Apple reportedly planning major redesign for next MacBook Air

January 7, 2015

Apple is reportedly readying a new, radically different version of its MacBook Air. The new device will apparently sport a 12-inch screen, and remove many of the ports and connections found on the current model. It also seems that the new MacBook Air will be narrower and taller, according to Mark Gurman at 9to5Mac:

The 12-inch MacBook Air will be considerably smaller than the current 13-inch version, yet also slightly narrower than the 11-inch model. The new 12-inch version is approximately a quarter-of-an-inch narrower than the 11-inch version, yet it is also a quarter-of-an-inch taller in order to accommodate the slightly larger display. In order to fit the larger screen into a footprint about the size of the current 11-inch model, the bezels on the display have been reduced on all sides.

The keyboard will reportedly go from edge to edge on the new Air, with the gaps between the keys shrinking. Additionally, it seems that the number of ports on the MacBook Air may be moving down to two, an audio-in port, and a USB Type-C port. More from Gurman:

On the left side is a standard headphone jack and dual-microphones for input and noise-canceling. On the right side is solely the new USB Type-C port. Yes, Apple is currently planning to ditch standard USB ports, the SD Card slot, and even its Thunderbolt and MagSafe charging standards on this new notebook. We must note that Apple tests several designs of upcoming products, so Apple may choose to ultimately release a new Air that does include the legacy components, though there is very little space on the edges for them.

The USB Type-C port would also apparently serve to deliver power to the Air. Other changes supposedly include a new trackpad, which will lack the clicking of the current MacBook Air's trackpad.

Keep in mind that nothing is official until Apple announces it. For more on what Apple's next MacBook Air could look like, check out the report at 9to5Mac.

Source: 9to5Mac