a non-October fall event.

A recent investor's note from reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested a new MacBook with a scissor keyboard is going to launch in the late second quarter or early third quarter, and given that he previously said the 16-inch MacBook Pro would use such a keyboard, it's possible (but not confirmed) he's referring to the 16-inch MacBook Pro.

In that case, we would be waiting until 2020 for the new higher-end 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Article Link: 16-Inch MacBook Pro Touch Bar Layout Confirmed in Image Found in macOS Catalina 10.15.1

 

[NJRonbo]

We have two days left this week.

I am not giving up hope -- especially with this newfound information

Hard to tell by photo if that is a new scissor-keyboard or not.

 

[basket123rocks]

Please Apple, please make the touch bar an optional feature. I will pay extra not to have the toucbar.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Hope we can get the inverted T arrow keys back also

 

[xnu]

I am actually excited about this. This seems to be shaping up to be a great upgrade, so many questions remain. I hope we don't have to wait until April 2020.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Maybe it will launch at the same time as the Mac Pro

 

[turbineseaplane]

If they went for symmetry up top alongside the Touch Bar, that will be one very small Escape key on the left side.

 

[iGeneo]

I'm mixed my touch bar, but i really do like the Touch ID. FaceID would be a plus here as well

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I am actually excited about this. This seems to be shaping up to be a great upgrade, so many questions remain. I hope we don't have to wait until April 2020.

If it is next year, it will not be April. It will be June at WWDC

 

[Falhófnir]

Surely this is all too much now for it not to be happening in the next few weeks? Leaked Icons and Pictures in Mac OS, analysts saying it's in production and imminent, FCC and Eurasian Database entries, I just can't see all this happening a good 5 months out from a March release?

 

[coffeeplease]

I'm more convinced now that the escape button is also separated from the touch bar. Finally.

 

[MacFather]

Deleted.

 

[julesme]

I think there will be a Nov. event - there are just too many products slated for release!

Don’t let me down, Tim Apple.

 

[fokmik]

There are 31 lines here for the speaker grill...on the 2016-2018 there are 29
So a little bit wider, so confirms the bigger display
Same backlit keyboard system and same keys dimensions but different press mechanism (scissor)
So the best from both worlds. Now for the sake of symmetry with the esc key they've placed the power button away from the touchbar

 

[Mick-Mac]

I reckon they'll just quietly release this thing rather than hold a separate event. I don't think Tim could face a 5 minute long resounding standing ovation when he announces a return to a scissor-style keyboard...

 

[turbineseaplane]

This is coming this week still I think

 

[Roscorito]

Man except for the key separation it’s so darn similar. keys look super low-travel still. Body shape identical. I would bet the redesign is coming with ARM next year but they needed a temp fix for the keyboard issues. REALLY hope it has XDR and a serious graphics card otherwise wtf?

 

[Sasparilla]

Maybe it will launch at the same time as the Mac Pro

This makes alot of sense. Bring computer updates out at the same time.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Imagine if the rumors are mixed up and the scissor switches are next year and this still has butterfly's under those exactly the same looking keycaps...

😦

 

[Rychiar]

how does every all in one Mac out there not have Face ID?.... it's insane at this point.

 

[BWhaler]

Until we know if they dumped the fatally flawed butterfly keyboard, we know nothing.

 

[turbineseaplane]

how does every all in one Mac out there not have Face ID?.... it's insane at this point.

Easy tiger!
We are still trying to get a "working keyboard" here..

 

[Spectrum]

If only they would kill off the Touchbar. I find I have no use for it at all. i greatly miss the direct volume and brightness controls. Not to mention that I just find the look of the Touch Bar screen weird.

 

[turbineseaplane]

@Spectrum Agreed - I hate that stupid thing. Really hope it's optional

 

[anshuvorty]

I think there will be a Nov. event - there are just too many products slated for release!

Don’t let me down, Tim Apple.

There could very much be a Nov event, a 1st for Apple and the reason I cite this, is because Rene Ritchie has mentioned that the launch of Apple TV+ has Apple scrambling. In his own words:

Apple has its hands full dealing with the November 1 launch of TV+ and the premiere events for its various original shows.

If it wasn't for Apple TV+ launching on Nov 1, Apple would most likely have held a late Oct event, as they have done in the past.