There have been some crazy rumors flying around lately regarding the iPad 3, but now we have a new one that is all about the MacBook Air. According Digitimes (which has a fairly poor track record with Apple rumors), Apple is considering launching a 14-inch MacBook Air specifically for Asian markets, that may enter production fairly soon. Apparently, 14-inch screens are more popular in Asia than they are in other parts of the globe, which is how the publication is justifying the rumor.
Currently, 14-inch panels are the mainstream specification of the Asia notebook market, while consumers in Western countries prefer 15-inch models. In the global market, 14-inch models have an about 20-25% market share, but in Asia, the market share is about 35-40%, an indication of Asia consumers’ fondness for 14-inch models, the sources noted.
The sound of a 14-inch MacBook Air sounds a bit silly at first, but when you consider that Apple shocked us with an 11-inch MacBook Air a few years ago, I suppose anything is possible. But does Apple really need to make a MacBook Air that is inbetween the 13-inch and 15-inch models just to capture a larger share of the Asian market? My first reaction is that price would be a more important factor than screen size, which would mean the 11-inch MacBook Air would be one of the most successful Apple notebook in Asia. What do you think? Would Apple adjust their manufacturing processes to make a 14-inch MacBook Air on top of 11- and 13-inch units?
