Following previous reports on adding a new entry-level Mac machine, Apple is gearing up to launch an entry-level MacBook Pro with the M2 chip this year, according to reliable analyst Mark Gurman.
In December 2021, Gurman reported that Apple is readying to launch five new Mac products in 2022, including an entry-level MacBook Pro that features the older design. Back in October 2021, Apple introduced the new 14-inch and 16-inch Mac laptops that featured more powerful M1 chips, returning ports, ProMotion technology, a notch, and more.
In his latest edition of the Power On newsletter, Gurman states that Apple will replace the M1 MacBook Pro with a refreshed laptop that will sport the rumored M2 chip:
“I’d expect the new entry-level MacBook Pro to match the high-end MacBook Pros by losing the Touch Bar, but key differentiators will be lesser displays, processors, and storage, and no ProMotion nor miniLED. It’ll be one of many Macs in the pipeline with the M2 chip, including refreshes to the 24-inch iMac, entry-level Mac mini and revamped MacBook Air.”
The report notes that the new machine won’t support many of the current features of the flagship 2021 machines such as ProMotion, new keyboard, lesser storage. However, one feature that will be removed is the Touch Bar, eliminating it once and for all.
Gurman states that Apple will keep the LCD display on the entry-level model, meaning that there won’t be display technologies like ProMotion and mini-LED.
M2 will not be exclusive to this rumored MacBook Pro, as Apple is also expected to give the MacBook Air a massive update similar to the one seen on the latest MacBook Pros, and feature the M2 chip.
Earlier this year, a report cited that Apple’s Mac transition from Intel-based chips to custom-made Apple Silicon chips will be finished by WWDC. The only two products the Cupertino-based giant needs to update are the beefier iMac Pro and Mac Pro desktop machines.
