New Apple MacBook Pro and Air lineup to be announced on 27 October: Here’s what to expect

By tech2 News Staff /  20 Oct 2016 , 10:42

After plenty of rumours, Apple has finally broken its silence on the launch of its much-awaited MacBook refresh. The new page that details the event is up on Apple’s website with the message “hello again”, inviting fans to join them on the live stream of the event set to take place on October 27 at 10AM PDT (which would be 10:30AM IST).

Like always Apple has not detailed or even hinted as to what it plans to reveal at the event. But with the new iPhones for the year already launched back in September, this indeed could be for the much-awaited MacBook refresh. We say much-awaited as Apple’s current generation of MacBooks (Air and Pros) offer fifth generation chipsets and the same old design as their predecessors.

From what we know through rumours and leaks so far, Apple may announce both a refreshed version of the MacBook Air and a redesigned MacBook Pro Series. 9to5Mac points out that we may see some newer hardware from the Mac lineup as well. The Mac Lineup received a refresh a few years ago, so don’t expect a redesign but just upgraded hardware with the Mac Pro, iMac desktops and the Mac Mini as well.

Japanese blog, Macotakara pointed out that Apple is already geared up to release its new range of MacBook Pros and a new MacBook Air by end of October as conveyed by a reliable Chinese supplier.

Image: Martin Hajek

While the MacBook Pros are expected to arrive in 13-inch and 15-inch models, the same source also points out that Apple will kill the 11-inch MacBook Air. The reasons for the same seem to be related to the existence of the iPad Pro series. The 13-inch MacBook Air model is expected to see a complete redesign.

Other details hint that, the new MacBooks will be skipping on the standard USB ports and will go in for the USB Type C ports instead, along with support for the Thunderbolt 3 standard. The USB C ports will be used for charging, so it is indeed time to wave goodbye to the MagSafe connector. The MacBook Pro lineup is also expected to feature Touch ID and an OLED touch panel that sits over the keyboard.

Rumour: New Apple MacBook Air and Pro lineup to launch by October end

Image: Martin Hajek

By tech2 News Staff /  18 Oct 2016 , 15:31

Apple has been hitting the right notes this year with its iPhone 7 and 7 Plus models. However, its MacBook line-up has not been updated for years. They still feature the same old designs with some updated fifth-generation chipsets, that will still burn a hole in your pocket when compared to similarly priced Windows 10 offerings. But things may change soon, and according to a new rumour, Apple could launch its new range of MacBooks as soon as the end of October.

Japanese blog, Macotakara points out that Apple is already geared up to release its new range of MacBook Pros and a new MacBook Air by end of October as conveyed by a reliable Chinese supplier. In fact, retailers are readying themselves to receive the new shipments which will also drop in by the end of the month.

Diving into the details, the new MacBooks will be skipping on the standard USB ports and will go in for the USB Type C ports instead, along with support for the Thunderbolt 3 standard. The USB C ports will be used for charging, so it is indeed time to wave goodbye to the MagSafe connector.

While the MacBook Pros are expected to arrive in 13-inch and 15-inch models, the same source also points out that Apple will kill the 11-inch MacBook Air. The reasons for the same seem to be related to the existence of the iPad Pro series. The 13-inch MacBook Air model is expected to see a complete redesign.

Last we heard, the MacBook Pro lineup was expected to feature Touch ID and an OLED touch panel that sits over the keyboard. The options displayed would change according to application in use. In addition to the usual improvements, some reports indicate that Apple may be dropping Intel chipsets in favour for AMD chips.