Apple could debut its new laptop chip in a Macbook Pro this year

A few weeks after Apple announced it would start developing its own silicon chip for Mac computers, we have a solid lead on what the first computer to use it might be.

TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a research note on Friday that a new 13.3-inch Macbook Pro will debut Apple’s original silicon chips. According to Kuo’s note, spotted by MacRumors, it will enter production in a matter of months, presumably in time for a late 2020 or early 2021 launch. Aside from new chips, it’ll closely resemble the most recent Macbook Pro model.

Beyond that, Kuo predicts a new Macbook Air with the same chip in either late 2020 or early 2021. He also predicted new 16-inch and 14.1-inch Macbook Pros with mini-LED displays for late 2021 releases.

None of this is horribly surprising, obviously, as Apple releases new laptops on a regular basis. This is potentially fascinating because we could have two otherwise identical Macbook Pro models on the market later in 2020, one with an older Intel chip, and one with a new Apple chip. Apple claims its new custom silicon chips will enable better battery life due to more efficient power consumption, among other performance enhancements.

Given how expensive new Macbook Pros tend to be, get excited to either break the bank or just wait until a few years from now until you can get one refurbished.