14 DAY TRIAL // The invites sent out by email on Thursday bore a message saying "The spotlight turns to notebooks." Apple will be using its iconic Town Hall in Cupertino to make some official unveilings. We are now confident the company is set out to unveil MacBook hardware upgrades.
Practically every Mac-based site / blog has hinted at Apple unveiling a new MacBook line this month, with all the rumors pointing to October 14 as the actual date. Mobile Magazine confirms that the tagline on the invitation says that Apple is now turning the spotlight to notebooks. As if Apple's word on this wasn't enough, the silhouette of a black Mac laptop is also featured on the card. The card is pictured above (click to enlarge the image).
Those who analyzed the laptop pictured on the invitation have concluded that it is likely a picture of the rumored 13" Aluminum MacBook, MacRumors is reporting. Some took this even further and designed the notebook silhouette into a mockup of how the new MacBook might look like.
Mockup of the next-gen MacBook based on the invitation artwork
Credits: Ampliar via Planeta | Mac
Apple is not only expected to unveil new MacBooks now, but also lower priced models at that. Analysts believe the popularity of Apple's iPods and iPhone aided MacBooks in gaining market share. Now that Apple's got everyone's attention, the same analysts believe the company is planning to introduce a cheaper model to further increase demand on its notebooks.
"There is a possibility they might go there, but in general they have consistently played at the very high end of the market," says Gartner analyst Van Baker. "While I would love to see Apple compete in the 799-999 dollar price range, based on past history I am skeptical they are going to do that," Baker adds. He also says it is more likely for Apple to roll out thinner MacBook Pros, sporting a more industrial design, akin to that of the MacBook Air.
The upcoming Apple press event will be held October 14, Town Hall, at Apple's HQ in Cupertino.