“Apple is scheduled to roll out its entry-level MacBook series featuring Intel’s 14nm Kaby Lake processor in September’s product launch conference,” Monica Chen and Joseph Tsai report for DIGITIMES. “The model is expected to be priced at US$1,200, according to industry sources.”
“In addition to the new inexpensive notebook, the US-based vendor is also expected to unveil three new iPhones: one featuring a 5.8-inch OLED display, one with a 6.5-inch OLED display and one with a 6.1-inch LCD display in September. The 6.1-inch LCD model is expected to be the most price-friendly and the mainstream device,” Chen and Tsai report. “Apple is also expected to announce the launch schedule for its wireless charger AirPower for new iPhones during the conference with a price point at around $161-$193.”
“For the tablet, Apple reportedly has prepared two new iPad Pros: a 12.9-inch one and an 11-inch one, with the 11-inch iPad Pro set to take over the existing 10.5-inch iPad Pro,” Chen and Tsai report. “Starting the fourth quarter, Apple will have a total of four iPads available in the channel, the narrow-bezel ultra-thin 12.9-inch and 11-inch iPad Pros; the 9.7-inch entry-level iPad and the 7.9-inch iPad mini 4.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: The naming question remains, will it be a “MacBook” or a “MacBook Air?”
It’d be nice if Apple cleaned up their portable product line a bit. MacBook as the entry-level to mid-range (that could be loaded up build-to-order on the processor, RAM, etc. if desired) and MacBook Pro for the power users. Unless Apple has new design ideas and innovations, the “MacBook Air” is superfluous.
iMACs?
Regarding MDN take:
The problem is that the M5 CPUs used in the MacBook can’t be considered anything but entry level. The MacBook Air, as of today, uses i5s which is more powerful. That’s why it’s better positioned a mid tier.
What is the M5 CPU, never heard of it. Or do you mean i5 Intel CPU? My 2013 macbook Pro with i5 processor became very fast after i upgraded to SSD and 16GB Ram (was 4GB ram from factory). It would have been ever faster and more stable if i stayed with Mountain Lion (from factory) instead of upgrading to Mavericks. More rainbow spinner icon with mavericks, but upgrading to SSD and 16GB ram improved things a lot
https://ark.intel.com/products/88202/Intel-Core-m5-6Y54-Processor-4M-Cache-up-to-2_70-GHz
Brilliant timing Apple as usual! Kids will already be in school and already bought their laptops for the school year by the time you drag your lazy product introduction ass out of bed.
I guess Tim & Co. put the same effort they did future-proofing the 2013 Mac Pro and giving pros what they want as they did finding out when the school year actually begins and issue products in a timely fashion accordingly.
Did you want Apple to ship notebooks with an empty CPU socket and the promise to install a 10nm chip when one becomes available next year? The alternative was to redesign and reschedule shipping. Fire Intel, as soon as a workable alternative emerges. The A-series is still not fast enough to run Intel code (every existing application) in emulation without a performance hit.
That’s solving the problem from the rear end of the horse and letting the whims of fate determine your manufacture destiny instead of being proactive and leading. I thought pipelining component parts is the one thing Tim Cook IS good at? Apple has the resources to get things done – all they need is the will.
i would really like to upgrade my 2013 13 inch macbook Pro (upgraded to 16GB ram and SSD) with a 2015 15″ Macbook pro (without touchbar) with i7, back light and mag safe charger, retina screen & 1TB flash storage. Apple did discontinue this model (few 512GB on refurbished apple website), but wish they would sell the maxed out 15 inch at the entry level (256GB) price as a entry level model.
As I guessed, the so called ‘Pro’ users are going to have a field day with this report. This minority group need to realise that they are not the only Apple product users and that the company will naturally focus attention on the bigger markets. Be patient Pros, and you’ll get your Ferrari versions soon.
As I guessed, the so called ‘Apple fanboy’ users are going to have a field day with pro users again instead of looking at Apple’s record of missed opportunities, poor Mac updates and Mac market misread. These guys need to realize all product lines need regular updating and one not at the expense of others.
6 years is plenty patient. But also intolerable, inexcusable and beyond the pale. Walk a mile in our shoes before casting judgment. What Apple has done is not remotely good business sense. They could be growing the Mac market instead of shrinking it due to lack of attention and imagination. These are problems you need to worry about.
Glad your needs have been addressed and “appreciate” your empathy toward others whose needs have been ignored for far too long. If you had been likewise treated it’s doubtful you would be so generous towards Apple.
well peter i can certainly appreciate you enthusiasm and excellent diction but that would be the pinnacle of my opinion on your comments. I can agree with your frustration in waiting for the mac pro refresh but at the same time to say this is bad business sense is pure poppycock.
well peter i can certainly appreciate you enthusiasm and excellent diction but that would be the pinnacle of my opinion on your comments. I can agree with your frustration in waiting for the mac pro refresh but at the same time to say this is bad business sense is pure poppycock.
So biased you had to say it twice?
So being years late to market is okay and NOT pursuing a more aggressive business stance on the timely marketing of Macs to increase sales dramatically (with Macs people want to buy) is GOOD business sense?
Pure Poppinfresh Poppycock indeed!
apple is the most valuable company in the world and most profitable by a wide margin. Focusing on a subset of customers which maybe represents 1% of overall sales while neglecting other portions of the business would be the truly bad business decision. Apple makes more selling apple pencils than mac pros even if there were a new model every year. On top of that with the expense of these units most pros are not upgrading regularly so updating them every year would not be prudent. The desktop computer market is dying and dying fast so hop off your high horse and accept that you (the desktop user) are not the main focus of the company. i know its painful and agree it sucks but maybe if there were more of you then they could devote more attention
Found the beancounter-in-training!
You said it yourself, most valuable company and most profitable. They can focus on a subset of customers without neglecting other portions.
You sound more and more like the apologetic crocodile before he eats you. With a false and completely misguided outlook like yours the Mac doesn’t need enemies.
Still have a 2008 mbp with upgraded ram and hybrid hd. Yes a bit slow but still ok for basic tasks and the connectivity can’t be beat.
I DON”T KNOW what is going on at Apple or news outlets with this information. The “September” release of the “Intel’s 14nm Kaby Lake processor” is available NOW. I just purchased a MacBook this week (12 inches) with 16g RAM and 512 SSD, and i7.
My 6 year old 13 inch MBAir (i7, 8gRam, 512 SSD) had some issues due to a few too many drops and I ordered my new MacBOOK on Aug 2. Was told it would not be delivered until Aug 14, but did receive it on the 13th.
Available in Gold, Silver, Space Gray, or Rose Gold.
LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE MBAir, only smaller; USB-c connector and headphone jack.
MDN: You are right Is it an MBAir or MB. I showed it to a couple of office personnel yesterday that were considering an MBAir and their response – That looks like the MBAir!
OH, and it is almost 1 pound lighter than the 13 inch MBAir.
NO Fan either.
I agree the Air if used should be an A series powered device that would give the name some logic and differentiation. Until then it is just a confusing marketing ploy that stinks of mid 90s Apple branding confusion.