New MacBook Air Expected at WWDC Next Week With These Features

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to announce a new MacBook Air with a larger 15-inch display at WWDC next week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The annual developers conference begins with Apple's keynote on Monday, June 5 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.

While we wait for the new MacBook Air to be announced, we have recapped five new features that have been rumored or are likely for the laptop.

15-Inch Display

The new MacBook Air will be equipped with a larger 15.5-inch display, according to reliable display industry analyst Ross Young. The current MacBook Air has a 13.6-inch display, and the laptop was offered in an 11-inch size many years ago.

While a new 13-inch MacBook Air with an OLED display is rumored to launch in 2024, the 15-inch model is expected to have a traditional LCD.

M2 Chip

Like the 13-inch MacBook Air, the 15-inch model will be available with the M2 chip, according to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple says the M2 chip has up to an 18% faster CPU, up to a 35% faster GPU, and up to a 40% faster Neural Engine compared to the M1 chip, for those who are considering upgrading from a 2020 MacBook Air.

Longer Battery Life

With a 15-inch display, the new MacBook Air would have a larger chassis, allowing for a larger battery and longer battery life.

Apple says the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip lasts up to 18 hours per charge, so perhaps the 15-inch model could get closer to the 20-hour mark. Apple silicon chips continue to have industry-leading performance-per-watt.

Wi-Fi 6E

While the 13-inch MacBook Air is limited to Wi-Fi 6, there is a good chance that the 15-inch model will be upgraded to Wi-Fi 6E. Apple released new 14-inch MacBook Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini models with Wi-Fi 6E in January.

Wi-Fi 6 operates on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, while Wi-Fi 6E also works over the 6GHz band, allowing for faster wireless speeds, lower latency, and less signal interference. To take advantage of these benefits, the device must be connected to a Wi-Fi 6E router, available from brands like TP-Link, Asus, and Netgear.

Bluetooth 5.3

Apple has added Bluetooth 5.3 to several of its latest devices, and the 15-inch MacBook Air could be next in line to gain support. Bluetooth 5.3 offers benefits such as improved reliability and power efficiency compared to Bluetooth 5.2.

Article Link: New MacBook Air Expected at WWDC Next Week With These Features

 

[CalMin]

M2 = only 1 external display.

Woe is me.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Impressive! I suspect many traditional MBpro buyers like me will take a good look at this as a possible alternative. I find myself in a mode of doing what I can on MB and saving the bigger tasks for the desktop Mac... which means "full power" for the road is no longer a driver of this decision (for me anyway).

That shared though, I suspect the pricing will be a shocker... as in "might as well get a MBpro" pricing... which, if true, implies resolution with the next-gen of MBpros also getting a price jacking to make it logically "make sense" again.

It feels like there has been 500 threads about this product and not one has offered up a tangible guess at PRICE. All of them seem to have avoided it. And thus, the wall of enthusiasm for it is built atop us consumers guessing that this will be priced only a little higher than the existing MBair. I've even seen posts assuming existing will DROP in price and this bigger screened one taking its current price. That seems beyond doubtful to me. But we'll see in only a few days.

 

[Ethosik]

I don’t like this. Things are getting too messy. Why don’t they just release one for every inch? Won’t be long where it’s similar to the pre-Jobs era of crazy number of products.

 

[AppleTO]

I've been waiting for this for 10 years.

 

[falkon-engine]

Why M2 and not M3?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I'm ready for 15" MacBook Air. I just hope it is carrying 120hz Pro-Motion Display.

 

[DogHouseDub]

Impressive! I suspect many traditional MBpro buyers like me will take a good look at this as a possible alternative. I find myself in a mode of doing what I can on MB and saving the bigger tasks for the desktop Mac... which means "full power" for the road is no longer a driver of this decision (for me anyway).

That shared though, I suspect the pricing will be a shocker... as in "might as well get a MBpro" pricing... which, if true, implies resolution with the next-gen of MBpros also getting a price jacking to make it logically "make sense" again.

It feels like there has been 500 threads about this product and not one has offered up a tangible guess at PRICE. All of them seem to have avoided it. And thus, the wall of enthusiasm for it is built atop us consumers guessing that this will be priced only a little higher than the existing MBair. I've even seen posts assuming existing will DROP in price and this bigger screened one taking its current price. That seems beyond doubtful to me. But we'll see in only a few days.

$1,699 - that's based on a comparison of the current offerings and the bump for a larger screen

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

By next week: I have placed my order for a brand new 15" MacBook Air - Midnight. Oh yeah, it's about to get real.

Have you?

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

$1,699 - that's based on a comparison of the current offerings and the bump for a larger screen

That's about what I think vs. most people who seem to be guessing at $1199-$1499 (the former based on retiring the M1 version and the existing M2 taking its place at $999).

And I fear the base price will be the single SSD thing, meaning to "fix" that system slowdown, it requires at least one notch up on SSD, so add $200... which is right at MBpro 14"... and MBpro 16" with third party discounts or refurb pricing beating that pricing. Thus "might as well get a MBpro."

How could they possibly set up that kind of illogical price conflict? See Mac Mini M2 Pro better config vs. Mac Studio lessor config conflicts now.

How could both get resolved? Next MBpros and next Mac Studios gets prices jacked too to "fix" this pricing conflict problem.

I'll hope this WON'T happen- that the MBair 15" will both be great and relatively bargain priced. But my gut thinks otherwise. Hopefully it's just a bad burrito residual from dinner last night.

 

[lazyrighteye]

M2 = only 1 external display.

Woe is me.

Ugh, that is the lone downside to my M2 MBA. Otherwise, it is their most perfect laptop to date. Not everyone has to be editing 4k video for major motion pictures to want/need a dual monitor setup. Designers, writers, etc., have use cases for dual monitor support that don't necessitate the added power/cost of, say, a MBP.

I do think the 15" MBA will come with M2 as I believe 1) they're saving the M3 to debut in MacPro and 2) the larger screen size alone will see customers hitting Buy at a rate not yet seen for an Apple computer.

 

[Mr. Dee]

M2 = only 1 external display.

Woe is me.

Exactly, still limited in functionality, because has to leave room for upsell to the MacBook Pro 14 or 16 inch; and that is probably what this MacBook Air is designed for more than anything. You can just read the internal training material, if potential buyer brings up multiple display, gently note, this device is limited to one display then say, 'however, we have the 16 in MacBook Pro here that will support multiple 8K displays and includes HDMI 1.2 and this might be a better fit for you.

Why M2 and not M3?

Yeah, its like we really want this thing with M2 only.

 

[macduke]

I don't understand why this is launching with a year old chip? The M3 is going to be a bigger leap forward on the 3nm process. Between that and the rumored OLED upgrade next year, it doesn't make sense to buy this thing unless you absolutely need it. And it didn't exist until now, so that seems unlikely for most. Basically Apple is betting on the new screen size pushing their margins higher on old hardware. I'm sure some exec is getting a fat bonus for coming up with this plan.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Why M2 and not M3?

Exactly, still limited in functionality, because has to leave room for upsell to the MacBook Pro 14 or 16 inch; and that is probably what this MacBook Air is designed for more than anything. You can just read the internal training material, if potential buyer brings up multiple display, gently note, this device is limited to one display then say, 'however, we have the 16 in MacBook Pro here that will support multiple 8K displays and includes HDMI 1.2 and this might be a better fit for you.

Yeah, its like we really want this thing with M2 only.

I think it will carry the M2.5 Version. I really don't see Apple releasing a new Mac carrying last year's chip. It will mostly be redefined version of the M2 chip series.

 

[KaiFiMacFan]

Why M2 and not M3?

Not ready yet.

Though according to some rumors, it may be ready by the fall. So why won't Apple wait and release the new 15" Air alongside an updated 13" Air? Because if there's a new product ready, releasing it now means more sales. The majority of consumers who want an entry-level laptop don't care about the chip inside.

 

[Steve121178]

I don’t like this. Things are getting too messy. Why don’t they just release one for every inch? Won’t be long where it’s similar to the pre-Jobs era of crazy number of products.

That's a ridiculous take on it. What's wrong with a choice?

MacBook Air M1 13" - Entry level
MacBook Air M2 13" & 15" - Mainstream consumer models
MacBook Pro 14" & 16" - Premium consumer models

Please explain how this is messy. I'd love to understand.

 

[Steve121178]

Why M2 and not M3?

Vendor struggling to meet the demand for the chips based on the new manufacturing process & a massive stockpile of unused M2 chips as no one's buying Macs anymore.

I'm sure the M2 will find its way in to the iMac as well.

 

[alandanziger]

If it's lighter than 4lbs and has a higher resolution, then I'm in. I don't care about >18 hours battery life, as cool as that is... I'm looking for something lighter than the MBPro and with a better resolution than the 13" Air.

 

[ndouglas]

I might not get one right away or even this year, but if the rumors are true, it’ll be very nice to have the option when i need a new laptop, it’s been looooong overdue to given people more screen space w/o some of the “pro” features.

 

[KaiFiMacFan]

Vendor struggling to meet the demand for the chips based on the new manufacturing process & a massive stockpile of unused M2 chips as no one's buying Macs anymore.

I'm sure the M2 will find its way in to the iMac as well.

Makes me wonder if one of the "several new Macs" is the 24" iMac with M2. It's been two years. Maybe they were originally planning on updating it to M3, but if M3 isn't ready until 2024, they might as well update it now.

 

[Orange Bat]

That's about what I think vs. most people who seem to be guessing at $1199-$1499 (the former based on retiring the M1 version and the existing M2 taking it's place at $999).

I think this is what’s likely to happen. If the unsold surplus of M2 chips is true, I imagine Apple is going to retire the M1 Air, but they’ll still want the Air to be in the $999 price range. I think it’s POSSIBLE the 15 inch could take the $1199 price range because 1) it will have (mostly) all the same specs as the 13 inch but with just a larger LCD screen, 2) They still want to sell more M2 processors so too high a price will kill that, and 3) I don’t believe they’ll want an Air to come TOO close to the Pro with some simple upgrades as, once again, that doesn’t solve the M2 supply issue If people just go for the Pro instead.

At $1699 any basic upgrade to memory or storage and you’re only $100 away from the Pro with a 16/512 configuration. That price just doesn’t make sense. $1499 is better but still gets you close to a Pro if you make it a 16/512 configuration on the Air. $1199 may be a little low, but $1299 or $1399 makes a TON of sense to me. A $1299 15 inch Air with 16/512 wold come in at $1699, still $300 less than the Pro. At a $1699 base many will think twice before buying. At $1299 it becomes an absolute no-brainer and will make the 15 inch Air the most popular Mac computer around.

 

[Realityck]

Apple plans to announce a new MacBook Air with a larger 15-inch display at WWDC next week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The annual developers conference begins with Apple's keynote on Monday, June 5 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time

Well since January 2021 Mark has been telling us this 15” MBA rumor is coming, and some of the thing’s mentioned are improvements applicable to updating the current 13” MBA and 13” MBP with its older 720P FaceTime camera, and stereo speakers. Just have to wait and see what happens at WWDC.

 

[Arid]

Take my $$ already. Can’t wait to put in my order!

 

[Steve121178]

Makes me wonder if one of the "several new Macs" is the 24" iMac with M2. It's been two years. Maybe they were originally planning on updating it to M3, but if M3 isn't ready until 2024, they might as well update it now.

I think the 15" MacBook Air would have been designed with the M3 in mind and the new iMac would have been refreshed with the M3 as well if all had gone to plan. But with the M3 probably now not launching until Q4 '23 or even Q1/Q2 '24 they have no choice but to go with M2.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I think this is what’s likely to happen. If the unsold surplus of M2 chips is true, I imagine Apple is going to retire the M1 Air, but they’ll still want the Air to be in the $999 price range. I think it’s POSSIBLE the 15 inch could take the $1199 price range because 1) it will have (mostly) all the same specs as the 13 inch but with just a larger LCD screen, 2) They still want to sell more M2 processors so too high a price will kill that, and 3) I don’t believe they’ll want an Air to come TOO close to the Pro with some simple upgrades as, once again, that doesn’t solve the M2 supply issue If people just go for the Pro instead.

At $1699 any basic upgrade to memory or storage and you’re only $100 away from the Pro with a 16/512 configuration. That price just doesn’t make sense. $1499 is better but still gets you close to a Pro if you make it a 16/512 configuration on the Air. $1199 may be a little low, but $1299 or $1399 makes a TON of sense to me. A $1299 15 inch Air with 16/512 wold come in at $1699, still $300 less than the Pro. At a $1699 base many will think twice before buying. At $1299 it becomes an absolute no-brainer and will make the 15 inch Air the most popular Mac computer around.

The "doesn't make (pricing) sense" only applies until a potential hike to the next MBpros. Then all relative pricing can "make sense" again.

See Mac Mini Pro high configs vs. Mac Studio low configs to see this very issue in place now. That makes "no (pricing) sense" and yet Apple priced Mini that way anyway. Why can't that same Apple do it again here?

Then, in just a few months, roll out M3 MBpro at new "enhanced" pricing to "fix" the illogical pricing of Pro vs. Air.

I'll hope right with everyone that this "need to blow out overstock of M2 chips" leads to delivering a 15" MB air at a relative bargain price. If so though, I expect cannibalization of many who would otherwise buy MBpro opting for "almost as good" Air impacting what Apple cares about most: revenue & profit maximization.

If Apple has too many M2 chips, they can just delay M3 launches to work that down. If too many M2s drive bargain priced laptop offerings, lots of laptop buyers may feel like they are already covered with their new MBair 15" when M3 MBpros are rolled out... even if that would be put off to next spring.