Hackers reportedly stole plans for two upcoming 2021 MacBook Pro models from Quanta and leaked details. These help confirm earlier reports that Apple’s next notebook will see a return of MagSafe, the HDMI port and an SD card reader. But no Touch Bar.
An unusual source for a MacBook Pro leak
Quanta Computer assembles products for Apple and others, and Bloomberg reports the Taiwan-based company got hacked. The Russian group REvil obtained details of future MacBook Pro models and threatened to reveal them to the world unless a ransom was paid. Apparently it was not because some of the specifications of a pair of Apple notebooks was sent to several sites, including MacRumors.
REvil is reportedly now asking Apple to pay a ransom or it’ll expose more information obtained in the hack.
Quanta has a history of leaking info about Apple products. Back in 2015, the company accidentally published a user name and password for an internal database of products.
2021 MacBook Pro ports go back to the future
The leak supposedly covers model numbers J316 and J314, which are the 16-inch and 14-inch MacBooks expected late in 2021.
But so far little the hackers have exposed has been new. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo already revealed the next MacBooks will include a built-in SD card reader and an HDMI port. And a MagSafe charger too. He also predicted the end of the LED Touch Bar.
So really the only fresh information is placement. On the right side of the macOS laptops will be an HDMI port, a USB-C/Thunderbolt port and an SD card reader, according to MacRumors. Two more USB-C/Thunderbolt ports are on the left side, along with a MagSafe charging port.
Earlier reports say the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro will be the first with a mini-LED screen like the 2021 iPad Pro. They’re expected some time in the second half of 2021.
