“Continued growth for the MacBook lineup — particularly in enterprise markets — will be a bright spot for Apple in 2016, further bolstered by an update in the first half of the year, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo,” Neil Hughes reports for AppleInsider.
“Kuo, of KGI Securities, believes the MacBook lineup could lead the way for Apple in terms of growth this year,” Hughes reports. “He said Apple’s notebook lineup has seen “solid growth” among businesses, and he expects sales will accelerate with upgrades likely to arrive by June.”
“Though new MacBooks are apparently in the works, little is known about the anticipated upgrades. It’s likely that Apple is waiting on new ‘Skylake’ processors from Intel for its next-generation notebook,” Hughes reports. “Kuo didn’t offer any specifics on what other upgrades Apple’s new notebooks might offer, nor did he indicate which of the company’s lineup will see updates. But Sunday’s report was the well-connected insider’s first indication that new MacBooks will arrive in the first half of the year.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We’re very interested to see how and where Apple takes the MacBook Air line since it is currently overlapped in many ways now by the MacBook. The MacBook Pro has a clear purpose (portable power), as does the MacBook (ultimate portability). The MacBook Air line needs more than a bit of redefinition and clarification of purpose.
“Pro” means “Professional.”
It does not mean “We skimp on 2 extra connectors, because newbies buy MBPros and don’t use them.”
I hope the full size MB Pros keep redundant USB connectors, because two connectors get filled up easy. Using USB for charging may sound good, but that means the power cord won’t “pop off” like the MagSafe.
I think people buying the MBPro are willing to spend the extra dollars for safety on the port issues. MBAir, OK, I understand.
Tangentially, I’m wondering when iMacs will get curved screens. Hoping for Fall 2016, but kind of expect Spring-Fall 2017.
Consolidate! Too many variations, all with the same name. Confused customers walk out of the store.
Tflint, right you are.
Apple needs to get back to the 4-quardant computer matrix Jobs created: 2 desktops, 2 portable, one each for pros and one each for consumers.
The obvious solution is to combine the MacBook and Air into one line that offers supreme portability and with enough power to handle all but the toughest video editing tasks. How hard can that be?
Right you are. And the Pro line needs to be an update to the 2012 13″ MBP, with Retina display, modern processors and a full compliment of inbuilt ports and on-board CD/DVD burner. I’ve got the 2009 variant of that design and it’s the best small workhorse there is. It doesn’t matter if it weighs 4.5 lbs and is almost 1″ thick. It’s the heart of a mobile recording studio. A 15″ version with quad-cores should be offered. Leave thinness for its own sake to the basic line.
Do you really use the burner? You can’t just email or post tracks for download for people?
Not often, but the impact on the laptop is small and it saves having a separate device when you need to rip a CD or DVD. If you want to actually own your media library you must buy a CD/DVD and rip it yourself. All those iTunes downloads are just long term leases that expire when you die.
Suggestion for Apple (actually, I’m begging here): come out with a retina display of the 13 inch MacBook Air which has the same awesome battery life as the current model. I have an iPad, MacBook Pro (retina), and a 13 inch MacBook Air, and the one I always end up taking is the Air.
I’m typing this on my 13″ Air now, it’s awesome. Would like to see a 14″ retina screen in the same form factor with minimal bezels.
Anyone else thinking that Apple should implement Thunderbolt 3.0 on their new Mac product lineup?
Skylake processors are a must. Somebody at Apple needs to be fired if the next MacBook Pros don’t have Skylake processors.
My Macbook Pro is the new slim design 15″ retina late 2013 1TB SSD 16gb full spec, it’s fast but I need more than 1TB SSD and more processing. I use it as my mobile workhorse studio with My fully spec iMac 27′ Retina 2015 32GB 1TBSSD for the proper studio although I feel like both machines run the same speed wise.
I’m really waiting for a new Mac Pro (dustbin) with faster multi Processor (8 core) and the upcoming faster Ram and the faster 3DSSD to hopefully replace the iMac.
I know all this new tech is on its way and I hope Apple use it all immediatly but I also am waiting for Apple to release a new Retina screen Monitor to run the future Mac Pro I need.
I am pushing the limits using their fastest gear and it’s holding together ok but I feel like I’m about to hit the ceiling with space and processing and need more soon.
I think Apple are as stuck as me waiting for these new tech innovations to come to market.
Here’s a concept: How about Apple completely update its aging MacBook Lineup. It’s time to go all Retina, multiple USB-C (v3.1) ports, separate ThunderBolt, and separate MagSafe on all of ’em.
1) MacBooks – entry level, 3 sizes (~11″, 13″, 15″), perhaps plastic case and more battery. NOT the netbook that Apple released last year.
2) MacBook Airs – Two thin light machines for road warriors, in ~12 and 14″ screen sizes. More expensive than entry level, but lighter and more durable.
3) MacBook Pro – the latest and best by all measures, in three sizes: 13″, 15″, and 17″. With PCI Express slot, TouchID, and option for dual hot swappable battery or dual internal drives please.