Overhauled MacBook Pro Will Be Thinner With OLED Touch Bar, Touch ID, USB-C, More [Report]

A new Bloomberg report offers some more details on the first significant update to the MacBook Pro lineup in over four years. The well timed report addresses a growing concern that Apple is neglecting its personal computer customers.

The new notebooks have been in advanced testing since earlier this year, according to a source. However, they likely won't debut at a September 7th event to introduce the next generation iPhone.

As we've previously reported, Apple is expected to replace the standard function keys with an OLED touch bar that could theoretically change keyboard shortcuts depending on the application that is open or task being performed.


The notebook will be thinner and have a smaller footprint than the current generation MacBook.

The new top-of-the-line MacBook Pros will be slightly thinner than the current models but are not tapered like the MacBook Air and latest 12-inch MacBook, one of the people said. The new MacBook Pros have a smaller footprint than current models and the casing has shallower curves around the edges. The pressure-sensitive trackpad is also slightly wider, the person added.

For those needing more graphics power, an upgraded model with a high performance graphics chip from AMD will be available.

Apple is using one of AMD’s "Polaris" graphics chips because the design offers the power efficiency and thinness necessary to fit inside the slimmer Apple notebook, the person said. The new graphics card is more than 20 percent thinner than its predecessor, AMD said earlier this year.


Of course, the MacBook Pro will support USB-C but no word on how many ports would be included.

Apple has considered bring additional colors to the MacBook Pro as it did with its other devices but its unclear if that feature is a go.

Finally, as we've reported several times, the MacBook Pro is also set to get Touch ID.

Apple has tested versions of the upcoming laptops that integrate the scanner beside the new function key display, according to one of the people. The sensor would allow users to log in more quickly and theoretically authenticate Apple Pay purchases. Like with iPhones, the new Pro laptops will encrypt fingerprint data so it can’t be removed from the devices.

Check out some renders of what the new MacBook Pro might look like here. Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for more updates.

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