While Apple MacBook Air family has probably been the most popular Apple laptops for quite some time now, they were not significantly updated in the last three years. A media report claims that Apple plans to introduce an all-new MacBook Air 12”, which will not only have larger display than the current 11.6” model, but will also sport other innovations.

The new MacBook Air 12” will feature an entirely new design and a high-resolution display which has never been available on a MacBook Air before, reports 9to5Mac citing a source from China. Thanks to the new clamshell structure, the new MacBook Air will be even thinner and lighter than the current-generation models. Thanks to larger diagonal and resolution (retina-class screen is possible), the display of the new laptop will be as productive as the one currently used on the 13” MBA model.

According to the report, the new MacBook Air will be based on the upcoming Intel Core i-series “Haswell Refresh” microprocessors, but will run completely without fan, which should improve usability, but which may mean increased temperatures.

While it is also reported that Apple could make the new MacBook Air slightly more affordable compared to the existing ones, this may not materialize, at least not with the first iteration of the new MacBook Air. For example, while it should not be a problem from the cost perspective for Apple to install a retina-class display into the machine, microprocessors, premium solid-state storage, LPDDR3 memory, aluminum unibody and other components will continue to have rather high prices.

The new Apple MacBook Air 12” is projected to emerge in Q2 or Q3 2014.

Apple did not comment on the news-story.

KitGuru Says: In case Apple manages to make the new MacBook Air even thinner than it is today, it will get an essentially x86-based iPad Air with a keyboard. Not a bad perspective, by the way…

Become a Patron!