Apple tipped to launch new MacBooks on 27 October

So says a loose-lipped MacBook sleeve maker

APPLE WILL release new MacBooks on 27 October, according to a loose-lipped case manufacturer.

Twitter user Zee M. Kane received an email from a San Francisco-based MacBook sleeve maker called Waterfield, which is already offering accessories for Apple's yet to be announced MacBooks.

There's no word of an official release date like the tweet suggests, but Waterfield advertises an 'introductory offer' until 27 October, hinting that this is when Apple's the new MacBooks will arrive on the shelves. This matches previous rumours suggesting a late October launch.

The last we heard, Apple is gearing up to launch new MacBook Pro and Air laptops, alongside iMacs with AMD graphics.

Apple's upcoming MacBook Pro laptops will reportedly include a handful of major upgrades, the most notable being a touch-sensitive OLED bar that replaces the physical function keys along the top of the keyboard.

There's also talk that the upgraded MacBook Pros will be the first with a Touch ID power button, USB-C connectivity and the macOS 10.12.1 operating system. The highest-spec 15in MacBook Pro is tipped to use AMD's Polaris GPU, debunking speculation that Nvidia graphics will show up in the firm's next laptops.

Apple's skinny MacBook Air line-up won't offer quite so many new features, but is the first generation to offer USB-C connectivity, according to reports. What's more,Waterfield's website offers cases only for a 'new' MacBook Pro, suggesting that new MacBook Airs might not launch just yet.

Apple is also reportedly working with LG on a 5K external display to replace the discontinued Apple Thunderbolt Display, although it's unclear whether this will be launched later this month.