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

Sunday November 29, 2015 9:26 pm PST by Eric Slivka
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.

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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.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Tag: udn.com
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Air (Buy Now)
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Goldfrapp
52 months ago
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" and 16" MacBook Pro will be the same size as the current 13" and 15" MacBook Pro, respectively, but with larger screen thanks to much thinner bezel
- Apple will rename iPad Air as simply iPad
- Air is overrated
Rating: 51 Votes
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Menopause
52 months ago
If they're making *everything* one size bigger: I'd like to request that 17" MacBook Pros be resurrected with a Retina Display with the present MBP form factor (thinness, weight etc.). It'll be a dream for creative professionals.
Rating: 29 Votes
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Asarien
52 months ago
Apple has jumbled up these brands so much, not even they know what to do.

How can the MacBook model be the ultra-portable line, while the Air becomes the standard consumer line? The Air was created exclusively to compete with netbooks and ultra-portables in the first place!
Rating: 27 Votes
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Goldfrapp
52 months ago
Then they'd better have Retina displays or else.
Rating: 19 Votes
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thairish
52 months ago
Thinner pros and no new airs.
Rating: 15 Votes
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JesterJJZ
52 months ago
I wish the "Air" thing would go away. Just call them MacBooks and MacBookPros…

And make a real MacPro while you're at it...
Rating: 13 Votes
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L-U-R-C-H
52 months ago
Because SO MANY people have complained that the MacBook Airs are too thick... :rolleyes:

C'mon Apple, that's the only thing you have going nowadays is how thin your devices are?? So much for innovation.
Rating: 12 Votes
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tmiw
52 months ago
As long as they don't use the same keyboard that's in the MacBook.
Rating: 10 Votes
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Thares
52 months ago

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.

Your work attitude doesn't seem too professional if your success is depending entirely on having additional USB ports. I guess there is a lesson you have to learn the hard way from those cute 'flowery pink girls'. Which is a sexist statement by the way. Very professional.
Rating: 8 Votes
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nicho
52 months ago

I never thought the MacBook was a replacement for the Air. At least, not anytime soon.

The MacBook is the new Air (ultraportable), and the Air is the new MacBook (consumer device).


this. the only thing that wouldn't make sense to me about this is the naming being the wrong way around.
Rating: 7 Votes

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