MacBook, MacBook Pro Models Tipped to Be Refreshed With Kaby Lake Processors This Year

Last year, Apple launched its 2016 MacBook Pro models, which come equipped with sixth-generation Intel Core processors. If well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is to be believed, the Cupertino-based company is now reportedly planning to update all of its MacBook laptops with seventh-generation Intel Core 'Kaby Lake' processors from Intel.

Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities has suggested in an investor note that apart from the updated processors across MacBook Pro models, the 15-inch variant of the laptop will also get a 32GB RAM option, as per a report by 9to5Mac. Kuo says that the first MacBook to receive Kaby Lake treatment will be the 12-inch MacBook laptop, mass production of which will start in Q2 this year. He added that a 16GB RAM variant is also expected to be added for the laptop.

The production of 13-inch and 15-inch variants of MacBook Pro laptops (equipped with Kaby Lake processors) has been tipped to start from Q3 this year. Further, Kuo says that the 15-inch MacBook Pro is expected to receive a 32GB RAM variant. The KGI analyst says that this laptop will receive desktop memory in order to aim for high-end users.

Interestingly, Phil Schiller, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Apple, justified in October last year that the maximum of 16GB RAM option enables the laptop to offer better battery life.

Kuo says that Apple is expected to grow in terms of shipments during 2017 and slow start to the year has been mostly because of production delays as the demand for the Touch Bar variant of MacBook Pro is "better than expected," as per the report.

However, the 13-inch variant of MacBook Pro without the Touch Bar has underperformed and is likely to see a price-cut from the company, Kuo reportedly pointed out.