Five Features to Look Forward to in the 2022 MacBook Air

[solarmon]

From the previous rumors, I thought this could be a low-cost machine akin to the iPhone SE. Which would fit the MacBook name -- a sort of throwback to the 2010 models, which had a white plastic chassis but the same specs as the Pro.

But with mini-LED and the notch, this sounds more like the 2015 MacBook. Likely more expensive than the current Air, with a heavy focus on thinness?

In which case, the names are still backwards ?

If so, no go for me. I had the 2010 white plastic MB. Lasted about four years, then the keyboard began to de-laminate, after turning an orangish burnt color. Vowed to never repeat that mistake. So it better have a black bezel option.

 

[solarmon]

Feels like the MacBook (Air) is the product Apple should knock out of the park in terms of attractive design. It will be plenty powerful with an M2 chip, that should like M1 be very frugal in terms of power consumption and cooling requirements, so this laptop can be very thin and light, with a long battery life.

You look at the current MacBook Air and if you lose the wedge shape (shame, I like it), it means Apple can stick some battery under the trackpad, cut down the size of the surrounding batteries, stick a low profile fan assembly in instead of the heatsink, etc., etc.. I would bet Apple could could shrink a 13 inch M2 MB down to something a bit closer in size and weight to a 12 inch MB with virtually no compromise.

 

[solarmon]

No. No fans, please! Might as well get a MBP then.

 

[jmgregory1]

That render of the MBA looks fantastic. This is the one device that could get me to stop using my iPad Pro as my daily device. I don’t need the performance and I don’t like the chunky monkey form factor of the current MBP’s, but I also think the current MBA is a tired design. I had a second-gen MBA and loved it then for it’s speed, light weight and thin form factor, but a decade later it’s time for something different.

 

[svish]

I really am looking forward to the colours, new design and of course the new M2 chip.

 

[Freedom1]

The 2015-16 12" MacBooks are still amazing computers. So light and portable. I personally love the keyboard. However, they are underpowered and tend to get hot. That same model with an M1 or M2? Incredible. I have a 2015 model with the "mobile" Intel chip. I am thinking about trying to find a 2016 with the i3 chip. That's how much I like the machine.

 

[Frankl2]

What about the weight? My understanding is that the new MacBook (Air) would be lighter than the current MBA - one of the nicest features of the 11 and 13 inch models. (I apologize if this has been covered in earlier comments.)

 

[johnmarki]

I'm almost ready to believe that the "Era of the Mac" is back. Apple has been cooking up some sick hardware lately, and if just a portion of this is true...

 

[chucker23n1]

I'm almost ready to believe that the "Era of the Mac" is back. Apple has been cooking up some sick hardware lately, and if just a portion of this is true...

Hardware-wise, things are certainly looking way better than five years ago. Software-wise, I think the quality needs to go further up.

 

[Tozovac]

White bezels is not a feature, it’s just an horrible mistake in my opinion

I’ll take a white bezel MBA if I can get 16gig RAM and 2TB SSD for <$1300. Then add a black appliqué and deal with the high-fashion Revlon design of the unit.

Don’t need colors, don’t gain anything from white keyboards & bezels. Need a solid computer.

 

[DarkHelmet]

I will not buy a computer with a notch intruding into the screen. Won't do it, full stop. If Apple extends this abomination across the product line my only future Mac purchase would be a mini combined with a decent non-notched display. I do not want to have to avert my eyes from the top of my computer screen.

 

[Mainsail]

This is what I would like to see Apple do:

• Offer the current MacBook Air with its iconic wedge design in traditional colors (silver, space grey, and rose gold). Simply updated the processor (M2, M1X, ?). Effectively, this becomes the MacBook SE. $999 retail, $899 education, but you will be able to find them on sale for $849 on Amazon and Big Box stores.
• Offer an all new MacBook design with a 14 inch screen, notch, MagSafe, and variety of colors. It will also have an updated processor (M2, M1X, ?). This laptops sits between the Pro and "SE" models: $1299 retail, $1199 education

Honestly, I think there is a large market for both of these laptops. The MacBook Air will continue to be the everyday computer for home and school. The MacBook will be the step-up computer for people that want a larger screen and latest design with more color choices, but don't want to spend $2K on a Pro.

Personally, I would be the traditional MacBook Air customer, but I can see how some people might be willing to pay more for an updated design and more color options. Over several years, as production and supply chain ramp-up, I would see the MacBook price drifting down from $1299 to the magical $999 price point. Then, Apple might discontinue the older MBA design, or offer it at a significant discount.

 

[michaelsviews]

If all of this hype is true why upgrade ? I still love the 2017 model. Just works.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Glad I picked up the 2020 MBA a year ago. I like the form factor.

But which one? There were two MBAs released in 2020.

Seems like a pretty crappy thing for Apple to do, doesn’t it? The one in March is immediately dropped down the memory hole.

 

[Warped9]

I have long preferred the wedged form of the MBA over the boxy Pro. It was distinctive, looked better and made more sense ergonomically. I will miss it if it goes.

I would prefer a 14in. screen since 13 seems just a bit too small these days. And if there is indeed a notch then it would be less intrusive.

Now that you can do video editing on a MBA they should bring back the SD card slot. Professional and amateur photographers would appreciate it.

The rest of the possibilities are perfectly fine as far as I’m concerned.

 

[Complex757]

White bezels and multiple colors doesn't appeal to me. I'm fine with my 2020 M1.

 

[soyazul]

The latest rumors shows that the MBA won't have a notch, instead will have a little thicker bezels...

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

The only thing that really bothers me about this is the rumors that they might remove the wedge shape. I love th wedge shape and it’s super comfortable for long typing sessions.

The colors on the other hand I’m soooo on board with. Green MacBook Air like the green iPhone 11 or iPad Air 4? Yes, please!

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

I really, really, REALLY hope this one of those products everyone was horribly wrong about.

For Apple to take away the option of a professional-looking MacBook at the entry level category would be asinine. Surely they have to understand that there are countless people who need MacBooks for work but at the same time prefer a device that looks professional without having to jump to an over-powered $2000+ machine. I understand this is probably what Apple is going for, but it’s bull if they actually follow through with it.

I get your point.
If they’re following the example of he iMac, then I guess there’d be a silver one, though. That should fit the bill, no?

 

[MTD's Mac]

IPhone SE is the lowest priced iPhone. It uses the case from an older model phone (the iPhone 8) but with a newer chip.

”Air“ doesn’t really work in the iPad line either but Apple branded themselves into a corner there. Maybe they will adjust the names at some point.

Yeah good point, though I quickly got used to the Air name on iPads, as in a "light" version of the Pro, despite not being the smallest, cheapest, or lightest iPad in the lineup.

The 10.2-inch iPad should therefore be called iPad SE. And maybe the M1 MacBook Air could be rebranded as the MacBook SE next?

 

[Craigriver]

Hey, I suppose it is time for a retro style. Anyone remember the MacBook toilet seat design? Now that was someone's idea of a "cool" marketing idea. PC manufactures will have a heyday with this.

 

[satchmo]

The latest rumors shows that the MBA won't have a notch, instead will have a little thicker bezels...

What’s your source?

 

[Camarillo Brillo]

You want black bezels? Easy, just spend another thousand dollars

 

[MacLawyer]

But which one? There were two MBAs released in 2020.

Seems like a pretty crappy thing for Apple to do, doesn’t it? The one in March is immediately dropped down the memory hole.

Yeah you’re right. I got the M1 model but folks who bought Intel model were probably shocked when Apple suddenly dropped the M1 version. Must admit though, sites like MR were warning users that change was coming. Cheers.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

I don't believe the M2 rumor. I believe this will still be M1, just so they don't need to compete with the new MBPs.

Unless, Apple releases the M2, M2 Pro, and M2 Max at the same time (we're still waiting on the Pro desktops).

As far as the design is concerned, bring it on. IDK, but I really like the proposed designs I've been seeing.

I've been using Macs since 2001, and it wasn't until 2007 that Apple introduced black bezels with the 24" iMac. ALL other Macs prior to this had white or silver next to the screen, and they remain some of my favorites. Perhaps the next macOS will have a light mode that makes the top bar white like the bezel, so it also disappears (although battery life may suffer).

And anyone complaining about the white keyboard are relative noobs to Apple. A silver Air with white bezels won't be that different from my 15" MBP hi-res matte.

If Apple made an all-white one, I'd buy it immediately. I wish they'd done a new iMac in all-white too.