Tuesday, April 21, 2020

MacBook Pro 2020: 13-inch refresh could still be coming very soon

MacBook Pro 2020
Credit: Zhang Peng/LightRocket (via Getty Images)

The MacBook Pro 2020 looks to be drawing ever nearer – with proven sources expecting a launch as soon as next month. But, will fans of the 13-inch Pro form factor get everything they desire?

Fans of the 13-inch MacBook Pro have watched in anguish as the MacBook Pro 16 and MacBook Air 2020 were released over the past year – getting a ton of features that MacBook fans have long wanted changing.

A big hope for the new 13-inch (or, maybe, 14-inch) is picking up the new Magic Keyboard. The current butterfly switch keyboard has been widely derided but, thankfully, recently released MacBooks have acquired new scissor switches – significantly enhancing the typing experience.

As we just teased, there’s also been some speculation about the size of the display. Rumours suggest a new 13-inch MacBook Pro could squeeze in a 14-inch display, similar to what happened with the previously 15-inch MacBook Pro 16. Along with a new size, new display technology might just make its way onto some new Apple devices too.

We’ve collated all these rumours and additional speculation surrounding an upcoming MacBook Pro into one handy Trusted Reviews guide. Read on for a complete breakdown on all you need to know about the MacBook Pro 2020.

Related: Best Laptop 2020

MacBook Pro 2020 release date – When will it launch?

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has been fairly consistent in declaring a Q2 2020 release date for a new 13-inch MacBook Pro. However, with global supply chains affected by the current COVID-19 situation, there remains uncertainty over many product releases.

Nevertheless, a new source has stepped in to reaffirm Kuo’s notions. YouTuber and leaker Jon Prosser (via MacRumors) has also slated a Q2 release for the new MacBook Pro, narrowing the date down to a specific month:

Prosser has previously reported information on Google products that have turned out to be accurate, only recently turning his attention to Apple. While Prosser’s tweet corroborates Ming-Chi Kuo’s assessment of the release plan, you can’t ignore the line: “if everything goes well…”.

However, Prosser recently doubled-down on his “next month” prediction with another tweet about the impending launch:

We will have to see if everything does indeed go well and will likely be waiting on an official Apple announcement before we can know for sure if the release date will stick to the expected Q2 plan.

Related: MacBook Air 2020 vs MacBook Pro 2019

MacBook Pro 2020 price – How much will it cost?

The MacBook Pro 2020 price is unconfirmed – with the release of the laptop itself not yet announced.

With rumours of a significant display upgrade (via analyst Ming-Chi Kuo), we could be set for a price rise – however, this remains speculation at this stage.

Conversely, Apple is known for keeping the prices of new models the same as the previous generation – having refrained from lowering the cost throughout the products lifecycle.

The current 13-inch MacBook Pro pricing begins at £1299 for the 1.4GHz processor model with the 2.4GHz version starting at £1799.

Related: MacBook Air 2020 vs MacBook Air 2019

MacBook Pro 2020 keyboard

MacBook Pro 13 2019

Apple fans have been long crying out for an updated keyboard. Thankfully, the company obliged with the recently released MacBook Pro 16-inch. Fans of the smaller MacBook Pro 13-inch will now be hoping the change makes its way down in 2020.

The technology saw Apple seemingly give up on its butterfly switch keyboard and return to a scissor switch-based version – called the Magic Keyboard.

Related: Best MacBook Air alternatives

MacBook Pro 2020 display

A report from Ming-Chi Kuo (via 9to5Mac) has reiterated the notion that the new MacBook Pro will feature a new 14.1-inch display.

Along with the change in screen size, Kuo says Apple is set to adopt new Mini LED display technology across a variety of its products – including a new 14.1-inch MacBook Pro for 2020. Mini LED enables the development of thinner and lighter devices with little effect on screen quality.

The rumours and analyst reports of this change are widespread and come from some notable sources. However, it must be noted that Apple exec Phil Schiller appeared to somewhat contradict these rumours by suggesting customers shouldn’t extrapolate the reasoning behind the bigger screen on the MacBook Pro 16-inch down to the smaller model. 

Schiller’s meaning isn’t crystal clear though, and that’s why the 14-inch rumours show no sign of slowing down.

Related: Best student laptops

MacBook Pro 2020 performance

Apple’s current 13-inch MacBook Pro is lagging in the processor stakes, sporting an Intel 8th Gen processor. Thankfully, a new leak has further reaffirmed what many already believed – that 10th Gen Ice Lake processors are coming to MacBook Pro 2020.

The recent release of the MacBook Air 2020, which sports the 10th Gen Intel Ice Lake specs, further adds weight to the notion that the new 2020 MacBook Pro model is sure to adopt these latest chips.

All other specs options will likely remain similar to what is on offer now. There is the possibility that Apple could drop the 128GB base model for the refresh with some believing that to be a little too small of a storage solution for modern users.

While it should maybe be reserved for a piece on a MacBook 2021, Apple has long been expected to release an ARM-based MacBook and a report this week from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reaffirmed that it’s on the horizon.

The post MacBook Pro 2020: 13-inch refresh could still be coming very soon appeared first on Trusted Reviews.



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