Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster predicts that Apple will launch a refresh to its MacBook Pro, iMac and MacBook Air in June, but thinks that the more exciting upcoming Apple release is the new iPhone, which he expects will arrive in October.
Apple Insider reports that Munster expects to see a significant increase in Mac sales in June following a “meaningful refresh” to Apple’s MacBook and iMac product lines.
Apple saw a drop in Mac sales in April, which were down 13 per cent year-on-year. Munster predicts that worldwide Mac sales will be up 15 per cent year-on year in the June quarter of 2012, with about 4.5 million units sold.
Munster says that Apple shares will “react favourably” in October, following the launch of the next-generation iPhone.
A Digitimes report also points to a June launch for the a MacBook update, with sources claiming that Apple suppliers are increasing the shipments of components in the lead up to the product refresh.
The report suggests that suppliers began shipping new MacBook components to Apple in March, and saw an increase in order volumes throughout April and May.
Digitimes’ sources believe that Apple will launch the new MacBook range at its Worldwide Developers Conference, which starts on 11 June, alongside its new operating system, OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.
The new MacBook Pro is expected to be ‘radically redesigned’, with a Retina display and Intel Ivy Bridge processors. It could be ‘ultra-thin’ and made with Liquidmetal. Benchmarks for a new MacBook Pro and iMac were spotted on Geekbench yesterday, adding further evidence to an imminent launch.
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Author: Ashleigh Macro, Head of Affiliate
Ashleigh is Tech Advisor's Head of Affiliate. Providing expert buying advice you can trust is her forte, helping you to find the most reputable consumer tech products and services, and ensuring you don't spend a penny more than you should.