New MacBook Air coming by end of quarter, research firm claims
Apple is planning to release an updated MacBook Air towards the end of the current quarter, which ends in September, according to one research firm.
"The second quarter was the transition period when Apple was preparing for the releases of the upcoming new MacBook devices for the year," TrendForce said on Wednesday. The firm expects MacBook shipments "to again post a large QoQ increase in 3Q18, as Apple will be releasing a new MacBook Pro at the start of the quarter and a new MacBook Air at the end of the quarter."
TrendForce didn't identify the source for its Air predictions, and has repeated some claims without verification in the past.
Still, separate rumors have pointed to an Air refresh around the same time period. Apple is expected to revamp the laptop, which now holds the dubious distinction of being the only MacBook without a Retina display. It could make the jump to that technology with a 2,560-by-1,600-pixel screen by LG.
Earlier this week one of Apple's main suppliers, Quanta, was claimed to be preparing new, "inexpensive" MacBooks. That could also be referring to Apple's 12-inch MacBook, which is also due for a refresh.
If Apple times its product launches right, both the Air and the 12-inch MacBook could come preloaded with macOS Mojave instead of High Sierra.
"The second quarter was the transition period when Apple was preparing for the releases of the upcoming new MacBook devices for the year," TrendForce said on Wednesday. The firm expects MacBook shipments "to again post a large QoQ increase in 3Q18, as Apple will be releasing a new MacBook Pro at the start of the quarter and a new MacBook Air at the end of the quarter."
TrendForce didn't identify the source for its Air predictions, and has repeated some claims without verification in the past.
Still, separate rumors have pointed to an Air refresh around the same time period. Apple is expected to revamp the laptop, which now holds the dubious distinction of being the only MacBook without a Retina display. It could make the jump to that technology with a 2,560-by-1,600-pixel screen by LG.
Earlier this week one of Apple's main suppliers, Quanta, was claimed to be preparing new, "inexpensive" MacBooks. That could also be referring to Apple's 12-inch MacBook, which is also due for a refresh.
If Apple times its product launches right, both the Air and the 12-inch MacBook could come preloaded with macOS Mojave instead of High Sierra.
Comments
$1000 12” 5W Kaby Lake fanless, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 2 TB3 ports
$1200 13” 15W Coffee Lake single fan, 8 GB RAM, 256 SSD, 2 TB3 ports
With 16 GB RAM, 512/1024 GB storage options. It’s basically a $300 price reduction from the existing models, hopefully with a unified and distinct “consumer” form factor. I think one of the issues with the MBP13 FN is that its name is intimidating to lower end consumers, and it makes it harder to upsell them. Apple really just needs to take the guts of the MBP13 FN and put in a newer, friendly form factor and name, and really hit a $1200 price point with a 4C Coffee Lake, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB storage model, 2 TB3 ports. Maybe $1300.
I would strongly recommend a 13” laptop with these features for $1300.
The MacBook is a failure. I think I have only ever seen one outside a shop, and that was years ago. Too expensive, gutless, and only one port! No good. Reducing the price doesn’t overcome its limited usefulness. It is too limited.urashid said: Yes. Two for the two miss entropys for Christmas.
I personally think it's time to retire it and let an expanded MacBook line fill that space.
(just give me one more USB-C on the other side of the computer please, Apple)