Apple managed to impress everyone last year with just how good the first ARM-powered Macs were, and it looks to be getting even better this year if the latest rumors turn out to be true.
As MacRumors reports, well-respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes a major design revamp is happening later this year to the MacBook Pro. Two models are expected in the third quarter of 2021, sporting a 14-inch and 16-inch display. The most surprising prediction? Apple has finally decided to ditch the OLED Touch Bar and revert to physical function keys. Many long-time MacBook users will be very pleased to see such a change implemented.
Other expected changes include more ports, to the point where Kuo believes no dongles will be required anymore. MagSafe charging is set to make a return, and there will be no Intel processor option offered. Apple is going ARM-only, which we already knew was the future for its devices.
Apparently you'll easily be able to spot these new models, not only because of the lack of a Touch Bar, but due to a new look. The curvy casing design is gone, replaced by a "flat-edged form factor design similar to the iPhone 12." On the performance front, we already know how fast Apple's M1 chip is, but these new MacBook Pros are sure to have the next-generation of that chip and Apple is also retaining the heat pipe cooling system from the existing 16-inch MBP, which means they should be able to offer even more performance without thermal throttling coming into play.
Don't expect Apple to confirm or deny any of this information. As usual, we'll just have to wait for the Apple Event where they officially get revealed just ahead of their launch.