Kuo: New 31.6" Apple Display in 2019 and 15-17" MacBook in 2021 to Feature Mini-LED Backlights [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to launch a trio of new products with Mini-LED backlights over the next two years, including a 31.6" display in the second or third quarter of 2019, a 10-12" iPad in late 2020 or early 2021, and a 15-17" MacBook in the first half of 2021, according to well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Apple's discontinued Thunderbolt Display​

An excerpt from Kuo's research note, obtained by MacRumors:

We believe that mini LED, compared to OLED, will be a more suitable solution to offer wide-color gamut (WCG)/high-contrast/high dynamic range (HDR)/local dimming features because of its longer life and no burn-in issues for Apple's medium- and large-size products targeting at productivity positions.

We forecast that Apple will respectively launch an all-new design 31.6-inch monitor, a 10-12 inch iPad and a 15-17 inch MacBook equipped with a mini LED backlight unit (BLU) in 2-3Q19, 4Q20-1Q21 and 1-2Q21.

Kuo believes that the 31.6-inch display "will target a very high-end position" and feature an "all-new design."

In a previous research note, Kuo predicted that Apple would launch both a 31.6-inch display and a 16-16.5" MacBook Pro in 2019, so it's not entirely clear if the 15-17" MacBook refers to a separate notebook or if Kuo now believes the 16-16.5" MacBook Pro is coming a few years later than he originally expected.

Article Link: Kuo: New 31.6" Apple Display in 2019 and 15-17" MacBook in 2021 to Feature Mini-LED Backlights [Updated]

 

[jbryant705]

Dang. So does this mean I should stop waiting for a new MBP unless I want to wait 2 more years?

 

[Naraxus]

Kuo is little more than a carnival barker....

 

[Icaras]

I have this feeling the 13-inch MacBook Pro’s days are numbered. The new Air will be the new definitive 13-inch laptop as the new MBP will give Pro users the choice between 15” and 17” once again in Apple’s future lineup.

 

[0982786]

Dang. So does this mean I should stop waiting for a new MBP unless I want to wait 2 more years?

You probably want to wait until they fix the keyboard issues anyhow.

 

[Andres Cantu]

That’s quite the change, 2 years??

 

[kylelerner]

Apple coming in strong with odd display sizes.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

I have this feeling the 13-inch MacBook Pro’s days are numbered. The new Air will be the new definitive 13-inch laptop as the new MBP will give Pro users the choice between 15” and 17” once again in Apple’s future lineup.

That sounds good to me. I’m probably one of the few who’d actually like a 17” laptop. Powerful like a desktop but still portable. Perfect combo for me

 

[Rogifan]

This guy throws crap against the wall and sees what sticks.

 

[chilly willy]

Dang. So does this mean I should stop waiting for a new MBP unless I want to wait 2 more years?

Depends. Some are happy with current gen, some are not. Clearly a divide as to keyboard issues and such. I'd read the informed reviews on here, as there a lot of threads. Sadly, much is taken up by "Apple bad, Steve Jobs would do things differently & Tim Cook Sucks" & "Thou shall not criticize Apple lest ye not be a true Apple or Mac afficiando"

Good luck. I'm holding out for better specs , new processors etc., and new keyboard.

 

[now i see it]

the timing estimate for the new 6K monitor is clearly wrong. That monitor will be unveiled at the same time the next Mac Pro is. Likely (if we're lucky) a sneak peek will be given at WWDC this summer.

 

[keysofanxiety]

What about Ming’s AirPower predictions? Elevensies? Luncheon? Afternoon tea?

He knows about them, doesn’t he?

 

[haydn!]

I have this feeling the 13-inch MacBook Pro’s days are numbered. The new Air will be the new definitive 13-inch laptop as the new MBP will give Pro users the choice between 15” and 17” once again in Apple’s future lineup.

The 13” MacBook Pro is probably Apples best selling Mac by a country mile. For such a move to work, Apple would need to significantly reduce the cost to build and price points of the 15” model.

 

[fokmik]

The also well known analyst fokmik predicts an 17" macbook pro in 2025 and a new mac pro version 2 in 2025 after version 1 will be released late 2019 or early 2020

 

[chilly willy]

This guy throws crap against the wall and sees what sticks.

Come on, he's only revising his delivery date....by TWO years. lol

 

[ksz]

2021? That means it'll run the Apple A15 or some such organically grown processor.

 

[fokmik]

But again, Apple will be sttupid not to release a new 17" MBP in todays design, when everybody is starting making with slim bezels into a more compact form
Apples motto for the 17" MBP - The tomorrow 17" MBP is todays 15" MBP

 

[Falhófnir]

Was really looking forward to this machine (with hopefully a new design and workable keyboard) so this would suggest we're getting up to two more iterations of the Touchbar models? Major bummer as they seem to be nonstarters for more and more people.

 

[thevofl]

I am hoping that the touch bar will go back to being an option on the 15". For the love of god, kill that thing.

 

[e-coli]

That sounds good to me. I’m probably one of the few who’d actually like a 17” laptop. Powerful like a desktop but still portable. Perfect combo for me

“Portable.”

It’ll make chiropractors very, very happy.

 

[Gorms]

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuu....

Seriously Kuo, I was really counting on the MBP to be the one correct rumour for this year

 

[Scottsoapbox]

We're already giving up on 2020!?!
Come on people! Optimism!

 

[Mick-Mac]

And just like every other laptop released by Apple since 2015, if it has that butterfly keyboard I won't be buying it. Even if the keyboard was improved to be like the 2015 MacBook Pro versions, it still always irked me that the old 17" laptops (of which I probably owned 6 or so over the years) didn't include a numeric pad. The 17" laptop's tiny keyboard always looked "wrong" surrounded by so much aluminum on the left and right...

 

[cmaier]

2021? That thing will be ARM-based.

 

[Icaras]

The 13” MacBook Pro is probably Apples best selling Mac by a country mile. For such a move to work, Apple would need to significantly reduce the cost to build and price points of the 15” model.

I don’t have data in front of me, but I would bet the MacBook Air is Apple’s best selling laptop of all time, especially at $999. Not saying that the MBP wasn’t a best seller at some point in time, but I think overall, the Air would have edged it by now.

And I don’t think Apple would have to reduce the build cost for the 15”. Just look at how much more of a premium the iMac Pro is from the regular iMac. It’s huge. Or even from the iPad Pro from the new iPad Air. The iPad Pro is a 60% markup from the iPad Air.