Apple Planning to Upgrade MacBook Lineup at WWDC

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Earlier this month, Microsoft debuted its new $999 Surface Laptop, featuring a clamshell body with a 13.5-inch display and an impressive 14.5-hour battery life. In response to the company’s first real laptop, which is widely considered a viable rival to the MacBook Air, as well as declining iPad sales, Apple is expected to announce an update to its MacBook lineup at next month’s WWDC 2017, Bloomberg is reporting.

Apple is planning three new laptops, according to people familiar with the matter. The MacBook Pro will get a faster Kaby Lake processor from Intel Corp., said the people, who requested anonymity to discuss internal planning. Apple is also working on a new version of the 12-inch MacBook with a faster Intel chip.

The company has also considered updating the aging 13-inch MacBook Air with a new processor as sales of the laptop, Apple’s cheapest, remain surprisingly strong, one of the people said.

Currently, the Mac lineup generates only 11% of the Cupertino giant’s $216 billion in annual sales, with the iPhone accounting for almost two-thirds of the total. However, Macs are believed to be the key to retaining the business of loyalists and the creative industries for Apple. A MacBook lineup refresh at this time could undercut the growing competition from Microsoft and help Apple continue the Mac’s recent momentum.

Apple sold 4.2 million desktops and laptops and generated 14% more revenue on Macs in Q2 than a year earlier.

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