WWDC: Apple trade-in changes hint new Macs are coming

Does Apple plan a pro Mac upgrade for WWDC?

Apple plans to begin an accepting trade-ins for a range of relatively new Mac models from June 5, when WWDC opens.

Trade-in deals extend to new kit

“Apple will start accepting trade-ins of the Mac Studio, 13-inch M2 MacBook Air, and 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro on June 5th, the same day as WWDC. Read into that as you will. I’m expecting new Macs at WWDC,”  Tweeted Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

The move is being seen as a huge hint that Apple intends introducing new Macs. The new trade ins include the Mac Studio, 13-inch M2 MacBook Air and 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro.

The way trade-in works is that users can swap their old machines for credit toward purchase of the new models. While these deals aren’t always especially generous, they are a good way to stay up to date as possible as new Macs appear.

New Macs for WWDC? Where will they be made?

The trade-in changes come amid growing speculation the company will introduce new Macs at the show. These may include a 15-inch MacBook Air, though some say we won’t see a new Mac Studio at the show.

It is also possible the event may see Apple introduce the first Macs made in large quantities in Thailand and/or Vietnam. The company has been encouraging some suppliers to operate there.

Apple reportedly spoke with suppliers with existing Thai factories to discuss assembly, component, and module production for MacBooks. Nikkei has previously predicted this will begin in mid-2023.

The chip inside

There’s some uncertainty if Apple will introduce M3 chips. Most sentiment suggests M2 processors pending transition to 3nm chips next year.

In a sense, Apple has the advantage of time. Its Macs already compete at the high end in every category thanks to Apple Silicon.

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