“Apple plans to introduce a revamped high-end MacBook Pro this year that’ll include a thinner and lighter form factor, Touch ID and a new OLED display touch bar above the keyboard, according to a new report from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo,” Husain Sumra reports for MacRumors. “The new MacBook Pro would come in 13- and 15-inch variations and arrive in the fourth quarter of 2016. ”
While long overlooked, the MacBook line is the brightest spot for Apple’s 2016 rollouts. This is particularly true of the two new MacBook Pro models, to be introduced in 4Q16, as they will have a thinner and lighter form factor, Touch ID, use OLED display touch bar (to replace physical function keys, located above the keyboard) and adopt USB- C / Thunderbolt 3. — Ming-Chi Kuo, KGI Securities
“The 12-inch MacBook will also be joined by a 13-inch MacBook, according to Kuo,” Sumra reports. “The analyst believes that Apple will move forward with all three MacBook lines this year, with the MacBook Pro occupying the high-end slot, the MacBook will replace the Air as the medium-level model and the MacBook Air will serve as an entry-level model with comparatively low prices.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Odds are likely that an OLED touch bar will include Apple’s patented haptic feedback (see Apple’s Taptic Engine-powered Force Touch trackpads and the Apple Watch) that’ll make it seem like you’re pressing real keys.
But is it snappy?
How is this touch bar an improvement over actual keys?
Enables the “graphic” on the key to change from the constant F1..F8 to whatever icon or description better conveys the function of the key for the current app?
I like the idea, but to be honest, one can’t tell what the hell most of Ive’s minimalistic icons are supposed to represent. Microsoft’s crappy ribbon with ever-changing controls and tabs is frustrating especially when icons are not clear. Of course, on a 27″ screen, pop-up labels are the crutch that allows the user to discern commands. How would a thin ribbon with changing commands work if Apple doesn’t improve its iconography? It will have to be much more intuitive than anything else Apple has released in the last few years.
It’s sad that Apple has the highest resolution screens ever, and they choose to make the GUI look like they would on a screen from 1985.
Having to move hands from the keyboard to touch the screen seems quite inconvenient to me not to mention smudges on the screen.
From what I’m reading…
…they will have a thinner and lighter form factor, Touch ID, use OLED display touch bar (to replace physical function keys, located above the keyboard) and adopt USB- C / Thunderbolt 3.
…The OLED touch bar isn’t on the screen. It’s physically above the keyboard in the location where the F-keys are today.
So far, I don’t yet see the point of an OLED touch bar. But this is all rumor anyway. No doubt we’ll see a demo at WWDC and figure out what it’s supposed to accomplish, if it even exists.
Hmm… that seems a bit out of character for the simplistic design I am used to in my MacBook Pros. It will be interesting to see if this is true and how Apple implements this. The PC manufacturers have had LED touch bars before. They are not that great and don’t look that great. Of course most of the stuff coming out of the PC market isn’t that great. Here’s hoping Apple is putting some thought into this.
Q4 2016? You’re just KILLING ME! Lets hope for at least a 13″ Macbook with decent stats at WWDC. Why the hell won’t release new Macs anymore. Is Phones and iPads all 160,000 employees have time to make???
How about a new Thunderbolt 3 Cinema Display?
4k TV?
New Mac Mini?
Over 800 days with no new Mac Pros?
iMac with Thunderbolt 3 and reasonable SSD pricing?
Come on help a brother out here…
Oh and while I’m in a “mood” – still hate you for killing Aperture – Lightroom just sucks (not as bad as I first thought but still sucks)
We miss you Steve!
Bleh, I want a decent GPU. I’d love to use an Oculus Rift. I’m actually just going to keep using my old 2013 MacBook Pro and build a desktop if we don’t see a compatible Mac Pro this WWDC. I’m drooling over the GTX-1080’s and Intel already has new processors coming out next month that’ll probably make these “new” Macs obsolete again.
Oculus is not coding for Macs. They’re all arrogant about ‘Macs don’t have good enough graphics cards!’ and yet many Macs DO. What’s going on is Oculus specifically coding for Windows. They may have not-a-clue how to code for Macs. So either they grow up and learn how to code for Macs or they face plant. Even on the PC side, there isn’t much praise for Oculus at the moment. From what I’m reading, the Rift is NOT Ready For Prime Time as of yet. IOW: Growing pains, as well as coding pains. At this rate, I’d say to check back in 2017.
Would LOVE for to support some sort of external GPU box like the Razor supports (never thought I’d be hoping did something Razor would do). Would love to have a box I could put an nVidia Card into and connect to my Macbook Pro via Thunderbolt 3…that would be the end of my need for non portable Macs. Pleeeeze . Even if you don’t want to make one don’t stop OWC from doing. Oculus Rift, high in GPU enabled processing…now that would be SWEET!
Sounds interesting, but why do we have to wait another 4-6 months? Also, I find it odd that they’d add a 13″ Macbook on top of the 12″ Macbook, alongside a 13″ Macbook Pro. At this point couldn’t they make a 14″ and 16″ Macbook Pro in the same footprint as the current 13″ and 15″ (smaller bezels!)? I think 14″ would be the real sweet spot for both portability and functionality, while 16″ would offer even more to those who appreciate the extra real estate and miss the 17″.
Apple has completely lost the script when it comes to laptops. Air means nothing anymore and the Pro label is so tarnished, I think they just need to start over.
How about this for a restart?
3 screen size MacBooks (12″, 14″, 16″) in thin aluminum
2 screen size MacBook Pros (15″, 17″) with superior specs in all measures in a thicker carbon fiber body. no overlap in pricing.
The screens and GPUs and connectors on the Pros should be state of the art and kept up to date. The entry level MacBook line can afford a slower refresh cycle that Timmy prefers.
Next, desktops. MUCH work needed there too…..
Sounds great to me. If rumors are true, Apple will be differentiating the iPhone line more than just by screen size and camera. Hopefully they can refresh their laptops as well.