Wired claims, corroborates last-minute "MacBook Air" details

Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited January 2014
An alleged insider at a third-party vendor is said by Wired to have fresh details on the rumored 'MacBook Air' sub-notebook just hours before its unveiling at Macworld San Francisco.



In its description, the magazine's Gadget Lab blog describes the lightweight notebook as teardrop-shaped when shut, thickening towards the hinge of the system but thinning near the edges -- and remaining "unbelievably" thin overall, according to the source.



The system, according to the source, shares the same aluminum and glass construction of the iMac with black accents on a silver frame.



The tip also suggests that the MacBook Air name refers not just to the computer's slender design but also an apparent dependence on wireless: it may drop Ethernet altogether in favor of Wi-Fi or "other wireless technology," the purported source said, though it's unknown whether this would involve AT&T's 3G (third-generation) service, Sprint's Intel-derived WiMAX network, or any service at all.



Multi-touch is also suggested for the display, though this too remains a mystery.



MacBook Air mockup image (courtesy of Wired)



In recent days, AppleInsider has received similar descriptions, though it has been unable to confirm the authenticity of those reports.



According to one submission, the notebook sports "very thin edges" with a slightly thicker body that "curves to the sides at the edges," producing a slimming effect akin to the rear design of the new aluminum iMacs.



The submission went on to say that the front of the notebook appears to be no more than 3/16th of an inch thick when closed and that the right side of the unit is void of any ports with the exception of an unknown slot.



Both the keyboard and trackpad are said to closely mirror those of Apple's existing MacBook, and the "Air" in the bezel logo is said to use a lighter font than the preceding "MacBook."



Again, AppleInsider has so far been unable to authenticate these latest claims, though numerous details -- such as first word of the subnotebook format's return, its use of a 13-inch display, and its Macworld Expo debut -- have all been published in a series of reports dating as far back as February of last year.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 116
    Oh! NEAT! 9to5Mac is implying that it can fold over 360 degrees and become a tablet that uses multitouch (I still want a pen for drawing DAMMIT!) It seems, though, that you are leaving the keyboard exposed that way, which wouldn't be all that good methinks.



    It still looks awesome and might be just what I need...come on aggressively low price!
  • Reply 2 of 116
    heyjpheyjp Posts: 39member
    No built-in iSight camera in the bezel, eh?



    Jim
  • Reply 3 of 116
    g3prog3pro Posts: 669member
    Well, we'll see in 14 hours whether this is true, or if it's just masturbation fantasy concocted from the sick mind of an ordinary mac fanboi.
  • Reply 4 of 116
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    the right side of the unit is void of any ports with the exception of an unknown slot.



    How big is the unknown slot?



    Could it be an iPod connector?
  • Reply 5 of 116
    wallywally Posts: 211member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by heyjp View Post


    No built-in iSight camera in the bezel, eh?



    Jim



    There is... just control-scroll in on the screen to see it...
  • Reply 6 of 116
    onlookeronlooker Posts: 5,252member
    Still a rumor, so I still don't believe it.
  • Reply 7 of 116
    If it is a fake then it's a rather good one, and very creative at that.



    Personally I believe that it's got a good chance of being real and, if it is, it will be a winner.
  • Reply 8 of 116
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by kenaustus View Post


    If it is a fake then it's a rather good one, and very creative at that.



    Personally I believe that it's got a good chance of being real and, if it is, it will be a winner.



    It's a mock up made by wired! This is not the actual MacBook Air if it exists at all.
  • Reply 9 of 116
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by kenaustus View Post


    If it is a fake then it's a rather good one, and very creative at that.



    Fake? Did you read the article?



    It is an artist rendering made in Photoshop based on the information from the rumor.
  • Reply 10 of 116
    msnlymsnly Posts: 378member
    MT and a keyboard on an ultralite just don't make much sense to me, I still might buy tho



    and i dont think apple would do that wide on one end, it just doesn't seem very apple-y

  • Reply 11 of 116
    Just today I was installing an iMac and kept getting awed by the magnificence that is the new keyboard.



    This laptop is basically that keyboard with a screen and that makes it an incredible piece of technology.



    At first, when I read "no ethernet" I was turned off a bit, but when I really thought about it, the only time I really need ethernet is if I want to connect to a client's network. Something that can be easily solved with at least:



    - a USB to ethernet adapter (if those don't exist yet, I'm sure they will once this is released)

    - Airport Express (or similar gadget)

    - something that attaches to that unknown port



    So, having realized that no ethernet is really a non-issue, I now still need to think through how I'm going to watch my exercise DVDs (something I can't buy on iTunes) without a built-in DVD drive...
  • Reply 12 of 116
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by kenaustus View Post


    If it is a fake then it's a rather good one, and very creative at that.



    Personally I believe that it's got a good chance of being real and, if it is, it will be a winner.



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by OriginalMacRat View Post


    Fake? Did you read the article?



    It is an artist rendering made in Photoshop based on the information from the rumor.



    Seems those Apple bashers have it right. Some people will buy everything that has an Apple logo :-)
  • Reply 13 of 116
    3/16" thick? Gosh, I hope not. One misplaced book on top of this thing and you're going to fracture the entire computer like a potato chip (unless the whole thing is made of frubber).



    On the other hand, a cordless, completely wireless computer does have a bit of an evil appeal to me. It could even have a new version of the mag-safe power cord that simply slaps onto the side like a magnetic teardrop.
  • Reply 14 of 116
    nagrommenagromme Posts: 2,834member
    Nice mockup. I like the USB ports that are half the size of keys
  • Reply 15 of 116
    Hmm, Nice concept. I'd need some sort of external monitor support for use with a projector.
  • Reply 16 of 116
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SpamSandwich View Post


    3/16" thick? Gosh, I hope not. One misplaced book on top of this thing and you're going to fracture the entire computer like a potato chip"



    Thats what everyone said about the Razr when it came out. I sat on that thing in my back pocket for 6 months and never had an issue. Everyone also thought the iPhone was gonna be super delicate. Thin can be strong. I'm convinced.
  • Reply 17 of 116
    Anyone notice the OS it's running?



    Seems a little outdated, don't you think?
  • Reply 18 of 116
    boogabooga Posts: 1,082member
    It makes one wonder if it's possible to have a laptop that's TOO thin.
  • Reply 19 of 116
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Booga View Post


    It makes one wonder if it's possible to have a laptop that's TOO thin.



    just what i was thinking
  • Reply 20 of 116
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Booga View Post


    It makes one wonder if it's possible to have a laptop that's TOO thin.



    It may also double as an axe head.
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