MacBook Air inventory begins dwindling ahead of Apple's WWDC
With Intel's next-generation Haswell processors set to launch in a matter of weeks and WWDC to kick off soon after, availability of Apple's 13-inch MacBook Air had begun to dry up at major authorized resellers.
The popular 13-inch MacBook Air with a 1.8-gigahertz processor and 256-gigabyte solid-state drive is currently out of stock at resellers Amazon, B&H, MacConnection, and MacMall. In addition, J&R is currently advertising that the thin-and-light notebook is only available for purchase in its brick-and-mortar stores.
In fact, the only reseller on AppleInsider's Mac Price Guide that is currently advertising available inventory of that 13-inch MacBook Air configuration is Best Buy.
Constrained availability of existing models is often one of the first signs of an impending product refresh, as Apple draws down inventory in anticipation of the release of new hardware. Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference, scheduled for June 10 through 14, would be an opportune time for the company to introduce newly updated MacBook Airs.
Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities indicated last month that Apple apparently plans to introduce new MacBook Airs featuring Intel's next-generation Haswell processors at WWDC. The new ultraportable notebooks are expected to go on sale before the end of June.
Intel Haswell chips are scheduled to launch the first week of June, boasting more capable processors that will consume less power, leading to longer battery life on notebooks. The chips will also feature next-generation Intel HD 5000 integrated graphics that will offer a 50 percent in improvement over the previous 4000-class.
Kuo also said that Apple will likely introduce Haswell-powered MacBook Pro models at WWDC 2013. He expects that updated versions of the legacy, optical-drive-equipped MacBook Pro will launch alongside new MacBook Airs before the end of June, while a refresh of the premium Retina display MacBook Pro models will become available at a later date.
On the software front, Apple has already confirmed that it will unveil the next major updates to iOS and OS X at this year's conference. AppleInsider has seen traffic from devices running iOS 7 spike in recent weeks.
The popular 13-inch MacBook Air with a 1.8-gigahertz processor and 256-gigabyte solid-state drive is currently out of stock at resellers Amazon, B&H, MacConnection, and MacMall. In addition, J&R is currently advertising that the thin-and-light notebook is only available for purchase in its brick-and-mortar stores.
In fact, the only reseller on AppleInsider's Mac Price Guide that is currently advertising available inventory of that 13-inch MacBook Air configuration is Best Buy.
Constrained availability of existing models is often one of the first signs of an impending product refresh, as Apple draws down inventory in anticipation of the release of new hardware. Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference, scheduled for June 10 through 14, would be an opportune time for the company to introduce newly updated MacBook Airs.
Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities indicated last month that Apple apparently plans to introduce new MacBook Airs featuring Intel's next-generation Haswell processors at WWDC. The new ultraportable notebooks are expected to go on sale before the end of June.
Intel Haswell chips are scheduled to launch the first week of June, boasting more capable processors that will consume less power, leading to longer battery life on notebooks. The chips will also feature next-generation Intel HD 5000 integrated graphics that will offer a 50 percent in improvement over the previous 4000-class.
Kuo also said that Apple will likely introduce Haswell-powered MacBook Pro models at WWDC 2013. He expects that updated versions of the legacy, optical-drive-equipped MacBook Pro will launch alongside new MacBook Airs before the end of June, while a refresh of the premium Retina display MacBook Pro models will become available at a later date.
On the software front, Apple has already confirmed that it will unveil the next major updates to iOS and OS X at this year's conference. AppleInsider has seen traffic from devices running iOS 7 spike in recent weeks.
Comments
Intel Ultrabook members: [I]"We'd love our Ultrabook inventory to dwindle like that."[/I]
I am not a customer for this box (need something more grunty), but it's an impressive computer and it would be interesting to see how Apple could update it a year since the last one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OllieWallieWhiskers
dual multi-touch ultra-retina MBA with reverse thrusters and a parachute!
Yup - its the new MBA GTI
He didn't say nothing about revs to existing products! His comments back then where about new products, I fully expect that we ill see several items revved before and at WWDC.
Why before? History really because in the past some items got revved before WWDC if there wasn't enough time to do them right at WWDC. Either that or we get a bunch of more or less silent updates at WWDC. My guess is that the Mac Pro and the made in the USA machines will take center stage with new WiFi products and maybe a Mac Book Pro.
That depends doesn't it? It really depends upon which Haswell they put in the 13" MBP. Enhance it with the high performance GPU version and that 13" MBP could be very interesting.
True, the Air has come a long way from being laughed at spec-wise at launch to being the benchmark by which all ultra books are measured.
Whiners whine, it seems to be the way of things on Apple forums nowadays. Not as bad as on MacRumors but it seems to be normal operating procedure on these forums.
iWant a lightweight (1,5 kg) and thin (under 14 mm) 15 inch notebook with a retina display (IGZO) and 7-8 hour battery life.
I want the new Mac book Air, the notebook nirvana.
I don't see your point. That's not saying there no one on here with the insight to know what they want. I'd say there's a huge amount of people out there who want a Retina MacBook Air. I do think his weight wants are ridiculous, however. He's clearly talking about the iPad, but he isn't aware.
Personally, I want a subsidised 50" AIO IPTV iTV from Apple with a monthly bill. Why a monthly bill? 1. That's how you subsidise something great like this. 2. You get all the shows. (I know, back in the real world the content owners would never let that happen. Bastards. No wonder people steal all the content they can get; the content owners aren't deserved of any respect with the hostility and paranoia they treat consumers.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by OllieWallieWhiskers
dual multi-touch ultra-retina MBA with reverse thrusters and a parachute!
Good idea, a screen that unfold 3 times into a 27" MBA :-)
The MacBook Air will most likely be one of the first Apple products to see a Haswell update. The Air should benefit greatly from the HD5000 series and the added battery life Haswell has to offer. Also the 13 rMBP will benefit from the added gpu performance when it comes to the bandwidth needed to handle things like animation.
Should be some nice gpu and battery life performance bumps along with 10-15% cpu performance.
My prediction is for a retina display, LTE chip, and no touch screen.