An ultra-thin 15-inch MacBook Pro or MacBook Air is on the cards. Suppliers are reportedly gearing up with bits and pieces for a new MacBook, which could either be the largest Air or the skinniest Pro.
The computing industry wonks at DigiTimes report that Apple's suppliers have started to produce components for the potential 15-inch super-svelte laptop, ready for a possible launch as soon as March.
This is the most solid evidence so far for a new 15-inch model, but the question remains whether it will be a thin Pro or an oversized Air. A 15-inch ultra-thin laptop would be largest Air so far, and for our money would stray a little too far from the Air's super-portable raison d'etre -- remember how it was introduced as a computer you could produce from an envelope?
Apple currently sells an 11-inch and a 13-inch MacBook Air. The Pro line-up starts with a 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro, so an ultra-thin 15-inch model could be the first of a skinny new look for the Pro. But the Pro's size is dictated by its features, including an optical drive and Thunderbolt connection, whereas the Air has more licence to ditch features in service of its thinness.
The Air has inspired a whole new segment of the market: the ultrabook. Intel came up with the name to describe a new breed of slender laptop that offers portability, speed and lightweight design, without being too expensive.
Here's our roundup of the best ultrabooks to be unveiled so far, including the impressive Acer Aspire S3.
Should Apple make an Air with a bigger screen, or does that miss the point of the Air? Is it about time the Pro went on a diet? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below, on our Facebook page, or at Google+.
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Peter Hudson 15 November, 2011 13:49
There should be a super thin macbook Pro. Even if it meant ditching the DVD drive.
They could still keep the Pro with the DVD drive at the top end for the people who need it.
I would love to get an air but I have always had a problem with the size of the screen so a 15" air would be great
billfred 15 November, 2011 15:48
Agreed, 13" is just that bit too small, need the real estate. If it comes with more memory than the current airs too it can be a winner. I needs my RAMs!!
anonymous 15 November, 2011 15:56
DIdn't I hear rumours of a complete Apple products refresh a couple of weeks ago?
So this might not be either a 'Macbook Pro' OR 'Macbook Air'; it could simply be the new 'Macbook', which at first will only come in one size (15"), with others to be introduced soonish, once the waters have been tested and creases ironed out (11", 13", 17"). Maybe.
It'd make sense at this point to merge the 'Pro' and 'Air' lines, especially since the product they're currently calling the Macbook (the white, plastic throwback-style) seems to be winding down.
That'd mean they'd probably also merge the Mac Mini/Pro line, making a single smaller case with variable innards (consumer versions comparable to current Mini up to specced-out 'Pro' versions). They'd probably keep the iMac due to it being the most iconic Mac computer at this point.
Can totally see that happening.
AppleRocks16 15 November, 2011 19:02
This sounds very exciting... I am going to wait for the next macbook which comes out with a new design hopefully....
anonymous 21 November, 2011 01:38
I do not like this idea at all! I need and use my dvd drive in my macbook pro, and I would never consider buying a laptop without one.
Sure, the Macbook air is great for ultra-portability, but the lack of a dvd drive and screen size would make it a deal-breaker for me.
I plan to use my Macbook pro for intensive photo editing and music, and I want to be able to burn DVDs and CDs if I should so desire.