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New MacBook Air Said to Launch Next Quarter Following Rumor of 15-Inch Model

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Apple plans to release a new MacBook Air series in the second quarter of 2023, according to Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes.

MacBook-Air-Multiple-Sizes-Feature.jpg

"The first quarter of 2023 is expected to see Apple's MacBook shipping low, but the second quarter will see the release of a new MacBook Air series, according to industry sources," reads a paywalled preview of a DigiTimes report shared today. The full report has yet to be published, so no additional details are available at this time.

The second quarter runs from April through June and includes Apple's annual developers conference WWDC in June. The current 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip was announced at WWDC last year and became available in July.

This information comes just one day after display industry analyst Ross Young said Apple's supply chain had started production of display panels for a larger 15-inch MacBook Air this month. Young estimated that the new MacBook Air will launch in "early April," which would be at the beginning of the second quarter timeframe provided today.

A new 15-inch display size would be the largest ever for the MacBook Air and would presumably be offered alongside the 13-inch model. Given that DigiTimes mentions a new MacBook Air "series" will be released, Apple could be planning to announce both 13-inch and 15-inch models, but this is not certain yet.

It's unclear if the 15-inch MacBook Air would be equipped with the M2 chip or the next-generation 3nm-based M3 chip, which has yet to be announced. Apple's chipmaking partner TSMC began mass production of 3nm chips in December, but it's unclear if the M3 chip would be ready for release by the second quarter. Apple still has to announce the high-end M2 Ultra chip for the new Mac Pro as its final chip in the M2 series, and it will likely want to announce that chip before introducing the M3 chip.

DigiTimes previously reported that Apple planned to announce a new MacBook Air with the M3 chip in the second half of 2023. The website has a fairly unreliable track record compared to more reputable sources like Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman.

Article Link: New MacBook Air Said to Launch Next Quarter Following Rumor of 15-Inch Model
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/02/14/new-macbook-air-second-quarter-report/
Expect it before 05/04/2023, their next earning date for Q3.

They released the M2 MBP lineup (1/26) shorty before Q2 earning on 05/02

They do that so they can see the per-order/sales number, and give proper financial guidance/projection to the investors on current/future quarters.
 
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Stella said:
I don't see much point of a 15" air. Why?

Apple discontinued the 15" Macbook Pro ( for a 16" version), now there's going to be a 15" Air?
Click to expand...
There's huge demand for a thin and light MacBook with a larger screen.

It will be an instant hit although probably worth holding out for the M3 variant as M2 is nothing more than a stop-gap release. Depends how urgent peoples needs are for such a machine....
 
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I'm genuinely in the market for a laptop but I'm far more interested in seeing if the M3 offers a seismic leap given the 3nm process. Only then can we make reasonable predictions for the whole M3 family. And, given the M1 to M2 increases, probably the M4 and even M5 family, too. Everyone knows M2 was just a stop-gap.

Second to that, once we are well into M3 and beyond, the second hand deals on M1 and M2 are going to be insane over time. What will you pick up an M2Pro machine for in 2027? Which will comfortably be able to do EVERYTHING most users need and more.

Imagine it's 2027 and your office needs a few new workstations. You'll probably be able to pick up a Mini M2 Pro for £/$ 400-450. That's the workplace sorted.
 
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Can someone explain why the Mac will not have a 4 nm chip? The current iPhone 14 Pro has a 4 nm chip, and the Mac has always been one generation behind. Why would Apple skip the 4 nm chip for Mac?
 
Stella said:
I don't see much point of a 15" air. Why?

Apple discontinued the 15" Macbook Pro ( for a 16" version), now there's going to be a 15" Air?
Click to expand...
Probably $1000 less than 16" Pro? Just a thought. Also, probably lighter... and bigger screens are always nice on older eyes.

M1 MacBook Air from way back was a big jump and still more than enough performance for most people's work, I'd wager.

This would likely be an M2 (not M3), still more than enough, and other rumors suggest there might be an M2 Pro option, which is interesting.

So, this could replace the strange leftover 13" MacBook Pro for many people. In fact, I wouldn't be too surprised to see that one disappear along with the old M1 MacBook Air tapered edition. Then, you have a pair of mid-range laptops at different sizes and a pair of pro laptops at different sizes.

(Also, MacBook Air is the best-selling Mac by far, right? So, from Apple's POV, this is a way to eek out some higher margins with an enticing bigger screen)
 
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Steve121178 said:
There's huge demand for a thin and light MacBook with a larger screen.

It will be an instant hit although probably worth holding out for the M3 variant as M2 is nothing more than a stop-gap release. Depends how urgent peoples needs are for such a machine....
Click to expand...
Be careful. I said that about waiting for the M3 over the M2 and people got mad :p
 
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While M2 tech for the new Pro/Max/Ultra is just fine and expected (you just can't produce such complexity with the new 3nm node on day one AND make it profitable, like some would have you believe), it would be shame not to have 3nm for the "simplest" M3 in near future and another generation of Air.
But it's possible the first 15" AIR will come with M2 (it's still current proven tech and the main change is the form factor, that will just sell it anyway) and new classic 13" AIR with M3 some time later.
 
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Steve121178 said:
There's huge demand for a thin and light MacBook with a larger screen.

It will be an instant hit although probably worth holding out for the M3 variant as M2 is nothing more than a stop-gap release. Depends how urgent peoples needs are for such a machine....
Click to expand...
What I push back is the huge demand part?

I‘m sure there are people who want a thin and light MacBook with a larger screen… but I don’t see the demand being that large enough to sway people to choose the 14” MBP.

Maybe, I’m out of the loop… but I don’t see the 14“ MBP being that heavy to lose out on the extra ports (along with the better display).
 
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Given the increased screen size, what will be the different between a 15" MacBook Air and a 16" MacBook Pro besides a slightly smaller screen? Less ports? Thinner?
 
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