Redesigned MacBook Pro 2016, 13-inch MacBook Air Confirmed for Imminent Release Date with Intel Skylake? (Photo : Martin Hajek)
As rumors fire up that Apple has scheduled the MacBook Pro 2016 for an October release date, speculations on the specs and feature upgrades to be delivered with the device also increase. It's likely that the refresh will not only include Intel Kaby Lake processing chip but also graphics rendering prowess courtesy of NVIDIA.
Such possibility was suggested in a new report by Bloomberg that pointed to the recent job postings from NVIDIA that involve software and hardware collaborations with Apple. Specifically, the talent search is looking for an engineer to take charge of "NVIDIA Mac graphics driver team." The description appears to hint of NVIDIA graphics soon becoming part of the Mac and MacBook lines, the report said.
In the three job postings advertised by the chipmaker, there were mentions too of the following: "To help produce the next revolutionary Apple products, working in partnership with Apple and writing code that will define and shape the future." The postings appear to suggest of long-term involvement by NVIDIA to Apple projects that likely are already underway.
However, Bloomberg made clear that both Apple and NVIDIA have not provided statements on the matter.
It should be noted that the latest information contradicts the earlier reports that in the case of the upcoming MacBook Pro 2016 upgrade, Apple plans to use AMD's Polaris 11 GPU that will be exclusive for the 15-inch high-end models. The graphics bump will also mark the Mac's huge CPU leap starting with the 2016 versions but it remains unclear what the main engine would be.
Analysts said it will be a toss between Skylake and Kaby Lake, both from Intel. Recent reports have indicated that the next Mac and MacBook GPU use will depend on when the products are touching down. If the MacBook Pro 2016, for instance will indeed come out in the next few months, it will be Skylake on board as Kaby Lake will not be ready to Apple's specifications until early 2017.
And it seems that Kaby Lake will not be the one powering the MacBook Pro 2016 as Forbes said in a report that mass production of the device has commenced and the release date will happen as early as October. That means it will be the duo of Skylake and macOS Sierra that will run the MacBook Pro 2016 show, which according to the same report will hit the road with the updated MacBook Air in tow.
