MacBook Air 2016 in the Works? Release Date, Specs, Features & Everything We Know So Far Here!

There are rumors circulating that tech giant Apple is already working on the Macbook Air 2016.

The latest Apple MacBook was released in March 2015, and there are already talks that the company is in the process of planning to launch the next version either in the fall of 2015 or early in 2016. Master Herald wrote that Apple may be waiting for Intel to launch its new Core M-based Skylake processors, which will reportedly be used on the 2016 MacBook Air. The Intel Skylake processors were said to become available in the fourth quarter of 2015, so it may take a few months for Apple to integrate the chips in its laptops, thus making an early 2016 release more likely.

Inquisitr reported that the MacBook Air 2016 is set to compete against the Microsoft Surface Pro 4. Many users expect a number of major improvements in the new device. The Macbook Air launched in April 2015 has a 12-inch screen with a 2560 x 1600 pixel resolution and a fifth generation Broadwell-U Intel processor. Inquisitr wrote that the Microsoft Surface Pro may release earlier than the new MacBook Air. Yibada stated that aside from the Skylake processor, the 2016 version may feature a retain display, similar to the Pro models. It will boost the viewing experience of users with excellent detail and quality and reduced glare. The new model may also be equipped with a USB-C port, which is similar to a micros USB connector, but thicker. The device will reportedly have Lightning and MagSafe features.

Fool.com stated that the new MacBook Air 2016 will feature a new slim industrial design. There may be a couple of USB-C ports on the device and a substantially enhanced display. An IPS display with a resolution greater than 1440 x 900 for the 13-inch version and greater than 1366 x 768 for the 11-inch version would be ideal. The Skylake processors are expected to boost overall performance and power efficiency, allowing more power for the better screen resolution. The 28-watt mobile Skylake chips basically has the same silicon material as the 15-watt chips and presents higher-end graphics configurations. If the company decides to launch late in 2015, the new MacBook Air model may still have the same Broadwell-based processor.

Overall, users have also been asking for significant upgrades on the 2016 MacBook Air so Apple is expected to deliver a more powerful device with a more aesthetic feel and design to compete with the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 effectively.