Mark Gurman: New MacBook in Works, Likely Replaces MacBook Air With Price Below $1,000

Apple is working on a new, lower-priced notebook that will likely replace the MacBook Air with a starting price below $1,000 in the United States, according to Mark Gurman, reporting for Bloomberg News.

At first glance, it would appear that Gurman is referring to a lower-priced 12-inch MacBook, as many people believe that Apple will eventually phase out the MacBook Air. However, the “MacBook laptop” wording is perhaps intentionally vague, in case it does end up being a cheaper MacBook Air.

A new, cheaper MacBook laptop is in the works and likely destined to replace the MacBook Air at a price less than $1,000, but it probably won’t be ready in time for next week, the people said. The MacBook Air, introduced about a decade ago, hasn’t seen a major change since 2010, the same year the iPad came out. Although the laptop is popular with college students, it has languished as Apple focuses on more expensive Macs.

Earlier this month, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple plans to launch a more affordable MacBook Air in the second quarter of 2018, which essentially runs between next week and the end of June. WitsView researcher Yubin Qiu estimated the notebook could start at $799 to $899 in the United States.

Gurman said the new MacBook “probably won’t be ready in time for next week,” suggesting it might not be unveiled at Apple’s education-themed event on Tuesday at Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago. Of course, Apple could still announce the notebook at the event, even if orders begin at a later date.

Gurman nor Kuo have elaborated on what we can expect from the new MacBook or MacBook Air, whichever it ends up being, but it’s reasonable to assume that we’ll see a bump to the processors and graphics. If it’s a new MacBook Air, a Retina display is also a possibility, but that may go against the sub-$1,000 price.

The rest of Gurman’s report corroborates widespread rumors about Apple’s plans to introduce its lowest-priced iPad, and more educational software, at its Chicago event. We’ll find out on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Central Time.

Related Roundups: MacBook Air, MacBookTag: bloomberg.comBuyer’s Guide: MacBook Air (Caution), MacBook (Caution)
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