Gurman: MacBook Air Not Expected to Come in a Range of iMac-Like Colors

[MacRumors]

The upcoming 2022 MacBook Air is not expected to come in a range of colors similar to the 24-inch iMac, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a tweet, Gurman says that the MacBook Air is likely to come in the standard space gray, silver, and gold colors, similar to prior models.

Reports of multiple color options are likely "exaggerated," according to Gurman, who says he is not expecting much more than the typical MacBook Air colors, but the gold color could be more of a champagne. He also says that it will be available in his "favorite iMac color," a shade of blue.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1532862704221839360

Rumors have indicated that the MacBook Air will feature off-white bezels and an off-white keyboard, drawing similarities to the 24-inch iMac and fueling expectations of a wider range of colors. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in March said the next MacBook Air would feature "more color options" but he did not provide specific details, and there have been no concrete rumors on color options.

The upcoming MacBook Air is expected to feature a redesigned chassis that's similar to the MacBook Pro, doing away with the tapered design. It is not yet clear if it will have a notch, but it seems to be a possibility.

Some rumors have suggested the MacBook Air will have a next-generation M2 chip, but Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that it will continue to use an M1 chip, with Apple instead offering the new design as the main selling point.

The MacBook Air could be unveiled as soon as next Monday, as Gurman has said that Apple might introduce it at the Worldwide Developers Conference. For more on what to expect from the WWDC keynote, we have a dedicated guide that outlines all of the rumors we've heard so far.

Article Link: Gurman: MacBook Air Not Expected to Come in a Range of iMac-Like Colors

 

[t0rqx]

Still hope they release it in many colours it would be awesome!

 

[CIA]

The base M1 is pushing 2 years old and they might re-release it in the "new" Air? That means it will likely be a 4 year old chip when they next refresh the Air in 2024.

 

[frosty18]

Given that basically every rumor about the design of the 24 inch iMac regarding the colors and white bezels and the chin removal was wrong, I’ll believe it when I see it. There’s no way in my opinion that apple would release this in muted iPad Air-like colors when they have such a wonderful iMac design with so many colors to mimic.

 

[Tagbert]

So, just boring colors? Disappointing

 

[jav6454]

I agree with Ming-Chi, it'll be just a rebrand of the MBA and same M1.

 

[erikkfi]

Sadly believable, as the colorful iMac is an anomaly. Most people are boring and like gray, dark gray, charcoal...

 

[dantracht]

None of this is making me want to part with my M1 MBA, which is my favorite MacBook of all time. Sorry, 16" M1 Max, love you too.

 

[subjonas]

Maybe same chip and same colors? So just squaring the edges, whiting the bezels and calling it an update? That would be strange and upsetting to many.
By the way, I still have serious doubts about a white notch.

 

[WhoDaKat]

So is he saying it will be released in Blue? Not matching the iMac colors would be a surprise. They seem to be popular. Everyone wants the M2 MBA in multiple colors and we are going to get the same M1 in the same colors. Are they trying to get it to flop? I would think that colors on a laptop make more sense then colors on the back of a home computer. All I know is it better fit in an envelope. Pros got their giant brick MBPs, don't beef up my MBA! And put the TouchBar back on the MBA while you are at it!

 

[tgwaste]

Cause they wouldnt sell. White bezels = low sales. Mark my words.

 

[jchap]

Maybe same chip and same colors? So just squaring the edges, whiting the bezels and calling it an update? That would be strange and upsetting to many.
By the way, I still have serious doubts about a white notch.

All excellent points. Would Apple just do a design refresh with really touching the internals? It seems doubtful.

 

[exoticSpice]

And put the TouchBar back on the MBA while you are at it!

It was never on the Air and hopefully never will be

 

[exoticSpice]

Everyone wants the M2 MBA in multiple colors

Some want the option of space grey too

 

[jchap]

I would think that colors on a laptop make more sense then colors on the back of a home computer. All I know is it better fit in an envelope.

Excellent remark about the colors and visibility. Not many people talk about that. Laptops are inherently more visible, because they’re moved around… so it makes sense that the color aspect should be emphasized as well. Maybe that‘s why there‘s such a market for skins, cases and so on to change the look of the Mac laptop, since the standard colors are very minimal.

 

[The Cappy]

And Apple in their timid wisdom will tell itself that the world is not so very disappointed at this news. The world prefers bland designs. And they'll consider it proven when Mac users, quite inevitably, buy the Macs it makes. Designs that caused pleasure? Designs that caused joy? Bah. What's more joyous than minimalism and featurelessness.

 

[jchap]

And Apple in their timid wisdom will tell itself that the world is not so very disappointed at this news. The world prefers bland designs. And they'll consider it proven when Mac users, quite inevitably, buy the Macs it makes. Designs that caused pleasure? Designs that caused joy? Bah. What's more joyous than minimalism and featurelessness.

Perhaps Apple‘s design credo for the MacBook Air has been to stick with a minimalistic, sleek look over the years, something that doesn’t stand out or look like a toy with colors that pop. I can see your point about how the lack of color can reduce the joy factor, though. iPhones are available in a range of colors—why not Mac laptops?

I think a lot of it comes down to manufacturing. Apple simply doesn’t sell nearly as many Macs as it does iPhones and iPads. I don’t think that they believe that going out on a limb with the color options on their laptops is a good business decision, as the less-popular colors just end up stockpiling in a warehouse. To put it short, they’ve played it safe so far with the colors so as to avoid overstocking mistakes, but also perhaps because the design credo hasn’t warranted a shift to a more colorful, fun laptop yet. That may change a bit, but we’ll see. It’s hard to tell whether Apple will turn full-circle and go all iBook on us… 😆

 

[calstanford]

This "Air" has the weirdest most lame of rumors. Macbook like chassis rather than the wedge Air. Drop of Air moniker. No new colors. No bigger screen. But white bezels and keyboard instead of black. An M2 that's not really an M2 but more a M1.01...

Erm.

 

[ghanwani]

If it weighs any more than 2.5 lb it’s a fail. If it causes headaches like the M1 MBA, that’s a fail too, an even bigger fail than being over 2.5 lb.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Cause they wouldnt sell. White bezels = low sales. Mark my words.

The years and years of white, gold, rose gold and red iPhones and iPads with White bezels say different.
The years and years of the old white MacBooks, and then the old MacBook Airs, both with white bezels, becoming Apple‘s most popular computers say differently.
The new M1 iMac says differently.
I don’t think there’s any correlation, in fact I know people who actually like the white bezel more.
If you can show me any actual data that links white borders around the screen to lower sales, I’d love to see it.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

If this is true, then it can only possibly mean that the pastel pride colour range of the iMacs didn't sell well. I'd love to see the figures, but it does make sense to me that of all of the pastels, the blue was the most popular, considering blue is the most likely "favourite colour" for most people. And of course the silver and space grey are immensely popular, as is the gold for people of some cultures. The rumour makes sense, but could simply be a logical guess.

 

[Funny Apple Man]

They better not have white bezels if they're keeping the colors the same.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

This "Air" has the weirdest most lame of rumors. Macbook like chassis rather than the wedge Air. Drop of Air moniker. No new colors. No bigger screen. But white bezels and keyboard instead of black. An M2 that's not really an M2 but more a M1.01...

Erm.

And even still, watch it become the most popular laptop computer Apple has ever produced.

 

[Premium1]

I just hope if they do add more colors they at least allow the option for black keys/screen. White seems so distracting especially on the screen.

 

[Tagbert]

Perhaps Apple‘s design credo for the MacBook Air has been to stick with a minimalistic, sleek look over the years, something that doesn’t stand out or look like a toy with colors that pop. I can see your point about how the lack of color can reduce the joy factor, though. iPhones are available in a range of colors—why not Mac laptops?

I think a lot of it comes down to manufacturing. Apple simply doesn’t sell nearly as many Macs as it does iPhones and iPads. I don’t think that they believe that going out on a limb with the color options on their laptops is a good business decision, as the less-popular colors just end up stockpiling in a warehouse. To put it short, they’ve played it safe so far with the colors so as to avoid overstocking mistakes, but also perhaps because the design credo hasn’t warranted a shift to a more colorful, fun laptop yet. That may change a bit, but we’ll see. It’s hard to tell whether Apple will turn full-circle and go all iBook on us… 😆

You seem to be ignoring the 24” iMac. MBAs certainly sell in much higher volume than iMacs. Perhaps they wouldn’t give us the full taste of the rainbow, but at least 2-3 non-dull colors would be a relief.