New improved MacBook Air and 9.7-inch iPad could debut at WWDC

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A plain manila envelope became a key stage prop for selling the MacBook Air.
The MacBook Air could get a sequel this year.
Photo: Apple

Apple is prepping a new entry-level 13-inch MacBook that will debut in the second quarter of 2018. It will reportedly set users back around the same price as the MacBook Air, which would peg it at about $999.

While the report leaves a bit of flexibility by saying that it could be this price “or slightly higher,” this suggests that users could get a price cut versus the $1,299 12-inch MacBook.

According to Digitimes Research senior analyst Jim Hsiao, shipments for the new MacBook are estimated to reach around four million units in 2018.

This isn’t the first time that we’ve heard about a new MacBook Air. Recently, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also suggested that Apple will deliver a “more affordable” MacBook Air this year. Neither Kuo nor today’s Digitimes report gives an exact launch date for the new laptops. However, a Q2 launch suggests that June’s WWDC event makes a whole lot of sense.

New iPad also coming soon

One other interesting tidbit in today’s report is that Apple’s upstream supply chain has supposedly started shipping components for a new iPad Pro upgrade and cheaper 9.7-inch iPad. The 9.7-inch iPad is reportedly set to be released in the second quarter of this year (again, making WWDC a likely candidate for its debut), while the refreshed iPad Pro will come some time in the second half of 2018.

What would you like to see from any of these machines? Is there a particular set of features you’re waiting on before you buy your next MacBook or iPad? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: Digitimes

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