Apple supply chain readying for third quarter 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro release
The supply chain appears to be prepping itself for a September debut of new Apple Silicon computers, with the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro expected to debut in the third quarter of 2021.
Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro
According to sources within the supply chain, Apple has validated two new suppliers for mini-LED components. As part of a paywalled report, DigiTimes claims that the backlight components from the new suppliers are intended for a "third quarter" release of new Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models, and not the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Suppliers Zhen Ding and Tripod have reportedly completed validation and yield checks, and will start ramping up production to meed production needs to meet Apple's timetable. Given that the checks are said to have just completed, it isn't precisely clear when in the third quarter the products will launch, but given historical lead times on component shipments intended for a sub-assembly like a screen that will be used for a finished product, a release of the new MacBook Pro at an Apple September event seems probable, versus one in July or August.
Apple reportedly plans to offer both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with two different processor options. Reportedly codenamed "Jade C-Chop" and "Jade C-Die," they both feature eight high-performance cores, and two energy-efficient ones.
These 10-core processor versions will vary by having either 16, or 32 graphics cores. The new processors are also said to feature an improved Neural Engine.
Both new MacBook Pro models will come with a redesigned chassis that, as previously predicted, includes a MagSafe charger port, HDMI, and SD card support.
The two models are also said to support up to 64GB of Unified RAM, up from the present maximum limit of 16GB. They will offer more Thunderbolt ports than present Apple Silicon computers do.
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Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro
According to sources within the supply chain, Apple has validated two new suppliers for mini-LED components. As part of a paywalled report, DigiTimes claims that the backlight components from the new suppliers are intended for a "third quarter" release of new Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models, and not the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Suppliers Zhen Ding and Tripod have reportedly completed validation and yield checks, and will start ramping up production to meed production needs to meet Apple's timetable. Given that the checks are said to have just completed, it isn't precisely clear when in the third quarter the products will launch, but given historical lead times on component shipments intended for a sub-assembly like a screen that will be used for a finished product, a release of the new MacBook Pro at an Apple September event seems probable, versus one in July or August.
Apple reportedly plans to offer both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with two different processor options. Reportedly codenamed "Jade C-Chop" and "Jade C-Die," they both feature eight high-performance cores, and two energy-efficient ones.
These 10-core processor versions will vary by having either 16, or 32 graphics cores. The new processors are also said to feature an improved Neural Engine.
Both new MacBook Pro models will come with a redesigned chassis that, as previously predicted, includes a MagSafe charger port, HDMI, and SD card support.
The two models are also said to support up to 64GB of Unified RAM, up from the present maximum limit of 16GB. They will offer more Thunderbolt ports than present Apple Silicon computers do.
Keep up with everything Apple in the weekly AppleInsider Podcast -- and get a fast news update from AppleInsider Daily. Just say, "Hey, Siri," to your HomePod mini and ask for these podcasts, and our latest HomeKit Insider episode too.If you want an ad-free main AppleInsider Podcast experience, you can support the AppleInsider podcast by subscribing for $5 per month through Apple's Podcasts app, or via Patreon if you prefer any other podcast player.
Comments
looks good so far!
So which is it? 10-cores or 12?
This And it could be both by offering a couple different tiers on the M1X.
Hell, they could put all ports on the brick, and just have the MagSafe on the MBP itself. I mean, that would be going a bit far, but it does improve the structural integrity of the unit.
Why would you be worried about an HDMI port or an SD card slot? If you don't use them, just ignore them. If you use and external display less than 5k the HDMI port would be useful. The 3 main uses for the USB C port are charging, external storage and an external display. HDMI is far and away the most common interface for external displays, so it makes perfect sense to include it on a laptop.
I imagine they'd hit some severe thermal issues though, thunderbolt hubs can get pretty hot anyway without a MacBook Pro grade PSU in there, and it'd also need to be a dual or quad thunderbolt hub. Also, it'd probably mean a PSU/hub replacement would be $300+, and with a significantly bigger footprint, which would be a portability issue.
I very much doubt they'll put anything more than ethernet on it, if even that.
Want the same configuration on the new one as my last - best CPU, GPU, 32 GB RAM, and 2 TB SSD (and a luscious mini-LED display).
Hoping for something like Face ID, but will be fine with a 1080p camera.
I wonder if it'll beat my 2020 iMac 5K for transcodes, using the M1x instead of the VideoToolbox IP blocks on the T2.
The key is to find a balance between minimising the number and size of holes in the side of the laptop, and maximising connectivity. That's why going from one each of a half dozen single use ports to 4 multi-purpose ports was actually a good idea. Especially when they went with USB-C which is smaller than most of the ports it was replacing.
In any event, I'm just guessing at what they might do, based on reports like the one in the article, my personal preferences, and what they've done most recently. Apple could end up doing something else entirely, which even Ming Chi Kuo hasn't guessed at.