Mike Peterson
Apple is reportedly working on a new 15-inch MacBook Air model, as well as an apparent refresh of its 12-inch MacBook, according to a new report.
The expansion of the company's portable Mac lineup is said to be aimed at grabbing a larger portion of the notebook market, sources familiar with the plan told Bloomberg.
Both new models would run a version of Apple's next-generation M2 Apple Silicon chip. The iPhone maker announced the new chip at its WWDC 2022 keynote on Monday alongside a new 13-inch MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro.
The 15-inch MacBook Air is said to be a "wider" version of the model announced on Monday. Additionally, Bloomberg also said that Apple was developing "what would be its smallest new laptop in years," suggesting a device similar to the 12-inch MacBook.
Both models could arrive by the end of 2023 or early 2024, the publication said.
Apple has never had a 15-inch MacBook Air model in the device's 14-year history. The 12-inch MacBook, on the other hand, debuted in 2015 and lasted until July 2019.
Alongside the rumored new MacBook Air and 12-inch laptops, Apple is also reportedly working on high-end MacBook Pro models with so-called M2 Pro and M2 Max chipsets but few other changes. Those devices are slated for a release as early as the end of 2022.
This is not the first time that rumors have suggested Apple was considering a larger MacBook Air. Back in March, display analysts said that the company was developing a 15-inch model.
Prior to the release of the first Apple Silicon chip, some leakers and analysts also predicted that Apple could release a version of the 12-inch MacBook with first-party cihps.
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32 Comments
Now we talking... New Macbook Air doesn't have USB-C port on right(short thinking) so Apple can fix it with 15" Macbook Air. The 12" whatever laptop is just pathetic because many were complaining and asking for Mini iPhone and they didn't even buy so Apple have to axe it in iPhone 14. Same will happen to 12" laptop. Apple, just don't do it. Bigger(screen) is better!
I’d be thrilled with a replacement for my 12” MacBook. It’s been my favourite Apple laptop, after the 12” PowerBook. My only issue is that I’ve been holding on for a while and was keenly waiting for this Air refresh to replace my MacBook. Obviously no way of knowing if this is coming - don’t want to hold off needlessly. Then again, don’t want to buy the new Air and then in 12mths wish I’d held off. The pitfalls of reading rumour sites - the ideal machine is always just a few more updates down the line.
Before the 12-inch MacBook from 2015 through 2019, Apple did also sell an 11-inch MacBook Air from 2010 through 2016 … so that's almost a decade of offering a size smaller than 13.x inches.
I think a 15-inch MacBook Air would be a perfect addition to today's lineup at around $1,499 (slotting it around midway between the 13-inch Air and 14-inch Pro prices). If they could also offer a new 12-inch model for, say, $799 or $899, and close to 2.0 pounds in weight, the product might indeed find a segment of the fan base who are looking either for low price or low weight.
Still loving my 2016 12" MacBook. An up to date M2 version would be a hit. Bring it on.
My M1 MacBook Pro 13 is humming along nicely but I would upgrade to that new 15 inch MacBook Air for the added screen real estate. The only part that seems a little off is the timing? Late 23, Early 24 means the M2 would be 18-24 months old at the point? Doesnt make sense to debut a 2 brand new models, with an almost 2 year old architecture. If I was a betting person I would peg them for WWDC 2024 and release it with the new M3 chip and 32 GB of RAM max for the Air. This will launch it out of the park. If you are going to build it on the M2 then I think Apple would surprise us all and release it this year, at the late fall event while the M2 is still fresh. I am no Gurman or Kuo but this sure would make sense to me.