Apple Registers Several New Mac and iPad Models in Eurasia

[MacRumors]

Apple has registered new tablets and Macs with the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) this week, indicating that refreshes could be on the horizon. The filings, uncovered by French website Consomac, are legally required for any devices with encryption sold in Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.

iPad Pro concept (right) by Álvaro Pabesio​

The five Mac model numbers are A1931, A1932, A1988, A1989 and A1990, indicating two distinct ranges. The last three numbers may relate to expected refreshes for the 13-inch MacBook Pro (with and without Touch Bar) and the 15-inch MacBook Pro, while the first two could reference a refreshed 12-inch MacBook and a potential replacement for the aging MacBook Air, which Apple has been gradually phasing out.

Apple is rumored to be planning to introduce the new entry-level 13-inch MacBook in the second half of 2018, which would serve as a replacement for the MacBook Air. Details have been scant about the rumored machine, but it could turn out to belong to the 12-inch MacBook family, and the model numbers A1931 and A1932 potentially reflect this.

It's not known what the rumored 13-inch MacBook would be priced at, but the MacBook Air sells for $999, a price point Apple has thus far been unable to match with the 12-inch MacBook and the MacBook Pro.

The five new iPad model numbers are harder to decipher, but Apple is expected to launch new models of iPad Pro later this year featuring slimmer edges, a faster processor, a custom Apple-built GPU, and a TrueDepth camera with support for Face ID.

One report has claimed one of the new iPad Pro models will have a display that measures in at approximately 11 inches, which is in line with reports suggesting the device could have slimmer bezels.

Perhaps the most curious details in the EEC filing are the OS references, with macOS 10.13 and iOS 11 given for the Mac and iPad models, respectively. It's conceivable Apple could refresh its Mac line before macOS Mojave is ready, but launching new iPad Pro models before the launch of iOS 12 seems less likely, given the number of features Apple is introducing in the new OS to accommodate iPads with Face ID and no Home button.

However, strings of code have been found in iOS 11 referring to a "modern iPad", which mirrors the "modern iPhone" nomenclature Apple used to refer to the iPhone X ahead of its release, so nothing is certain.

It's also worth noting that Apple registered several new models of iPhone with the EEC back in April that have yet to appear, so extrapolating launch dates from the filing is particularly difficult. Suffice to say Apple's Mac line-up is overdue an upgrade, while new iPads are expected to launch sometime around September.

Article Link: Apple Registers Several New Mac and iPad Models in Eurasia

 

[GooBoyGle]

Finally we start seeing some hints of a refresh around the corner. Apple has been neglecting the Mac line-up for too long already. I hope we also see some keyboard improvements. I honestly don't think they will launch the MacBook(s) alongside the new iPads. Since they clearly advertise the iPads to be a PC replacement. It would be weird to launch a laptop (new MacBook 13'') that is just a little bit more expensive than the iPad Pro at the same event...

 

[BWhaler]

Please, please, please listen to your customers. We don’t need vanity metrics like thinner and beautiful product hero shots which only please your design team and frustrate your customers.

Reliable keyboard with key travel and are quiet. An honest 10+ hour battery life. Ports on the pro model. Decent resolution.

Honestly, look back to the older models your pros miss and lament and put in modern components. We don’t need thinner laptops for no reason.

And get serious about MacOS. We all know you folded the MacOS group into the iPhone group, and it shows in the lack of innovation and bugs.

I’m tired of almost every respected pro I know switching to Surfaces or at least considering it. And Windows, while still isn’t great, is getting better, and it’s doing so quickly. Your stagnation in the Mac line has not been ignored by Google, Microsoft, and Adobe.

Hell, even dumpy Twitter canceled their Mac client.

 

[Luap]

Hallelujah! Signs of new Macs at last!
(But no Minis though *sigh*)

 

[CRoebuck]

Would not be the first time Apple launched a new product on an old OS even though an update was due. Didn't the Retina MacBook launch with a "special" build of Lion (maybe it was ML, I forget) but remember Phil Shiller specifically calling it out during the product reveal.

Come on Apple, you can do this.

 

[Zarniwoop]

If no powerful Mac desktops are to be seen, not interested. I don't need or want an underpowered overpriced laptop without ports... My rMBP 15" (late 2013) is so far the best portable Mac product they've released for my needs. My clients have MB 12" (2016) and MBP 13" (2017) models, and boy have they regretted replacing their MB airs with them.

Is Apple doing all their Mac profits from dongles these days? Tim Cook must be so excited about a product category with above 90% profit rate.

And Apple better give us iPad Mini 5 (or rebranded iPad SE) or iPad Pro mini... otherwise there will be one iPad user less in our household.

 

[MagicWok]

Having used Apple Macs exclusively for around 15 years, I'm getting really fed up with the product decisions (or the lack thereof) for their computing line, and feeling like Oliver asking the mighty Apple for "some more please".

I really do hope the updates are well thought out and meaty ones, and not just more meaningless, minor spec bumps. I don't want it to be the straw that breaks the back.

 

[pppx3]

fingers crossed. Mac Pro and Mac Mini... PLEASE

 

[dazzer21-2]

Why are Apple so reluctant to bring back an entry-level Mac to kick-start the interest in the Mac Platform again? A new Mac Mini would pack enough power these days to be a super little replacement for what could have passed as being high-end Macs from not all that long ago, relatively speaking - obviously without the expansion possibilities (and no doubt the internal upgradability!), but as long as it was priced right for the spec, in a couple of years' time, the step-up effect would start and they'd be shifting proper amounts of iMacs (or whatever it is going to be in the future). It's how I started with my G4 Mini many many moons ago.

 

[Bentov]

is it still possible to buy one of the 2015 Mac books? It seems like that is still the way to go.

 

[Smeaton1724]

I love technological progress BUT can we just forget the 2016 and 2017 design and go back to something similar to the 2015, even if the only reasons are to use the same keyboard and magsafe.

 

[Wanted797]

I’m going to guess it will still have a butterfly keyboard.

I doubt they will have redesigned the keyboard by now.

 

[fokmik]

fingers crossed. Mac Pro and Mac Mini... PLEASE

Mac pro Apple said OFFICIALLY its a 2019 Product . But 80% chances to get a sneak peek

 

[Falhófnir]

So looks like it’s happening before iPhones in September if they are launching with iOS 11 and macOS high sierra... On for August?

 

[BornAgainMac]

Apple’s laptop direction is like what happened to Star Wars. Except for the MacBook Air, I will only consider their desktops now.

 

[MattXDA]

My clients have MB 12" (2016) and MBP 13" (2017) models, and boy have they regretted replacing their MB airs with them.

The only reason to regret buying a new MacBook Pro instead of keeping an old MacBook Air is money. I have a MacBook Pro 2017 and can't imagine having to use a MacBook Air. They're horrible.

 

[scrapesleon]

Hopefully some good changes this year

 

[GadgetBen]

New MacBooks will be announced before the next iPhone and iPad, likely in the next 30 days.

Adverts for MacBooks are all over UK TV and Apple always sends out one last push for existing products before launching the next shortly afterwards.

 

[donster28]

OMG!! Finally!! No words!!

 

[profets]

This fall there is a lot of hardware coming - new iPhones, Watches, MacBooks/Pro, iMacs, iPad Pro.. Besides the iPad back in March, there’s been zero updates all year for hardware.

I guess they could do it all in Sept + Oct events. But maybe we could see updated Macs at an August event? A back to school sort of refresh? Maybe too late though.

 

[sunapple]

I don’t know how they’ll handle the Air replacement, but it would be great if the lineup made more sense than it does today, name-wise.

It mainly is confusing thanks to the 13” “Pro” without Touch Bar. And kinda too because the Air name would be more appropriate for the MacBook. Just make two screen sizes for both MacBook and MacBook Pro, right?

 

[Bacillus]

Would not be the first time Apple launched a new product on an old OS even though an update was due. Didn't the Retina MacBook launch with a "special" build of Lion (maybe it was ML, I forget) but remember Phil Shiller specifically calling it out during the product reveal.

Come on Apple, you can do this.

Can you imagine how overdue this "new" product line is?

 

[Falhófnir]

This fall there is a lot of hardware coming - new iPhones, Watches, MacBooks/Pro, iMacs, iPad Pro.. Besides the iPad back in March, there’s been zero updates all year for hardware.

I guess they could do it all in Sept + Oct events. But maybe we could see updated Macs at an August event? A back to school sort of refresh? Maybe too late though.

August looks likely if they are shipping with macOS 10.13, 10.14 will launch in September so they would ship with that if launched in October

 

[Abazigal]

Why are Apple so reluctant to bring back an entry-level Mac to kick-start the interest in the Mac Platform again? A new Mac Mini would pack enough power these days to be a super little replacement for what could have passed as being high-end Macs from not all that long ago, relatively speaking - obviously without the expansion possibilities (and no doubt the internal upgradability!), but as long as it was priced right for the spec, in a couple of years' time, the step-up effect would start and they'd be shifting proper amounts of iMacs (or whatever it is going to be in the future). It's how I started with my G4 Mini many many moons ago.

Probably because the Mac is no longer the primary means by which people enter the Apple ecosystem.

That honour now belongs to the iPhone. Most people get an iPhone first, then eventually transition to a Mac as well if they want the whole integrated experience. As such, there really is little reason for a cheap Mac desktop to exist to appeal to PC “switchers”. That use case just isn’t relevant in today’s context.

 

[Dave245]

This fall there is a lot of hardware coming - new iPhones, Watches, MacBooks/Pro, iMacs, iPad Pro.. Besides the iPad back in March, there’s been zero updates all year for hardware.

I guess they could do it all in Sept + Oct events. But maybe we could see updated Macs at an August event? A back to school sort of refresh? Maybe too late though.

It's possible that they do a silent update via a press release this month for the Mac's especially if they are just spec updates and no new designs to announce. They have done it in the past, on some random Tuesday they have updated Mac's via press release.

The iPad Pro will probably be announced in September alongside new iPhone's and new Apple Watch.