A refresh to the MacBook Air lineup appears to be imminent this week as retail sources worldwide report that supplies and shipments of Apple’s ultraportable notebook are beginning to diminish.
Sources for 9to5 Mac have confirmed that MacBook Air supplies are beginning to run dry – a typical indication that Apple is preparing to launch an updated product line – ahead of the rumored June-July refresh.
The MacBook Air was last updated in October 2010 with a thinner, lighter design; solid-state drives as standard; and an all-new 11.6-inch option. The next refresh is expected to be a little less exciting, but could see the introduction of Intel’s newest Sandy Bridge processors and the company’s high-speed Thunderbolt port.
Strengthening these reports and fuelling further speculation is a recent price reduction to the refurbished MacBook Air through the Apple online store. Base models have dropped $30 and now start at an all-time low of $829 – suggesting Apple is clearing its inventory to make room for new blood.
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
8 responses to “MacBook Air Supplies Diminish as Refresh Approaches”
I’m thinking of picking one of these up when the new product line is available. I had an original first gen MBA and loved it. Introduced Sandy Bridge to the Air will seal the deal for me..
Please give the small one a memory card slot! Not that that will happen…
Sorry Hampus, won’t happen. Â This is just a refresh. Â Perhaps Apple will introduce it in 2012. Â And And I’m not sure they could squeeze it into the current chassis if they plan to add a Thunderbolt port.
I’d agree with Hampus. A memory card slot on the 11″ like the 13″ has would be a far greater enhancement to the 11″ MBA than a new Apple promoted port that currently has no attachments of any consequence. Maybe the 2012 refresh will get it right with a memory card slot & USB3 supported by ivybridge.