Apple is rumored to keep the 13-inch MacBook Pro alive with a refreshed model that could launch as soon as next month. The updated notebook is expected to be one of the first Mac devices to ship with the M2 Apple silicon, sans design changes.
The M2 chipset has been rumored for a while now, and it appears to be launching in more devices — an earlier — than previously expected. A new report from MacRumors, citing a previously reliable source, claims that an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro is slated to be announced at Apple’s spring launch event.
It is expected to be a direct successor of the currently available 13-inch MacBook Pro. That means the biggest change Apple fans can expect is the new SoC. The upcoming laptop is expected to look identical to the M1-powered laptop released in 2020, which means the Touch Bar will still be present, and there will be no display notch. It is also not expected to receive other key updates included in the 2021 MacBook Pros, including the 120Hz ProMotion-supported screen.
This is not the first time that a new MacBook Pro with a smaller screen and powered by M2 was reported. Earlier this month, DigiTimes noted that Apple suppliers have kept their operations up to speed even during the Lunar New Year because the company is slated to release a new Mac notebook soon.
So far, there are conflicting reports on the next 13-inch MacBook Pro’s design and features. MacRumors pointed out that the source of their latest scoop is the same insider who accurately reported the 2021 MacBook Pros’ display notch very shortly before they were announced last October. At this point, it is still best to take this information with a grain of salt.
The good news is Apple fans might soon learn the true specs and features of the next 13-inch MacBook Pro as Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman previously reported that the tech giant’s spring launch event will happen on March 8. Aside from new Mac devices, Apple is expected to unveil the new iPhone SE with 5G network and a new iteration of the iPad Air with an upgraded chipset.
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