From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.misc


Good grief, WHY!?! There is no need for three marginally different
models of laptop. There is no need for three / four slightly different
models of iPhone.

When Steve Jobs returned, he pursposely simplified the product line-up
from the confused mess it had become. Since then Apple has slowly gone
back to the bad old ways of numerous marginally different models
confusing customers, not helped by having things like some models with
a M6 and some still with M5. They need to go back to a just a
simplified line-up, with custom-build options for those who need them.



Apple Reportedly Planning All-New MacBook Model Between Air and Pro
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Apple may introduce an entirely new 13.8-inch OLED MacBook model in
2029, potentially creating a new product tier between the MacBook Air
and MacBook Pro, according to an updated product roadmap from
research firm Omdia.

The firm's latest roadmap sandwiches a new 13.8-inch MacBook between
the projected time line for the Air and Pro models. The surprise
model is said to use a single-stack hybrid OLED panel, rather than
the more sophisticated tandem OLED technology that is expected in the
upcoming OLED MacBook Pro models, which are set to launch either
later this year or early next year.

It seems this prediction hasn't come out of nowhere, either.
According to a June report from ZDNet Korea, Apple sounded out
Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE for information regarding a
13.8-inch OLED MacBook panel earlier this year. At the time, the
general assumption was that it was likely to be part of Apple's work
on the first OLED MacBook Air, expected by 2028 at the earliest.

However, looking at Omdia's latest roadmap, the OLED MacBook Air is
conspicuously absent, having been replaced by the 13.8-inch OLED
machine in a separate "new" product category. The new model is
expected to incorporate an LTPO+ backplane, integrated touch sensing,
an under-panel camera, and a color filter integrated into the OLED
encapsulation layer.

Omdia believes it is still too early to know for sure which display
manufacturer would supply panels for the device, but the firm
believes that it could potentially become an important mainstream
MacBook product, positioned between the LCD MacBook Air and the
higher-end OLED MacBook Pro.

Meanwhile, the MacBook Air line is shown as continuing to use LCD
displays right into 2030.

Of course, Apple's wholesale OLED adoption plans could change, and
Omdia itself caveats that its roadmap is based on current market
expectations. On that basis alone, it could be adjusted at any time
according to OLED manufacturing capacity, component costs, and
Apple's wider product strategy. Additionally, this is the first
we've heard of a completely new MacBook line, and it's still three
years out. So with all due caution, file this one under "wait and
see."



<https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/03/apple-new-oled-macbook-between-air-pro/>





--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.misc

On Fri, 4 Sep 2026 09:16:53 +1200, Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com>
wrote:

Good grief, WHY!?! There is no need for three marginally different
models of laptop. There is no need for three / four slightly different >models of iPhone.

When Steve Jobs returned, he pursposely simplified the product line-up
from the confused mess it had become. Since then Apple has slowly gone
back to the bad old ways of numerous marginally different models
confusing customers, not helped by having things like some models with
a M6 and some still with M5. They need to go back to a just a
simplified line-up, with custom-build options for those who need them.

Apple Reportedly Planning All-New MacBook Model Between Air and Pro
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Apple may introduce an entirely new 13.8-inch OLED MacBook model in
2029, potentially creating a new product tier between the MacBook Air
and MacBook Pro, according to an updated product roadmap from
research firm Omdia.

The firm's latest roadmap sandwiches a new 13.8-inch MacBook between
the projected time line for the Air and Pro models. The surprise
model is said to use a single-stack hybrid OLED panel, rather than
the more sophisticated tandem OLED technology that is expected in the
upcoming OLED MacBook Pro models, which are set to launch either
later this year or early next year.

It seems this prediction hasn't come out of nowhere, either.
According to a June report from ZDNet Korea, Apple sounded out
Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE for information regarding a
13.8-inch OLED MacBook panel earlier this year. At the time, the
general assumption was that it was likely to be part of Apple's work
on the first OLED MacBook Air, expected by 2028 at the earliest.

However, looking at Omdia's latest roadmap, the OLED MacBook Air is
conspicuously absent, having been replaced by the 13.8-inch OLED
machine in a separate "new" product category. The new model is
expected to incorporate an LTPO+ backplane, integrated touch sensing,
an under-panel camera, and a color filter integrated into the OLED
encapsulation layer.

Omdia believes it is still too early to know for sure which display
manufacturer would supply panels for the device, but the firm
believes that it could potentially become an important mainstream
MacBook product, positioned between the LCD MacBook Air and the
higher-end OLED MacBook Pro.

Meanwhile, the MacBook Air line is shown as continuing to use LCD
displays right into 2030.

Of course, Apple's wholesale OLED adoption plans could change, and
Omdia itself caveats that its roadmap is based on current market
expectations. On that basis alone, it could be adjusted at any time
according to OLED manufacturing capacity, component costs, and
Apple's wider product strategy. Additionally, this is the first
we've heard of a completely new MacBook line, and it's still three
years out. So with all due caution, file this one under "wait and
see."

<https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/03/apple-new-oled-macbook-between-air-pro/>

Hey! Don't forget the MacBook Neo - or do you only consider that to be
an oversized iPhone?

But surely, bringing out new models is just classic consumer marketing strategy?

For example. You make the country's biggest-selling dog food. Your
main competitor threatens to out-sell you so you launch a new brand
safe in the knowledge that some of the new brand sales will steal
market share from your competitor while any of your own customers who
swap to your new brand are still your customers.

Nick
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.misc

On 2026-09-04 11:10:56 +0000, Nick Odell said:

On Fri, 4 Sep 2026 09:16:53 +1200, Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com>
wrote:

Good grief, WHY!?! There is no need for three marginally different
models of laptop. There is no need for three / four slightly different
models of iPhone.

When Steve Jobs returned, he pursposely simplified the product line-up
from the confused mess it had become. Since then Apple has slowly gone
back to the bad old ways of numerous marginally different models
confusing customers, not helped by having things like some models with
a M6 and some still with M5. They need to go back to a just a
simplified line-up, with custom-build options for those who need them.



Apple Reportedly Planning All-New MacBook Model Between Air and Pro
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Apple may introduce an entirely new 13.8-inch OLED MacBook model in
2029, potentially creating a new product tier between the MacBook Air
and MacBook Pro, according to an updated product roadmap from
research firm Omdia.

The firm's latest roadmap sandwiches a new 13.8-inch MacBook between
the projected time line for the Air and Pro models. The surprise
model is said to use a single-stack hybrid OLED panel, rather than
the more sophisticated tandem OLED technology that is expected in the
upcoming OLED MacBook Pro models, which are set to launch either
later this year or early next year.

It seems this prediction hasn't come out of nowhere, either.
According to a June report from ZDNet Korea, Apple sounded out
Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE for information regarding a
13.8-inch OLED MacBook panel earlier this year. At the time, the
general assumption was that it was likely to be part of Apple's work
on the first OLED MacBook Air, expected by 2028 at the earliest.

However, looking at Omdia's latest roadmap, the OLED MacBook Air is
conspicuously absent, having been replaced by the 13.8-inch OLED
machine in a separate "new" product category. The new model is
expected to incorporate an LTPO+ backplane, integrated touch sensing,
an under-panel camera, and a color filter integrated into the OLED
encapsulation layer.

Omdia believes it is still too early to know for sure which display
manufacturer would supply panels for the device, but the firm
believes that it could potentially become an important mainstream
MacBook product, positioned between the LCD MacBook Air and the
higher-end OLED MacBook Pro.

Meanwhile, the MacBook Air line is shown as continuing to use LCD
displays right into 2030.

Of course, Apple's wholesale OLED adoption plans could change, and
Omdia itself caveats that its roadmap is based on current market
expectations. On that basis alone, it could be adjusted at any time
according to OLED manufacturing capacity, component costs, and
Apple's wider product strategy. Additionally, this is the first
we've heard of a completely new MacBook line, and it's still three
years out. So with all due caution, file this one under "wait and
see."



<https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/03/apple-new-oled-macbook-between-air-pro/>

Hey! Don't forget the MacBook Neo

I do try to forget that rubbish, but realistically it is simply another
model of iPad (without a touchscreen, so far!). :-)

- or do you only consider that to be an oversized iPhone?

But surely, bringing out new models is just classic consumer marketing strategy?

Confusing your customers with numerous slightly different models makes
zero business sense nor manufacturing sense (although Apple is fairly
good at stock control).

For example. You make the country's biggest-selling dog food. Your main competitor threatens to out-sell you so you launch a new brand safe in
the knowledge that some of the new brand sales will steal market share
from your competitor while any of your own customers who swap to your
new brand are still your customers.

Except Apple is pretty much the only computer company that is
increasing it's sales, while Windoze, etc. makers' sales plummet.

Even then, it would be an idiot dog food manufacturer that sells two
tins of dog food where the only difference between them is two extra
peas and 5c price difference. :-\

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2