15-Inch MacBook Air Rumored for 2023, But New 12-Inch MacBook Now Unlikely

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to release a larger 15-inch MacBook Air in 2023, but a previously rumored 12-inch MacBook with Apple silicon is no longer expected to launch this year, according to the latest information shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Gurman did not share any additional details about the 15-inch MacBook Air, but display analyst Ross Young previously claimed that Apple's suppliers would begin production of 15.5-inch display panels for the new MacBook Air in the first quarter of 2023, leading him to assume that the notebook would be released as early as this spring.

Given that the MacBook Air was just redesigned in 2022, it's likely that the 15-inch model would have a very similar or identical design as the latest 13-inch model, and it will likely be available with M2 and M2 Pro chip options.

As for the 12-inch MacBook, Gurman previously claimed that Apple was considering launching it at the end of 2023 or in early 2024, but today he said that the smaller notebook is no longer on the company's near-term roadmap.

Apple has released both lower-end and higher-end 12-inch notebooks in the past. At the low end, Apple introduced an ultra-thin 12-inch MacBook that weighed just two pounds in 2015, but the notebook was discontinued in 2019. And at the higher end, Apple offered a 12-inch PowerBook G4 in the mid-2000s, prior to the original MacBook Pro.

The previous 12-inch MacBook was thermally constrained as a result of using Intel processors, but Apple silicon has superior performance per watt, allowing for Apple to reintroduce an ultra-thin, fanless MacBook if it ever decides to.

Article Link: 15-Inch MacBook Air Rumored for 2023, But New 12-Inch MacBook Now Unlikely

 

[dantracht]

A shame. I still miss my 2016 12”. Between the two I’m more interested in the 15”, but it would have been cool to see an updated version.

 

[krspkbl]

i will buy a 15" air. i dont need the beef of a macbook pro but dont want a small screen.

this will be the perfect device for me.

 

[zachz]

This will be a great device, just wish the colors matched the M1 iMac!

I bought a 16" MBP purely for the size -- although I do enjoy the screen and speakers, but would've preferred a lighter device.

Oddly enough, I went from having the largest Apple devices to now the smallest with the exception of the MacBook. If there was a 12", I would get that lol my reasoning is off.

13" MBP --> 16" MBP
Plus iPhones --> 13 mini
12.9 iPad Pro --> iPad mini
27" iMac --> 24" iMac

 

[doboy]

I guess Apple is shying away from all "mini" versions, starting with an iPhone.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Makes sense.
People forget that outside of Intel the biggest problem with the 12 inch MacBook was the price.
It was $1299.
At the time, the 13.3 inch MacBook Air with a more powerful processor cost anywhere from $300-400 less, and the much more powerful and capable MacBook Pro cost the same $1299.
Having a 13 Air around $1000, a 15 Air around $1300, and a 12 inch somewhere in between makes the lineup even more complicated than it is right now, especially if they all share the exact same M2 chip.

 

[reubs]

I've got a 15" intel MacBook Pro, and as soon as there's an M series Air that's in the same size range, I'll jump to it, especially if we've got some good options for ports.

 

[JPack]

It was never likely in the first place. Just like the iPhone 12 mini, if there was enough market demand for small displays, Android manufacturers would already be on it.

 

[jz0309]

I’m just gonna watch this from the gallery, very happy with my M1 MBA and see no reason to upgrade it in the next several years. Besides, don’t really think Gurman “knows” anything about Apples plans.

 

[contacos]

Another product only to exist to increase the price of the Pro Models further 🙃 the Air feels hardly more portable since they removed the thin part (forgot what it’s called in English) tbh

 

[blazerunner]

Does Apple think everyone has hands the size of Michael Jordans? WTF is wrong with them killing off small devices?

 

[Cromulent]

I’m just gonna watch this from the gallery, very happy with my M1 MBA and see no reason to upgrade it in the next several years. Besides, don’t really think Gurman “knows” anything about Apples plans.

Same here. I use my M1 MBA for web browsing and light media consumption. If I want to do real work, then I use my Mac Studio. I doubt I'll upgrade my M1 MBA for a good few years.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Thin as a paper, perfect for traveling and overall continuity!

This 15" MacBook Air will be the product of the year in 2023. Mark my words!

 

[Mr. Dee]

If its gonna be 15 inch, then it can't be classified as an Air. 15.5 is a large device and the idea of the Air was due to its lightness and easy to carry around. This to me sounds like either a successor to the 13.3 MacBook Pro with touch bar or possibly a new category, MacBook Studio perhaps? But Air doesn't sound like it. Even the new MacBook Air doesn't feel like an Air, Apple really should have just called it "MacBook" and still keep the tear drop design as a category itself that's updated with the latest Apple silicon.

 

[EugW]

Does Apple think everyone has hands the size of Michael Jordans? WTF is wrong with them killing off small devices?

ALL of Apple's laptops in the last 20 years have the exact same key spacing of 19 mm. All of them. So they are all built for the same sized hands.

The only Apple laptop-like devices that don't have 19 mm key spacing are the 10-11" iPads/iPad Pros with keyboard.

 

[Cromulent]

Thin is a paper, perfect for traveling and overall continuity!

This 15" MacBook Air will be the product of the year in 2023. Mark my words!

I'm not too fond of laptops, so I only use them when doing basic tasks. I'd rather see something more interesting on the desktop computer front.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Obligatory signature:

 

[jz0309]

Same here. I use my M1 MBA for web browsing and light media consumption. If I want to do real work, then I use my Mac Studio. I doubt I'll upgrade my M1 MBA for a good few years.

same here, just got a Studio like 10 days ago to replace my 27 iMac, great computer!

 

[lovehateapple]

I don't see any need for a 12" macbook. The 13" mba is a great entry level product, imo. I'd rather see apple spend its human and material resources on other things. For what its worth, I'd also like to see the ipad lineup simplified as well.

 

[Realityck]

Given that the MacBook Air was just redesigned in 2022, it's likely that the 15-inch model would have a very similar or identical design as the latest 13-inch model, and it will likely be available with M2 and M2 Pro chip options.

As for the 12-inch MacBook, Gurman previously claimed that Apple was considering launching it at the end of 2023 or in early 2024, but today he said that the smaller notebook is no longer on the company's near-term roadmap.

He's just guessing now. No different than our discussions.

 

[lovehateapple]

This 15" MacBook Air will be the product of the year in 2023. Mark my words!

It won't be a good sign for apple's AR / VR headset, if your prediction turns out to be true.

 

[Shaggymax]

I'm all in...hope this isn't hopium!

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

It won't be a good sign for apple's AR / VR headset, if your prediction turns out to be true.

I don't think there are many people out there that are excited about Apple’s AR/VR headset. Unless Apple surprises us with ground breaking new technology. It’s a very niche product.

 

[Cromulent]

I don't think there are many people out there that are excited about Apple’s AR/VR headset. It’s a very niche product.

I wouldn't be surprised if Apple were expecting poor sales. I don't think most people understand what advantage an AR/VR headset can bring to their lives.

 

[smulji]

i will buy a 15" air. i dont need the beef of a macbook pro but dont want a small screen.

this will be the perfect device for me.

This will be the perfect device for many