Apple to unveil entirely new MacBook series at WWDC, insiders say
Apple next week is expected to unveil an entirely new MacBook model positioned between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, available in sizes of 13 and 15 inches with no disc drive.
The details come from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo with KGI, who has been a reliable source of information on unannounced Apple products. He shared with AppleInsider on Friday the details of an anticipated new notebook line from Apple, which he simply dubbed "MacBook," expected to be unveiled at next week's Worldwide Developers Conference.
Kuo said he believes the new MacBook will be priced starting at $1,199 for the basic 13-inch model. The purported notebook will not have an optical disc drive, and it will be available with either a solid-state drive or a traditional hard-disk drive.
This new MacBook will reportedly be lighter and slimmer than the MacBook Pro, with equal computing power. He also said it will feature a Retina display with a tapered-edge design, as well as a larger battery capacity.
Apple is expected to unveil its new 15-inch MacBook, priced at $1,799 with a hard-disk drive, next week, and the device will go on sale soon after. Kuo said he doesn't expect the new 13-inch $1,199 MacBook to be available until August, as the smaller MacBook has "limited space for thermal dissipation," and will also use a "lower-yield" Retina display than the 15-inch model.
Kuo also predicted on Friday that Apple could discontinue the MacBook Pro lineup entirely if the new MacBook series proves popular enough. He sees the Pro being gradually phased out, but remaining on shelves until 2013.
But he does expect that both the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros will receive upgrades next week, and will go on sale in June, presumably including optical drives as are found on the current models. In addition, he expects Apple to sell new 11- and 13-inch MacBook Airs in June, leaving only the new 13-inch MacBook to launch in August.
Apple previously offered an entry-level white polycarbonate notebook known simply as the "MacBook," but that product was discontinued last year. Kuo's report suggests that Apple intends to resurrect the MacBook name with two new products in the 13- and 15-inch varieties.
Earlier this week, AppleInsider revealed new part numbers that show Apple prepared to refresh a majority of its Mac lineup at WWDC next week. The part numbers suggest that Apple is planning to release at least 13 new Macs, including MacBooks, iMacs and Mac Pros.
Earlier reports had suggested that Apple would update its 15-inch MacBook Pro first, before the 13- and 17 inch models were given thinner designs and higher resolution displays. But if accurate, Friday's latest report would indicate that Apple instead plans to unveil an entirely new 15-inch MacBook next week.
The details come from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo with KGI, who has been a reliable source of information on unannounced Apple products. He shared with AppleInsider on Friday the details of an anticipated new notebook line from Apple, which he simply dubbed "MacBook," expected to be unveiled at next week's Worldwide Developers Conference.
Kuo said he believes the new MacBook will be priced starting at $1,199 for the basic 13-inch model. The purported notebook will not have an optical disc drive, and it will be available with either a solid-state drive or a traditional hard-disk drive.
This new MacBook will reportedly be lighter and slimmer than the MacBook Pro, with equal computing power. He also said it will feature a Retina display with a tapered-edge design, as well as a larger battery capacity.
Apple is expected to unveil its new 15-inch MacBook, priced at $1,799 with a hard-disk drive, next week, and the device will go on sale soon after. Kuo said he doesn't expect the new 13-inch $1,199 MacBook to be available until August, as the smaller MacBook has "limited space for thermal dissipation," and will also use a "lower-yield" Retina display than the 15-inch model.
Kuo also predicted on Friday that Apple could discontinue the MacBook Pro lineup entirely if the new MacBook series proves popular enough. He sees the Pro being gradually phased out, but remaining on shelves until 2013.
But he does expect that both the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros will receive upgrades next week, and will go on sale in June, presumably including optical drives as are found on the current models. In addition, he expects Apple to sell new 11- and 13-inch MacBook Airs in June, leaving only the new 13-inch MacBook to launch in August.
Apple previously offered an entry-level white polycarbonate notebook known simply as the "MacBook," but that product was discontinued last year. Kuo's report suggests that Apple intends to resurrect the MacBook name with two new products in the 13- and 15-inch varieties.
Earlier this week, AppleInsider revealed new part numbers that show Apple prepared to refresh a majority of its Mac lineup at WWDC next week. The part numbers suggest that Apple is planning to release at least 13 new Macs, including MacBooks, iMacs and Mac Pros.
Earlier reports had suggested that Apple would update its 15-inch MacBook Pro first, before the 13- and 17 inch models were given thinner designs and higher resolution displays. But if accurate, Friday's latest report would indicate that Apple instead plans to unveil an entirely new 15-inch MacBook next week.
Comments
Is this the same guy who said the 17" MBP was going away? I'm skeptical.
I don't know if he's the same guy, but it wouldn't shock me at all to see the 17" killed this year.
So we are going to have two 13-inch Mac models that are both the same exact price, as well as a 13-inch Air that is within $100 of that price? I'm just going to come out and call BS on that, but I guess we'll see.
Hey AI, you couldn't throw the word "Optical" in there some where?
This is total crap.
What will they be called? MacBook Airo? MacBook Prair?
I would like that. I was pretty mad when they got rid of the white MacBook.
That doesn't make sense to me either. I could see 11" and 13" MBA, 13" and 15" MB, and 15" and 17" MBP. At least in my mind, that covers a broader range of needs.
But like you said, we'll see.
Let's see. This new product line is allegedly positioned between the MBA and MBP. However, look at the pricing:
MacBook 13" $1199
MacBook 15" $1799
MacBook Pro 13" $1199
MacBook Pro 15" $1799
Looks to me like it's not positioned between MBA and MBP. Rather, if there's any truth to this at all, it's simply a name change. Drop the 'pro' from the name and leave the price points the same.
I would be shocked. Apple would be the only major manufacturer not to offer a 17" laptop. And for lots of people, the 17" is the best balance between features/performance and portability.
2) I can see Apple getting rid of the 17" if the sales are truly dismal but I do know plenty of people that buy these machines so I'm thinking they will likely stay based on that anecdotal data. I have noticed the 17" redesigns tend to come after the other sizes are released so perhaps I'm not considering extra engineering costs.
3) one thing we haven't seen is an SSD card + 2.5" HDD or SDD. I hope they at least offer an hybrid drive as I don't want to lose map 1TB+ capacity or my 10 second boot.
I loved white MacBook and I would like him to come back, because I prefer plastics to aluminium. Of course I don't really expect this comeback to happen.
Same pricing for the new MB and MB Pro? I'm confused... Put SSDs and Retina in Pros and keep the specs of new MBs similar to current Pros. This makes sense to me.
Yes, but that's not what the rumor says. It says that the 'MacBook' will be positioned between the MBP and MBA. I don't see any reason for continuing the MBP while releasing a MacBook at the same price point.
The only plausible scenario is that they will replace the MBP with a MacBook at the same price point. Thinner and no ODD. MBP will be end-of-lined. However, as they've done with the iPhone and iPad, they will continue to sell last year's model for a year or two to give people a chance to buy a cheaper model if they don't need the latest and greatest.
It looks official. No 17" MacBook Pro in that lineup. It is dead.
Maybe the 13" and 15" Pro turned out to be more expensive than they'd hoped, due to the Retina display, necessitating cheaper 13" and 15" models alongside as a temporary measure. But long term I would not expect a lineup with 3 different 13" notebooks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by eksodos
It looks official. No 17" MacBook Pro in that lineup. It is dead.
LoL, some analyst on a rumour site and it "looks official."
Quote:
Originally Posted by jragosta
Yes, but that's not what the rumor says. It says that the 'MacBook' will be positioned between the MBP and MBA. I don't see any reason for continuing the MBP while releasing a MacBook at the same price point.
The only plausible scenario is that they will replace the MBP with a MacBook at the same price point. Thinner and no ODD. MBP will be end-of-lined. However, as they've done with the iPhone and iPad, they will continue to sell last year's model for a year or two to give people a chance to buy a cheaper model if they don't need the latest and greatest.
This really sounds plausible to me - except one thing - they cannot name their top model Macbook and use the MBP for the last year's model. Customers would be confused, don't you think? How would they resolve this?
Damn..... I was hoping to buy a 17inch when I get my taxes in February. Well, as long as I can get a refurb or buy it at Best Buy I guess.
And I hope I can buy Sim City next year and play it without a disc drive!
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As Steve taught us when he came back and unveiled the quadrant "Less is more."