The MacBook Pro 2016 is another highly anticipated device from Apple. Fans were disappointed when it failed to show up during the Sept. 7 event where the iPhone 7 was unveiled to the public. Now it is speculated again to show up next month on another media event.
Rhoda Alexander, Tablet and Notebook PCs Director at IHS Markit Technology, mentioned in a report by Forbes that Apple will be releasing two MacBook Pro models and one MacBook Air model really soon. She said, "Production started in the second calendar quarter on refreshes of the 13.3-inch and 15.4-inch MacBook Pro [and] the 13.3-inch MacBook Air." She also went on to say that "products will launch in late September or October of 2016."
Given the time that the manufacturing process began for the upcoming laptops, there is a very slim chance that the new models will be carrying Intel's Kaby Lake processor. Thus, it would have to settle with the Skylake chips, but it will still be faster compared to the current models.
The Kaby Lake processor is equipped with a much-improved graphics architecture that would offer great performance in 3D graphics and 4K video playback. It will also have native USB 3.1 and HDCP 2.2 support.
The MacBook Pro 2016 is surmised to be thinner and lighter than the last model. It will have USB Type-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports. A Touch ID fingerprint recognition technology, incorporated in the power button is also expected to arrive with the device, according to Mac World.
MacBook aficionados are excited to see the OLED touch bar which is said to be situated between the keyboard and the hinge area. It is said that this will replace the traditional function keys. The touch bar will be customizable and will change accordingly with the application that is active on the screen.
A 3.5 mm headphone jack, cellular 4G connectivity, an Apple Pencil-compatible trackpad, and a better-looking screen (through pixel density increase) are also expected to arrive with the upcoming notebook. However, there will not be many changes to its physical design. The Butterfly key mechanism for its keyboard is also expected to return in the upgraded model.
In the meantime, fans are simply waiting for an official announcement from Apple with regards to the MacBook Pro 2016.
