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

[ohbrilliance]

I can't see this happening. What we now know as the Air will be phased out. The MacBook will be the only consumer line, available in two sizes and known either as the MacBook or the MacBook Air.

Looking into my crystal ball, I see a 12" and 14" MacBook and a 14" and 16" MacBook Pro, thinner and taking design cues from the current MacBook, having a thinner bezel and similar footprints to the current 13" and 15" MacBook Pro.

 

[nicho]

Yeah, I also have a feeling Apple will drop "Air" in the next year or two. I just wonder if that means that instead of iPad Air 3, will they call it iPad 7? Anyway, I would definitely be in the market for a MB the size of the 13" MBA with a 14" display next year. I just hope the price stays in my price range, under $1,300 for 256GB/8GB. I also want a better keyboard than the one on the current 12" MB and 2nd USB-C port.

they're probably saving the ipad name change for iPad 8, which will earn them mega bucks in china...

ipad 7 and iphone 7 in the same year does have a nice ring to it though.

 

[PCMA]

Obviously the new MBAs are going to have a force touch trackpad and a low travel keyboard… as are found on the new Macbook and Magic desktop accessories.

I really, really hate both of these "features"… even more than I hated Apple's earlier experiment with "glossy" screens.

There is no reason for force touch on Macs. It may be an advantage on iOS where there is no equivalent to a right-mouse-click (or a two finger click on a trackpad)… but this is not the case with Macs.

I understand that these "features" contribute to thinness… and that this is a desirable attribute for an ultraportable.

However, they make little sense on a mainstream or workhorse laptop… and they have absolutely no place on the desktop. Apple's new RSI keyboards and Carpal Tunnel Trackpads are uncomfortable for prolonged use.

The only benefit I can see for Apple in shipping laptops with crap keyboards and trackpads is to drive sales of iPad Pros.

Apple really nailed it with their original chiclet keyboards and magic trackpads. I can't see any advantage of the new versions… save for thinness in ultra, ultraportable… lower powered laptops.

Maybe… the new keyboards and trackpads are transitional technologies… preparing us for the day when Apple replace both with a single giant touch input device. In the meantime, I'm stocking up with chiclet keyboards and Gen 1 Magic trackpads.

 

[tmiw]

Obviously the new MBAs are going to have a force touch trackpad and a low travel keyboard… as are found on the new Macbook and Magic desktop accessories.

I really, really hate both of these "features"… even more than I hated Apple's earlier experiment with "glossy" screens.

There is no reason for force touch on Macs. It may be an advantage on iOS where there is no equivalent to a right-mouse-click (or a two finger click on a trackpad)… but this is not the case with Macs.

I understand that these "features" contribute to thinness… and that this is a desirable attribute for an ultraportable.

However, they make little sense on a mainstream or workhorse laptop… and they have absolutely no place on the desktop. Apple's new RSI keyboards and Carpal Tunnel Trackpads are uncomfortable for prolonged use.

The only benefit I can see for Apple in shipping laptops with crap keyboards and trackpads is to drive sales of iPad Pros.

Apple really nailed it with their original chiclet keyboards and magic trackpads. I can't see any advantage of the new versions… save for thinness in ultra, ultraportable… lower powered laptops.

Maybe… the new keyboards and trackpads are transitional technologies… preparing us for the day when Apple replace both with a single giant touch input device. In the meantime, I'm stocking up with chiclet keyboards and Gen 1 Magic trackpads.

The day they go to the MacBook-like keyboards on the Pro models is the day I stop buying Apple laptops. I'm already on the edge because the Force Touch trackpads on the newer Pros don't seem to give enough feedback even in "firm" mode.

 

[tmanto02]

I bet the rMB is an interim device, and once Apple have recouped their R&D by charging a ridiculous premium, worked out all the bugs and listened to the feedback on what consumers actually want in an ultrabook, Apple will then release the new MBA and make the rMB redundant a little while after.

 

[lra108]

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, etc.)
- Apple will introduce 14" MacBook in addition to the 12" with a total of two USB-C ports each
- Apple will re-introduce thinner MacBook Pro with new screen sizes 14" and 16" and same ports
- 14" MacBook Pro will be as big as current 13" MacBook Pro but with larger screen thanks to reduced bezel by 90%
- 16" MacBook Pro will be as big 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

Yeah... not gonna happen. You're free to dream though

 

[elmaco]

Apple has jumbled up these brands so much, not even they know what to do.

Same with all the iPads.

KISS

 

[Rogifan]

I think Apple really intends the retina macbook as

1. A fashion product.
2. A laptop for the tablet generation as they grow up and need keyboards and better multitasking for work.

Macbook Air is the portable for people who need a real laptop. Pro is the laptop for people who need a mobile desktop with them everywhere.

And by the way, Air didn't mean light until Tim's Apple made the iPad Air. It has always meant wireless (it was the first mac to have wireless optical drive support). AirPort Airplay AirPrint AirTunes MacBook Air.

No when Steve Jobs announced the MBA it was all about being the "worlds thinnest notebook". But now I'll bet most people buy an Air over a Pro because it weighs less and something that weighs less is more portable.

What point is there in having 3 retina laptop lines? if the MBA went retina no doubt the price would go up at which point it would bump into the 13" rMBP. Plus it's not like the rMB will be standing still with no processor improvements. It seems to me it would make more sense to redesign the rMBP (at least the 13") to be lighter than to add retina to the MBA. Then you have a simple choice: if you need more power and more ports get a rMBP, if you don't get a rMB.

I bet the rMBP was an interim device, and once Apple have recouped their R&D by charging a ridiculous premium, worked out all the bugs and listened to the feedback on what consumers actually want in an ultrabook, Apple will then release the new MBA and make the rMBP redundant a little while after

What do consumers "actually want" in an ultrabook that the rMBP doesn't provide other than not being light enough? rMBPs got the new trackpads this year; MBAs only got spec bumped. Why would Apple phase out the rMBP in favor of the MBA?

 

[Avieshek]

LPDDR5 in 2016?

Let me clear u'r confusion folks:
12"(MacBook), 14"(MacBook Air), 16"(MacBook Pro)
with 3K, 4K, 5k resolution.

Just like iPad mini, iPad Air & iPad Pro according to screen size.
The only difference now a days is screen size.

7000 series aluminium?

 

[A.Goldberg]

It will be interesting to see what happens.

Lets not just exclusively switch to one USB C port.

I've been waiting for a 14" rMBP... or MBA.

 

[MH01]

imagine a retina 12 MacBook in a 15 size, there would be compromises though it would be thinner. I actually really like my 2012 retina mbp, I'd be happy for an updated version in the same size with much better battery. Really not a fan of sacrificing battery for size. I instead of the usual we made it smaller but kept the same battery, I'd prefer, we kept it the same size and here is 20% more battery.

 

[Syke23z]

I am surprised at how many people would love a thinner Air. I think a cross over between the Air and the Pro with Retina would be the best Portable Apple Computer. Power + Portabiltiy is what I am looking for.

 

[nicho]

I bet the rMBP was an interim device, and once Apple have recouped their R&D by charging a ridiculous premium, worked out all the bugs and listened to the feedback on what consumers actually want in an ultrabook, Apple will then release the new MBA and make the rMBP redundant a little while after

i think you are confused between the rMB and the rMBP.

 

[nicho]

It will be interesting to see what happens.

Lets not just exclusively switch to one USB C port.

I've been waiting for a 14" rMBP... or MBA.

the 13" MBA has more ports than the 11" does it not?

no reason that couldn't happen on a 14" rMB.

 

[MacHiavelli]

But what will the headphone jack be?

 

[2128506]

And make a real MacPro while you're at it...

They would rather do Mac Pro Air, with celeron chip and laptop HDD.

 

[Rogifan]

It will be interesting to see what happens.

Lets not just exclusively switch to one USB C port.

I've been waiting for a 14" rMBP... or MBA.

The fact that this rumor references the current sizes of the rMBP makes me think it's the rMBP being redesigned not the Air. But I'm skeptical Apple would wait until WWDC to release new models considering some PC OEMs are already selling Skylake models. I get the feeling Apple's event this past March indicates they're moving back to having a spring event again. One in the spring, WWDC and one in the fall. And we've gone two years now with no hardware at WWDC so I wouldn't be surprised if WWDC is hardware free again next year. Apple could easily fill up that event with just software announcements. So you have spring and fall hardware events and WWDC for new software.

I am surprised at how many people would love a thinner Air. I think a cross over between the Air and the Pro with Retina would be the best Portable Apple Computer. Power + Portabiltiy is what I am looking for.

Why not just make a lighter rMBP? It seems to me the only reason someone would buy an Air right now is price and weight. Adding retina to the Air would most likely increase the price. Reducing the weight of the rMBP seems less likely to increase the price.

 

[rayzorboriqua]

I think it's more likely the pro's design dies, the wedge design of the air is more pleasureable to type on and just looks better. The quad core on the 15" might be a hard squeeze into a 15/16" wedge though. Time will tell. I would love a quad core in an air form factor with Retina. But if the new lineups have the butterfly switches with some more travel that will be enough for me.

 

[tmanto02]

i think you are confused between the rMB and the rMBP.

OOPS yep

 

[allanfries]

The Airs days are numbered!

 

[Serban]

things it should have
1) standard 8 gb ram
2) usb-c
3) retina display
4) 256 ssd standard- config up to 1 T at least for the bigger model
5) 16:10 aspect ratio for both
6)

 

[Max(IT)]

To have any sense it should use substantially better CPUs than current (and next) MacBook. And a slightly lower price, as the actual MacBook Air.

 

[WardC]

Two things to request...bring back the 17" MacBook Pro, and bring back the matte display option. Two decisions to nix those, made by Apple, didn't necessarily make for better products or a better product lineup. A glossy display is seen as subpar to a matte display in my opinion, especially both when working with sensitive photo reproduction work and also when using the laptop in various lighting conditions which create glare.

An updated 17" MacBook Pro model would be great. The issue is that on the 15", when you increase the resolution, it's really not that usable at a comparable 1920x1200 size unless you have perfect eyes, still it's more comfortable to work with that resolution o a 17" where it's native. And this resolution is the main benefit, allowing to view pages side by side, etc.


Really my two hopes for the MacBook lineup.

 

[A.Goldberg]

the 13" MBA has more ports than the 11" does it not?

no reason that couldn't happen on a 14" rMB.

Currently the 13" air has the SD slot which the 11" does not.

Apple seems to go through trends of taking ports out and then putting them back. I suspect the 12" MacBook, the concept of future Apple design, to eventually gain 1-2 more USB-C ports.

When the original 13" MBA came out it had a charger port in the left and 1 USB port, 3.5mm audio out, and "micro DVI"out on the flip down panel on the right. People were not happy with the lack of connectivity, especially considering the world was very wired in 2008.

We now see the addition of 1 more USB port, 1 Thunderbolt, and SD Card slot.

The fact that this rumor references the current sizes of the rMBP makes me think it's the rMBP being redesigned not the Air. But I'm skeptical Apple would wait until WWDC to release new models considering some PC OEMs are already selling Skylake models. I get the feeling Apple's event this past March indicates they're moving back to having a spring event again. One in the spring, WWDC and one in the fall. And we've gone two years now with no hardware at WWDC so I wouldn't be surprised if WWDC is hardware free again next year. Apple could easily fill up that event with just software announcements. So you have spring and fall hardware events and WWDC for new software.

As other posters here have suggested, Apple may reshuffle the product lines, perhaps dropping the -Air suffix all together. The new 12" MacBook is smaller than the Airs, yet does not have the name. I think it may be a somewhat plausible theory Apple will cut the Air name. The 13" MacBook Pro (non-retina model with the optical drive) was originally sold under the "MacBook" name for its first season before changing to "MacBook Pro".

The Air lineup was formerly a more expensive product than the 13" MacBook/MacBook Pros. Now that has flip flopped. I wouldn't be surprised to see the MacBook and MacBook Pro lines become the two consumer and professional series, much like we had previously, and the iBook/PowerBook lineups preparing that.

I would expect the new MacBook Pro replacements to be much thinner than they are now given Apple's technology developments and their dated design (going back to 2008/9). The Air name seems pointless at this this point.

Personally, I feel the 13" is too small and the 15" too big (especially on airplanes). A 14", much like my company issued Thinkpad T450s is the ideal size- balancing performance, portability, and screen real estate. I've had everything from 13" rMBP (currently), 13" Air, 15" MBP, 13" alMacBook (prior to the Pro badge), 12" PowerBook G4, etc. I swear 14" retina will be the sweet spot!!!

 

[Max(IT)]

I hope this is cheap. Most people buy MacBook Air because it's the cheapest they can get, but it's still a decent Mac. If this is like $700 everyone would buy it but that probably won't happen

I can't see the base 11" model below $999 ... especially with a retina display.

Just give me a better battery, a higher resolution screen and quality hardware.

What's wrong with the current MacBook Air's battery ?

Thinner pros and no new airs.

I don't need my MacBook Pro any thinner.

Because SO MANY people have complained that the MacBook Airs are too thick...

C'mon Apple, that's the only thing you have going nowadays is how thin your devices are?? So much for innovation.

Every single time Apple release a new device, that are thinner than the previous, this forum is literally stormed by comments like your about the thinning path ....
That's Apple's way, deal with it. If you like thicker devices, there are others vendors.
Apple is about thin devices, and Im actually happy about it.

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.

There aren't 4 USB ports even on the MacBook Pro, so it is unreasonable to expect that on a future MacBook Air.
2 USB-C will be enough, leaving Thunderbolt ports to the Pros.

Who do you think you are to judge who a professional is and who's not ?
A writer or a journalist traveling a lot IS a professional and he doesn't give a s**t about how many ports the MacBook has, but he's more than happy about its form factor.