by Jason Snell
Bloomberg: Apple Planning Low-End MacBook, Pro Mac Mini
Mark Gurman and Debby Wu of Bloomberg are reporting that Apple will release two new Macs this fall:
Apple Inc. will release a new low-cost laptop and a professional-focused upgrade to the Mac mini desktop…. The new laptop will look similar to the current MacBook Air, but will include thinner bezels around the screen. The display, which will remain about 13-inches, will be a higher-resolution “Retina” version that Apple uses on other products….
Apple is also planning the first upgrade to the Mac mini in about four years…..The computer has been favored because of its lower price, and it’s popular with app developers, those running home media centers, and server farm managers. For this year’s model, Apple is focusing primarily on these pro users, and new storage and processor options are likely to make it more expensive than previous versions, the people said.
Well, I’ve been thinking the Mac mini would come back for a while now, but it’s good to get more evidence that it might be finally seeing an update. I’m one of those people in the apparent target market for this update, which is even better!
As for the new laptop, this makes a bit more sense. The Bloomberg report doesn’t say that it will be an updated MacBook Air so much as that it will take the MacBook Air’s place in the product line-up, so Apple can finally convert its entire laptop line to Retina displays. That lowest-cost laptop has been a sweet spot for Apple for years, and right now the product line is caught between old tech and more expensive new tech. This would be a good step forward.