Apple's 13-Inch Retina MacBook Pro to Launch 'Before October'?

Just before last month's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo correctly predicted that Apple's MacBook Pro with Retina display would appear alongside the standard MacBook Pro instead of as a direct replacement, also accurately claiming that only the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro would be making an appearance while a 13-inch model remained in the works.

At the time, Kuo believed that Apple could have the 13-inch version ready by August, but in the wake of WWDC he revised his predictions to indicate that Apple would begin ramping production in September for a launch in October.

kuo retina 2012 2013 predictions
Kuo's post-WWDC predictions for Apple's 2012 and 2013 MacBook lineups

Digitimes now reports that while Apple has been included among other PC vendors amid rumors of delayed or decreased shipments, the company's plans for the Retina 13-inch MacBook Pro are in fact on track and may even see a debut "before October" in order to address the back to school market.

As for Apple, the sources pointed out that Apple has demanded its upstream partners start supplying components for the 13-inch model in the third quarter and they have not yet heard anything about changing of schedule. As for when the product will launch, the sources believe the new MacBook Pro will have a chance to launch before October to catch up with the back-to-school season.

Apple also did not reduce its shipment forecast for 2012 and is still expecting its notebook shipments to grow 30% on year, the sources pointed out.

After a relatively slow start to 2012 as Apple awaited the launch of Intel's Ivy Bridge processors, the company appears to be setting itself up for a busy second half of the year. Even after a strong upgrade to its MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lines at WWDC, Apple still has plenty of products apparently still in the pipeline, including a new iPhone expected later this year, rumors of an "iPad mini", 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro models, and an update to the iMac line.

Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

Apple iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame

Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models. In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

Here Are the New Apple Products We're Still Expecting This Spring

Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring. There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category. M4...
iPhone 17 Roundup Feature 2

iPhone Design to Change 'Significantly' This Year

Monday February 17, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple is set to "significantly change" the iPhone's design language later this year, according to a Weibo leaker. In a new post, the user known "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone's design is "starting to change significantly" this year. The "iPhone 17 Air" reportedly features a "horizontal, bar-shaped" design on the rear, likely referring to an elongated camera bump. On the other...
Generic iOS 18

Here's When Apple Will Release iOS 18.4

Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:38 am PST by
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia pages to give a narrower timeline on when the next updates are set to launch. All three pages now state that new Apple Intelligence features and languages will launch in early April, an update from the more broader April timeframe that Apple provided before. The next major point updates will be iOS ...
apple launch feb 2025

Tim Cook Teases an 'Apple Launch' Next Wednesday

Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag. The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle. Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Coming Next Week With These New Features for Your iPhone

Friday February 14, 2025 6:18 am PST by
The first iOS 18.4 beta for iPhones should be just around the corner, and the update is expected to include many new features and changes. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the iOS 18.4 beta to be released by next week. Below, we outline what to expect from iOS 18.4 so far. Apple Intelligence for Siri Siri is expected to get several enhancements powered by Apple Intelligence on iOS...
Apple 2025 Thumb 1

Two of Apple's Oldest Products Are Finally Getting Updated This Year

Friday February 14, 2025 6:03 am PST by
Apple released the HomePod mini in November 2020, followed by the AirTag in May 2021, and both still remain first-generation products. Fortunately, rumors suggest that both the HomePod mini and the AirTag will finally be updated at some point this year. Below, we recap rumors about the HomePod mini 2 and AirTag 2. HomePod mini 2 In January 2025, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple is ...

Top Rated Comments

apolloa Avatar
165 months ago
When I see the name Digitimes I just know Mac Rumors is only postng the story for website hits....
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mohsy90 Avatar
165 months ago
For those of you wondering....before October = August or September
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
applefanDrew Avatar
165 months ago

personally, I think the retina display (while beautiful for optimized apps), is ultimately a fail and a distraction.


Probably the most ignorant thing I've read concerning Apple ever.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Digital Skunk Avatar
165 months ago
After seeing the 15" rMBP, I'd rather save some money and get an even smaller foot print on a machine that is just a hair heavier than an Air but much more powerful.

The real question will be whether or not the GPU can handle Retina, since the 15" rMBP's chip is getting taxed by it?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Navdakilla Avatar
165 months ago
It will be interesting to see how they will power all this. Me thinks a dedicated GPU will be needed :D
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Allenbf Avatar
165 months ago
I'd not believe this if it weren't for the stellar reporting of DigiTimes. Those guys never miss.

:confused:
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)