As we originally pointed out that there is doubt of a new Apple MacBook Air coming in 2016, new reports seem to suggest that the MacBook Air could be heading towards the end of its lineage, as Apple is planning to replace the Air with two brand new iterations of the 2015 MacBook Retina, originally introduced in a 12-inch form factor.
The two new laptops, as we predicted, are rumored to follow the typical sizes of existing MacBooks, 13 and 15 inch, but with far more advanced hardware, including quite possibly the 6th generation Intel Core (Skylake) CPU, as well as Samsung’s DDR4 RAM, and even Samsung’s EVO flash drives.
Many of the rumors have been brought forth by sources cited by tech blog JackMarch.com, suggesting, among other things, and a thinner and lighter design (not surprisingly).
Hot Air
Jack March’a theory on why the MacBook Air, along with the iPad Air, are both about to make their way out,dates back to 2014, when the same tech blog first reported rumors of a 12 inch MacBook Air in the making, however, later on, the new laptop was announced as simply “The New MacBook”, which spawned many questions, including why would Apple introduce a brand new MacBook line in the first place, with the Macbook Air and MacBook Pro already share a sizable portion of the laptop market.
As we also postulated last week, the reason is simple: Apple is consolidating its brand into more recognizable and basic elements, following a “less is more” approach, as we have seen happening with the 9.7 inch iPad Pro.
With the MacBook Air slowly deflating into entropy (pun intended), one more question arises: is there a new iPad for entry level consumers in the works? Perhaps one reminiscent of the original iPad, whose metaphor would be inescapable as Apple closes the loop and returns to its roots of simplicity and brand minimalism.
Indeed it is a plausible scenario, but will it happen? Considering that a Pro version of the iPad is still a premium product to consumers on a budget, it wouldn’t be surprising if Apple actually went ahead and introduced such concept, perhaps even as soon as WWDC 2016.