WolkyTech

MacBook Pro2021 has finally been able to throw away the touch bar, analysts predict

General

There has been much speculation about the 2021 MacBook Pro, including the introduction of a mini LED display and more ports. But there are also rumors about what will be discontinued.

Apple is already rumored to be discontinuing the Touch Bar. And now an analyst at Display Supply Chain Consultants confirms this rumor, suggesting that we may have seen the last of the Touch Bar.

According to the DSCC report, Apple's TouchBar is currently the third largest use for OLED displays, but that may be about to change. Mainly because analysts expect Apple to remove the Touch Bar from future MacBook Pros, and also because Apple is expected to add an OLED display to its iPad lineup in the next few years.

"The Touch Bar continues to be the #3 application, with 18% volume share and 1.2% revenue share in Q1 21. We expect Touch Bars to be overtaken by tablets once Apple begins adopting the 10.9" AMOLED iPad. Furthermore, our sources suggest that Apple may drop the Touch Bar in the future."

Obviously this is not the first time either of these have been rumored; rumors of the Touch Bar being removed are as old as rumors of a new 16-inch MacBook Pro. Gurman, who has an excellent track record of forecasting Apple.

These rumors also suggest that the TouchBar will be replaced by a physical set of keys like those found on the MacBook Air M1 and many Windows laptops. Apple is also rumored to be adding an HDMI port, an SD card slot, and a new version of MagSafe charging to the new machine. The new laptop may also feature a mini LED display, following the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021.

According to recent rumors, the 16-inch and 14-inch MacBook Pro will feature the powerful new M1X chip. Another M2 chip may be found in the upcoming MacBook Air, which may appear later this year or in 2022.

As for the iPad, Apple is rumored to begin switching from LCD to OLED displays next year with something like the next iPad Air. It is believed that both iPad Pro models will continue this trend the following year, but it is not clear what will happen to the mini-LED iPad Pro after this.