15-Inch MacBook Air Rumored to Launch in April as Display Production Begins

[scouser75]

This will probably cost around $1499 in base spec but it will be something absymal like 8/256.
And then people will get mad because if specced up it will cost as much as a Pro.
Looking forward to next year when it will receive M3 and have a price drop based on the discontinuation of the M1.

I picked up my 16" 1tb MBP for £1450. If the 15" Air comes in at around $1499, I can most probably break even on the sale price of my MBP and might go for the Air as I find the 16" too big and heavy. I felt the 14" MBP was too small. So the 15" Air would be perfect.

 

[boak]

My guess is it will start at $1399 for 8/256 (or $1499 if the higher core count M2 is used)

 

[applesed]

Hopefully it supports multiple screens, and getting it with 32gb of memory is possible; and 32g/2tb shouldn’t cost over 3k like the pro. With these capabilities I expect it to start at 1600-1700.

 

[gpat]

My guess is it will start at $1399 for 8/256 (or $1499 if the higher core count M2 is used)

Either that or they start higher but only sell only 512/1TB SKUs for $1699/$1999.

 

[boak]

Either that or they start higher but only sell only 512/1TB SKUs for $1699/$1999.

Maybe but my guess is the market at that price region is quite price sensitive, so they can't upsell too much. That's what they did with the M2 MBP.

 

[snipr125]

Crazy that Apple has never had a more consumer focused 15" laptop. There's a huge gap where people want a large screen, but can't afford the mammoth cost of a 16" pro. £1250 vs £2700. Even the 14" is now £2150.

A 15" MBP priced at £1500 would be a good position. Though IMO all of them are overpriced by about £250-£500.

It’s gonna be interesting how much Apple price the 15” MBA in the U.K. with the current inflation. I would not be surprised if it starts at £1800-£1900, they already raised the base price of the new MBP 14 to £2150. The pricing will be similar to the iPhone 14 Plus.

 

[boak]

It’s gonna be interesting how much Apple price the 15” MBA in the U.K. with the current inflation. I would not be surprised if it starts at £1800-£1900, they already raised the base price of the new MBP 14 to £2150. The pricing will be similar to the iPhone 14 Plus.

The UK pricing is affected by the weak GBP, not inflation though

 

[iDave]

This will probably cost around $1499 in base spec but it will be something absymal like 8/256.
And then people will get mad because if specced up it will cost as much as a Pro.

If that ends up being the price with those specs, I might buy one, but I expect it will be more money. I’m not looking for a desktop replacement, and I can’t justify a really expensive laptop.

 

[hajime]

So the 15.5" version will have a smaller screen size than the current MacBook Pro 16"?

 

[Pug72]

By about half an inch I reckon.

 

[ian87w]

But that would mean when you equalise RAM and storage the 15" Air would be more expensive than the 14" Pro, despite lacking a lot of the features. While Apple are anything but generous with pricing, they do follow a sort of internal logic for these machines. In the absence of any other feature/ justification, a larger screen variant will be a +$100 or $200 premium over the smaller variant, depending on the product. 8 -> 16GB RAM always costs $200, regardless of the context (i.e. what sort of RAM is in the computer you're buying) and 256 -> 512GB storage is again always the same $200.

Applying this to the 13" Air, a 16/512 15" Air would be $1,899 with 10C graphics, just $100 off the base 14", that's more than close enough to start getting people to mull over whether the MBP would be a better option for a better display, more power, more ports and better speakers.

I'm just basing it on the difference between base 14" and base 16" Macbook Pros, which is $500. But after matching the same SoC/RAM/SSD between 14" and 16" MBP, seems like the price difference is $200 to get a larger screen. So assuming that, then it might make sense that the possible base price of a 15" Macbook Air to be $1399.

What is definitely out of place will be the 13" Macbook Pro.

 

[Chester Stone]

Who cares about M2 vs M3? MacRumors writers spend too much time fretting about incremental meaningless trivialities.

Needle movers that actually impact daily use would be a ProMotion display, ports, battery life, and keyboard key spacing. Focus on details that matter, not irrelevant chip specs.

 

[tstafford]

But that would mean when you equalise RAM and storage the 15" Air would be more expensive than the 14" Pro, despite lacking a lot of the features. While Apple are anything but generous with pricing, they do follow a sort of internal logic for these machines. In the absence of any other feature/ justification, a larger screen variant will be a +$100 or $200 premium over the smaller variant, depending on the product. 8 -> 16GB RAM always costs $200, regardless of the context (i.e. what sort of RAM is in the computer you're buying) and 256 -> 512GB storage is again always the same $200.

Applying this to the 13" Air, a 16/512 15" Air would be $1,899 with 10C graphics, just $100 off the base 14", that's more than close enough to start getting people to mull over whether the MBP would be a better option for a better display, more power, more ports and better speakers.

And by then the MBP will be on sale from time to time at places like BBY and AMZN making it even more compelling. This happened at the launch of the 13" M2 MBA. At that time the base MBP14 was $1599 and a better deal for anyone who didn't absolutely need the smaller size.

 

[gpat]

So the 15.5" version will have a smaller screen size than the current MacBook Pro 16"?

You can hazard a guess about that if you really try.

 

[jlc1978]

Who in their right mind would want a Midnight Colour Macbook? Have you not seen it in person at the Apple store with all the FINGER PRINTS and the side ports with the paint chipping off??

It's not paint but anodized aluminum; which will scratch revealing the material below the anodized layer.

As far as paint chipping goes. I think as long you are gentle and careful with it. There shouldn't be any more issues. The color is too beautiful, dead gorgeous!

It sure is. A fingerprint magnet, however.

Who cares about M2 vs M3? MacRumors writers spend too much time fretting about incremental meaningless trivialities.

Needle movers that actually impact daily use would be a ProMotion display, ports, battery life, and keyboard key spacing. Focus on details that matter, not irrelevant chip specs.

Except then it would be a be a MBP except for the chip, and risk hurting sales of the MBP. So, unless Apple prices it to maintain margins it's unlikely to be more than a larger screen with the existing Air configuration.

 

[tann]

It’s gonna be interesting how much Apple price the 15” MBA in the U.K. with the current inflation. I would not be surprised if it starts at £1800-£1900, they already raised the base price of the new MBP 14 to £2150. The pricing will be similar to the iPhone 14 Plus.

The UK pricing is affected by the weak GBP, not inflation though

£1800 would be a tough sell. People can't afford or justify these prices, I expect the earnings from the region over the next few years to take a huge dip. I guess we will see if/how marketshare shifts as people reach the point where they need devices, but may choose to go elsewhere.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I mean it’s nice and all that you quote the verge. But the user above is speaking from their OWN experience. Not some review. Each users own experience with the device is a trillion times more valuable than any review from a tech website. To each their own. That’s why there are tons of products to choose from. Quoting the verge doesn’t really do much though.

Sure, but the person I was responding to wasn’t talking about their experience.
They never even commented on anything that the review brought up.
They just said their computer is more value than the MacBook Air because it… Doesn’t start at 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage? As if that’s all that matters about a computer?
Then complain the air doesn’t have 120 Hz… When their laptop doesn’t either? Again, as if that’s all that matters about a computer.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Time to drop the "Air" from the title. Just MacBook and McBook Pro. I associate the Air with the wedge design.

The old MacBook that was 12 inches also had a wedge design so… I guess they couldn’t use that name either.

 

[scouser75]

It’s gonna be interesting how much Apple price the 15” MBA in the U.K. with the current inflation. I would not be surprised if it starts at £1800-£1900, they already raised the base price of the new MBP 14 to £2150. The pricing will be similar to the iPhone 14 Plus.

If it does come in at around this price, I'll stick with my MBP M1. Couldn't justify paying a lot more for something less 😂

 

[GuilleA]

Give me an Air capable of running two external displays. Or at least two externals in close-lid mode.

 

[compwiz1202]

This will probably cost around $1499 in base spec but it will be something absymal like 8/256.
And then people will get mad because if specced up it will cost as much as a Pro.
Looking forward to next year when it will receive M3 and have a price drop based on the discontinuation of the M1.

It needs to keep the base at a reasonable price or it loses it's luster. Just have other configs for more.

 

[compwiz1202]

£1800 would be a tough sell. People can't afford or justify these prices, I expect the earnings from the region over the next few years to take a huge dip. I guess we will see if/how marketshare shifts as people reach the point where they need devices, but may choose to go elsewhere.

Exactly I will stick with my 17" PC Laptop until a larger screen MacBook has a reasonable price.

 

[AmazingTechGeek]

Since Apple released MacBook Air in M2 last year. It is safe to say the upcoming Macbook Air will be carrying a M3 chip? Also, hoping for a 24 Hours of battery life instead of 20 hours.

I think it will still be M2 because of recent supply chain recovery from the holidays and MacBook Pro January launch. Plus, the Mac Studio is still on M1 series and Mac Pro on Intel.

M2 Pro/Max chips just launched. If M3 launches in spring/summer on the alleged 15in MBA, the Apple Silicon Mac lineup would become fragmented. I suspect that Mac Studio will be updated in Spring with M2 Max/Ultra, MacBook Air 15in with M2, spring iPhone/Apple Watch colors and potentially the Apple Silicon Mac Pro if it’s using the M2 series.

—— else ——

I don’t expect M3 to launch on any Mac until WWDC at earliest, but probably not until 3nm A17 launches on IPhone 15 series first in fall. That means we’re looking at an October/November launch for M3 on iMac, and probably M3 Pro/Max on an iMac Pro and MacBook Pro in Spring, then M3 Max/Ultra for Mac Studio and M3 Ultra/Extreme for the long awaited Mac Pro at WWDC 2024.

 

[MacAddict1978]

No 3nm, pro motion, no sale

"Pro" motion - as in a pro feature in the Pro line and not the more budget (laughing as I write that word) line?

Sure... that will happen. And Golden Corral will start serving all you can eat Filet instead for $9.99 per person.

 

[ratspg]

Sure, but the person I was responding to wasn’t talking about their experience.
They never even commented on anything that the review brought up.
They just said their computer is more value than the MacBook Air because it… Doesn’t start at 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage? As if that’s all that matters about a computer?
Then complain the air doesn’t have 120 Hz… When their laptop doesn’t either? Again, as if that’s all that matters about a computer.

You’re absolutely right, my bad. I was reading out of context. To most people the base configuration sounds “low” but it’s actually sufficient for many people. I don’t like that it starts so slow, but it is very capable at 8gb/256gb still.