With Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) starting on June 11, rumors abound predicting new product releases. Despite the conference having a focus on software development, programmers need current computers to use while writing their code. This reality makes the annual WWDC event popular for official announcements of new Apple hardware too. Practically everything in Apple’s computer lineup is due for a refresh, and if a leaked list of part numbers is accurate, that’s exactly what we’re going to see.
None of Apple’s current systems use Intel’s latest chipset, Ivy Bridge, and a low-power variation suitable for the Macbook Air was finally released just last week. It’s now possible for Apple to transition the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, and Mac Pro product lines to Ivy Bridge in a unified manner.
The three part numbers corresponding with Mac Pros are especially interesting, as there was much discussion recently of Apple possibly eliminating them due to slow sales and an increased focus on portable computing. Apple hasn’t upgraded the existing Mac Pro towers since 2010, and the company said nothing about the Intel Xeon E5 CPUs that could have powered updated models, since their release several months ago.
The MacBook Pro is rumored to receive a whole new look with its update, bringing it more in line with the current MacBook Air in thickness, and the Pro will possibly get a new retina display, similar to the iPhone 4s, to increase screen resolution and clarity. This may also mean the Pro won’t be available in a 17″ size, at least initially, and it’s widely expected to drop the built-in optical drive.
The first part number on the leaked list matches up with Apple’s Time Capsule base station, indicating it may, too, see at least a minor upgrade.
On the software side of WWDC, Apple is expected to preview the next version of iOS (version 6), which is known to include such changes as using Apple’s in-house mapping system in place of Google Maps. Siri is also expected to debut on the iPad with this release, though it’s possible Apple will opt not to demonstrate it until later in the year.
If past history (and a rumor from Australia) are any indication, Apple will have at least some of their new systems ready for sale on the day they’re announced. So Mac faithful? Get your credit cards ready!
[…] some of last week’s rumors of new Apple hardware came true, other predicted updates were notably absent. Most frustrating to […]