Tag: mark gurman

  • 2021 MacBook Air: Slimmer bezels, thinner/lighter design & MagSafe

    2021 MacBook Air: Slimmer bezels, thinner/lighter design & MagSafe

    The rumor: Apple is preparing a redesigned MacBook Air that could release as soon as soon as the second half of 2021, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    Here’s what to expect:

    • “Thinner and lighter” design with Apple Silicon inside
    • The same 13.3-inch display, but with slim bezels
    • 2 USB 4 ports for I/O
    • MagSafe charging is also making a comeback
    • This new MacBook Air will be a higher-end offering, with the existing model remaining as the entry-level option

    Our take: Seems like Apple is giving all their notebooks the thinner bezel treatment in 2021, which will make them look significantly more modern. For the MacBook Air, I’m most excited to see how the thinnest and lightest MacBook gets thinner and lighter.

  • Apple’s VR headset: ‘pricey’ with limited AR features

    Apple’s VR headset: ‘pricey’ with limited AR features

    The rumor: Apple is continuing work on a VR headset with some AR features, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    • It will mainly be a VR headset: Gurman says “it will display an all-encompassing 3-D digital environment for gaming, watching video and communicating”
    • Some AR functionality will also be present on the device…but they won’t be the focus
    • What makes it different than the competition? Super high-res displays, a built-in fan and some of Apple’s highest-end chips…some of which beat the M1 in benchmarks
    • Due to a limited market and higher price tag than competing headsets, “some Apple insiders believe the company may sell only one headset per day per retail store”
    • There won’t be any room for eyeglasses, so Apple is working to implement “custom prescription lenses” in front of the screens
    • The Apple VR headset could launch as early as 2022

    Our take: Gurman compares this VR headset to the $5,999 Mac Pro: an ultra-premium device aimed at an extremely specific niche. I’m certainly interested, but it doesn’t seem like this is going to be anywhere near affordable.

  • Next Mac Pro could resemble Power Mac G4 cube

    Next Mac Pro could resemble Power Mac G4 cube

    The rumor: Apple is planning two new models of the Mac Pro, with one being significantly smaller than what we have currently, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    • 2 new models: the first will look identical to what we have now, but with faster Intel chips; the second will be less than half the size of the current Mac Pro with Apple Silicon inside
    • Gurman notes the smaller Mac Pro design “will feature a mostly aluminum exterior and could invoke nostalgia for the Power Mac G4 Cube, a short-lived smaller version of the Power Mac, an earlier iteration of the Mac Pro”

    Our take: The current Mac Pro is a pretty sizable machine, but slimming it down to less than half its current size? That will be a sight to see. Depending on how powerful the 2021 iMacs are, this new machine could definitely be a contender for me.

  • 2021 iMac redesign detailed: ultra-thin bezels and flat back

    2021 iMac redesign detailed: ultra-thin bezels and flat back

    The rumor: After nearly a decade, Apple is planning a major overhaul for the next generation iMacs, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    • Bezels on the new iMac will be similar to those found on the Pro Display XDR
    • The rear housing of the iMac will also return to being flat
    • “The iMac redesign will be one of the biggest visual updates to any Apple product this year” Gurman says

    Our take: If there is one product that I’m looking forward to this year–more than anything else–it’s this new iMac. I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on this machine. It is shaping up to be the perfect machine for me!

  • iPhone 13 to be ‘S’ upgrade, in-screen fingerprint reader & no ports in testing

    iPhone 13 to be ‘S’ upgrade, in-screen fingerprint reader & no ports in testing

    The rumor: Apple is planning an ‘S’ year upgrade for the 2021 iPhones, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    • The new in-screen fingerprint scanner (supplied by Qualcomm) will likely be used in tandem with Face ID
    • Apple is also testing some models with no charging port, in favor of exclusively wireless charging

    Our take: Good to hear both of these are on the table this year from Gurman, who is the source I trust the most. Although there may not be as many upgrades on the phones this year, I’m personally stoked for Touch ID to make a comeback.

  • 2021 14/16″ MacBook Pros to have upgraded screens, release in mid-2021

    2021 14/16″ MacBook Pros to have upgraded screens, release in mid-2021

    Updated 1/22: Gurman has released a new report saying that the SD card reader will make its way back to MacBook Pros as part of an upgraded I/O effort.

    The rumor: Apple’s redesigned MacBook Pro models are coming in the middle of 2021, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    Similar to Kuo’s recent report, here’s what to expect:

    • “Minor design changes” for the new MacBook Pro models
    • 14/16-inch displays, with “brighter, higher-contrast panels”
    • New Apple Silicon chips with “more cores and enhanced graphics”
    • MagSafe port replacing current USB-C charging which will support faster charging
    • The Touch Bar may be removed
    • A new, redesigned MacBook Air is also in the works…but it isn’t coming anytime soon

    Our take: Seems like Kuo and Gurman disagree on how significant the design changes will be. Incredible to hear that the displays are getting significant upgrades and faster charging is in the works. These machines sound almost perfect.

  • Apple Car likely 5-7 years away

    Apple Car likely 5-7 years away

    The rumor: Apple is actively developing a self-driving vehicle, but it won’t hit the road for years to come, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    • “Apple Inc. will take at least half a decade to launch an autonomous, electric vehicle because development work is still at an early stage” Gurman says
    • In previous years, the project had been more focused on only developing self-driving technology
    • Other reports pegged a launch as early as September 2021

    Our take: With Gurman’s wildly good track record, I take it he has the best pulse on the car project out of anyone. 2025-2027 is realistic, 2021 is not.

  • AirPods Max ‘Sport’ variant could launch at a later date

    AirPods Max ‘Sport’ variant could launch at a later date

    The rumor: While Apple recently launched their highest-end AirPods Max offering, a lower-cost model may also be in the pipeline.

    • Over the past few months, both Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate) and Jon Prosser (79.2% accurate) reported on Apple developing a lower-cost ‘Sport’ variant, made of cheaper materials that would be better for activities like working out
    • This sport model, and other features like reversibility and interchangeable head bands, were cut in an effort to get AirPods Max out the door before the end of the year

    Our take: I think that Apple should’ve started here before going full-send on a $549 model. A physically lighter sport version, for $349, would be significantly more appealing to me.

  • Apple’s future M-series chips may have up to 32-cores, improved graphics

    Apple’s future M-series chips may have up to 32-cores, improved graphics

    The rumor: Future versions of Apple’s wildly powerful M-series chips are coming throughout 2021, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    • Apple is reportedly planning “the next two lines of Apple chips,” with speculation that they could be called M1X and M2
    • 8, 12 or 16 high-performance cores are planned for new MacBook Pro and iMac models, with up to 32-cores coming to the new “half-size” Mac Pro
    • In the graphics department, Apple is working on 16-core and 32-core options for future laptops and desktops
    • The next generation of ARM chips are said to be coming in Spring and Fall 2021, powering new versions of MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac Pro

    Our take: If Apple is able to scale the baseline M1 chip…the results are going to literally be off the charts. These redesigned Macs can’t come soon enough.

  • Mac Pro with Apple Silicon to be ‘about half the size’ of current model

    Mac Pro with Apple Silicon to be ‘about half the size’ of current model

    The rumor: After updating the entire MacBook lineup with Apple Silicon next week, Apple has even more ambitious plans for some of its desktop models, according to Mark Gurman (88.3% accurate).

    • “Apple engineers are currently developing a new Mac Pro that looks like the current design at about half the size,” Gurman says…although it’s unclear whether this will be a replacement for the old model or a second, smaller offering
    • A redesigned iMac is also in development, although it is unclear when this highly-anticipated machine will launch

    Our take: Gurman, who is known for his credible track record, alluded multiple times in this piece that Apple Silicon equals greater power efficiency in the same (or less) amount of space. If Apple can seriously take the behemoth that is the Mac Pro and make it just as powerful in half the original footprint…that says a lot about what Apple Silicon will enable.

  • 13-inch MacBook Air & Pro to get Apple Silicon this week (update: no 16-inch?)

    13-inch MacBook Air & Pro to get Apple Silicon this week (update: no 16-inch?)

    Update 11/9: Gurman has updated his initial report to say that only the 2 new 13-inch models are for sure coming at the event on Tuesday. The 16-inch MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon is on the way, but as production is further behind than the other models, it may not make the cut.

    The rumor: Apple is planning 3 significant MacBook updates at their Apple Silicon event next week, according to Mark Gurman (88.3% accurate).

    • 13-inch versions of the MacBook Air and Pro and the 16-inch Pro are all getting Apple Silicon on November 10
    • The Apple-designed processor inside is apparently based off the A14 chip included in iPhone 12 and iPad Air
    • No major design upgrades are expected…they MacBooks will look aesthetically similar to how they do currently

    Our take: Wow! So the entire MacBook lineup is getting Apple Silicon next week. We had no idea until now that the 16-inch model would be getting it this early on.