Another analyst has chimed in on the 16-inch MacBook Pro rumors, as IHS Markit analyst Jeff Lin claims Apple has plans to soon begin manufacturing the big-screen laptop as a replacement for the current 15-inch model.
Forbes reports that in a note to investors over the weekend, Lin said production of the as-yet-unannounced 16-inch MacBook Pro will begin in September with a target volume of 39,000 units per month
Lin also hinted that the 16-inch model will be a replacement for the 15.4-inch model. The analyst specified an end-of-life in November, saying, “We think 15.4 [inch] MacBook volumes will shift to 16 [inch],” the report said. Lin says confirmation comes by way of an “OEM & panel supplier.”
Lin later qualified that comment, saying “I am pretty sure (the italics are mine) that MacBook 15.4″ will be EOL [End-of-Life],” in a follow-up email.
Lin’s is just the latest analyst to make a prediction about Apple’s much-expected new MacBook Pro model.
Other than the screen size, not much is really known about the alleged new laptop. Some reports suggest the new laptop was designed by the same “pro product team” that worked on the upcoming MacBook Pro. If that’s true, there could be some impressive internals on the way for the new MacBook Pro.
A Digitimes supply chain report claims, Apple’s much-anticipated new laptop will achieve the larger screen size by making use of narrower bezels. This will allow it to fit in the same case as the 15-inch model.
Meanwhile, well-connected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted Apple’s return to scissor switch keyboard mechanisms will begin this fall with the debut of the 16-inch model MacBook Pro.
As is normal for reports like these, make sure to swallow this report with a grain of salt-free seasoning.