Apple May Push Back Launch of Rumored 12-inch Retina MacBook Due to Broadwell Delays

Friday July 18, 2014 6:51 pm PDT by Juli Clover
macbook_air_mavericks_roundup_headerIntel's continued Broadwell delays may cause Apple to push back the release of its rumored 12-inch MacBook, reports Taiwan's Economic Daily News [Google Translate].

According to the site, the device will not ship until late 2014 or early 2015 as it is expected to use Intel's 14-nanometer Broadwell chips, which have been delayed numerous times. The most recent rumors have suggested the U series Broadwell chips designed for use in Apple's MacBooks may not ship until February of 2015.

Apple's 12-inch MacBook, which is said to include a Retina display, has been described as a successor to the MacBook Air. Rumors originally pointed towards a fall 2014 launch date with mass production beginning in the third quarter.

News of the 12-inch MacBook first surfaced in October of 2013, with KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo describing the device as a MacBook with the portability of the 11-inch MacBook Air but the productivity of the larger 13-inch model, with a high-resolution display.

Rumors have also suggested the 12-inch MacBook will have a redesigned ultrathin chassis with a revamped trackpad design that doesn't incorporate a mechanical button as well as no fan assembly for quieter operation.

Along with the 12-inch MacBook, Intel's Broadwell delays are likely having an impact on several of Apple's planned product releases. The first chips designed for Apple products are not expected to begin shipping until early 2015, and the chips designed for the Retina MacBook Pro and the iMac may not ship until mid-2015, meaning Apple will be unable to launch significant product updates until the chips are ready.

Though the 12-inch MacBook is delayed, a separate report from Economic Daily News [Google Translate], suggests new 11 and 13-inch MacBook Air models are set to enter production next month with new processors, chassis, screen, and other components.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Air (Neutral)
[ 164 comments ]

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
farewelwilliams
73 months ago
"OS X has been living a secret double life"
"OS X can now run on ARM processors"
Rating: 22 Votes
Avatar
Baklava
73 months ago
Blurry images of prototypes, please...
Rating: 13 Votes
Avatar
rei101
73 months ago
I still have my 12" Powerbook I bought in 2004 in New York with the 20" cinema display. The Powerbook still just fine.

I remember editing in Final Cut Pro for 2 years with it, it paid my rent. They I bought 3 more when I was doing audiovisuals for events. Eventually one got broken and I used it for parts, another one was taken by my ex girlfriend and I believe I sold the other one.

I as so happy back them =)
Rating: 12 Votes
Avatar
gmanist1000
73 months ago
Has Apple launched a new product this year? And the "new" iMac and MacBook Air don't count.
Rating: 8 Votes
Avatar
CrazyForApple
73 months ago
Not a good news day
Rating: 7 Votes
Avatar
Technarchy
73 months ago


CEO Tim Cook teased "the potential of exciting new product categories," and suggested that the company will announce new products in the fall. "We've got a lot more surprises in the works," Cook said. "Our teams are hard at work on some amazing new hardware, software, and services that we can't wait to introduce in the fall and into 2014. We continue to be very confident in our future product plans." Cook said that there will be "really great stuff coming in the fall and across all of 2014."

7 months almost gone, and pretty much nothing so far at all from Apple.

Let's hope we have an exciting time soon. I'm sure people are expecting a LOT, but so far seeing Zero from just a large company.


Eddie Cue said this year is one of there best lineups ever. Not seeing it so far. Not seeing anything actually.
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
Piggie
73 months ago

Has Apple launched a new product this year? And the "new" iMac and MacBook Air don't count.


Indeed, however remember.......................


CEO Tim Cook teased "the potential of exciting new product categories," and suggested that the company will announce new products in the fall. "We've got a lot more surprises in the works," Cook said. "Our teams are hard at work on some amazing new hardware, software, and services that we can't wait to introduce in the fall and into 2014. We continue to be very confident in our future product plans." Cook said that there will be "really great stuff coming in the fall and across all of 2014."

7 months almost gone, and pretty much nothing so far at all from Apple.

Let's hope we have an exciting time soon. I'm sure people are expecting a LOT, but so far seeing Zero from just a large company.
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
Koodauw
73 months ago

Meh, personally, it's all about the duct-tape, laser-printed prototypes adhered to various appendages. Ahhhhhhhhhh, now that is what a good rumor is made of. :)


Back in the day all the good leaked pics were taken in elevators.
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
sixrom
73 months ago
Poor Apple, when one steps back and looks at the big picture across their new products, the common thread is both delay and uncertainty.

A few years after their losses of the CEO and other execs they're still struggling to find their footing and direction.

They're incredibly lucky they were left with products that needed to be refreshed, and fat profits to coast on.
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
iOSaddict
73 months ago

So they can unify their entire laptop family range, which would be a blessing for Apple as a manufacturing company.

I mean, come on, the chassis for the current 13" MBP retina and the current 13" MBA are not that different at all in terms of size or weight.

So... why not offering just one single -retina- family: 15", 13" and 12" (or even 11") to accommodate to every user's need (performance, balance and mobile respectively), and be done with it? it would simplify their production, logistics and marketing.

Apple already follows a similar approach with their iPads (7", 9" and now rumored an upcoming 12"), all sharing pretty much every component except the screen. And they're following the same path with their iPhone 6: same phone, same components, but different screen sizes: 4.7" and 5.5".

To me, it seems like a good idea from a corporate point of view.


Makes no sense from a corporate POV. More fragmentation for software and post-sale support, more fragmentation for production for hardly discernible different screen sizes. The 12 inch products you mentioned are entirely based on rumours, as well as the 5.5 inch iphone. My bet is that they dont exist or even if they do, Apple will axe some current product before they introduce those.

----------

...can't wait for a the whine when people discovers that mba 12" retina means actually LESS usable screenspace (1152 x 720 retina) than the current model (1366 x 768) if now rumors are to be believed... :D (to get more desktop space scaling will be needed)

I like the current 11" (even though I could do without the thick bezel and a bit more resolution - but not retina, I want that little minicomputer to focus on other things than pushing far too many pixels than needed.)


ding ding ding. Never understand the obsession with the retina resolution on a laptop. I'd rather have a non-retina screen nice colour reproduction, efficient energy usage and nice viewing angle, on top of the excellent battery life.
Rating: 4 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]