Katie Marsal
Apple's anticipated MacBook Air with 12-inch Retina display could launch as soon as this quarter following the start of production by Quanta Computer, according to the latest supply chain rumor out of the Far East.
"Volume production" of the new 12-inch MacBook Air recently began, paving the way for a first-quarter launch, according to DigiTimes, which cited sources within the Taiwan-based supply chain. Quanta is said to have recently hired more workers, and could add as many as 30,000 more this quarter, as it ramps up not only for the new MacBook Air, but also the Apple Watch.
Tuesday's report also claimed that the Retina MacBook Air is expected to replace Apple's current entry-level 11-inch MacBook Air. The report claimed that the 13-inch model, which lacks a Retina display, will continue to be available.
The report, of course, should be taken with considerable skepticism, as DigiTimes has an exceptionally poor track record when it comes to predicting Apple's future product plans.
Still, last week at CES, Intel officially unveiled its "Broadwell" lineup of next-generation processors. The 14-nanometer chip technology is expected to be the centerpiece of Apple's new MacBook Air, which is rumored to feature an ultra-thin design lacking even a fan for cooling.
Purported details about the anticipated 12-inch MacBook Air have also begun to surface ahead of the rumored launch, including claims that Apple will rely on the new, smaller, reversible USB 3.1 Type-C connector, eschewing established full-size USB plugs. The new MacBook Air is also rumored to feature a "click-less" trackpad, and fewer physical inputs and outputs.
Faced with delays for Intel's Broadwell processors, Apple last April opted for a minor speed boost on its existing MacBook Air lineup. The CPUs were increased by just 100 megahertz, but Apple also increased value, cutting $100 off the models to reach a new starting price of $899 for the 11.6-inch model.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Sponsored Content
Malcolm Owen
Andrew Orr
Wesley Hilliard
38 Comments
An even thinner rMBA, i.e. including retina, would be and absolutely awesome beauty! I don't mind if the number of ports decrease. The MBA is all about portability, not connectivity – but because of that, MagSafe is imperative!
Digitimes .. they have a 10% accuracy rating in 2014.. I know.. I was surprised it was that high as well! That said.. everyone else is saying Q2 or Q3 (mid-2015) for Retina MBA.. not Q1.. I would be very, very surprised if it came out Q1.. My belief is they are skipping Broadwell and going Skylake.. which is due out mid 2015 and why they were able to drop all those ports.. They are going Wireless 4k display, wireless charging and wireless device connectivity. Which is Skylake's big attraction, the ability to cut the wires.. Doesn't mean Broadwell won't come to current MacBooks.. Probably will.. but I'd say it's a safe bet the new Retina Macbook Air is Skylake.
From what I've heard, Digitimes is just fine, its the idiots who can't read Mandarin properly that get it wrong, and then they blame Digitimes. AI isn't exactly a paragon of accuracy either, since they rely on Ho Chi Minh so much.
Digitimes .. they have a 10% accuracy rating in 2014..
wireless charging
The only thing worse than citing digtimes as a source, is mentioning the pathetic gimmick known as wireless charging in any serious way.
AI isn't exactly a paragon of accuracy either, since they rely on Ho Chi Minh so much.
Um, they have to get their information from somewhere, unless you prefer to wait until it hit newspaper headlines...
And MING CHI KUO has a great track record and extremely high accuracy percentage. I don't know how you intended your remark but that easily be viewed as extremely inappropriate.