Mini-LED Shortages Reportedly Delayed Production of Redesigned MacBook Pro Models

[Biofreak12]

Are these displays finally getting 120-144hz refresh rates? I just can't stand 60hz anymore. Please Apple...
I have a gaming/workstation 2 x 144hz monitors with windows 10. Every-time I do some work on my macs, 60hz refresh rate is such a turn off.

 

[batmanofvietnam]

i just saw a 16inch 1TB MacBook pro on sale for $2100 kinda tempted to buy that instead and skip M1 generation 1. for context, it normally costs USD $3180 in Australia + SE Asia, which I anticipate the upcoming equivalent M1 will also cost.

 

[pshufd]

Are these displays finally getting 120-144hz refresh rates? I just can't stand 60hz anymore. Please Apple...
I have a gaming/workstation 2 x 144hz monitors with windows 10. Every-time I do some work on my macs, 60hz refresh rate is such a turn off.

Is better than 60 useful for anyone besides gamers? I run 60 and have run 30 in the past and can't tell the difference. I don't think that any faster would matter to me.

 

[performa_6400]

This is all Hype! This MBP hasn't been on the boards for release this year...period!

First, it's demand not hype. The 16" is overdue for a refresh. And second, source?

 

[James Godfrey]

i personally think most, if not all of the design related leaks regarding Macs are wrong.

Like, leaks regarding the specs/chips are usually correct, but rarely have they gotten the design right. Renders of the new iMac were horribly off and everyone expected a major redesign with the 2019 16" MacBook Pro too. Hell I don't think anyone even expected the M1 Mac mini.

Obviously I got nothing to base this on other than pure gut feeling, but honestly, anyone's guess here is as good as most of the "leakers" until we actually see the dang thing.

My only possible defense for the Touch Bar is that they implemented it into iPadOS' Sidecar feature. All these things are planned years in advance, so I wouldn't understand why they'd bring back attention to it if they were planning on deprecating it.

That’s the exact reason I don’t think we are going to get this major redesign everyone is talking about, yes we had the leaks from the ransom attack… BUT…

The Mac leaked had several ports including HDMI and USB-A, seriously doubt those are coming back… again with the Touch Bar seems odd to not have this Apple dubbed ‘Pro’ feature on their entry level MBP but not have it on their higher end models… that ransom leak could quite easily have been an old potential redesign, a redesign planned years in advance or perhaps even a prototype (would explain why the supplier wasn’t really bothered about them leaking the design) forcing them to approach apple for the money.

I feel that leak is what every ‘leaker’ has just fed off since, presuming it to be the next MBP which it probably isn’t.

We also have to remember there was no mention of a chin or white bezels, I don’t even think MagSafe was mentioned (not sure though)… they reported miniLED coming to it (didn’t happen), the only thing the leakers got right was it coming in colours, that was literally it.

 

[jumpcutking]

Well let's hope they accept my new purchase in exchange

 

[Bug-Creator]

again with the Touch Bar seems odd to not have this Apple dubbed ‘Pro’ feature on their entry level MBP but not have it on their higher end models…

If there is an 14" MBP expect the 13" to be discontinued, doesn't make much sense today with MBA performing so similar.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I also think the chip shortage situation is the reason why (in my humble opinion!) Apple may have shelved the M1X SoC. Instead, they'll use the delay time to complete the A15-derived M2 and M2X SoC's for introduction in the MacBook Pro models at the end of 2021.

 

[transpo1]

I think that was for the iPad Pro could be wrong though.


At this point it would not surprise me if we don’t get any sort of redesign and just an M1X is thrown into the current design

They would have done it already.

 

[James Godfrey]

They would have done it already.

Really? The chips apparently only started production in April…

 

[dustSafa]

That’s the exact reason I don’t think we are going to get this major redesign everyone is talking about, yes we had the leaks from the ransom attack… BUT…

The Mac leaked had several ports including HDMI and USB-A, seriously doubt those are coming back… again with the Touch Bar seems odd to not have this Apple dubbed ‘Pro’ feature on their entry level MBP but not have it on their higher end models… that ransom leak could quite easily have been an old potential redesign, a redesign planned years in advance or perhaps even a prototype (would explain why the supplier wasn’t really bothered about them leaking the design) forcing them to approach apple for the money.

I feel that leak is what every ‘leaker’ has just fed off since, presuming it to be the next MBP which it probably isn’t.

We also have to remember there was no mention of a chin or white bezels, I don’t even think MagSafe was mentioned (not sure though)… they reported miniLED coming to it (didn’t happen), the only thing the leakers got right was it coming in colours, that was literally it.

I don’t remember the presence of USB-A in the leaked schematics.

 

[transpo1]

That’s the exact reason I don’t think we are going to get this major redesign everyone is talking about, yes we had the leaks from the ransom attack… BUT…

The Mac leaked had several ports including HDMI and USB-A, seriously doubt those are coming back… again with the Touch Bar seems odd to not have this Apple dubbed ‘Pro’ feature on their entry level MBP but not have it on their higher end models… that ransom leak could quite easily have been an old potential redesign, a redesign planned years in advance or perhaps even a prototype (would explain why the supplier wasn’t really bothered about them leaking the design) forcing them to approach apple for the money.

I feel that leak is what every ‘leaker’ has just fed off since, presuming it to be the next MBP which it probably isn’t.

We also have to remember there was no mention of a chin or white bezels, I don’t even think MagSafe was mentioned (not sure though)… they reported miniLED coming to it (didn’t happen), the only thing the leakers got right was it coming in colours, that was literally it.

Look to the iMacs (not the bezels or colors) for clues to the industrial design of the new MBPs. Flat edges, a new MagSafe power brick, etc. When Apple redesigns their lineup, they like to do it holistically; that’s what we’ll get with new MBPs.

 

[transpo1]

Really? The chips apparently only started production in April…

They’re not going to wait this long to put chips into the old design, especially when they've already redesigned the iMacs.

 

[James Godfrey]

This is perfect example of how wrong Gurman was about the 2021 iMac…

Slimmed down black bezels - WRONG
No chin - WRONG
Flat Back - Correct

With the assumptions he made he was only 33% correct, and yet didn’t mention anything about the colours, ports, magnetic charging, all glass front.

 

[mielie]

Although it unfortunately seems increasingly unlikely that the touch bar will survive, I do hope everybody is wrong about this. At least on my current M1 MB Pro, the touch bar is actually very useful: much more than I had assumed it would be. Going back to a row of hard-wired physical function keys in their place would feel like stepping down several notches with regard to functionality. To the extent that I'd consider not getting one of the new M2 MB Pro, if that was indeed the case. The current set-up with a physical "Esc" and power button left and right, and the bar for everything else, is pretty perfect. IMHO, that is.

Now that I have some months of hands on time with the M1 MB Pro, I'd even say that the return of the magsafe adapter is not 100% welcome. One uses a docking station with these things anyway, and one standard connector that does everything has a lot going for it. But unlike the touch bar (the loss of which would be a significant downside, with nothing good about it), magsafe returning is a toss-up: the "snap off cleanly" magnetic connector is definitely handy. And I'd assume one could charge the MB Pro via USB3 as well anyway.

I am totally with you on this. Glad I'm not the only one who totally loves the Touch Bar, thought I was a lone voice!!

I'm holding out to see what they announce. I would also prefer it didn't come adulterated with lots of legacy ports, but no TouchBar is going to be a show stopper for me, and I don't mind being the odd one out. If there is no Touch Bar option then I will be quickly putting my order in for the 13" with M1.

 

[transpo1]

Overall, this report from Digitimes “feels right” and makes sense, but, of course, it’s Digitimes, so…

 

[James Godfrey]

They’re not going to wait this long to put chips into the old design, especially when they’ll already redesigned the iMacs.

Why not, if they can’t get the supply needed they will, and seemingly we are currently in the midst of a chip shortage, so it very possible.

 

[mikethemartian]

I just don't get this - are Apple users unusually clumsy? Seriously. I've been using nothing but laptops and 2-in-1 devices since a Toshiba T1100 Plus in 1986 and not ONCE have I tripped over a power cord. Why would everyone be so willing to sacrifice a TB4 port for a disconnecting power supply?

What if someone is in a public place like a coffee shop or a library with a bunch of other people around?

 

[Biofreak12]

Is better than 60 useful for anyone besides gamers? I run 60 and have run 30 in the past and can't tell the difference. I don't think that any faster would matter to me.

What? You can't tell 30 vs 60? wow. ok you wont notice the difference between 60 and 144 then. iPhone is about to get 120hz display, you will see how buttery smooth your UI then.

I want to add.
I think it will be 120hz monitor for new macbook pros, since it will be using similar displays to iPad pros, that already do 120hz. I've been enjoying 120hz for a while on my iPad pro. just test it at the apple store near you.

 

[acblue94]

Although it unfortunately seems increasingly unlikely that the touch bar will survive, I do hope everybody is wrong about this. At least on my current M1 MB Pro, the touch bar is actually very useful: much more than I had assumed it would be. Going back to a row of hard-wired physical function keys in their place would feel like stepping down several notches with regard to functionality. To the extent that I'd consider not getting one of the new M2 MB Pro, if that was indeed the case. The current set-up with a physical "Esc" and power button left and right, and the bar for everything else, is pretty perfect. IMHO, that is.

Now that I have some months of hands on time with the M1 MB Pro, I'd even say that the return of the magsafe adapter is not 100% welcome. One uses a docking station with these things anyway, and one standard connector that does everything has a lot going for it. But unlike the touch bar (the loss of which would be a significant downside, with nothing good about it), magsafe returning is a toss-up: the "snap off cleanly" magnetic connector is definitely handy. And I'd assume one could charge the MB Pro via USB3 as well anyway.

I’m with you. For all those people that don’t like the Touch Bar. I love it. Maybe Apple should find a way to chose to have the F keys always display no matter what in the touch bar. Problem solved and best of both works.

 

[_Spinn_]

These supply chain shortages are really getting old.

 

[jlocker]

What? You can't tell 30 vs 60? wow. ok you wont notice the difference between 60 and 144 then. iPhone is about to get 120hz display, you will see how buttery smooth your UI then.

I want to add.
I think it will be 120hz monitor for new macbook pros, since it will be using similar displays to iPad pros, that already do 120hz. I've been enjoying 120hz for a while on my iPad pro. just test it at the apple store near you.

I love my Samsung Odyssey G7 32in with 240hz, I use a thunderbolt 3 to Displayport 1.4 and it is fast, fast like a old Sony HD tube monitor from years back.

 

[transpo1]

I also think the chip shortage situation is the reason why (in my humble opinion!) Apple may have shelved the M1X SoC. Instead, they'll use the delay time to complete the A15-derived M2 and M2X SoC's for introduction in the MacBook Pro models at the end of 2021.

This is very plausible

 

[pshufd]

These supply chain shortages are really getting old.

I paid $169 for 64 GB of Corsair Vengeance last fall. Paid $366 last month. A lot of mundane parts have doubled.

 

[visualseed]

It's actually kind of nice when nobody knows what Apple is doing for a change. Obviously we know what kinds of products are coming, but their final form, features, and ultimate release dates are anybody's guess.