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Larger 15-Inch MacBook Air Expected in 2023

0nly about a decade overdue. Even in 2011 when I bought a 13" Air I would have bought a 15" one in a heartbeat instead (I like the 15" screen size but didn't need the power or bulk or expense of a MacBook Pro, not when I always had powerful desktops).

Once the bezels shrank a few years ago it became a no-brainier, as it could be reasonably sized. Let's all just pray Apple don't find weird and wonderful ways to gimp it...
 
if true, a 15" MBA sounds promising! as long as they don't screw it up by incorporating an idiotic notch...!! ?
 
YES! I'd be up for a bigger 15" MBP. Just think of the thermal improvements and I/O opportunities Apple will take advantage of!
/s
 
Saturn007 said:
No taper, no sale.

Heavier, no sale.

No MagSafe, no sale.

The slanting front edge, lighter weight, and MagSafe, have been iconic features of the MacBook Air for years.

Maybe they'll bring out a 12” MBA in an 11” size, weighing less than the two pounds of the MacBook with Retina Display. A port on each side, MagSafe, and a good keyboard.
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Uh, basically no sale then (no offense intended). As for me, a 15" MacBook/MacBook Air is an instant buy for me. I currently run a 2015 15" MBP (maxed) and even now it's more than enough for me, except I'm missing out on more and more features with each version of macOS, plus I don't expect it to last forever!
 
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I think that they finally see that many people who don't need the Pro models specifically, but want a larger screen, are currently stuck in an odd spot where they either get the 13" Air or they upgrade slightly to get the 14" Pro (I can't see someone just getting the 16" Pro due to the price difference from the Air, unless the screen means that much in terms of workflow for them).

I'll be curious on how big the battery is, since as we all know, the larger the MacBook the larger the battery (similar to the model they follow with iPhones, iPads, Watches, and basically every other device they sell) and if it makes a huge difference to where it could actually be a replacement (or cause for) the 13" Pro to get shelved/not selected for the audience who selects that model.
 
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We need a bigger screen iMac, not a bigger screen MacBook Air. The reason to buy the Air is for a compact design, making a bigger screen kinda defeats the point. Would be good if they made slimmer bezels to max out the screen while keeping it the same size.
 
I’ll prepay for it right now, sight unseen, if it guarantees it to happen! I was so angry when the 16” MacBook Pro came out - for me it was a step backwards from the outgoing 15” model that was actually thin and light. I’ve always been that guy that wants a big screen for my laptop but doesn’t necessarily need the performance that came with the MBP. I understand that the 16” was a huge improvement for those needing performance, but it was just as much of a step backwards for those wanting true portability. A 15” MBA would presumably be perfection for me.
 
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coolerkid said:
We need a bigger screen iMac, not a bigger screen MacBook Air. The reason to buy the Air is for a compact design, making a bigger screen kinda defeats the point. Would be good if they made slimmer bezels to max out the screen while keeping it the same size.
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Not everyone that wants a big screen needs the performance/size/weight that comes with the 16” MBP. There’s a market for thin & light with a big screen. Even the M1 (and certainly the M2) is more than enough performance for most users.
 
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blazerunner said:
It'll be highly priced, don't think for a second Apple will do you a favour and price it fairly. They're not your friend. What's likely to happen is that it'll be gimped to the point that it'll make more sense to just throw extra cash on the MacBook Pro.
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Likely somewhere in the $1399-1599 range
 
Sigh...now the only question is do I keep waiting for this magical unicorn computer that may or may not ever see the light of day (but this rumor makes it seem much more likely), or bite the bullet and upgrade to the 16" MBP which I just got over convincing myself was needed for the extra screen real estate.

I don't really NEED a new computer but I am kind of over this 2017 15" MBP with its crappy keyboard and stupidly short battery (been on it for like 1.5hrs doing basic browsing and I'm down from 100% => 34% - worst battery life ever).
 
Realityck said:
Perhaps this is a bit odd thought, but I always felt as mobile products go up in size they becomes less usable in the real world.

Examples were the older 17" MBP from years back, the rumor of iPads larger than 12.9", and yes this 15" MBA.

Right now I see the MBA/MBP13 as ideal for being in a airport or coffee shop setting. There was a lot of discussion about the 14" vs 16" MBP and what is easier to work with on travel. The thought of how awkward a 15" iPad Pro would be with two hands also was discussed. So while people that don't want to spend the money on a $1999 MBP fantasize about a 15" MBA, would it really be that great to use given how compact the current model is for carrying around?

If we assume that the 15" has to weigh more for a larger battery to drive a 15" screen, additional weight if it involves a 500 nit display over a 400 nit display. The cost is going to go up and it's going to be getting close to MBP pricing. Given the upselling of the Mac Studio tactics I wonder if even with the demand whether the negatives outright the positives in this rumor?
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You are putting a lot of value in the portability of an Air. Many Air customers do choose that as a very mobile laptop. However a lot of other customers choose the Air because it is the lowest price Apple laptop.

The same thing happened over the course of the iPhone SE lifetime. The initial model was small (iPhone 5 case) and inexpensive. It was a popular phone and some people felt it was the size that customers were attracted to. When Apple brought out the SE2 in the iPhone 8 case, it remained popular due to the price even though it was no longer a small phone.

I do think that there is a significant percentage of Air customers who value portability but a lot of customers just want a laptop that they can afford and we all know that given a choice, people tend to choose a large screen when available. The 15” size is popular in the laptop market. The 14/16” MBPs do offer a larger screen but at a considerable price premium - worthwhile if you need it but most customers don’t. A lot of customers would balk at the price just to get a larger screen. If Apple does bring out a 15” Air and keeps the price reasonable, it will likely sell quite well.

It’s even possible that Apple drops the Air name in these upcoming models. Perhaps that would make you feel better about it.
 
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Warped9 said:
One glaring thing I’ve always found wrong with 15 or 16in. MacBooks is the lack of a full keyboard including a numeric keypad. It’s absurd.
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Doesn’t seem likely. You may need to look into something like this…
mechanicalkeyboards.com

Mechanical Keyboards

The Ultimate Mechanical Keyboard Catalog. Shop from thousands of Keyboards, Switches, Keycaps, DIY parts, Accessories, Mice, and more.
mechanicalkeyboards.com mechanicalkeyboards.com
 
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Saturn1217 said:
Sigh...now the only question is do I keep waiting for this magical unicorn computer that may or may not ever see the light of day (but this rumor makes it seem much more likely), or bite the bullet and upgrade to the 16" MBP which I just got over convincing myself was needed for the extra screen real estate.

I don't really NEED a new computer but I am kind of over this 2017 15" MBP with its crappy keyboard and stupidly short battery (been on it for like 1.5hrs doing basic browsing and I'm down from 100% => 34% - worst battery life ever).
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That’s kind of a hard spot to be in. I’m on battery most of the time, so for me personally, I’d be getting the 16”. Even next year, after the 15 is released, it’ll still be the better machine and you’ll have enjoyed potentially over a year of using it. All of that time using a bad keyboard with bad battery wouldn’t be worth holding off on acquiring a system with a bigger screen, tremendous battery life, and a better keyboard. :)
 
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redpandadev said:
Not everyone that wants a big screen needs the performance/size/weight that comes with the 16” MBP. There’s a market for thin & light with a big screen. Even the M1 (and certainly the M2) is more than enough performance for most users.
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I've been saying for a while now that not everyone who wants a large laptop screen needs the 'computational power to solve world hunger.' More applicable now than ever in relation to this product.
 
tyranne201 said:
I really thinks this 15'' MBA is coming out this year as a surprise. I don't see Apple releasing a different design for the same model for two consecutive years.
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I think we'll see the new design language this year, but only in the 13-14" form-factor. Then next year they'll expand it out to a larger ~15" model which sits alongside its little brother.

We've seen this strategy before, like when Apple introduced the 12.9" iPad Pro in 2015 and then added a 9.7" model the following year, or when they released the Retina MacBook Pro in only a 15" size in June of 2012 and added a 13" variant that October. It's the same playbook I expect them to follow with the iMac, which I'd bet adds a 27" model next year using the same design language as the 2021 M1.
 
Now if they'd only keep the same iphone mini size =/ I can't stand the large phones.
 
Interesting. Very interesting in fact... ??

Too bad the latest rumours point towards a regular M1 processor. If it's not true, it will definitely be a superstar among laptops, PC/Mac altogether.

I've been an Apple user since 2006 and always felt the software was way beyond the hardware. Now it's the other way around. My 16 years frustrations with macOS have remained, mainly regarding windows management, that damned zoom button, the inability to easily copy-paste a file path in the Finder and save dialogs, and the fact that the Dock + Menu bar start to age and take a lot of screen estate. My expectations with macOS 14 are high. Craig, the ball's on your side !
 
welcome news, hope it gets the go ahead from Tim Cook.

Hopefully it also priced correctly not in the price range of 15" MBP range...

M1/M2/... goes in the MBA
M1 Pro/M2 Pro/... goes in the MBP

M1 Max/M2 Max/... goes in the desktops Mac Mini, Mac Studio
M1 Ultra/M2 Ultra/... goes in the Mac Pro

no longer tied with Intel models to differentiate price and use case needs. apple can choose their own path.
 
I would have expected Apple to make an MacBook Air 12, or at least 12.x" , and then have a 14" in size. Instead of 15" MBA which isn't really "Air" at all.
 
ksec said:
I would have expected Apple to make an MacBook Air 12, or at least 12.x" , and then have a 14" in size. Instead of 15" MBA which isn't really "Air" at all.
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with thin bezels, is it not 13.3" MBA is similar to MB 12" in terms of size? i do not have the exact dimensions in my hand. IMHO 12" MB is not coming back...

SSDs changed the PC and laptop in particular forever, nowadays laptops are compact as their display size allows.
 
with USA, Europe and developed nations age out, we need larger screens and 15" MBA with right price is welcome. Apple can even push 13" MBA to $799 price range, remember M1 is in the iPad Air - $599 range.

Apple silicon is going to pay them as things transition out.
 
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