We have been hearing rumors that Apple could be preparing a 12-inch MacBook Air. In fact the rumors have suggested that the new laptops could go into production as soon as Q3 2014, but now thanks to a new rumor from Taiwan’s Economic Daily News, the 12-inch MacBook Air is not expected to begin shipping until late 2014. In fact they go on to claim that it is possible that it could actually begin shipping as late as early 2015, so if you were thinking of getting your hands on it, you might have to wait a bit before you can get it, assuming the rumors are true. According to the publication, this is because of Intel’s Broadwell delays. The 12-inch laptop had been rumored to use Intel’s 14-nanometer Broadwell chips, but apparently due to delays, the production of the 12-inch MacBook Airs have been delayed as well. According to the reports, the new Broadwell chipset is said to be key to the 12-inch MacBook Air’s rumored redesign.
Rumors out of Taiwan on Friday claim Apple’s anticipated 12-inch MacBook Air may be delayed into 2015 due to processor supply constraints, but release of the next-generation 11-inch and 13-inch models will be on time as partner suppliers in East Asia are receiving parts for mass production. In two separate reports, Taiwan’s Economic Daily News claims a rumored 12-inch MacBook Air may see its release date pushed back to late 2014 or early 2015, while parts for Apple’s refreshed 11- and 13-inch MacBook Air models are now being shipped to partner supplier Quanta ahead of production next month. Causing the reported delay for the 12-inch model is short supply of Intel’s latest 14-nanometer Broadwell chips, the publication said. Current estimates peg release of the mid-size Air at the end of the third quarter or, more conservatively, in early 2015. The rumor follows a report from June that also hinted at a delayed release for the 12-inch MacBook Air, saying Quanta would start mass production of the thin-and-light in the third quarter. In April, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expects Apple to launch an “ultra-slim” stripped-down 12-inch Air with a new fan-less design sporting a “click-less” trackpad as well as fewer inputs and outputs. As for the upcoming 11- and 13-inch model revamps, Quanta is reportedly receiving components like processors, chassis and screens from OEMs for assembly in August. The firm is expected to begin volume shipments at the end of the month ahead of sales in October. Apple most recently updated its MacBook Air lineup with a minor speed bump in April.
