Apple also working on MacBook Airs and iMacs with Retina Displays

Mockup showing Retina Display 11 and 13 inch MacBook Airs

On Monday we broke the news that Apple is readying a brand-new 15-inch MacBook Pro with cornerstone features like an ultra-thin design and USB 3 ports for incredibly fast data transfers. The headline feature of the new notebook, as we described, though, is its super-high-resolution Retina Display. According to sources, the MacBook Retina Display that will debut at WWDC will not stay exclusive to Apple’s Pro notebook, but it will come down to the MacBook Air family as well.

Read on for all of the details!

Apple’s new MacBook Air will not see major changes across the entire computer like the next-generation MacBook Pro, but this update will truly be all about the Retina Display. The current MacBook Air form-factor is less than two years old. Just like the new iPad added components such as an A5X processor and 5MP camera to support the headlining 2048 x 1536 Retina Display, the new MacBook Air’s other enhanced components will be built-around the presentation of its gorgeous new screen.

Apple is preparing both new 11.6-inch and 13.3-inch models. These new Airs lack notable design changes, but feature fast and power-efficient Ivy Bridge processors and improved graphics engines to support the Retina Display, according to supply chain sources. The new Airs will also use improved Apple internal battery technology in order to support the battery life required by high-pixel-density screens such as the Retina Display, according to sources familiar with prototype versions of the super-thin notebook’s internal components.

According to sources, the power drawn from the Retina Displays combined with the thin and light form-factor of the MacBook Air may pose challenges for Apple and its product manufacturers. Because of this, a launch timeframe is unrealistic to pinpoint. While Apple is bringing USB 3 to the MacBook Pro, Apple seems to currently be undecided on whether or not to expand the new USB technology from their Pro line to the more consumer-oriented and affordable Air series.

In addition to the higher-resolution MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs, sources say that higher-resolution iMac display panels have been spotted in the supply chain, but a release timeline was not provided. Joanna Stern from ABC News has also heard that Apple is working on higher-resolution iMacs. We wouldn’t expect these Retina Display MacBook Airs and iMacs at WWDC like the MacBook Pros. Apple typically rolls out new general Mac features (such as these higher-resolution displays) over time.

Thanks to Spencer Caldwell for the mockup!