Kuo: New MacBook Pro and MacBook Air Models With Scissor Keyboards to Launch in Second Quarter

Apple plans to release new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models with scissor keyboards in the second quarter of 2020, according to a new research note today from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, obtained by MacRumors.

Kuo did not comment on the size of the new MacBook Pro, but he is possibly referring to the 14-inch model that he has previously mentioned given that the 16-inch MacBook Pro was only released four months ago. The new 14-inch model would likely replace the 13-inch MacBook Pro, which would be discontinued.

macbook pro 13 inch
Kuo expects the new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models to have various cost optimizations, but he said users will not notice any difference.

The current 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are still equipped with butterfly keyboards that can suffer from issues such as sticky or unresponsive keys after prolonged use, which prompted Apple to initiate a free repair program worldwide in 2018. Apple finally solved this problem by reverting back to a scissor mechanism with the new Magic Keyboard on the 16-inch MacBook Pro, which has proven far more reliable.

Kuo himself offered praise for the 16-inch MacBook Pro, noting that customer response to the notebook has been better than expected.

As for the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, Kuo believes that operations at MacBook-related suppliers will improve significantly starting in late March, paving the way for mass production of the new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models.

If this information proves to be accurate, then Apple's entire notebook lineup should feature scissor keyboards by the end of 2020.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Related Forums: MacBook Pro, MacBook Air

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Top Rated Comments

MacMediaNet Avatar
74 months ago
Please bring back the MagSafe connector.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
UnalignedByte Avatar
74 months ago
I hope they finally offer a non-touchbar version of a MacBook Pro. I got a 16-ich one (after switching from from a 2014 13" model). Overall it's great, but I keep 'pressing' the touch bar buttons by mistake all the time. It's driving me nuts.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Justin Cymbal Avatar
74 months ago
Nice to see that Apple is back on a 1 year refresh cycle for both the MacBook Air & MacBook Pro

I'm planning on either getting this 14 inch MBP this summer or possibly waiting until the following summer..
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jseq Avatar
74 months ago
What about iMac? Kuo doesn’t say nothing about new model or refresh! ?
My 2012 27’ needs a replacement!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
74 months ago

Nice to see that Apple is back on a 1 year refresh cycle for both the MacBook Air & MacBook Pro

I'm planning on either getting this 14 inch MBP this summer or possibly waiting until the following summer..
MacBook Air and Pro have had refreshes every year, at least spec wise.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zachdog Avatar
74 months ago
Four. Long. Years. This was one stubborn business decision, Apple. I held off, and my 13” 2015 MBP continues to chug along quite nicely. It’s slower than I’d like, but the keyboard is still flawless. I’ve been waiting for a scissor-style replacement. June, at last!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)