Apple is making preparations for the launch of next generation MacBooks models which could include a Retina MacBook Air, reports Digitimes. Citing anonymous sources, the news site says supply chain makers expect MacBooks shipments to drop by about 15% to 10 million units as Apple has significantly decreased shipments in March.
But this is only one side of the coin: other sources speaking with Digitimes are confident that 2014 MacBook shipments will increase because Apple will launch new models somewhere in the second half of the year.
MacBook shipments in January-February 2014 were as expected, but Apple has significantly decreased shipments in March, the sources said.
However, other Taiwan-based supply chain makers hold the opinion that 2014 MacBook shipments estimates may not be accurate because Apple will launch new models in the second half of 2014. Apple will reportedly launch a MacBook Air with Retina display, the makers said.
Earlier last week, a post on the Chinese forum WeiPhone revealed that a MacBook line refresh will come soon. The information comes from a member that previously has leaked legitimate photos and information of unreleased Apple products.
The post discusses a new 12-inch notebook without fan assembly, as well, which could be the 12-inch MacBook Air mentioned by the KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The Digitimes report also mentions a 12-inch+ iPad, but previous rumours have suggested Apple iced the plan of a bigger screen iPad, at least for now.
