Kuo: Apple Silicon Macs to Include 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air This Year, 14.1-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro Models Next Year

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At last month's WWDC, Apple officially announced that its Mac computers will be transitioned from Intel x86 to homegrown Apple Silicon chips. Apple said it plans to deliver the first ‌Apple Silicon‌ Mac by the end of the year and complete the transition in about two years.

14 16 inch MBP Comparison
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, a 13.3-inch MacBook Pro with a form factor similar to the current 13.3-inch MacBook Pro could be the first Mac to get an Arm-based chip designed by Apple. In March, Kuo predicted this new MacBook Pro will launch late in 2020 or early in 2021.

In a research note with TF International Securities today, seen by MacRumors, Kuo said he expects the ‌Apple Silicon‌ 13.3-inch MacBook Pro to go into mass production in the fourth quarter of this year, but he also now predicts we will see an Arm-based MacBook Air either in the same quarter or in the first quarter of next year.

Kuo still believes that Apple intends to launch a mini-LED 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ and a 14.1-inch MacBook Pro, also with a mini-LED display, but these will likely arrive in the second or third quarter of 2021, and intriguingly, both will have an "all-new form factor design." Previous rumors suggested an updated 16-inch MacBook Pro could arrive this year in October or November.

We predict that Apple will launch new MacBook models including the new 13.3-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the Apple Silicon in 4Q20, the new MacBook Air equipped with the Apple Silicon in 4Q20 or 1Q21, and new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models equipped with the Apple Silicon and all-new form factor design in late 2Q21 or 3Q21.

Kuo made no mention in today's report of the ‌Apple Silicon‌ iMac he previously predicted. Apple is still expected to launch a redesigned ‌iMac‌ this year, although it's not expected to be an ‌Apple Silicon‌ machine.

In the same report, Kuo predicts that MacBook shipments in 2020 are expected to increase to 16–17 million units. Kuo also said that under optimistic circumstances, if Apple lowered the price of the new ‌MacBook Air‌ to reflect a cost reduction, and if demand was high for the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, shipment volume could increase significantly next year to 18-20 million units.

Related Roundups: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro 14 & 16"
Tags: Apple Silicon Guide, Ming-Chi Kuo
Buyer's Guide: 13" MacBook Air (Neutral), 14" & 16" MacBook Pro (Caution)
Related Forums: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro

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Top Rated Comments

ijbond Avatar
ijbond
53 months ago
I was hoping for a 14" Intel MacBook Pro.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wyarp Avatar
wyarp
53 months ago

As an owner of MBP 16”, the bezel on the iMac looks like a 20 year old tech. They have got to update that ASAP
Every single iMac I have ever worked on has always and CONTINUES to look, MILES better than any PC equivalent. I really could not care less about bezels or not, as a piece of product design, something sat on a desk, it is STILL iconic and streets ahead of the competition. Fact.


Exaggerate much? Here's a 2000 iMac:

https://apple-history.com/dvse2000
An let's not forget the PC equivalent!



Attachment Image
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gnasher729 Avatar
gnasher729
53 months ago

As an owner of MBP 16”, the bezel on the iMac looks like a 20 year old tech. They have got to update that ASAP
Exaggerate much? Here's a 2000 iMac:

https://apple-history.com/dvse2000
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ma2k5 Avatar
Ma2k5
53 months ago

None of this points to a ‘fast transition’, boldly luring power and professional users.

This will be a slow burn. This is quite different to the PowerPC to Intel move which opened up the Mac to a whole new audience.

Apple will need to prove their new machines are worthy upgrading to and not just on power: they will need to be aesthetically desirable.
Considering even the most premium windows laptops are plagued with issues due to the current Intel chips which have stifled innovation in terms of performance and form factor - I think it will be an easy task.

Battery size, throttling, thermals and noise are all not ideal due to the perf per watt of these Intel machines.

Truthfully I can’t wait to have a laptop which doesn’t need to go 80-100c to do basic tasks.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
makarama Avatar
makarama
53 months ago
I was planning to avoid the first gen arm MacBook, but now I have one additional reason to do so. And that is a second gen armed MacBook Pro 14 inch. Really, I don't recommend anyone buying the arm MacBook 13 inch at the end of this year given the fact that the new 14 inch model will have better thermals, mini LED screen, one year more of arm development etc etc.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sotov Avatar
sotov
53 months ago
I don't believe Apple's first ARM laptop will not have an updated design. This transition is too important. A 13" or 14" update along the lines of the 16" seems to suggest itself.

What I really want though is a 12" powerhouse with excellent battery life.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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