Which features would you like to see on a new redesigned MacBook Air?

[skaertus]

After the release of the new MacBook Pro, a redesigned MacBook Air may be in the works for a 2022 release. Some of the features of the MacBook Pro can make to the Air, or perhaps some different ones.

Which features would you like to see on the new MacBook Air? I have not included the most obvious ones. I suppose everyone would love to have higher single-core or multi-core performance, a faster SSD, more memory, and a lower price. But there are other features that not everyone may agree with. Or do you have any wish not on the list?

 

[JPack]

Simply a larger display with mini LED. Not much else needs to be changed. Right now, the 14-inch Pro weighs 3.5 lbs which is a full pound heavier than 14-inch ThinkPad X1 Carbon.

 

[Pugly]

I'd like a smaller model, 12 inch Macbook size, with more than 1 port and magsafe. The current Air is pretty good... the wedge helps it feel much smaller than the same footprint Pro... but it's still on the heavy size.. if the depth could be reduced I'd like that.

I really have no complaints about this M1 Air though... it lets me just use it to get things done and not obsess over things that it doesn't have... because it really isn't missing much.

It's perfect. Except the headphone jack is on the wrong side....

Of course, a display that can handle perfect blacks would be nice, either OLED or miniLED ... but I expect that will be a long time coming... if ever to the entry level Mac. The old Air languished with a terrible screen while every other Apple product got better screens.

 

[Biro]

Seeing the price of the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros, I realize that I'll be sticking with McBook Airs and iPads for non-desktop use. Rumors already indicate the next Air in 2022 will have an upgraded processor, so that's fine. A miniLED display and an improved camera are all I'm looking for. Of course, even better battery life will always be appreciated. But the Air still needs to live up to its name in terms of being lightweight. I am being careful with my wish list because I don't want the price of the Air to rise.

 

[ghanwani]

I need them to address the display issues that are causing me headaches and therefore keeping me stuck with my old Intel MBA. Aside from that, it must not weigh an ounce more than the current one, if at all should weigh less. Don't care about thickness.

 

[blairh]

It's finally going to be truly thin and light this time. Nothing 'Air' about the current model.

Sadly I do think it will adopt the white keys and bezels as posted by Prosser.

 

[skaertus]

Simply a larger display with mini LED. Not much else needs to be changed. Right now, the 14-inch Pro weighs 3.5 lbs which is a full pound heavier than 14-inch ThinkPad X1 Carbon.

And the MacBook Air is 2.8 lbs, which is light, but there are far lighter laptops now. I suppose a new model could be slightly lighter.

 

[skaertus]

Seeing the price of the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros, I realize that I'll be sticking with McBook Airs and iPads for non-desktop use. Rumors already indicate the next Air in 2022 will have an upgraded processor, so that's fine. A miniLED display and an improved camera are all I'm looking for. Of course, even better battery life will always be appreciated. But the Air still needs to live up to its name in terms of being lightweight. I am being careful with my wish list because I don't want the price of the Air to rise.

I suppose Apple will have to keep a $999 model. It certainly wants to upsell its products, but it also does not want to alienate customers. The $999 price point is what has driven the Mac market share up these last few years.

 

[alanleehk]

I voted 1080p camera... FaceTime camera sucks in MacBook Air for years.

 

[skaertus]

I voted 1080p camera... FaceTime camera sucks in MacBook Air for years.

Is that all you expect from the new Air? The webcam is far from great, but I suppose there are other areas in which there could be an improvement.

 

[Saturn007]

One critical feature not asked about — the tapered front edge should remain!

I'd also split up lighter and thinner. I'd like to see a 2 pound MBA, but it doesn't have to be thinner! That could bring back keyboard debacles!

 

[skaertus]

One critical feature not asked about — the tapered front edge should remain!

I'd also split up lighter and thinner. I'd like to see a 2 pound MBA, but it doesn't have to be thinner! That could bring back keyboard debacles!

My original plan was to split "lighter" and "thinner", and also to include additional features such as different colors. However, there is a limit of only 20 items per poll, and I could not include any additional one.

 

[boston04and07]

I’d be happy with cellular connectivity, but I’m not optimistic. I’d mostly use it for traveling though, so it would be so nice to have.

 

[skaertus]

I’d be happy with cellular connectivity, but I’m not optimistic. I’d mostly use it for traveling though, so it would be so nice to have.

I would like it as well, but I am not holding my breath for it. Apple has not included it in the MacBook Pro and it is still optional on the iPad after all these years.

 

[Devyn89]

I’d love a mini-led display with promotion, smaller bezels and better speakers. If they had to raise the price like they did with the iPad Pro by $100 or even $200 I’d be ok with that, but no more than that. MagSafe would be really nice as would larger display sizes but those are nice to haves.

 

[skaertus]

I’d love a mini-led display with promotion, smaller bezels and better speakers. If they had to raise the price like they did with the iPad Pro by $100 or even $200 I’d be ok with that, but no more than that. MagSafe would be really nice as would larger display sizes but those are nice to haves.

That is a nice wishlist. I would like those as well. And I suppose a 1080p webcam and cellular connectivity would not hurt either, although I think the latter would be a long shot.

Also, I think the current Air is kind of on the heavy side at 2.8 lbs. I would appreciate it if Apple could make it lighter. I suppose it would be OK if Apple used lighter materials, as aluminum feels premium but it is heavy.

 

[Falhófnir]

It will be a bit moot for me as I’m likely to get a 16” Pro before it launches anyway, but going forward having a 15-16 inch Air would be a transformative improvement to the MacBook lineup. Especially as the Pros are now chunkier and heavier so there’s more room in the lineup for a thin and light focused full size model.

mLED 60Hz seems to be what the non pro devices are getting as the next display upgrade, that’s great for me.

A SD card slot, USB A and MagSafe 3 would be ideal, more realistically perhaps one Thunderbolt 4 each side, plus MagSafe plus SD would be adequate.

I’d strongly prefer black bezels and keys, but if white was the trade off to get all the above it’s probably one I’d take with little hesitation.

 

[Secubia]

I voted for thinner and lighter although it doesn't need to get any thinner really. But smaller and lighter, yes. Perhaps revive the retina MacBook and give it a reliable keyboard and maybe a touch screen.

 

[Kimcha]

32gb of ram option. That’s the only thing I really want.

Same form factor, weight, battery life is fine for me.

Magsafe and one usb-c port on each side would be amazing.

And a higher resolution display, which is bigger through a notch would be great too.

 

[skaertus]

32gb of ram option. That’s the only thing I really want.

Same form factor, weight, battery life is fine for me.

Magsafe and one usb-c port on each side would be amazing.

And a higher resolution display, which is bigger through a notch would be great too.

I am not sure Apple will allow this. The M1 Pro has a limit of 32 GB. Apple seems to be artificially limiting the amount of RAM to compel users who want more to choose more expensive models.

 

[svish]

Would like to see Magsafe. Would like ProMotion and SD card slot also. But I feel that would only be available in Pro. Other than features, would be good if it came out in multiple colours

 

[skaertus]

Would like to see Magsafe. Would like ProMotion and SD card slot also. But I feel that would only be available in Pro. Other than features, would be good if it came out in multiple colours

It seems like the return of MagSafe is one of the most desired features. So far it got 30 votes, more than anything else. I have a MacBook Pro which connects with Thunderbolt, and I do not really miss MagSafe so much. It is crazy that it may be more desirable than a larger screen, MiniLED, ProMotion, or better battery life.