A group of hackers has taken schematic drawings of the MacBook Pro 2021 from supplier Quanta. This provides concrete new information about Apple’s new laptop and confirms four important rumors.
MacBook Pro 2021 design drawing stolen
Hacker group REvil entered the servers of hardware manufacturer Quanta earlier this week. Because the vendor does not pay the ransom, the hackers have published the schematic drawings of the unannounced MacBook Pro 2021. Coupled with previous rumors, these confirm a number of important changes.
1. More connections, not just USB-C
It has been in the air for a while thanks to a story by Bloomberg and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, but these drawings confirm it: the MacBook Pro 2021 will be getting multiple connections for the first time since 2016.
The drawings show a slot for the SD card, multiple USB-C ports and a classic HDMI port. That means you don’t need a dongle as often to connect your Mac to accessories such as an external screen.
2. The end of the Touch Bar
Another rumor that we have already seen coming: from this year, Apple will scrap the Touch Bar. Apple introduced the OLED touchscreen in the MacBook Pro 2016, which has since replaced the function keys.
The Touch Bar has been debated for years: some Mac users find it helpful to have the bar adapt to the app you’re using, others don’t find the lack of physical feedback helpful. Apple now seems to have made its choice. The classic function keys return and the era of the Touch Bar is over after five years.
3. New design in line with iPhone 12 and iPad Pro
The leaked schematic drawings also show the subtle changes of a new design. Apple would introduce the new Mac with a modified design that looks slightly different. Apple would draw the design more in line with that of the iPhone 12 and the iPad Pro 2021, with harder edges and a slightly more angular design.
That should give the MacBook Pro a new face, along with the other major changes that the company has in store for the laptop.
4. Both 14- and 16-inch models are on the way
The drawings show that it concerns the J314 and J316, two code names that we have already seen. Bloomberg already mentioned these serial numbers and stated at the time that it was a 14- and 16-inch model. So it seems that Apple will unveil the two Macs at the same time and the 13-inch model makes way for one with a larger display.
This does not necessarily mean that the smallest Pro is bigger than its predecessor. Probably the screen edges have become narrower, allowing for a larger display. We already saw this with the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
When do we expect the MacBook Pro 2021?
The new MacBook Pro is expected to be released by the end of the summer. Normally, Apple releases the new Macs before the start of the new academic year, so students can start the school year with a brand new laptop. An exact release date is therefore still unclear, but as soon as we know more about this, you will of course be the first to read it on iPhoned.