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

[CWallace]

I'd bet the supply chain is the reason for a processor refresh only. The manufacturing plants in China are short on workers like every country is this past year. Changing a manufacturing line and production process would have issues. On the other hand, components would be easier without the touch bar for the same reasons.

I think the plan was to change the form factor and they're putting it off to avoid production issues personally. The base model is looooong overdue for a full refresh, especially those bezels.

That is indeed a possibility or (at least for the moment) Apple wants to keep the 13.3" model around as-is because that allows them to continue to place it as a less-expensive alternative to the 14" MacBook Pro (being $300 cheaper when configured with 16GB/512GB and $700 cheaper when configured with 8GB/256GB).

I think where things could get muddy for consumers is when Apple launches the redesigned M2 MacBook Air this Fall as that is rumored to have a Mini-LED display. I personally expect Apple will raise the price of the M2 MBA to $1099 or $1199, keeping the M1 MBA around at $999 (or perhaps $899). So the MBA will have a nicer display for less money then the 13.3" MBP.

 

[BacioiuC]

The touchbar is dead! Long live the touchbar!

I am actually happy it's still alive but sad I can't get a M(1 or 2) Pro with the touchbar. It's become an extremely valuable tool for me with some custom coding for it to aid in debugging AI states and animation routines for my games.

I wish they would make it an optional add-on event at a premium markup. Sadly, this might be the last time we see it.

 

[EntropyQ3]

That is indeed a possibility or (at least for the moment) Apple wants to keep the 13.3" model around as-is because that allows them to continue to place it as a less-expensive alternative to the 14" MacBook Pro (being $300 cheaper when configured with 16GB/512GB and $700 cheaper when configured with 8GB/256GB).

I think where things could get muddy for consumers is when Apple launches the redesigned M2 MacBook Air this Fall as that is rumored to have a Mini-LED display. I personally expect Apple will raise the price of the M2 MBA to $1099 or $1199, keeping the M1 MBA around at $999 (or perhaps $899). So the MBA will have a nicer display for less money then the 13.3" MBP.

That’s still rumor/speculation though, and price points are unknown. People will buy the device they want/need and will have their own personal weighting scheme regarding noise, screen quality, screen size, CPU numbers and performance, accellerators, GPU cores and performance, memory bandwidth, RAM sizes, ports, colours… the list goes on.
Just as it is now when buying a computer or a car or just about anything under the sun. Somehow most people manage this just fine, and there is no reason to assume that Mac buyers are significantly less capable.

 

[Realityck]

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.

In a another thread I speculated that 13” MBP design with a fan could replace the current fan less MacBook Air designs if they stick a M2 eventually into them. So can’t say this rumor source is original, probably just reading forum posts here.

 

[cocoua]

Great news for the genius guys at Apple Stores, they are having too much fun explaining the differences between the 9 different Macs they are selling right now.

 

[Realityck]

Great news for the genius guys at Apple Stores, they are having too much fun explaining the differences between the 12 Macs they are selling right now.

Given the 13” MBP and 13” MBA are so close in size if you look at the specs I always wondered if Apple would simplify the lineup. The Air has slightly smaller battery and 400 nit display vs the 500 nit display on the smallest MBP. We did also speculate of just calling them just MacBooks versus the MBA and MBPs currently.

 

[cocoua]

they knows better how to sell their products, but it would have more sense for customers to have 2 macbooks branch well differentiate

13"/15" MBA
14"/16" MBP

so no "Pro low end", "Pro-Pro" or "Air Pro", "Really Pro" macbooks

right now the 13" Pro in real world means a "thicker MBA with fans and touchbar", nothing Pro on it. Just creates confusion and distorts MBP branch credibility.

 

[Bustycat]

I don’t want them to be called ‘MacBook’ simply. It is a cursed name.

 

[Brien]

It seems inevitable that we will eventually get a redesigned notchy 12" (maybe 12/14 like the olden days) MacBook in the iMac colorways, probably white bezels too. The question is when...

 

[Hunter5117]

I know I'm in minority, but I think the Touch Bar is great. Maybe they are continuing to develop and improve.
I have never liked function keys.

Same here. If this rumor proves to be true, I will take a very hard look at upgrading my 13" M1 if the performance is significant. Otherwise, I would definitely grab one if/when they get close to being discontinued for good.

 

[ikir]

Most "power users" here are already whining... instead my costumers in real life are already exited. A colleague wants Touch Bar at all cost and he is going to buy this for sure. Sincerely I would buy it too but I have a awesome 14" binned 8-core with is more than enough for what I need in mobility and I planning to buy a maxed out Mac mini or iMac Pro. With this in mind a much more lighter and slimmer MacBook Pro 13" would be a good match with my future desktop (and cheaper).

 

[Hunter5117]

The lineup will be a mess, the 14” will be a great entry level if you need a Pro machine, if not the MacBook Air is a great Mac nothing less

Remember the 13" unibody MBP. They kept it alive as a basic entry-level "pro" model until at least 2016.

 

[Realityck]

I don’t want them to be called ‘MacBook’ simply. It is a cursed name.

It’s not as bad as some previous names like PowerBook.

Apple killed off the MacBook in July 2019, ending model overlap with the MacBook Air

But the MacBook Air and 13” MacBook Pro are very close to the same designs, and the 2015 12.1” MacBook being eliminated just to sell 13” Air was a moment when Apple simplified the line up. Who knows maybe given how power efficient AS is it could return.

 

[McScooby]

I disagree - think you are looking at it wrong in comparing a 15" MacBook with a 14" MBP. The better comparison would be that 15" MB vs a 16" MBP. There is a large segment that wants a larger screen (15" or larger) but really don't need the other features. A ~$1500 15" model even at say 8/512 would be a huge seller and that is part of the problem. Apple would prefer to upsell people to the 16" for $800 more. I think people right now who chose the 14" over the 16" do it because the prefer the smaller size, because for $200 more the 16" is a much better value.

It’s easily done, just gimp the upgrade options - want more than 16GB RAM or over 1TB ssd, then you have to move up models, this is something Apple’s a master at.

 

[XXPP]

I thought we were done with the TOUCH BAR

Why? It's greate.

 

[Cristim74]

Why would Apple debut a new processor (M2) in an old system (13" MBP)? Seams rather odd to me. And why would they keep the touch bar when they removed it from every other system? I would bet more on a M1 based 13" MBP without touch bar.

 

[EugW]

Why would Apple debut a new processor (M2) in an old system (13" MBP)? Seams rather odd to me. I would bet more on a M1 based 13" MBP.

Err, wut? There is already an M1 based 13" MBP.

 

[Malus120]

If this is true and the 13 MBP is the only Mac to be upgraded with the M2 that would be a... very interesting development...

I wonder if perhaps they're having thermal or yield issues with the M2 that make it unsuitable for the MBA at this time. The MBA chassis already throttles the M1 without modifications for additional cooling so unless the M2 is significantly more efficient they could be having trouble scaling up the performance of the M2 in a MBA chassis.
In that case it would makes sense that they'd go with a tried and true design as a test bed for the tech while they work out the kinks (although the Mac Mini would work just as well for this purpose.) The other "benefit" is that this allows them to get the M2 out there without significantly undercutting the base M1 Pro in the lower end 14/16" MBPs.
Anyway I guess we'll see (and I guess its time to hurry up and sell my Air LOL)

 

[dgdosen]

Apple could ship an M3 laptop, but if it had a Touch Bar, there’s no chance I’d buy one with my own $$.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I really doubt anything new will be released with a TouchBar

Apple is done with that

(Thankfully)

 

[Ethosik]

I don’t believe they will release any M2 devices until all Intel products have been replaced with an M1 variant. Having both out at the same time would just cause mass confusion in the product range.

This fall the M1 will be two years old. If Apple want to keep up with Intel, they need the M2.

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

If true why? Same question I still ask, with regards to the notch on my 16inch Macbook????

Apple made soooo many wrong choices with the Macbook from 2015-2019 and they looked like they were correcting them. I am so glad my work buys my Mac's.

 

[EugW]

Apple could ship an M3 laptop, but if it had a Touch Bar, there’s no chance I’d buy one with my own $$.

I already have an m3 laptop. No Touch Bar either. Where have you been?

 

[Phil1975]

Wish the 13inch Macbook pro would have a design refresh like the 14/16inch.
The £1899 is just to expensive for my budget,wish there was a sub £1500 version of the new design MacBook Pro’, oh well I live in hope.

Might have to consider the MacBook Air refresh instead.. ?

 

[Mr. Dee]

I still think it’s too early for the M2, that is supposed to be Apples move to 3 NM. But at the same time, there is the awkward part of not launching the Mac Pro before the year is out. It would just be strange to launch a Mac Pro with a souped up M1 Pro Max and then have it look old by the fall with MacBook Air and entry level MacBook Pro with an M2. It would be even worse from a marketing perspective if they launch M2 on entry level laptops then launch the Mac Pro and iMac Pro with M1 Pro/Max chips in June.

Unless the strategy is 3 NM here on out, but the reality is 3NM and component shortage makes it expensive. At the same time I just think Apple wants use the same release strategy again.

It’s confusing, just have to wait I guess.