New Macbook Air Leaks show Thinner Design & Colors
The MacBook is a brand of Macintosh notebook computers produced and sold by Apple Inc. since 2006 and which have been running Apple’s macOS operating system. It took over for the PowerBook and iBook brands during the shift from PowerPC to Intel CPUs, first announced in 2005. The MacBook Air (2008–present) and the MacBook Pro (2006–present) are the two models that make up the current range. From 2006 to 2012, and again from 2015 to 2019, two distinct “MacBook” product lines were available. The MacBook series was first contained in designs comparable to the iBook and PowerBook models before it; however, the MacBook Air marked the introduction of a unibody metal chassis, which was first utilized in the MacBook Pro. This new architecture also includes a black plastic keyboard, which was initially used on the MacBook Air, influenced by the sunken keyboard of the first polycarbonate MacBooks, which was introduced in 2011. The now-standard keyboard, which has black keys on a shiny aluminum frame, gives consistency to the MacBook series, as does the MacBook Pro.
A magnet, rather than a mechanical clasp, holds the MacBook line’s lids closed, a design innovation initially introduced with the plastic MacBook. Unlike the previous MacBook range, which made a memory, discs, and batteries available for purchase, Apple’s most compact lineup soldiers or glued all these components together. Backlit keyboards are standard on all of the current MacBook models. A new variant with an ultraportable design and an all-metal casting was announced in March 2015, replacing the MacBook, out of production since February 2012. However, it was once again discontinued in July of 2019 due to a price decrease for the 3rd generation MacBook Air and the discontinuation of the model from the previous generation.
MacBook Air
Apple’s MacBook Air is the company’s most affordable notebook computer. After being introduced as a luxury ultraportable to compete with the MacBook from 2006 until 2012, decreased costs on succeeding models and the demise of the MacBook have transformed it into the entry-level Macintosh portable. The basic model, which was available from 2010 to 2017, had a 13-inch screen and was, until the release of the MacBook in March 2015, Apple’s thinnest notebook computer. This MacBook Air model is equipped with two USB Type-A 3.0 ports, one Thunderbolt 2 connector, and an SDXC card slot, among other features (only on the 13inch model). Unfortunately, this particular model of MacBook Air did not come equipped with a Retina Display. From October 2010 through October 2016, a MacBook Air variant with an 11-inch screen was available for purchase. In 2017, the MacBook Air got a minor upgrade, with the CPU speed being boosted to 1.8 GHz from 1.6 GHz before.
The MacBook Air experienced a significant design change on October 30, 2018, removing the USB Type-A ports, MagSafe, and SD card slot in favor of two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports and a headphone jack, among other things. While it was updated, it retained the same Retina display and Intel Y-series Amber Lake i5 CPUs found in the previous generation and the Force Touch trackpad, third-generation butterfly mechanism keyboard, and Touch ID sensor located in the last-generation MacBook Pro. Still, it did not include the Touch Bar. The starting price was also increased, while the basic configuration of the 2017 model was kept in place until July 9, 2019, when it was phased out along with the Retina MacBook Pro. The introductory price of this model was also reduced to $1099 ($999 for students) on the same day it was introduced. On November 10, 2020, Apple stated that the MacBook Air would employ the new Apple M1 system-on-a-chip, which would be available in 2021. The fresh air does not have a fan, which allows for quiet operation while also restricting the speed of the M1 processor during lengthy procedures. It was stated that the performance was superior to that of most modern Intel laptops.
MacBook Pro
In terms of performance, the MacBook Pro is Apple’s top-of-the-line laptop, available in 13-inch and 16-inch sizes. The 13-inch MacBook Pro of the latest version was announced in October of this year. A touch-sensitive OLED display strip replaces the function keys, and a Touch ID sensor is incorporated into the power button. In addition, there are four USB-C ports on the device, which are also capable of supporting Thunderbolt 3 devices. It was previously possible to purchase the 13-inch MacBook Pro in a less expensive configuration that included conventional function keys and only two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports. Still, as of July 2019, the base MacBook Pro model consists of the Touch Bar and quad-core processors comparable to those found in higher-end models, even though it still only has two USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 ports. In addition, several of the changes featured on the 16-inch 2019 MacBook Pro, such as the scissor mechanism keyboard (also known as the “Magic Keyboard”) and a tactile Escape button, will be included in the May 4, 2020 update.
Apple introduced its new 16-inch MacBook Pro on November 13, 2019, replacing the previous generation’s 15-inch model. The new MacBook Pro features a scissor mechanism keyboard (dubbed the Magic Keyboard by Apple), a return to the old “inverted-T” arrow key layout, a physical Escape key on the Touch Bar, and options from AMD’s Navi graphics architecture, as well as a new keyboard design. Aside from that, the 16-inch may be configured with up to 64 GB of DDR4 2667 MHz RAM and up to 8 TB of solid-state drive storage. A 100 Wh battery is also included; this is the giant battery that can be readily transported into a commercial airplane following Transportation Security Administration regulations in the United States.
On November 10, 2020, it was announced that Apple would release a new variant of the MacBook Pro that would have the latest Apple M1 system on a chip. Apple will continue to offer MacBook Pro models powered by Intel CPUs for the foreseeable future. The MacBook Pro with M1 SoC contains a fan, which allows the M1 chip to operate at its maximum performance level for an extended period, which is reported to be on par with or better than that of Intel-based models. A 13-inch screen and just two Thunderbolt ports are included in the M1 version of the computer, as opposed to the Intel Pro variants, which have up to 32 GB of random access memory (RAM).
During an online event on October 18, 2021, Apple introduced redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models and a new MacBook Air. They are based on the M1 Pro and M1 Max, which were Apple’s first ARM-based systems on a chip designed specifically for professionals. This update addressed several issues leveled at the previous generation by restoring hard function buttons in place of the Touch Bar, an HDMI 2.0 connector, an SDXC reader, and MagSafe charging. Among the other enhancements are a Liquid Retina XDR display with thinner bezels and an iPhone transfer like notch, ProMotion with a 120Hz variable refresh rate, a 1080p webcam, Wi-Fi 6, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, a six-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos, and support for a third 6K display on M1 Max models. In addition, it comes with a 140W GaN power supply that supports USB-C Power Delivery 3.1; however, only MagSafe enables full-speed charging due to the machine’s restricted USB-C ports, which are each rated at 100W.
Apple’s New Macbook Air
Apple announced a bevy of fantastic products at its Peak Performance event this week, and just when we thought the company was done, it seemed that the business was just getting started. Just a few hours after the company’s presentation, Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known Apple analyst, offered some intriguing predictions regarding the company’s future MacBook Air. According to him, Apple’s upcoming laptop will look identical to the current edition of the MacBook Pro in terms of design. Still, it will include an entirely new form factor, Apple’s M1 CPU at the helm, and up to seven different color variations to pick from when it launches later this year. Also, in contrast to the MacBook Pro, this model will not have mini-LED display technology, which is a feature that is presently accessible on the latter model.
Following the most recent rumors, the next-generation model will be thinner and lighter than the current generation model. Additionally, some believe that the seven color options available with the M1-powered 24′′ iMac are the same as the seven color options available with the M1-powered 27′′ iMac as well. This suggests that the new MacBook Air may be available in several colors, including blue, green, pink, silver, yellow, orange, and purple, in addition to the standard black. According to the most recent rumors, when the MacBook Air is released later this year, it will feature white borders and a white keyboard to distinguish it from the competition.
Despite previous rumors surrounding the MacBook Air, which stated that the laptop would be equipped with an updated M2 processor with an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, the device has yet to be officially announced or verified. In his report, Kuo confirms that the M1 CPU will be utilized in the forthcoming MacBook Air. However, he speculates that it will be a refined version of the current M1 processor, maybe referred to as the M1 Pro that will be used. However, even though Apple has not released any official information on the following MacBook Air’s features or its formal launch, we expect to learn more about this forthcoming device in the coming days. According to what we’ve heard so far, the laptop might be ready for purchase on the market by the end of this year at a fair cost.
