Apple has no plans for a major upgrade to its MacBook line this year, a report claims. The last time Apple gave a major upgrade to the MacBook was in 2016, when Apple introduced the Touch Bar.
Provided this is accurate, it may disappoint customers who view the introduction of the iMac Pro as proof that Apple is placing renewed emphasis on its Mac product line.
Despite this, it’s worth noting that the report says “major” upgrade, meaning that it’s quite likely that the MacBook could still receive an update this year focused on more marginal under-the-hood improvements.
Foxconn wants a bigger piece of the pie
According to today’s news, Apple is expected to shift more MacBook orders to Foxconn this year, rather than continuing to give most of the orders to Quanta Computer. Foxconn is expected to begin shipping its orders in the second quarter of 2018.
Apple has been dividing MacBook orders between Quanta and Foxconn for several years, although previously this has been about 80:20 in favor of Quanta. No exact breakdown is given for 2018’s orders, but it is likely that Foxconn will be more evenly matched with Quanta. Despite this, Quanta will reportedly remain the largest MacBook supplier in 2018.
Foxconn has been actively campaigning to get more MacBook orders by offering Apple lower prices.
Source: Digitimes
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
5 responses to “MacBook won’t get a major upgrade in 2018”
This makes sense, as all Intel processor chips are crap right now because of the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities, so Apple should wait until new chips are designed and manufactured that won’t be susceptible to them. This might take a year or more. I certainly would not buy a new computer right now. Unless mine was about to die, I would wait a year or two.
We all know, the design will remain the same cause they change it every four years, and the 2018 will be the third version of four in this generation…
But WE ALL the MBP users want a:
32 GB RAM option
Powerful GPU (Radeon Pro WX / Vega)
Improved butterfly third version keyboard
Remember this note is on the MacBook not the MacBook Pro!
Maybe they will get wise and take the ridiculous screen off the keyboard and sell it cheaper.
That’s Macbook Pro mate. This is the Macbook, the “air replacement”, with M3 processors and such.