Scissor-switch keyboards tipped for 13-inch MacBook Pro in 2020
Apple's updated scissor-switch keyboard for the 16-inch MacBook Pro could make an appearance in its smaller counterpart, the 13-inch MacBook Pro, with a report claiming the mechanism could land on the model during the first half of 2020.
The recently-launched 16-inch MacBook Pro's headline feature may have been the larger display, but the keyboard has garnered a considerable amount of attention due to its changed mechanism. Apple switched from using its butterfly mechanism to a scissor-switch style version it uses on the Magic Keyboard for desktop Macs, as well as in older MacBook Pro releases.
It is claimed by industry sources of DigiTimes that Apple is preparing to update the 13-inch MacBook Pro in a number of ways, but chiefly it would use the scissor-switch mechanism instead of butterfly. The report, spotted by MacRumors, also suggested the display would stay at 13.3 inches rather than upgrading to 14 inches, though that is still a possibility, while Wistron and Global Lighting Technologies are identified as likely suppliers for the keyboards.
The timing of the supposed update in the first half of 2020 is somewhat close to a prediction from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in late October, who suggested the mechanism would be used in an unidentified MacBook in the second or early third quarter of 2020. Kuo first suggested Apple would move away from butterfly switches in a late July report, with the 16-inch model the first to benefit before others in the MacBook Pro line, then eventually the MacBook Air.
So far, reviews for the new keyboard are favorable, with the keys generally quieter than their butterfly equivalent in the 15-inch MacBook Pro. There is also more actuation, with the new model offering a millimeter of travel versus the 0.6mm to 0.7mm on the 2016-style keyboard.
An initial teardown of the keys indicated there was a lot of extra space inside the switch mechanism, which means it is less likely to be affected by debris, as well as having more strength in the clips attaching the thicker keycaps in place.
The recently-launched 16-inch MacBook Pro's headline feature may have been the larger display, but the keyboard has garnered a considerable amount of attention due to its changed mechanism. Apple switched from using its butterfly mechanism to a scissor-switch style version it uses on the Magic Keyboard for desktop Macs, as well as in older MacBook Pro releases.
It is claimed by industry sources of DigiTimes that Apple is preparing to update the 13-inch MacBook Pro in a number of ways, but chiefly it would use the scissor-switch mechanism instead of butterfly. The report, spotted by MacRumors, also suggested the display would stay at 13.3 inches rather than upgrading to 14 inches, though that is still a possibility, while Wistron and Global Lighting Technologies are identified as likely suppliers for the keyboards.
The timing of the supposed update in the first half of 2020 is somewhat close to a prediction from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in late October, who suggested the mechanism would be used in an unidentified MacBook in the second or early third quarter of 2020. Kuo first suggested Apple would move away from butterfly switches in a late July report, with the 16-inch model the first to benefit before others in the MacBook Pro line, then eventually the MacBook Air.
So far, reviews for the new keyboard are favorable, with the keys generally quieter than their butterfly equivalent in the 15-inch MacBook Pro. There is also more actuation, with the new model offering a millimeter of travel versus the 0.6mm to 0.7mm on the 2016-style keyboard.
An initial teardown of the keys indicated there was a lot of extra space inside the switch mechanism, which means it is less likely to be affected by debris, as well as having more strength in the clips attaching the thicker keycaps in place.
Comments
> would it fit in the Air
Quite likely.
But I wonder if, when they get to the Air, they might opt instead to keep the screen the same size and instead make the chassis smaller (but retain same battery thanks to whatever magic they just came up with). Any differentiation between the Air and the 13" Pro is good for the lineup, and it would fill that skinny little void that the 12" Macbook used to occupy. I'd certainly prefer that to a larger-screen-Air.
In the Apple store yesterday I compared the newer MBP 16" keyboard w/the MBP 13" keyboard and yes it has a more travel but beyond that I personally don't find it a huge improvement. In fact, the keys are now thicker and though they look fine on my magic keyboard aesthetically they look kind of clunky an out of place on a MBP.
you would only buy a 13 MBP now if you had no choice. Otherwise wait.
I think it's pretty obvious that the 13" (14") is going to go under the same revisions as the 16" that just replaced the entire 15" line at the same price point, minus the dGPU.
Not sure what will happen down the line with the Air but I would expect the same across the entire line of notebooks and even the iMac (mic, speakers, etc).
Compare to the 16" the 13" is now overpriced on base specs alone not including all of the other upgrades like the speakers, mic, battery, cooling, esc key, keyboard.
They either need to give the 13" the same makeover or drop the price and include the new keyboard and esc key.
13" - 4-core i7, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD = $2,499
16" - 6-core i7, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD with dGPU 5300M 4GB = $2,399
I could be wrong but the chassis has changed in size or materials almost every year. It might only be mm but it's a change. The last major redesign was late 2008.
Better base specs at a lower price would be the icing on the cake for such a machine and the rumoured release date would fit very well with the also rumoured spring SE.
I was curious about my gradual increase in size (while maintaining a notebook and not desiring a tablet) so I looked ate the specs for all my old Macs in MacTracker. It looks like weight is the primary constant. That 12" PB was 4.6 lb, the 13" MBP was 4.5", the 15" MBPs were between 4.46 and 4.02 lb, and this 16" MBP is 4.3 lb, which should be fine despite going up a little.
Thickness also came down when I went to a larger display so perhaps it's also about portability there, too, even though volume was probably still increased overall device thinner profile and lower weight.
It is amazing. Honestly, most of Apple’s engineering is amazing - just look at the evolution of the iPhone.