Touch-ID is coming to the MacBook Pro: says KGI Securities top analyst

Up until now, there has been little doubt that the only way Apple would introduce biometric authentication to Mac users, would be through the Touch-ID sensor on their iPhones and iPads. While that may still be true, within the realm of unconfirmed rumors, KGI Securities Ming-Chi Kuo seems to have a different opinion, suggesting that Apple is indeed working on integrating its Touch-ID fingerprint sensor in future MacBooks.

Early this week we have learned of a potential implementation of the above mentioned method of unlocking Mac computers using Touch-ID remotely from a paired iPhone, however, if KGI’s top Apple analyst is (once again) correct, the next MacBook will indeed offer the option of unlocking Mac OS X using a built-in fingerprint scanner.

This piece of news comes amidst other predictions relevant to the next generation of MacBook Pro’s, such as a much slimmer design, with elements borrowed from the 12 inch MacBook, although this may not come as a surprise, considering how long it’s been since the last radical redesign of the MacBook Pro.

While talks of USB Type-C support, as well as new metal injection molded hinges, and an OLED display touch bar replacing the row of function keys, typically found above the keyboard are also part of Ming-Chi Kuo’s note to investors, there is no guarantee of any of this being accurate, at least until the next scheduling of an official Apple keynote.

At any rate it’s also unlikely that an upgrade of either the 13 inch and 15 inch version of the MacBook Pro, will be announced until the last quarter of 2016, or quarter one of 2017, in consideration of rumors suggesting that a 13 inch version of the 12 inch MacBook is also in the works, in the wake of further rumors indicating an alleged discontinuation of the MacBook Air.

If history is of any indication of how Apple will handle the unveiling of three brand new and completely redesigned MacBook laptops, the size of the keynote and its timing will have to be crucial, and preceded by a momentum that hasn’t even started yet, as consumers are still catching their breath in the wake of the unveiling of the 9.7 inch iPad Pro.