The big story for MacBook owners this autumn has been the launch of Apple’s powerful and premium-priced new MacBook Pros. But we’re starting to get a better idea of what the company is planning for its more affordable laptop options.
MacRumors has put together a summary of what we can expect from the next version of – or perhaps the differently branded replacement for – the MacBook Air, based on the latest reports from analysts and experts.
Indeed it now looks like the new laptop could be branded as simply ‘MacBook’, meaning the Air extension is set to be retired, for the MacBook range at least, after being in use since 2008. (Apple obviously has an iPad Air as well, although how long that branding will survive after it disappears from the MacBooks remains to be seen.)
This isn’t, however, a mere superficial rebranding exercise: the design will be substantially revamped. The classic wedge shape will be dropped and replaced by a chassis design with a uniform or largely uniform thickness, which means there will be room for more ports. But while we can expect more USB-C ports, and potentially a separate (MagSafe) power connection, there will be no support for HDMI or a built-in card reader.
There is every indication that we will see the same kind of mini-LED screen found in the new MacBook Pro models and, unfortunately, a so-called notch will be placed at the top of that screen to accommodate the webcam.
According to some rumours, we will also be able to choose from a range of colours, namely blue, green, pink, silver, yellow, orange and purple.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about a colourful update to the MacBook Air. Back in May the leaker Jon Prosser discussed such rumours on his Front Page Tech YouTube show, and presented concept renders along those lines by Ian Zelbo – one of which we’ve used as the main image for this article. Prosser said the new colours would be “very close, if not identical” to those used on the 2021 iMac.
The current MacBook Air model was launched in November 2020, but it is highly uncertain when the successor will be launched. Apple usually holds events in March, June and September, so at worst it could be another 10 months away – but let’s hope for something in the spring.
You can keep up with all the latest rumours in our new MacBook Air hub. If you can’t wait until next year, grab a Black Friday bargain on the current range with our roundup of the best MacBook Air deals.
This article originally appeared on Macworld Sweden. Translation (using DeepL) and additional reporting by David Price.
