• Ultra-Slim 12-inch MacBook with Retina Display Predicted for a Mid-2014 Launch

    by
    Akshay Masand
    Published on 2013-10-14 03:55 AM
    8 Comments Comments


    According to KGI Securities analyst, Ming Chi-Kuo, Apple may potentially be planning to release a 12-inch MacBook with an all-new design and high-resolution Retina Display in the middle of 2014, More specifically, the new MacBook is expected to feature a clamshell form factor even thinner than the current MacBook Air and may debut at a lower price point than the current Retina MacBook Pro line due to an improving yield rate.

    Although Kuo stops short of calling the new model a replacement for the current MacBook Air lineup, his description of the model suggests that it would indeed supersede Apple’s current ultra-slim notebook line. The following was mentioned regarding the situation:

    We expect the unprecedented 12” model will boast both the portability of the 11” model, and productivity of the 13” model. The high resolution display will also offer the outstanding visual experience of the Retina MacBook Pro. The offering will likely be lighter and slimmer than the existing MacBook Air to further highlight ease of portability in the cloud computing era. We think the form factor will showcase a much improved clamshell structure, and that it will redefine laptop computing once again following the milestone created by the MacBook Air.
    Kuo’s claims match a report from NPD DisplaySearch analysts earlier this week, claiming that Apple is planning to introduce a new 12-inch MacBook Air next year. The new model was predicted to use a high-resolution 2304 x 1440 display. Both rumors end up falling in line with earlier reports that Apple is set to move to IGZO displays for many of its future products, allowing for high-resolution displays with lower power consumption.

    For those of you who didn’t already know, Kuo has been quite accurate with his predictions over the past several years including several outlined details of Apple’s 2013 launch plans as far back as January. His other accurate predictions have included the introduction of a “third MacBook line” that arrived in the form of Retina MacBook models and the discontinuation of the 17-inch MacBook Pro last year.

    Source: KGI Securities
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Ultra-Slim 12-inch MacBook with Retina Display Predicted for a Mid-2014 Launch started by Akshay Masand View original post
    1. Categories:
    2. Apple,
    3. Mac
    Comments 8 Comments
    1. Scotty Manley Silberhorn's Avatar
      Scotty Manley Silberhorn - 2013-10-14, 04:21 AM
      Someone is just saying this to get publicity. Sad that they're actually getting it.
    1. babyydaveyy's Avatar
      babyydaveyy - 2013-10-14, 05:25 AM
      I for one think it's about time the MacBook Air got a retina display.
    1. slim.jim's Avatar
      slim.jim - 2013-10-14, 05:33 AM
      Why would they do a 12" when they already have casings and manufacturing setup for a 13".... Jut beef up the battery in the Air and add the Retina.
    1. Scotty Manley Silberhorn's Avatar
      Scotty Manley Silberhorn - 2013-10-14, 05:37 AM
      A retina display air doesn't make sense. It's more for high end users who are going to need more power in their macs. Also, they'd need to add a graphics card in order for the graphics to be even half way decent. And there isn't anymore room in those airs.
    1. slim.jim's Avatar
      slim.jim - 2013-10-14, 05:42 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by Scotty Manley Silberhorn View Post
      A retina display air doesn't make sense. It's more for high end users who are going to need more power in their macs. Also, they'd need to add a graphics card in order for the graphics to be even half way decent. And there isn't anymore room in those airs.
      The new Haswell processors with HD 5000 integrated graphics support up to a 3200x3200 resolution. There isn't a need for a graphics card in a MacBook Air.
    1. Scotty Manley Silberhorn's Avatar
      Scotty Manley Silberhorn - 2013-10-14, 05:50 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by slim.jim View Post
      The new Haswell processors with HD 5000 integrated graphics support up to a 3200x3200 resolution. There isn't a need for a graphics card in a MacBook Air.
      Right, but you'll still need a separate card in order to have decent performance. Plus, battery life would go down the drain from its current 12 hours
    1. slim.jim's Avatar
      slim.jim - 2013-10-14, 05:53 AM
      Yea all the battery life they gained with the Haswell will be nullified
    1. cpotoso's Avatar
      cpotoso - 2013-10-14, 04:07 PM
      Sweet! I'd get one if it maintains current battery life and the price is not astronomical. Myself: I am very happy with my 2012 13" MBA. It works fast enough (except that if you want to use the 4 "virtual" cpus at once, e.g., for Handbrake encoding, then the machine gets hot and the fan goes into hyperdrive, which I do not like because of the noise).

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