14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is expected to take the wraps off a new MacBook sometime this year, and KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently said this might be a more affordable version of the device that could replace the existing MacBook Air.
Now a new report from DigiTimes indicates that the new laptop is on the table for a debut in the second quarter of this year, which means that Apple could be planning to unveil it at WWDC in June.
What’s not clear from this new report, however, is how Apple plans to call the device. Even though it’s supposed to replace the existing MacBook Air, Cupertino could actually launch it as part of the MacBook lineup, and thus offer a new entry-level configuration to help expand its product lineup.
Affordable, but Retina display likely
On the other hand, it looks like Apple is looking into aggressive pricing for this upcoming model, and while Kuo suggested it could hit the shelves with a price tag of $799, DigiTimes believes there’s a chance it’ll be priced similarly to the MacBook Air or a bit higher. The MacBook Air currently sells for $999, but there is just a slight possibility for Apple to launch the new laptop at a higher price.
When it comes to features, the entry-level device is expected to ship with 13.3-inch Retina displays. LG Display is already projected to begin shipping panels for the laptop in April, and mass production is due to start in late May or early June.
Cupertino is reportedly aiming to sell six million units of the new MacBook this year alone, mostly as a result of the small price tag. Bigger sales should also be recorded next year, and this new MacBook is expected to account for a substantial share of all MacBook sales.
As usual, take this with a healthy dose of skepticism, as Apple has remained completely tight-lipped on everything concerning its future MacBook lineup.