William Gallagher
Component manufacturers claim Apple has an "aggressive" plan for production in 2021, with new Apple TV hardware expected plus a bevy of MacBook Pro models and a new iMac Pro predicted.
Alongside supply chain reports about Apple increasing iPhone 12 orders, it's claimed that Apple is similarly expecting to need more MacBook Pro and iMac Pro models.
"[As well as the iPhone,] Apple is also preparing an aggressive production schedule for its high-end computers including the MacBook Pro and iMac Pro, for 2021, two other people familiar with the matter said," claims Nikkei Asian Review in a report collating supply chain rumors.
The report does not specify which models of MacBook Pro are expected to increase. However, it notes that Apple is transitioning from Intel processors to Apple Silicon. The presumption is that the increased orders will be for new models, and that those new models will use Apple Silicon.
Nikkei Asian Review also does not specify any further details about the iMac Pro. If the report is correct that Apple plans to make more iMac Pro models, and they are also Apple Silicon, it will mark the first update to this model since 2017.
The lack of updates since its original launch has previously led to speculation that the iMac Pro was a stopgap before the launch of the Mac Pro. Certain configurations of the Intel iMac Pro are already closely matched by the Intel iMac.
The Nikkei Asian Review also says that component manufacturers report a new Apple TV will be released at some point in 2021. This backs up recent rumors of an Apple TV 6 coming soon.
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23 Comments
It’s interesting how when the world seems to be falling apart, Apple digs deep and comes up with amazing products. The iPhone had its beginnings during the financial crisis and ensuing Great Recession and now Apple silicon Macs are arriving during COVID.
I just can’t overstate how excited I am about the Mac right now. It feels like Apple is finally realizing the 90s era dream for the Mac — an incredibly powerful RISC workstation with the most advanced OS and software stack, resulting in a computer that Wintel just can’t compete with.
New beginning for Apple "M" silicon and MAC has started. Future looks bright.
Surely Apple will release Apple Silicon iMacs (non-pro) in the first half of calendar year 2021, it not the first quarter. I suppose the only reason they wouldn't would be to introduce a more radical change than just an internal update.