Redesigned MacBook Pro 2016, 13-inch MacBook Air Confirmed for Imminent Release Date with Intel Skylake? (Photo : Martin Hajek)
Apple has reportedly confirmed of an event set for October 27 and rumors indicate that the laptop models are up for revelation - the MacBook Pro 2016 in 13-inch and 15-inch form factors and a refreshed MacBook Air with a 13-inch screen profile. What exactly are the feature upgrades to expect?
The latest word from Apple's supply chain partners in Asia, courtesy of Taiwanese publication DigiTimes, is that the tech giant will certainly unpack three new MacBooks in time for the 2016 holiday season. "Apple's three new notebook products are also expected to see strong sales in 2017, helping the vendor to regain a double-digit percentage on-year growth," the report said.
The report indicates that the fresh MacBook models will generate strong revenue for the tech giant that extends to 2017, somehow hinting that the devices will lure in new buyers in great numbers. But what could be the new things that will ring the cash register for Apple.
For the MacBook Air, reports are saying that the focus will be on the 13-inch form factor and that could mean the death of the 11-inch version. This will be unsurprising as Apple already has the Retina 12-inch MacBook that could be the chief reason to discontinue the smaller and underwhelmed MacBook Air.
And since the 12-inch MacBook boasts of Retina display, it seems a safe bet that Apple designers will finally equip the refreshed 13-inch MacBook Air with the same immersive screen feature if only to justify the line's continued existence. But one downside of the purported jump to Retina is the higher pricing, indicating too that the Air is likely moving away from it label as Apple's more affordable MacBook solution.
The MacBook Air, according to BGR, badly needs some form of redesign like perhaps copying the near bezel-free screen displays that now seem to be the standard of many flagship Windows 10 ultraportable laptops. Apple must also include new connectivity technology, which is very likely as the rumored USB-C ports with embedded Thunderbolt 3 for the MacBook Pro 2016 appears to be an across the board implementation.
And for the new MacBook Air to really matter, there has to be sufficient power under the hood. It remains a toss between Intel Kaby Lake and Skylake (applies too with the MacBook Pro 2016) but any of the two will surely deliver on the required firepower.
For sure, the 13-inch MacBook Air 2016 will be fired up by MacOS Sierra and that means Siri for Mac or hands-free control of the device is part of the deal. As for the other MacBook Pro 2016 feature upgrades - OLED strip of function keys, Dynamic Magic Keyboard and Touch ID unlocking - being extended to the refreshed Air, Mac fans can only cross their fingers for now.
