Buyer’s Guide: Don’t Buy a MacBook Pro Now

New MacBook Pro models are expected to arrive later this year with some of the biggest improvements to the product line to date, including some surprising changes, so now is not the best time to buy a new MacBook Pro.

With major upgrades expected to key features like chipset, display, touch bar, charging, ports, and design, customers considering a new MacBook Pro might be better off waiting for the models to be released. updates arrive later this year.

Most of the reliable rumors surrounding the new MacBook Pros come from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and BloombergMark Gurman, who has established a reputation for providing accurate insight into Apple’s plans. Based on their reports, the 2021 MacBook Pro lineup is currently expected to feature:

• New 14-inch model in place of the current 13.3-inch model, facilitated by reduced bezels.
• New, flatter design, said to be “similar to iPhone 12.”
• More powerful next-generation Apple Silicon chips with up to 16 power cores and four efficiency cores instead of Intel processors.
• Potentially a custom “Apple Silicon” GPU with 16 or 32 cores.
• Updated thermal design for the 14-inch model, currently used by the existing 16-inch MacBook Pro, with a larger heat pipe, added thermal pads, and a 35% larger heat sink.
• “Brighter and more contrasting” display panels, with the possibility of a mini-LED option.
• Additional ports to reduce the need for dongles, including an SD card reader.
• MagSafe connector with faster charging speeds.
• No touch bar, with a row of physical function keys instead.

Design change

The 2021 MacBook Pros are expected to be available in 14 and 16 inches, with the new 14-inch model replacing the current 13.3-inch model. It’s likely that the 14in MacBook Pro will maintain a very similar footprint to the 13.3in model by reducing the bezels around the screen.

Both models are expected to receive a flat-rimmed design that is “similar to the iPhone 12”. While it’s possible that the overall appearance will still be quite similar to current models, as Gurman suggests, Kuo says Apple will eliminate the slight curvature at the top and bottom, resulting in a slimmer, flatter appearance.

Internal upgrades

Following the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, which got an “ M1 ” chip in November of last year, all 2021 MacBook Pro models are expected to come with “ Apple Silicon ” chips, the Intel processors being completely eliminated, to offer significantly better performance and energy efficiency.

High-end MacBook Pro models are very likely to feature more powerful “Apple Silicon” chips than the “M1,” and Apple is expected to develop options with up to 16 power cores and four efficiency cores. Apple is also working on custom GPU technology with 16 and 32 core options, which can be used in newer MacBook Pros.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro is believed to adopt the improved thermals of the current 16-inch MacBook Pro model, with a larger heat pipe, added thermal pads, and a 35% larger heat sink. This would likely increase the performance potential of the machine and allow it to run in cooler temperatures.

Display improvements

The MacBook Pro is expected to receive a “brighter, higher contrast” display panel. In addition, it was suggested that the updated machines would be the first Macs to feature mini-LED screens, marking a significant improvement in display quality, with improved wide color gamut, contrast, and dynamic range. higher and truer blacks.

Restored features

Apple is also expected to reverse several of its controversial design decisions that were first made with the 2016 MacBook Pro. For example, the 2021 models would gain more ports to reduce the need for dongles. Previous models from 2012 to 2015 included a ‌‌MagSafe‌‌ connector, Thunderbolt ports, USB-A ports, an HDMI port, an SD card reader and a 3.5mm headphone jack, before being reduced to just four USB ports. -C and a headphone jack in 2016.

While it’s generally unclear what ports might come on the MacBook Pro in addition to its current selection of USB-C ports, Gurman said the SD card reader will be among the restored features.

The ‌MagSafe‌ charge is also expected to return to the MacBook Pro this year. ‌‌MagSafe‌‌ connectors were used for MacBook Pro models from 2006 onwards, allowing users to easily connect and disconnect the power cable with magnets, before eliminating the USB-C charging function only in 2016.

Kuo and Gurman expect newer MacBook Pro models to feature a ‌‌MagSafe charging connector for charging, which is also expected to achieve faster charging speeds than via USB-C.

Finally, Apple is looking to remove the Touch Bar and restore the line of physical function keys. Apple introduced the Touch Bar on the 2016 MacBook Pros, providing a small OLED touchscreen strip along the top of the keyboard to offer customizable controls and various functions on a per-app basis, but the Touch Bar never seemed attract consumers.

Gurman has confirmed that Apple has tested versions of the MacBook Pro without a touch bar, and Kuo went further, saying the touch bar will be removed entirely on 2021 MacBook Pro models, to be replaced with a key physical function.

What about the M1 MacBook Pro or Air?

In November of last year, Apple unveiled a 13-inch MacBook Pro with an ‌M1‌ ‌Apple Silicon‌ chip, so some customers may feel pressured to buy this relatively new MacBook Pro now. However, it’s important to note that this model is the low-end MacBook Pro, indicated by the fact that it only has two Thunderbolt ports. Apple still offers high-end four-port MacBook Pros with Intel processors, and it’s these more powerful machines that are expected to be updated this year.

The MacBook Air ‌M1‌ is very similar to the MacBook Pro ‌M1‌ in terms of features and performance, so this should be taken into account if you are looking to buy a machine right now.

Release date

Several sources have placed the launch schedule for the new MacBook Pro in the second half of 2021, with Kuo in the third quarter of 2021. That means we could see the updated MacBook Pros arriving as early as July.

MacBook Pro customers can therefore expect to have to wait five to seven months for new models. Considering the magnitude of the update, which seems to drastically affect almost every aspect of the MacBook Pro, it’s certainly worth the wait.

We’ve got more on current MacBook Pro models and upcoming redesigned MacBook Pro models in our 13-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro roundups.