MacBook 2014 Release Date, Specs & Features: Apple Working on New 12-inch Model?
Apple is allegedly working on a fan-less 12-inch MacBook with a new trackpad design, says MacRumors.
Citing a forum post on Chinese website Weiphone.com, the MacRumors report notes that the forum poster has released "legitimate leaks and photos of un-released MacBook hardware in the past, lending credibility to this new information."
According to the Chinese source, the tech giant seems to be working on a new 12-inch MacBook notebook. The rumored new device will reportedly do away with the fan assembly equipped in the current line-up of devices.
The alleged 12-inch MacBook notebook will also be sporting an all new trackpad design, reveals the Chinese source. The redesigned trackpad will allegedly no longer include the mechanical button. Instead, the supposed new trackpad will be buttonless and will rely on sensors and an actuator, MacRumors says.
Apple Insider previously reported a similar Apple patent filed in December of 2009, which was for a "touch pad with force sensors and actuator feedback." The U.S. patent proposes a method for the operation of a trackpad with an integrated switch-type button that can be mimicked and improved upon with force sensors, says Apple Insider.
The rumored 12-inch MacBook dished out on the Chinese website seems to be in line with KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's prediction of a slim MacBook with Retina display that he expects late this year.
"We expect the unprecedented 12" model will boast both the portability of the 11" model, and productivity of the 13" model. The high resolution display will also offer the outstanding visual experience of the Retina MacBook Pro. The offering will likely be lighter and slimmer than the existing MacBook Air to further highlight ease of portability in the cloud computing era," Kuo's prediction reads.
The tech giant is also allegedly rolling out MacBook Air updates as early as September and the iWatch, which is unlikely to release soon as it is allegedly still in prototype stage, adds the Chinese source.