Several rumors suggest that Apple is working on an updated MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon inside, a new design, and many other changes. Rumors are gaining steam about the MacBook Pro coming out later this year, and many potential buyers are contemplating whether to buy now or wait. Here are some recommendations:
What should one expect from the MacBook Pro 2021?
Rumor has it that the MacBook Pro is going to have a big year in 2021. Using the new mini-LED screen technology, these new MacBook Pros are said to have an all-new design, come with 14-inch and 16-inch screens, and feature an all-new form factor. MacBook Pros will reportedly come with flat-edged designs similar to Apple’s latest iMac, iPad Pro, and iPhone 12. Another major design change is the elimination of the Touch Bar, with Ming-Chi Kuo reporting that Apple returns to a traditional function row instead.
Additionally, according to Bloomberg, the new MacBook Pros will come with HDMI and an SD card slot, as well as MagSafe technology for magnetic charging. According to images and diagrams released in connection with an Apple ransomware attack, the device has an HDMI port, a USB-C port, an SD card slot, a headphone jack, and a USB-C port on the right side.
The most notable change, however, is that this new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros will use Apple Silicon processors. MacPro will reportedly include an 8-core processing unit with two high-efficiency cores, which is comparable to Apple’s “M1X” processor. According to reports, the machines will be available with 16 or 32 graphics core variations and up to 64GB of RAM.
How soon will Apple release the new MacBook Pros?
Apple was expected to announce the MacBook Pros at WWDC in June, which obviously did not come to fruition, and we are still awaiting them. It was recently reported by Bloomberg that MacBook Pros could be announced as soon as this summer. In the meantime, Digitimes has reported that the MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch models will launch by the end of this year, suggesting a September release date.
However, the underlying issue for these rumors is the ongoing chip shortage that affects the entire industry. Apple may have planned to release the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros last month, but it’s facing shortages and struggles to keep up with demand. There is also a possibility the new MacBook Pros may be delayed further, but for now, it looks like they will be available in the fall.
Should one buy a MacBook Pro now or wait?
In the current MacBook Pro lineup, Apple sells both Apple Silicon-based and Intel-based processors. On the inside, Apple M1 chips and two Thunderbolt ports come standard on the 13-inch MacBook Pro. Alternatively, one can choose an Intel-powered 13-inch MacBook Pro with four Thunderbolt ports or an Intel-powered 16-inch MacBook Pro with four Thunderbolt ports. There isn’t an Apple MacBook Pro with a screen larger than 13-inches that is powered by Apple silicon (yet).
Apple currently sells several MacBook Pros, but the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 power is the only one we would recommend purchasing — especially if one can find it on sale or take advantage of Back to School deals. According to benchmarks and real-world tests, the M1 MacBook Pro is an incredibly powerful machine and can outperform most Intel chips available in the higher-end 13-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros.
It is important to note that there are some people who might be better served by waiting for the 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro powered by Apple Silicon:
- If one needs more than two Thunderbolt ports
- If one needs an HDMI port or an SD card slot (and don’t want to use a dongle)
- If one wants a display larger than 13-inches
- If the M1 chip is not powerful enough
Furthermore, we can’t recommend buying any MacBook Pro with Intel because the Silicon 14-inch and 16-inch models are just months away. With more powerful chips, a new design, more ports, and new display technology, the upcoming Apple Silicon MacBook Pro will be an important step forward for Apple. Mac OS Monterey also includes many features that are only available on Apple Silicon Macs.
If you’re looking for a powerful machine, the MacBook Pro M1 is a great choice. In short, don’t buy an Intel MacBook Pro at the moment, but the M1 is powerful enough for most uses. Would you like to share your opinion on Apple’s current MacBook lineup and its transition to silicon? Are you already using an Apple Silicon Mac, or are you waiting for a new model? Comment below to share your thoughts!
