Apple could use Kaby Lake processors in 2018 MacBook Air refresh

Apple could use 8th-generation Kaby Lake processors in mid-range MacBook or MacBook Air models later this year, a Taiwanese report claims, with Apple thought to be using the more established processors from last year instead of newer variants due to implementation issues.

A report from the Economic Daily News advises an incoming 13-inch Apple notebook may have slower shipments than first thought, due to Apple deciding to use the refreshed Kaby Lake processors. It is suggested the decision was made because of potential cooling issues with newer generations of processor, as well as Intel's continued delays in producing newer generations of processor.

It is claimed Apple was keen to use 10-nanometer Cannon Lake chips in the Macbook, but continued deferment leaves Apple with little choice but to use the older 14-nanometer Kaby Lake versions.

It is unclear what computer the article refers to, as it mentions a "13-inch MacBook." The MacBook line has a 12-inch monitor, while the MacBook Air has a 13-inch display. Of the two, it is more likely to be the MacBook Air, if the 13-inch display distinction is accurate.

While not Cannon Lake, the change to Kaby Lake is likely to give the MacBook Air line a boost, as they currently employ fifth-generation Core i5 and Core i7 Processors.

A lower-cost MacBook Air update has been rumored for a while, with initial suggestions having pointed to a second-quarter 2018 update for the product line — which was clearly missed.

The new model is expected to be priced in line with, or slightly above, the current generation MacBook Air's starting price of $999 for a 128GB-capacity storage model. A more expensive version with double the onboard flash storage could sell for $1,199.

The key feature for the model is a speculated resolution jump for the display, moving from 1,440 by 900 pixels in the current generation to a Retina-level 2,560-by-1,600-pixel LG-produced screen, possibly produced by LG.

21 Comments

rogifan_new 4297 comments · 9 Years

About 6 years ago

Apple needs to get its low end laptop story figured out. Having MBA, rMB and non-touch bar MBP in the lineup is too messy. On John Gruber’s latest podcast Marco Arment said Apple needs to keep the Air branding. I disagree. They removed it from the iPad, now is time to remove from the Mac. Personally I think Apple should make the rMB the cheapest model in the lineup and keep the non-touch bar MBP as one step up in price and just call both of them MacBook. Though that could be confusing as one is fanless and the other is not. But it would be better than what we have now.

blastdoor 3564 comments · 15 Years

About 6 years ago

rogifan_new said:

Apple needs to get its low end laptop story figured out. Having MBA. rMB and non-touch bar MBP in the lineup is too messy. On John Gruber’s latest podcast Marco Arment said Apple needs to keep the Air branding. I disagree. They removed it from the iPad, now is time to remove from the Mac. Personally I think Apple should make the rMB the cheapest model in the lineup and keep the non-touch bar MBP as one step up in price and just call both of them MacBook. Though that could be confusing as one is fanless and the other is not. But it would be better than what we have now.

I agree -- dump Air.

I don't think it would *literally* be the non-touch bar MBP as the one step up in price, but I agree that in spirit that's more or less what they should do.

urashid 127 comments · 6 Years

About 6 years ago

Kaby Lake 7th gen, Kaby Lake 8th gen. Intel, this is very confusing :)

If the Retina rumours are true, I will happily give up my plans for the new MacBook Pro and wait for this Macbook Air.

tht 5592 comments · 23 Years

About 6 years ago

It is unclear what computer the article refers to, as it mentions a "13-inch MacBook." The MacBook line has a 12-inch monitor, while the MacBook Air has a 13-inch display. Of the two, it is more likely to be the MacBook Air, if the 13-inch display distinction is accurate.
The current MB12 and MBP13FN uses Kaby Lake processors.

I do not recall if there is a “Coffee Lake” 5 W version, but I vaguely think there isn’t any, and any successors at the 5 W TDP has to wait for Cannon Lake or whatever Intel 14nm+++++ version Intel will use as a stopgap to Cannon Lake.

If there is a MBA13 replacement, it will likely use 15W TDP Coffee Lake processors. If Apple is going to offer a fanless 13” laptop of the same ID as the MB12, they can configure those 15W TDP Coffee Lake processors down to about 10W and squeak on by. Or continue on with Kaby Lake 15W processors and configure down. But the Coffee Lake processors have HEVC hardware support. I would think they would want that.

backstab 138 comments · 11 Years

About 6 years ago

Meh. Dump the MacBook Air.
Put another USBC port on the other side of the MacBook, and call it a day.

Thank you, Apple. I appreciate you always doing what I say.
Good doggie!