As seen in a screenshot of the Russian listing, the country passed new “portable personal computers” by Apple using MacOS version 10.12. Valid as of October 10, these models are A1706, A1707, and A1708, and are presumed to be new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros and a new super-slim 13-inch Retina MacBook. Unfortunately, that’s all the data the listing provides.
Over the weekend, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo released a new research report forecasting what Apple will reveal during its event on Thursday. The company is expected to showcase products packing Intel’s sixth-generation “Skylake” processors, and not the more recent “Kaby Lake” seventh-generation chips that are now cropping up in new laptops provided by Asus, Lenovo, Acer, and more. Of course, that info could be wrong, as the use of Skylake or Kaby Lake processors will depend on when Apple actually began production of its new Macs.
Kuo’s report also indicated that new MacBook Pros will have the same resolution as the previous generation, but the display itself will have better quality and energy efficiency due to its Oxide Thin Film Transistor LCD panel. This technology allows Apple to create a display that is thinner overall with a highly sensitive touch capability and a low power requirement, extending the MacBook Pro’s battery life.
Additionally, the new MacBook Pros are expected to use a second processor, similar to what is used in the Apple Watch to handle a new OLED touch bar in a more “energy-efficient” way. This bar will be mounted above the keyboard to permit users to access the most-used apps on the fly. The new MacBook Pros will be slimmer than the previous generation, too, packing hardware that will provide a huge performance boost over models currently available on the market. USB Type-C ports will provide Thunderbolt 3 connectivity.
As for the rumored 13-inch Retina MacBook, it’s supposedly like the 12-inch version already on the market. However, reports are rather mixed about this specific product, as it’s claimed to actually be either a new Retina MacBook or a new MacBook Air. Previous reports indicated that Retina MacBooks would get so thin that Apple would discontinue the MacBook Air family. Regardless, this specific device will supposedly be outfitted with additional USB Type-C ports.
In addition to the three MacBook units, Apple could reveal two new iMacs with 21.5-inch and 27-inch screens, and a new 27-inch Cinema Display with a 5K resolution. The iMacs may come packed with discrete AMD graphics options that will likely stem from the new Radeon RX 400 Series. These products may not be revealed given they won’t reportedly ship until the first half of 2017.
To watch Apple’s press event on Thursday, you can tune in to the company’s live-stream right here.
