Potentially, MagSafe could make a return to MacBook Pro models, while the Touch Bar could potentially be phased out.
Rumors abound that Apple's beloved MagSafe is making a comeback! According to sources, the magnetic power adaptor is set to grace two upgraded MacBook Pros later this year. This gleeful news comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who has a knack for predicting Apple's moves with uncanny accuracy. MagSafe was initially introduced on the MacBook Pro in 2006, but it was mostly phased out in favor of USB-C by 2019. However, it made a thrilling return with last year's iPhone 12 line, igniting speculation about its possible resurrection for MacBooks.
Gurman's anonymous source suggests that the new MagSafe connector will resemble the elongated pill-shaped design of older MagSafe ports. Despite this throwback, the new MacBooks will still boast multiple USB-C ports. And what's more? The two new machines in question are the anticipated 14-inch and 16-inch models.
But wait, there's more! These upgraded MacBooks aren't just getting MagSafe back; they're also getting some fancy new features. Apple Silicon processors with more cores and enhanced graphics will power these machines, and their displays will boast brighter, higher-contrast panels. This could be a subtle nod to recent rumors from Ming-Chi Kuo, another reliable Apple prognosticator, who believes Apple plans to release two MacBook Pros equipped with mini-LED displays in 2021. Kuo also supports MagSafe's return, hinting at multiple new chargers coming our way this year.
Now, for those of you who despise the Touch Bar, listen up! Gurman's source hinted that Apple is currently testing versions of these laptops without the Touch Bar. Love it or hate it, the Touch Bar debuted on MacBooks in 2016 and has since been a polarizing feature. Some have grown to appreciate it, while others found creative ways to make it less irritating.
As for when you can expect these uber-cool MacBooks, Gurman suggests mid-2021. Unfortunately, pricing is still under wraps, so we'll have to wait and see. But with Kuo's predictions, prices might not be as exorbitant as we might think. In December, Kuo dramatically increased his mini-LED MacBook shipment estimates from 2-3 million units in 2021 to 10-12 million units, thanks to lower-than-expected costs. So, fingers crossed! Both Gurman and Kuo also hinted at a new MacBook Air, though that might not pop up until 2022. Time will tell!
The return of MagSafe to MacBooks is gaining traction in the tech world, citing Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and his reputation for accurately predicting Apple's moves. The new MagSafe connector will bear a resemblance to its older pill-shaped design, but USB-C ports will still be present. The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, equipped with Apple Silicon processors and enhanced graphics, are anticipated to feature this technology, as suggested by Ming-Chi Kuo, another reliable Apple analyst. Moreover, Kuo hints at multiple new MagSafe chargers this year, potentially influencing the pricing of these upgraded MacBooks, set to release in mid-2021, according to Gurman.
