MacBook Pro 2016 Latest News, Release Date and Rumors: Next Apple Laptop Thinner and Lighter? Specs, Design and Most Likely Features
According to the latest reports, Apple has now shifted its focus entirely on its Mac line of products, now that their latest iPhones have already been introduced. If this is true, then fans should anticipate the early release of the much-awaited MacBook Pro 2016, which, according to numerous sources, will be announced by October 2016.
Specs and Design
So what are the rumored specs and design of the latest MacBook Pro? According to tech websites, the MacBook Pro 2016 will be lighter, sleeker and thinner. It will also come in a wider variety of colors, and will have a state-of-the-art hinge design.
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Fans are expecting major revamps on the design aspect of the MacBook Pro, since Apple hasn't made any significant changes in that aspect over the years.
Above the keyboard, a secondary OLED screen will be placed. This screen will serve as a place to readily access shortcuts to apps, function keys, the Touch ID sensor, etc.
MacBook Pro 2016 might use Kaby Lake processors of AMD Zen chips. It will also have a 5K Apple Display, or 5120 x 2880 pixels. Siri will also, for the first time outside Apple's mobile devices, be available for the MacBook.
No Headphone Jack
Some features that have been included (or excluded) in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus may carry over to the design of the MacBook Pro 2016. They are, after all, manufactured by the same company.
In particular, the MacBook Pro 2016 might botch the 3.5 mm headphone jack, which the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus did. By removing the jack, expect all succeeding Apple devices to do the same; using other alternatives like the Bluetooth powered Lightning earpods.
According to Phil Schiller, Apple marketing chief, "maintaining an ancient (more than 5 decades old), single-purpose, analogue, big connector doesn't make sense because that space is at a premium." Indeed, the space left by the headphone jack could be used for other purposes, like a second speaker.
Most Likely Features
According to Nate Swanner of The Next Web, rumors are not facts and some of the above-mentioned features, like OLED Touch Screen and Touch ID aren't likely to happen.
He adds, though, that the MacBook Pro 2016 will probably have "a slimmer design with Apple's new butterfly keyboard mechanism, four USB C ports and a Force Touch track pad." The device will also come in various colors and have 13" and 15" screen sizes.
Release Date
As mentioned above, the expected release date is October, but this could be pushed forward to the final quarter of 2016, or even the first quarter of 2017, especially if Apple decides to use Kaby Lake processors for the MacBook Pro 2016.
For now, there is no direct confirmation from the company itself that the latest version of the MacBook Pro will soon push through.
