MacBook stocks dwindle as rumor pegs new 13" & 15" models for second quarter 2016 launch
Low stocks of some current MacBooks models may indicate that Apple is preparing to refresh its laptops, and may also support a rumor that new 13- and 15-inch systems will ship by the end of the second quarter.
Although Apple's own stores appear to be well-stocked, AppleInsider checks on Tuesday indicated that third-party vendors like B&H and MacMall have limited inventory of the MacBook Pro, in both 13- and 15-inch sizes. Many 12-inch MacBook configurations, meanwhile, are also out of stock at resellers. Availability can be seen in the AppleInsider Price Guide.
Such stock-outs are often a sign that merchants and/or Apple itself are trying to drain inventory in advance of a refresh.
Simultaneously, DigiTimes supply chain sources claimed that Apple is preparing to ship new 13- and 15-inch MacBooks at the end of the second quarter, implying sometime in June. Though the site didn't specify which specific models it meant, it described the new systems as being "similar" in design to the 12-inch MacBook, and thinner than the current MacBook Air.
While both publications have a mixed track record with predicting Apple products, the DigiTimes report does align with an Economic Daily News claim from November that Apple is planning to revamp the Air line, possibly scrapping the 11-inch model in favor of a 15-inch one. Alternately, the company might just be planning to thin down the Pro.
In any event all three MacBook lines are likely to see refreshes in the next several months, potentially timed with Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in early June.
The Air has lagged behind other MacBooks in recent years, changing relatively little in terms of design. The computer is in fact the only MacBook without a Retina display, though as a tradeoff it's also the least expensive model, starting at $899.
Although Apple's own stores appear to be well-stocked, AppleInsider checks on Tuesday indicated that third-party vendors like B&H and MacMall have limited inventory of the MacBook Pro, in both 13- and 15-inch sizes. Many 12-inch MacBook configurations, meanwhile, are also out of stock at resellers. Availability can be seen in the AppleInsider Price Guide.
Such stock-outs are often a sign that merchants and/or Apple itself are trying to drain inventory in advance of a refresh.
Simultaneously, DigiTimes supply chain sources claimed that Apple is preparing to ship new 13- and 15-inch MacBooks at the end of the second quarter, implying sometime in June. Though the site didn't specify which specific models it meant, it described the new systems as being "similar" in design to the 12-inch MacBook, and thinner than the current MacBook Air.
While both publications have a mixed track record with predicting Apple products, the DigiTimes report does align with an Economic Daily News claim from November that Apple is planning to revamp the Air line, possibly scrapping the 11-inch model in favor of a 15-inch one. Alternately, the company might just be planning to thin down the Pro.
In any event all three MacBook lines are likely to see refreshes in the next several months, potentially timed with Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in early June.
The Air has lagged behind other MacBooks in recent years, changing relatively little in terms of design. The computer is in fact the only MacBook without a Retina display, though as a tradeoff it's also the least expensive model, starting at $899.
Comments
The MacBook Pro needs to be usable in different applications from the MacBook, so removing USB ports in favor of USB-C accomplishes nothing except forcing people to buy adapters.
- MacBook 12" Retina with Skylake - same as current model but significantly better performance
- MacBook 14" Retina with Skylake - slightly larger than MacBook Air with 13"screen and likely to be massively popular
- MacBook Pro 13" Retina with Skylake - overall form factor similar to existing model but redesigned enclosure that's thinner and lighter
- MacBook Pro 15" Retina with Skylake - overall form factor similar to existing model but redesigned enclosure that's thinner and lighter
All models should come with USB-C while Pro models likely to get two USB-C ports plus HDMI, single Thunderbolt, SD card and headphone jack.Baseline configuration 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD
High end configuration 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD
BTO option configuration 32 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD
It is also possible that MacBook Pro could move to a new screen form factor of 14" and 16", while MacBook sticks with 12" and 14" in stead of 13" and 15".
Also, by September wouldn't Kaby Lake intel chips be coming on the market? Awesome prioritisation Apple!
I doubt a MacBook Air equivalent would have anything but 6xxxU processors.
My son got the HP x360 spectre because he wanted as modern a processor as possible. His sisters settled for MBAs. That was nearly four months ago. The HP had been out long enough to get discounted. And Apple is still months away.
1. Thunderbolt 3.
2. 60 Hz 4K support over HDMI. It's really hard to find 40+ inch 4K TV's with DisplayPort.
3. Moving to industry standard NVM Express SSD instead of Apple's own custom PCIe SSD. This could allow for more third party upgrade options including standard TRIM support.
4. Keep the Magsafe!
Unfortunately, that's never stopped Apple before.