Apple said to be considering a 14-inch MacBook Air for Asian markets
A new rumor claims Apple is weighing the prospect of a new 14-inch MacBook Air model designed specifically to cater to the Asian PC market.
Mass production of the 14-inch thin-and-light notebook may , DigiTimes reported on Wednesday. Apple is said to be considering the 14-inch screen size for the notebook because it is a popular form factor unique to the region.
Currently, the MacBook Air is only available in screen sizes of 11.6 inches and 13.3 inches. There have been rumors that Apple is planning to launch a new 15-inch model of the MacBook Air at some point this year, expanding its ultraportable lineup to a larger screen size.
But while Western countries prefer the 15-inch screen size, in the Asia market, 14-inch notebooks account for as much as 40 percent of sales. It's because of the market's "fondness for 14-inch models" that Apple is said to be considering a screen size specifically for that region.
"The sources analyzed that Apple is currently turning its targets from North American and Europe to Asia, and is eyeing the China market as its major market since the company still has strong potential in the country," the report reads. "The consideration of a 14-inch MacBook Air would be an indication the company will become even more aggressive about the China market."
An illustration of Apple's notebook lineup planned for the 2012 calendar year.
With Apple expected to dramatically redesign its high-end MacBook Pro lineup this year, there has been some question as to whether a new thin-and-light 15-inch notebook would be an "Air" or a "Pro" notebook. Earlier this month, AppleInsider quoted a person familiar with Apple's new MacBook Pro designs who indicated: "They're all going to look like MacBook Airs."
Apple's next generation of notebooks are expected to be powered by Intel's Ivy Bridge processors. This week, an official from the chipmaker stated that the CPUs have been delayed, and will go on sale eight to 10 weeks later than originally planned, likely in June.
[ View article on AppleInsider ]
Comments
So if it doesn't happen, which it probably won't, remember we only said "considering".
Considering, lol.
So if it doesn't happen, which it probably won't, remember we only said "considering".
Companies consider many things that never see the light of day. Rumors have it that Apple did have a 15" AIR sometime ago, but for various rumored reasons canned it.
In any event Apple has a history of catering to specific markets when it suits their goals.
As an aside I wonder why they wouldn't consider such a machine for the US market. While only an inch that bigger screen could be very valuable for those that find the 13" screen just to small. More so it might free up space for another blade storage module. An inch goes a very long way in these Ultra books.
A lot of their profit comes from buying millions of the same part at a knock down price.
Not going to happen, Apple will not fragment the market.
A lot of their profit comes from buying millions of the same part at a knock down price.
Agreed. The best thing Steve did was to simplify the product line. There's no imaginable reason to sell a 13 inch laptop in one country and a 14 inch in another. Or two that are so close in size in the same country for that matter.
14 is an unlucky number in Chinese. Doubt this will be popular
Do they still bother with inches in China?
I thought that the US, Liberia, and Myanmar were the only countries left in the world stuck with this piece of atavism?
14 is an unlucky number in Chinese. Doubt this will be popular
13 is in US, but MBA 13" seems to be selling pretty well in US.
Not going to happen, Apple will not fragment the market.
A lot of their profit comes from buying millions of the same part at a knock down price.
I'm sure that 13 and 15 have loyal fans. Would consolidation to a 14 make any sense? That would more than avoid fragmentation...
In any event Apple has a history of catering to specific markets when it suits their goals.
Examples?
I'm not saying you are wrong, but for the life of me I can't remember Apple doing specific products for a geographical area.
I distinctly remember reading that the "iPhone was doomed!(TM)" in Japan, for example, because it was different that other Japanese cell phones at that time. (How did that work out, BTW?)
Do they still bother with inches in China?
I thought that the US, Liberia, and Myanmar were the only countries left in the world stuck with this piece of atavism?
Curiously, Apple markets their models in inches, regardless of the destination.
While the dimensions in the tech specs will definitely be quoted in metric measurements, the same of the model still refers to the inch measurement. A 13" MacBook does not become a 33 cm. MacBook elsewhere.
DigiTimes
Come on, AppleInsider. Get it together. These guys lie through their teeth. They're no better than macosrumors. Stop posting stories from them.
Not going to happen, Apple will not fragment the market.
A lot of their profit comes from buying millions of the same part at a knock down price.
Yes. And the potential to sell MILLIONS to an overly eager Chinese/Asian market, means, guess what? They can buy millions of the same 14" screen part at a knock down price.
Your own argument invalidates your point.
Come on, AppleInsider. Get it together. These guys lie through their teeth. They're no better than macosrumors. Stop posting stories from them.
Really? Because I watch Apple rumors since 2003, and Digi Times has been proven right many times.
(And some times it's not even that a rumor site was wrong, it's that Apple decided to change course).
Agreed. The best thing Steve did was to simplify the product line. There's no imaginable reason to sell a 13 inch laptop in one country and a 14 inch in another
There IS a reason, if the country has 1.3 BILLION consumers -- and lots of them are forming long lines for your iPhone and such already...
There IS a reason, if the country has 1.3 BILLION consumers -- and lots of them are forming long lines for your iPhone and such already...
And that means what? There's absolutely no sense in a single inch increase. There is no sense in selling a 13", 14", and 15" computer at the same time.
Apple doesn't cover every fringe case. Apple doesn't cater to people on the edges.
12" & 14" MBA
16" & 18" MBP
If they eliminate the border around the screen and go with an edge to edge screen instead they should be able to increase the screen size without increasing the overall footprint of the machines.