Skip to main content

Your next MacBook Air could be even faster than expected

Apple’s upcoming 15-inch MacBook Air could be launching sooner than expected, which is encouraging for anyone who has been waiting for this much-rumored device. But the good news doesn’t end there, as it could also get a sizeable chip upgrade that would leave rival devices in the dust.

For months, it had been suggested that Apple was working on a new 15-inch version of the MacBook Air that was going to be released at a spring event. However, now that Apple has announced it will host its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) — but not a spring event — it seems that the latter isn’t happening. That suggests the 15-inch MacBook Air will have to wait until WWDC before seeing the light of day.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 laptop propped up at an angle on a desk.
Apple MacBook Air 14 Screen Post/Unsplash

Yet that assumption has been thrown into question by display industry analyst Ross Young, who explained to his paid Twitter followers that Apple has ramped up production of the device in recent weeks. That could mean the new MacBook Air launches in late April or early May, Young believes, which would be a welcome springtime surprise for fans of Apple’s lightest laptop.

That said, there are still some doubts about the timing, and Young himself has said he doesn’t know the “precise launch timing.” What’s more, it would be unusual for Apple to release the 15-inch MacBook Air right before a planned in-person event like WWDC. Apple likes to debut entirely new devices — those adopting new form factors or exploring new segments — on stage at large events so that it can fully explain the device to its audience. A press release timed right before WWDC might not achieve that.

A substantial performance boost

The screen of the MacBook Air M2.
M2 MacBook Air

Whenever the MacBook Air launches, it could pack much more of a punch than has previously been expected. That all comes down to the way its chips are due to be made.

It’s long been rumored that the Apple silicon chips inside the next MacBook Air (both the 13-inch and 15-inch variants) will be made using a 3-nanometer process, which will be more powerful and efficient than the current crop of 5nm chips inside Apple’s laptops.

According to various sources, those chips would be created by chip manufacturer TSMC using its N3 node. Now, though, China Times (via Wccftech) says Apple will instead use the more advanced N3E process. And while we previously heard that Apple had ordered the entire supply of TSMC’s 3nm chips, China Times says these will all be made using the advanced N3E process, giving Apple a significant lead over its competitors.

Both the N3 and N3E nodes are 3nm processes, but the latter is thought to produce even more performant chips. While that might sound a bit confusing, what it means in practice is that the chips inside the next MacBook Air could be real screamers — even more so than we previously thought they would be.

So, while the launch date for the 15-inch MacBook Air is not quite pinned down yet, what seems increasingly certain is that it will be a real corker of a laptop in terms of performance. If you’ve been waiting to upgrade, Apple could soon give you a very good reason to do so.

Editors' Recommendations

Alex Blake
In ancient times, people like Alex would have been shunned for their nerdy ways and strange opinions on cheese. Today, he…
9 new Apple products that could launch in 2023
The back of the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

As it currently stands, 2023 has already been a busy year for Apple. The company launched a new yellow iPhone 14, brought back the HomePod, and refreshed its Mac lineup with an M2 Mac mini and M2 MacBook Pro. But what else is on the docket? As it turns out, a lot more. From new iPhones, an upgraded Apple Watch, and possibly an AR headset, here are nine products we still expect from Apple in 2023.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro

If there is any Apple product with an upgrade cycle that’s literally like clockwork, it’s the iPhone, which is always out in the fall. This year, we can expect the iPhone 15 lineup to include an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, it is rumored that the iPhone 15 will have a bigger 6.2-inch display this year, but the rest of the lineup will have the same sizes as before.

Read more
Own an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook? Install this critical update right now
IOS 16.4.1 UPDATE.

Apple has released software updates for iPhones and iPads that are light on features, but they are critically important from a security perspective. The updates — iOS 16.4.1 and iPadOS 16.4.1 — started rolling out on Friday, but you should install them on your iPhone and iPad as soon as possible to protect your devices from attacks.

In its official release note, Apple says the updates patch two security flaws that “may have been actively exploited.” Now, Apple doesn’t disclose security issues before conducting thorough research, both in-house and in collaboration with cybersecurity experts. In a nutshell, when Apple publicly announces a security flaw, and it comes with a “Critical Vulnerability” badge, you should grab the fix as soon as Apple makes them available.

Read more
Hoping for an OLED MacBook Pro? We’ve got some bad news
An Apple MacBook Pro 14 sits open on a table.

If you’ve been waiting for Apple to launch an OLED MacBook Pro, there’s some bad news: it might not come out for another three years. That’s a serious wait considering many of Apple’s rivals have already brought out some of the best OLED laptops on the market.

The news comes from display industry tipster Ross Young, who is well-known for having a solid track record when it comes to Apple leaks. Young tweeted a link to a Reuters article outlining Samsung’s plans for an OLED fabrication plant, adding the comment: “This fab is for 14” and 16” OLED MacBook Pros from 2026.”

Read more