13-Inch MacBook Pro With Scissor Keyboard Expected in First Half of 2020

Following the 16-inch MacBook Pro, Apple plans to release a new 13-inch MacBook Pro with a scissor switch keyboard in the first half of 2020, according to industry sources cited by hit-or-miss Taiwanese publication DigiTimes. A preview of the report was shared with paying subscribers.

16 inch macbook pro scissor switch keyboard

16-inch MacBook Pro's new scissor switch keyboard via iFixit

The report claims the display size will remain 13.3 inches, although given the source is DigiTimes, we would not completely rule out hopes of a larger 14-inch display. Wistron and Global Lighting Technologies are said to be among the suppliers of the keyboards for the smaller notebook.

The new 16-inch MacBook Pro features a redesigned scissor switch keyboard, largely based on the standalone Magic Keyboard for the iMac. Given the tried-and-tested design, the keyboard should prove far more reliable than the troublesome butterfly keyboards used across the MacBook lineup in recent years.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro also features a physical Esc key and an inverted-T arrow key layout. It is unclear if the 13-inch MacBook Pro will follow suit.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously predicted that Apple will transition its entire notebook lineup to scissor switch keyboards in 2020, including all MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models.

It would be hardly surprising if Apple completely moves past its butterfly keyboards, which have suffered from issues with sticky, repeating, or nonfunctional keys since their inception in 2016. Apple continues to offer free repairs to affected customers as part of its worldwide service program.

The entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro was last updated in July, while higher-end 13-inch models were refreshed in May.

Related Forum: MacBook Pro

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Top Rated Comments

Woyzeck Avatar
74 months ago
It‘s good to see Apple un-iveing its products.
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nick A Avatar
74 months ago
I think we'll see similar updates to what the 16" received. The bezels on the 13" are large, and a 14" display makes sense along with the magic keyboard, improved speakers and mics, and updated thermal design.

Even if it increases the weight/thickness slightly, this is a "Pro" machine and I like the direction Apple is taking in that regard.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fmcshan Avatar
74 months ago
It would be nice if Apple switched to a 14” MacBook Pro with slimmer bezels just like they did with the 16” model.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tjedora Avatar
74 months ago
Shouldn't 2020 be the year of a "complete" redesign?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nick A Avatar
74 months ago

Shouldn't 2020 be the year of a "complete" redesign?
I think this is it. The slimmer bezels, updated thermal design, and magic keyboard are the redesign, they just started it with the 16". I think this is the design we've got until they move to mini-LED and ARM.

Edit: I'm going to predict that a FaceID sensor with a upgraded camera is likely to come before the next redesign, but it's probably not going to be anytime soon or else we would have seen it in the 16".
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mike... Avatar
74 months ago

No surprise Apple is keeping the 13". Kuo's also predicting the return of 15" with scissor.

It makes the MacBook Pro lineup more complete.
14" and 16" make more sense.

14", 15.4", and 16" makes no sense.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)