MacBook Pro and Air 2016: Release date and what to expect from Apple's September event

Impact

We're counting down to Apple's big iPhone event on Sept. 7 and the release date two weeks later. Even more exciting than the reported iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus is a refreshed line of MacBooks — great news for anyone still working with a slow, outdated laptop. Bloomberg reported we can look forward to a new MacBook Air and a new MacBook Pro, which hasn't been redesigned since 2012.

What to expect

The MacBook Air will reportedly use USB-C ports, like the current MacBooks that did away with all other USB options. If you're buying this, you'll probably want to look into a USB adapter as well.

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The 2016 MacBook Pro is expected to be "thinner and lighter," according to 9to5Mac. It'll probably have the super-flat keyboard the current MacBooks now feature. (This keyboard takes some getting used to and isn't as satisfying to type on, in my opinion.)

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The new MacBook Pro's flagship feature will likely be something Apple's reportedly calling a Dynamic Function Row — a digital OLED bar above the keyboard whose display changes depending on which apps are open. For example, if Spotify is playing Operation Ivy's "Knowledge," you can tap a digital button to skip to "Sound System," or watch the status of a Transmission torrent download.

Via Bloomberg:

The Safari web browser would enable controls for finding and defining terms, while the iMovie video editor would offer controls for cutting clips and a more-precise volume slider, the people said.

The feature will work on new Mac OS Sierra, which adds Siri capability, Apple Pay and auto-unlock with the Apple Watch to the new computers.

Check out some nifty renderings of the OLED bar at BGR

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Release date

According to Bloomberg, the new laptops won't ship until October. Time to sell or trade in your current one — you'll probably get a bit more cash for it now.