Analyst expects MacBook refresh by June, next-gen iPhone by October
Analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray expects Apple to firm up Mac sales during the June quarter with a refresh to its MacBook, iMac and possibly MacBook Air lines, but believes that the biggest product rollout in the coming six months will be the October launch of a new iPhone.
Mac NPD units were down 13 percent year-to-year in April, but Munster notes that it has been over a year since Apple's MacBook and iMac lines saw a "meaningful refresh" and sees sales rebounding following the release of new MacBooks and iMacs sometime before June. The MacBook Pro may be ripe for a major redesign as the most recent came four years ago in late 2008.
The initial numbers for April are similar to those of the previous quarter and appear to be soft, though in March actual Mac growth outpaced NPD's figures by 12 percent with a positive 7 percent year-to-year rate.
In March 2011, the yearly Mac refresh resulted in an acceleration of unit sales from the mid-teens to almost 50 percent year-over-year. Next generation MacBook Pros powered by Intel's new Ivy Bridge processors could see a rumored design overhaul which would combine the slim chassis of a MacBook Air with the power of a full-featured laptop.
It has also been speculated that the iMac will also receive minor design modifications while some reports suggest that Apple will offer a new anti-reflective display never before seen on a Mac desktop.
Munster agrees with Street consensus and estimates worldwide Mac sales to be up about 15 percent year-to-year in the quarter ending in June which amounts to 4.5 million units. PC sales will equate to approximately 15 percent of Apple's revenue for the quarter.
Looking ahead, Apple shares are expected to "react favorably" to the next-generation iPhone debut sometime in October. The new handset is seen to be the highlight product of the following two quarters and while the final design may not yet be decided, a third quarter launch is seen as likely.
As the impending iPhone readies for launch, purported device components like SIM card trays are beginning to leak from parts suppliers, the latest being a headphone jack, earpiece and Wi-Fi cable. A previous report saw a slightly modified home button that is supposedly destined for use in the next-gen handset.
Mac NPD units were down 13 percent year-to-year in April, but Munster notes that it has been over a year since Apple's MacBook and iMac lines saw a "meaningful refresh" and sees sales rebounding following the release of new MacBooks and iMacs sometime before June. The MacBook Pro may be ripe for a major redesign as the most recent came four years ago in late 2008.
The initial numbers for April are similar to those of the previous quarter and appear to be soft, though in March actual Mac growth outpaced NPD's figures by 12 percent with a positive 7 percent year-to-year rate.
In March 2011, the yearly Mac refresh resulted in an acceleration of unit sales from the mid-teens to almost 50 percent year-over-year. Next generation MacBook Pros powered by Intel's new Ivy Bridge processors could see a rumored design overhaul which would combine the slim chassis of a MacBook Air with the power of a full-featured laptop.
It has also been speculated that the iMac will also receive minor design modifications while some reports suggest that Apple will offer a new anti-reflective display never before seen on a Mac desktop.
Munster agrees with Street consensus and estimates worldwide Mac sales to be up about 15 percent year-to-year in the quarter ending in June which amounts to 4.5 million units. PC sales will equate to approximately 15 percent of Apple's revenue for the quarter.
Looking ahead, Apple shares are expected to "react favorably" to the next-generation iPhone debut sometime in October. The new handset is seen to be the highlight product of the following two quarters and while the final design may not yet be decided, a third quarter launch is seen as likely.
As the impending iPhone readies for launch, purported device components like SIM card trays are beginning to leak from parts suppliers, the latest being a headphone jack, earpiece and Wi-Fi cable. A previous report saw a slightly modified home button that is supposedly destined for use in the next-gen handset.
Comments
These analyst stories are turning into the spam of Apple Insider...
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTR
Enough with the analysts already!
These analyst stories are turning into the spam of Apple Insider...
I know! I just want the next MacBook Pro out so I can get one already...
http://techland.time.com/2012/05/14/digitimes-apple-rumors/2/
Kudos to '9 to 5 Mac' for having a little quality-control.
From their site regarding the latest TV rumours:
"Again, we did not run with the story, because we preferred to mock it instead via Twitter."
So funny because it's so true. He knows nothing. Like the rest of us.
Whatever the rumours, it is a sure thing that next generation MacBooks will be impressive. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas. Come on Santa launch this computers already.
Suck my Piper Jaffery...
Who pays these idiots? They should run for congress.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
In other news it's been confirmed that analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray spends his days reading tech forums to get info on the most likely Apple release dates.
Enough already with these rumors about analyst Gene Munster!!!!
...oh, wait...
He'd be wise to read your stuff.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTR
Enough with the analysts already!
These analyst stories are turning into the spam of Apple Insider...
Yeah, they just repeat the same rumors racing around the 'Net.
Quote:Analyst expects MacBook refresh by June, next-gen iPhone by October
Wow, colour me totally blown away by this amazing prediction.
Agreed...analysts know nothing. I just know that I hope I don't have to wait until October for the new iPhone. My iPhone 4 is feeling long in the tooth these days, and I'm not about to buy a 4S.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
In other news it's been confirmed that analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray spends his days reading tech forums to get info on the most likely Apple release dates.
Probably not. If he did, he'd be more accurate in his "forecasts"
But seriously, does anyone need to do any homework to come up with a gem like a new iPhone being released within the next 6 months? How about going out on a limb and predicting that there will a few new iPhones and iPads introduced within the next 36 months?
So this guy gets paid to spew common sense stuff that I've been saying since last year.
That tears it. I'm too worthless to actually get a real job anyway; I'm becoming a tech analyst.
Sorry everyone. I hate to contribute to this idiotic realm, but I really don't have any other option. Besides, I can write quite well.
I'll try to keep my predictions as intelligent as possible, though. My conscience wouldn't allow me to take money for something as stupid as this guy just said.