Apple to Launch New Entry-Level MacBook Soon: Report

HIGHLIGHTS

• The MacBook variant is expected to launch at the end of Q2 2018
• Shipments are said to not meet forecasts
• LG Display will supply panels for the upcoming MacBook

Apple is looking to announce an entry-level Macbook variant as soon as the end of 2018's second quarter, possibly around the company's developer conference WWDC 2018. According to online reports, this variant is expected to be priced similar to the MacBook Air range or a bit higher. Reportedly, the upcoming "budget" MacBook will borrow the MacBook Pro's 13.3-inch display that comes with a resolution of 2560x1600 pixels - panels for which are expected to be sourced from Korea-based LG Display. The report adds more details about the refreshes expected in the iPad and iPad Pro product lines.

A report by Digitimes reveals that Apple is indeed looking to bring back the "affordable" MacBook after having focused on its premium MacBook Pro variants for the past couple of years. Further, according to Digitimes Research senior analyst Jim Hsiao, shipments for this upcoming MacBook model are expected to reach four million units by the end of 2018.

Digitimes goes on to claim that Apple's preferred supplier for MacBook panels will be South Korea-based LG Display, considering the Cupertino giant had issues with a certain China-based vendor. LG Display will start supplying panels by April this year. The MacBook variant is said to enter mass production by late May or early June.

Interestingly enough, Apple's alleged target of six million shipments is forecasted to fall short by a third as Digitimes believes the new price might not be enough to attract buyers. The report also mentions that Apple's affordable 9.7-inch iPad and an upgrade to the iPad Pro will launch in the second half of 2018.

A recent report by KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo expects this affordable MacBook variant to push Apple's MacBook sales significantly by up to 10-15 percent.