WWDC 2017: 12-inch MacBook Refresh, New MacBook Pro And Air Coming? 10.5-Inch iPad Pro Hinted
June is fast approaching and that means that WWDC, Apple’s annual event, is commencing in a matter of weeks. It is usually the venue for announcing software-related stuff, but this year may be different. Rumors and speculations on the internet indicate that new MacBooks and even a new iPad may be revealed during the conference.
Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the subject, reports that three new MacBooks are being planned to be announced during the Worldwide Developers Conference 2017. Fans can then expect to see a refresh to the 12-inch MacBook and MacBook Pro, along with an upgraded Air.
This move may have been decided to compete with Microsoft, which just released its new Surface laptop earlier this month. The Surface Book 2 is also believed to be coming soon, which is probably why Apple is updating its lineup to keep its sales high.
According to the report, the 12-inch MacBook will have a faster Intel chip, while the MacBook Pro will also receive a faster Kaby Lake processor. There was no mention of a refresh in design and other specs. The smaller one is expected to be revamped inside and out, though, while the Pro will not be much different than the current model.
Surprisingly, Apple is also considering upgrading the MacBook Air, which did not get a significant update last year. Rumors have already started predicting its impending doom, but now it seems like the entry-level laptop will still be hanging around.
Apparently, the sales of the company’s cheapest laptop are still doing great. So, to keep customers buying the Retina-deprived notebook, it will likely be receiving a new processor. The decision may also be partly because of the Surface Laptop, which competes directly with the Air. Seeing that it is newer with better specs and a pretty face, Microsoft’s laptop may prove to be a huge challenge to Apple’s entry-level laptop.
A light refresh may be enough to Apple’s herd of loyalists, but some actually want significant changes. Nonetheless, the Cupertino-based company may still be planning to introduce a new model with revamped designs and maybe an upgraded display, but that cannot be confirmed. These are rumors and speculations for now, so better take these with a pinch of salt.
10.5-inch iPad Pro
The software event may be bombarded with new hardware announcements, as the new iPad Pro variant is also rumored to be announced in WWDC. According to TechTimes, production may have already begun in time for an announcement in June, as predicted by popular KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The analyst is known for his spot-on predictions, so his word holds a lot of weight. This is further corroborated by the leaked Urban Armor Gear inventory listing, which includes a Metropolis Folio Case for a 10.5-inch iPad Pro that is due in June, 2017.
Urban Armor Gear prepping case for 10.5-inch iPad Pro, with June availability https://t.co/ivd6EQOrY4 pic.twitter.com/hdygYN549z
— 9to5Mac (@9to5mac) May 10, 2017
As for its specs, the Inquisitr reports that the new iPad Pro variant will have Pro specs with a 10.5-inch screen crammed into the 9.7-inch iPad’s chassis. Its home button may be removed to accommodate the big display in a small space, or it will stay to house the fingerprint sensor.
The True Tone display from the 9.7-inch iPad Pro will also be carried over to its bigger sibling, as well as advanced support for the Apple Pencil. Aside from these obvious details, not much is really known about the 10.5-inch variant. Until now, there are skeptics of the existence of the tablet as it does not seem logical to release another iPad Pro when there are already three variants (including the rumored iPad Mini Pro) on the market.
WWDC 2017 kicks off on June 5, so stay tuned for more updates.
[Featured Image by Stephen Lam/Getty Images]
