Apple fans hoping hoping to see a refreshed 12-inch MacBook were left disappointed following the firm’s special event on Monday.
However, while the Retina-equipped, USB-C-toting notebook was shunned during the Cupertino presentation, it doesn’t mean a 2016 iteration isn’t coming soon.
A 9to5Mac reader contacted the site after spotting a reference to a 12-inch MacBook (early 2016) within the Apple OS X Server app.
The unannounced laptop appeared within the Supported Computer Models in the System Image Utility portion of the app.
Clicking the item within the list brings up an information window confirming a “12-inch MacBook with Retina display, introduced early 2016.”
That suggests the model is indeed in the pipeline and will be rolled out – perhaps quietly – before the summer is here.
Related: Apple MacBook Pro 2016: Everything you need to know
The 2015 model, released in all its super-sleek and impossibly-thin glory impressed Apple fans and critics alike.
However, many consumers got cold feet due to the prohibitive price tag, slower processors and limited battery life compared to the most recent MacBook Air models.
The 2015 MacBook was said to have the equivalent of a 2011 MacBook Air, which may have turned off some potential buyers.
Related: MacBook 2015 vs MacBook Air
While USB-C hasn’t exactly exploded over the course of the last year, there are now plentiful hubs, adapters for converting back to a MagSafe-like solution and a range of portable power packs.
Should Apple arrive back on the scene with a refreshed model offering greater battery life and 2016-like power then the MacBook may attract more buyers this time around.
Have you got your eye on this product? Share your hopes in the comments section below.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.