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So... it is a good idea to get a specked-up MacBook Air now, right? If I want to get the redesigned one in 2022 or even the second model after the redesign in 2023, waiting 2 or 3 more years is not worth it anymore, I guess...
 
Does anyone else think that once this roll out is complete we are going to see a Tik-Tok refresh cycle on AS-M powered devices? Or do you think we will get lower tier machines one year, and higher tier machines the next?
 
My current laptop is on its last leg, and I've been planning on buying this gen of MBA.

If this info is correct, are there any "must haves" here (from a consumer level/light business user perspective) that would justify the cost of buying a temporary machine and waiting until 2022 for the MBA?
 
Let me guess. Still using a VCR at home?
That's how I picture all these "touchbar is faster" people.
F26FFC19-4306-457B-A01F-467377987580.gif
 
Function keys where removed precisely because they have very little it not no use. The touch bar has added function where there was non. You can't scrub a time line with function keys and you can't set named keys to 'build', 'run', 'test', 'compile', etc in your IDE.
I loved the Touch Bar all these years I have had it. Not a single issue and dynamic content was def. a smart and advantageously implemented idea.
 


Apple plans to release two redesigned MacBook Pros in 2021 and a new MacBook Air in 2022, all with mini-LED displays and Apple Silicon chips, according to TFI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

16-inch-MBP-Mini-Led.jpg


In a research note to investors, seen by MacRumors, Kuo explained that two new MacBook Pro models equipped with an all-new form factor design are expected to launch in 2021, and a new "affordable" MacBook Air is expected in 2022, all with Apple Silicon chips and mini-LED displays. This appears to be a clarification of a previous report that simply said redesigned MacBooks would launch in late 2021.

Kuo also believes that Apple will be able to offset the increased cost of using mini-LED panels in Mac devices because the cost of Apple Silicon chips is significantly lower than that of Intel processors.

Upcoming Apple devices with mini-LED displays are also projected to see much higher than expected shipments. TFI Securities has revised its shipment forecasts by 350 percent for 2021 and 450 percent in 2022. Apple is presumed to ship 10 to 12 million mini-LED devices in 2021 and 25 to 28 million mini-LED devices in 2022. Epistar is anticipated to make major gains as a result, with the company now expected to serve as Apple's sole mini-LED supplier.

The reason behind the revised estimates are lower than expected costs for mini-LED components over the next few years and faster adoption of mini-LED panels in MacBook devices.

MacBooks are projected to be the main driver of mini-LED panel shipments since they will purportedly gain mini-LED before the iPad and see faster shipment growth. Kuo has previously said that at least one new iPad model will be released with a mini-LED display in the first half of 2021.

Within the next three years, Kuo's optimistic scenario sees MacBook shipments grow significantly by 100 percent with up to 35 million units per year, thanks to the adoption of Apple Silicon and refreshed designs.

Article Link: Kuo: Two Redesigned MacBook Pros in 2021 and New MacBook Air in 2022, All With Apple Silicon and Mini-LED Displays
I did not understand the article, it does not say anything about when the new MBP 16 or 14 come out. is it early or late 2021? what is the point of this article?
 
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Function keys where removed precisely because they have very little it not no use. The touch bar has added function where there was non. You can't scrub a time line with function keys and you can't set named keys to 'build', 'run', 'test', 'compile', etc in your IDE.
Most professional apps rely on the function keys for Keyboard shortcuts. You can easily scrub a timeline with the trackpad. The touch bar was just a way for Apple to test touch screen functionality on their laptops and a fancy way to display emojis. It was a cool idea and a good marketing differentiator. The problem with Apple is that they try to appeal to general consumers and professionals at the same time. The exception would be the Mac Pro and the matching Pro Display XDR, with features and price that only professionals can justify.
 
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I suspect those 2 redesign MBP with mini Led will be the rumoured 14" and 16"
I'd like to see the same footprint as the current 13" with smaller bezels allowing the larger 14" screen, although I wouldn't be upset with a smaller 13" MBP with a slightly smaller footprint as long as the keyboard size wasn't compromised.
 
Too? Your TouchBar has failed you, it has to go.
I'm not sure bringing back the function row would be any better. They added the escape key which was the only real key on that row that needed to be physical. If they can update it with a higher density display so that it doesn't look so cheap and add force touch to make it more like buttons, that will (I think) finally round it out as the product it was meant to be.
 
Glad I wasn't the only one thinking the same thing!

I was on the same train of thought. This article did not tell us anything we didn't already know, except possibly about the 2022 MacBook Air. It would be great to have an idea of when these things are coming so people can make purchasing decisions. Best guess is end of March for new iPPs and fall '21 for redesigned MacBook Pros.

Have to say, though, I'd consider buying a current design MBP 16" if it had M2 and discrete GPU prior to that if they released one.
 
M1 is impressive but one caveat, it's only being placed into small mobile devices so far. People speculate that it might be in iMacs by 1st or 2nd quarter '21 but when I looked into getting a Mac Mini M1 and adding an external graphics card enclosure I found that the M1 chip does not support discrete graphics cards, possibly due to its all-in-one chip design with graphics built in. This may hinder placing it into an iMac or higher. I'd like to gather thoughts from others on this. 1) Will iMacs continue to avoid the M1 so that it can keep discrete graphics? Meaning that the recent 27" revision is what to get instead of waiting. 2) Will Apple make the M1 work with discrete graphics in the future and that additional process is why there is a delay placing M1 in higher end devices? Meaning it's better to wait and get an M1 iMac. 3) Will Apple wait until a future M2 or M3 chip which improves the built-in graphics further so that it can compete with current discrete graphics card offerings in the iMac? There are rumors on other things but not much info on how M1 will fit into non-mobile devices. Maybe the M1 stands for Mobile1 and there is a future P1 (Pro1?) chip to come out still which supports discrete graphics or has more powerful built-in graphics.
 
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