MacBook Air 2020 on the left versus the 13-inch MacBook Pro 2020 on the right.
Todd Haselton | CNBC
MFI-Chi Kuo of TFI, one of Apple’s top analysts, said in a statement Friday that Apple will launch two new MacBook Pro models with 14- and 16-inch screens this year, a new design and the return of charging ports. MagSafe.
MagSafe charging appeared in MacBook models before Apple switched to USB-C charging in recent years. People like it because the cable comes in and out easily, preventing the risk of damaging the laptop if someone pulls the cord. Apple recently revived the MagSafe brand with the latest iPhone 12 models, which are charged with a magnetic puck that attaches to the back of the phones.
“The MacBook Pro hasn’t changed the form factor design in five years,” Kuo said. “We believe that the launch of two new MacBook Pro design models in 3Q21 will attract consumer attention and increase demand for replacement.”
Apple Mac revenue grew 28% year-over-year in October, when the company reported fourth-quarter fiscal gains for 2020. There was a clear increase in demand as people work from home due to the continued spread of Covid-19. Apple also launched the first computers with its new M1 chip at the end of 2020. However, the computers look the same as previous models, and the MacBook Pro took a long time for a design change.
Kuo said Apple plans to get rid of the curved edges and will adopt clearer lines, making the edges look a little more like the angular edges of the iPhone 12, iPad Air and iPad Pro. Kuo said Apple will remove the touch bar, which allows people to touch shortcuts on a touch screen at the top of the keyboard.
“Benefiting from the demand to replace the new models, we estimate that total MacBook deliveries will increase significantly by 25-30% annually to 20 million units in 2021,” Kuo said in the note.