If you don’t have to have attended Polytechnique to know that Apple is actively preparing a refresh of the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros released in 2021 with an all-new design and a MiniLED screen, on the other hand we already have some clues about the new features that the We can wait for the 2023 models. Besides a new M2 chip in Pro and Max variants, future laptops could get other changes. This article will be updated over time, according to leaks and rumors.
Design and connectivity
Apple just updated the design of the lineup with the 2021 launch of the M1 Pro and M1 Max machines, and the company generally uses the same design for several years.
Apple is still based on an aluminum unibody design, but the shape has been changed to be flatter and less curved. The machines include an all-black keyboard, a large Force Touch trackpad, and two speaker grilles on the side of the keyboard.
Current MacBook Pro models feature mini-LED displays with ProMotion technology, thin 3.5mm bezels at the top and bottom of the display, and a notch that houses the 1080p webcam. MagSafe and HDMI ports have been reintroduced, while the Touch Bar has said goodbye. In 2023, MacBook Pros aren’t expected to change much here, aside from the arrival of WiFi 6E and likely 5G capability. At best, Apple will offer a new blue color as on the MacBook Air M2.
M2 Pro and M2 Max chips
While the design won’t evolve, the changes will mostly be found under the hood, with Apple planning to use the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips in upgraded MacBook Pro models. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the M2 Max chip will offer a 12-core processor, compared to 10 for the M1 Max, as well as a 38-core GPU, compared to 32 currently.
The M2 Max will support up to 64 GB of unified memory (RAM), as currently.
OLED or MiniLED?
Apple is working on OLED displays for its future devices, including MacBook Pro models. Some rumors have suggested that Apple could introduce OLED displays on Macs and iPads as early as 2022, but more recent information has indicated that the display technology won’t arrive until 2024. So that seems unlikely on 2023 MacBook Pros, especially since this would already make the 2021 models obsolete.
Face ID
Several clues, including patents, indicate that Apple is working on Face ID for the Mac, and that high-end MacBook Pro models would be prime candidates for this technology. This would be quite a novelty for the 2023 versions.
Release date
Apple introduced the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro M1 and M1 Max models in October 2021, and while Macs sometimes get an annual refresh, that shouldn’t be the case this year. The recent MacBook Air and Pro M2 had to wait 18 months, their more high-end cousins should wait 24 months.
See you in the fall of 2023 to discover the new MacBook Pro 14 and 16 inches. What is the most important novelty for you?