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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?
I think it will be an ideal size. Bigger screen = More productivity. A lightweight design would be ideal for so many people day to day use. Especially when it comes to traveling.. Sheeesh it's just perfect!
 
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This is going to fill a huge gap in the lineup, especially with the advent of Apple Silicon: people who need a large screen and are perfectly fine with M2 or at most M2 Pro. a.k.a. Me 😎 (and I’ll gladly take the overall thinner and lighter form factor as well).

Wish list for this machine is single fan design and M2 Pro option.

So, the new Mac Mini in laptop form.

MacBook Studio?
 
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?
The M3 is expected to be a 3nm chip. Rumours suggest it will be 30% more power efficient and offer a much bigger jump in single & multi-core performance than M1>M2 did.

But whichever chip the device has, it should be more than sufficient. M3 will probably come Q4 2023 at the earliest with the M3 Pro/Max/Ultra in 2024. However, if the M2 is the stop-gap everything think it is, then could be earlier. I can't imagine the Mac Pro not being M3 based unless it launches with a very high end M2 variant of some kind.
 
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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?
Starts at M2 instead of M2 Pro (might have M2 Pro option, but no M2 Max option), only one external display officially supported, less airflow (throttles quicker), thinner, lighter, less battery life, and, yes, less ports, but don't forget screen quality won't be as good either.

Plenty of differentiation.
 
Starts at M2 instead of M2 Pro (might have M2 Pro option, but no M2 Max option), only one external display officially supported, less airflow (throttles quicker), thinner, lighter, less battery life, and, yes, less ports, but don't forget screen quality won't be as good either.

Plenty of differentiation.

Thanks for pointing these out.

Not sure if this is true but some posts mentioned that M2/M2Pro/M2 Max have noisy fans when pushed enough. So a thinner Air could be noisier?

Is it a tradition that the Airs always have inferior screens to the MacBook Pros?
 
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).
Unless you want/need the Pro for it's performance, then many would like the largest screen in lightest package, that's what the Air 15 will bring - just larger form factor with a bit more battery and more air inside to cool it, that's it.
I'd expect price $1400-1600 base model, weight more than 13" AIR but not closer to 14MBP.
I switched from 13" Air to Acer Swift Edge 16" for travel/games etc, the speakers and battery are worse of course, but 16" glossy OLED in 1.1kg body for web and streaming (that can also play Windows games) is a great experience. The 15" AIR will be that different size/weight/screen ratio in Apple world.
 
M3 MacBook Air this year seems very unlikely. It will most probably be M2, if released this year. Apple hasn’t yet released M2 max and ultra studio.
 
This will be an instant buy for my wife.. She is currently using an older 16" MBP (the old one with the touch bar) It's been slowing down for her and its heavy. We are considering the new 14" or 16" MBP... She definitely prefers the bigger size screen but the weight is a factor... I think this new MBA will be the sweet spot for her.
 
Unless you want/need the Pro for it's performance, then many would like the largest screen in lightest package, that's what the Air 15 will bring - just larger form factor with a bit more battery and more air inside to cool it, that's it.
I'd expect price $1400-1600 base model, weight more than 13" AIR but not closer to 14MBP.
I switched from 13" Air to Acer Swift Edge 16" for travel/games etc, the speakers and battery are worse of course, but 16" glossy OLED in 1.1kg body for web and streaming (that can also play Windows games) is a great experience. The 15" AIR will be that different size/weight/screen ratio in Apple world.
1599 would probably be the lowest. 1400 is probably a pipe dream.
 
Apple needs to have a better cadence in Mac releases. Things seem all over the map in terms of timing
I suspect Covid supply chain disruptions threw them for a loop and that they’re getting back on track. It was over 18 months from the M1 to the M2 but only 14 months from the M1 Pro/Max to the M2 Pro/Max. Many credible rumor providers have said Apple wants the M series on an annual update schedule similar to the A series, but the events of the last two years threw a wrench into that.

I suspect going forward we will see:
M# - Spring/Summer
M# Pro/Max - Fall
M# Ultra/Ludicrous - Winter/early Spring

Whether they launch these core designs ahead of the corresponding A series or behind it remains to be seen (ie: will the M3 feature the A16’s cores scaled to the 3nm process, or will they debut the cores that will wind up in the A17?).
 
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?
Maybe if the keyboard had a number pad - it would be acceptable but bulky and defeating idea of the otherwise light, agile "air".
 
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Ready to sell my 2019 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar the day this is released. Hopefully battery life will be improved.

rethink this strategy. You will not get anything close to the value of the 2019 Macbook Pro 16" if you sell it. Just buy the new Air and keep the Pro. It will always give you a second mac AND a windows machine. I have an M2 Air and I still love my 2019 for its versatility i.e. Windows 10 gaming. I really enjoy Forza Horizon 5 on my 2019. Yes, we all know we can buy a Windows desktop or Xbox, etc. But you can't slide them into your bag next to your Air for long trips and those rainy days stuck in a hotel room.
 
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This makes me wonder whether the 13” MacBook Pro will last long in Apple’s lineup. Following the eventual discontinuation of the M1 MacBook Air, it will be the only MacBook that hasn’t been redesigned since the Apple Silicon transition. Overall, it’s the same exact design that the 13” Pro has had since 2016.

The question becomes whether Apple is content with a consumer laptop line (the Air) and a pro laptop line (the Pro) in two sizes, or whether they want to maintain a third category. This can take the form of an ultralight, in the same vein as the 2015 MacBook, or an updated 13” MacBook Pro that sits somewhere in the middle. It’s a choice between keeping it simple (as Steve Jobs’ consumer/pro desktop/laptop graph called for) or creating a laptop for every type of consumer.
 
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I do really wish Apple would allow for upcharge to nice screen tech for those who want it.

A ProMotion screen (high refresh rate) isn't some out of the realm tech achievement that necessitates a Pro machine otherwise.
 
I do really wish Apple would allow for upcharge to nice screen tech for those who want it.

A ProMotion screen (high refresh rate) isn't some out of the realm tech achievement that necessitates a Pro machine otherwise.
Yes have a reasonably priced base and then let people pay for higher tiers
 
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