Rumor: Apple buying screens for 13" MacBook, could signal end of MacBook Air

Reports from the supply chain suggest that Apple has picked a supplier for 13-inch screens for a new MacBook — which if accurate may mean that the MacBook Air's days are numbered.

According to a report on Tuesday from supply chain monitor DigiTimes, Apple has tapped General Interface Solutions for LCD modules. The modules are said to be for an "entry-level" 13-inch MacBook, allegedly due in the second half of 2018.

The report has very little actual data about a new MacBook model, and the orders ultimate destination may have been misinterpreted by DigiTimes. Apple already has a 13-inch LCD screen supplier for the MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro, and if the orders are actually going to Apple at all, it is possible that they are for either of those products in an effort to diversify suppliers of crucial components.

Apple is not expected to make a major renovation to the MacBook Pro in 2018. However, this does not preclude a processor swap, or a screen from a new supplier in a refresh.

DigiTimes does generally provide accurate information from within Apple's supply chain, but has a poor track record for predicting Apple's future product plans.

As a result of orders for any rumored future Apple product, the company is expecting to double it's monthly LCD screen production before the end of 2018. Between the new LCD orders and any successor to the OLED iPhone X, GIS is expected to see a revenue rebound.

Apple's MacBook Air hasn't seen a big revision since 2015. The last minor update consisted of a minor speed and RAM bump at the 2017 WWDC. It is Apple's last laptop without a Retina screen, and retails for $999 for a 1.8GHz dual-core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of flash storage.

36 Comments

DAalseth 6 Years · 3067 comments

About 6 years ago

Introduce a 13" MacBook with higher specs. Drop the existing one to $999. All good. (Fingers Crossed)

tipoo 14 Years · 1122 comments

Dropping the MBA would be fine by me, but at least the Macbook 12" has to take over its price slot then.

Matching the Pro 13"s size is kind of weird as they'd be so similar, makes more sense to me to drop the "Pro" moniker from the nontouchbars name and just have it become the 13" macbook.

robjn 8 Years · 283 comments

The Air already has replacements in the existing product line. It only continues to exist to hit an entry level price point. I doubt this rumor really points to an all new machine, it’s probably just a new supplier for the existing 13 McBook Pro panels.

macxpress 16 Years · 5913 comments

tipoo said:

Dropping the MBA would be fine by me, but at least the Macbook 12" has to take over its price slot then.

Matching the Pro 13"s size is kind of weird as they'd be so similar, makes more sense to me to drop the "Pro" moniker from the nontouchbars name and just have it become the 13" macbook.

I think this is what Apple was trying to do. The MacBook Air only hung around until Apple could get the 12" MacBook price low enough to take its place. Just like with the original MacBook Air, it was hard at first for Apple to get the price where it is today. Then 12" MacBook keep going down in price and maybe its at a point to where Apple can lower it below $1000 and still make the profits they want.

To be its obvious that Apple isn't keeping the MacBook Air around. I honestly don't see a reason to. Their notebook lineup is already has too many models and a MacBook Air simply isn't necessary anymore.

eliangonzal 14 Years · 490 comments

According to a report on Tuesday from supply chain monitor DigiTimes, Apple has tapped General Interface Solutions for LCD modules. The modules are said to be for an "entry-level" 13-inch MacBook, allegedly due in the second half of 2018.

The report has very little actual data about a new MacBook model, and the orders ultimate destination may have been misinterpreted by DigiTimes.

Suppose this blog entry could have ended right there.