New MacBooks will get ‘Pro Mode’ to boost performance, leak suggests

By Alex Blake January 14, 2020

In recent years, Apple has gone all-in on the “Pro” tag to convince its more demanding users that it still cares about them. We’ve seen the iMac Pro, a revamped MacBook Pro 16 and, most recently, the all-new Mac Pro. After that onslaught of pro-level hardware goodness, it now looks like Apple is aiming to improve things on the software side too.

According to 9to5Mac, the latest MacOS Catalina beta (version 10.15.3) contains references to a “Pro Mode” that could potentially boost the performance of the machine it’s running on. The clues were discovered within code for the latest beta, although there’s been no official announcement of such a feature so far from Apple.

Recommended Videos

The code snippets revealed by 9to5Mac contain mentions of the expected results of enabling Pro Mode. For example, one line explains: “Apps may run faster, but battery life may decrease and fan noise may increase.” There is also a mention of “Fan speed limit overridden.”

Like other MacOS features such as Do Not Disturb and Night Shift, it appears that Pro Mode can be automatically disabled after a certain time period — in this case, it can be set to turn itself off the next day.

Apple has long prided itself on making performance computers that run almost silently. The indication that Pro Mode will override normal fan speed limits suggests that Apple is finally willing to compromise on this requirement in order to get more performance out of its machines.

There are no details yet regarding how much of a performance increase Pro Mode will allow, though. 9to5Mac claims it has found evidence that it will only with MacBooks, and then only with models that use latest thermal design as found in the MacBook Pro 16 (although if the outlet has indeed found such evidence, it hasn’t shared it). This implies that the performance increase could be substantial if it requires the much-improved cooling architecture of the MacBook Pro 16.

Recent leaks have suggested that Apple is working on a new MacBook Pro that will share the 16-inch model’s Magic Keyboard and thermal architecture. This upcoming model will likely be a 13-inch MacBook Pro, and could make an appearance in a few months’ time — perhaps in March, when Apple often releases new MacBooks. If that’s the case, Apple could well decide to launch Pro Mode at the same time as this new MacBook Pro.

Only time will tell, but pro-level MacBook fans could be about to get even more performance out of their treasured devices.

Topics

Computing Writer

In ancient times, people like Alex would have been shunned for their nerdy ways and strange opinions on cheese. Today, he…

Computing

Should you buy the M2 MacBook Pro or wait for the M3?

The MacBook Pro on a wooden table.

It's been over a year since the M2 was announced, with the chip first appearing in the 13-inch MacBook Pro and 13-inch MacBook Air. With the M3 chip on the horizon, you might wondering if you're better off waiting or just buying one of the current MacBook Pros?

While nothing about the M3 MacBook Pro is official yet, there's been a lot of reporting about what we can expect from these next-gen laptops.
The M2 MacBook Pro of today

Computing

This hidden menu has forever changed how I use my Mac

A comparison of two images in macOS Ventura. The image on the left is the original, while the image on the right has had its background removed using a Quick Action.

The more you use Apple’s macOS operating system, the more you come across amazing little tools and features that you’ve somehow never heard of, yet which can totally blow your mind. I’ve been using Macs for over a decade, yet I just stumbled upon a killer feature I never knew existed -- and I absolutely love it.

That feature is called Quick Actions, and you’ll need macOS Mojave or later to give it a try. The name is pretty self-explanatory -- they’re a collection of lightweight tools and tweaks that can save you oodles of time. The reason I never knew about them, though, is they’re hidden away in the right-click menu. I use keyboard shortcuts all the time, so rarely open this menu. But Quick Actions are worth breaking your habits for.

Computing

Report: Apple’s 2024 MacBooks may face some serious shortages

Apple's John Ternus stands next to an image of the 15-inch MacBook Air at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2023.

Looking forward to getting a new MacBook in the next year or so? You might have to wait longer than expected, as Apple chip supplier TSMC is reportedly struggling to get enough skilled workers for its forthcoming Arizona factory. That could mean we see serious shortages of Apple laptops and a struggle to get hold of stock.

The bad news comes from The Wall Street Journal. According to the outlet, TSMC has said that “people with expertise erecting semiconductor facilities were in short supply in the U.S.” As a result, the Arizona factory “would miss its target of starting mass production next year.”