March 2021 • Macworld 11Mark Gurman. They might also
bring a new design. According to
MacRumours, Kuo says the new
models “cancel the curvy design
of existing models’ top and bottom
parts and adopt a flat-edged form
factor design similar to the iPhone
12”. Presumably, that’s referring to the
corners of the case, but Kuo doesn’t
offer any other clues. Gurman says
the new MacBooks “will look similar
to the current versions, albeit with
minor design changes”.
Kuo and Gurman also agree that
MagSafe will be returning. Apple killed
off the quick-connecting magnetic
MagSafe in favour of USB-C several
years ago, but brought back the
name and magnetic concept with the
iPhone 12. Kuo doesn’t supply any
additional detail other than saying the
technology will be “restored”, though
Bloomberg sheds some additional
light on the rumour: “The connector
will be similar to the elongated pill-
shape design of the older MagSafe
port. Despite moving away from
USB-C for charging, Apple will still
include multiple USB-C ports on its
future Macs.” The report also says
the MagSafe report will allow the
MacBooks to charge “at a faster rate”.
Even more surprising are claims
that Apple will be killing the Touch Bar.A somewhat controversial decision
that arrived in 2016, the Touch Bar is
a small display above the number key
that brings additional functionality
beyond the usual function keys. In his
report, Kuo claims “the OLED touch
bar is removed, and the physical
function buttons are restored”, while
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports
that Apple has “tested versions that
remove the Touch Bar”.
As far as the displays, Bloomberg
reports they won’t just be bigger,
they’ll also be brighter as well with
“higher-contrast panels”. Apple could
turn to mini LED for the new screens
as has been previously rumoured.March 2021 • Macworld 11MarkGurman.Theymightalso
bringa newdesign.Accordingto
MacRumours,Kuosaysthenew
models“cancelthecurvydesign
ofexistingmodels’topandbottom
partsandadopta flat-edgedform
factordesignsimilartotheiPhone
12”. Presumably, that’s referring to the
corners of the case, but Kuo doesn’t
offer any other clues. Gurman says
the new MacBooks “will look similar
to the current versions, albeit with
minor design changes”.
Kuo and Gurman also agree that
MagSafe will be returning. Apple killed
off the quick-connecting magnetic
MagSafe in favour of USB-C several
years ago, but brought back the
name and magnetic concept with the
iPhone 12. Kuo doesn’t supply any
additional detail other than saying the
technology will be “restored”, though
Bloomberg sheds some additional
light on the rumour: “The connector
will be similar to the elongated pill-
shape design of the older MagSafe
port. Despite moving away from
USB-C for charging, Apple will still
include multiple USB-C ports on its
future Macs.” The report also says
the MagSafe report will allow the
MacBooks to charge “at a faster rate”.
Even more surprising are claims
that Apple will be killing the Touch Bar.
A somewhat controversial decision
that arrived in 2016, the Touch Bar is
a small display above the number key
that brings additional functionality
beyond the usual function keys. In his
report, Kuo claims “the OLED touch
bar is removed, and the physical
function buttons are restored”, while
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports
that Apple has “tested versions that
remove the Touch Bar”.
As far as the displays, Bloomberg
reports they won’t just be bigger,
they’ll also be brighter as well with
“higher-contrast panels”. Apple could
turn to mini LED for the new screens
as has been previously rumoured.