Redesigned MacBooks in 2021 are expected to be available with Intel chips

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that the Cupertino company will be introducing new designs for its MacBooks in the second half of 2021. Following the report from Kuo, reliable leaker L0vetodream responded in a Tweet that the redesigned MacBook lineup would not only feature laptops running on Apple Silicon.

This seems to imply that Apple is set to introduce redesigned MacBooks that use Intel chips next year. Even so, the Cupertino company is still selling MacBooks with Intel chips. Although the MacBook Pro 13″ comes with the option for Apple’s new M1 chip, you can still get it with a 10th gen Intel Core processor. Also, the highest end MacBook Pro 16″, which costs from RM10,499, are still running on 9th gen Intel Core processors.

Although first impressions of Apple’s M1 chip has largely been positive, based on reporting from The Verge, TechCrunch and Tom’s Hardware, it still has its limitations. For example, although M1 powered Macs come with USB-C ports with Thunderbolt support, they can’t use external GPUs.

This may be detracting factor for power users who need more graphical power but can’t do so with the M1 Macs. Possibly, this could be one of the reasons why Apple is still releasing new Intel models next year.

There is also the question as to which Intel chip Apple is likely to use on the new MacBook and any future Macs. So far, the company has not announced 11th gen Intel chips for their new line up, we will have to wait and see what Apple has in store next year.

Apple said during its WWDC 2020 announcement that it intends to implement a gradual transitioning away from Intel-chips over two years. In fact, Apple said it won’t be making a sudden shift to ARM-based Macs just yet. It will still be producing Intel-powered Macs in the future though it did not give a definite time when it will stop support.

Following its “One More Thing” event in early November, Apple has released its first line of Apple Silicon Macs, this includes the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro 13 and Mac Mini. First impressions of Apple’s M1 chip has largely been positive based on reporting from The Verge, TechCrunch and Tom’s Hardware.

Although Apple has revealed the pricing for the Malaysian market but it isn’t available for local purchase just yet. Based on Apple’s official pricing, the MacBook Air starts at RM4,399 while the MacBook Pro 13 starts at RM5,599 and the Mac Mini is priced from RM2,999.

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