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MacBook Pro will ditch Touch Bar for a new design with MagSafe, rumors say

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Mac
  • The 2021 MacBook Pro range will come with some drastic design changes, new reports from Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman said.
  • There will reportedly be two sizes - 14-inches and 16-inches.
  • 2021 models are expected to have squared-off edges like the current iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPhone 12, the reports said.
  • The OLED Touch Bar will be replaced altogether by physical function keys, said Kuo.
  • Apple’s MagSafe magnetic charging technology is set to return with the 2021 MacBook Pro range.

Yesterday, new reports from Ming-Chi Kuo (reliability: 80.95%) and Mark Gurman (reliability: 84.38%) stated that Apple’s 2021 MacBook Pro range will come with some drastic design changes.

The new models will reportedly come in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, featuring Apple’s in-house ARM processors. There won’t be any Intel options available, said Kuo. Gurman later reported that the new models will have “brighter, higher contrast” displays. From Economic Times:

The new laptops are planned to come in two screen sizes, a 14-inch model codenamed J314 and a 16-inch version internally dubbed J316. Both will use next-generation versions of Apple’s in-house Mac processors, upgraded with more cores and enhanced graphics.

Notably, the rumors indicated that new MacBook Pro models are said to have squared-off edges like the current iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPhone 12. While the current MacBook Pro already has square edges to some extent, these rumors indicated that the top and bottom panels are going to be flatter than before.

Interestingly, Kuo said the OLED Touch Bar will be replaced altogether by physical function keys. He also added that there will be a wider range of ports reducing the need for dongles, but did not elaborate much further. And finally, the reports indicated that Apple’s MagSafe magnetic charging technology is set to return - however it’s not currently clear whether it’ll have anything in common with the new MagSafe accessory system for the iPhone 12. Déjà vu?

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Published to Apple Scoop on 17th January, 2021.
Flynn Lo Faro

Flynn Lo Faro

Team Leader / Editor-in-Chief

Flynn has been covering technology for over a decade, with a deep focus on all things Apple. As the Editor-in-Chief of Apple Scoop, Flynn ensures the team delivers the most accurate and up-to-date information on Apple news, rumors, and product releases. His passion for tech journalism and editorial expertise guide the site’s vision and maintain its high standards.

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