Apple just released A Updated MacBook Pro in March, but there will be more soon. Apple is expected to roll out one of its biggest MacBook Pro updates as soon as later this year. Here’s everything we know so far… including details on the surprising recent twist.
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New features of MacBook Pro
OLED display
The new MacBook Pro will switch from mini-LED to OLED display technology. This will be the first time Apple has used OLED on a Mac, having previously used it on the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. This was reported by sources including Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg.
The MacBook Pro’s rumored OLED display will offer truer blacks, higher contrast, and brighter colors compared to today’s mini-LED screens. That’s because OLED can turn off individual pixels completely, while mini-LED still relies on a backlight system.
Touch screen
OLED isn’t the only big display change that comes with the updated MacBook Pro. It will also be Apple’s first touch-screen Mac.
As reported by BloombergApple is updating macOS to take advantage of the MacBook Pro’s touchscreen. For example, when you tap a button or control, macOS will dynamically adjust to show you the relevant touch control. If you tap on the menu bar, the controls will automatically expand to make it easier to navigate with your finger.
It will also support common touch interface methods such as pinning and zooming, and faster scrolling.
So, it’s more than just Apple adding a touchscreen to the Mac. It’s a reimagining of macOS to make touch navigation feel fluid and natural.
Dynamic Island
Currently, the MacBook Pro has a cutout with a FaceTime camera. However, with this year’s MacBook Pro, Apple is reportedly ditching the notch in favor of a cutout for the camera.
Additionally, Apple is planning to bring Dynamic Island to the Mac for the first time. This could work like on the iPhone, where the dynamic island hides the cutout for the FaceTime camera and displays software interface elements like live activity and notifications.
A lighter and lighter design
With the MacBook Pro 2021, Apple has changed direction and made it thicker than its predecessor. It also has added ports on the back, including MagSafe, HDMI, and an SD card slot. The industrial design of the famous MacBook Pro 2016-2020 has only 4 USB-C ports.
However, this year, Apple is planning to make the MacBook Pro thinner again. We still don’t have any specifics on this, and it’s unclear if Apple will release any ports to support this change.
One major difference today is Apple Silicon. The 2016-2020 MacBook Pro models use Intel chips that are less powerful than Apple’s M-series chips. Apple Silicon should mean Apple can make the MacBook Pro thinner without compromising on those.
The new MacBook Pro will also be “Significantly” lighter More than previous generations, according to Mark Gurman:
But there is another important difference, I say: the new MacBook Pros are lighter – A lot Lighter. Apple has redesigned the internals of the machine, making it smaller and reorganizing components to make the computer easier to carry.
M5
It is widely expected that the new MacBook Pro will be powered by the M6 Pro and M6 Max chips.
However, in a new twist, it looks like this update will use the same M5 Pro and M5 Max chips as the current MacBook Pro.
The decision comes as Apple has reportedly skipped the higher-end chip in the upcoming M6 model. Instead, the M6 will only be available in its base configuration, with no M6 Pro, M6 Max, or M6 Ultra variants.
Apple is shifting its focus to M7 production, including the M7 Pro and M7 Max chips. These reports will focus on significant improvements to AI performance.
MacBook Ultra?
Finally, it wouldn’t be an Apple rumor cycle without speculation about the naming.
Mark Gurman has speculated that Apple may brand these laptops as MacBook Ultra. This name will “clearly signal their position at the top of the lineup,” he reasoned.
The latest development that the new MacBook models will use the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips adds a new wrinkle to the marketing decisions that Apple will have to make.
New MacBook Pro release date
Apple is expected to launch the new MacBook Pro in October or November. It may seem strange that Apple will update the MacBook Pro twice this year, but it is not unprecedented.
Wrap up
What do you think of Apple’s plans for major MacBook Pro updates soon? Are you planning to buy a MacBook Pro? Let us know in the comments.
