Ever since the MacBook Pro line made significant departures from its winning formula with the introduction of the Touch Bar and the removal of MagSafe charging, people have been clamoring for a return to form. Last year’s M1-powered MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro were a step in the right direction — as was the revised M1 Mac Mini — but there’s still room to revitalize the “Pro” in MacBook Pro. That is a big part of what’s expected at Apple’s next event, dubbed “Unleashed,” which is scheduled for Monday, October 18th, at 1PM ET / 10AM PT.
The rumors have been widespread that Apple will be refreshing its 16-inch MacBook Pro with its own silicon and that a new 14-inch MacBook Pro will be the proper successor to the old 13-inch models long left behind with their MagSafe plugs, SD card slots, and an array of versatile I/O. With new MacBook Pros might also come a new, super-powered Mac Mini that sports a revised design, as well as a third generation of the standard AirPods.
Regardless of what’s announced, The Verge will keep you updated on all the latest news and announcements to be “Unleashed” by Apple on October 18th, including all the rumors and news leading up to the virtual event.
Aug 23, 2021
Higher-end Mac Mini reportedly landing ‘in the next several months’
The port configuration on the current M1 Mac Mini. Photo by Chris Welch / The VergeApple is planning a new model of the Mac Mini that will replace the pro-focused Intel-based model it still sells, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter. A “high-end, M1X Mac Mini” is expected “in the next several months,” and is said to have “an updated design and more ports than the current model.”
Read Article >Apple released a Mac Mini with its own M1 processor late last year, but that model was intended as a replacement for the entry-level machines, and consequently had fewer ports than the higher-end Intel version introduced in 2018. The M1 Mini has two fewer Thunderbolt ports, only one of which can be used for an external display, although a second monitor can still be hooked up over HDMI.
Jul 21, 2021
Apple AirPods update to arrive later this year with iPhone SE refresh coming 2022: report
The third-generation AirPods will reportedly have a shorter stem than current models (above). Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The VergeApple will start production on updated AirPods next month, with plans to launch the third-generation earbuds later this year, according to a report from Nikkei. It’s the latest rumor regarding Apple’s product schedule, which will reportedly include an all-5G iPhone line-up in 2022, including a revamped iPhone SE sporting the as-yet-unannounced A15 processor.
Read Article >A refresh of Apple’s entry-level AirPods have been rumored for a while now, with previous generations launched in 2016 and 2019. Back in May, Bloomberg reported that the earbuds will have a design similar to the AirPods Pro, with “a new case and shorter stems poking out of the bottom of each one.” If Nikkei is right about production starting next month, we can expect to see the new-look AirPods revealed alongside the iPhone 13 this September.
May 18, 2021
Apple’s redesigned MacBook Pros with next-gen in-house chips could arrive early this summer
Apple’s first computer with its new M1 in-house chip, the 2021 MacBook Air, exceeded our expectations. Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The VergeThe performance of Apple’s M1 chips exceeded our expectations and made the 2020 MacBook Air the most impressive laptop we’ve used in years (it’s also done wonders for the redesigned iMac). So it’s not too surprising, as per Bloomberg News this morning, that Apple is readying a whole slate of Macs using next-gen versions of the company’s in-house chips. The details sound very promising.
Read Article >The story, from reliable Apple-watcher Mark Gurman, says the company is preparing to unveil redesigned MacBook Pros in 14-inch and 16-inch screen sizes “as early as this summer.” Not only will the machines have a redesigned chassis, but they’ll also bring back the beloved magnetic MagSafe charger (though it’s not clear in what form) and previously excised inputs like the HDMI port and SD card slot.
Jan 15, 2021
2021 MacBook Pro will ditch the Touch Bar and bring back MagSafe, say reports
Photo by Alexander Kramer for The VergeApple is planning a major MacBook Pro redesign for the third quarter of 2021, according to a research note written by TF International Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo and reported on by MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and Apple Insider. Kuo calls it the first major redesign of the MacBook Pro since the introduction of the current generation in 2016. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has followed up with a report corroborating many of the same details.
Read Article >The new MacBook Pro is said to have squared-off sides like the iPad Pro and the iPhone 12; the current laptop already has sharp edges, but it sounds like the top and bottom panels are going to be flatter than before as well. The new model will reportedly come in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes both featuring Apple-designed Arm processors, with no Intel options. Kuo says the laptops will use a similar heat pipe system to the current 16-inch MacBook Pro, giving more thermal headroom and enabling higher performance. Bloomberg reports that the new models will have “brighter, higher contrast” displays.
Oct 26, 2020
Apple reportedly plans revamped AirPods for as early as next year
Photo by Chris Welch / The VergeApple is developing revamped versions of its AirPods and AirPods Pro true wireless earbuds, Bloomberg reports, the first of which could be announced as early as next year. Both will reportedly feature new designs, as well as upgraded wireless chips. Bloomberg also notes that Apple’s long-rumored over-ear headphones are still in development, and that the company has internally discussed plans to introduce a third HomePod speaker to sit between the $299 HomePod and the newly-announced $99 HomePod mini.
Read Article >According to the report, Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro could ditch the stem that has been a hallmark of the AirPods’ design since their introduction in 2016. They’ll reportedly still feature noise-cancellation, but with a design that’s more similar to the likes of Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Plus, or Google’s Pixel Buds. Fitting everything into a smaller housing has been a challenge for the company, Bloomberg reports, meaning this design could change.