Ming-Chi Kuo Expects New Apple MacBook Models to Launch in 2Q20
Tianfeng International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in his latest report updated the shipment schedule of Apple's new products.
Kuo maintained his forecast that all new MacBooks will use the scissor keyboard in 2020, but revised the supply share of component manufacturers and updated the shipment schedule of new products.
He expects the new MacBook models to ship as follows:
- 2Q20 launch of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, which are optimized for cost structure, but users do not feel the difference.
- 4Q20–1Q21 launch of MacBook models using Apple's own processors.
- 2Q–3Q21 launch of a new design of MacBook models.
He said that the MacBook supply chain is expected to resume work in late March, and that suppliers’ revenue and profits from MacBook in the second quarter of 2020 will be significantly higher than the previous year increase.
In terms of supply chain, Kuo expects Jingyuan to break Maolin's exclusive supply status.
In addition to positive scissor switch keyboard news for MacBook Air users, the Apple analyst also accelerated his expectations for Apple’s next-generation machines.
The report indicates that Apple will release its first ARM Mac as soon as the end of this year, with a shipment timeframe of Q4 2020 – Q1 2021.
Many expect Apple to announce the switch ahead of announcing the first hardware. A natural time for this would be WWDC. However, Apple’s plans for its developer conference this year remain unknown, due to the worldwide coronavirus outbreak.