Apple Will Release an Ultra-Slim 12-Inch 2014 MacBook with Retina: What to Expect
Apple will be releasing a redesigned 12-inch MacBook in 2014. The device will feature an ultra-slim design that should provide another benchmark for ultrabooks to come. According to the report, Apple is also working on a 9.7-inch sixth generation iPad. What can people expect from the all new 12-inch MacBook?
Apple Insider Ming-Chi Kuo reported about the upcoming MacBook. Kuo works as an analyst at KGI Securities. The reported cited Apple working on a number of new products for 2014. The most noteworthy of such is the 12-inch MacBook.
Kuo said that the device will sport an "ultra-slim clamshell form factor."
Combining the 11-inch MacBook Air with the 13-inch model offers portability and productivity. The 11-inch model is easy to carry around but the 13-inch offers better work efficiency. Marrying these two selling points can lead to an extremely powerful MacBook.
The device will also reportedly have a resolution similar with Apple's high-resolution MacBook Pro Retina display. Kuo also noted that they expect the upcoming MacBook to "redefine laptop computing once again following the milestone created by the MacBook Air."
Although there are many sources saying that Apple may introduce a laptop running on their custom A-series chips used on iPad and iPhone, Kuo thinks it otherwise. Instead, he says that Apple may use the traditional Intel CPU to do the job for the new 12-inch MacBook.
People will have to wait for official announcement. If Apple pushes through then it can be interesting to see how the upcoming MacBook will deliver.
Upcoming iPad
The analyst also shed some light on the upcoming sixth-generation iPad. According to the report, the upcoming tablet will feature higher pixel-per-inch count compared to the current 9.7-inch iPad with Retina display. Far from the rumors, Kuo does not believe Apple will release a 12-inch iPad in 2014.
iPad 6 is expected to come in the latter part of 2014. As mentioned, resolution will be around 40% better than the current model.
As for the supply chain of the tech giant, Kuo says he sees Parade Technology to gain from the onslaught of embedded DisplayPort technology. Apple's product map for 2014 seems to be packed with the technology.
"We think Parade will defend its status as Apple's sole eDP provider going into 2014, making it one of the top stories in the Apple supply chain," Kuo said in his research note.
Kuo has a good and reliable track record for Apple forecasts. He was the first to say that the tech giant will do away with its 17-inch MacBook Pro.