Digitimes reported today that Apple has decided to adopt the USB-C port for its MacBook Air, partly corroborating a conflicting report from June claiming that Apple will refresh its MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lineup by equipping them with USB-C ports. This also means that the USB-A, MagSafe 2, and Thunderbolt 3 ports found on models currently available will likely be removed.
The June report from Mac Otakara listed the availability of the new MacBooks in August, without specifying which will be available first. Now, Digitimes’ supply chain sources say once again that Apple will proceed with USB-C port of the Air model. It is possible, though, that Digitimes gets the laptop’s name incorrect, since the latest rumours mentioned the MacBook Pro as the likely contender for a major redesign, including Touch ID and a new OLED touch display bar instead of function keys on the keyboard.
On the other hand, the rumour mill has been silent regarding MacBook Air upgrades, despite being overdue—Apple hasn’t updated that lineup in over 500 days except a minor 8GB RAM boost for the 13-inch models in April, as noted by MacRumors.
Digitimes’s sources reported earlier that Apple is planning the release of “ultra-thin” MacBooks as it moves to implement metal injection mold-made (MIM) hinges. Well-connected KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo puts the new MacBook Pro rollout to the fourth quarter of this year without mentioning the MacBook Air.
