Ahead of Apple’s ‘Hello Again’ Mac event on October 27th, we’re unpacking everything we know about new MacBooks and more!
It’s here: Apple has officially sent out invitations for its special event on October 27th. Dubbed ‘Hello Again’, the event is widely anticipated to reveal the company’s upgraded line of MacBook models.
Hello Again – itself on the classic ‘hello’ screen seen on now-vintage Macintosh computers – implies we’re likely to see what Apple has in store for the MacBook, and potentially desk-bound Macs such as the iMac, Mac Mini, or Mac Pro.
Read: Apple‘s newest patent reveals how the next iPhone could do away with bezels
Early reports have speculated that Apple’s new MacBook range could sport the most radical hardware overhaul the line has seen since the introduction of the Retina MacBook Pro in 2012. Between the introduction of an OLED touch bar and the removal of traditional USB ports, it would seem that Apple is ready to introduce a redefined notebook ready for the latest version of its desktop operating system, macOS.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
OLED Touch Bar and Touch ID
Main article: 2016 MacBook Pro set to include OLED Touch Bar, Touch ID
Alongside early reports which posited that Apple was working to integrate its keyboard and trackpad into one touch-sensitive unit, one common thread among reports indicates that new MacBook Pro models could possess an OLED touch bar through which specific applications will present a unique context menu.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo posited that “œthe MacBook line is the brightest spot for Apple‘s 2016 rollouts. This is particularly true of the two new MacBook Pro models, to be introduced in 4Q16, as they will have a thinner and lighter form factor, Touch ID, use OLED display touch bar (to replace physical function keys, located above the keyboard) and adopt USB- C / Thunderbolt 3.“
Kuo’s report indicates that Apple‘s new MacBook Pro would feature an OLED touch bar, which would be reffered to as a “œDynamic Function Row“ ““ apps such as iTunes, for example, would display a contextual list of shortcuts on the bar which could feasibly replace the presence of function keys aboard Apple’s laptops.
Death to the headphone jack
Main article: Apple begins surveying MacBook Pro users about the headphone jack
Apple chucked out the headphone jack aboard the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, and the same change could soon arrive on MacBooks as the company increasingly bets on wireless.
Just last month, Apple began surveying MacBook Pro owners about their usage of their laptop’s 3.5mm headphone port. MacRumors users – who took part in the poll – shared survey questions they received, noting that one of the most commonly asked question reads: “œDo you ever use the headphone port on your MacBook Pro with Retina display?“
Other questions in the survey appeared to have been port-focussed; another asks “œHow do you upload photos from a digital camera or phone to your MacBook Pro with Retina Display?“, which could reference the SD card slot found on the MacBook Pro and 15“³ Air.
It is clear that in its quest to reduce the profile of its notebooks, Apple is considering to nix the presence of commonly used I/O ports once and for all. And on that note…
Say goodbye to USB Type-A
Main article: Apple reportedly prepares new MacBooks, ditches traditional USB ports
Reports, such as Ming-Chi Kuo’s (above) mentions that Apple could move to rid the MacBook of conventional USB Type-A ports altogether.
The move would force consumers to rely on USB-C ports as well as a series of Thunderbolt 3 ports to power or connect peripherals to their laptop. The move echoes Apple‘s decision to include only a USB Type-C port and 3.5mm headphone jack aboard the standard MacBook.
The change would effectively leave the desk-bound iMac, Mac Mini, and Mac Pro as the most versatile computers Apple offers without requiring a parade of dongles to get the job done – if the company doesn’t take the axe to the ports of its desktop line of computers, that is.
A possible E-Ink keyboard
Main article: Apple‘s new MacBooks could use changeable E Ink keyboards
While early reports speculated that Apple was planning to roll its trackpad and keyboard together into a ‘Fusion Keyboard’, most recent reports have indicated that the company is seeking to integrate E Ink technology on its laptops.
Concievably, MacBook keyboards could use E Ink to change key labels on the fly ““ an addition designed for either setting up configurable shortcuts or even switching between languages. At the press of a button, users would likely be able to change between language layouts or have the keyboard contextually show relevant shortcut information when switching between apps.
However, as Apple is reportedly engaged with Sonder – a firm which already produces E Ink keyboards – we might only see that addition take place in 2017; leaving it an unlikely reveal at the company’s Hello Again event.
AMD Polaris chips and a 5K display
Main article: Apple reportedly prepares a massive MacBook Pro overhaul
Lastly, it would seem Apple is ready to take its MacBook line into gaming territory. Reports tip that a future MacBook Pro could integrate one of AMD‘s “˜Polaris‘ graphics chips, which would promise ““ as AMD claims ““ “œconsole-class GPU performance for thin and light notebooks“.
That move would be accompanied by a new 5K display to replace the aging Thunderbolt Display which Apple quietly cancelled earlier this year. Supposedly, the company’s new 5K unit would integrate the same AMD Polaris chip onboard to reduce the processing strain from a connected laptop.
Have your say!
What are you most looking forward to seeing on at Apple’s ‘Hello Again’ event? Be sure to share your opinion with us in the comments below!
Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
