Reports are surfacing that Apple is contemplating on putting an end to its Macbook Air laptop line and focus on improving its MacBook and MacBook Pro series instead.
Parent Herald notes that the tech company has announced that MacBook Pro 2016 is expected to come out sometime this year while there has been no announcement for the 2016 version of the MacBook Air, although rumors about the device are still aplenty online.
Tech enthusiasts initially expected that Apple will launch the newest addition to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptop lines last March 21.
Last year, there were rumors that a new MacBook Air will be released and will be an 11-inch laptop. However, no more news about the device came after that.
Unfortunately, the company only launched the low-cost entry iPhone SE, an array of Apple Watch straps, and the iPad Air 2’s successor, the iPad Pro 9.7-inch, last March.
As per BGR, Jack March, who has been giving predictions about the MacBook Air, was apparently informed that Apple is not going to launch a new MacBook Air model this year.
March says that it is possible that the Cupertino-based company will launch the newest addition to the MacBook Pro line that is thinner and lighter than the current MacBook Air model.
March also predicted that the upcoming 13-inch MacBook Pro is Apple’s replacement to the MacBook Air with Retina display.
Apple has not yet given its official announcement regarding its MacBook 2016 lineup, but some reports claim that there will also be a 15-inch MacBook coming up which took inspiration from the current 12-inch MacBook.
This 15-inch MacBook is said to be the replacement for the MacBook Air. It has already been eight years since Apple introduced its MacBook Air series so it is possible that the MacBook is lining up to replace it in the near future.
When the MacBook was released, it’s major selling point was its thin and light design. 9to5Mac reports that the new MacBook now outshines the MacBook Air in almost all areas hence the tech giant is deciding to get rid of it.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kou states that the 12-inch MacBook is now Apple’s best-selling laptop, closely followed by the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
Kou adds that the sales for the MacBook Air are obviously behind the other two which further fuel rumors that the MacBook line will replace the MacBook Air this year due to its popularity and good sales.
Ecumenical News speculates that the 2016 MacBook lineup will be unveiled during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this June where Apple will introduce the first unit of MacBook Pro 2016.
Rumors say that the MacBook Pro 2016 will be powered by Intel’s latest Skylake processors which can drive high-end display while ensuring a longer battery life compared to the 2015 version.
It is said to be equipped with 256GB of internal storage and will carry multiple USB Type-C ports and Thunderbolt 3.
Apple enthusiasts initially thought that the incorporation of a USB Type-C would mean that it’s the end of Thunderbolt.
Users thought that Thunderbolt will be another Firewire in the making as Apple promoted it but eventually removed it in their Mac models.
However, it appears as if the company has decided to keep Thunderbolt and it is likely to stay in the Mac line for a long time.
MacWorld reports that the reason the company will stick with Thunderbolt is part of its efforts to convince the industry to adopt it since its introduction five years ago.
Reports are also surfacing that the upcoming laptop will be using an A10X processor. While this is unlikely to happen, the possibility of it certainly cannot be ruled out.
Crossmap predicts the new MacBook will have Intel’s 14nn Core M chip. However, this would mean that Apple will release the new MacBook by September as Intel is expected to release their newest processors by the third quarter of this year yet.
International Business Times reports that the upcoming MacBook Pro will have a starting price of almost $1,300.