Redesigned MacBook Pro 2016, 13-inch MacBook Air Confirmed for Imminent Release Date with Intel Skylake? (Photo : Martin Hajek)
It is unlikely that the MacBook Pro 2016 release date will happen at the same time with that of the iPhone 7 intro in September but a new report claimed that the next-generation MBPs will come out boasting of AMD Polaris 11 GPU with console-class and virtual reality or VR capabilities and multiple USB-C ports.
Pointing to a Bloomberg report as source, MacRumors said the new MacBook Pros are nearing the final testing phase and ready to rock and roll in the next few months. The high-end notebook, in fact, has been in testing since this early 2016 and all specifications and feature upgrades have been largely finalized.
The report confirmed an earlier forecast issued by Apple watcher Ming-chi Kuo, that the MacBook Pro 20-16 has been subjected to a major redesign and come the unboxing time will be the tech giant's top of the line ultraportable offering.
"The new MacBook Pros have a smaller footprint than current models and the casing has shallower curves around the edges. The pressure-sensitive trackpad is also slightly wider," the Bloomberg report was quoted by MacRumors as saying.
But while the new information did not touch in the rumors that it will be Intel Kaby Lake instead of Skylake that will power the devices under the hood, it revealed that the new MacBook Pros are fully-equipped for high-end productivity and gaming.
"Apple is using one of AMD's Polaris graphics chips because the design offers the power efficiency and thinness necessary to fit inside the slimmer Apple notebook," the report said. The specific provider of the graphic card remains unknown though.
It is likely that the AMD GPU for use with the MacBook Pro is of the Polaris 11 architecture, which indicates that the devices are geared up for "console-class GPU performance ... and extraordinary VR experiences," MacRumors said.
Another key feature upgrade is the inclusion of multiple USB-C ports, which the report said "can handle charging, data transfers and display outputs." This align with the rumors that the upcoming MacBook Pro will feature up to four USB-C port, all embedded with Thunderbolt.
The same Bloomberg report also confirmed that OLED touch bar or strip will be part of the deal. The feature, Apple Insider said, "will display context-sensitive commands, potential examples including playback options for iTunes or cut and paste actions for word processors." It's a possibility too that the OLED functions can be expanded via future MacOS upgrades.
Speculations are rife that Apple will opt for simultaneous unveiling of the iPhone 7 and MacBook Pro 2016 in September but MacRumors is convinced that revelation for the latter will happen in October with the actual release date to follow no later than November.
