Apple will reportedly deploy its MacBook 2016 refresh in the second half of the year, pointing to release date as early as July for both the upgraded MacBook Pro and Air. The latest report from Asia suggests of "fully redesigned," inside components for the next-generation Apple laptops in order to achieve ultra-slim build.
The report by DigiTimes that suppliers are scrambling to win MacBook component orders from Apple also indicated that mass production is set to begin anytime. The timing provided still aligns with the earlier rumors that the MacBook 2016 will be introduced via the Worldwide Developers Conference in June with the likelihood of actual launch in the following month.
It appears too that the upcoming MacBooks will be the slimmest ever as DigiTimes claimed that Apple will partner with U.S. firm Amphenol for the OS X notebooks to feature a new metal injection molding-made (MIM) hinge. The same was used with the Microsoft-made Surface Book 2.
The use of MIM hinge will significantly reduce the MacBook thickness when folded, the report said.
DigiTimes, however, did not mention any specific models that are slated for unboxing. But according to 9to5Mac, it's all but confirmed that the 12-inch MacBook (issued in early 2015) and the MacBook Pros are up for upgrades. The latter are said to hit stores in 13-inch and 15-inch screen display.
And while rumors are persistent that the MacBook Air will be retired this year, the possibility remains that Apple will keep the line alive and give it a bump. "While it's expected that the legacy MacBook Air is being phased out in favor of the MacBook with Retina display, it's possible that Apple could also update the Air with faster processors as an entry-level Mac option," Apple Insider reported.
The MacBook 2016 is said to jump from Broadwell to Intel Skylake platform, a move that is seen to boost the devices' computing power and speed while further extending battery life. Working with Skylake chip is OS X 10.12, which in recent reports is said to be rebranded as MacOS. The software is believed to bring Siri - the Apple digital assistant first introduced in iOS devices - to the MacBook environment.
Also, Apple Insider noted that MacBook stocks are declining in the past weeks, somehow signaling of an upcoming hardware refresh that further supports a MacBook 2016 release date in July or just weeks following the 2016 WWDC.