Skip to main content

The redesigned 16-inch MacBook Pro may have been delayed to 2020

Apple’s overhauled MacBook Pro, as well as the next iPad Pro, likely won’t arrive this year as previously expected. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who’s generally spot-on regarding upcoming Apple devices, claims they won’t arrive until the first quarter of 2020.

This new report goes contrary to much of the rumors (including reporting from Kuo himself) that pointed toward a late Fall launch. It should be noted that a Spring launch would be unprecedented in Apple’s typical release cycle for a redesigned MacBook Pro.

Concept by Viktor Kadar

Previous rumors indicate that the new MacBook Pro’s design features an edge-to-edge screen akin to the latest iPad Pro. The screen itself reportedly measures up to 16 inches sporting bezels thick enough to house the Face ID camera.

Another notable feature, according to rumors, is that it ditches the butterfly mechanism used in the current MacBook keyboard. This design has a hinge in the middle to form a “V” that’s prone to collect dust, dirt, and food particles. Despite three generations and Apple’s efforts to eliminate failure rates, butterfly key issues persist.

Apple’s new MacBook Pro will supposedly move from the troublesome butterfly design to a scissor-style mechanism. This scissor design uses glass fiber to create an “X,” promising better durability. Due to the design’s thickness, however, these keys will have a longer travel distance that may not be noticed by some.

On the iPad Pro front, the next generation is rumored to feature a similar triple-camera setup used on the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. It will also supposedly include a new 3D Time of Flight sensor on the back to enhance photo quality and augmented reality.

A Time of Flight sensor measures the amount of time LEDs and lasers use to bounce off objects. This measurement calculates distance and provides a 3D map of the surrounding area to increase focus speed and clarity. Kuo expects this sensor to provide better results than the TrueDepth camera currently used in the latest iPads and iPhones.

Lastly, in his notes to customers, Kuo has stated the new iPad Pro will rely on a Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) Soft Board instead of the traditional printed circuit board.

Editors' Recommendations

Kevin Parrish
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then…
Why you should buy a MacBook Air instead of a MacBook Pro
The MacBook Air on a table in front of a window.

The MacBook Air has officially caught up. Now with the M3 on board, the MacBook Air has gained the benefits of the new chip, which was previously available just on the MacBook Pro and iMac.

Choosing between the M3 15-inch MacBook Air and the 14-inch MacBook Pro is tough, and requires an in-depth look at differences in ports, displays, speakers, and more. It's a legitimately hard decision to make.

Read more
The MacBook Air 15 vs. MacBook Pro 14: the easy way to decide
Apple's 15-inch MacBook Air placed on a desk with its lid closed.

Picking out a new MacBook isn't as easy as it used to be.

The hardest choice in the lineup might be between the 15-inch MacBook Air and the 14-inch MacBook Pro. Both are now offered with the same M3 chip, despite there being a $300 difference in the base models. But when similarly configured, there's actually only a $100 difference between these two laptops.

Read more
I needed to buy a new MacBook. Here’s why I bought a power bank instead
Baseus Blade 2 65W power bank for laptops kept on a green couch.

I rely on a 13-inch MacBook Pro from 2020 for most of my work. Despite its age and being a base variant model, it continues to stack up well against my expectations for all these years.

Since MacBooks are known for longevity, the fact that my MacBook Pro still holds up well a few years later shouldn't sound surprising. However, the first signs of aging recently arrived in the form of a warning about the battery's plummeting health. I was already dreading the idea of having to replace what was otherwise a perfectly good laptop.

Read more