Apple to debut standalone 5K monitor, MacBook Air refresh, 'pro' iPad software features, report say
Apple is working to release a fresh batch of Mac hardware including a standalone 5K display made in partnership with LG, MacBook Air and iMac refreshes, and new iPad Pro software catering to professional users, according to a report on Monday.
Citing sources familiar with Apple's plans, Bloomberg reports the company is looking to get back into the monitor game with a high-resolution 5K display made in partnership with existing supplier LG. Apple discontinued the 27-inch Thunderbolt Display, its lone first-party display product, in June.
Today's report claims Apple is working to release AMD graphics options for iMac and updated MacBook Air hardware with multi-function USB-C port, presumably in the same vein as current MacBooks which use the port to recharge. The proposition of new MacBook Airs runs counter to predictions from noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who in May said Apple is unlikely to sink further resources into the thin-and-light as it builds out the new MacBook series.
Bloomberg reaffirmed Kuo's predictions of a massive MacBook Pro overhaul expected to arrive later this year with an OLED touch bar, USB-C, Thunderbolt 3 and more stuffed into a slimmed-down aluminum chassis.
According to the report, the OLED touchbar, referred to internally as the "Dynamic Function Row," will display both a virtual row of function keys and app-specific commands. For example, the touchbar will display granular controls for editing clips in iMovie and special search tools in Safari. Controls for certain key Mac system functions are to be made available at all times, like volume adjustment assets and a switch to toggle back to the macOS function bar, the report said.
On the iPad Pro front, Apple is supposedly developing software to further take advantage of Apple Pencil's unique user input capabilities. Specifically, Apple is working to integrate annotation features across the iOS operating environment, including apps like Mail, Safari and iMessage.
An exact launch timeline was not cited, but today's report said Apple could debut certain Mac hardware upgrades as early as October. The iPad and Apple Pencil software enhancements are not expected to see release until next year, either in an update to iOS 10 or as part of the next major iteration of Apple's mobile operating system.
Citing sources familiar with Apple's plans, Bloomberg reports the company is looking to get back into the monitor game with a high-resolution 5K display made in partnership with existing supplier LG. Apple discontinued the 27-inch Thunderbolt Display, its lone first-party display product, in June.
Today's report claims Apple is working to release AMD graphics options for iMac and updated MacBook Air hardware with multi-function USB-C port, presumably in the same vein as current MacBooks which use the port to recharge. The proposition of new MacBook Airs runs counter to predictions from noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who in May said Apple is unlikely to sink further resources into the thin-and-light as it builds out the new MacBook series.
Bloomberg reaffirmed Kuo's predictions of a massive MacBook Pro overhaul expected to arrive later this year with an OLED touch bar, USB-C, Thunderbolt 3 and more stuffed into a slimmed-down aluminum chassis.
According to the report, the OLED touchbar, referred to internally as the "Dynamic Function Row," will display both a virtual row of function keys and app-specific commands. For example, the touchbar will display granular controls for editing clips in iMovie and special search tools in Safari. Controls for certain key Mac system functions are to be made available at all times, like volume adjustment assets and a switch to toggle back to the macOS function bar, the report said.
On the iPad Pro front, Apple is supposedly developing software to further take advantage of Apple Pencil's unique user input capabilities. Specifically, Apple is working to integrate annotation features across the iOS operating environment, including apps like Mail, Safari and iMessage.
An exact launch timeline was not cited, but today's report said Apple could debut certain Mac hardware upgrades as early as October. The iPad and Apple Pencil software enhancements are not expected to see release until next year, either in an update to iOS 10 or as part of the next major iteration of Apple's mobile operating system.
Comments
While it's somewhat unexpected, it's not completely out of character to do an Air refresh; they did it with the white MacBooks after the aluminum unibody model had been introduced.
The Air is a better computer than the MacBook. Larger display (I wouldn't watch a film on smaller), nicer keyboard travel, SD Card and extra ports, better battery life, more performance, magnetic charger. The MacBook has a better display and is thinner/lighter. Swap out MBA ports for a few thunderbolt 3 ones, give it a 14" Retina display (narrow bezel) and a tweaked keyboard design and then you're talking. MB is overpriced for what it is: base model €1,499 ($1,677) in Ireland. Should be offered in 128 GB for $999. MBA should be Retina only and begin with 128 GB for $1,299. New MBP should begin at $1,799 for 256 GB model and should be offered in one screen size: 16" with narrow bezel. All in the name of clarifying the lineup. MacBook 12", Air 14", Pro 16". More ports, more power and more features as you go.
Then there's also the possibility that they're trying to completely eliminate Mag-Safe. I am fully expecting that if Apple drops the headphone jack from the iPhone 7, that they will add a Lightning port to their entire Mac lineup. Eliminating magsafe gives them the perfect spot to do it on the MBA, especially since Lightning is Apple's de facto charging port. Again, that's a relatively simple thing to update.
I'd consider the 15" but these refreshes won't be based on Kaby Lake processors so I'd rather keep the money in my pocket and perhaps upgrade to a 15" in a couple of years.
I love love love the idea of a dynamic OLED strip and Touch ID support. Hopefully developers and end users will have some great customizing functionality.
5k display sounds great...not at $999. I think the price premium for 5k vs 4k doesn't make sense.
As for Mac Book Air I really have to wonder about people, seriously why wouldn't Apple update the Air? Air has been one of the better resealing computer in Apples line up. Put a high resolution display in it, very possible with Intels improved GPU's, and it is a very viable platform. Apple just needs to put more than one USB-C port in the machine, four would be nice, but even two would put it well ahead of the Mac Book.
People need to remember that Mac Book is Core M and as such will always suffer performance wise compared to other platforms. Air on the other is a platform for midrange Intel mobile chips. Well Intel for today we can always wish for an AMD Zen in the Air. Zen would mean far better GPU performance and good enough CPU performance, which is exactly what the Air needs to transition to a high res screen.
AS for a 5K display we will have to wait and see. Frankly I don't see a big draw unless it has the rumored built in GPU to drive the display. Most Macs simply can't drive a display of that resolution without the molasses effect taking place. So I don't see a Apple shopping huge numbers of these without the rumored GPU. It will be interesting to see what Apple actually ships.
As for 5k...I'm actually looking at a combination of Ultra-wide 21:9 augmented with a portrait display primarily for development. With ultra high resolution displays there's a bit of diminishing returns.