According to the latest report from Bloomberg, Apple is said to be working on a new low-cost laptop and a professional-focused upgrade to the Mac mini desktop that will be launched later this year. The upcoming laptop will look similar to the current MacBook Air but will feature thinner bezels around the screen.
The laptop will have a 13-inch display but will pack a higher-resolution “Retina” version that Apple uses on other products. Currently, MacBook Air is the only laptop for Apple in the $1000 segment that doesn’t have a higher-resolution Full HD display. Apple refreshed the MacBook Air last year with faster processor option, but nothing major in several years. Since 12-inch MacBook 2015 starts at $1300 and is not considered a budget option, Apple is said to be working on a cheaper Apple computer that will be aimed at common buyers.
Sources suggest that Apple might release these Macs in October following the launch of new iPhones. The company is planning to debut three new iPhones, Apple Watches with larger screens, and the new iPad Pros later this year. An analyst at Cross Research talking about the competition with other similar priced products said: “HP and Lenovo have released products priced similarly to the MacBook Air, gaining share, and in order to remain competitive in that price point, we think a form-factor change is necessary.”
Furthermore, Apple is also said to be planning an upgrade to the Mac mini after four years. This Apple product is popular with app developers, those running home media centers, and server farm managers. For this upgrade, Apple is said to be focusing primarily on the Pro users. Since it will have more storage and processor options, the pricing might be more expensive than previous versions.