MacBook Air 2016 release date, news: New MacBook Air coming out this month?
Contrary to previous reports, the MacBook Air 2016 was not unveiled at this year's WWDC, the highly anticipated annual Apple event.
While a widely circulated Japanese article claimed that the new MacBook Air could come out this month — and not necessarily during the recently concluded WWDC 2016 — others speculate that the lack of news about the MacBook Air could mean that Apple is discontinuing its ultra-portable laptop line.
In a recent report, Japanese website Mac Otakara suggested that the new MacBook Air models could be unveiled this month and begin shipping out in August. According to the report, which cited "a reliable Chinese supplier," the new MacBook Air (and MacBook Pro) models will come with Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports in lieu of the MagSafe 2, Thunderbolt 2, and USB-A ports in the existing models. Mac Otakara also indicated that the tech giant could soon discontinue the 11-inch MacBook Air in favor of 13-inch and 15-inch models.
While Mac Otakara did not specify if Apple was unveiling the MacBook Air 2016 at WWDC or at a separate event, MacRumors correctly predicted that the conference will focus on software rather than hardware. According to the website, Apple could hold a non-WWDC press event later in the month for the new MacBook Air, similar to what the company did for the 12-inch MacBook in April.
Tech Radar noted that Apple could be considering a restructuring of their laptop lines. The MacBook Pro could be positioned for high-end customers while the MacBook will be for the medium-level market. Should Apple opt to keep the MacBook Air line, it could be made available as an entry-level option.
The MacBook Air is long overdue for an update. According to MacRumors, the fact that the 11-inch MacBook Air has not been updated to 8 GB RAM — as the 13-inch model was in April — could indicate that the ultra-thin model could be on its way out.
