Apple may announce new MacBooks during WWDC 2016. (Photo : YouTube/HandyAndy Tech Tips)
Rumors continue to swirl that Apple's planned 2016 upgrades for the MacBook Pro and Air lineup will happen June 13 with the actual release date to follow immediately. Analysts have forecasted a staggered rollout, which makes sense - the new MacBook Pro models will appear at the 2016 WWDC in June while the MacBook Air refresh will be outed next, perhaps within the year's summer season.
There were suggestions too that new MacBook 2016 release will extend well into the holiday months but that would be for the 17-inch versions, which for many is a moonshot at the moment.
More believable is the simultaneous launch of Apple's 13-inch and 15-inch laptops that according to recent reports will borrow the build and design used in the 12-inch 2015 MacBook. So consumers can expect the 2016 upgrades to be as slimmer than ever with device finish or color options similar to the latest iOS devices. Yes, just like the current iPhones and iPads, there will be Gold and Rose Gold MacBooks to choose from.
The power beneath the devices shell is the tandem of OS X 10.12 and Intel Skylake chip. The former is rumored to be renamed as macOS 11 though Apple is yet to confirm on this. On the other hand, Skylake as part of the upcoming MacBooks already excites long-time Apple Mac fans as the use of the sixth-gen Intel would mean significant boosts in computing power and energy efficiency, the latter translating to extra operating hours or improved productivity.
In a new report, Neurogadget has listed too three key feature upgrades to watch for on the 2016 Macs. The inclusion of USB Type-C ports will redefine the MacBook connectivity - more pairing options, faster data transfer and quick charging. The MacBook 2016 will also deliver an increased basic storage, from 128GB SSD to 256GB. And something to look forward to is Siri crossing over to the Mac platform, which means the next-generation laptops will display bits of AI or artificial intelligence prowess.
As for the pricing, TechRadar said that the 13-inch Retina MacBook will likely start at around $1100 while the 15-inch build, also with Retina and higher processing might, will have an asking price of about $2100. The non-Retina Macs, the report added, will have a sticker price of $999 on release date, the countdown of which starts the moment Apple opens the door for its 2016 WWDC event in June.
