Thinner MacBook Air in 13" and 15" Sizes Coming at WWDC 2016?

Crazy Badger said:
I'm more than happy with the performance and form factor of my 2013 MBA so really just want a better screen.

So long as Apple make one of these in 2016 (call it what you want, a bigger retina MacBook, a retina MBA or a slimmer wedged rMBP) I'll be happy.
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There is no point in adding a retina display to the 13 air because that would make it too much like the 13'' pro. I love my 11'' air and don't mind the display at all (it's still better than my 2012 IPS Thinkpad display). Pushing all those pixels around uses battery. My air runs all day long without a charge.

I also have a 13'' rMBP, but find myself loving the air more. :D Go figure.
 
New MacBook Air with Retina screen would be awesome,after the hugely
Disappointing,limited and underpowered 12 Inch Macbook.
 
Here's what I'd like to see as far as laptops go:
11'' MBA - no retina - to maintain the appearance that Mac's are affordable
13'' macbook retina -combining rMBP and 13'' air. This should have at least 2 USB ports and 1 SD card slot
15'' macbook pro - with the above mentioned ports
Keep the magsafe and/or add warranty coverage for all the computers that are going to fall on the ground and break. (not a chance)
Offer all in grey, silver or gold
:D
 
sniffies said:
What a buncha malarky!

Here's what will actually happen:

- Apple will simplify their lineup by killing the "Air" moniker
- Apple will switch to even screen sizes (12, 14, 16, etc.)
- Apple will introduce 14" MacBook in addition to the 12"
- Apple will replace 13" and 15" MacBook Pro with thinner 14" and 16" MacBook Pro respectively
- 14" MacBook Pro will be the same size as current 13" MacBook Pro but with larger screen thanks to reduced bezel by 90%
- 16" MacBook Pro will be the same size as current 15" MacBook Pro but with larger screen thanks to reduced bezel by 90%
- Apple will rename iPad Air as simply iPad
- Air is overrated
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I agree with everything apart from renaming the iPad Air. That doesn't make any sense.
 
nick42983 said:
-The first line describes the iPad, far more people will buy an iPad as their primary computing device over a Macbook (perhaps with a years-old Dell desktop/laptop sitting around somewhere.)

-The second line describes the current "new" Macbook, though it's underpowered yet still fine for most people, except for the $1299 entry price. I don't get the "ultra portable" idea. Of course I prefer my 2.96lb Air to a 4.5lb Pro, but one pound less to sacrifice ports and power in the new Macbook isn't worth it for me and you have to carry it in a bag/backpack anyway. Maybe in a few years when it becomes a more capable machine it will start to make sense.

-The third line describes the Pros. Weight is still a driving factor and I wouldn't be surprised if they shave 0.5lbs off of the 13" and 15" Pros to around 3lbs and 4lbs respectively without sacrificing power and battery life. With a potential 14" Macbook coming out, I also wouldn't be surprised if they either dropped the "13 Pro or added discreet graphics to differentiate it from the larger Macbook.

I bought my first Macbook (2009) right before they added "Pro" to the 13" line to separate it from the Airs. Except for not having a Retina screen, my 2013 Air is as "Pro" as the 13" models released in the years prior. It always seemed like a silly, marketing gimmick and a stop gap for inserting Retina screens into the Pros while being unable to do so in the Airs without sacrificing battery life.
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I just don't think the iPad is going to be a primary computing device anytime soon. A back up device, yes, but not primary. There still seems a place for the nice full featured but affordable Mac laptop, which is the Air in the current lineup. I think you really want the business of the kids going off to college. Get them started on a Mac and the will hopefully stick with it. The ultra portable is also not appealing to me, for the same reasons you mentioned above. The extra pound once I put in a backpack/briefcase just doesn't make much difference to me.

But I think Apple wants the business form the true road warrior who will pay highly to save that pound. Think lady executive on the road four days a week. The macbook would be great for someone who expects to be slipping it into a purse some days. But it still seems not the right thing for a college student.

Let me ask you, what should a student
 
ColdShadow said:
New MacBook Air with Retina screen would be awesome,after the hugely
Disappointing,limited and underpowered 12 Inch Macbook.
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Isn't that what Skylake will reportedly fix?

The 1st gen Macbook is simply a test run to fix the form factor and get the production right. Moving forward, Apple just needs to focus on updating the internals as and when they become available. The Macbook will get cheaper as time goes by and Apple amortises the hefty R&D costs that went into it, and as production becomes more efficient.

It's the Macbook Air all over again.
 
Nobody knows what will happen we can only speculate, however what i think would be best for apple is to simplify and lower cost.
MacBook 12/14 that resemble the current macbook
MacBook air combined with pro at 13/15 size screens in a new factor form. With 2 usb-c and 1 or 2 usb 3.0.

I have a 13 retina pro and there hasn't been a time when i needed more than 1 port at a time. I know its just me but i think people jump the gun before realizing they rarely use that many ports at once. I know I'm a small sample size but i think 2 usb-c and 1 usb 3.0 would be enough.
 
tampageek said:
As are the days when there was such a thing as a Mac that cost less than $1000. Sadly, they are going to push many college students and others out of the  market.
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Nah one of the Airs will hang around until the rMB gets sub $1000 pricing.
 
Why would you even want a PC? Seriously, an iPad pro can do everything a PC can so why would this new macbook even be released? The iPad pro is faster than the macbook air and making another new PC when they are apparently obsolete doesn't make any sense. The iPad pro is the perfect replacement with it's spiffy new keyboard and stick.

Apple is very confused. The PC is irrelevant and yet Apple keeps making them...
 
"Thinner MacBook Air"

It's about time!

Although my 13" MBA has served me well, if only it was transparent, no thicker than 0.004mm, and no heavier than a postage stamp, I wouldn't hesitate to pack it in my bag. :D
 
MacRumors said:



Apple may be preparing to introduce a revamped MacBook Air at next year's Worldwide Developers Conference, according to Taiwan's Economic Daily News [Google Translate]. If Apple holds true to recent history, WWDC 2016 would be held in June, and the today's report claims the new MacBook Air will launch in the third quarter, which corresponds to the July-September timeframe.

macbook_airs_2015.jpg

The new MacBook Air is said to take on a slimmer design and arrive in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, but it is unclear whether an 11-inch model will also be included. The slimmer design will be enabled by "fully redesigned" internal components across the board, and Apple is reportedly currently working with its suppliers to develop these new components.

Apple's notebook lineup expanded earlier this year with the addition of the new MacBook, an ultrathin machine carrying a 12-inch Retina display and utilizing ultra low voltage Intel chips for a fanless design.

Many have assumed the MacBook Air will be discontinued at some point as declining costs allow the MacBook to become Apple's mainstream notebook offering, so a redesigned MacBook Air giving the line a new lease on life could be considered a bit of a surprise.

The addition of a 15-inch MacBook Air could hint at Apple's vision for its future lineup, with the 12-inch MacBook occupying the ultraportable spot, the MacBook Air serving mainstream customers at 13 and 15 inches, and the MacBook Pro offering more power at those same sizes.

Economic Daily News has a hit-or-miss track record with Apple rumors, so caution should be observed with today's claims until or unless other supporting rumors surface in the coming months.

Article Link: Thinner MacBook Air in 13" and 15" Sizes Coming at WWDC 2016?
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I'm a MBA user since the first one came out. I cannot see myself switching to either a MacBook or an MBP. The Macbook not powerful enough and I would have to get some USB ports to manage my USB needs (like my GoPRo SD Cards for example) and not sure about it's video creation and playback capabilities.

The MBP on the other hand is too heavy to be my daily machine. I use my MBA primarily for my work, which is mostly document creation, email, LinkedIn FB etc. However, I also use it for watching videos and editing simple GoPro videos that I upload on YouTube. I suspect that this machine fits the needs of a lot more users than the MacBook or MBP
 
Mainsail said:
Well, these MacBooks are starting to blur together so the naming/moniker might not mean much. The terms "Air" and "Pro" are just marketing devices. For example, the original MBP (non retina) with CD is still sold under the "Pro" moniker.

If I were taking a guess (and that's all we are doing here), I think the line-up will be:

Macbook 12in - updated core M processor, 720p isight, 8gb ram/128gb SSD: $1,149
Macbook Air2 13in - Skylake processor, Force Touch, Retina Display, 8gb ram/128gb SSD: $1,299
Macbook Pro 15in - All the best stuff in a new form factor. More $$$$$

The new MBA will really be the current 13in Macbook Pro with a new Skylake processor and a slimmer wedge profile similar to the existing 13in Macbook Air. It will weight about the same as the current MBA and will be offered in gold, silver, and space grey.

I don't believe Apple will give up the Macbook Air line/moniker because it is so popular, and they have embraced the Air and Pro naming convention for their tablet models.

My two cents....probably not worth that!
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That doesn't make sense. I don't see Apple re-designing the Air with the specs you cite, and still call it an "Air" when it's bigger than the base Macbook. Yes, obviously the current 13" Air is bigger than the rMB, but it's the legacy computer that hasn't gotten a re-design.
 
jonnysods said:
The lineup is getting a bit too big and confusing. I love my rMBP 15" from 2013, the thing is still a beast. But the macbook, macbook airs, not really sure they play all that nice with each other. I'm surprised such an underpowered and expensive machine like the macbook would even do well. Is a 13" MBA that clunky and heavy??
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Maybe I'm missing something here but this particular rumor has me especially confused as to the direction (or lack thereof) of Apple's computer business. With the iPad Pro, Tim wants us to think that we don't need laptops anymore. Now there are hints that the Air is doomed - only to be replaced by even more different sizes, for those who don't want a niche product like the iPad Pro, or under-powered, overpriced 12'' rMacBook.

Here's an idea: Stop trying to sell the same thing in 50 different sizes just for the sake of selling something. :eek:
 
Abazigal said:
Isn't that what Skylake will reportedly fix?

The 1st gen Macbook is simply a test run to fix the form factor and get the production right. Moving forward, Apple just needs to focus on updating the internals as and when they become available. The Macbook will get cheaper as time goes by and Apple amortises the hefty R&D costs that went into it, and as production becomes more efficient.

It's the Macbook Air all over again.
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Except the MacBook Air doesn't have a horrible keyboard like the dysfunctionally thin rMB.
 
sanke1 said:
I hope Apple has learnt a hard lesson and includes 3-4 USB C or A type ports. Otherwise only meant for flowery pink girls who buy it for show off.

Yes I laugh at you, the so called alleged professionals who purchased the Macbook knowing fully well that it has only 1 usb C port.
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Not all professionals need to have 3-4 USB ports at all times on their portable computers. If they need to have that much ports at all times maybe they need a desktop model instead?
 
a0me said:
Not all professionals need to have 3-4 USB ports at all times on their portable computers. If they need to have that much ports at all times maybe they need a desktop model instead?
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Yes. These 1 USB-C models are marketed for hipsters who love to sip some coffee in Starbucks.

But goes to prove, no matter what Apple releases, there will always be people to defend their stuff.

Apple was rocking from 2007-2012. Truly polished, amazing and practical products.

But since Tim took over the soul seems to be lost. Their products are beautiful, I give you that, but they are starting to lose their wow factor. Sometimes I do feel irritated.

These days most companies want to shove their wrong ideas down our throats instead of we choosing what we want. Be it even Google or Microsoft.
 
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