Apple readies MacBook Pro, MacBook Air revamps; none with Intel processors
Apple Inc. is preparing to release several new Mac
laptops and desktops with faster processors, new designs and improved
connectivity to external devices, accelerating the company’s effort to replace
Intel Corp. chips and leapfrog rival PC makers.
The overhaul encompasses a broad range of Macs, including Apple’s
higher-end laptop, the MacBook Pro; the laptop aimed at the mass market, the
MacBook Air; and its desktop computers, the Mac Pro, iMac and Mac mini,
according to people familiar with the matter.
Redesigned MacBook Pros are expected to debut as soon as early
this summer, said the people, who requested anonymity to discuss an internal
matter, followed by a revamped MacBook Air, a new low-end MacBook Pro and an
all-new Mac Pro workstation. The company is also working on a higher-end Mac
mini desktop and larger iMac. The machines will feature processors designed
in-house that will greatly outpace the performance and capabilities of the
current M1 chips, the people said.
Apple plans
to launch the redesigned MacBook Pros in 14-inch (code name J314) and 16-inch
screen (J316) sizes. They’ll have a redesigned chassis, magnetic MagSafe
charger and more ports for connecting external drives and devices. Apple is also
bringing back the HDMI port and SD card slot, which it nixed in previous
versions, sparking criticism from photographers and the like.
Apple on Tuesday said the new 24-inch iMac will be available in
stores on May 21. The shares were mostly unchanged.
PC shipments jumped 32% in the first quarter, Gartner Inc. said
last month, the fastest year-over-year growth since the firm began tracking the
market in 2000. Apple was the fourth-leading seller with 15% of the U. S.
market, an increase from 12% in the quarter a year earlier, and 8% globally.
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