Apple's 2022 MacBook Air: Everything We Know

[MacRumors]

The next-generation MacBook Air refresh coming in 2022 will see Apple introduce the biggest design update to the MacBook Air since 2010, which is when Apple introduced both 11 and 13-inch models. We're expecting a total overhaul of the look of the machine, and this guide aggregates all of the rumors that we've heard about the update so far.

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Design

Apple is doing away with the wedge-shaped design of the MacBook Air, and there will be no tapered look for the next-generation version. Current MacBook Air models are thicker at the back and then taper to a thinner design at the front, but Apple will instead transition to a more MacBook Pro-like design with a uniform shape.

The next MacBook Air will be thinner and lighter than the current version, and it is expected to adopt design elements from both the MacBook Pro and the 24-inch iMac. Rumors indicate that the machine will feature slim off-white bezels and a matching off-white keyboard, with the chassis coming in silver, space gray, gold, and possibly a blue color.

There were rumors that the MacBook Air could be available in iMac-like colors, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that's not going to happen.

Display

Apple introduced a mini-LED display with the MacBook Pro, and the MacBook Air could potentially adopt the same technology, though it's up in the air based on rumors. Display analyst Ross Young says that the MacBook Air will continue to use an LCD display, with Apple reserving mini-LED for more expensive Pro models.

We do not yet know if the display will feature a notch like the MacBook Pro, but it could happen if the bezels are thin enough. That said, a notch might be more noticeable in an off-white color, so Apple may decide not to include one.

The MacBook Air is expected to continue to have a size around 13 inches, but it could be 13.6 inches in size, up from 13.3 inches.

Naming

Leaker Dylandkt has claimed that Apple may once again be planning to drop the "Air" moniker, reverting to the standalone "MacBook" name. It's not clear if this will happen, but it is a possibility as Apple did the same thing in the past with the launch of the now-discontinued 12-inch MacBook. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said that a future 2023 15-inch MacBook modeled after the 13-inch MacBook Air could drop the "Air" moniker, so there could soon be a return to the "MacBook" line.

Keyboard

The MacBook Air's keyboard is expected to be similar to the MacBook Pro keyboard with full-size function keys. With the MacBook Pro, Apple made the entire keyboard black, including the space below the keys. Apple could perhaps do the same thing for the MacBook Air, only in white.

Camera

The next-generation MacBook Air is expected to have the same 1080p camera that's used in the MacBook Pro. It's an improvement over the current 720p camera and enhanced with the image signal processor in Apple's chips, but it isn't as good as the camera quality available from iPhones and iPads.

Ports

While the MacBook Air will feature multiple USB-C/Thunderbolt ports, it is not expected to adopt an SD card slot or an HDMI port, with those options remaining limited to the MacBook Pro to set the two machines apart.

M2 Apple Silicon Chip

Most rumors have suggested that Apple is working on a new "M2" chip for the MacBook Air. The M2 won't be as powerful as the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips that are used in the 2021 MacBook Pro models, but it will be an upgraded version of the lower-power M1 chip.

The M2 chip is expected to feature the same number of computing cores as the M1 (eight), but it is expected to feature speed improvements that make it marginally faster. It could also have improved graphics with nine or 10 GPU cores, up from seven or eight in the current M1 MacBook Air.

Though we've heard several rumors about the M2 coming to the next MacBook Air, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said that Apple could instead continue to use the M1 chip for the new machine, but a modified version that's more powerful. Other sources... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: Apple's 2022 MacBook Air: Everything We Know

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Not sure how the notch will blend in with content and if they make it too slim will we have keyboard issues...

 

[DHagan4755]

I'm starting to doubt white bezels AND a notch. Either the bezels are white with no notch or they're black with a notch like the new 14" & 16" MacBook Pros.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple's Redesigned 2022 MacBook Air: Everything We Know. According to TheYayAreaLiving!​

Introducing MacBook Air 2022. Coming Soon in Spring!
​

Tim Cook: One more thing...

“At Apple, we have been working on introducing a dual camera set up for years. This will enrich people's lives. At Apple, we think you are going to love it”.​

 

[bsamcash]

I hope that mock up is close. She's a beauty.

 

[CC77]

The notch you hate, now uglier ™️

 

[thadoggfather]

If they make the notch white, im gonna poop

then again a black notch and white bezel would look weird too possibly

 

[jz0309]

That design would make this a "plain" MacBook, not a MacBook Air - MacBook Air needs the iconic wedge design!!!

 

[madmin]

Welcome to notch book Air!

White bezels, colours, notches, just about everything you'll need to show you're using new stuff

 

[jz0309]

If they make the notch white, im gonna poop

then again a black notch and white bezel would look weird too possibly

I hope you can do this between now and the actual release

 

[Cosmosent]

Just my two cents, Apple currently offers two Very High Value products:

1.) M1 MacBook Air

2.) 2021 8.3" iPad mini

If the M2 in the Next-Gen MacBook Air gets the same DDR PHY Controller as in the M1 Pro & M1 Max, which I hope but kind of doubt, it would jump into Pole Position !

The M2 MacBook Pro on the other hand, should get it, & would (predictably) jump into Pole Position !

 

[jumanji]

the air has been the greatest value. these look great.

 

[ThatGuyInLa]

This is the ONE. Just this ONE. That should stay as thin as it can. It’s always been about epic portability. While still being a legit laptop. Unlike that 12” piece of folded paper they came out with.

 

[tmanto02]

White bezels yuk. Also needs support for dual external monitors

 

[tonie walker]

an ipad air with built in keyboard…nice

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Interesting question remains if Apple will make this device in two different sizes, as earlier with 11/13" (now 12/14?), or only in one size.

Giving up the "Air" moniker seems plausible to me because should they abandon the wedge-shaped design, the machine will inevitably look sturdier.

Support for two external monitors would be great.

 

[coolfactor]

I'd be disappointed if they dropped the "Air" identity, or worse, changed the form factor to not be "slim and aerodynamic", and continued to call it the Air.

 

[noraa]

While unlikely, I’d love for apple to introduce to screen sizes for the Air (or just plain MacBook). I’m thinking a 13” and 14” model. I know a lot of people who would like a bigger screen than the existing Air, but have no need for the power of the Pro, nor the desire to spend that much money for what amounts to just a larger screen (again, because the additional features and power would just be wasted on said people).

 

[Coreymac84]

Can’t wait for the yellowing keyboard stories

 

[Realityck]

Apple is doing away with the wedge-shaped design of the MacBook Air, and there will be no tapered look for the next-generation version. Current MacBook Air models are thicker at the back and then taper to a thinner design at the front, but Apple will instead transition to a more MacBook Pro-like design with a uniform shape.

The next MacBook Air will be thinner and lighter than the current version, and it is expected to adopt design elements from both the MacBook Pro and the 24-inch iMac. Rumors indicate that the machine will feature slim off-white bezels and a matching off-white keyboard, with the chassis coming in multiple iMac-like colors.

Leaker Dylandkt has claimed that Apple may once again be planning to drop the "Air" moniker, reverting to the standalone "MacBook" name. It's not clear if this will happen, but it is a possibility as Apple did the same thing in the past with the launch of the now-discontinued 12-inch MacBook.

They could easily rename it from MacBook Air to just MacBook again. I do not expect it to be thinner and lighter than the current version if they are going to redo the keyboard to be similar to the MacBook Pro keyboard along with doing away with the edge shape design. Hint improve the battery capacity somewhat to make up for the M2 processor requirements. IMHO people wouldn't mind slightly heavier MacBook if its battery usage time is extended.

 

[psxp]

Can’t wait for the yellowing keyboard stories

we've had white keyboards on Apple laptops and computers before. Perhaps before your time in the Apple-verse?
No issues with "Yellowing"

 

[smartalic34]

Kind of wish I was waiting for these instead of pulling the trigger on a 14” MBP (my 2011 13” MBP was on its last legs and really wanted the MagSafe, upgraded webcam, and minLED display). Willing to bet these will have amazing battery life (better than the 14/16 MBP)

 

[LFC2020]

Notch, I’m in 💰💰💰

 

[AlexanderUK]

Apple is rumored to be working on a new "M2" chip for the MacBook Air. The M2 won't be as powerful as the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips that are used in the MacBook Pro models, but it will be an upgraded version of the lower-power M1 chip.

​

The M1 chip could feature the same number of computing cores as the M1 (eight), but it is expected to feature speed improvements. It could also have improved graphics with nine or 10 GPU cores, up from seven or eight in the current M1 MacBook Air.

Thing of it is, the current MacBook Air has the exact same single core performance and 2/3 multi-core performance of the Pro and Max models. The only performance gain the Pro / Max models have in chipset cases is GPU, heat throttling and max RAM.

So I'm not sure how MacRumors can claim they won't be as powerful as the Pro and Max chips, be an upgrade of the current M1 stock, and yet it will somehow have speed improvements (outside of graphics) - which would have to make them more powerful. Talk about contradictory.

 

[Lerenard3000]

this will be my new computer for sure, tried iPad Pro, but it’s just a big iPhone.

Need macOS