Rumors about the MacBook Air 2021 have already started to surface. It is good news, because although we love the recent MacBook Air with M1, there is still a lot of room for improvement.
At the moment, there is not a ton of information about this year’s MacBook Air yet, but we know that a major update is coming. The new additions include the return of MagSafe charging, a feature that is not only available on the iPhone 12, but is rumored to arrive on the MacBook Pro 2021 as well.
We also heard that the new MacBook Air should be lighter with (hopefully) thinner screen bezels. Here’s what we know so far about the MacBook Air 2021.
MacBook Air 2021 release date
According to Apple insider Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the newly redesigned MacBook Air will go on sale in the second half of 2021 or early 2022 at the latest. Gurman has a history of releasing deep information from Apple, much of which is often true.
Given that Apple added a new CPU to last year’s model, this year may be the perfect time to pair that new chip with an updated design. While we strongly feel that 2021 will be the year of a new MacBook Air design, the continuing effects of the coronavirus pandemic can disrupt manufacturing plans.
MacBook Air 2021 price
The MacBook Air has always been the most affordable option when entering the Mac family. However, while the current Air will likely continue to cost $ 999, the redesigned model will be priced higher.
MacBook Air 2021 design
The reason you should wait for the MacBook Air 2021 over the current MacBook Air with M1 is that it appears to be a significant design update.
In addition to the MagSafe Charging being reintroduced across the entire MacBook line, the 2021 Air will also be lighter. The current MacBook Air weighs 2.8 pounds, but several Windows laptops weigh less, such as the 2.6-pound Dell XPS 13.
The MacBook Air continues to feature a sturdy border around its screen, a shocking addition considering that other high-end laptops are almost frameless. But Bloomberg reports that Apple will make the Air smaller “by reducing the border around the screen”.
As for fans who expect a 15-inch iteration of the MacBook Air 2021, there is bad news. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, a 15-inch model was being considered, but those plans were placed in a water bath.
Charging your MacBook Air 2021 MagSafe
For longtime MacBook fans, MagSafe charging was seen as a defining feature that separated Apple from PCs. Unfortunately, Apple removed MagSafe due to fire safety issues and a switch to USB Type-C.
There are rumors that Apple is bringing MagSafe back to its laptops and we firmly believe that it will arrive on the redesigned MacBook Air 2021. Users are likely to be able to charge with MagSafe and USB Type-C, just like other laptops that have proprietary charging plugs.
MacBook Air 2021 specifications
Last year, Apple introduced its new M1 chip for the MacBook Air. Reviewers were surprised at the level of performance provided by Apple’s new ARM-based chip, especially for an ultrabook.
There are two potential results for a MacBook Air 2021: a slightly upgraded M1 chip or the supposed M1X.
Since the MacBook Air is a thin and light machine, there is less internal space for cooling and heat dissipation. For this reason, we believe that the new Air will receive an M1 chip slightly updated compared to the M1X. At the moment, it is rumored that the M1X will come on this year’s MacBook Pro. Apple will probably want to reserve its most powerful laptop processor for the Pro line.
The 2021 MacBook Air will likely feature specifications similar to the 2020 model. This includes 8 GB of RAM, a 256 or 512 GB SSD, a Retina display with True Tone, Magic Keyboard, Touch ID and two USB 4.0 ports.
MacBook Air 2021: What we want to see
A sharper webcam: The MacBook Air currently has a 720p webcam, which is not very sharp. We would much prefer a full HD webcam (1080p) for clearer images.
More colors: At the moment, Apple offers three colors for the MacBook Air: gold, silver and space gray. We say it’s time to shake things up. Perhaps Apple should be inspired by the iPad Air, which comes in silver, space gray, pink gold, green and sky blue.
More ports: Although we don’t see that changing, it never hurts to wish. The MacBook Air comes with two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports and a headset. It would be nice to see a full-sized USB-A port or even an SD card slot, although we have heard that the latter is coming to the new MacBook Pro 2021.
Thinner frames: Apple finally woke up to finer bezels with the 16-inch MacBook Pro, but hasn’t updated the Air’s design since. We say trim those edges so you can get the same screen space on a smaller chassis.