Apple will launch a thinner MacBook near the end of this year or early next year, claims a report fromDigitimes.This report is based on the sources from supply chain in Taiwan which suggests that production of thinner MacBook components have already begun in smaller volumes to be ready for the launch by the end of the year. As earlier shared, Cupertino will stop the production of 13-inch MacBook Pro by this year - the line hasn't been updated since June 2012.

Ultra-slim thinner MacBook with Retina:

Dropping the non-Retina 13-inch MacBook Pro has become quite essential for the company as it is movingtowards dropping all the non-Retina products and introducing the beautiful display in each of its products. Reports earlier had indicated Apple working on an ultra-thin 12-inch MacBook Air with Retina display which will help the company find a middle ground between 11-inch and the 13-inch models, also creating a notebook that is distinctive from its tablets.

The currentDigitimesreport also seems to be agreeing to a lot of others that have suggested the launch of slimmerMacBook at the end of the year. However, if the production delays, the product could be stretched forward to the next year. Site has quite a mixed record of hinting at Apple related leaks and updates so it cannot be taken as a final say. If rumors are to be believed, we might see the new 12-inch thinner MacBook getting a launch in October along with the iPad lineup and the brand new iWatch.

Cupertino had last refreshed its MacBook Pro and Air lineup earlier in the year with faster Haswell chips and more RAM. This new product will feature higher specs and an ultra-thin design to go along with slimmer iPhone and iPad products.

-Source: Digitimes