True MacBook Air Successor, Mac mini ‘Pro’ to Launch This Fall

Apple will refresh both the aging MacBook Air and Mac mini lineups this fall, according to a new Bloomberg report.

The report, which cites sources familiar with Apple’s plans, was partly penned by renowned Apple journalist Mark Gurman. Notably, Gurman has achieved a solid track record of publishing accurate information about Apple’s plans.

New MacBook Air

The new 13-inch MacBook Air will be marketed as a lower-cost Mac notebook, the report said. While it’ll appear similar to the current aging MacBook Air, the device will have slimmer bezels and a Retina display.

While the report didn’t specify any pricing information, other rumors of a lower-cost MacBook Air refresh point toward a price point between $799 to $1,200. (Though whether that $1,200 rumor is accurate is up for debate, as it would conflict with Apple’s other Mac products.)

It’s been unclear whether the lower-cost Mac notebook would be branded as a MacBook Air or a MacBook, but today’s report refers to the device as a direct successor to the MacBook Air.

At this point, we aren’t entirely sure how Apple will differentiate the new MacBook Air from its MacBook lineup — particularly if it doesn’t retail for a sub-$1,000 price.

But the lower-cost MacBook could be a boon toward consumers who might be steered away from a $1,200+ price point. It could be well-suited for the education market, too.

New Mac mini

Apple is also preparing a refresh of the Mac mini lineup. The report didn’t add too many details about the Mac mini refresh, other than that it would be aimed at the pro market with new premium storage and processor options that could make it more expensive than previous models.

The Mac mini is a desktop Mac sold without any peripherals like a mouse or monitor. But its lower price has earned it favor with app developers, server farm managers and users running home media centers, Bloomberg pointed out.

The lack of any updates to the lower-cost desktop Mac has put its future in limbo. But last year, Apple CEO Tim Cook made it clear that the Mac mini wasn’t going anywhere. Cook added that an upcoming version of the computer might not “be so mini anymore.”

The New 2018 Lineup

Apple will release a slew of new devices this year alongside the aforementioned Macs (and other updates to Apple’s iMac lineup).

That includes new iPhones, upgraded Apple Watches with larger batteries and displays, and new iPad Pro models with Face ID and slimmer bezels.

Apple’s AirPower wireless charging mat and a new version of HomePod could also be unveiled.

Most if not all of these new products are largely expected to debut at Apple’s annual fall keynote, which is likely to take place the first or second week of September.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]