Fans get to hear rumors about Apple's products almost on a regular basis, but not much about its MacBook Air series. It has been eight years since the first model was introduced, but nothing much has changed when it comes to the way it looks. Now, it is speculated it will have a total makeover or will be cut out from the laptop line entirely.
The Retina display did not arrive on the laptop after last year's much-hyped rumor. The device still contains the basic LCD display and a fitth-gen Broadwell processor from Intel, a minor speed bump that happened more than a year ago.
Other reports also mentioned that Apple is pushing its 12.9-inch iPad Pro as a laptop replacement. The MacBook series, which is supposed to be on the lower end of the spectrum, was upgraded to a Retina display and is already equipped with the sixth-gen Intel Skylake processor, which is a big blow for the Air models.
However, Mac Otakara, a Japanese tech website, mentioned last month that refreshed models of the Air laptop line will be introduced and retailers will start shipping the new laptop by August. It mentioned that the tech giant will discontinue the 11-inch model but will retain the 13-inch one and introduce a bigger, 15-inch model. A Chinese company responsible for the manufacturing of its parts was cited as the source of information, MacRumors previously reported.
Additionally, the tech blog mentioned that upcoming models of the Air and Pro MacBooks will contain Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports. This will replace the USB-A, MagSafe 2, and Thunderbolt 2 ports found in the current models. Unfortunately, nothing materialized.
Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities mentioned that a thin and lightweight 13-inch MacBook will be introduced by the third quarter. By fourth quarter, MacBook Pro models will arrive, a 13-inch model and a 15-inch one, continued the report.
If a refreshed version will arrive, tech experts believe that a few more millimeters can be taken out of the model, to make it even lighter and thinner. Its battery and cooling system are also expected to be upgraded, as well as its display and processing chip. Some also predict that a TouchID fingerprint recognition will come along when the new MacBook Air arrives.
Apple fans enthusiastically await the arrival of the MacBook Air 2016.
