Apple is ready to unveil a new MacBook Air at its annual World Developers Conference (WWDC) on Monday, but even if it does, you may not be able to buy it right away. According to a report by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, stopping COVID-19 at Chinese factories producing the MacBook could mean limited supply of new devices or a launch date that is further away.
China’s zero-COVID-19 policy has led to the temporary closure of factories that produce Apple products, including Pegatron and Quanta. Although China has begun easing some of the traffic restrictions it originally lifted in March, some neighborhoods in Shanghai are still under blockade.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects Apple to ship about six to seven million new MacBook Airs before the third quarter of this year if Quanta’s production capacity returns to pre-blocking levels. He also believes there may be more shipments for the new MacBook Air than existing shipments of the 14- to 16-inch MacBook Pros – the new MacBook Air is expected to ship from both Quanta and Foxconn, while the MacBook Pro supplied only by Quanta. Apple currently has new orders for the MacBook Pro, delayed until the end of July due to closure and shortage of parts.
(2/2) The delivery forecast for 2H22 of the new MBA is 6-7 million units if Quanta’s capacity in Shanghai can return to pre-blocking levels before 3Q22. Delivery for a new MBA made of two EMS (Quanta 1st and Foxconn 2nd) should be better than the existing 14 “/ 16” MacBook Pro (only available from Quanta).
– 郭明 錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) June 5, 2022
Both Gourmet and Ming-Chi Kuo agree that the upcoming MacBook Air will not be available in a wide range of colors. It is more likely to include several standard options such as the existing space gray and silver, with the addition of two new colors, including dark blue and “champagne-like gold”. Gourmet also believes that the MacBook Air will be available with a 13-inch display, two USB-C ports, MagSafe charging capabilities and Touch ID. It’s not expected to come with a Touch Bar and may even have a slot like the MacBook Pro.
Regarding the new MacBook Pro, Gourmet says that Apple originally planned to release a “faster” 13-inch version of the device around the time of the launch of Air. However, this date was reportedly postponed due to a blockade related to COVID in China.
The launch of the new MacBook Air, likely to be available with the M1 processor, is expected to be a huge part of Monday’s upcoming Apple WWDC event – but it’s also Apple’s mixed-reality headset project, even if Apple doesn’t make explicit memories of him. As Apple seeks to move beyond its existing devices and related software, WWDC is expected to have underwater current dominated by augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).
As noted by both Gurman and a New York Times report, Apple is set to showcase new tools for developers that allow them to incorporate mixed-reality features into their applications ahead of the expected headset release in 2023. Gurman notes that Apple is working to add AR and VR features to its own applications, potentially creating VR versions of FaceTime, Maps, Notes and Calendar and a way to view the Mac display through headphones.
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