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Latest Digitimes rumor on 12-inch MacBook Air: entering mass-production in Q1 2015

Digitimes is claiming that the long-expected 12-inch MacBook Air will be entering mass-production in the first quarter of 2015 “following a pilot production at the end of 2014.”

It should be noted this is the same source that predicted the machine would be launched in October, claiming at the time that shipments had already begun. Digitimes bases its latest claim on “upstream supply chain” sources – in other words, suppliers to suppliers to Apple. This does not aid its credibility … 

The report claims that Apple has been struggling with low yield rates, and that it will be available in limited quantities initially. It goes beyond this to suggest that the new machine targets the “high-end market segment,” which seems at odds with reports that it will be a fanless design without clickable trackpad, a design which ought to be cheaper to manufacture than existing models.

A fanless design would likely be made possible by using the Intel Core M Broadwell processor, specifically designed for cool running. It has also been suggested that it will be available in the same range of colors as iPhones and iPads.

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Comments

  1. taoprophet420 - 9 years ago

    Struggling with low yield rates or lack of Broadwell chips I wish Apple would release a model with of the Air with arm chips.

    It might be considered high end because of going to retina display. Still makes me wonder if they will keep the 11″ or 13″ previous generation for a lower price point or both for the shortterm.

    • Pierre Calixte - 9 years ago

      they probably won’t make any new ones but continue to sell the current inventory til they run out.

      • taoprophet420 - 9 years ago

        That is what I meant. Just see them keeping one or both sizes for at least 6 months.

  2. bunim1 - 9 years ago

    What will this do the MacBook Pro 13 Retina? Who will buy that when this launches?

    • Ben Lovejoy - 9 years ago

      It will certainly be interesting to see how Apple adjusts the range if the Retina rumors are true.

    • Daimonion (@da1monion) - 9 years ago

      I will, if MBA 13″ keeps the 1440×900 TN panel.
      After using Samsung Series 9 (NP900X3E) as my portable device (great matte FHD screen and i7 CPU, 1,16kg), I’m done with shallow key travel. I can live with additional 400 grams for the sake of more power and good keyboard with a decent screen and battery life.
      Another issue is ports. A Thunderbolt 2 port would be welcome.
      The only scenario in which I would consider rMBA 12″ over rMBP 13″ when I buy a new device in the coming weeks is if – by some unknown miracle – it gets decent key travel in such a small chassis, and if it doesn’t have the horrible Core-M CPU, which is a no-go for me (read Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro’s reviews to see why).

  3. PMZanetti - 9 years ago

    The MacBook product line is sorely in need of adjustment. With the introduction of this product, they really need to consolidate. A single line of 12″, 13″, and 15″ MacBooks, all with Retina displays, and all with Entry level-to-BTO Pro prices. There is way too much overlap and confusion with the way the line is structured today, and the prices for the Retina products are still ridiculous.

    12″ Retina MB: $899

    13″ Retina MB: $1099

    15″ Retina MB: $1499

    Those should be the entry level prices for a consistent product line. Each of those can be BTO way beyond those price points to achieve the “Pro” capability that some users need.

    But enough of this Air, Pro, Old Pro, New Pro Retina, and Now New Air Retina.

  4. ñî¢k (@dongleganger) - 9 years ago

    Who cares about thinner? Give me a bigger battery!

  5. Taste_of_Apple - 9 years ago

    Would make sense given the wait until the newest chipset is available to accommodate the fanless design.

  6. icerabbit - 9 years ago

    Sick and tired of thinner devices really, sacrificing IO and other features for the sake of thinness, making devices again more fragile and less repairable. We’ve passed the point with mobile devices where thinner has benefits, devices are no longer ergonomic and don’t have enough battery life. With desktops and portables, where you now increasingly get a spiderweb of peripherals on your desk due to less ports and functionality; who cares about razor thin iMacs? Who asked for a mac mini with soldered ram? How weak are we getting as a species that a macbook pro or even air is now too big or too heavy? …

    • tidersisbeter - 9 years ago

      I disagree. Thinness and weight are critical to the portability of a device. Usually, the exclusion of IO is not a big deal to most users, I certainly don’t ever use more than 2 USB ports, I never use ethernet or firewire, thunderbolt ports can be used as mini display ports, and if you need to connect an HDMI cable (or any of the other IO devices I’ve mentioned) a small investment can get you that functionality. Battery life is an important factor for a mobile device, but no laptop competes with the battery life of the current MBAs. Obviously, if a retina display is added, the battery life will be reduced, but the new Intel chips may allow the laptop to maintain the same battery life or perhaps sacrifice only a small amount, and the exclusion of the clicking mechanism, frees up some space. Also, Apple (and other OEMs) are becoming masters at miniaturisation of motherboards and other components which will allow them to free up more space for the battery.

      As a student about to enter university, I would love to get a macbook air, the only thing that I’m waiting for is the retina display. The 2 main reasons for me choosing the macbook air over any other laptop, are that they run mac os x natively (and can run windows through bootcamp), and they are so light and thin. No other computer meets those needs, other than the macbook pros (but they’re a bit too expensive).

      And as for your comment on the weakness of the human race, I think the fact that we are able to build such devices is a testament to how strong we are in the one area we excel as a species. We as humans have survived because of our brains, not because of our physicality.

  7. drtyrell969 - 9 years ago

    The new Air will blow many people’s minds. It’s entirely re-engineered. Those of you who hate thin, will be disappointed. It’s even thinner. ;)

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Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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