Fans are already expecting Apple to come out with a new MacBook Pro soon. However, the Cupertino-based tech giant may be gearing up for a major laptop launch, since speculations also suggest that the MacBook Air 2016 will also be unveiled.
According to Yibada, Apple will streamline its product lines starting this year. This entails ditching the 11-inch MacBook Air, launched last year, for a 15-inch iteration this year. Reportedly, the 15-inch MacBook Air 2016 will serve as an "entry-level" choice for fans, against the new MacBook Pro.
Meanwhile, although the new MacBook Air will serve as a lower version than the Pro line, it will still boast of impressive specs. In terms of design, the MacBook Air 2016 will reportedly be made thinner and lighter than its predecessors, since some of the ports will reportedly be upgraded to USB Type-C, aside from the standard USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 2 connectivity. There are also rumors that the new MacBook will have the standard Touch ID fingerprint scanner, Retina display and improved camera. Tweaks to the next macOS Sierra will allegedly make Siri available for the laptops.
Meanwhile, while it is unclear if the MacBook Air 2016 will include an 11-inch variant, Apple may be looking for the MacBook line to take over the small-screen iterations. This means that the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lines will have only 13-inch and 15-inch versions.
As for when fans can expect the new MacBooks to roll out, Apple normally has a launch event late in the year. However, it is periodically reserved for mobile products such as a new iPhone or iPad, and this year's event is predominantly reserved for the iPhone 7 and iPad Air 3. However, Apple may choose to unveil a full lineup launch and also come out with the new MacBooks together with the Apple Watch 2.
