MacBook Pro 2016 Release Date, News and Updates: What to Expect in the New Model; Rumored Specs, Features and Price
What will the MacBook Pro 2016 Lineup Bring to the Table?
The rumor mill has been stirring up with rumors regarding Apple's upcoming MacBook Pro 2016. Apple fans have been anticipating new innovations and drastic changes, as opposed to previous minute upgrades in the form factor.
Form Factor
Shallower curves around the edges are to be expected. This would then give the new MacBook Pro a sleeker overall design. It will also give off the impression of a smaller footprint, which would be ideal for the devices for an optimal screen to body ratio. Apple is also reportedly using specialized hinges for the new laptops. This would allow them to have a thinner overall form factor, which consequently makes for a lighter, more portable device.
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Variants
The MacBook Pro lineup has always come in variations. The 13- and 15-inch models would still be offered. In addition to display sizes, Apple may also offer variations in color, that being space gray, silver, and rose gold.
Input
The most interesting rumored technology coming to the MacBook Pro would have to be the OLED display touch bar sitting on top of the familiar keyboard. This touch bar is said to be replacing the age-old F functions above the number keys. This would also be fully customizable by the end user to suit whatever task or shortcut is needed. The controls will also adapt to whatever program is opened, so music controls would show if a music app is opened, for example.
There is also talk going around that the next gen MacBook Pro would feature a touchscreen display. With 2-in-1 devices flooding the market and the Surface Book being its toughest Microsoft competitor, making the display touchscreen capable and ultimately detachable would shake up the competition.
Touch ID and Next Gen SSDs
Touch ID has now become the standard initial security measure of many Apple devices. Being the highest-end of Apple's laptop range, the MacBook Pro is said to adopt the technology. It will be integrated to the power buttons, so powering on with one touch makes logging in safer and easier.
Also, with the MacBook Pro being marketed for its performance, lightning fast SSDs are predicted to be included. Intel's new Optane SSDs could make an appearance on the next gen lineup, but could also still be combined with the Fusion Drive hybrid technology.
Processors
Intel's new top-of-the-line Skylake chips would be powering most of the MacBook Pro models. This will give the laptops enough juice to power through any task. Also, models with powerful graphic processing would most likely pack the AMD Polaris.
USB-C
The first implementation of the USB-C in the MacBook last year was met with outrage due to the singular port for the whole device. The same technology is also rumored to be coming to the MacBook, allowing for faster data transfer speeds. While this would be a good idea, more than one port should be incorporated, as this port would be used for charging the device.
MacOS Sierra
The new universal operating system for Mac devices will be adopting the macOS Sierra out of the box. This software environment gives users a lot more features, accessibility options, and innovations for a more secure, customizable, and productive device.
Price and Release Date
For the price, Apple may stick to its already established range for the MacBook Pro lineup. The previous iteration 13-inch non-Retina display variant starts at $1,099, topping out at a thousand bucks more for the highest-end 15-inch Retina display variant. The premium pricing would be of good value though, given the lineup's upgraded specs. It is also expected to be released at the fourth quarter of 2016, nearing the end of October or early November.
