MacBook Pro2020 Gets the upgrade needed to Win Dell XPS13

MacBook Pro2020 Gets the upgrade needed to Win Dell XPS13

The 13-inch MacBook Pro 2020 model may be upgraded to a 10th generation Intel CPU, finally putting Apple's small flagship laptop on par with rivals such as the Dell XPS 13.

Twitter user rogame (via Forbes) has found evidence that Apple is using the latest Intel Ice Lake CPUs within the code of MacOS 10.15.5 Beta 1 (and later noted MacOS 10.15.4) Rogame, believes that the use of 15W versions of these CPUs suggests a new version of the smaller MacBook Pro with two Thunderbolt 3 ports for charging and data transfer.

The 2020 MacBook Air also uses an Ice Lake CPU; Ice Lake is the latest in Intel's microarchitecture for laptop chips. However, the ID numbers found here refer to the standard U-series models of Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 processors, not the low-power Y-series models used in the Air.

Since the new MacBook Air uses Y-series chips, Apple's entry-level laptop loses the MacBook Air vs. Dell XPS 13 matchup. However, if the MacBook Pro does use the processor based on the above leaks, it should be a better competitor to the XPS 13.

This is good news for MacBook fans looking to upgrade from the previous generation MacBook Pro, which has been using the same generation processors since 2018. These MacBook Pro models also have butterfly keyboards with switches that many find unreliable and uncomfortable to use.

The larger MacBook Pro was upgraded last year, going from 15" to 16" in size and gaining a new "Magic Keyboard" in the process; in March 2020, the MacBook Air was also upgraded, with improved internal construction and Magic Keyboard was improved. It makes sense that the smaller MacBook Pro would gain the Magic Keyboard along with the processor upgrade.

We also heard rumors that the screen size of the 13-inch MacBook Pro will be increased to 14 inches as Apple shrinks the bezel around the display. Noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that these changes will be announced in June, just in time for Apple to hold a virtual version of its WWDC event.

Since Apple tends to unveil the latest versions of its operating systems at this time, the new MacBooks would tie in perfectly with the latest version of macOS, which is expected to be unveiled there.

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