Apple News | Apple To Drop 17" MacBook?
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has had a somewhat accurate track record for previous Macbook lineups, has published a new report today claiming that Apple could drop the 17" MacBook altogether due to weak sales.
Kuo also claims that Apple could be launching new MacBook's that serve as a hybrid between the current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The new MacBooks will have greater power than the Air, and more portability than the Pro.
Apple's Mac business in 2Q12 will be boosted by several factors. Three of which are: (1) Mountain Lion, which integrates iOS features with Mac OS, Apple TV's interaction function, will be launched in June; (2) upgrading to Ivy Bridge; and (3) back-to-school demand. We forecast Apple will sell 5.32mn units of the Mac series (up 28.5% QoQ and 35.2% YoY) in 2Q12, making it the main growth driver.
We also predict Apple will roll out a fully new MacBook model in early 3Q12, boasting strong performance and easy carryability by combining the advantages of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
While adding new products, Apple is likely to stop making the 17" MacBook Pro this year due to falling shipments, in order to maintain a lean product line strategy.
Kuo predicts the first quarter of 2012 will see sales of 1.5 million for the 13-inch MacBook Pro and 500,000 for the 15-inch flavor, but only 50,000 for the 17-inch according to the analyst's sales estimates.
