Because of the sheer volume, we typically don’t pass along speculation surrounding new Macs. However, there is a rumor today from Bloomberg that piqued our interest.
The news organization is reporting that Apple is working on a new notebook that will be similar to the current MacBook Air line but updated with a Retina display for the first time along with other minor tweaks. The new Air model would likely be priced lower than the current 12″ MacBook line and serve as the most affordable Apple notebook. The MacBook Air has only seen minor updates each of the past few years.
Perhaps the most interesting piece of Bloomberg’s report – though a bit more nebulous – points to a new Mac mini model. The report says Apple is working on a “professional-focused” Mac mini that would likely be more expensive than current models. What this could mean for the mini’s form factor and specs is open for speculation. But any update will likely be welcomed by Mac mini fans, as the smallest Mac model has not seen a refresh since 2014.
Related: See how you can upgrade your current MacBook Air or Mac mini
The Mac mini was last publicly referred to by Apple last year during its discussion surrounding a new Mac Pro that’s likely to be released in 2019. Apple exec Phil Schiller said of the state of the Mac mini at the time: “… I’ll say the Mac mini is an important product in our lineup and we weren’t bringing it up because it’s more of a mix of consumer with some pro use. … The Mac mini remains a product in our lineup, but nothing more to say about it today.”
The release dates for both new Macs could come during an October event, as September is typically reserved for new iPhone announcements.
What do you think of the Bloomberg report? Let us know in the comments section.
More new Mac coverage
See part one of our discussion about where Apple could take the new “modular” Mac Pro in the video below. You can find part two here.
The Bloomberg article only has one tidbit of new news: using the term “Pro-Focused Mac Mini”.
Then you think about the previously discussed “Modular Mac Pro”, the most logical basic building block of a modular Mac Pro would be a Mac Mini.
So, therefore a “Pro-Focused Mac Mini” makes perfect sense.
I assume Apple is at least as smart as me! LOL