Gurman: Entry-level M2 MacBook Pro to launch this year

According to reports from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and reporter Mark Gurman, Apple is set to launch an entry-level M2 MacBook Pro this year with no Touch Bar. This would mark a return to the basic non-Touch Bar model and would expand Apple’s MacBook Pro lineup.

Let’s dive deeper and see what other details about this upcoming model are available.

Background of the news

Well-known leaker Mark Gurman first reported the news of an upcoming entry-level M2 MacBook Pro at Bloomberg. According to him, this device will be vying for a place in the ultra-competitive laptop market and it could offer homeowners an attractive entry level model with powerful specs.

Gurman suggests that the entry-level M2 MacBook Pro will feature a 13-inch Retina Display, but lack the Touch Bar feature currently available on Apple’s higher end models. This could make it a suitable alternative for those looking for an affordable yet powerful machine that can handle everyday tasks quickly and efficiently. Other details about this device remain unknown, but its rumored release date sometime in 2021 could mean tantalizing new options for finding a laptop for work, school or entertainment purposes.

Overview of the M2 MacBook Pro

The M2 MacBook Pro is a powerful entry-level laptop from Apple, designed to offer the same features as its more expensive counterparts with a cheaper price tag. The laptop is expected to be powered by Apple’s new M2 processor, which offers faster performance and better energy efficiency than the current-generation Intel processors used in MacBook Pros. While it’s unknown what other hardware specs or components the computer might include, Apple is rumored to release a lower-cost model without the Touch Bar.

The M2 MacBook Pro will also benefit from Apple’s more refined macOS software interface, which has been customizing since 2017. In addition, the computer will likely ship with macOS 11 Big Sur, which includes numerous refinements and improved security features over its predecessor. With this operating system in place, the M2 MacBook Pro should offer significantly improved performance compared to models running older macOS versions.

Given its expected specs and pricing point, plus comparisons with other similarly priced laptops on the market today (such as Microsoft’s Surface Laptop), the M2 MacBook Pro looks set to become one of Apple’s most popular entry-level models when it launches later in 2021.

Gurman: Entry-level M2 MacBook Pro with no Touch Bar to launch this year

Rumors have been circulating that Apple plans to launch a new entry-level version of the MacBook Pro with the M2 processor and no Touch Bar. This will be a much cheaper version of the MacBook Pro and is said to be released late this year.

Let’s look at what else is being said about this upcoming product.

Speculated specs

According to recent rumors, the entry-level M2 MacBook Pro will have a 13-inch Retina display. It is said that it will have no Touch Bar but feature Touch ID functionality. The device is expected to boast an 8th generation Intel Core processor and 8GB of RAM. Storage options are rumored to include up to 1TB of storage with SSD support and Apple’s custom T2 security chip integrated into the device for added security.

Other features that could be included would be a new Magic Keyboard rumored to feature Apple’s scissor mechanism rather than the butterfly switch found in current models, 2 x USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports, two speakers utilizing Dolby Atmos technology, Wi-Fi 6 support for high speed wireless connectivity, and battery life that lasts up to 17 hours when playing videos. This model could also come preloaded with either macOS 11 Big Sur or any future point release from Apple.

Price range

According to journalist Mark Gurman, Apple is expected to release a new entry-level MacBook Pro this year. This new model would be an M2 chip-based machine with no Touch Bar and come at a lower price point than current models. A potential price range for this new model has yet to be confirmed; however, it is speculated that the laptop could cost anywhere from $1,299-$1,499 in the US.

It remains unclear how much demand there would be for a more affordable MacBook Pro model, especially since the current entry-level model already has a reasonable price tag. But it could attract buyers interested in buying a Mac but don’t want to commit too much money upfront or are on tighter budgets. We will have to wait and see how this project plays out as more details become available later in 2021.

Potential release date

Recent rumors suggest Apple may launch an entry-level MacBook Pro with the new M2 chip in 2021. According to an article by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg News, the laptop would have no Touch Bar, a smaller screen size and lower storage capacity than its higher-end counterparts. It is expected to launch before the end of this year and may be made available at a price point more accessible to consumers who don’t want or need the processing power of more expensive models.

This news has excited many Apple fans as it would mean they can finally get their hands on a MacBook equipped with Apple’s blazingly fast M2 processor without paying top dollar for one edition or another. Apple has yet to confirm or deny this rumor, but if it proves true it could be great news for anyone looking for an affordable and capable MacBook Pro in 2021.

Analysis

Analyzing the recent report from Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, it appears that Apple is planning to launch an entry-level MacBook Pro with the M2 processor and no Touch Bar in 2021.

This report adds to a growing list of reports indicating Apple plans to extend its entry-level laptop lineup. In this article, we will analyze the details of the report and the implications for Apple’s product lineup.

Advantages of the M2 MacBook Pro

The M2 MacBook Pro is expected to launch later this year, and it comes with some welcome improvements over its predecessor. This entry-level notebook will not have a Touch Bar but packs ample power and reasonable value into a slim aluminum body. Here are a few of the key advantages offered by the M2 MacBook Pro:

1. Higher Performance: The new M2 processor is Apple’s own Silicon microarchitecture, offering an impressive 70 percent performance improvement over the previous generation. This should provide plenty of power for a smooth multitasking experience and ensure that apps open quickly and run smoothly.

2. Longer Battery Life: Thanks to Apple’s custom T2 security chip, the latest M2 powered MacBook Pro can offer up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge under optimal settings. This means you won’t have to worry about your device dying on you in the middle of your workday or when you are watching movies online.

3. Lower Price Point: The entry-level model of the M2 equipped MacBook Pro will be cheaper than comparable models, starting at just $1,199—a $300 savings when compared to last year’s model that featured similar specs without the latest hardware improvements found in this one!

4. Improved Cooling System: The new laptop is fitted with an active cooling fan”which helps prevent it from overheating even under heavy use”allowing more efficient performance and longer battery life compared to other systems powered by Intel processors.[5] Additionally, Apple has improved its existing “thermal architecture” which allows for better heat dissipation and quieter operations during intensive tasks like video editing and gaming.

Potential drawbacks

Though the entry-level M2 MacBook Pro has some exciting features, there could be potential drawbacks. For example, many users may find that the lack of Touch Bar reduces the functionality they have come to expect from this type of laptop. On the other hand, the Touch Bar enables users to quickly access frequently used tools and functions, which could be invaluable depending on your work type. There is also a risk that processing power and battery life will be compromised due to the M2 chip being an entry-level processor.

Given this information, any potential buyer needs to do research and decide if any possible drawbacks are worth it when compared with the significantly lower price tag of this entry-level M2 MacBook Pro. Finally, customers should remember that as a more affordable option, this MacBook Pro may not have features like cutting-edge displays or face ID security technology like higher end versions do.

Conclusion

A recent report from respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that Apple is gearing up to release an entry-level MacBook Pro featuring the new M2 chip in the second half of 2021. The new laptop is expected to have a 13-inch display and will reportedly be priced around $999, significantly lower than the current entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, priced at $1299.

The new laptop is also expected to lack a Touch Bar, a feature currently offered on all but one of Apple’s professional MacBook Pros. This means users can still access basic functions such as volume and display brightness control via function keys instead of relying on the Touch Bar for those functions. This omission could help bring down the price point of this laptop significantly.

In addition, Kuo suggests that this entry-level MacBook Pro could be accompanied by two additional models with larger screens and more powerful hardware, likely connecting them more directly to the existing MacBook lineup than just pricing alone would allow. If these reports are accurate, Apple may expand its Mac lineup in size and performance by offering cheaper, lower-powered options alongside its pricier Powerhouse PCs and current professionals laptops.

tags = Gurman, Entry-level M2 MacBook Pro, no Touch Bar, Apple, Mac products, gurman apple ipadsmayo9to5mac, LCD display, mini-LED