KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has offered up his expectations for this Thursday’s “Hello Again” Apple media event. The company is expected to unveil their new Macs at the event, including a revamped lineup of MacBook Pro models.
While Kuo agrees with the popular belief that Apple will debut a redesigned MacBook Pro, in both 13-inch and 15-inch models, which will boast a Touch ID sensor, USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, butterfly keyboard like the current MacBook, and a new OLED touch bar to replace the current model’s top row of function keys, he also tosses a couple of curveballs at the plate, (CUBS WIN!), such as MagSafe-type USB-C power adapter.
Our new predictions also include: (1) Intel’s (US) Skylake processor; (2) the same panel resolution but better display quality and energy efficiency thanks to an oxide panel; (3) a new option of 2TB SSD storage capacity; (4) adoption of a similar processor as Apple Watch to control the OLED touch bar more energy-efficiently in the new MacBook Pro models; and (5) a Type-C & MagSafe-like adapter rolled out by Apple or a third-party supplier, given positive reviews for the MagSafe charging design.
Kuo also thinks Apple will unveil a “13-inch MacBook,” a claim he has made in the past. However, it won’t merely be a larger version of the 12-inch MacBook, but instead will be a MacBook Air, which has been rumored to be updated, with USB-C ports as part of the redesign.
New iMacs with improved AMD graphics options, and a new standalone 5K display have also been rumored, but Kuo say those products will not see the light of day until the first half of next year. However, he does think they could be possibly be announced at the upcoming October 27 shindig.
Apple’s event, to be held at the company’s Cupertino campus, at 10:AM Pacific/1PM Eastern time, this coming Thursday. MacTrast will provide liveblog coverage of the event as it happens, and Apple will be live streaming the event.
