There's a New 13-Inch MacBook Pro Coming, Here's What We Know

[MacRumors]

Apple refreshes the MacBook Pro models on a regular basis, and in 2022, we could potentially see new versions of the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch versions. Rumors suggest a new 13-inch model could come as soon as spring, while we haven't heard much at all about a refresh of the larger models given that they just launched in October 2021.

For now, this guide focuses on the 13-inch MacBook Pro that we're expecting to see refreshed first, but it will be updated as we hear more about all of the MacBook Pro models.

13-Inch MacBook Pro

Apple last refreshed the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro in November 2020 when it debuted the first M1 Macs. It came out alongside the MacBook Air and the M1 Mac mini, and all three product lines are due for an update.

Design

Rumors suggest the 13-inch MacBook Pro will see no design updates, continuing to feature the same chassis with a Touch Bar, a feature that has been eliminated from the higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch machines. Not all rumors have agreed on the Touch Bar, however, as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested that Apple will remove it.

Given the lower cost, the updated 13-inch MacBook Pro will not include a mini-LED display, nor is it expected to support 120Hz ProMotion refresh rates.

With no design changes, the biggest change coming to the 13-inch MacBook Pro will be the updated M2 chip.

M2 Chip

Since the launch of the M1, Apple has been working on a followup, which will be called the "M2." The M2 is expected to have the same 8-core CPU as the M1, but there will be speed and efficiency improvements as it could be built on a smaller node.

As for GPU improvements, it will have additional GPU cores. 9 and 10-core GPU options are expected to be available, up from the 7 and 8-core GPU options available in the original M1. The M2 will not be as powerful as the M1 Pro and the M1 Max, which will be succeeded by the M2 Pro and M2 Max.

Apple is expected to use the M2 chip in the updated 13-inch MacBook Pro and the 2022 MacBook Air.

Naming

A rumor from 9to5Mac suggests that Apple could remove the "Pro" labeling from the 13-inch MacBook Pro, but it's worth noting we've heard the same rumor about the 2022 MacBook Air.

14-Inch and 16-Inch MacBook Pro

The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models came out in November 2021, and we haven't heard much about new models at this point in time. Apple presumably won't go for a design refresh because the 2021 models had a new look with mini-LED display, but we can count on new chips.

We don't know what to expect just yet, but forthcoming 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will likely use the future M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. An update is expected to come out in 2023.

Release Timeline

There is no word yet on when the new 13-inch MacBook Pro is going to come out, but Apple is working on several new Macs for 2022, so we could either see it sometime in the summer or in the fall.

14 and 16-Inch MacBook Pro Refresh

Apple is working on updated 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models that are going to use M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, which are successors to the M1 Pro and M1 Max. The M2 Max chip features a 12-core CPU and a 38-core GPU, along with 64GB memory, and the M2 Pro will be slightly less powerful.

Current rumors suggest the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro could be refreshed in 2023.

Guide Feedback

Have questions about Apple's 2022 MacBook Pro plans, see something we left out, or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.

Article Link: There's a New 13-Inch MacBook Pro Coming, Here's What We Know

 

[Realityck]

Why do I think of Sgt. Schultz with this 13" MBP rumor

 

[dwaite]

Releasing a 13" MacBook Pro would have significant work and internal changes beyond the existing Apple Silicon notebooks, as the Touch Bar is currently implemented running on a separate T2 chip running BridgeOS.

I doubt they will be willing to do that sort of extra effort just to keep TouchBar alive.

 

[Veeper]

Why would someone buy a MBP without HDMI…

 

[blazerunner]

As long as the Touch Bar is gone for good, it'll be an immediate massive upgrade. That thing was straight trash.

 

[KaliYoni]

I've been thinking about getting an Apple laptop sometime after the upcoming product cycle launches. If this MBP comes with MagSafe charging, I would give it serious consideration over a MBA later this year. If not, a 2022 MBA may be in my future, depending on the ports Apple decides to include (I'm a financial markets person so one of my mantras is options have intrinsic value). The Touch Bar is neither a must have nor a deal breaker for me in any case.

 

[dspdoc]

This is one goofy out of place machine if the rumors are true!

 

[LoveTo]

Skipped M1 MBA in the hopes of the refresh this year. I needed that rumored design with white bezels and keyboard.

This is fine.. I’m fine.. ?

 

[Wildkraut]

If with Notch, then No Thanks!

 

[ghanwani]

Touch bar gets a life extension!

 

[Populus]

If with Notch, then No Thanks!

I don’t think this one will have a notch. It will probably have the same exact design as previous 13” MacBook Pros

 

[Populus]

I’m happy for those that love the TouchBar and the old design without a notch, that will be able to get it one last time, at expectedly an affordable price. However, this is not for me, and I think many people will be better waiting for the upcoming, redesigned MacBook Air instead of buying this MacBook Pro “SE”.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

MacBook 13” Pro…SE
Seems like a waste of resources.

 

[QuietGamer]

Bait and switch. The new “air” will be introduced. Availability around Christmas. . .

 

[jeffpeng]

It still feels wrong that

1. Apple would release M2 machines before M1 releases are finished
2. Apple would debut M2 with a simple drop-in replacement for a design most people would consider dated

Personally I think the M1 MBP is one of those "golden" devices that is much better than it has any right to be, but to say that you kinda have to not only like the touch bar, but also be fine with the fact that is has basically no ports, and also really value the better screen, speakers and battery life (which is bonkers) over the cheaper MBA most people prefer.

I simply think that this particular device is the one the least people would get exited about out of all possible Mac releases, so no - still makes no sense at all, still doesn't compute.

 

[Moonlight]

Can the base M2 handle more than 16gb of RAM please

 

[gk_brown]

As long as the Touch Bar is gone for good, it'll be an immediate massive upgrade. That thing was straight trash.

I used to have an MBP with Touch Bar and didn't think I'd miss it. However, I actually found myself reaching for it the other day!

It was a bit ill-conceived but had potential. Unfortunately, the potential was never recognized.

 

[gk_brown]

It still feels wrong that

1. Apple would release M2 machines before M1 releases are finished

Why do you think M1 releases are finished? I assumed they were done with the M1 after the M1, M1 Pro, and M1 Max were released. But maybe there are other products in the pipeline that I'm not thinking about.

 

[jeffpeng]

It was a bit ill-conceived but had potential. Unfortunately, the potential was never recognized.

You can't half-ass a revolution. Either go all in and commit to it, or you might as well not try it.

 

[reyesmac]

I can see this being an alternative to the M2 Macbook Airs that will probably start at in the same price range as this refresh with even more expensive models than this one. Is this the "better" in the good-better-best way of selling things? Until Apple removes the M1 chip from the lineup it appears the M2 will fill the better slot.

As for the Macbook pros and the naming convention, they have few reasons to get people who just purchased those to upgrade so every little bit helps. They'll get replaced with M2's eventually. Probably without much fanfare if its just a modest bump.

Who knows, are they even designing these chips drastically different? They could just be doing the slightest bit of changes and calling something new. Why would they spend 10 years coming up with new chips if its going to be a gargantuan effort to update them yearly? I would think they would design them to just speed bump and open some cores on the same design for 5 year stretches, calling them whatever they have to in order for the public to think its some great new thing.

 

[PhilMacbook]

This sounds like a nice machine for people who don't want bulky Macbook Pros or the upcoming Macbook Airs with white keyboards and bezels. It is also fine for those who like the Touchbar. The good thing is there seems to be something in the range for most people.

 

[wossogststepp]

If with Notch, then No Thanks!

All MacBooks have a notch. In most MacBooks it is as wide as the screen.

 

[jeffpeng]

Why do you think M1 releases are finished? I assumed they were done with the M1 after the M1, M1 Pro, and M1 Max were released. But maybe there are other products in the pipeline that I'm not thinking about.

I very much expect the upcoming iMac to be based on M1 Pro/Max, and I can't dream up a scenario where they can release M1 based machines after or at the same time as the "next gen" product, even if it is the smaller "non-Pro" variant, and communicate that well to the customer. No matter what M2 will be based on (A15, A16, N5, N4) it will be faster in single core performance by some margin. Confirming M2 "exists" already would potentially make iMac customers wait for the M2 Pro / Max rather than buying obsolete hardware. And I cannot imagine they will debut the iMac on M2 Pro / Max half a year after they just introduced them for the MBP 14/16.

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

I'm just surprised that they plan on carrying on with the 13" MacBook Pro. Surely it would make more sense to discontinue it entirely as the 14" MBP effectively replaces it and the 13" MacBook Air is a far better buy that the 13" Pro anyway. I'd rather see a redesigned MacBook Air (or just 'MacBook' again) that replaces *both* the MBA and 13" MBP. Using a design more in keeping with the current iMac and then an iMac Pro that copies more of the 14/16" MacBook Pro aesthetic. M2 powered MacBook, iMac and Mac Mini, M2 Pro/Max powered MacBook Pro and iMac Pro and an M2 Extreme powered Mac Pro. What more could you want?

 

[blairh]

It is very surprising to see the Touch Bar continue. I'm guessing it's the last machine we will ever see with it. Wouldn't it cost Apple less to make this same machine with a function row of keys instead?