MACS: The Future Is Almost Here

Macbook 2016 : What to expect.

- Benjamin Kerry & Gavin Lenaghan

A BRAND NEW MACBOOK

With the last MacBook Pro having been announced back in May 2015, an update is surely overdue - and it appears that Apple agrees. Following heavy rumors that the Cupertino firm was set to unveil its new Mac lineup at an October 27 event, with some major changes to its MacBook Pro and iMac ranges expected, this date has now been officially confirmed by Apple. It therefore seems more certain than ever that new Macs will appear at the event, as was also confirmed by “sources” to the Recode website.

Although Apple has continued to make annual updates to its Mac models, technology critics and fans alike have grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of major developments to new Macs, with Laptopmag calling MacBooks outdated and underperforming.

Nor is Apple’s decision to upgrade its Mac lineup exclusively profit-motivated. Recent figures have revealed that Mac sales during the June quarter weighed in at an estimated 4.4 million units, which represents an 8.3% year-on-year decline. This, in turn, saw Apple’s PC market share tumble from 7.4% down to 7.1%. Apple is now in fifth place when it comes to worldwide PC shipments, falling behind heavyweights ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo.

Having focused on its iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch lineup for the past few years, and placed more emphasis on its software and services such as macOS and Apple Music, it is clear that Apple has put the Mac on the back burner – but now it’s ready to return to the top spot with its innovative and forward-thinking personal computer hardware.

A REVAMPED KEYBOARD

The possibility of an OLED keyboard was first