The rumor mill is running full steam, and tech enthusiasts eagerly await what the latest MacBook Air has in store. We’ve been keeping a close eye on the news, rumors, and speculation surrounding the new MacBook Air, so we’ve gathered all the information here in one place for your convenience.
First up are analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s reports that Apple is on track for a redesigned MacBook Air to launch this year — but with an unexpected twist. Kuo says the new laptop may feature Apple’s M1 chip instead of Intel hardware.
Considering the M1 chip was designed with mobile devices like laptops in mind, this could mean much better performance for Apple’s upcoming Air device. We can also look forward to a thinner body and more modern design, although that may come at the cost of more limited ports. Nevertheless, from what we can tell, it will be well worth the wait!
Kuo: Redesigned MacBook Air on track for this year, but it might use an M1 chip
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will release a redesigned MacBook Air this year. The new model will feature a new design, including thinner bezels and a lower-profile keyboard. It could also include Apple’s M1 chip as its processor, adding to the MacBook Air’s power.
Let’s take a closer look at the design of the new MacBook Air.
Redesigned chassis
The first step of Apple’s major MacBook Air redesign is expected to involve changing chassis material. According to a reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the next version of the MacBook Air will feature a redesigned chassis made from Apple’s custom alloy. This alloy is reportedly more lightweight and thinner than its previous aluminum unibody design, allowing the new model to fit into an even smaller form factor.
Kuo noted that this revised chassis design aims to create a lightweight and durable laptop. This advantage could benefit those looking for an all-in-one portable computing device. Another likely benefit from this new material choice is improved thermal performance, which can be particularly important for devices intended for heavy multitasking workloads.
It is also believed that this new internal design will allow Apple to deliver a thinner and lighter machine with better battery life than anything currently on the market without compromising overall performance. An extra interesting nugget of information suggested by Kuo was that while it may still have Intel CPUs inside it at launch, Apple is reportedly planning to adopt their ARM-based M1 processor into the device at some point down the line — something which could give it an extra boost in terms of performance at a lower cost base price point.
M1 chip
According to the reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, there is a likelihood that this year’s redesigned MacBook Air will use Apple’s in-house designed M1 chip as its main processor. This would mark a major shift for the laptop, which Intel Core processors have traditionally powered.
The rumored M1 chip for the MacBook Air would run faster and more efficiently than processors from years past, providing additional performance benefits over Intel’s equivalent chips.
The M1 chip comprises a custom ARM-based CPU and an Integrated Memory Controller co-processor that optimizes RAM utilization. It also offers machine learning acceleration through an integrated neural engine that can perform up to 11 trillion operations per second. That’s an impressive leap forward compared to what was possible with Intel-powered laptops — tasks like photo editing, video renderings, data calculations, and machine learning will be completed at lightning speeds thanks to the M1 processor.
In addition to increased power, the new processor could offer other improvements over Intel models, such as improved battery life due to low power consumption requirements. With an M1 chip powering it, the 2021 MacBook Air could potentially squeeze even more out of its battery than previous models were able to achieve — giving you even more freedom on your travels with your laptop!
Features
The new MacBook Air has a major redesign and could come with Apple’s M1 processor. It’s expected to launch later this year, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Let’s take a look at the expected features of the new MacBook Air and see what makes it different from its predecessors.
MagSafe charging
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will soon release a redesigned MacBook Air. This version of the popular laptop is expected to include MagSafe charging capabilities. In addition, reports claim that the connectors and coils will be on Apple’s new laptop model and could increase charging power by up to 20W, double the current 10W regular USB-C charging rate.
MagSafe charging was first introduced in 2006 and has become a favorite feature for MacBooks and Mac users. It eliminates the need for carefully placing your charger to charge correctly, as magnets automatically draw it toward its proper connection point on your laptop. Not only does this reduce wear and tear on both your charger’s cables and your device’s ports, but it ensures that you don’t accidentally disconnect your device during use if someone else pulls their charger during class or while streaming a movie at home with friends.
Thunderbolt 4 ports
The next-gen MacBook Air is expected to come equipped with two or four Thunderbolt 4 ports, says Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Thunderbolt 4 ports will offer higher data transfer speeds than the existing Thunderbolt 3 technology, allowing users to connect to a wider variety of peripherals. One important feature of Thunderbolts 4 is the inclusion of DisplayPort 1.4, which will enable users to attach up to two 8K displays for more immersive gaming and media experiences.
The redesigned MacBook Air is also expected to be much lighter and thinner than its predecessor, potentially following in the footsteps of Apple’s other laptops with an aluminum build and thinner sizes. In addition, Kuo previously predicted that the computer would come in three color options: silver, space gray, and rose gold.
Additional specs are yet to be revealed, but the laptop is expected to run on Apple’s new M1 processor instead of Intel’s latest chipsets. This move would make sense given that a growing number of Macs recently released by Apple now run on M1 chipsets. As mentioned previously by Kuo earlier this year, we can expect the refreshed MacBook Air design sometime in 2021 – though an exact date has yet to be announced.
Improved battery life
Reports suggest that the new MacBook Air will substantially improve battery life due to more efficient hardware and larger battery capacity. According to reports from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the new notebook could offer 12 hours of battery life.
In addition to better battery life, Kuo also states that the device will be equipped with a new magnetic charging system similar to MagSafe connections found on Apple’s iPad Pro models. This would make it easier for users to charge their devices without worrying about compatible chargers or cables.
The device could feature an always-on display mode, similar to another laptop PC. If so, the device could offer an advanced power management technology that would ensure maximum power efficiency while adding a “convenience factor” for users who need their laptop PC on while away from a desk or outlet.
Pricing
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is currently on track to release its redesigned MacBook Air this year. It is expected to be powered by Apple’s self-designed ARM-based processor, the M1 chip.
But, the most crucial factor for customers will be the price of the new MacBook Air. Therefore, we will examine the rumored pricing of the MacBook Air and how it could affect user decisions.
Estimated cost
The MediaTek M1 chip will lower the MacBook Air price than Intel-based models. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the 13.3-inch Retina display and M1 processor are expected to be Apple’s focus for the device this year. However, how much the design tweaks will affect pricing remains to be seen.
Kuo predicts that the entry-level 13-inch new MacBook Air could come with an estimated cost of US$749–799. This price range is slightly lower than what Intel-based models currently go for at US$999–1199 – but only time will reveal if Kuo’s estimates are accurate.
Availability
Analysts have previously suggested that the new Apple MacBook Air could debut in the second half of 2021, although others have predicted it could arrive earlier during the year. According to a report from Barclays analyst Blayne Curtis and his team, however, the Air’s launch may be held until late 2021 or early 2022.
The exact timing is still unconfirmed, but this redesigned laptop could arrive in late 2021 at the earliest, with an official announcement coming in spring or summer.
This redesigned MacBook Air is expected to be pricier than previous versions, and some reports have speculated that it will be as much as 25% more expensive. However, some recent developments suggest that this blog post does not have to concern itself with a hefty increase since Apple’s M1 chips may help keep costs down for its machines. In addition, they would enable Apple to produce cheaper processors than Intel’s current offerings – likely meaning that we won’t be expected to shell out huge amounts for a new laptop if and when it does launch.
Conclusion
An all-new MacBook Air could soon come along, according to reports that reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is working on that idea. The report mentioned that the new device would use an M1 chip, providing faster performance, improved graphics, and significantly better battery life.
In conclusion, the new MacBook Air has been reported as being on track for a release this year with an M1 chipset. With these very good specifications, it is worth considering, especially if you want a powerful laptop with a longer battery life and faster performance than current models.
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