Next MacBook Air to Feature Off-White Bezels and Keyboard, M2 Chip, USB-C Ports Only, MagSafe, and iMac-Like Colors

[skaertus]

This new Macbook is - clearly - for casual users.

Imagine someone who is fashion-conscious, more likely female, and they want a stylish machine that they can use in coffee shops and open plan office areas.

No one is going to buy this for hardcore video editing sessions.

I am by no means a casual user, but I am looking forward to the new MacBook Air.

I use a computer at least 10-12 hours a day, and I use it heavily on weekends as well. However, the new MacBook Pro does not meet my requirements of what a laptop should be. I have absolutely no need for that much GPU power, which, for me, only contributes to adding weight, reducing battery life, and making it more expensive. A 3.5 lbs 14.2-inch laptop in 2021 is a deal-breaker for me, no matter how powerful.

There are three things that will either make or break the MacBook Air for me: weight, battery life, and price. Performance is already fine on any decent CPU these days and having at least 16 GB memory and 512 GB storage will do. I will buy the laptop that reaches the best balance between these three factors, no matter whether it is a PC or a Mac. Other things such as higher refresh rate, MiniLED/OLED screens, or higher resolutions, will only add to that decision.

 

[Reason077]

Apparently you have no idea about the need for MagSafe... When you do, you will understand.

BTW, the other end of the connector has a USB-C connector, and the Power Adapter is USB-C.

I get why it was needed 10 or 20 years ago. I certainly nearly destroyed a PowerBook G4 or two by tripping over the long power cable, which was always plugged in because batteries sucked back then. The physical (pre-magsafe) "barrel" connector also sucked, taking quite a lot of force to release and being easily damaged if it got yanked too hard.

But now days batteries don't suck, we can use our laptops for extended periods of time without plugging in, and charging cables disconnect at both ends meaning in the very unlikely event that someone does snag one it will not be an issue. I've been using USB-C laptops exclusively since 2017 and I have not once missed MagSafe!

It's just wasted space that could have been a valuable additional USB-C port!

 

[BreakYurAnkles]

I am a man. I am a male too. I am not fashion-conscious as the last time I bought any clothing was 7 years ago and that was just the same style as the previous time I bought clothing 20 years ago.
I don't like coffee shops and thankfully I don't work in any office area.

I do video editing. This machine with a 2TB drive and 32GB of RAM would be awesome for almost all editing needs.
I WANT color options.

You want color options, BUT YOU NEED a MacBook Pro.

His example was just an example, not an exact target demographic.

 

[kidaje]

off white bezels.. you got to be kidding.. Apple need to fire the designers

 

[BreakYurAnkles]

On another note.

White bezels and white keyboards are going to be a hard sell for me.

I'd prefer blacked/murdered out matte black ERRTHANG! effin black panther!

oh and a 14" screen would be nice as well.

 

[acblue94]

The next-generation MacBook Air will have several features that are adopted from the upcoming MacBook Pro models, according to leaker Dylandkt, who has a track record of providing accurate details about Apple's plans.

Upcoming MacBook Air models will have a design that's "quite similar" to the new MacBook Pros, but with a thinner body, off-white bezels, and no wedge shape. It will come in color options that are similar to the 24-inch iMac, which we've heard rumored before. According to the leaker, the keyboard will be the same off-white shade as the bezels, and it will feature full-size function keys and a 1080p webcam.

The machine will have no SD card slot or HDMI port, which, along with the design, will distinguish it from the MacBook Pro models. The MacBook Air will use a next-generation M2 chip, a followup to the M1. It is not expected to be as powerful as the M1 Pro and M1 Max as it will be aimed at lower-power devices.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1451273740722098177

Prior rumors have indicated that the M2 chip will have the same number of computing cores (eight) but nine or 10 graphics cores instead of seven or eight. Apple is said to be designing a 30W power adapter for the new machine, and it is said to have no fans inside, much like the current M1 MacBook Air.

Other leaks have suggested that the new MacBook will include a notch at the front like the MacBook Pro, which perhaps makes sense if it's going to have a 1080p webcam and MacBook Pro-style design. At the same time, it would be an unusual design choice with white bezels. The MacBook Air may include a mini-LED display, but Dylandkt says that ProMotion technology will not be included. A name change could also potentially be in the works, with Apple allegedly considering just "MacBook."

Rumors suggest the next-generation MacBook Air will be released in mid to late 2022.

Article Link: Next MacBook Air to Feature Off-White Bezels and Keyboard, M2 Chip, USB-C Ports Only, MagSafe, and iMac-Like Colors

Holy wow. That is ugly. Just like the iMacs.

 

[DNichter]

Maybe the return to white would prompt them to drop the air moniker and bring it back to just MacBook. Not for me, but I can see people liking it. I actually think they are going about differentiating their product lines pretty well - non pro, white/light colorful, m1/m2 and beyond, and the pro line is dark, obviously better features, pro/max silicon.

 

[Reason077]

Somewhere up in designer heaven, Jony Ive is laughing his arse off in an Essex accent. "A white notch! What on earth are they thinking! Ha ha ha!"

 

[Jason111001]

The white bezels on my iMac have grown on me. They blend into the display and wall behind.. When I look over at my old iMac the black bezels stand out and slap you in the face. Black bezels look good when the screen is off.. but I'm not really looking at my mac at that point. And on a laptop, the top will more than likely be closed.

 

[Jamie0003]

White like on the iMac...Why? Is there a functional reason for this? I believe the multiple colours thing is a reference to the original apple logo which is kinda cool, but it also means the death of space grey which is a shame. Apparently grey is just for the pros now

 

[Benjamin61181]

I love how Apple is going back to really distinguish the design language of their consumer and pro machines. Couldn‘t care less about the white bezels. They work on the M1 iMac and will work on the new Air.

 

[Reason077]

The white bezels on my iMac have grown on me. They blend into the display and wall behind.. When I look over at my old iMac the black bezels stand out and slap you in the face. Black bezels look good when the screen is off..

What about white bezels with dark mode? Do you think they will be more noticeable or is the contrast a good thing?

 

[danmaldesign]

A notch on a laptop without FACE ID is the height of APPLE’s design failure

 

[Nismo73]

If they do the white, they’ll go back to calling it just Macbook.

 

[BreakYurAnkles]

Man I hope these rumors aren't true.

AT THE VERY LEAST give us an option for space gray -black bezel???

The silver doesn't look extremely bad with white. Kinda reminds me of ipads and iphones AND if it is hidden well with the menu bar then MAYBE????

Might have to pony up Macbook Pro money... Damn...

 

[Reason077]

If they do the white, they’ll go back to calling it just Macbook.

I think you may be right. Lack of wedge shape also suggests it wouldn't be an "Air".

 

[ZebedeeG]

The thing I love the most about "off white bezels", notches and MagSafe... Is just how much they seem to wind some people up! ?

Honestly if you don't like it (and it is still just a rumour), then buy the existing M1 Air - it's great!

Or... there's no shortage of choice from other manufacturers. Many of whom must be scrambling to get stuff out to compete with Apple's new M1 chips... I can see some lovely products coming along in the not too distant future.

 

[Warped9]

Off-white bezels?

And certain heads will now begin to explode. ?

 

[BreakYurAnkles]

The thing I love the most about "off white bezels", notches and MagSafe... Is just how much they seem to wind some people up! ?

Honestly if you don't like it (and it is still just a rumour), then buy the existing M1 Air - it's great!

Or... there's no shortage of choice from other manufacturers. Many of whom must be scrambling to get stuff out to compete with Apple's new M1 chips... I can see some lovely products coming along in the not too distant future.

but the Walled Garden! We will never leave #StockholmSyndrom.

but seriously, the ecosystem is legit.

I was honestly expecting less variation this time around since the supply chain /manufacturing issues worldwide. And hoping that they'd simplify the design and just used the New MBP 14" screens (no pro motion, ones that weren't up to par) on these machines with a slimmer overall body and same 2 color options. Now I'm potentially looking at paying more money for black bezels and performance I'll probably never use to its full potential.

I really hope they announce these sooner rather than later. So I can make a decision sooner.

 

[Feyl]

Why is Apple so obsessed with thinking that only "pros" like black color? I don't want MacBook Pro for my needs. I want MacBook Air but I don't want white bezels with a gigantic notch on my laptop. Seriously, I don't want something that looks like a toy for kids.

 

[DronesOn]

If it's not thin, it's not a MacBook Air.

I'd bet they'll just call it "MacBook" if it is similar to the new MacBook Pro's case wise.

 

[Veinticinco]

It’s interesting how, in the last decade or so, Macs have gone from “looks cool but performance not quite top spec” to now “performance ridiculously good but design is just awful”. Almost as if their head of design had left the company and not been replaced.

 

[Trusteft]

You want color options, BUT YOU NEED a MacBook Pro.

His example was just an example, not an exact target demographic.

I think I know better than you what I want and what I need.
In this case I want and need both a powerful system AND color options. Try to understand that not all people think the same way.

 

[ipsedixit]

If they make a white MBA, I'm getting a low-end MBP

 

[ASentientBot]

First Apple makes a throwback to the 4S, now the 2010 MacBook. As a user of both, I love it! My old devices are cool again

Seriously though, why the white bezel hate? Hiding the notch doesn't change anything, it's still there and you'll forget about it quickly either way. And colored bezels would be weird next to your on-screen content.

I think we're long overdue for more playful designs again now that every company is selling grey slabs.

(And come on, colors aren't "childish" or "feminine", that's plain silly. If your masculinity depends on a black computer, buy a skin or an MBP, lol.)