Apple to Unveil 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro With Unchanged Design Next Month, Claims Original MacBook Pro 'Notch' Leaker

[Joelj]

I just want a non MiniLED/OLED Macbook Pro to come out that's not 13" (Had headaches from the 16" M1 Max), not optimistic it's going to happen any time soon, but wish you could choose the screen when putting together your macbook pro.

 

[DFZD]

I am notch gonna buy it although it has me excited a bunch.

 

[boak]

Weird choice. I still think the better move is to get rid of the 13” MBP, the “Air" refresh would just be called MacBook, add a 15” version of it soonish, and keep the current MBA form factor as an entry level.

Something like this…

~ $999 13” MBA (M1 maybe even $899, then back to $999 with M2)
~ $1299 13” MacBook in new form factor using M2
~ $1499 15” MacBook in new form factor using M2
~ $1999 14” MBP
~ $2299 16” MBP

If the MacBook base model is 8/256, the 15" with 16/256 will be $1899, too close to 14" MBP

If the MacBook base model is 16/512, the 13" M1 MBA with 16/256 will be $1399, more expensive than the 14" M2 MacBook.

The 15" MacBook is almost impossible in the current lineup at this moment imo. There can only be 1 model between the MBA and M1 Pro/Max MBP.

 

[yabeweb]

And Apple had the courage to blame Intel for lack of innovation....

 

[RedTheReader]

Yawn...….i have a Source at apple that has revealed to me that Apple are planning to Unveil a Magic Unicorn that craps MacBook Pro's...enough of these rumours it brings down your credibility when you are instantly proved wrong by Apple.

I understand these replies when we get vague predictions about products said to be coming out 3+ years in the future, but on an article about an entry level computer being released in 3 weeks? I think that’s more than reasonable to expect from a website called Macrumors.

Back on topic though, I’m curious how the 10 graphics core M2 will stack up against the 14 graphics core M1 Pro in the base 14” MBP.

 

[JippaLippa]

Hope not...

 

[terminator-jq]

This has to be fake.

1. It seems pretty early for an M2 product

2. I highly doubt Apple would debut the M2 in an old design

3. I can’t see Apple keeping the Touchbar around

I’m thinking the new low end MacBook Pro comes out Fall 2022 along with the MacBook Air redesign. It will use the same design as the 14” MacBook Pro but may loose some of the ports. Also no 120hz.

 

[darinzook]

I'm skeptical on this refresh rumor. Keeping a 13" MBP that doesn't align with the MBP industrial design seems odd. I'm inclined to think there will be a 14" & 16" MacBook Air, versus a standalone 13" MBP that doesn't align to anything else in the portfolio.

Because this is Tim Cook Apple, I think they'll keep the 13" M1 MacBook Air around as the entry point and for schools, intro the "new" M2-based MacBook (Air?) in 14" & 16" sizes, and have the M1 Pro/Max 14" & 16" MacBook Pros. This is far more logical in its approach.

 

[MajorFubar]

I still don't see the point in this device.
BMA = yes
14" = yes
16" = yes

These 13" Macbooks are the "Liberal Democrat Party" of the Apple Macbook range: the Air is nearly as powerful for quite a bit less less money, while fractionally more money buys you a 14" Pro, which is better at literally everything, has more ports and a better screen.

I really cannot see why they would choose this model, of all models, to debut an M2 processor.

 

[Slo Pesci]

Same design = same light leaking around the gasket at high brightness

 

[boak]

If this is the “everybody” MacBook at $999, then they can charge for the design on the Air and also keep a higher end screen on the Air. Maybe a 14/16 Air that crosses into Pro prices with RAM/storage upgrades. This could be the iPhone SE equivalent for their laptops. A newly designed but spec neutered $999 Air would stink. They need to start it at $1299/$1399, but that would leave a gap for their affordable laptop.

I think this hypothetical iPhone SE-equivalent Mac should use the current MBA chassis instead, especially since the tapered design will be gone in the new MBA, providing a strong design differentiation.

 

[EugW]

32 GB RAM option?

 

[Andrew73875]

I'm skeptical on this refresh rumor. Keeping a 13" MBP that doesn't align with the MBP industrial design seems odd. I'm inclined to think there will be a 14" & 16" MacBook Air, versus a standalone 13" MBP that doesn't align to anything else in the portfolio.

Because this is Tim Cook Apple, I think they'll keep the 13" M1 MacBook Air around as the entry point and for schools, intro the "new" M2-based MacBook (Air?) in 14" & 16" sizes, and have the M1 Pro/Max 14" & 16" MacBook Pros. This is far more logical in its approach.

It makes perfect sense actually. It's going to be SE version of MacBooks. Some people like the form factor and Apple has some "old" parts to sell. It's a win-win.

For example, many people buy iPhone SE 2 because they want Touch ID and LCD display. I'm sure there are people who would want MacBook Pro with the latest chip, Touch Bar and LCD display.

 

[James Godfrey]

This is quite obviously going to be a temporary product used to get M2 out in the wild, my guessing is that Apple have the iMac, iPad Pro, MacBook Air and Mac mini M2 all in the pipeline for release later this year, however, anything could happen and we could see delays on any of those products.

Therefore by releasing this now, it gives them the green light to release any of the M2 line up at anytime in the foreseeable regardless of what delays could happen.

I think that once the Air is launched with M2 and the redesign it will likely replace Pro at the same price point and apple will keep the M1 Air alongside the M2 iteration.

 

[acblue94]

Strange that they can't just take out the Touch Bar. After all they used to make a 13" Pro without it. Having real function keys would make it more appealing for a lot of Pro buyers.

Also seems strange to still be making just one model with a Touch Bar, when everything else has moved on?

What about the people that like the Touch Bar like me. There are already pro models without the Touch Bar. Buy those models.

 

[ksec]

32 GB RAM option?

Technically feasible. We only know it will support LPDDR5 ( as used in M1 Pro ), no idea whether Apple will offer the option.

It is nice Macrumors no longer include the original source. ( As the original leaker preferred ) TouchBar M2. MacBook Air with Notch coming as well. ( As originally said )

 

[GuruZac]

Buy an M2 MacBook Air. The Air is the same performance for 98% of use scenarios while being lighter, fanless, and less expensive. Personal opinion (and personally biased admittedly) but I think the wedge shape Air is a better looking device. I have loved my M1 Air.

 

[Abazigal]

One way to differentiate the entry level MBP from the MBA would be to give it 4 thunderbolt ports, but I am not sure the M2 chip can support that. Or maybe we may see the sd card return?

It’s also odd if the touchbar sticks around. Costs extra money to implement, and you don’t benefit from economies of scale by limiting it to just one model (which is likely less popular than the MBA).

Just doesn’t make sense to retain the MBP. I expect a refresh of the MBA, Mac Mini, imac? Maybe iPad Pro?

 

[robertcoogan]

I don't see the point of this product. The entry-level Mac is the MacBook Air and a lower-end Pro device is just confusing people.

At least it doesn't have a notch. And the speed bump may be inconsequential to most pro users. Should be interesting to see how well notchless sells vs notched.

 

[rmoliv]

This is ****ing ridiculous.

 

[stopngo]

I understand how they want to have lower price points from the newer 14" and 16" computers, but it would make more sense if they gave the flagship models the newer chip first. Personally, I'd buyers' remorse had a purchased an expensive model only to have it outperformed by a lesser model only a few months later. But I suppose that's tech for ya!

 

[AmazeSE]

I thought the upcoming redesigned Air will be the first one to get the M2. Also why would they put the M2 into this 13inch Pro with huge bezels when the rumors say that the upcoming Air will get thinner bezels. The Pro is supposed to be a higher end product than the Air so it doesn't make sense if it gets thicker bezels than the rumored cheaper Air.

 

[azentropy]

If the MacBook base model is 8/256, the 15" with 16/256 will be $1899, too close to 14" MBP

If the MacBook base model is 16/512, the 13" M1 MBA with 16/256 will be $1399, more expensive than the 14" M2 MacBook.

The 15" MacBook is almost impossible in the current lineup at this moment imo. There can only be 1 model between the MBA and M1 Pro/Max MBP.

The 14" MBP would have promotion, faster m1 pro/max etc. whereas the 15" MB would not but of course would have the larger screen. There always is going to be some overlap of specs and people have to decide which of those specs they prefer.

 

[EugW]

Will people understand that the M2 is inferior to the M1 Pro? Apple is perhaps risking confusing potential buyers...

I guess not:

I understand how they want to have lower price points from the newer 14" and 16" computers, but it would make more sense if they gave the flagship models the newer chip first. Personally, I'd buyers' remorse had a purchased an expensive model only to have it outperformed by a lesser model only a few months later. But I suppose that's tech for ya!

 

[thingstoponder]

I don’t get how you redesign the air and give it miniLED if the Pro stays the same. These devices will be similar price but the Air way better. Maybe the Air will be like 1499 and this Pro 1299 and the M1 Air 999.