Malcolm Owen
Apple could ship the rumored 16-inch version of the MacBook Pro this fall, analysts at IHS Markit believe, with the upgraded size tipped to have a high-resolution 3072-by-1920 pixel display, though not one that uses OLED technology.
There have been some suggestion over the last few months that Apple is planning to reintroduce larger sizes of MacBook Pro, with a 16-inch model dwarfing the current largest 15-inch model. According to information obtained from IHS Markit, the model will be unveiled during September's usual iPhone event, if no development issues occur.
The model is described as having a "new display size" of 16 inches, will run macOS Catalina, and have a new processor powering it, reports Forbes, though it is not advised what specification of processor to expect. Demand for the model is predicted to be in the region of approximately 250,000 units per month.
Also predicted by IHS Markit is a processor upgrade for the MacBook Air, and to the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Function Keys.
The IHS Markit data does slightly go against previously reported information, as while the screen has a resolution of 3072 by 1920, the technology driving the display is said to be TFT-LCD supplied by LG Display. One May report indicated Apple was considering using OLED panels in the model, supplied by Samsung. IHS Markit does not have an established track record for predicting Apple's future product plans.
Famed TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo speculated about the 16-inch MacBook Pro in February, with a 2019 launch touted for the model which may be targeted at designers and those working in video production. One regulatory filing with the EEC in mid-June revealed seven MacBook model numbers were registered for use, which could suggest multiple different changes to the MacBook family lineup are in the works.
Andrew Orr
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AppleInsider Staff
75 Comments
The 16” MacBook Pro will definitely be my next computer but going to wait until 2021 or so. Gotta see if Apple will work on that keyboard and Intel on their processors. Would like to see bigger batteries too.
Plus my 2012 retina is doing pretty well, although starting to show its age.
The current "15" inch MBP is actually 15.4 inches diagonally. So this would be adding "only" 0.6 inches diagonally. Still, nice improvement for a marginally larger laptop.
I'll add that I also have a 2012 rMBP which is going strong (having replaced the screen, battery and internal SSD) with every port I need actually built in (imagine that!!). The new MBP will be VERY expensive, especially since I will need dongles galore (USB 2.0, HDMI, SD cards, etc) for work, home and the plane. Still, I'm sure it will be a nice machine.
-- Half spend most of their lives sitting on a desk
Without getting into what the split actually is, Apple has largely ignored the second category in its single minded rush to thin, light, minimalist designs.
Here, they have a chance to break out of that prison.
Will the new MacBook be upgradeable, have a great keyboard that people like to use, and ports that people need and use?
Or, will it be just more of the same -- just a little bigger?
Frankly, if it's just a bigger version of the same, there is no chance that I would buy one.