Apple might just be working on yet another refresh of the MacBook Air, for 2016. The ultrathin notebook was updated last March, yet it seems Apple could be looking into another big refresh of the MacBook Air, to pit against its rival, Microsoft, and the upcoming Surface Pro 4.
Source say that the 2016 MacBook Air could replace the current model’s Intel Broadwell processor, with an Intel Core M Skylake CPU, The latest version of Intel’s line of mobile processors is expected to boost the new MacBook Air’s performance and battery life.
Release
The projected release for 2016 in based on the assumption that the new MacBook Air will be powered by Skylake, whose release is expected to occur at the end of this year.
If we were to go by the last MacBook Air refresh, it’s possible that Apple will once again make its official unveiling in October, and schedule the new MacBook Air for a March release.
An argument could be made for an earlier release, with Microsoft solidifying its position with its own new and improved hardware, coupled with a brand new operating system, which could prompt Apple to make a push for February, or even January, however such move seems highly unlikely.
Design and Features
There is no evidence, yet, that the design of the new MacBook Air will change substantially. There is a strong possibility that a USB Type-C port will be integrated in the new device, as well as a new high definition Retina display, in both a 13 and a 15 inch configuration.
It is very likely that Apple will try to shave more millimeters from the already paper-thin body of the latest model.
Battery life
In refreshing the MacBook Air, Apple might just use what it learned from the 12 inch MacBook, by implementing a similar modular design for the battery. In such respect, it’s unlikely that Apple will similarly shrink the size of the logic board, but there is still a strong possibility for a much more optimized design capable of extending battery power beyond what the current model can do.
Storage
2016 is bringing substantial advancements in how much can be stored in the latest flash chips and internal SSD drives, which could mean that the 2016 MacBook Air will be able to offer storage options well beyond the stock 256GB, perhaps even in the multi-terabyte realm.
Mac OS X El Capitan
The new MacBook Air could ship with Apple’s newest version of its flagship operating system, which, by March next year, will most likely count already a number of upgrades and fixes.