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KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has been a reliable source of information on unannounced Apple products, expects that the company could introduce an entirely new MacBook ^[2] model at the next week’s Worldwide Developers ^[3] Conference.

Apple previously offered an entry-level white polycarbonate notebook known simply as the "MacBook," but that product was discontinued last year. Kuo's report ^[4] suggests that Apple intends to resurrect the MacBook name with two new products in the 13- and 15-inch varieties.

He suggests that the new laptops will be available in sizes of 13 and 15 inches with price starting at $1,199 for the basic 13-inch model. The rumoured laptop will not have an optical drive; instead it could include either a solid-state drive or a traditional hard-disk drive. Ming-Chi Kuo believes that such new MacBook will feature a Retina display ^[5] and a larger battery ^[6] with improved capacity.

Apple is expected to unveil its new 15-inch MacBook, priced at $1,799 with a hard-disk drive, next week, and the device will go on sale soon after. Kuo said he doesn't expect the new 13-inch $1,199 MacBook to be available until August, as the smaller MacBook has "limited space for thermal dissipation," and will also use a "lower-yield" Retina display than the 15-inch model.