Expectations are already high for Apple's MacBook Pro 2017. Several claims have surfaced online recently about the upcoming laptop's specs and features.
Apple's next laptop is said to be equipped with 32 GB of RAM and the seventh-gen Kaby Lake chips, MacRumors reported from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This, however, depends on whether Intel can produce Cannonlake CPU this year or not. With Cannonlake CPU, LPDDR 4 consumes 15 to 25 percent less power than the LPDDR 3 currently powering existing laptops.
If Cannonlake CPU isn't ready for the MacBook Pro 2017, there's a huge possibility that Apple would instead use Coffee Lake that goes with LPDDR 3. The processor will have 16 GB of RAM support.
Ars Technica writer/editor Andrew Cunningham disputed Kuo's claims, though. According to a recent tweet from Cunningham, Intel isn't planning on producing Cannonlake chips for MacBook Pro. Coffee Lake chips, on the other hand, won't be ready until 2018. It remains to be seen what processor will end up in Apple's upcoming laptop.
Intel’s Kaby lake is the only option for MacBook Pros for the entirely of 2017. MBP-level Cannonlake CPUs won’t exist, Coffee Lake is 2018. pic.twitter.com/Ia1fEERdhI
— Andrew Cunningham (@AndrewWrites) November 1, 2016
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg believes that Apple is designing a chip that's capable of handling basic tasks such as retrieve emails, install software updates and synchronize calendar appointments while the laptop is on sleep mode.
According to Gurman, this special ARM-based chip that will work alongside Intel's entered development in 2016 and it resembles the one used on the latest MacBook Pro's keyboard TouchBar feature. The chip's upgraded part, labeled T310, will also reduce the upcoming laptop's power consumption.
The TouchBar feature was introduced to the MacBook Pro 2016 in October. The feature is characterized by a screen on the keyboard, allowing users to access emojis, app shortcuts and system settings and customization.
Using their own chips can allow Apple to combine their hardware and software functions. It also gives them better power over the price of their laptops' components. However, it seems like Apple isn't ready to let go of Intel's laptop and desktop chips in the meantime.
The MacBook Pro 2017 is expected to start production in July 2017. Phil Schiller, Apple's marketing chief, said that the tech giant cares about their products' affordability, but stressed that they prioritize experience for their products' design instead of price.
What do you think of the laptop's rumored specs so far? Sound off in the comments section below!
