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Redesigned MacBook Air getting 15-inch flavor, planned for mid-2016 launch

Updated Dec 2nd, 2015 5:56AM EST
2016 15-inch MacBook Air
Image: Apple

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Apple hasn’t changed the MacBook Air design in years, but the company is now tipped to give its ultra portable laptop a major redesign next year and even launch a 15-inch version at WWDC 2016.

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Currently, the MacBook Air comes in two sizes, including 11- and 13-inch but the Economic Daily News has learned that Apple has a brand new designs for 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models next year, suggesting that the 11-inch version might be discontinued come 2016.

Apple has various similarly sized products competing for the customer’s attention including the 11-inch MacBook Air, the 12-inch MacBook Air, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the 13-inch MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro, with each device meant to have its own purpose. By removing the 11-inch option, Apple might be more interested in pushing buyers towards 12-inch and 13-inch computer choices, whether they’re new MacBooks or iPads.

The news site says the new MacBook Air is said to pack a new metal chassis, battery modules, panels and cooling modules. The 2016 Airs are supposed to be even thinner and more powerful than existing models, without going into further details about it.

Currently, the 12-inch MacBook is Apple’s thinnest and lightest laptop, but it’s not clear whether the Air line will adopt the same design lines. EDN doesn’t even say whether the revamped MacBook Airs will have high-resolution displays that will finally go into Retina territory, as is the case with Apple’s MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops.

Finally, there aren’t any details on whether the existing MacBook Pro design will be updated in any way next year.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.