MacBook 2017 release date, news and rumors

While all eyes have been on a long-rumored MacBook Pro 2017 refresh on the horizon for some time, a recent development has roped the far younger 12-inch MacBook into those reports. Alongside a revived MacBook Pro, many expect to see a revamped 12-inch MacBook for 2017 as well.

While riding quite hard on a single report from a well-regarded outlet, a refreshed MacBook wouldn’t be that outlandish of an announcement. Besides, it’s just as due for some new internals as its fellow macOS devices are.

With that, here’s what we know so far of a 12-inch MacBook for 2017 as well as what we’re likely to find inside and out of this would-be mid-2017 sequel to Apple’s thinnest and lightest laptop ever.

Cut to the chase

What is it? The new 12-inch MacBook refresh
When is it out? As early as WWDC 2017 or as late as this autumn
What will it cost? Likely as much as current models

MacBook 2017 release date

Based on the foremost rumor regarding the very existence of such an Apple laptop, Bloomberg expects to see the 2017 MacBook during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote on June 5.

That would make a lot of sense, as it’s been quite a while since Apple has used its WWDC keynote to push new hardware. Plus, MacBook Pro shipment quotes have recently been pushed out to dates during the event, perhaps signaling customers away until then. No such thing has happened for 12-inch MacBooks, however.

Still, the aforementioned Bloomberg report suggests that three new MacBook models will be shown off at WWDC 2017. And, with the MacBook Air pretty much out of the question, thanks to a self-proclaimed Foxconn insider instigating on Reddit, our best bet is that a MacBook Pro (13- and 15-inch) will take the stage alongside a brand-new 12-incher.

While that same Foxconn leaker said the MacBook has been in production since Chinese New Year back in January, Apple generally ships products two weeks following a keynote reveal during which pre-orders are made available. With that in mind, we could have new 12-inch MacBooks in our hands before the end of June and well in time for back-to-school season.

MacBook 2017 price

Little to nothing is known nor has been speculated regarding a price for the potential MacBook refresh. Barring any particularly major refinements, we’d be surprised to see Apple hike the price up for a 12-inch MacBook.

To that end, expect to see a new 2017 MacBook start the pricing scale at $1,299 (£1,249, AU$1,999) for likely the same 256GB storage and 8GB of RAM on offer as today coupled with a new processor inside.

MacBook 2017 specs

All that we know with any sliver of certainty regarding what components will be found inside the next 12-inch MacBook is that it will receive the same type of processor upgrade as the MacBook Pro revision due shortly as well.

Before you go nuts over the prospect, we’d be awfully surprised if Apple somehow managed to fit Intel Core i processors inside the 12-inch MacBook. Rather, we expect to see the 7th generation, or Kaby Lake, run of Intel Core m or Y series processors to be included alongside a doubling of the maximum RAM that can fit inside.

While the Foxconn insider mentioned previously didn’t give us a whole lot of additional information on the MacBook 2017, they did reaffirm our suspicion that few changes will be made to the current MacBook aside from silicon upgrades.

Beyond that, what’s inside the supposed 2017 MacBook is anyone’s guess. At the very least, our hope is to see a new, sharper Retina screen that’s regularly beat out by 4K Windows Ultrabooks these days. Here’s to hoping we’ll find out at WWDC 2017.