Render: Martin Hajek (based on<a href="http://9to5mac.com/2015/01/06/macbook-air-12-inch-redesign/"> our reporting</a>)
Tucked away at the bottom of the WSJ’s report on the often-postponed iPad Pro was a single sentence that, if correct, suggests that Apple could announce the 12-inch MacBook Air as early as Monday. Update: it did.
While suppliers are gearing up to ship the new 12-inch MacBook Air in large quantities in the second quarter, Apple’s launch schedule remains unclear, the people said.
WWDC traditionally has been the end of Q2, so unless Apple plans another event specifically for the new model (not impossible but I’d think not), the most likely time to announce it would be during Monday’s Spring Forward event, expected to major on the Apple Watch. Since this is a new product, not an upgrade of a current product, Apple could use some ramping time between the announcement and the actual launch.
We’d caution however that supply chain sources, which is apparently the kind the WSJ is using, often guess early when it comes to shipping times.
We exclusively revealed details of the radical new MacBook back in January. Sources described a markedly thinner and lighter machine squeezing a 12-inch higher resolution screen into a casing narrower than the current 11-inch MacBook Air. The machine is also said to take a minimalist approach to ports–likely even just a single USB C port for both power and data–and to be available in iOS device colors as well as plain anodized aluminum.
Little has been seen in the way of claimed parts, but Martin Hajek created some renders based on our report to show what the new machine may look like.
Banners for Monday’s Spring Forward event at Yerba Buena started going up yesterday, mirroring the design of the invitations.
The main star of the show–the Apple Watch–will go on sale in April in more than one country. Apple’s sales pitch for the smartwatch focuses on both the features of the watch itself and an opportunity to upsell owners of older iPhones to compatible models.
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The “Broadwell” mobile CPU’s are already in production and showcased on a number of Windows-based laptops now. I wouldn’t be surprised that Apple will unveil the new 12″ MacBook Air at the March 9, 2015 presentation, though.
I’ll take two please.
Unlikely. The Apple Watch is a significantly different market to the MacBook Air and is a new product category that will take some careful positioning. There will be quite a balancing act required to appeal to the new, higher proportion fashion industry, audience. I think it is unlikely they will dilute the message or the product positioning by showing a new laptop, albeit one I am very much looking forward to seeing. I predict Tim Cook will have Angela Ahrendts on stage this time round.
Unless as rumoured, the laptops actually match the watches and are available in different colours and materials?
Ah yes, the long rumored 18K Gold Retina MacBook Air Edition. That will take a chunk out of the worlds gold supply.
If it comes in white, I’m getting one. Otherwise, not.
why do you even bother to ask people for comments if they all disappear a short while after?
” The machine is also said to take a minimalist approach to ports–likely even just a single USB C port for both power and data”
OK can somebody please tell me the point of this please? I have been waiting for something new as I am using a 13 inch MacBook Late 2008 so yes it is time for me to upgrade but Apple is not allowing me to do this very easy. Obviously if I want to upgrade it’s best to get latest model and I use my Macbook for DJing hence the smaller size suits me down to the ground. ONE BIG PROBLEM here i use Native Instruments Traktor Scratch Pro 2 software with a connected S4 mixer to DJ with. Now the S4 needs a proper USB port and obviously I also need to power my Macbook at the same time so how do I do this with just one port now. Apple is not thinking straight OK they are building units with new spec but what about the end user like myself. My S4 is $1000 and I am not even sure the new type usb will allow this to work hence it looks like there is no point in me upgrading really I am just confused in how Apple can think only 1 port will do especially if you power from the same port as well.
you re missing the point. you can power your s4 directly (I also dj with traktor) or get a powered usb hub.
“…I am just confused in how Apple can think only 1 port will do especially if you power from the same port as well.”
I got one word for you: daisy chain. Well, that’s more like four words, but there’s your solution.