Apple SVP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller introduces features of the new MacBook. (Photo : Getty Images/Stephen Lam)
The 12-inch MacBook was silently refreshed this week while rumors of the impending MacBook Air retirement further heat up, again fanning up the speculations that the MacBook Pro 2016 release date in 13-inch and 15-inch configurations is near. Also, the latest laptop from Apple somehow dropped clues on the upcoming Mac feature upgrades.
Most of the rumored feature jumps for next batch of Macs came true as Apple revealed the 2016 build of the 12-inch MacBook and at the same time making the 8GB RAM provision standard on the 13-inch MacBook Air. But while the new MacBook got a significant processor upgrade, the Air was left as it is, likely signaling that the latter will be discontinued as whispered.
"Without a processor bump, the end of the road may be near for the MacBook Air," Apple Insider said, adding that with the new MacBook as the better portability option and Retina display not on the horizon, the MacBook Air now occupies "a somewhat awkward position in Apple's Mac lineup."
So the case gets stronger than ever for an imminent MacBook Pro 2016 launch and thanks to the latest MacBook, the following feature upgrades are likely to be unboxed with device soon:
Intel Skylake
The 2016 MacBook got a huge boost as the main engine is now the Intel Skylake Core M processor that Apple said translates to 25 percent of performance boost and up to 40 percent uptick in graphic rendering. With Skylake in the picture, it's nearly confirmed that the MacBook Pro 2016 will run on the same platform and perhaps flex more muscle and speed than its smaller sibling.
Battery bump
Apple said that the new MacBook will last maximum of 10 hours and credit that to the battery bump that came with the device plus the more efficient Skylake chip run. It should be a safe bet then that for the MacBook Pro rollout, 10 hours is the minimum length of continues operation and that's because Intel's sixth-generation chip is art of the package alongside the expected higher battery pack rating.
Ultra-slim and lightweight Mac
Not surprising, Apple carried over the 31.1mm thinness of the 2015 MacBook to the second installment, achieved partly due to the fanless design and minimal use of moving parts. The new MacBook also cleared the scale at just 2lbs, further attesting to its ultraportable label. Analysts said that when the MacBook Pro 2016 comes out, the reference model would be the 12-inch MacBook, which tells that the soon-to-unbox Pro will be the slimmest and lightest ever in the lineup.
Force Touch trackpad and keyless keyboard?
Like its predecessor, the new 12-inch MacBook includes a Force Touch-laced trackpad, which is a feature that likely will be extended to the 2016 MacBook Pro. But the latter might just present an exclusive feature hinted in previous leaks - a keyless keyboard that essentially is an extension of the Force Touch function in a Mac.
Rose Gold finish
Rose Gold, which really is Pink to many, first came to the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus and then to the two sizes of the super-tablet iPad Pro. And Apple thought it wise that buyers might want to take home the MacBook 2016 with the same finish, somehow dropping the idea that for the MacBook Pro 2016 Rose Gold will be part of the deal.
Upgraded basic component specs
The MacBook 2016 marks the Mac jump to 256GB internal memory and 8GB RAM, which indicates two things for the MacBook Pro release this year - the device will not only pack the same basic specs but will also offer highs of 1TB storage and 16GB of RAM provision.
As the new 12-inch MacBook is already out, all eyes are set on the 2016 WWDC in June 13, which is believed as the release date for the OS X 10.12-powered, rumored to be rebranded MacOS, MacBook Pro 2016.
