Apple Expecting High Demand for Upcoming MacBook Pros, Enlists Extra Mini-LED Display Supplier

Apple is seemingly preparing for high demand for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, and, as a result, has reportedly enlisted a second supplier for its mini-LED displays ahead of their launch.

Flat 2021 MacBook Pro Mockup Feature 1
According to DigiTimes, Apple has added Luxshare Precision Industry as the second supplier for surface mounting technology (SMT) for mini-LED displays. Apple had previously only contracted SMT, or Taiwan Surface Mounting Technology as its supplier for SMT processes in the mini-LED 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the upcoming MacBook Pros.

Apple first introduced a mini-LED display in its high-end 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ this past April. While the new iPad was announced in April, shipments of the device did not begin until later in May due to high demand and difficult production yield rates. Fueled by a global chip shortage and the continued global health crisis, Apple and its suppliers have faced challenges the past year in maintaining production of new devices.

The upcoming MacBook Pros are expected to be in high demand thanks to several long-awaited features and changes. Alongside a more powerful Apple silicon chip, the new MacBook Pros are rumored to include the first major redesign to the MacBook Pro since 2016, including flat-edges, removing the Touch Bar, and additional ports.

DigiTimes says the new MacBook Pros are expected to launch in the fourth quarter of the year, which runs from October through December. The publication previously cited sources claiming an end-of-third-quarter launch for the new models, but early fourth quarter is more in line with industry expectations. Apple last year announced its M1 Apple silicon processor and an updated Mac mini, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro at a digital event in November.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro 14 & 16"
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Top Rated Comments

trifero Avatar
25 months ago
16" is mine! Go away everybody!
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Caliber26 Avatar
25 months ago
Imagine if after all these months of hype the 14” still rolls out with a basic 8/256 config.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Scotticus Avatar
25 months ago

I don't. And I don't know personally any one that does. They are legacy ports. Apple made a bold step into the future a few years ago and it looks like they are about to nervously jump back. Shame.
Except they're not legacy ports at all. They're an extremely common mode of storage on professional cameras and, thus, are quite relevant to the "Pro" segment Apple claims to target with these computers.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Reason077 Avatar
25 months ago

No surprise. Everyone wants an SD card slot.
Once upon a time, everyone wanted a 1.44MB floppy disc drive. Another time, people just couldn't live without their CD-burning superdrives.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kahkityoong Avatar
25 months ago

I dont know a single person in real life who’s ever stated or implied they wanted an SD Card Slot.

Apple needs to stick with USB-C.
You need some more friends then. Apparently you can still use the USB-C ports with an SD card slot in the laptop. Fancy that.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mielie Avatar
25 months ago

No surprise. Everyone wants an SD card slot.
I don't. And I don't know personally any one that does. They are legacy ports. Apple made a bold step into the future a few years ago and it looks like they are about to nervously jump back. Shame.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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