Apple foldable: What we know about the Mac-iPad hybrid
Reports are circulating that an Apple foldable may be coming to rival Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Fold. Here's everything we know about it.
The rumour mill surrounding new Apple devices seemingly never ceases. The latest credible leak suggests that an Apple foldable notebook is in the works, described as a hybrid between a MacBook and an iPad.
Here's what the news and rumours are telling us, so far.
Apple foldable release date and price
Simply put, this device is way too far out to reasonably consider either release date or price. According to reporting, 2026 is seen as a possible launch year for this product. Per the same report, the speculative foldable iPhone has been pushed back to 2025, so a possible timeline may be coming into view.
As far as price goes, we can only look to Apple's competition in this area. Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Fold carries a starting RRP of $4,149, which could be a ballpark estimate for the price of an Apple foldable.
Apple foldable features
Apple's proposed foldable is believed to measure "roughly" 20 inches horizontally. Apple Hub has taken to Twitter to mock up what that might look like.
According to display analyst Ross Young, Apple is exploring a 20” all-screen foldable MacBook that could create a new category for Apple. This could result in a dual use product: a laptop with a full-size keyboard when folded and an external monitor when unfolded pic.twitter.com/nRFE9gZFUA
— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) February 21, 2022
Apple reportedly hopes this size will allow for UHD/4K resolution, or perhaps even higher.
According to rumour, Apple is currently undecided on what form the foldable's keyboard may take. They may be leaning towards an approach in which a part of the screen may be dedicated to a digital keyboard and trackpad.
Or, alternatively, a physical keyboard could be attached to the foldable. In that case, the product would carry a resemblance to a 2-in-1 device.
Of particular interest is the concept of a Mac/iPad hybrid. Whether you think of it as an iPad with additional functionality and processing power, or a MacBook with even greater portability and a touchscreen, it's not hard to see such a product making a huge impact on the market.
Check out our review of the iPad 2020, which we called "the best tablet you can buy", and fantasise about how Apple's foldable could be even better.
Best deals on foldables and 2-in-1s
To help you prepare for the hopeful launch of Apple's foldable, here are some similar products to enjoy.
$303 off Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 on Amazon
Blurring the lines between tablet and phone, the Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 is compatible with the S Pen, features the Snapdragon 888 and has a 4,400mAh battery. Grab a great deal on a futuristic device on Amazon.
Buy now for $2,196 (was $2,499)
$2,074.50 off Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold
Grab a mammoth 50% discount on what Lenovo bills as the world's first foldable PC. Complete with an Intel 5i core, integrated Intel UHD graphics and a beautiful OLED screen, don't miss out on this ridiculous discount.
Buy now for $2,074.50 (was $4,149)
$451 off Dell Inspiron 2-in-1
Grab a 22% saving on a magnificent device, with the functionality of a laptop and the portability of a tablet. With a 14 inch FHD display, Intel Iris Xe graphics and 16 GB of RAM, treat yourself to this top-of-line model.
Buy now for $1,597.99 (was $2,048.99)
27% off Acer Spin 2-in-1
If you want to go for a more budget option, look no further than this beautiful Acer 2-in-1. 10 hours of battery life allow you to work or play for long stretches, while Intel graphics and a 1920 x 1800 display ensures the best screen peformance.
Buy now for $415 (was $569)
$300 off 2021 MacBook Pro
If all this speculation around futuristic devices is of no interest in you, grab a deal on a good old-fashioned MacBook. And by good old-fashioned, I mean an M1 Pro chip, an 8-core CPU and up to 17 hours of battery life.
Buy now for $2,699 (was $2,999)
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