Dear Apple, it isn't just the professionals that enjoy larger displays

[shenfrey]

For the longest time now it has just been the MacBook pros that have got the bigger display. the 15", the 16" and now the 14". Non-professional products have remained largely the same, or in some cases have gotten smaller, such as the now obsolete 12" MacBook.

Will Apple one day give us a 15" or 16" MBA? Or bring back the MacBook but offer it in multiple sizes as they do with the MBP. I would snap their fingers off if they offered it as one of their options.

Wouldnt anybody else like a bigger MacBook Air? I understand they want them to be small as they are portable, but the MBP 14" and 16" are also designed to be portable, used in coffeeshops etc, they are just also more powerful for workstation use.

 

[JPack]

Apple would have to face significantly declining sales (like the hugely unpopular iPhone 12 mini) before they launch a large MBA. (We're expecting a 6.7-inch regular iPhone this year.) So I wouldn't envision a 15-inch MBA in the next year or two.

A 15-inch aluminum chassis would weigh about 3.5 lbs, so it wouldn't be appropriate to call it an Air. So maybe a 14-inch model? But again, not any time soon given the next MBA is confirmed to be 13-inch.

 

[amt2002]

Agreed 100%. I’d LOVE a 15.2” Air. Even at 1.6kg / 3.5lbs, this would be utterly fantastic.

I find 13.3” too cramped for work. Always have. Always will.

I’m currently using a 2018 15.4” MacBook Pro and I love the screen size on that plus it feels pretty light at 1.83kg compared to the hugely expensive behemoth that is the 2.1kg 16.2” M1 Pro.

I have no need for a pro machine and don’t like having to spend such large sums of cash for one just to get a larger display.

Come on Apple, give us a 13.2” & 15.2” MacBook!

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

Apple would have to face significantly declining sales (like the hugely unpopular iPhone 12 mini) before they launch a large MBA. (We're expecting a 6.7-inch regular iPhone this year.) So I wouldn't envision a 15-inch MBA in the next year or two.

A 15-inch aluminum chassis would weigh about 3.5 lbs, so it wouldn't be appropriate to call it an Air. So maybe a 14-inch model? But again, not any time soon given the next MBA is confirmed to be 13-inch.

confirmed? by whom?

 

[JPack]

confirmed? by whom?

Kuo and Gurman.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

Kuo and Gurman.

thanks.but im guessing it'll be even smaller than it is now ! with the redesign and thin bezels its gonna be like a 12" body ! holly molly

 

[Jamison7]

Given that many consumers have a seemingly large appetite for viewing photos and video, you'd think a large screen makes a lot of sense.

 

[Onimusha370]

I remember talk of a 15 inch MBA back in the early 2010s! How time flies. I do think now is a great time for this given they seem to be making bigger distinctions between "pro" and "consumer". With the MBPs gaining weight and focusing on performance I can see the gap for a 15 inch MBA which is say 3 pounds, alongside a 13 inch MBA at 2 pounds. Obviously dreaming a bit with those weights, but maybe if they went to titanium it would be possible?

Assuming 13 and 15 inch MBAs would both run an M2, I can imagine the battery life on the 15 inch being pretty insane - or maybe they'll keep the battery similar to the 13 inch and focus on lightness given its the consumer laptop.

Either way - hope it happens even though I wouldn't be in the market for it - also hope they come in orange... I loved my 12 inch MacBook in 2015, it felt like a natural successor to the 2010 MBA, even if they messed up the naming. Really hope they introduce an ultraportable in the 2 pound range again - if they can do it with intel core M In 2015, why not with an M2 in 2022?

 

[JPack]

I remember talk of a 15 inch MBA back in the early 2010s! How time flies. I do think now is a great time for this given they seem to be making bigger distinctions between "pro" and "consumer". With the MBPs gaining weight and focusing on performance I can see the gap for a 15 inch MBA which is say 3 pounds, alongside a 13 inch MBA at 2 pounds. Obviously dreaming a bit with those weights, but maybe if they went to titanium it would be possible?

Assuming 13 and 15 inch MBAs would both run an M2, I can imagine the battery life on the 15 inch being pretty insane - or maybe they'll keep the battery similar to the 13 inch and focus on lightness given its the consumer laptop.

Either way - hope it happens even though I wouldn't be in the market for it - also hope they come in orange... I loved my 12 inch MacBook in 2015, it felt like a natural successor to the 2010 MBA, even if they messed up the naming. Really hope they introduce an ultraportable in the 2 pound range again - if they can do it with intel core M In 2015, why not with an M2 in 2022?

Titanium is even heavier than aluminum, so unless Apple abandons aluminum and goes carbon fiber like Lenovo, it wouldn't be possible for a 15-inch to be lighter than 3.5 lbs. But I can imagine Apple cutting battery capacity in half and thinning out the chassis to save weight. This in turn will rely on improved display technology as CPU power consumption isn't decreasing in the future.

 

[Tagbert]

Apple would have to face significantly declining sales (like the hugely unpopular iPhone 12 mini) before they launch a large MBA. (We're expecting a 6.7-inch regular iPhone this year.) So I wouldn't envision a 15-inch MBA in the next year or two.

A 15-inch aluminum chassis would weigh about 3.5 lbs, so it wouldn't be appropriate to call it an Air. So maybe a 14-inch model? But again, not any time soon given the next MBA is confirmed to be 13-inch.

I wouldn't be surprised if Apple finally cleans up its naming next year when it redesigns it's low end laptops. I may finally drop the Air name from the 13".

In any case the name doesn't matter much. There are a lot of people who would like a 15" laptop with MBA specs; who don't need the pro processors and GPUs of the MBP and are willing to spend more than the current 13" MBA price.

 

[Chancha]

The target audience is there, high age groups with eyesight difficulties, and executive types who absolute need a large display for spreadsheets and presentation but not much for performance etc. The problem is if Apple find it a sizable bunch to bother creating a lineup spinoff. Last time that happened with a low end Apple laptop was as far as 12" + 14" iBook era, with the PowerBook being in 12" and 15" and later 17".

 

[MacHiavelli]

I know plenty of former Apple users who now buy Windows laptops so they can have a big screen without having to pay a premium for MBP performance (and ports that they will never use).

I am in the same bracket now. Want a 15" or 16" screen, but don't need all the ports and features offered by MBPs. My next laptop will be a Windows or Linux machine. Although I would be more than happy to have an Air-type Mac with a bigger screen.

Thing is, once you start to edge away from the Apple eco-system, it makes it harder for Apple to win your business back again. Definitely been a creeping tide of change in the last couple of years among the Apple (and former Apple) users I know.

 

[shenfrey]

I know plenty of former Apple users who now buy Windows laptops so they can have a big screen without having to pay a premium for MBP performance (and ports that they will never use).

I am in the same bracket now. Want a 15" or 16" screen, but don't need all the ports and features offered by MBPs. My next laptop will be a Windows or Linux machine. Although I would be more than happy to have an Air-type Mac with a bigger screen.

Thing is, once you start to edge away from the Apple eco-system, it makes it harder for Apple to win your business back again. Definitely been a creeping tide of change in the last couple of years among the Apple (and former Apple) users I know.

This is sad to read. You would think it would make sense to have multiple size options for all your laptops, just like the phones, as there is clearly a market for it.

I bought a 16" MBP just for the screen, I don't need the ports, I certainly don't need the performance and it does depress me to think how much I overpaid just for a larger display.

I do hope Apple change their minds in the future and start to add different sizes, I would happily pick up a 15" MBA if one became available.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

This is sad to read. You would think it would make sense to have multiple size objects for all your laptops, just like the phones, as there is clearly a market for it.

I bought a 16" MBP just for the screen, I don't need the ports, I certainly don't need the performance and it does depress me to think how much I overpaid just for a larger display.

I do hope Apple change their minds in the future and start to add different sizes, I would happily pick up a 15" MBA if one became available.

But if many ,like you,want macOS and like big displays,they will (and I believe they do,and I would too) buy a mbp16 ,and spend much more money than needed .which is good for apple.

 

[shenfrey]

But if many ,like you,want macOS and like big displays,they will (and I believe they do,and I would too) buy a mbp16 ,and spend much more money than needed .which is good for apple.

Except it's not, as there has already been anecdotal evidence in this thread regarding customers moving over to Windows, just for the larger displays.

And the number of people that would pay an extra £1000 for a bigger display is minimal, compared to those who wouldn't. There's a reason why the larger phones are so popular, and larger, less powerful laptops would undoubtedly be just as successful.

 

[oneMadRssn]

I recall in in the retina MBP generation, there were 15" models that had just a basic Intel CPU with integrated graphics, and no discrete graphics, and started at under $2000. It was not cheap of course, but it was less Pro than the other Pro models. It would be nice to have something like that again.

 

[Onimusha370]

Titanium is even heavier than aluminum, so unless Apple abandons aluminum and goes carbon fiber like Lenovo, it wouldn't be possible for a 15-inch to be lighter than 3.5 lbs. But I can imagine Apple cutting battery capacity in half and thinning out the chassis to save weight. This in turn will rely on improved display technology as CPU power consumption isn't decreasing in the future.

Whoops - my 1am brain not working (I was thinking about stainless steel vs titanium from the watches). Yep I agree with the big reduction in battery and greater focus on thinness to achieve the 3lbs range for the 15 inch and 2lbs for the 13 inch. I would happily trade a 17 hour battery for a 10 hour battery if it meant a big reduction in weight (for my usage)

 

[jbsiii]

I remember talk of a 15 inch MBA back in the early 2010s! How time flies. I do think now is a great time for this given they seem to be making bigger distinctions between "pro" and "consumer". With the MBPs gaining weight and focusing on performance I can see the gap for a 15 inch MBA which is say 3 pounds, alongside a 13 inch MBA at 2 pounds. Obviously dreaming a bit with those weights, but maybe if they went to titanium it would be possible?

Assuming 13 and 15 inch MBAs would both run an M2, I can imagine the battery life on the 15 inch being pretty insane - or maybe they'll keep the battery similar to the 13 inch and focus on lightness given its the consumer laptop.

Either way - hope it happens even though I wouldn't be in the market for it - also hope they come in orange... I loved my 12 inch MacBook in 2015, it felt like a natural successor to the 2010 MBA, even if they messed up the naming. Really hope they introduce an ultraportable in the 2 pound range again - if they can do it with intel core M In 2015, why not with an M2 in 2022?

A ~2 lb. MacBook w/ M-2 performance a 13" screen would seem to address an important market segment. I used to use an 11" MBA, and, though it's a stunning machine, my M-1 MBA can be a drag to haul around on trips (particularly planes w/ limited space).

 

[Onimusha370]

A ~2 lb. MacBook w/ M-2 performance a 13" screen would seem to address an important market segment. I used to use an 11" MBA, and, though it's a stunning machine, my M-1 MBA can be a drag to haul around on trips (particularly planes w/ limited space).

Agreed - for me the 12 inch MacBook footprint was just perfect, I'd actually be delighted if they went back to that design with an M2 and a big bump in battery life - stunned they haven't done this yet!

 

[Tagbert]

Agreed - for me the 12 inch MacBook footprint was just perfect, I'd actually be delighted if they went back to that design with an M2 and a big bump in battery life - stunned they haven't done this yet!

I don't think that they could while still using Intel chips. Now, with AS, that might happen.

With the rumors or them making the M2 Air thinner in the next version, I could see them slimming the bezels (probably resulting in a notch) and end up with a 13" screen in a case not too different than from the 12" Macbook. I hope they keep most of the wonderful battery life while they are at it.

If the do this, they could keep the Air name for that.
Then bring out a 15" Macbook with M2. Maybe at a price close to the low end 13" MBP.

I'd be just fine if this generation kept the regular IPS screen and didn't have the extra cost of the mini-LED screen.

 

[TechRunner]

A 15" MBA would be amazing for those of us who do writing, blogging and light photo editing, and little else to tax a system. I'm aiming for a 14" MBP early next year, but don't need the power it provides. I'd wish for a slightly larger screen but truly can't justify the 16", even though I could swing it money-wise.

 

[dizmonk]

Apple would have to face significantly declining sales (like the hugely unpopular iPhone 12 mini) before they launch a large MBA. (We're expecting a 6.7-inch regular iPhone this year.) So I wouldn't envision a 15-inch MBA in the next year or two.

A 15-inch aluminum chassis would weigh about 3.5 lbs, so it wouldn't be appropriate to call it an Air. So maybe a 14-inch model? But again, not any time soon given the next MBA is confirmed to be 13-inch.

Completely agree. Not gonna happen... The Air is too popular and too much of a value. I'm just hopeful that they DO NOT go with these horrid white keyboards and colors that I've seen in the rumored 2022 redesign.