Apple is getting ready to launch its refreshed MacBook Air models, including the new MacBook Air Retina, and reports have it that the models are set to be equipped with the fifth generation Intel Broadwell central processing units, Tech Radar reported.
The report initially came from the Apple foreign news website Letem svetem Applem, which shared that on Feb. 24, Apple will be holding a low-key event to introduce its new machines that come equipped with choices between the powerful 2 GHz Core i7 chip, the 1.8 GHz Core i5 chip and the 2.2 GHz Core i505250U CPU.
They also shared that the MacBook Air Retina will be receiving said Intel Broadwell chips, which became available last month.
Compared to the machines that came with Intel's Haswell chips, notebooks that came with the Broadwell chips usually displayed faster processing abilities and also a slightly better battery life. This spells good news for the new line of MacBook laptops, as well as the MacBook Air Retina, if Apple decides to go with it.
Aside from faster processing, Apple is reportedly making plans to boost the features of the MacBook Air Retina, especially now that competitors are introducing their own versions of lightweight and desirable laptops, according to PC Pro.
The 12-inch, new generation MacBook Air is said to be coming with a Retina display and a USB Type-C port which is smaller than the USB 3 and is also reversible, as well as MagSafe inductive charging capabilities. It is also said to be lighter, with the chassis redesigned to make it slimmer than its predecessors.
It's also said that it may even come in multiple colors.
As for the pricing, Apple has yet to confirm. However, the current MacBook Air released in April last year featured $100 less than its predecessor, according to Tech Radar. It's likely that Apple may consider reducing prices once more, or at least keep the prince ranges close.
As for the release date of the MacBook Air Retina, reports are varied.
If everything proceeded as planned, the long-awaited machine could be introduced on Feb. 24, according to PCPro. However, March 31 is said to be the tentative release date, according to TechRadar.
Some are pointing at a possible April release date instead, especially as Apple already confirmed that the Apple Watch will be released sometime in April at a launch event. They may choose that event to also reveal more details about the next-generation MacBook laptops, according to BGR.