Rumors have been circulating for months that Apple is readying a new, 16-inch MacBook Pro model — some reports claiming as early as this year — and we might have just gotten a first look at it, thanks to a new image hidden in the latest macOS Catalina 10.15.1 beta that was uncovered by MacGeneration.
Latest macOS Catalina beta hints at new 16-inch MacBook Pro
This might be our first look at Apple’s newest laptop
This might be our first look at Apple’s newest laptop
Image: MacGeneration
The file apparently refers to a new MacBook Pro model designated “MacBookPro16,1” (which in and of itself just indicates that it’s a new model — the 16 here is likely just a coincidence based on how Apple does its model numbering), and features a thumbnail image for what definitely looks like a larger MacBook Pro with thinner bezels than the current 15-inch model’s icon.
MacRumors has confirmed that the files — which depict the new model in both silver and space gray colors — are present in the current beta. This means that if the image is accurate to the finished design (and not just a placeholder), then we could be getting our first good look at the newest MacBook Pro.
While the image is definitely of a larger MacBook with thinner bezels, there’s no way to tell from here whether the most requested change — a new scissor-switch keyboard that’s rumored to be debuting on the 16-inch model to replace Apple’s heavily maligned butterfly switches — is present as well.
It wouldn’t be the first time Apple’s accidentally leaked a new product design with beta icons, either: the company confirmed the iPhone X’s redesign with a beta icon, as well as the iPhone XS Max and iPad Pro redesigns last year. Most recently, Apple’s rumored noise-canceling AirPod Pros might have made an appearance in the iOS 13.2 beta.
Apple’s been rumored to be working on a 16-inch MacBook Pro that would debut a new design for some time, with Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claiming that the larger model will introduce a new keyboard that will trickle down to the rest of the lineup in 2020. Historically, Apple has had a second fall event in October where it has tended to focus on iPad and Mac updates. Combined with the beta images, it could mean that we’re just a few days away from Apple formally announcing the new laptop.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
