First Arm-Based Macs to Be 13-Inch MacBook Pro and Redesigned iMac, Launches Coming in Late 2020 or Early 2021

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to introduce its Arm-based custom designed chips for Macs at WWDC, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a note to investors today, agreeing with an earlier report from Bloomberg.

Kuo says that the first Mac models to adopt Arm-based chips will be the 13.3-inch MacBook Pro and an iMac with a redesigned form factor, with Apple planning to launch the new models in the in fourth quarter of 2020 or early in 2021 at the earliest.

(1) ARM13.3-inchMacBookPro:
The new model’s form factor design will be similar to that of the existing Intel 13.3-inch MacBook Pro. Apple will discontinue the Intel 13.3-inch MacBook Pro production after launching the ARM 13.3-inch MacBook Pro.

(2) ARMiMac:
ARM iMac will be equipped with the all-new form factor design and a 24- inch display. Apple will launch the refresh of existing Intel iMac in 3Q20 before launching the ARM iMac.

Kuo says the Arm-based 13-inch MacBook Pro design will be similar to the current 13-inch MacBook Pro, with Apple planning to discontinue the Intel version. As for the iMac, it will feature an all-new form factor design and a 24-inch display.

Prior to the launch of the Arm-based iMac, Apple will refresh the existing Intel iMac in the third quarter of 2020, which is in line with rumors we've been hearing about an iMac refresh that could happen as soon as WWDC. There have been multiple rumors about Apple's work on a redesigned iMac, though most rumors have suggested the display will be 23 inches rather than 24 inches.

Starting in 2021, Kuo says that all new Mac models will be equipped with Apple processors, and that it will take 12 to 18 months for Apple to transition to an all-Arm lineup.

Kuo also says that an unspecified MacBook model with an "all-new form factor design" and an Arm-based chip will go into mass production in the second half of 2021, while a MacBook model with a mini-LED display will launch in the first half of 2021.

According to Kuo, Apple's custom designed chips, planned mini-LED displays, and scissor switch keyboard will "create competitive advantages for MacBook models in two years" with mini-LED technology significantly improving the user experience.

Article Link: First Arm-Based Macs to Be 13-Inch MacBook Pro and Redesigned iMac, Launches Coming in Late 2020 or Early 2021

 

[markfc]

Nope, it’ll be the replacement for the 12” MacBook.

 

[Mr. Awesome]

It would be nice to see an ARM 13” MacBook Pri perform better than an Intel 16” MacBook Pro.

 

[nfl46]

Any news on the 14-inch MBP? I’m surprised they didn’t make the ARM MBP in a slimmer bezel.

So, I guess the updated 16-inch this year will be a minor spec upgrade then next summer we could get the ARM version?

 

[cmaier]

Somewhat dubious that the first machine they update would be the 13” MBP, but who knows. Also a little weird to keep it 13” instead of eliminating bezels.

 

[poorcody]

Interesting if true... to start with a Pro instead of an Air (or 12") must mean Apple has confidence in the performance of their chips.

 

[jayducharme]

I don't understand why they would release another Intel iMac if they plan to completely switch over to Arm. Why draw out the transition longer?

 

[MacHiavelli]

Has to be a MBP and iMac for development purposes and as a statement of intent. A 12" MB would be too timid.

Good on Apple. The whole lineup will be Arm based inside 12 months.

 

[TallGuyGT]

I really want a redesigned high-end iMac, but it looks like I should wait a year or so.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

So basically, spec update with 10th gen Intel CPU after WWDC, but no change to the form factor (no new design, no T2, no new cooling) until the ARM iMac is released late this year (or early next year).

Although obviously the ARM iMac wont need a T2. ?

 

[BenConlin44]

Makes sense in a way, They can show off the power of their chips by having a Pro model receive them first. That being said I’ll still be getting the last intel model for starting university as there’s likely to be a year or two of issues with software compatibility

 

[cmaier]

So basically, spec update with 10th gen Intel CPU after WWDC, but no change to the form factor (no new design, no T2, no new cooling) until the ARM iMac is released late this year (or early next year).

Although obviously the ARM iMac wont need a T2. ?

I’m reading on other sites that what Kuo said is that the iMac will be imminently updated (design) with Intel, and then early next year make the switch to Arm.

 

[insomniac86]

If that's the case, these chips must be dam fast. It would make a lot more sense to first transition their Macbook Air line or return their "Macbook" line. And to do so with developers not having much of a heads up might me they have x86 emulation of some kind.

 

[maverick28]

I remember all these highly intelligent, insightful people, pundits of every breed telling everyone going to ARM is so hard it's close to impossible, ARM processors can't cope with heavy desktop-level tasks, another gibberish to the effect of that. This is despite 2 preceding transitions in a row. The posed difficulty: re-writing code for another architecture. And, apparently, it wasn't Apple that re-wrote their code to port OS X to Intel, the Martians did that.
"Intelligent yet idiot".

 

[ThisBougieLife]

I’m reading on other sites that what Kuo said is that the iMac will be imminently updated (design) with Intel, and then early next year make the switch to Arm.

But does ARM require a different form factor? ARM chips supposedly won't need as much cooling, and there won't need to be a T2 chip either.

 

[MacFather]

Deleted.

 

[cmaier]

But does ARM require a different form factor? ARM chips supposedly won't need as much cooling, and there won't need to be a T2 chip either.

ARM would work in the existing form factor or in the form factor they are about to release with x86. The lesser need for cooling doesn’t mean it has to be thinner, just that it could be thinner.
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Pros Can't Count On on the Arm-based computer to get your work done.

Yes we can.

 

[Jyby]

Science Rules!

 

[cmaier]

I hope it’s true- I was planning to buy the first Arm MacBook just because I also got the first Intel iMac.. But if there’s going to be an Arm MacBook Pro then I’m ever more excited.

I need a 16”, so hopefully that’s coming soon too.

 

[Jyby]

Science Rules!

 

[sublunar]

Discontinuing the Intel 13" MBP so soon after a fairly major refresh seems a bit drastic. A 12" model with one USB-C port would have been a bit more predictable - I'd be interested to see they replace 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports - never mind the 2 in the 15w version.

The same goes for a '24" ARM iMac' - connectivity wise that's a lot of ports to replicate.

As already mentioned though, going Pro from the start is very much a big statement to make.

 

[Mathias Riis Sorensen]

I hope that the transition will go smooth, and that we can take advantage of the potential power the ARM processors has to offer. Secondly I hope that developers a like will start thinking more about developing apps and games for ARM as that could invite an end to the platform war. We already see Microsoft looking into the same topic as well, and I believe we will get there. If you don’t believe me, have a look at how the iPad Pro turned out with the new implementation of mouse and trackpad support. It has so much potential for being a laptop replacement. Now we just need the software, and we are getting closer by the minute.

 

[Jyby]

Science Rules!

 

[meme1255]

ARM would work in the existing form factor or in the form factor they are about to release with x86. The lesser need for cooling doesn’t mean it has to be thinner, just that it could be thinner.
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Yes we can.

Depends. The best of two worlds would be BIG.little AMD Ryzen/Apple ARM... ARM only —> No usable VM —> Bye for me.

 

[zombierunner]

Jern is my go to guy now. Sorry Kuo.