New Delhi: As Apple gears up for its Spring Forward event tonight, the rumour mill is brimming with speculations about the tech giant's possible launches at the event which primarily include its highly-awaited smartwatch- Apple Watch.
However, some expectations are also pointing towards the roll out of a new 12-inch MacBook Air. There hasn't been any official word about the same, but reports have indicated that the tech giant will bring its upgraded device with improved specifications.
The 12-inch MacBook Air 2015 is said to include improved Intel Broadwell CPUs, graphics, and battery life. An earlier report in 9to5Mac suggested that the new computer will have a refreshed design along with a thinner and lighter body. It will also include a high-resolution display.
The new device will be Apple's first major step in mobile Mac computing since the Retina MacBook Pro launch in 2012. With a slightly larger display, the 12-inch MacBook Air will be narrower than the 11-inch version and have reduced bezels on the display.
Sources within Apple, who have used internal prototype versions of the upcoming computer, have indicated that the entire unibody has been revamped including the keyboard, trackpad, and the speakers. The new 12-inch MacBook Air will have Powerbook-like keyboard that sits edge-to-edge across the width of the laptop; reducing the space between the keys.
Some of the function keys have also been relocated across the top and arrow key array has been simplified to keep the keyboard as narrow as possible. The trackpad also has a tweaked design. It is going to be slightly wider and taller; almost touching the bottoms of the keyboard and the frame. It is speculated that the updated trackpad will not have the same clicking effect as found on current and earlier Macbook models.
In a bid to reduce the thickness of the device in entirety, we can't help but wonder if the reduced key space, changed trackpad, and absence of physical feedback in the click, will compromise on the usability.
Along with the four resigned speaker grills above the keyboard that double as a ventilation holes, the 12-inch MacBook Air will have the fewest of ports ever on an Apple computer. The device will have a new USB Type-C port which will rest solely on the left of the computer. On the right will be the standard headphone jack and dual-microphones for input. Although Apple tests several designs of upcoming products before coming out with a final one, but if it intends to include its usual USB ports, SD card slot, and Thunder bolt and MagSafe charging components, there is not enough space on the narrow edges for them.
However, the new Type-C port can replace the need for standard US 2.0 and 3.0 ports along with the Thunderbolt Display port. The connector also allows for powering computers, which means the need for having the MagSafe charging component excessive. The connector is also reversible like Lightning on iPads and iPhones, which should make the overall experience a bit more intuitive.
With a narrow design and a single port offering all the functions, it is indispensable to have a a hub for users to be able to plug in multiple devices into the new computer, thereby adding another attachment to the accessory portfolio.
The 12-inch MacBook Air could possibly have a new space gray colour and ship in mid-2015.
Reports have also indicated that Apple will update the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Broadwell CPUs at the same time.
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