Apple's MacBooks could help Apple's growth this year, and the laptops will be upgraded before the second half of the year, according to respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Apple MacBooks will continue to have excellent sales figures this year, sales will actually accelerate and upgraded models will be released by June, according to a note Kuo wrote to investors obtained by Apple Insider.

Already in the Works

The new MacBooks are rumored to be in the works, but not much is known about the upgrades coming to the laptops. Apple probably wants to use the new Intel Skylake processors for the new MacBooks.

Skylake processors allows laptops to be half as thick and half the weight as they were five years ago. They also offer twice the performance and three times amount of battery life, according to Intel.

Apple has Competition Now

MacBooks were originally in a class of their own, being powerful and lightweight. Windows-based laptops are now being built to replicate the MacBook and the MacBook Air. Two-in-one laptops are also becoming extremely popular among buyers.

Kuo expects big demand for the upgraded MacBooks, but he did not say which models he expects to receive the upgrades. 

Last Updates Came in March 2015

In March of 2015, Apple upgraded its MacBooks. A new 12-inch MacBook was added to the lineup, and the 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air models also received upgrades, including new Intel Broadwell processors.

A report published in November suggests that Apple will replace the 11-inch MacBook Air with a 15-inch model. If that model is a reality, the report suggests it would be announced at Apple's annual Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC).

Kuo's report is pointing towards new MacBook models before WWDC. Kuo has been accurate with his predictions on Apple products in the past, especially the iPhone, and he is well-connected in the technology industry.