macOS 10.12.4 beta contains references to new MacBook Pro models
References were found in the beta of macOS 10.12.4 to new MacBook Pro models, which are believed to be equipped with Kaby Lake-generation processors. It is not yet known when Apple will announce the laptops.
Apple blog Pike’s Universe discovered the presence of three motherboard identifiers and because energy profiles can determine the clock speed of the processors, it was possible to calculate which processors will be used in the new MacBook Pros.
New versions are expected of both the 13″ variant with and without Touch Bar and the 15″ version. In almost all cases, it is a direct upgrade from the current Skylake processor to the equivalent in the Kaby Lake series. For example, the MacBook Pro 15″ that now has a Core i7-6700HQ gets the i7-7700HQ.
The processors of the Kaby Lake generation have slightly higher clock speeds than the Skylake processors. It is not known whether Apple will make other adjustments to the new laptops. It is also not yet clear when Apple will announce the MacBook Pros with Kaby Lake processors, but in any case that will be after the release of macOS 10.12.4. The first beta of this appeared at the end of January, the final version will probably be ready at the end of February.
The 2016 models of the MacBook Pro have only been on the market for a few months, after their introduction in late October last year. The announcement of new models will probably take a while. One possibility is the WWDC developer event, which will take place in June. In mid-January, noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple will be releasing MacBook Pro laptops with Kaby Lake chips in the summer.
| Core i5-6360U | Core i5-7260U | Core i5-6267U | Core i5-7267U |
| Core i7-6660U | Core i7-7660U | Core i5-6287U | Core i5-7287U |
| Core i7-6567U | Core i7-7567U |
| Core i7-6700HQ | Core i7-7700HQ |
| Core i7-6820HQ | Core i7-7820HQ |
| Core i7-6920HQ | Core i7-7920HQ |
Suspected Kaby Lake processors in new MacBook Pro models