Citing its usual “sources from the upstream supply chain,” Digitimes reports that new MacBook Air models will launch in Q3 2012. Along with the introduction of updated specifications, Apple will also lower the price of the cheapest model from US$999 down to US$799.
The price move is attributed to Intel’s push to drive ultrabook starting prices down to US$699 in the second half of the year. Ultrabook sales momentum is expected to pick up with the introduction of Windows 8 later this year but Apple’s price drop could blunt their adoption.
Intel is also rumoured to have set aside up to US$300 million to push ultrabook adoption and “strengthen notebook brand vendors’ morale.” Intel could spend a further US$100 million to develop its own application store.
Read more: Digitimes