Apple to Launch Retina MacBook Air Later This Year, According to Supply Chain Sources

Apple is gearing up to release new MacBook models in 2014 including a MacBook Air with Retina Display, according to a new report from DigiTimes citing supply chain sources. The story notes that while some Taiwan-based supply chain makers are expecting MacBook shipments in 2014 to fall to 10 million units, others are projecting higher numbers with the belief that Apple's will refresh of its notebook line later this year and release a Retina MacBook Air.

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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.

Last week, a forum post from a previously accurate source on Weiphone.com claimed that the MacBook Air would be updated soon, with new MacBook Pros to be released in September. Most notably, the report claimed that both will be accompanied by the release of a new slim 12-inch MacBook, which will come without a fan assembly and feature a redesigned trackpad.

It is also possible that the new MacBook Air mentioned in the report and the slim 12-inch MacBook mentioned in the forum post could be the same laptop, which would fall in line with a report from NPD DisplaySearch last year claiming that Apple is planning to introduce a 12-inch MacBook Air in 2014. That report added that the 12-inch MacBook Air would come with an ultra-high resolution 2304 x 1440 display, and was corroborated by the reliable Ming-Chi Kuo.

The post also comments on Apple launching a larger iPad with a near 12-inch screen, however a report earlier this month claims that the project has since been put on hold due to development hurdles and incompatibilities with the existing iOS ecosystem.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Related Forums: MacBook, MacBook Air

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Top Rated Comments

keterboy Avatar
146 months ago
The REAL question here is the HUGE bezel that needs to vanish.
Score: 47 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pauliaK Avatar
146 months ago
Battery life, that's the question. I'd hate to it see being worse than what we have now.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
flottenheimer Avatar
146 months ago
Looking forward to see an updated MacBook Air design.
Looking forward to see anything new from Apple, really. : )
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BvizioN Avatar
146 months ago
Apple to Launch Retina MacBook Air Later This Year
Later in the year is when Apple launches every product now! :(
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Menneisyys2 Avatar
146 months ago
And, please, a 17" rMBP too!
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacDarcy Avatar
146 months ago
End of the year? Okay, so the new iphone is EOY. The rumored iWatch & possibly Apple Television it at EOY.

Um...does Apple plan to release anything in the first half of the year??

That's an awfully long gap for any new products or updates. If they aren't gonna update the MacBook airs or pros, Hopefully they'll update the iMacs & Mac mini this spring at least. Something.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)