15-Inch MacBook Air Stockpiled by Suppliers Ahead of Rumored WWDC Launch

[sw1tcher]

Stockpiling base models with the classic and inadequate 8 GB of RAM?

And slow 256GB SSD. Can't forget about the slow SSD

 

[xraydoc]

I predict this will be a flop.

I think it will sell well. There's lots of people who just want a basic laptop with a large display, something that Apple hasn't had in their lineup in a very long time (if ever, really). These people don't want to drop MBP-level $2500+ for just a laptop with a big screen.

 

[ghanwani]

I think it will sell well. There's lots of people who just want a basic laptop with a large display, something that Apple hasn't had in their lineup in a very long time (if ever, really). These people don't want to drop MBP-level $2500+ for just a laptop with a big screen.

You may be right. My prediction is just based on seeing what Apple is doing across their lineup. They are providing tons of suboptimal choices and as a result people are moving away from the brand. It really is macOS/iOS/iPadOS only at this point, the hardware offerings are all poor. Those days of waiting in anticipation of a product release and running out and buying it with excitement are history.

 

[nikhsub1]

Who's going to be placing an order for a 15" Macbook Air in Midnight with me?

Me 100%

 

[Zest28]

I mean I expect M chips in Macs to follow the use effect- perceive or real- of A chips in iDevices. A are "incredible", "I can't believe it", "more powerful than anything" at launch and then "getting long in tooth", "slowing down" within only a few years, partially in support of buying the new A-series device. I suspect(ed) M-series to get on that very same train (in spite of common, long-term expectations that Macs should outlast mobile iDevices).

How do we collectively feel about A-series iDevices sold at the same time as M1 Macs? I'm seeing plenty of "long in tooth", "slowing down" posts implying "upgrade time." Why? Because that A series is feeling like it is no longer working fast enough... a curious effect that seems to happen every other year or three.

Conceptually, M1 devices- of which I own one myself- could be getting there by this point too. Instead, M2 is mostly M1 with some refinements, so M1 people should generally feel their Macs are just about as fast as ever, etc. I'm not seeing much "long in tooth" etc about M1 Macs yet. But I fully expect it to arrive just like it does with A-series iDevices.

I suspect if we were on the originally-imagined pace such that M3 or perhaps even M4 was "latest & greatest" right now, M1 Macs would feel like A13/14 bionic is starting to be perceived now.

Instead, I'm happy my M1 still seems fresh & robust and- if M3 Macs are still upwards of 10 months out- it may have at least that long to continue to "feel" that way before the mysterious slow downs begin to show themselves.

Maybe it won't be like that with M-series? I only have A-series as a guide influencing my imagination.

Which iPads are you refering to where people complain it is "slowing down"? Even my iPad Pro from 6-years ago is smooth as butter in 2023.


Btw, the M1 is also an A-series chip, it is what the unreleased A14X would have been for the iPad, with a few I/O added to it. Which is why Apple put the M1 also in the iPads. So not sure why you make it sound as if there are completely different chips.

 

[Jwinnin]

Digitimes - they really have a great record with their predictions /s

I love my M1 MBA, best form factor ever, great performance, great battery life ...

Wish i had jumped on this in 2020. Instead, I made the bad decision to purchase in 2019. 13 inch mbp with touchbar and fans that sound like jet engines. Lousy battery life.

Worst timing ever.

 

[Salty Pirate]

I wonder if it makes sense to sell my 16 MBP M1 base config for the 15 Air?

I do nothing that requires more CPU than the base M2 chip.

I like the big screen, will I miss promotion?

 

[RedTheReader]

If it comes with 32gb RAM it's an instant buy for me.

lol

Please default to more then 8/256

LOL

I'm betting that the 13' M2 drops down $1,100, M1 MBA to $700, and M2 MBP to $1000, so that the new 15in can take the M2 13' in price spot to be a reasonable $1200.

L O L

Those who jumped on the original M1s have had a remarkable run that looks like it still has some legs. Congratulations!

I recall one of the bigger arguments for Apple switching to Silicon was this idea that Apple would control the chip ugrade cycle and thus "we" would no longer have to wait for "only 'slow,' annual Intel chip upgrades." The gamble with those original M1s beyond only "1st generation anything" potentials was that spin actually proving out.

Instead, M1s have had and continue to have a solid run, much longer being THE chip than probably ANYONE assumed when they were buying one.

Per the original spin slung at each other, we should be well into at least M3 now and talking up the impending M4. If we really swallowed the spin, perhaps even M5 by now. Instead, rumors about M3 yields continue to imply that they might not arrive until NEXT year. If so, that's probably still 10+ months for M1 to continue to be "plenty" for most users. WOW!

It's not often you can buy anything Apple (computer) and stay pretty much fully up to date going into year 4. Early M1 buyers are benefiting from that anomaly... thanks to (a production side effect of) Covid or supply chain or inflation or whatever other reason we want to sling to each other.

Fair enough, but none of this is a good thing. Technology should keep moving forward, even if that means the average Joe doesn't have the latest and greatest anymore. The fact that Apple's going 3 years without a meaningful IPC upgrade is bad. It's reminiscent of 14nm++++ Intel. Not nearly as bad, of course, but the feeling's there.

 

[sw1tcher]

I think it will sell well. There's lots of people who just want a basic laptop with a large display, something that Apple hasn't had in their lineup in a very long time (if ever, really). These people don't want to drop MBP-level $2500+ for just a laptop with a big screen.

$2,500+? What foolish person is paying full retail when they're always on sale?

A 16" MBP with M1 Pro 16/512 can often be purchased for around $1,800. And the newer M2 Pro version for around $2,200

Adorama is selling 16" MBP with M1 Pro 32/512 for $1999.99 ($2,099.99 - $100 with APINSIDER)

If this 15" MBA is anywhere near $1,800 which I suspect it will be, then a 16" MBP with M1 Pro 16/512 for $1,800 is the smarter buy.

 

[gpat]

lol

LOL

L O L

Fair enough, but none of this is a good thing. Technology should keep moving forward, even if that means the average Joe doesn't have the latest and greatest anymore. The fact that Apple's going 3 years without a meaningful IPC upgrade is bad. It's reminiscent of 14nm++++ Intel. Not nearly as bad, of course, but the feeling's there.

It's just the timing of the industry.
Every CPU maker is basically at TSMC's mercy, except for Intel which is arguably in an even worse position.
Fanboys just kept pretending that Apple was using some kind of alien technology which allowed them to disregard 2020 physics, but reality had to strike sooner or later.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Fair enough, but none of this is a good thing. Technology should keep moving forward, even if that means the average Joe doesn't have the latest and greatest anymore. The fact that Apple's going 3 years without a meaningful IPC upgrade is bad. It's reminiscent of 14nm++++ Intel. Not nearly as bad, of course, but the feeling's there.

I'm far beyond WITH you on this- just making the observation that due to perhaps unique circumstances- those who grabbed them early M1s have seemingly got a much longer period at the top of the mountain than I personally expected back then and that I generally expect going forward. Lucky them!

I only went Silicon last year, so I've had a year+ with M1 Ultra. I know my days are numbered and fully understand why.

 

[Mr. Dee]

If it is still with slow SSD, they will remain stock pilled in the warehouses.

Don’t worry, Amazon and BH Photo will discount the heck out of them. Apple still wins.

 

[nikhsub1]

I wonder if it makes sense to sell my 16 MBP M1 base config for the 15 Air?

I do nothing that requires more CPU than the base M2 chip.

I like the big screen, will I miss promotion?

I think it depends what you are doing. I'm an IT nerd and I have the 13" M2 air and the 16" M1 Pro max - the screen on the 13" seems great to me, just smaller. I do not miss anything except the larger size of the 16" so I'm hoping the 15" will be good enough when I'm on the go.

 

[snak-atak]

I'm betting that the 13' M2 drops down $1,100, M1 MBA to $700, and M2 MBP to $1000, so that the new 15in can take the M2 13' in price spot to be a reasonable $1200.

I too am hopeful that a price drop of existing MacBooks accompanies this announcement!

 

[Realityck]

Apple's supply chain has started stockpiling the rumored 15-inch MacBook Air, according to industry sources cited by DigiTimes. The report says the laptop is expected to be announced at Apple's annual developer conference WWDC, which begins June 5.

I'll belieive it when I see it only. This could be against something else like just updating both 13" models to current specs, particularly the 13" MBP with its 720P FaceTime camera, older non-spatial stereo speakers. The single SSD usage on the base models.

 

[RogerDoger2801]

What’re the odds this means the MacBook Air skips the M3 generation, just like the iMac appears to be doing with M2? Wouldn’t make sense for them to update the device right before the M3 comes out this fall only to turn around and update the MBA again 3-6 months later.

Would be disappointing if the case…all signs point to the M3 being a leap in power efficiency, and the MBA would seem like the obvious device to take advantage of that (though perhaps the MBP would gain the most).

 

[aaadktda]

Every time I read news about the 15 inch Air I get excited for a split second. Then I start thinking that chances are that it will be 2000 euros in Europe for the base model 8/256 and 3000 euros for a decent configuration.

 

[rp2011]

13.6" M2 Macbook Air (16/512): $1699
14.2" M2 Macbook Pro (16/512): $1999
15" M2 Macbook Air (16/512): $1849 ???

The base 14”Pro looks better and better as time goes on.

Ridiculous to spend $1700 for an Air.
They need to just have ONE Air. ONE SKU, configured to be the best value for the general consumer, because no one should be spending that $1700 with negative value added.
Then have the Pro’s have the SKU’s to fit the more demanding consumers.

 

[poematik13]

What a weird product. You'll be paying pro prices or almost pro prices for non-pro hardware

I suppose its marketed to boomers and office workers who just want a larger screen for editing documents, etc and don't need large GPU's or tons of RAM and USB ports

 

[CalMin]

If this thing supports 2x external displays, I'm all over it. I would trade my beloved M1Pro for a well specced M2 Air because I rarely need the M1Pro's horsepower and the M2 Air form factor is SO nice.

APPLE - ARE YOU LISTENING? M2 AIR / 15-inch display / Support for 2x external display. I WILL BUY THIS THING RIGHT NOW!!

 

[cara90123]

I won't buy a Mac with a M2 processor.

why?

 

[canadianspeculator]

Those who jumped on the original M1s have had a remarkable run that looks like it still has some legs. Congratulations!

I recall one of the bigger arguments for Apple switching to Silicon was this idea that Apple would control the chip ugrade cycle and thus "we" would no longer have to wait for "only 'slow,' annual Intel chip upgrades." The gamble with those original M1s beyond only "1st generation anything" potentials was that spin actually proving out.

Instead, M1s have had and continue to have a solid run, much longer being THE chip than probably ANYONE assumed when they were buying one.

Per the original spin slung at each other, we should be well into at least M3 now and talking up the impending M4. If we really swallowed the spin, perhaps even M5 by now. Instead, rumors about M3 yields continue to imply that they might not arrive until NEXT year. If so, that's probably still 10+ months for M1 to continue to be "plenty" for most users. WOW!

It's not often you can buy anything Apple (computer) and stay pretty much fully up to date going into year 4. Early M1 buyers are benefiting from that anomaly... thanks to (a production side effect of) Covid or supply chain or inflation or whatever other reason we want to sling to each other.

People on this forum will never admit it because it's more fun to be mad at everything, but the Apple Silicon is actually one of precious few wins by Cook and co recently. I do a lot of GPU intensive tasks for work, and I'm blown away by the performance of the M1 Max. It's completely taken over my department, and the time savings on a lot of core tasks are simply incredible. That and AirPods are basically the only two recent products that have really taken hold in my world.

 

[lazyrighteye]

I'll take the other side of that bet. I bet Air 15" will be priced shockingly "makes no sense" high vs. MBpro pricing ("might as well just get a MBpro")... and then the illogic in those pricing conflicts will be resolved when the NEXT MBpros are rolled out also at jacked up prices to "fix" this problem.

Modern Apple is in "maximize profit per sale" more than ever before. They don't do that with the volume play of "lower our prices" (and yes, I did notice the new Mac Mini price cut vs. the prior offering).

We'll see... but note in seemingly 500 rumors about a 15" Air, NOT ONE has had ANY rumor about price. "We" seem to be the ones setting pricing expectations that Air should automatically be LESS THAN Pro because of history. What if THIS Air sets the new, higher price point for AIR... to be followed by the new higher price points for PRO? Past (pricing) performance does not necessarily reflect future pricing performance. Apple can do anything it wants.

Note the same kind of conflict between higher configs of Mac Mini vs. Mac Studio. There's many threads about those weird price conflicts too. How will that get resolved? Yes, Apple could decide to cut Mac Mini PRO pricing down to "fit" in well vs. existing Mac Studio pricing... OR the next Mac Studio could have jacked pricing to also "fix" this problem too. I expect that more than Mac Mini Pro price cuts to logically fit vs. Mac Studio.

I'll be quite happy to lose this bet, as I am interested in a new 15"+ laptop myself. But I'm simply assuming based on how I see Apple applying big innovations to squeeze every nickel out of every move. Cutting prices doesn't seem to support that observation. New higher pricing seems a popular card to play.

I kind of think you're onto something here @HobeSoundDarryl. I can very much see Apple using the new 15" MBA - which comes with built-in demand despite whatever that lower than expected "pull-in momentum" comment is suggesting - to position it just above the MBP in an effort to move the price point up for the next round of MBPs. Up, up and away! Of course this will, by skewed default, make a $3k goggle make "more sense" (or is it cents?). Paving the way for $2k iPhones Pros and so on. Can't say I like this strategy, but it seems eerily plausible. Unfortunately. 🤪

That said, inflation is leading us to a recession (might already be there - "recession" is a backward-looking term). I can't see the timing of such a price bump strategy being right - which may/may not matter. We'll just have to see how this plays out. Only thing I can sat for certain is it should be interesting.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I'm with you. I don't like it... but it is what I expect.

Too many seem to be applying history like it is an absolute LOCK that this Air will be cheaper than PRO. Apple just succeeded in pulling the entire computer out of the iMac 27" and then selling only the non-computer parts for the same "starting at..." price as the former "whole computer."

They also rolled out handkerchiefs for $20 a pop and sold completely out of stock for quite a while.

There is no law/rule that demands 15" Air must be cheaper than PRO. If they roll it out higher and get ASD-like acceptance/enthusiasm for it, it's logical that the next MBpros can roll out at "enhanced" (profit) pricing too to fix the short-term conflicts of "why not just buy MBpro at this price?"

I don't like it... but it is NOT hard to imagine.

 

[UK-MacAddict]

Another pointless product added to an already bloated lineup. It’s uncanny how Apple today is a mirror image of early 90s Apple.