News 

Asustek, which is assembling the consumer laptops for Apple, is now shipping 120,000 machines each month, according to unnamed sources.

Digitimes claims that the 'competitive pricing' of the MacBooks will see shipments continue to rise, and - with iBook and MacBook Pro sales included - Apple selling three million laptops in 2006, compared to just under 2.2 million last year.

The website disputes claims by China's Commercial Times that Asustek shipped 300,000 units in June, a figure that well exceeds even the most optimistic projection.

Asustek declined to comment, citing client confidentiality.

Digitimes also reports that its sources indicate that a 15.4in widescreen MacBook may be introduced to complement the existing 13.3in range. However that seems unlikely while 15.4in is a key distinguishing feature of two of the higher priced MacBook Pro models.