Apple is reportedly working on the development of the latest iteration to its laptop line known among Mac users as the MacBook Air.
The latest version of the laptop line is the 2015 MacBook Air which was officially launched and released in October last year during Apple’s iPad event. But there are rumors that Apple may actually release a 15-inch variant of its 2015 MacBook Air later this year, most likely in October.
However, there is another set of rumors that say that Apple is planning to bring more substantial upgrades to its existing 2015 MacBook Air and come up with the 2016 MacBook Air.
However, instead of an October launching for the 2016 MacBook Air, which should mark one year after the release of the 2015 MacBook Air, it is being speculated that Apple would release it in March 2016.
Just like in the case of the upcoming iPhones from Apple, which also have two sets of rumors, it is interesting to note that there are also two major speculations on the latest iteration for Apple’s upcoming laptop.
So until Apple makes an official statement or announcement to confirm or deny the reports and rumors about the refreshed 2015 MacBook Air or the all-new 2016 MacBook Air, these information are merely speculations for now.
Massive overhaul
According to the latest rumors, Apple is currently working on its 2016 MacBook Air which reportedly would feature a massive overhaul of its 2015 MacBook Air that the company launched more than eight months ago.
If it is true that there is indeed a 2016 MacBook Air in development at this time, then it is possible that the rumored 15-inch variant of the 2015 MacBook Air may not be coming out at all later this year.
Apple would certainly not want another MacBook Air to steal the thunder from its upcoming flagship MacBook Air. It does not make any logical business sense in terms of marketing and production.
History also indicates that Apple only launches one MacBook Air every year. It launched the 2013 MacBook Air amid positive and overwhelming response from consumers because it offered major improvements from the previous MacBook Air models.
The following year, the company made a minor refresh of the laptop by using upgraded Intel Haswell processors that the 2013 version also used. The 2015 edition of the MacBook Air is now using Intel’s new Broadwell processors and also offered faster flash storage.
New processors
As Apple has yet to confirm that it is working on the development of the 2016 MacBook Air, the laptop is actually more feasible compared to the upgraded variant of the 2015 MacBook Air rumored to be unveiled later this year.
According to initial reports, the Apple may likely used the new Intel Core M-based Skylake processors on the 2016 MacBook Air.
The Skylake processors offer significant performance and power improvement from the Broadwell-based Core M processors that are now being used on the 2015 MacBook Air.