The 2021 MacBook Pro is coming. We expect the new Apple laptop at the end of this year, so it’s high time to look ahead.
MacBook Pro 2021 expectations
After years of minor upgrades and a mountain of invisible improvements last year, 2021 is the time for a big leap forward. In this article we list all MacBook Pro 2021 expectations. We base these on rumors and can therefore still change.
MacBook Pro 2021 expectations
1. A new design
The MacBook Pro has looked about the same since 2016, but that should change in 2021. Apple seems to be introducing a modified design. This would be in line with the iPad Pro (2021) and iPhone 12 renewed earlier this year. So expect harder edges and a more angular design in general.
In addition, there are likely to be multiple colors to choose from. The new MacBook Pro will not be as colorful as the iPad Air (2020) and iMac of 2021, but according to rumors, some new color options will be added. There are also rumors that Apple will return the luminous Apple logo.
If you open the laptop, you will encounter even more changes. Apparently, Apple will omit the touch-sensitive Touch Bar and make the screen edges (also called bezels) smaller. More on that later.
2. Two sizes and new screen: mini LED
While the 16-inch MacBook Pro retains the same screen and narrow screen bezels, the smaller model does change more. Apple would increase the screen size from 13 to 14 inches, without also increasing the size of the laptop itself. That has everything to do with the narrower screen edges.
In addition, the quality of the display would also improve. Apple does this by giving the MacBook Pros of 2021 a mini LED screen. We know these kinds of screens from the iPad Pro and they excel at showing contrasts. Where a ‘normal’ LCD screen consists of hundreds of LED lights, with mini-LED thousands of lights are needed to fill the same size.
Also read: OLED, micro-LED and mini-LED: Apple’s (future) screens explained
3. MagSafe
With the iPhone 12, MagSafe has made a comeback, but originally this connection appeared on the Mac.
The magnetic connector is due to return this year, so you can more easily connect the charging cable to your MacBook and also disconnect it if there is too much pressure on it. With this, MagSafe prevents your entire MacBook from flying off the table if someone trips over the cable.
In addition, Apple would have further improved this new version of MagSafe, so that the charging speed would also increase. Good news, because now it takes quite a while to refill the battery of your MacBook. An additional advantage is that you will soon (maybe) also be able to use the MagSafe charger of your iPhone on your laptop.
4. More Connections
The reliable Apple source Ming-Chi Kuo says that Apple is adding “more ports” to this new MacBook Pro 2021. It is not yet clear exactly which connections these are, but it seems that Apple is moving away from purely USB-c connections.
In April 2021, design drawings of the new MacBook Pro leaked. As a result, we know that the laptop will have multiple USB-C ports, an HDMI input and an SD card slot, something that many photographers use.
Also interesting: Stolen MacBook Pro 2021 design drawing confirms these 4 rumors
5. No Touch Bar
One of the most controversial innovations that Apple has introduced in recent years is the Touch Bar. So controversial, in fact, that Apple would like to reverse the decision completely this year.
That would mean that the MacBook Pro 2021 has ‘normal’ physical function keys again, instead of the small OLED touchscreen strip that we have known for years. The advantage of the Touch Bar was the context-sensitive buttons that could adapt to the app you were using, but the disadvantage was that the Touch Bar does not provide feedback when you press a button.
6. New processor?
Last year, Apple made an important step by offering MacBooks that run on Apple Silicon in addition to chips from Intel. These self-designed chips are completely made by Apple itself, so that the company can get even more control over the coordination between software and hardware.
This year, Apple is continuing that line by completely switching to it. The end of the MacBook Pro with an Intel chip is therefore closer than ever. During the presentation of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 chip, Apple promised to switch from Intel to Apple Silicon within two years.
It is still unclear whether the new MacBook Pros run on the same M1 chip, or an improved version of this processor. In the corridors, among other things, the arrival of an M1X chip or M2 chip is mentioned.
7. Made for Home Workers
Working from home has finally come to an end. More and more offices are focusing on a mix of working on location and working from home, so the MacBook Pro 2021 responds to that. According to the usually well-informed MacRumors the new Apple laptop will therefore get a full-HD webcam, instead of the current 720p resolution. This improvement seems only logical. Earlier, Apple already gave the iMac 2021 a 1080p webcam (full HD).
8. MacBook Pro 2021 expectations: release and price
As an Apple Journalist Mark Gurman proved right, the release of the 2021 MacBook Pro will take place between September and November. According to Gurman, Apple is aiming for the earliest possible disclosure, but production problems may throw a spanner in the works.
Behind the scenes, Apple seems to be having trouble producing enough mini-LED screens. When final production is delayed, the MacBook Pro 2021 does not appear to be released until October or November.
We are not yet able to make any statements about the price. There have been no rumors about this yet. When that changes, you will of course be the first to read it iPhoned. Sign up for our newsletter or download the free app not to miss anything!
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