Apple has moved its smallest tablet to OLED with a redesigned iPad mini starting at $699 in the United States, while a reported touchscreen MacBook points to a potential shift in its laptop lineup.
Apple announced the new iPad mini on Oct. 26 with an 8.5-inch OLED screen and an A20 Pro chip. The company lists peak brightness at up to 1,200 nits, more than 100% above the previous model’s peak. The display has an optional nano-texture finish, and the tablet adds a 12-megapixel Center Stage front camera and an Acoustic Display audio system.
In the U.S., the Wi-Fi model starts at $699 and the Wi-Fi + Cellular model at $849. Preorders begin Oct. 28 in 36 countries and regions, with availability starting Nov. 6. EconoTimes previously covered the tablet’s U.S. launch price and release schedule.
Bloomberg reported that Apple plans to introduce its first touchscreen MacBook at its Oct. 28 media experience. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman reported that the expected OLED models would have 14-inch and 16-inch displays. Apple has not confirmed the laptop or its screen technology, size, price or release date.
The National reported that David Naranjo, associate director for technology market analysis at Counterpoint Research, estimated a 14-inch OLED MacBook could cost $2,799 to $2,999. Naranjo cited tandem OLED technology, possible touchscreen features and memory costs. Apple has not announced a price; those figures are Naranjo’s estimate. He also told The National that wider OLED adoption could expand manufacturing capacity and improve yields, potentially lowering panel costs for more products.
The touchscreen report would mark a change from a view Steve Jobs expressed in 2010: “Touch surfaces don’t want to be vertical.” Apple’s invitation lists its Los Angeles media experience for 1 p.m. ET (17:00 UTC) Wednesday, Oct. 28.
