Apple's Mini-LED Suppliers to Ramp up Shipments for Redesigned MacBook Pro Models in Third Quarter

[MacRumors]

Apple's mini-LED suppliers for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro have entered the supply chain for its redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which are on schedule to be unveiled in September, according to a new paywalled DigiTimes report.

Zhen Ding Technology and Tripod Technology have both entered the supply chain for Apple's upcoming mini LED-backlit MacBook series, and will be ramping up their shipments of backlight boards starting the third quarter, according to industry sources.

According to the report, Zhen Ding will complete its second-phase investment in capacity expansion for mini-LED boards in the third quarter to meet demand for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which are "set for launch in late third-quarter 2021," said sources who spoke to DigiTimes.

The third quarter runs from July through September, which would line up with a MacBook Pro announcement during or around Apple's annual iPhone event, which is on course this year to return to its traditional September schedule. A September MacBook Pro unveiling would be unusual for Apple, but not impossible, given the recent change of format for launches and announcements due to the global health crisis.

Tripod has reportedly cleared Apple's validations for equipment and capacity at its new plant in China's Xiantao, Hubei province and will be able to start production of mini-LED boards for the new MacBook Pro series in the third quarter as scheduled.

Both makers are optimistic that the higher unit prices and gross margins on the mini-LED shipments will contribute to their profitability in the second half of the year.

The upcoming MacBook Pro models 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 14-inch MacBook Pro that's in the works will replace the existing 13-inch version, while the 16-inch model will be a successor to the current 16-inch MacBook Pro. The 14-inch model is expected to feature slimmed-down bezels, though the casing may also be slightly larger.

Both new models will have a flat-edged design that has been described as "similar to the iPhone 12" with no curved edges like current models, but in practice, the design changes may be smaller than expected. For all the details, check out the "What's Next" section of our dedicated MacBook Pro guide.

Article Link: Apple's Mini-LED Suppliers to Ramp up Shipments for Redesigned MacBook Pro Models in Third Quarter

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Production is in place July-September?

Announcement date: End of this month (around investor earnings time or Mid-October)

FYI: I’m not an analyst or a leaker LOL

Someone needs to make a phone call to DigiTimes management team and find out what in the world are they talking about??? Tell them it’s almost Friday. Just hang in there.

 

[flottenheimer]

Ahhh, I really, really, really want that 14-inch.
Wonder what the resolution will be on that screensize – does anyone have a qualified guess?

 

[Khedron]

Apple rumour site MacRumors ready to ramp up articles about redesigned mini-LED MacBook Pro models

 

[bollman]

Ahhh, I really, really, really want that 14-inch.
Wonder what the resolution will be on that screensize – does anyone have a qualified guess?

I have no clue, but I would love to see Apple move towards industry standard 1920x1080 (in essence 4K since retina).
It might be small on a 14", but Dell/HP/Lenovo has 12, 13 and 14" with 1920x1080 (non-retina) and even the 12" is usable. 4K is offered on 13" and 15" Dells so 4K on 14" and 16" should pose no problem.

I would say 4K is the "sweet spot" where 1920x1080 retina is looking good, while able to handle 4K content.
If the 16" has anything less than 4K I will be duly disappointed.

 

[Armada2]

3 short posted articles on the same re-hashed information. Just the image changed.. week is nearly over. Hang in there!

 

[lilkwarrior]

I have no clue, but I would love to see Apple move towards industry standard 1920x1080 (in essence 4K since retina).
It might be small on a 14", but Dell/HP/Lenovo has 12, 13 and 14" with 1920x1080 (non-retina) and even the 12" is usable. 4K is offered on 13" and 15" Dells so 4K on 14" and 16" should pose no problem.

I would say 4K is the "sweet spot" where 1920x1080 retina is looking good, while able to handle 4K content.
If the 16" has anything less than 4K I will be duly disappointed.

Heck no regarding the 16:9 dimensions. 16:10 is extremely well liked aspect of Macbook Pros that should persist. Creative professionals, developers, & a good deal of Silicon Valley would flip tables deviating from that well-loved ratio of Pro Macs.

218 ppi is fine as is; 5k/6K would be neat. what’s preferred is Liquid XDR in the Macbook Pros + Dolby Vision HDR.

120hz refresh rate would be ideal, but I’ve resigned they may not have the courage to do this.

 

[Schnegg]

Heck no regarding the 16:9 dimensions. 16:10 is extremely well liked aspect of Macbook Pros that should persist. Creative professionals, developers, & a good deal of Silicon Valley would flip tables deviating from that well-loved ratio of Pro Macs.

218 ppi is fine as is; 5k/6K would be neat. what’s preferred is Liquid XDR in the Macbook Pros + Dolby Vision HDR.

120hz refresh rate would be ideal, but I’ve resigned they may not have the courage to do this.

16:10 or even 3:2 are indeed better. I don't really need insane resolution and framerate, that would just slow everything down und use more battery.

 

[Reason077]

I don't want more ports. Especially not proprietary ports like MagSafe!

Just give me a powerful new M2 14" mini-LED MacBook with a great new design and function keys. Thanks!

 

[jonnysods]

Very excited. I had my MacBook Pro stolen in Feb and I’ve been limping along waiting to use my insurance to replace the computer with a new model. My guess is a September event and Oct/Nov ship date. The supply constraints will surely dictate this.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

I would love an iPad in a 14" or even 16" size with an MBP-like 16x10 aspect and a landscape camera instead, but I cannot wait to see these.

I might be tempted to get one as a family PC.

 

[Analog Kid]

I wonder if we’ll see mini-LED in the larger iMac as well. Seems like this is the path Apple is going on their higher end stuff.

 

[Mr. Dee]

3 short posted articles on the same re-hashed information. Just the image changed.. week is nearly over. Hang in there!

I agree, this could be one article without the same reused speculative paragraphs at the bottom.

 

[anshuvorty]

I agree, this could be one article without the same reused speculative paragraphs at the bottom.

The clicks, the clicks, it is all about the clicks!

 

[ghanwani]

Will mini LED solve the headache I'm having with the M1 MBA?

 

[Preclaro_tipo]

The storyline here is the botched supply chain AND lousy mini LED. It is a shame that the Mini LED weren't ready in volume, or they had no alternatives displays there were willing/able to use and that, the display, is (apparently) holding up their move to Apple Silicon.

Mini LED's are reported to be late, expensive, and have excessive ghosting (according to the iPad review of the Mini LED). With OLED displays at volume in both laptops and TV, I'm wondering if Apple will be able to justify the expense for premium laptops, or the ghosting on affordable laptops.

I expect the 14 and 16 to have premium specs, but with ghosting displays that may cost more that OLED, it feels like the Mini LED are going to be short-lived...especially if Samsung can deliver OLED at less cost...it may be a couple years but I'm not seeing Mini LED as a premium display after seeing the iPad.

 

[FightTheFuture]

I don't want more ports. Especially not proprietary ports like MagSafe!

Just give me a powerful new M2 14" mini-LED MacBook with a great new design and function keys. Thanks!

People who want MagSafe or HDMI back aren’t thinking it through. Would you rather have HDMI or another usb-c/thunderbolt 4 port?

 

[transpo1]

People who want MagSafe or HDMI back aren’t thinking it through. Would you rather have HDMI or another usb-c/thunderbolt 4 port?

Um, HDMI, MagSafe, and an SD card slot, please. 3 USB-C/Thunderbolts are enough.

 

[transpo1]

The storyline here is the botched supply chain AND lousy mini LED. It is a shame that the Mini LED weren't ready in volume, or they had no alternatives displays there were willing/able to use and that, the display, is (apparently) holding up their move to Apple Silicon.

Mini LED's are reported to be late, expensive, and have excessive ghosting (according to the iPad review of the Mini LED). With OLED displays at volume in both laptops and TV, I'm wondering if Apple will be able to justify the expense for premium laptops, or the ghosting on affordable laptops.

I expect the 14 and 16 to have premium specs, but with ghosting displays that may cost more that OLED, it feels like the Mini LED are going to be short-lived...especially if Samsung can deliver OLED at less cost...it may be a couple years but I'm not seeing Mini LED as a premium display after seeing the iPad.

Yes, it’s clear after this report that the MBPs were meant to launch much sooner at WWDC but mini-LED delayed them.

We have no idea whether or not the chips that go in them were ready at TSMC or not, but we do know mini-LED wasn’t ready and that delayed Apple’s plans.

 

[Just sayin...]

I don't want more ports. Especially not proprietary ports like MagSafe!

Just give me a powerful new M2 14" mini-LED MacBook with a great new design and function keys. Thanks!

I like and want a MagSafe port - I can’t tell you how many times that MagSafe port has saved my old MacBook Pro from being knocked to the floor (kids, dog, clumsy co-workers, me, etc.). It would be nice if it also integrated a 10 GbE port like the new iMac too…

 

[8CoreWhore]

W E L L * H U R R Y * U P ! ! * I * A M * D Y I N G * H E R E ! ! 😡🤨😁

 

[CarlJ]

People who want MagSafe or HDMI back aren’t thinking it through. Would you rather have HDMI or another usb-c/thunderbolt 4 port?

I don't really care about HDMI, but I'd rather have MagSafe than another USB-C/TB4 port. It offered a unique advantage that USB-C can't do.

 

[Phoenix1000]

The storyline here is the botched supply chain AND lousy mini LED. It is a shame that the Mini LED weren't ready in volume, or they had no alternatives displays there were willing/able to use and that, the display, is (apparently) holding up their move to Apple Silicon.

Mini LED's are reported to be late, expensive, and have excessive ghosting (according to the iPad review of the Mini LED). With OLED displays at volume in both laptops and TV, I'm wondering if Apple will be able to justify the expense for premium laptops, or the ghosting on affordable laptops.

I expect the 14 and 16 to have premium specs, but with ghosting displays that may cost more that OLED, it feels like the Mini LED are going to be short-lived...especially if Samsung can deliver OLED at less cost...it may be a couple years but I'm not seeing Mini LED as a premium display after seeing the iPad.

But I wonder, if OLED would be suitable for a MacBook display because of the risk of burn ins. So perhaps neither Mini LED nor OLED are a really good idea.

 

[Phoenix1000]

People who want MagSafe or HDMI back aren’t thinking it through. Would you rather have HDMI or another usb-c/thunderbolt 4 port?

Four thunderbolt 4 ports please. Nothing else required. Everything else has a lower performance and is outdated technology. A MacBookPro should be Pro in every aspect - including interface technology.

 

[Nimrad]

People who want MagSafe or HDMI back aren’t thinking it through. Would you rather have HDMI or another usb-c/thunderbolt 4 port?

I would choose HDMI over a third USB-C thunderbolt 4 any day. 2 USB-C is more than enough for me, but working in an office with a computer that doesn't do HDMI without bringing a dongle all over is still a big hassle. It's slowly going over to USB-C for screens/projectors, but HDMI is still essential to me.