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Updated MacBook Air Line with New 15-Inch Model Coming in 1Q 2012?

Monday November 28, 2011 2:11 am PST by Eric Slivka

Digitimes reports that Apple is set to update its MacBook Air line early next year, with a new 15-inch model appearing alongside refreshed 11.6-inch and 13.3-inch models. The update will reportedly take place during the first quarter of 2012.
Apple reportedly is set to launch its new MacBook Air series notebooks with panel sizes of 11.6-inch, 13.3-inch and 15-inch in the first quarter of 2012 and will directly compete against ultrabooks from PC brand vendors, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.

The sources noted that related upstream players have already started pilot production of the MacBook Air models and will add a 15-inch model into the product line to expand its reach in the ultra-thin notebook market.
The report notes that discounts on the current MacBook Air models should extend through the lead-up to the debut of the new models, continuing to drive Apple's already-strong sales of the ultra-thin notebook line.

We first began hearing word of an ultra-thin 15-inch notebook from Apple back in July, with other sources also weighing in on the topic in recent weeks. Digitimes had previously indicated that component production for the notebook had begun with an eye toward a second quarter 2012 launch.

Sources have generally been unsure whether the new 15-inch notebook would be an expansion of the MacBook Air line or if it would appear as a slimmer MacBook Pro model, but this latest report indicates that it will indeed be a MacBook Air product.

Intel's Ivy Bridge platform, which is due for a spring launch in line with the reported MacBook Air revamp timeline, will bring a significant upgrade to the line's performance, particularly with regard to graphics improvements and new OpenCL support.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Tag: digitimes.com
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Air (Neutral)
[ 130 comments ]


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bryanl
99 months ago

Even Mac Pro barely are capable of use that amount of RAM fully. Stop being ridiculous people.


I'm not just talking out the side of my head. Some people actually use their macbook pros.

Rating: 22 Votes
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shompa
99 months ago
Digitimes is such an incompetent site.

A bit of logic:
Is Ivy bridge ready Q1?

Answer:
No

Will Apple release a new macbook air weeks before Ivy bridge?
Answer:
No.

Macbook air refresh is technically possible when Ivy bridge is ready. Intel have before given Apple CPUs a couple of month before other companies but since Intel/Apple exclusive contract ended Intel have not given Apple pre released CPUs.

This is just like Ipad2+ Ipad2HD that would be released earlier this year. I asked all "experts": Who is going to produce the 28nm A6 and the Retina display? Stuff can't be released before its technically possible.
Rating: 17 Votes
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buckers
99 months ago
Damn it! Was really excited until I saw the question mark at the end of the article title! :rolleyes:
Rating: 13 Votes
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theSeb
99 months ago

Even Mac Pro barely are capable of use that amount of RAM fully. Stop being ridiculous people.


Sorry, but that's incorrect. Mac OSX will use as much RAM as you throw at it. If there is a lot free it will use it for system caching and even creates a RAM disk in the background.

I can easily see 20 GB page ins and 10 GB page outs during a normal day.
Rating: 9 Votes
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Skika
99 months ago

..Until there's confirmation, I think we've had enough stories ending in a question mark.


Finding rumors on a rumors site,...

PREPOSTEROUS!
Rating: 9 Votes
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D-a-a-n
99 months ago
So now it's possible to bake me a bigger egg on the back of the air, while I let it play a youtube hd video?
Rating: 7 Votes
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liquimatic
99 months ago
at what point will we see edge-to-edge displays? The current borders around lcd screens look so 1980's to me.
Rating: 7 Votes
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Nitrocide
99 months ago
If they can equal the power of a macbook pro but keep it airishly thin due to removing the optical drive, no question it will be the one to purchase!
Rating: 6 Votes
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gerbil
99 months ago
Hmm wonder if I should cancel my MBA order and wait it out a bit more...:confused:
Rating: 5 Votes
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Tanax
99 months ago
15" Air with the inability to upgrade the RAM? No thank you.
It's probably awesome for those that don't need to upgrade - I prefer to have upgradability however :) To each his own I guess.
Rating: 5 Votes

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