“Apple is preparing an all-new MacBook Air for 2015 with a radically new design that jettisons standards such as full-sized USB ports, MagSafe connectors, and SD card slots in favor of a markedly thinner and lighter body with a higher-resolution display,” Mark Gurman reports for 9to5Mac.
“Sources within Apple, who have used internal prototype versions of the upcoming computer, have provided in-depth details about the machine, and our exclusive artist renditions of the revamped MacBook Air provide the first close look at Apple’s first major step in mobile Mac computing since the Retina MacBook Pro launch in 2012,” Gurman reports. “The 12-inch MacBook Air will be considerably smaller than the current 13-inch version, yet also slightly narrower than the 11-inch model… The upcoming laptop is so thin that Apple employees are said to refer to the device as the ‘MacBook Stealth’ internally.”
Gurman reports, “The new 12-inch version is approximately a quarter-of-an-inch narrower than the 11-inch version, yet it is also a quarter-of-an-inch taller in order to accommodate the slightly larger display. In order to fit the larger screen into a footprint about the size of the current 11-inch model, the bezels on the display have been reduced on all sides… The latest rumors indicate that the new MacBook Air will ship in mid-2015.”
Much more info in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Soon, it’ll be time to say “Sayonara!” to our beloved 11-inch MacBook Airs!
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Lynn Weiler” for the heads up.]
The same boring color and the same obsession with thinness prevails.Grey is the new beige. Come on, Apple. Don’t you have anything better?
Aluminum doesn’t come in a variety of colors.
Sure, they could ditch aluminum, but what’s out there that’s better? Just skin it if you really need to add some color.
Actually, aluminum can be anodized in an incredibly wide range of colors. Remember the original iPod mini?
-jcr
Anodizing wears off and starts looking shabby. The natural aluminum color remains as good as the day it was new, if you don’t scratch of scuff it up. Ask me how I know about the scuffing.
The iPhone is aluminum, and it gets banged around a lot more than a laptop.
The oldest aluminum bodied iPhone is the iP5, first sold in Sept 2012, the anodized color is the slate. Find someone who uses their slate iPhone naked (the phone) and look at the wear on the anodizing. They have spots that are, wait for it, aluminum. Anodizing is a very thin color layer and it wears off. The gold and space grey colors are barely a year old, but I doubt they’ll look very pristine very long.
OK, “How do you know about scuffing?”
Put the 2009 MBP 13 into the computer bag next to a binder clip. Drove with it in the car that way, not much relative motion and not too long of a trip, but a definite, permanent scuff on an otherwise pristine case. Not big, 1/8″ wide x 1/4 in long, but a constant aggravation. Aluminum is pretty soft.
I stand corrected, and now I feel stupid for the oversight. Durability issues aside, you are 100% correct.
You’re assuming it’ll be available in only one color. According to this blogger, who also has a good track record for Apple rumors, states he’s heard it’ll be available in Gold, Silver, and Space Grey.
http://jackgmarch.com/2014/09/22/exclusive-12-macbook-air-design-details/
This report came out before Gurman’s and if you compare the two, they’re near identical. So let’s wait and see. Sounds like Apple could be followng the iPad and iPhone colors.
This is perfect. I will be buying one.
The old 12″ Powerbook was my very favorite Apple product of all time, and I still remember it fondly. This uses much of its charm.
Was concerned that “jettisons standards such as full-sized USB ports” meant they were going with proprietary connectors requiring adapters, but in the article itself I’m glad to see that it’s (claimed to be) at least still USB at heart, the new USB-C. Of course you’ll still an adapter and hub to use all the existing gadgets with ubiquitous USB-A connectors.
Good thing Apple is lopping off some more weight – you’ll need it for the half-pound of adapters you’ll have to carry.
Touche
USB Type C sounds amazing. Tiny, reversible, and USB 3.1 speeds? I can’t wait until I can just use that and throw away all the other USB’s.
Even better….what if it could be used for iPhones, iPads and other devices that need DATA transfers and power?
THAT would be the truly great port to have!
Yeah, but until USB-C flash drives are ubiquitous, I’d still need an adapter. Not sure I’m ready just yet. Maybe in a year or two.
——RM
I hope they lose those speakers in the final design.
I wonder if it’ll ditch that other perceived industry standard: x86 processors?
With 4G LTE included?
Great!!!….oh, wait.
Sounds great at first, until you realize that nothing out there supports USB Type-C, and nothing will for sometime to come. I don’t get Apple sometimes, introducing Thunderbolt, expecting everyone to rally around it, then ditching it altogether. It’s Firewire all over again. Seriously, what’s wrong with the normal USB 3.0 connector which works with, oh… everything?
I’m not opposed to the USB-C connector, because at least, unlike Firewire and Thunderbolt, it’s destined to be a widely-accepted and inexpensive standard (stuff at CES have already shown built-in USB-C ports). Similar to the original iMac, this might help kick into high gear the accessories like USB thumb drives that are designed specifically for USB-C connectors.
Cool! As long as they also keep making the thicker ones with ports.
That Power key better be on the right, and not the left!
Please be responsible with headlines. Making a MacBook Air thinner and eliminating some ports is not “radically redesigned.”