It’s probably a good bet that we’ll see MacBook refreshes at WWDC this year, including an update to Intel Haswell chips in all of the machines. However, it’s rumored that we’ll also see a slimmer MacBook Pro Retina model, as well as a better FaceTime camera, possibly boosting it up to full 1080p. KGI analyst
At last year’s opening keynote during WWDC 2012, Apple introduced a refreshed line of Macs, so it would make sense for the company to do the same this year, and it seems that’s exactly what’s going to happen. According to a set of leaked SKUs, Apple has plans to refresh at least one of its MacBook lines with new models.
9to5Mac said they received a set of new SKUs that are most likely new MacBook Pro models. The first set includes SKUs MD711LL/A, MD712LL/A, MD760LL/A, and MD761LL/A. These SKUs are most likely associated with either the MacBook Air line or the MacBook Pro with Retina display, as each of these lines have two screen sizes with two different hardware configs.
The second set of SKUs are ME177LL/A, ME182LL/A, and ME918LL/A. No one’s really sure what these SKUs are for, but it’s likely a specific a screen size of a particular MacBook model will see a refresh, but we’re not sure if that’s case, as it would strange for Apple to focus only on a particular screen size for a refresh.
As far as what else we’ll see at WWDC this year, new Mac Pros could be on the menu, and it could be the first time in a few years that we’ll see a significant update to the tower computers. iOS 7 may also be unveiled, complete with a Jony Ive-designed user interface that will sport a flatter, minimalistic look and feel.
At this point, it could be anyone’s guess as to what exactly Apple will unveil next week. On top of a possible Mac Pro refresh, we’ve heard a full MacBook refresh is possible, as well as specifically new MacBook Airs to come our way next week. Furthermore, we’d be a bit shocked if Apple didn’t give a boost to their MacBook Pro Retina lineup, and with Haswell launching this week, we could easily see the new chips make their way into MacBooks and Mac Pros next week.
SOURCE: 9to5Mac
MacBook refresh incoming at WWDC as new SKUs leak is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
When you think of Apple, what’s the first thing you think of? For the company’s fans, it’s undoubtedly Steve Jobs, Macs, the iPhone, and iPad. For the company’s haters, it’s typically issues they have with its control over its products, high prices, and its fans, who think their favorite company is superior to all others.
But what most people can agree on is that Apple truly understands hardware. For years now, the company has been delivering the most innovative hardware designs in the industry. And its success in the marketplace has largely been a result of that.
Still, I’m suspect of claims that Apple still holds the crown as the world’s best hardware designer. Yes, the company’s products are nice-looking and I’ll freely admit that the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Pro with Retina Display have rightfully earned Jonathan Ive his place in the spotlight. But when we take the entire industry as a whole, is it not possible for us to accept the idea that maybe – just maybe – Apple’s design cred has been hurt a bit?
“Is it not possible for us to accept the idea that maybe – just maybe – Apple’s design cred has been hurt a bit?”
Looking at Apple’s products, I’m not all that impressed any more. Although the iPhone 5 came with some design improvements, it’s basically the same device we’ve been seeing for years with a few changes here and there. And since so-called “major” updates only come out every other year, I sit and see nothing that’s so revolutionary that I’d commend the company on design.
Moving to the iPad, I think we can say the same thing. The iPad is certainly nice-looking, but is it really so much better looking than any other device on the market right now? Samsung, Google, and Amazon are all offering tablets that have similar designs, and they’re no less appealing.
But it’s in the notebook space that I think we need to seriously reconsider the idea that Apple is the world’s best hardware designer. Sure, the MacBook Pro with Retina Display is nice-looking, but is it really any better than any Ultrabook on the market right now? And when it comes to innovation, who can really take issue with what Lenovo is doing with half-tablet, half-notebook IdeaPad Yoga? It appears that Apple is the company that now likes to stay the course, and it’s allowing other companies to deliver the truly interesting products.
“Apple fans will instinctively say that it hasn’t.”
So, I pose this question: has Apple officially lost its credibility as the technology industry’s leading hardware designer? Apple fans will instinctively say that it hasn’t. But perhaps it’s best if we take a step back and evaluate what’s really going on in the marketplace. Apple is by no means a design slouch and its products are good-looking. But can we stop pretending like it’s the only company that truly understands what design is all about?
It might have taken competitors longer to catch up to Apple on design, but catch up they have. And it’s high time we accept that and give credit where it’s due.
Is Apple Losing Its Hardware Design Cred? is written by Don Reisinger & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
We’ve all come across decals that one can stick on their MacBook laptops, with some being pretty creative and using the glow from the Apple logo to represent Iron Man’s Arc reactor, or a decal of Snow White taking a bite out of the Apple logo and so on. While those are pretty cool and clever, if you’re looking to take the customization of your MacBook laptop to the next level, the folks at Uncover are offering custom MacBook lids which have been laser cut to take advantage of the fact that there is an entire light panel underneath the lid of your MacBook laptop to come up with some pretty unique and great designs.
One of the examples can be seen above, but if you’d like to see more designs you can head on over to Uncover’s website for the rest. For those interested, you will have to send your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro to the company in order for the laser cutting to take place, and as you might expect, this process/service will not come cheap as Uncover has stated on their FAQ page that prices start from €299 which is around $394 for a custom job. Ouch!
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Apple OS X 10.9 Touted To Come With Multi-Monitor Fullscreen, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air Could Be Refreshed During WWDC 2013 [Analyst], 
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Apple’s annual WWDC conference is coming up in June, and it’s expected that the company will reveal a host of new products, whether it’d be software-based or hardware-based. However, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, it’s said that Apple will be releasing a refreshed line of MacBooks during WWDC.
These new MacBooks are said to be packing Intel’s latest Haswell processors, and it’s believed that while Apple puts a lot of focus on its Retina-equipped MacBook Pros, the company will continue to produce regular MacBook Pros for the foreseeable future, due to their continued popularity and lower price point.
Kuo thinks that updated regular MacBooks will start shipping soon after WWDC, but new Retina MacBooks will see a slight delay due to production issues. As for the MacBook Air, Kuo believes that the next update to the line will include Retina displays, but it’ll obviously come at a cost, just as with the other Retina MacBooks.
Earlier today, we also heard details about OS X 10.9, which could also make an appearance at WWDC this year, where the new operating system will come with even more iOS-like features. OS X 10.9 is expected to be yet another baby step towards closing the gap between OS X and iOS. Kuo also mentioned earlier today that the Retina iPad mini may not see a 2013 release due to production delays.
[via MacRumors]
Full MacBook refresh at WWDC tips analyst is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
![MacBook Pro, MacBook Air Could Be Refreshed During WWDC 2013 [Analyst]](https://i0.wp.com/cdnrss.ubergizmo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/macbook-pro-air-refresh.jpg?resize=600%2C256 "MacBook Pro, MacBook Air Could Be Refreshed During WWDC 2013 [Analyst]")
Apple announced its upcoming Worldwide Developer Conference will start on June 10 and will mainly focus on iOS 7 and improvements to OS X. Even though Apple CEO Tim Cook said the earliest we should expect new Apple devices is September, that hasn’t stopped one analyst from predicting the company is expected to announce a refreshed MacBook Air and MacBook Pro sometime during the conference.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says he believes new Apple notebooks will be unveiled on June 10 and are expected to sport Intel’s new Haswell processors with production of the new MacBook Pro expected to take place next month. Kuo also believes Apple will continue to manufacture the MacBook Pro as he says “the 13″ MacBook Pro remains the most popular product in the MacBook Line.” (more…)
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Apple OS X 10.9 Touted To Come With Multi-Monitor Fullscreen, iPad Display Unit Hacked To Run As External Monitor At Full Resolution, 
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Etsy stickers adorning your MacBook’s lid, oft making a cute play on the presence of that glowing Apple? That’s so 2012. Uncover, a Dutch company showcasing its talents here at The Next Web Conference in Amsterdam this week, has crafted a new method of customizing one’s MacBook lid. And, perhaps most importantly, it involves the seamless removal of the Apple logo altogether. In essence, these guys use a specialized laser cutting process that can etch out anything your brain can muster — from band logos to company mantras. And, as you’ll see in the gallery below, the Apple logo doesn’t have to be a part of the equation.
The outfit will take in any aluminum-faced MacBook from around the world, and once it lands in Holland, you’ll typically see it headed back to your domicile within four to five days. If you’re selecting one of Uncover’s designs, you can have your machine tweaked for as little as €249 (around $325), while completely custom work starts at €599 ($780). (And yes, you can just buy a totally new Mac from Uncover as well.) We spoke to Jasper Middendorp, the company’s CEO, and he confessed that only MacBooks are being accepted due to Apple’s unique backlighting arrangement. They’re obviously keen to offer similar work for PCs, but to date, every one he has seen blocks or covers the backlight in some way. For those looking to get it on the fun, allow the source link below to be your guide.
Gallery: Uncover MacBook lid modification
Filed under: Laptops
Source: Uncover
We highlighted a way for Dropbox users to be able to use the service in order to help them find a stolen computer, but one person took their stolen computer experience and decided to publish it for the world to see on a Tumblr called “Dom’s laptop is in Iran.”
The Tumblr’s author’s name is Dom Deltorto and he claims his MacBook Pro was stolen from his apartment on February 4. Lucky for him, he installed a $15 application on his computer called Hidden App, which allowed him to track his stolen machine the next time it connected to the Internet. Once it locates the computer, it can send you photos from a built-in webcam and even takes screengrabs to show what they’re doing on the computer. (more…)
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: The ZenDock Is An Elegant Way To Manage Your MacBook’s Cables, SimCity Headed To Mac On June 11; Will Be Free For PC Owners, 
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