New 31″ 6K Apple Display, 16″ MacBook Pro Rumored for 2019 Launch
Credit: Viktor Kadar
Over the weekend, well-connected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo penned a research note with a slew of predictions about Apple’s product lineup this year.
While Kuo covered iPhones, iPads, AirPods
New MacBook Pro Models
A new MacBook Pro with a 16- to 16.5-inch display and an “all-new” design may be coming this year, Kuo said in his research note.
If that screen size prediction pans out, the 2019 MacBook Pro lineup would feature the largest Apple display since the firm discontinued the 16-inch MacBook Pro back in 2012.
It isn’t clear, however, whether Apple will release three sizes of MacBook Pro this year, or if it will bump up the display size on its 15-inch MacBook Pro.
Kuo also predicted an “all-new design” for the premium Apple laptops. Presumably, that design would apply to all MacBook Pro sizes this year (which could also mean a display size bump for the smaller notebooks).
That is, of course, fairly vague. And Kuo didn’t elaborate on which physical components could be revamped this year. On the other hand, there are several hardware-based issues reported on the past few MacBook Pro that could warrant fixing.
It’s worth noting that the MacBook Pro lineup was last redesigned two and a half years ago.
As far as more minor details, Kuo also predicted that Apple will add a 32GB memory option to the 13-inch MacBook Pro. That size currently caps out at 16GB.
New Apple Display
Apple discontinued the Thunderbolt Display back in 2016. And with it, the Cupertino tech giant officially left the display market. That may change this year.
Kuo forecasts that Apple will release a first-party, 31.6-inch 6K display. More specifically, the analyst describes the product as a “6k3k” display. The display could also feature a Mini LED-like backlight design this year, which could give it an “outstanding picture quality.”
That isn’t altogether unexpected, however. Apple has confirmed that a new powerful and modular Mac Pro is in development over in Cupertino. While the company hasn’t officially teased a release date, the new Mac Pro is largely expected to debut this year. Back in 2017, Apple SVP Phil Schiller said that the firm was “completely rethinking the Mac Pro,” and would also release a “pro display” alongside it.
It isn’t just an upcoming Mac Pro that could benefit from a first-party display. Last year, Apple also refreshed the headless Mac mini. An Apple Display could give both Mac mini and Mac Pro users more first-party, premium-tier display options for their systems.
