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Sandy Bridge, Thunderbolt MacBook Airs coming in June or July

A new report claims that Apple's supply chain will begin shipments of new MacBook Air models upgraded to include Intel's Sandy Bridge processors and Thunderbolt high-speed interconnect later this month in preparation for a June or July launch.

Taiwanese industry publication DigiTimes reported Wednesday that sources from makers in the MacBook Air supply chain will begin shipping 11.6-inch and 13.3-inch MacBook Air models "in late May."

"Main supply chain makers for the new models remain about the same as for the existing MacBook Air, with Quanta Computer solely responsible for assembly, Catcher Technology supplying casings, Auras Technology a main supplier of thermal modules, Shin Zu Shing supplying hinges, and Simplo Technology and Dynapack supplying batteries," the report noted the sources as saying.

Given the expected high volume of initial shipments of Apple's thin-and-light notebook and the relatively higher prices of Apple's components, Taiwan-based makers "rest the hope on Apple orders for revenue contributions," according to the report.

DigiTimes' sources corroborate an exclusive report from AppleInsider that pegged MacBook Air shipments as going to mass production in late May. According to Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, checks with Asian suppliers and system builders revealed that, after declining sequentially after the release of new MacBook Pros, MacBook Air shipments are expected to rebound in the June quarter ahead of a refresh.

In February, CNet claimed Apple would transition the MacBook Air to Intel's Sandy Bridge processors in June.

Apple's first Macs to feature the Sandy Bridge architecture were the early 2011 MacBook Pros released in late February. The new MacBook Pros also saw the first implementation of the new high-speed Thunderbolt port. Earlier this month, the Cupertino, Calif., Mac maker unveiled new iMac all-in-one desktops with quad-core Sandy Bridge processors and Thunderbolt.

According to one analyst, supply chain sources indicate that Apple intends to refresh the rest of its Mac lineup "in upcoming months," though further details were unavailable.