Anonymous sources speaking to DigiTimes claim that Apple will launch its long-rumored, entry-level MacBook 2018 model this September alongside new iPhones and iPads as well as details regarding the AirPower wireless charger release.The MacBook will be supposedly be priced at $1,200 in the US when it releases later this year industry sources have told DigiTimes.
Last we heard from a previous report, the MacBooks release date will fall sometime in October.
Judging from previous releases, this should amount to around 1,149 and about AU$1,799.Rumors and reports up until this point have forecasted Apple releasing a successor to the original MacBook or MacBook Air that would emulate either products price point.
As you know, old entry-level MacBooks and MacBook Air models costed $999 and $799, respectively.Either a four-digit price is something Apple actually considers affordable to the wider public, or this laptop isnt designed to be entry-level at all.
Unfortunately, we know nothing more about this laptops capabilities that would hint toward either circumstance aside from the fact that will come running Intels latest Kaby Lake processors.The processor piece is an interesting point in itself, as DigiTimess sources claim that Apple had originally planned to ship this model with Intels endlessly-delayed 10-nanometer Canon Lake chips.
With those now set to start shipping in mid-2019, Apple opted to launch with the 14nm Kaby Lake chips rather than delay the refresh by another year.DigiTimes also quickly mentions an affordable 13-inch MacBook was planned for a late 2017 release, but has been delayed due to Intel pushing back its 10nm processor release.With this new information, we frankly cant wait to see where these fit in Apples laptop lineup, especially this slightly cheaper 12-inch refresh.New iPads are incoming, tooIn the same report, DigiTimess sources say that Apple will also debut two new iPad Pro tablets at its September, iPhone-led event.
One model will be a straight update to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, while the other will be an 11-inch tablet to replace the 10.5-inch iPad Pro.Both of these new pro-grade iPads will reportedly, at last, use USB-C charging ports rather than Lightning, paired with 18W power adapters for faster charging.
Weve seen Apple widely adopt USB-C in its laptops and desktops, and with iPad Pro line being more tangential to those devices, we could totally see USB-C being used here.Finally, Apples September iPhone event could be wherein we get the launch schedule for the AirPower wireless charging pad.
According to DigiTimess sources, it will debut at around $193 (about 145, AU$258).What is normally an iPhone-focused event is looking to become an Apple product smorgasbord.These are the best Macs weve tested to dateVia AppleInsider