MacBook Pro 2018 release date, specs & features rumors: Major design overhaul expected as patent leak suggests a dual display

Juan Miguel Salonga

The rumors are rife that Apple is now working on its next generation of MacBook laptops. Among these is the MacBook Pro 2018 model, which according to the latest patent leaks will introduce another groundbreaking design change. The major Mac Pro overhaul will come at the expense of the physical keyboard and trackpad, as these features are going to be replaced by a secondary organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touchscreen.

A Macbook Pro being tested by a guest during an Apple event in California Reuters/Beck Diefenbach

Patently Apple was able to obtain an interesting scoop regarding the MacBook Pro 2018, as the Cupertino-based tech giant appears to bring another surprise to the public this year. Following the launch of the iPhone X last September with a new radical design, Apple could do the same trick with the Mac Pro by giving it a dual display. The patent filing shows that the MacBook Pro 2018 will not have the keyboard and trackpad, as a touch-sensitive secondary OLED panel will go in their stead. 

There are two versions of the MacBook Pro 2018's possible dual display setup as shown in the patent submission. The first design shows a dual display separated by a hinge, with the primary OLED panel acting as the display monitor. The secondary OLED panel will serve as the physical keyboard, although the other version in the patent simply has the secondary screen as a detachable accessory via magnetic hinge. This can be viewed as a seperate mini iPad rather than a permanent keyboard feature.

Nevertheless, having one of these dual display versions in the MacBook Pro 2018 will be the most revolutionary change in the laptop design, not just from Apple but also from a tech manufacturer in general. Apple is a known risk-taker by replacing the usual hardware features with a new one, starting with the current MacBook Pro's Touch Bar that came as a replacement for the traditional keyboard's function keys.

Aside from the MacBook Pro 2018, Apple is also expected to launch a new entry-level MacBook laptop with the Mac Pro's screen resolution. The latest Macs are likely to be announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2018 in June.

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