What we know of a revamped 12-inch MacBook for this year, as well as a MacBook Pro, expected at WWDC 2017.
While all eyes have been on a long-rumored MacBook Pro 2017 refresh on the horizon for some time, a recent development has roped the far younger 12-inch MacBook into those reports. Alongside a revived MacBook Pro, many expect to see a revamped 12-inch MacBook for 2017 as well.
While riding quite hard on a single report from a well-regarded outlet, a refreshed MacBook wouldn’ t be that outlandish of an announcement. Besides, it’s just as due for some new internals as its fellow macOS devices are.
With that, here’s what we know so far of a 12-inch MacBook for 2017 as well as what we’ re likely to find inside and out of this would-be mid-2017 sequel to Apple’s thinnest and lightest laptop ever.
Based on the foremost rumor regarding the very existence of such an Apple laptop, Bloomberg expects to see the 2017 MacBook during WWDC 2017, taking place June 5 through June 9.
That would make a lot of sense, as it’s been quite a while since Apple has used its WWDC keynote to push new hardware. Plus, MacBook Pro shipment quotes have recently been pushed out to dates during the event, perhaps signaling customers away until then. No such thing has happened for 12-inch MacBooks, however.
Generally speaking, Apple ships products two weeks following a keynote reveal during which pre-orders are made available. With that in mind, we could have new 12-inch MacBooks in our hands before the end of June and well in time for back-to-school season.
Little to nothing is known nor has been speculated regarding a price for the potential MacBook refresh. Barring any particularly major refinements, we’ d be surprised to see Apple hike the price up for a 12-inch MacBook.
To that end, expect to see a new 2017 MacBook start the pricing scale at $1,299 (£1,249, AU$1,999) for likely the same 256GB storage and 8GB of RAM on offer as today coupled with a new processor inside.
All that we know with any sliver of certainty regarding what components will be found inside the next 12-inch MacBook is that it will receive the same type of processor upgrade as the MacBook Pro revision due shortly as well.
Before you go nuts over the prospect, we’ d be awfully surprised if Apple somehow managed to fit Intel Core i processors inside the 12-inch MacBook. Rather, we expect to see the 7th generation, or Kaby Lake, run of Intel Core m processors to be included alongside a doubling of the maximum RAM that can fit inside.
Beyond that, what’s inside the supposed 2017 MacBook is anyone’s guess. At the very least, our hope is to see a new, sharper Retina screen that’s regularly beat out by 4K Windows Ultrabooks these days. Here’s to hoping we’ ll find out at WWDC 2017.
