Apple to debut standalone 5K monitor, MacBook Air refresh, 'pro' iPad software features, report says

Apple is working to release a fresh batch of Mac hardware including a standalone 5K display made in partnership with LG, MacBook Air and iMac refreshes, and new iPad Pro software catering to professional users, according to a report on Monday.

Citing sources familiar with Apple's plans, Bloomberg reports the company is looking to get back into the monitor game with a high-resolution 5K display made in partnership with existing supplier LG. Apple discontinued the 27-inch Thunderbolt Display, its lone first-party display product, in June.

Today's report claims Apple is working to release AMD graphics options for iMac and updated MacBook Air hardware with multi-function USB-C port, presumably in the same vein as current MacBooks which use the port to recharge. The proposition of new MacBook Airs runs counter to predictions from noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who in May said Apple is unlikely to sink further resources into the thin-and-light as it builds out the new MacBook series.

Bloomberg reaffirmed Kuo's predictions of a massive MacBook Pro overhaul expected to arrive later this year with an OLED touch bar, USB-C, Thunderbolt 3 and more stuffed into a slimmed-down aluminum chassis.

According to the report, the OLED touchbar, referred to internally as the "Dynamic Function Row," will display both a virtual row of function keys and app-specific commands. For example, the touchbar will display granular controls for editing clips in iMovie and special search tools in Safari. Controls for certain key Mac system functions are to be made available at all times, like volume adjustment assets and a switch to toggle back to the macOS function bar, the report said.

On the iPad Pro front, Apple is supposedly developing software to further take advantage of Apple Pencil's unique user input capabilities. Specifically, Apple is working to integrate annotation features across the iOS operating environment, including apps like Mail, Safari and iMessage.

An exact launch timeline was not cited, but today's report said Apple could debut certain Mac hardware upgrades as early as October. The iPad and Apple Pencil software enhancements are not expected to see release until next year, either in an update to iOS 10 or as part of the next major iteration of Apple's mobile operating system.

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55 Comments

thewhitefalcon 10 Years · 4444 comments

About 8 years ago

Bloomberg means Mark Gurman, who I trust a heck of a lot more than Ming-Chi.

While it's somewhat unexpected, it's not completely out of character to do an Air refresh; they did it with the white MacBooks after the aluminum unibody model had been introduced.

ireland 18 Years · 17436 comments

thewhitefalcon said:

Bloomberg means Mark Gurman, who I trust a heck of a lot more than Ming-Chi.

While it's somewhat unexpected, it's not completely out of character to do an Air refresh; they did it with the white MacBooks after the aluminum unibody model had been introduced.

MacBook should replace the 11" MacBook Air. Not the MBA lineup.

The Air is a better computer than the MacBook. Larger display (I wouldn't watch a film on smaller), nicer keyboard travel, SD Card and extra ports, better battery life, more performance, magnetic charger. The MacBook has a better display and is thinner/lighter. Swap out MBA ports for a few thunderbolt 3 ones, give it a 14" Retina display (narrow bezel) and a tweaked keyboard design and then you're talking. MB is overpriced for what it is: base model €1,499 ($1,677) in Ireland. Should be offered in 128 GB for $999. MBA should be Retina only and begin with 128 GB for $1,299. New MBP should begin at $1,799 for 256 GB model and should be offered in one screen size: 16" with narrow bezel. All in the name of clarifying the lineup. MacBook 12", Air 14", Pro 16". More ports, more power and more features as you go.

mac_128 12 Years · 3452 comments

thewhitefalcon said:

Bloomberg means Mark Gurman, who I trust a heck of a lot more than Ming-Chi.

While it's somewhat unexpected, it's not completely out of character to do an Air refresh; they did it with the white MacBooks after the aluminum unibody model had been introduced.

Well, if all they are doing is swapping out USB-A for USB-C to bring the old hardware in line with current specs, there's also precedent for that with the transition from the iPad 3 to 4 mid-cycle, right before a major refresh to the iPad Air.

Then there's also the possibility that they're trying to completely eliminate Mag-Safe. I am fully expecting that if Apple drops the headphone jack from the iPhone 7, that they will add a Lightning port to their entire Mac lineup. Eliminating magsafe gives them the perfect spot to do it on the MBA, especially since Lightning is Apple's de facto charging port. Again, that's a relatively simple thing to update.

right_said_fred 17 Years · 805 comments

ireland said:

thewhitefalcon said:

Bloomberg means Mark Gurman, who I trust a heck of a lot more than Ming-Chi.

While it's somewhat unexpected, it's not completely out of character to do an Air refresh; they did it with the white MacBooks after the aluminum unibody model had been introduced.

MacBook should replace the 11" MacBook Air. Not the MBA lineup.

The Air is a better computer than the MacBook. Larger display (I honestly wouldn't watch a film on a screen smaller than the MBA), nicer keyboard travel, SD Card and extra ports, better battery life, more performance, magnetic charger. The MacBook has a better display and is thinner/lighter. Swap out MBA ports for a few thunderbolt 3/USBc ports and give it Retina and then you're talking. MB is overpriced for what it is: base model €1,499 ($1,677) in Ireland. Should be offered in 128 GB for $999 (at most). MBA should be Retina only and begin with 128 GB for $1,299 (at most).

Wouldn't disagree, I gave my wife my 11 inch MacBook Air, got may self the first MB, fully loaded. The MB is so light, nice, quick enough for most things ( can even run Parallels in a pinch) I don't regret my decision. The MB charges so quickly too. My only critique of MB is, keyboard is NOT that great, and I cannot drive an Apple display without h any adapter if I want to charge or at least power the MB externally. Shame Applke didn't make an adapter. Traveling with MB is very good, it easily fits in most hotel safe too.

hmurchison 23 Years · 11824 comments

Looks like a 13" MBP is in the batter's box to replace my trusty 13" MBA.

I'd consider the 15" but these refreshes won't be based on Kaby Lake processors so I'd rather keep the money in my pocket and perhaps upgrade to a 15" in a couple of years.

I love love love the idea of a dynamic OLED strip and Touch ID support. Hopefully developers and end users will have some great customizing functionality.

5k display sounds great...not at $999. I think the price premium for 5k vs 4k doesn't make sense.