While all eyes are now on Apple’s keynote scheduled for October 30 and the launch of very likely new iMacs and MacBook Pros, Ming-Chi Kuo, the well-informed analyst who is generally pretty right on what the Apple firm is preparing, making headlines again by confirming information from Digitimes.
Last September, the tech information site actually mentioned the probable launch of a range of more affordable MacBooks for the end of 2024, like the iPhone SE, which would be added to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. Ming-Chi Kuo therefore returns to the subject by considering that it is totally plausible. This would allow Apple to revive sales, with a target of 8 to 10 million additional units per year, according to him.
The analyst considers, on the other hand, that Apple’s “Scary Fast” event, which will therefore take place on October 30, will focus on several M3 chips, hinting at the possibility of M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max variants that we will be found in the new 13, 14 and 16 inch MacBook Pro models. According to him, Mac shipments were disappointing due to the “limited M2 computing power upgrade“.”Theoretically, the M3 should offer a larger increase in computing power” Kuo added, but if the M3 fails to increase shipments, it could trigger the launch phase of a more affordable Macbook.
Towards a new 12-inch MacBook?
To be able to lower the selling price of its MacBooks, Apple will have to make adjustments to its devices. They could retain their metallic design but would have to be made with different materials, according to the analyst’s report. It could take the form of a new 12-inch MacBook, like the one launched in 2015: thin and light design, without fan, a USB-C port, a chiclet-type keyboard… The rest of the components could also be satisfied minimum such as 8 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD, all supported by an iCloud account to keep costs to a minimum. However, it would be equipped with an in-house chip. Using an M2 or even an M1 would be entirely appropriate for this type of computer.
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Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman was the first to talk about the return of a 12-inch MacBook model with Apple silicon, saying last year that the device could arrive in late 2023 or 2024 In January 2023, however, he considered that this model was no longer on the company’s short-term roadmap, but he did not completely rule out the device.
Competition is expected to be tough on the laptop PC market in the coming months, particularly with the arrival of new players on the chip market. Nvidia and AMD have both started manufacturing processors based on Arm technology for PCs running Windows.