We’ve just received word from a source within Apple’s supply chain that Apple is preparing to launch a trifecta of new products late this summer, with new MacBook Pros and iMacs, as well as OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion all planned for a mid-to-late July launch.
While our tipster did not provide many details about the upcoming MacBook and iMacs, our source did claim that the new machines will be significantly more power efficient, and that the MacBook Pro will feature about 20% greater battery life than previous models.
When asked whether next-gen MacBook Pros would feature a thinner, lighter MacBook Air-like design, he stated that he did not know many specific details about the hardware – just that Apple had placed a large order for machines which are expected to arrive at Apple Stores sometime in July.
Apple has previously stated that OS X Mountain Lion will be released in “Late summer,” and considering that OS X Lion was released last July, the predicted release date does seem reasonable.
It also makes sense for Apple to launch new Macs around the release of Mountain Lion, as customers may be dissapointed at just having purchased a machine pre-loaded with Lion, only to have Mountain Lion arrive a short time after.
Our source also stated that the new Macs will stay within $100 of current pricing, and will feature Intel’s new Ivy Bridge processors, as expected. No information was provided about the pricing of OS X Mountain Lion, but it seems likely that Apple will offer the update at $29, as with OS X Lion.
It’s worth keeping all such rumors at arm’s length, no matter the source, but these claims seem to make a lot of sense, and I’d be quite unsurprised if they turn out to be accurate.