Apple Rumored To Begin 12-Inch MacBook Air Production In Q3 2014
In a new report from DigiTimes, it’s claimed that Apple is set to kick-off mass production of its anticipated 12-inch MacBook Air in the third quarter of 2014.
The article notes that Quanta Computer is going to be manufacturing the machines, and suggests that the laptop will feature minor under-the-hood changes while looking much like the 11- and 13-inch iterations of Apple’s current-generation MacBook Air.
DigiTimes adds:
The sources pointed out that Apple is releasing a 12-inch MacBook Air because its 11-inch model has a screen size similar to its iPad series products and iPad’s increasing sales are impacting MacBook demand and therefore the company is looking to establish a clear boundary between the two product lines.
Though the report also notes that “market watchers expect the machine to feature a Retina display,” little else concerning this is detailed in DigiTimes’ report.
We first heard about the potential of a 12-inch MacBook Air back in October last year, when a research note from NPD DisplaySearch suggested that Cupertino was planning on bringing a 12-inch, Retina display-equipped MacBook Air to the market in the near future.
As of this writing, both the MacBook Air and the iMac have yet to receive built-in Retina displays, however some are suggesting that this could occur either later this year or in 2015.
DigiTimes also notes that Apple’s anticipated 12-inch iPad has been delayed. Mass production of this “pro” tablet had previously been expected to occur in the second-half of 2014, also.
With Apple’s Eddy Cue having noted that later this year, Cupertino will be unveiling “the best product pipeline” he’s ever seen during his 25 years at Apple, revamped Macs could indeed appear alongside next-generation iPhones, iPads, a refreshed Apple TV, and an “iWatch” product.
For now, though, we’ll have to sit tight and wait for fall. We’ll keep you updated with further information as we receive it.
In the meantime, see: Apple’s 101st Store In Europe Opens Its Doors To Customers In Madrid, AppAdvice International: Price Drops, Music Streaming In Britain And More, and Shenandoah Studio To Soon Deploy Desert Fox: The Battle Of El Alamein For iOS.
Image credit: MacRumors