Apple is reportedly gearing up to unleash a new MacBook Air late this year or early next year, according to a new report.
Just last month, word came out that Intel's continued delays with its new Broawell chip would force Apple to push back the release of its purported 12-inch MacBook until late 2014 in the best scenario, or until 2015 otherwise.
Citing supply sources in Taiwan, a new report from Digitimes now claims that Apple suppliers have already started producing components, albeit in small volumes. The publication claims that Apple will launch a thinner MacBook in late 2014 or in early 2015, which falls in line with previous rumors.
The new MacBook is expected to come with a Retina display and launch either as a successor to the MacBook Air (see image above), or join Apple's current 11- and 13-inch models. At the same time, some reports have indicated that Apple will cease production of the 13-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro by the end of the year, but it remains unclear for now just what plans Apple has for its MacBook lineup.
The purported 12-inch MacBook Air will reportedly sport a similar design to the 11- and 13-inch MacBooks, but it will come with various changes under the hood and it will also boast a Retina display. Back in June, reports claimed that Apple would start production of a 12-inch MacBook Air in the third quarter of this year, leaving Quanta Computer to handle the assembly.
If Apple does indeed plan to launch a new MacBook late this year or in early 2015, the company may take the wraps off the device at an October event this year, following the September unveiling of the much-touted iPhone 6.
Apple is also expected to introduce new iPads this year, including an iPad Air 2, an iPad Mini 3 (with Retina display), and a 12.9-inch tablet dubbed the "iPad Pro." While the first two are expected to see the light of day in 2014, however, the 12.9-inch iPad will reportedly arrive later. A new report from Bloomberg claims that Apple has been working with suppliers for at least a year to develop a new range of touch-screen devices with larger displays, but the 12.9-inch iPad will not make it until early 2015.
Nevertheless, with no confirmation or announcement from Apple, it all MacBook or iPad-related info remains in the rumor state at this point. As always in such cases, make sure to take all leaks and reports with a hefty grain of salt.
