Redesigned 14-Inch MacBook Pro Expected to Feature Brighter Mini-LED Display With Slimmer Bezels and More

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to unveil new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with Mini-LED-backlit displays in the second half of this year, according to industry sources cited by Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes. The report claims that Radiant Opto-Electronics will be the exclusive supplier of the Mini-LED backlight units, while Quanta Computer is said to be tasked with final assembly of the notebooks.

The report lines up with information shared by well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who expects new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models to launch in the second half of this year with brighter Mini-LED displays, Apple silicon chips, a new design with a flat-edged top and bottom, an HDMI port and SD card reader, classic MagSafe charging with a magnetic power cable, and physical function keys instead of the Touch Bar.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has also corroborated many of these details, and he was first to report that an SD card reader would be returning to the MacBook Pro.

Similar to how the 16-inch MacBook Pro replaced the 15-inch MacBook Pro in 2019, the 14-inch model would likely replace the Intel-based 13-inch MacBook Pro that Apple currently sells, with slimmer bezels around the display allowing for the 14-inch MacBook Pro to have only a slightly larger footprint than the 13-inch model.

If all of these rumors pan out, it would be a significant overhaul to the MacBook Pro, with many fan-favorite features returning. There is also lots of anticipation surrounding next-generation Apple silicon given the already-impressive performance of the M1 chip in lower-end machines like the MacBook Air and base model 13-inch MacBook Pro.

Since 2016, the MacBook Pro has only been equipped with Thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack, forcing users to purchase adapters or docks to gain access to an HDMI port, SD card reader, USB-A ports, and other connectivity offered on older MacBook Pro models. Apple touted its "thinnest and lightest MacBook Pro ever," but the decision was criticized by many users and became known as "dongle hell."

It's unclear exactly when Apple would announce the new MacBook Pro models. The "second half of 2021" timeframe could refer to a fall unveiling in September, October, or November, but the new MacBook Pro models could also be announced at WWDC in June and then begin shipping in July, which falls within the second half of the year. The timeframe given by Kuo is simply too broad to pinpoint an exact launch at this time.

Apple is also widely rumored to be planning a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro with a Mini-LED display for release in the first half of 2021, with some reports having claimed that the device could be announced as early as March.

Article Link: Redesigned 14-Inch MacBook Pro Expected to Feature Brighter Mini-LED Display With Slimmer Bezels and More

 

[Yokon54]

Mac will keep getting better after M1.

 

[illinois2011]

If MagSafe is indeed back, I just hope they make the cable detachable from the brick so you don't have to throw out the whole charger when the cable fails. Maybe it could be USB-C on one end and MagSafe on the other and they can continue to use the current bricks?

If this thing is real, I may already be looking at trading in my 2020 MacBook Air.

 

[QCassidy352]

So basically a total repudiation of the 2016 redesign. Good, it’s about time. I’m glad they can admit their mistakes.

 

[Salty Pirate]

Hell yes.

 

[GuruZac]

This looks amazing already. Now release it with the iPad Pro 12.9.

 

[dafodeu]

Trying to decide if it's worth waiting for the 14 inch. Budget is a concern. Any chance the 14 inch will start at $1499? If it's going to be starting at $1999 then I'm better off just going with a Macbook Air 16gb ram 512gb due to budget.

 

[Y014951]

Shut up and take my money! ?

 

[mattsmith24]

Am I really the only person in the world who actually likes the Touch Bar?

Much like the idea of the iPhone replacing physical buttons depending on app context - it's actually useful when compared to a row of utterly useless buttons marked "F". I don't understand the hatred, or why Apple are caving

 

[yellow8]

They are finally giving love to macs again!
Fantastic!

 

[cmaier]

Am I really the only person in the world who actually likes the Touch Bar?

Much like the idea of the iPhone replacing physical buttons depending on app context - it's actually useful when compared to a row of utterly useless buttons marked "F". I don't understand the hatred, or why Apple are caving

Because Touch Bar is terrible. Anyone who knows how to type is looking at the screen, not the keyboard. But it is impossible to use the Touch Bar without looking at it. And since no pressure is required to press the “keys” on the Touch Bar, high speed typists are constantly accidentally triggering touchbar functions by merely brushing it with stray fingers. So it actually makes the computer *worse* for a lot of people - we can’t even pretend the touchbar doesn’t exist.

 

[illinois2011]

Am I really the only person in the world who actually likes the Touch Bar?

Much like the idea of the iPhone replacing physical buttons depending on app context - it's actually useful when compared to a row of utterly useless buttons marked "F". I don't understand the hatred, or why Apple are caving

Well, on a Mac, they're not marked "F". You have brightness controls, volume controls (that can be done with one tap) the exposé button which I use all the time, the launchpad button, etc. I had a TouchBar Mac for three years and hated it. Knowing how to type means you shouldn't have to look at your keyboard to know what you're doing. It's as dumb as touch controls all over new cars.

 

[darngooddesign]

And that's why I returned the 13" M1BP I was considering.

 

[nattK]

I wonder how many of the new design changes were originally vetoed by Jony Ive but now that he's no longer at the company, they're going ahead with those changes.

 

[darngooddesign]

Am I really the only person in the world who actually likes the Touch Bar?

Much like the idea of the iPhone replacing physical buttons depending on app context - it's actually useful when compared to a row of utterly useless buttons marked "F". I don't understand the hatred, or why Apple are caving

I thought the latest Touchbar with the physical Esc key was nice because I'm not a touch-typist when it comes to the Fn keys. It's easy to customize with some utilities, it works just like the traditional Function key row, and to be frank I have no use for several of the marked keys on the M1 Air's keyboard.

 

[drewyboy]

Am I really the only person in the world who actually likes the Touch Bar?

Much like the idea of the iPhone replacing physical buttons depending on app context - it's actually useful when compared to a row of utterly useless buttons marked "F". I don't understand the hatred, or why Apple are caving

One of them you’re typing on the screen your viewing, the other you’re not. That’s probably the biggest UI difference.

From a cost perspective, it’s taking up valuable cost that can be redirected towards other improvements that allows overall customer price remain unchanged. Example being, because of cost saving we’re now getting mini led. I’m not saying that is exactly the case, but you get the point.

 

[GeoStructural]

Trying to decide if it's worth waiting for the 14 inch. Budget is a concern. Any chance the 14 inch will start at $1499? If it's going to be starting at $1999 then I'm better off just going with a Macbook Air 16gb ram 512gb due to budget.

We are in the brink of a considerable redesign. I would suggest to wait a little longer if you can.

 

[boss.king]

I'm so torn. I don't really need the power of a Pro, but I also don't want to get the M1 Air and have a 2011-era laptop design for the next few years if something modern is right around the corner.

 

[KPOM]

I’d like it if they keep Thunderbolt ports on both sides. MagSafe or not, it’s nice being able to connect a charging cable to either side of the MacBook Pro.

 

[Dave245]

If the iPad Pro gets a mini-led display I think the MacBook Pro will get it later in the year (maybe at WWDC in June). However we may see the iPad Pro update in March According to the very reliable Jon Prosser.

 

[KPOM]

Trying to decide if it's worth waiting for the 14 inch. Budget is a concern. Any chance the 14 inch will start at $1499? If it's going to be starting at $1999 then I'm better off just going with a Macbook Air 16gb ram 512gb due to budget.

The current higher-end 13” Pro starts at $1799. Apple kept the price of the MacBook Air and lower-end 13” Pro the same when they switched to M1.

 

[CmdrPhil]

Everything we want. Nothing we don’t.

 

[tubular]

In late 2017 I bought a slightly extravagant 15" MacBook Pro, because it was the last model they were offering with MagSafe, without the TouchBar, and pre-butterfly keys. The excuse I made for throwing that wad of cash was that the 2016-era designs were so wrong but so pervasive that I thought it might be another half a decade or more before Apple made another laptop I'd consider worh buying.

Looks Apple got the message from me and a lot of people like me.

 

[darngooddesign]

Trying to decide if it's worth waiting for the 14 inch. Budget is a concern. Any chance the 14 inch will start at $1499? If it's going to be starting at $1999 then I'm better off just going with a Macbook Air 16gb ram 512gb due to budget.

If you need a computer now get the Air, but if you can wait then you should wait. Bear in mind that the 14" is going to replace the four-port 13" Intel which starts at $1799.

 

[ccsicecoke]

So basically a total repudiation of the 2016 redesign. Good, it’s about time. I’m glad they can admit their mistakes.

Next step reverse back to OS X 10.6 design