Apple is planning an overhaul of its MacBook Pro series of notebook computers according to a report from Bloomberg. The refresh would mark the first significant change made to the line in several years.
The expected update will slim down the device, but won’t give it the same tapered treatment the 12-inch MacBook received when it was updated last year. Still, the new MacBook Pro will be smaller than current models, will sport shallower curves around its edges, and will be given a wider trackpad.
But the biggest change in appearance won’t be its size; it will be the addition of a secondary display above the keyboard. The ribbon-sized touchscreen will reportedly replace the function keys and will instead change to present functions relevant to the application the user has open.
Apple reportedly intends to place common keyboard shortcuts on the display, like playback controls for iTunes or copy and paste while using a word processor.
The new MacBook Pro will also reportedly feature Touch ID fingerprint technology, which has been present in the iPhone line since the iPhone 5S model was introduced. According to Bloomberg, Apple has tested different integrations of the technology and could use it for unlocking the device and authenticating purchases made with Apple Pay.
A version of the refreshed MacBook Pro is expected to include a high-performance graphics chip from AMD—supposedly from the company’s Polaris line. The card would make the notebook a more viable option for anyone who uses their computer for graphically intense tasks, including gaming.
Much like the MacBook line was given last year, the MacBook Pro will reportedly include USB-C ports—the multifunctional input that can be used for charging, transferring data, and display connectivity. Apple may also offer the MacBook Pro in gray, gold, and silver finishes like it did with the 12-inch MacBook.
It’s unclear when the new models of MacBook Pros are expected to be announced by Apple, but Bloomberg reported the unveil is unlikely to take place in September, when the company shows off its newest iPhone—which is also believed to be undergoing some major changes.
H/T Bloomberg
