Apple to launch entry level 13.3-inch MacBook with Retina display in Q2, report says
A report out of Asia on Sunday claims Apple is preparing a new entry level 13.3-inch MacBook offering that boasts a screen resolution comparable to a MacBook Pro, but comes with a price tag closer to that of a MacBook Air.
According to a report from Digitimes' research arm, Apple's low-end MacBook will be priced in line with, or slightly above, its MacBook Air laptop, which starts at $999. A more expensive version that doubles the amount of onboard flash storage to 256GB sells for $1,199.
Korean display maker LG is said to begin ramping up production of a-Si panels with a resolution of 2,560 by 1,600 pixels at the end of May or early June. That screen resolution is major jump from the 1,440-by-900 pixel panel currently deployed in the MacBook Air, and would qualify as a Retina display.
Whether Apple intends to market the purported laptop as part of the MacBook Air or MacBook lines remains to be seen. If the device does come with "Air" branding, it would be the first to feature a Retina display, bringing Apple's thin-and-light up to par with the MacBook and MacBook Pro families.
Apple was seeking to strike a deal with a Chinese panel manufacturer in a bid to lower build costs, but was ultimately unsuccessful due to unnamed issues, the report said.
As for assembly, Quanta will reportedly handle 70 percent of orders, while Foxconn takes the remaining 30 percent. Apple is purportedly aiming to ship six million units in 2018, though Digitimes expects units ales to be closer to four million.
The report echoes recent predictions from well-connected KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who in a note to investors last week said Apple is working to release a revamped MacBook Air model sometime in the second quarter of 2018.
Finally, today's report claims Apple suppliers have started parts shipments for refreshed iPad and iPad Pro models, which are expected to ship in the second quarter and second half of 2018, respectively. While the entry level version is likely to see only minor internal upgrades, some rumors suggest Apple is working to implement the TrueDepth camera system and Face ID in its next-generation iPad Pro lineup.
According to a report from Digitimes' research arm, Apple's low-end MacBook will be priced in line with, or slightly above, its MacBook Air laptop, which starts at $999. A more expensive version that doubles the amount of onboard flash storage to 256GB sells for $1,199.
Korean display maker LG is said to begin ramping up production of a-Si panels with a resolution of 2,560 by 1,600 pixels at the end of May or early June. That screen resolution is major jump from the 1,440-by-900 pixel panel currently deployed in the MacBook Air, and would qualify as a Retina display.
Whether Apple intends to market the purported laptop as part of the MacBook Air or MacBook lines remains to be seen. If the device does come with "Air" branding, it would be the first to feature a Retina display, bringing Apple's thin-and-light up to par with the MacBook and MacBook Pro families.
Apple was seeking to strike a deal with a Chinese panel manufacturer in a bid to lower build costs, but was ultimately unsuccessful due to unnamed issues, the report said.
As for assembly, Quanta will reportedly handle 70 percent of orders, while Foxconn takes the remaining 30 percent. Apple is purportedly aiming to ship six million units in 2018, though Digitimes expects units ales to be closer to four million.
The report echoes recent predictions from well-connected KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who in a note to investors last week said Apple is working to release a revamped MacBook Air model sometime in the second quarter of 2018.
Finally, today's report claims Apple suppliers have started parts shipments for refreshed iPad and iPad Pro models, which are expected to ship in the second quarter and second half of 2018, respectively. While the entry level version is likely to see only minor internal upgrades, some rumors suggest Apple is working to implement the TrueDepth camera system and Face ID in its next-generation iPad Pro lineup.
Comments
At this point, 8Gb is pretty much base level. A $1,000+ laptop should have more...
I think they are simply going to drop the price of the current 12" MacBook to entry level price -- probably $1099 for base model 128GB MacBook -- and then place this new 13" MacBook at the current 12" MacBook price. That would make much more sense.
Knowing Apple, the new 13" MacBook will only get two USB-C ports -- one of which will be to charge -- no SD and no thunderbolt. It will cost $1299 for the 256GB model and will replace the entry level MacBook Pro (the one without Touch Bar).
Not like this didn't happen before?
Sadly you are probably correct in that it would lose SD and MS, but both thunderbolt 3 ports could act as charging ports. This would be Schiller's justification for booting the mighty MagSafe.
If Apple wants the base price to be lower, reduce the 12” MacBook price to $999. Done. Problem solved. Lower the 13” Pro prices too.
What features can Apple cut out of this new 13” machine that aren’t already missing from the 12”? The 12” has only one USB-C port to share with charging, 8 GB ram max, no memory card slot, and a crappy 480p webcam. Why would Apple take similar specs, give it an extra inch of Retina display, and sell it for less?
ONLY if Apple is REPLACING the 12” with the new 13” model...that makes sense. But not in addition to. I don’t see how there’s room for both in the lineup...what can they add to the 12” to make it better than this entry 13” and justify an increased price?
12” be gone, long live a 13” entry MacBook.
Oh and maybe make a 'special edition' in "black" for all those noodles out there that will pay extra for a black one!
You have then a very simple laptop line. Two MacBooks and 3 MacBookPro's.
I have the 2017 rosegold MacBook and it's a masterpiece of engineering and design. I wanted only a few things...the top being a fantastically light weight laptop with a retina screen, max battery life and of course, Apple's latest and greatest MacOS. I bought a 1" rosegold USB to USB-C adaptor for $6 and used it once when my printer dropped wifi at work.
Best
Is Apple in the brewing business now as well?