Apple has spent much of the last two years explaining that the company has no interest in launching a netbook. Instead, Apple launched the iPad this summer. Sure, it costs more than most netbooks, and lacks a hardware keyboard. But like a netbook, the iPad is a light weight, portable device with good battery life, a web browser, and the ability to run thousands of applications.

But the iPad isn’t a netbook. It’s harder to type on and doesn’t run full blown desktop apps. The closest thing Apple has that runs a full version of OS X, is the Macbook Air, a thing, light weight and super-expensive Macbook that was launched a few years ago. But even though the MacBook Air weighs just 3 pounds, it has a 13.3 inch display, which makes it a bit bulkier and harder to carry around than a netbook or an iPad.

Now DigiTimes reports that Apple is preparing to launch an updated version of the MacBook Air. Rumor has it that the new model will have a smaller 11.6 inch display. While that would still make the laptop a bit bigger than most netbooks, it would leave room for a full sized keyboard while leaving enough room inside the computer for a speedier (and more energy-hungry) processor than that found in a netbook or iPad.

According to DigiTimes, the new version of the MacBook Air will use an Intel core i-series processor and should be available in the second half of 2010 — which would be any day now. Maybe Apple has no plans to talk about iPhone 4 reception issues at tomorrow’s press conference after all. Maybe Steve Jobs is just going to introduce a new toy to take people’s mind off of their dropped calls… nah, probably not.

Rumor has it that the new MacBook Air will be even thinner and lighter than the original — although I suspect that could mean it will carry an even higher price tag than the current model, which sells for $1499 and up.

Support Liliputing

Liliputing's primary sources of revenue are advertising and affiliate links (if you click the "Shop" button at the top of the page and buy something on Amazon, for example, we'll get a small commission).

But there are several ways you can support the site directly even if you're using an ad blocker* and hate online shopping.

Contribute to our Patreon campaign

or...

Contribute via PayPal

* If you are using an ad blocker like uBlock Origin and seeing a pop-up message at the bottom of the screen, we have a guide that may help you disable it.

Subscribe to Liliputing via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 9,547 other subscribers

3 replies on “Apple may be developing smaller MacBook Air”

  1. The problem with the AIR, well the problem aside from the ridiculous price, is that the case design is made to look thinner than it really is in fact. That questionable design choice means these units rob you of USB ports…or helpfully situated ports in general.

    That’s why I’m unlikely to buy Apple products. Oh, sure, nice looking at; but when you need to get some serious work done you find you don’t have a Swiss Army knife as much as a single function letter opener that even a little too dull to do that job unless you have an Apple envelope…sent via the Apple Post Office….containing an approved Apple sheet of ‘standard apple’ 8 5/9th x 11 3/7ths paper.

  2. I’ve always liked the form factor of the Macbook Air. I found it more comfortable to use than a typical netbook, and it was thin enough and lightweight enough to still be highly portable. Aside from the price tag, my other complaint has been the power consumption, which was reflected in both the battery life and the heat it generates.

    I suspect a smaller Macbook Air will give us the worst of both words: the cramped keyboard, trackpad and display of a netbook, combined with the high price, heat and limited battery life of the original Macbook Air! 😛

  3. Make it 10″ or smaller, keep the same CPU, make it thicker so it can fit a 10+ hr battery, and I am sold.

Comments are closed.