MacBook Pro 2016 Event - Apple could be about to KILL one of its most iconic MacBooks
APPLE is expected to refresh its MacBook Pro with a svelte new design, OLED touchscreen panel, and more. However the Cupertino company could also be set to discontinue an old favourite at its October hardware event.
Apple looks set to unveil a redesigned MacBook Pro and new iPads during an October hardware event.
However one mainstay of the Apple laptop line-up is expected to bite the dust during the event, purportedly scheduled for next week in San Francisco, California.
According to Japan-based website Macotakara, which has accurately predicted a number of previous launches thanks to its reliable sources within Apple's Asian supply chain, the iPhone manufacturer will discontinue the 11-inch MacBook Air.
The smallest MacBook Air is currently the cheapest laptop in the Apple Store, starting from £749 for a 1.6GHz processor, 4GB of RAM and 128GB of inbuilt storage.
There has been serious doubt surrounding the lifespan of the MacBook Air since Apple introduced the 12-inch MacBook.
The lightweight MacBook, which was refreshed with a specs bump earlier this year, is thinner and lighter than the Air.
MacBook also boasts the pixel-packed Retina Display and longer battery life.
Analysts expect the MacBook to eventually replace the MacBook Air in the line-up, however, the former's hefty £1,049 starting price has so far prevented the move.
Should Apple decide to scrap the 11-inch MacBook Air, it is not yet known whether the larger 13-inch MacBook Air will be discounted to fill its £749 price point.
According to Macotakara, Apple could also give the 13-inch model a small specs upgrade.
However the primary focus of the October Event is purportedly the new MacBook Pro models.
Previous reports have claimed Apple is expected to launch a redesigned MacBook Pro with a thinner, lighter all-aluminium chassis reminiscent of the Apple MacBook.
Apple is believed to be perfecting the software for the touchscreen panel, which is expected to replace the traditional row of function keys and will adapt and change to what it happening on-screen – surfacing buttons specific to the app you are using.
For example, the touchscreen might let you quickly scrub through video with the swipe of a finger if you're watching a movie in iTunes.
Laptop users could potentially add their own custom shortcuts and frequently-used apps to the screen.
The OLED touchscreen is also capable of scanning your fingerprint, like the Touch ID sensor on the iPhone and iPad.
The biometric sensor is expected to be built into the power button, so you can start the device and verify your identity a single tap.
Touch ID would allow you to log into websites and services without a password.
It could also be used to authenticate payments via Apple Pay, which is coming to the Mac with the next operating system update, dubbed MacOS Sierra.
Code in MacOS Sierra references both the OLED bar and Touch ID.
The new Pros are expected to drop the MagSafe charger, replacing it with four USB Type-C ports, with embedded support for Thunderbolt 3.
Alongside the MacBook Pro fans of the brand may also see a new MacBook Air and refreshed iPad Pro.
It's been suggested that Apple could reveal three new iPad models within the next few months.
This would include a new screen size for the iPad range – rumoured to be 10.1inches – as well as an unexpected refresh for the stagnating iPad mini line.