While no one but Apple knows what's next, I doubt they'd do that, or ad exra ports, etc. that make it too close to the MBP. Bigger consumer grade screen, slower processor, fewer ports and lower price.
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Larger 15-Inch MacBook Air Expected in 2023
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While no one but Apple knows what's next, I doubt they'd do that, or ad exra ports, etc. that make it too close to the MBP. Bigger consumer grade screen, slower processor, fewer ports and lower price.
I remember when the rumors were talking about a gaming specific Mac… probably just a misread on seeing a future spec with the number of GPU cores that the M1 Ultra has
The bad rumors will be coming at a good clip as Apple continues to toss juicy information out there for the leakers to out themselves. 
A 15.2" MacBook Air would have a very similar footprint to the old 2017 13.3" model - so it's strength over the 16" pro would be unbelievably good portability for a full-size laptop (as well as the more accessible pricing).
This sounds like my dream machine. I don’t need the features or weight of the 16” MBP but I do need a bigger screen. This is probably a first-day purchase for me.
Incidentally, I hope it has the notch. My wife has one of the new MBP’s and the notch is always out of the way since it’s in the center of the menu bar and since developers can always not forgo that extra vertical space if they don’t need it. I have come to view the notch as better on the Mac than on the phone (where it actually is in the way sometimes).
Incidentally, I hope it has the notch. My wife has one of the new MBP’s and the notch is always out of the way since it’s in the center of the menu bar and since developers can always not forgo that extra vertical space if they don’t need it. I have come to view the notch as better on the Mac than on the phone (where it actually is in the way sometimes).
Definitely won’t look like that, there’s no notch
Apple is developing a larger 15-inch MacBook Air that could come out in 2023, according to research shared today by Display Supply Chain Consultants in its quarterly report.
The full report is limited to those in the display industry who subscribe, but display analyst Ross Young provided a bit of color on what can be expected. Apple is working on a MacBook Air that's somewhere around 15 inches in size, with the machine set to debut alongside a "slightly larger" 13-inch MacBook Air.
According to Young, the larger-sized 15-inch MacBook Air is slated for release in 2023, but a specific launch date unknown. This is not the first time that we've heard about a 15-inch MacBook Air, as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said last year that Apple was working on a larger MacBook Air with a 15-inch display size.
At the time, Gurman said that Apple had "considered" building a larger version of the MacBook Air, but decided not to move forward with it "for the next generation." Gurman did not mention whether Apple had nixed the idea all together, but it appears that the larger MacBook Air project has not been abandoned.
Internal Apple emails that came out during the Epic Games v. Apple trial also indicate that Apple considered a larger 15-inch MacBook Air as early as 2008, but instead went with the smaller 13-inch model.
Apple this year is expected to introduce a redesigned version of the MacBook Air that brings new color options and does away with the tapered design, but it is expected to have the same general 13-inch screen size. It will be a surprise if Apple introduces a total redesign in 2022 and then a larger redesigned version of the MacBook Air in 2023, but it's a possibility.
Along with a larger version of the MacBook Air, DSCC says that Apple is working on a base model iPad that could be "slightly larger" than the current 10.2-inch model.
Article Link: Larger 15-Inch MacBook Air Expected in 2023
And way more aesthetically pleasing (subjectively - my opinion anyhow).
Now that the MBP's are back to being rectangular "bathtubs" (as unsexy as it gets), the Air line can really stand out again.
Don't get me wrong... I'm glad they did what they had to for the MBP's to be true pro machines again, with thermals to match... But I'd be lying if I didn't admit they remind me of a laptop "physique" from 10 years ago.
13in & 15in consumer laptop and 14in & 16in prosumer/professional laptop makes a lot of sense to be quite honest.
I think there are a lot of people who have purchased the base 15/16in MBP because they want the screen real estate but do not need any of the extra horsepower. It is a whole lot more compelling of a product than the 13in MBP that does have benefits compared to the 13in MBA but they are all pretty slight. Slotting in a 15in MBA at 1200-1400 is a better product to be honest. Let us see if that's the play.
I think there are a lot of people who have purchased the base 15/16in MBP because they want the screen real estate but do not need any of the extra horsepower. It is a whole lot more compelling of a product than the 13in MBP that does have benefits compared to the 13in MBA but they are all pretty slight. Slotting in a 15in MBA at 1200-1400 is a better product to be honest. Let us see if that's the play.
It's not a cost issue for me at all. I want a large-screen MacBook that's thinner and lighter than the MacBook Pro. Give me an M2, two USB-C ports, and a web cam and I'll give Apple $2,000 for it.
I think Apple finally has the CPU’s they need to push them further into being the mobile-first company they’ve been trending towards for years. If this is true, it would make sense to me as broadening the scope and appeal of their mobile solutions fits neatly into the reality that consumers buying computers for the first time are choosing mobile solutions. The more options Apple has, the more likely they’ll snag a new Mac user.
This, of course, will mean that the number of desktop options will stay the same (Mini, iMac, Studio, Pro) with any new product replacing an older one OR shrink over time. I’m curious as to what that timeline would be
Given how technology has changed they could fit a lot in that product if ever reexamined. That 2017 retina screen product was regulated to really underpowered intel processors, M1 or better would be amazing.
The current M1 air is great. I have a 16gb 1Tb version and it works well for most of what I do other than 3D and After Effects. I’d love 32gb of ram, so a 15” with a pro chip would be a great compromise. Will definitely get a Mac studio for day to day desktop work.
My dream laptop is the most recent base M chip + 15-16” screen + ProMotion + OLED. I have a feeling that Apple would save ProMotion and mini-LED or OLED for the Pro model though.
This is why I went with an iPad Pro. It’s the closest thing I can get to a base M chip with a ProMotion + high contrast display.
This is why I went with an iPad Pro. It’s the closest thing I can get to a base M chip with a ProMotion + high contrast display.
This could be the beginning of the best lineup of notebooks in Apple’s history.
MacBook 13” (base M1/M2) -> using the previous MBP chassis minus the Touch Bar, simply drop the ‘Pro’ from the name (marketed for those who have a limited budget but want a Mac notebook)
MacBook Air 13” & 15” (base M1/M2) -> redesigned slimmer form factor in two screen sizes (marketed for the average consumer, these will sell like hotcakes)
MacBook Pro 14” & 16” (M1/M2 Pro/Max) -> thickest chassis, more ports, more power, best display (marketed specifically at professionals with the price to match)
MacBook 13” (base M1/M2) -> using the previous MBP chassis minus the Touch Bar, simply drop the ‘Pro’ from the name (marketed for those who have a limited budget but want a Mac notebook)
MacBook Air 13” & 15” (base M1/M2) -> redesigned slimmer form factor in two screen sizes (marketed for the average consumer, these will sell like hotcakes)
MacBook Pro 14” & 16” (M1/M2 Pro/Max) -> thickest chassis, more ports, more power, best display (marketed specifically at professionals with the price to match)
All I have got to say is bring it on, Apple! I'm salivating at the thought of this 15 inch Macbook Air.
This would be amazing. Just last night I was thinking about how awesome a 15” MacBook Air would be now that the base M1 provides enough power for myself and so many others. And it stays quiet and cool. The 16” MBP has gotten incredibly large and heavy, too.
The only issue will be that they’ll gimp it in areas other than power vs. the MBP. I’d suspect it won’t get mini-LED and ProMotion, which is a real deal-breaking factor for me. I don’t need the M1 Pro or M1 Max, and I could probably give up on the ports, but I still want the ultra-nice screen quality of the Pro.
My perfect laptop would be:
The only issue will be that they’ll gimp it in areas other than power vs. the MBP. I’d suspect it won’t get mini-LED and ProMotion, which is a real deal-breaking factor for me. I don’t need the M1 Pro or M1 Max, and I could probably give up on the ports, but I still want the ultra-nice screen quality of the Pro.
My perfect laptop would be:
- 15.2” MacBook Air
- Fanless M2 design
- Mini-LED and ProMotion
- ~18 hours battery life
- 3.5-3.7 lbs
- MagSafe and three USB-C
Yeah, that's my guess too. If they did a 15" Air, it'd have a lower resolution display and lack ProMotion. Also likely Apple wouldn't offer it in "high spec" configurations. So maybe 16GB of memory maximum for it and a 1TB SSD maximum? Would still make a lot of sense though, for many people.
I will also say though, when people complain about how "big and heavy" the 16" MBP is now? I think they forget that it compares most closely to the last 17" Macbook Pro they used to sell. Size and weight between the two of those models is pretty darn similar.
