Apple To Drop 17" MacBook?

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Posted April 23, 2012 at 9:46pm by iClarified

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has had a somewhat accurate track record for previous Macbook lineups, has published a new report today claiming that Apple could drop the 17" MacBook altogether due to weak sales.

Kuo also claims that Apple could be launching new MacBook's that serve as a hybrid between the current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The new MacBooks will have greater power than the Air, and more portability than the Pro.

Apple's Mac business in 2Q12 will be boosted by several factors. Three of which are: (1) Mountain Lion, which integrates iOS features with Mac OS, Apple TV's interaction function, will be launched in June; (2) upgrading to Ivy Bridge; and (3) back-to-school demand. We forecast Apple will sell 5.32mn units of the Mac series (up 28.5% QoQ and 35.2% YoY) in 2Q12, making it the main growth driver.

We also predict Apple will roll out a fully new MacBook model in early 3Q12, boasting strong performance and easy carryability by combining the advantages of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

While adding new products, Apple is likely to stop making the 17" MacBook Pro this year due to falling shipments, in order to maintain a lean product line strategy.

Kuo predicts the first quarter of 2012 will see sales of 1.5 million for the 13-inch MacBook Pro and 500,000 for the 15-inch flavor, but only 50,000 for the 17-inch according to the analyst's sales estimates.

via MacRumors

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6italia0 - April 24, 2012 at 4:58am

Good thing I have my 17" macbook pro already, I have both 15" and 13" as well and now my 15" looks like my 13" compared. It would suck to be stuck with less in the future if I decide to buy another macbook.

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Legba - April 24, 2012 at 4:00am

That would be a huge mistake (in my sense). The 17" is still apple's flagship that all power users are happy to have. Power users are the ones every average users look up to when they buy products ... it could hurt big in the long run

justabrake - April 24, 2012 at 2:52am

4 bad moves 1- apple makes an ipad heaver then the others 2-ipads should have 2 different sizes to compete with the kindle fire 3-introduce on little bit bigger iphone and give people choice 4-leave the 17" macbook pro it's the best in it's size and class

tank - April 24, 2012 at 1:11am

17" Mac is huge ..a portable device should portable its always about the size is all about the resolution.my 13" macbook pro has better resolution than 17" dell. Apple is very miser when they discount a product they give you $100 like an insult.

dt - April 24, 2012 at 6:15am

What a wandering, mindless diatribe. Learn to make cogent arguments and please make them make sense...

Susan - April 24, 2012 at 12:43am

"only 50,000 for the 17-inch" That comes to "only" $150,000,000 in sales. Chump change to Apple.

justabrake - April 23, 2012 at 11:50pm

Just leave it in line with the others its not like your taking a lost on it Some people like myself like this size and weight

joyz - April 23, 2012 at 10:58pm

Hurry up with the MBP-air for pete’s sake and ip5!

Lucas - April 24, 2012 at 2:32am

Right?!

snakeeye - April 25, 2012 at 12:47am

Agreed!!

iCrunch - April 23, 2012 at 10:22pm

Discontinue the only MacBook that has high enough resolution? Apple had better offer a WUXGA option for its next-generation 15" MacBook Air/Pro/Hybrid/(nameless?). Discontinuing the 17" MBP would be the first time that Apple shrinks its consumer Mac business, unless they drop the Mac Pro first. The X-Serve doesn't count, as it isn't a consumer product.