NEWS ANALYSISadvent of 5G. It’s not just the speed – as iPadOS gains
more Mac features, a new device is likely on the horizon
that sits between the iPad Pro and MacBook Air. We
don’t know what this device would look like, but I’m
willing to bet on two things: it will be powered by an
Apple chip and feature 5G connectivity.
We’re likely years away from such a device, and I
don’t think it’s a coincidence that the reported Intel
deal and the retirement of the MacBook are coinciding.
Sometime within the next three to five years, I think
we’re going to see a brand-new device from Apple
that solves two long-standing problems: the iPad’s
inability to replace the Mac, and the Mac’s lack of a
touch screen. With a 5G modem, the next MacBook will
be the ultimate road machine, combining the power
of a Mac with the portability of the Mac in a thin and
light package, and Intel’s modem business could be
the thing to get the ball rolling.NEWS ANALYSIS
adventof5G.It’snotjustthespeed–asiPadOSgains
moreMacfeatures,anewdeviceislikelyonthehorizon
thatsitsbetweentheiPadProandMacBookAir.We
don’t know what this device would look like, but I’m
willingtobetontwothings:it willbepowered by an
Applechipandfeature5Gconnectivity.
We’relikelyyearsawayfromsuchadevice,andI
don’tthinkit’sa coincidencethatthereportedIntel
dealandtheretirementoftheMacBookarecoinciding.
Sometimewithinthenextthreetofiveyears,Ithink
we’regoingtoseeabrand-newdevicefromApple
that solvestwolong-standingproblems:theiPad’s
inabilitytoreplacetheMac,andtheMac’slackofa
touchscreen.Witha5Gmodem,thenextMacBookwill
betheultimateroad machine,combiningthepower
ofaMacwiththeportabilityoftheMacinathinand
light package,andIntel’smodembusiness could be
the thingtogettheballrolling.