Apple Considering A 14-inch MacBook Air Just For Asian Markets?
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?
Buster Heine is Cult of Mac's Social Media Editor. Hailing from Roswell, New Mexico, but now spending his days in Phoenix, Arizona, he wastes most of his time eating burritos and reading Spanish romance novels. Twitter: 
