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There will be a lot of attention on Apple Mac computers in the coming months, especially MacBook laptops, as the transition from Intel-based to ARM-based architecture hits retail stores. But the radical ARM laptops might not be the only new hardware on display.
Hidden within the latest version of Apple’s Boot Camp are references to a new 16-inch MacBook Pro. It looks like Tim Cook and his team are ready to align the 16-inch specs with the current 2020 cohort. But there’s a catch.
The new machine will have the disused Intel chipset.
The books surround an illuminated Apple Inc. logo on the lid of a MacBook Pro laptop while … [+]
The 16-inch MacBook Pro was released last year, replacing the 15-inch MacBook Pro with only minor adjustments to the overall size (thanks to the use of smaller bezels). It also shipped with Intel’s 9th Gen Core processors. After upgrading from MacBook Air and MacBook Pro in the first half of 2020 to the 10th generation, the 16-inch model was quietly increased without much fanfare.
These updates were combined with the high-end graphics cards, so they remain the ‘top of the line’ options. A further move down the portfolio towards the mid-tier and aligning the options with the current Airs and Pros makes sense.
The sting in the tail is that these will be Intel-based machines, not the new ARM-powered laptops; the freebie is that this is part of Boot Camp and Apple has confirmed that Bootcamp will not be available for macOS on ARM machines.
That is an easy question to answer. The bigger question is how much ongoing support Apple will offer Intel machines. An Intel-powered MacBook purchased today will require physical support for service for several years, and that is relatively easy to provide. Software support is the key.
Apple is aggressively moving toward ARM, with the full product line to be changed within two years. Given that push towards the new system, will Intel keep getting the ‘new Apple toys’ for years to come? Will key developer apps keep getting updated with the latest features? Can the ecosystem function with the advantages of ARM and still be compliant with Intel?
It’s a question that I hope Apple will answer when it releases ARM-based Macs to the public. I am sure there will be many guarantees about the compatibility of the new machines, their higher performance and the modern design. What I want to hear, and what many potential buyers want to hear, is what will happen in the medium and long term with support for Intel machines.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is a considerable investment. Knowing how long you will receive maximum support from Apple is as important as the specifications.
Now read more about a colorful keyboard that Apple is planning for Mac …
