Apple Inc. is working on a thinner and lighter version of the MacBook Air, the company’s mass-market laptop, according to people with knowledge of the matter. It’s also planning to bring back the MagSafe Technology in the new MacBook Air.
It is planned that the new computer to be released during the second half of this year at the earliest or in 2022. This latest technology will be included Apple’s MagSafe charging technology and a next-generation version of the company’s in-house Mac processors.
The report said Apple will plan to market the device as a higher-end version of the current MacBook Air, which Apple released in November with its new M1 processor. That device was among the three new Apple computers to make the switch away from Intel chips.
It is considered that building a larger version of the MacBook Air with a 15-inch screen. But apple is unable to moving forward with this for the next generation, said the people, whom Apple Spokesperson declined to comment.
The new MagSafe Charger
A magnetic charging system MagSafe was removed from the Mac Book Air with its 2018 redesign.
It indicates that any accidental jerk of the power cable would simply detach it from the laptop rather than pull down the entire computer. For connecting external devices, the latest model will have a pair of USB 4 ports.
MagSafe was used in Apple laptops for years before it was removed over two years ago in place of newer USB-C charging. But it’s convenient because it allows the charger to pop out easily and helps prevent the laptop from being dragged off a surface if someone pulls the cord or trips on it.
MagSafe has also used in the latest iPhone 12 phones, though it has a different design and relies on a magnetic puck accessory that wirelessly charges the phones.
Top Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TFI said earlier this month that Apple is planning to launch two new MacBook Pro laptops this year — with 14- and 16-inch screens and with MagSafe.
Bloomberg confirmed the report but added Apple is also planning an iMac with Face ID, which means it would unlock when you look at it, a smaller version of the Mac Pro computer, and a new Mac Pro with an Intel processor.
Apple is also planning to bring back an SD card slot that can be used to insert memory cards of Digital Cameras. This feature was removed in 2016 but now Apple has decided to bring it back
In November, Apple has updated the product with its own M1 Mac chip by replacing a processor from Intel Corp.
