New iPad and MacBook Air could arrive next week - Apple invite hints at new launch

APPLE’S popular iPad range could be refreshed next week with the US technology firm hosting a major event in Chicago with rumours rife that a MacBook Air and iPhone SE may also be unveiled.

By David Snelling, Technology Editor

Apple iPad event MarchAPPLE

Apple has an event planned for March 27

Rumours have been rife for weeks that is planning to and it seems a launch of these updated tablets could be imminent.

The US technology firm has just sent out invites to a major even in Chicago on March 27 and this could be a perfect time to announce the latest lineup.

The invite which reads “Let’s take a field trip”, includes an image of the famous Apple logo which appears to have been hand drawn using the Apple Pencil stylus.

The invitation contains no other details except that it will take place at a tech college in the city.

and some are speculating that the event will be used to reveal a budget version of the popular device aimed at students.

This low cost tablet could hit stores with a price of around £250 and, if true, this would make it one of the cheapest iPads to date.

To add fuel to the iPad rumours a recent post on French blog Consomac showed filings for two new models with the Eurasian Economic Commission database.

Unfortunately, the official entry doesn’t reveal any details about the hardware itself.

However, it does contain two model identifiers, A1893 and A1954.

In the past, when Apple has filed with official bodies, like the Eurasian Economic Commission database, the US company has unveiled products soon thereafter.

Other rumours that are swirling round the web is that Apple is also planning to unveil a cheaper MacBook Air and a new iPhone SE which could also been unveiled during next week’s event.

Despite not being updated for a number of years the MacBook Air is still hugely popular and a new model could be exactly what many fans have been waiting for.

Reliable technology analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities claims the MacBook Air with arrive with a “lower price tag”.

Apple invite iPadAPPLE

Apple has just out invites to a major event in Chicago

Apple introduces new smart speaker HomePod

According to Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a solid track record when it comes to predicting unreleased Apple hardware, the 2018 MacBook Air model will have a 13-inch display as previous models.

However, the new notebook will have updated specs and features.

Kuo says the all-new MacBook Air will be cheaper than the range, which starts from £949.

Kuo believes interest in an all-new MacBook Air laptop could boost Apple’s overall MacBook sales for 2018 by as much as 10 - 15 per cent.

Finally the iPhone SE may be rebooted with an updated design and improved specs in the coming weeks.

This cheaper iPhone hasn’t been upgraded for almost two years so it would make sense for this to be refreshed soon.

It’s worth remembering that although Apple has its March event coming soon, the firm has also announced its

WWDC is usually where the next set of software updates are announced but Apple also throws in a few hardware surprises.

Last year’s conference included new MacBooks, iPads and the HomePod smart speaker.

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