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13-inch Retina MacBook Pro due in September, says analyst

A smaller version of the Retina MacBook Pro could reach consumers in September, says analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Lance Whitney Contributing Writer
Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer and a former IT professional. He's written for Time, CNET, PCMag, and several other publications. He's the author of two tech books--one on Windows and another on LinkedIn.
Lance Whitney
A 13-inch version of the Retina MacBook Pro may surface in September.
A 13-inch version of the Retina MacBook Pro may surface in September. Apple

Apple buyers looking for a smaller and less expensive Retina MacBook Pro may soon get their wish.

A 13-inch MacBook Pro is expected to join its larger 15-inch cousin this September, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Sharing an investors note with AppleInsider, Kuo said that the new laptop would offer consumers an "attractive" alternative to the non-Retina 13-inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air due to the higher-resolution screen.

The analyst believes the unit's appeal will be enhanced by its combination of low power consumption and smaller form factor. And for more budget-conscious buyers, the 13-inch Retina machine should be priced along the lines of Apple's non-Retina MacBook Pro, according to Kuo. The 13-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro starts at $1,199, while the 15-inch flavor starts at $1,799.

One potential problem: supply may have a tough time keeping up with demand. Apple has run into delays with the 15-inch Retina model due to constraints on panels and other parts for the sharper display, AppleInsider noted. And although the wait time for the 15-inch model has been decreasing, the smaller Retina MacBook Pro will likely face the same issue.

If Kuo's forecast is true, September promises to be a busy month for Apple. The analyst also expects a new iPhone, iPad Mini, new iPod Touch, and new iMac to debut the same month.

Watch this: MacBook Pro with Retina Display: Hands-on