Apple working on a 15-inch MacBook Air?

Sketchy rumor Sunday, people -- Chinese site Apple.pro is saying there's a 15-inch MacBook Air in the works. That would certainly be an interesting compromise between portability and screen real estate, especially since the Air's new NVIDIA-based internals are actually somewhat capable, but we wouldn't bank on big brother making an appearance just yet -- although Apple.pro was right on the money with leaked unibody MacBook pictures, it's also been way off in the past. Anyone else mildly intrigued by the idea of a thin'n'light with big screen? Comments await.


[Via AppleInsider]

[ILoveApple @ Jan 18th 2009 5:14PM]

Since it'd be wider, it'd be possible for them to make it even thinner, right?

[suicycle.com @ Jan 18th 2009 5:16PM]

They probably wouldn't be able to make it much thinner, but they could add the ports that the original is missing.

[suicycle.com @ Jan 18th 2009 5:17PM]

They probably wouldn't be able to make it much thinner, but they could add the ports that the original is missing

[jeesusfreek @ Jan 18th 2009 5:36PM]

no. chips and motherboards aren't ductile.

[jeesusfreek @ Jan 18th 2009 5:38PM]

wtf. my reply below was supposed to be here.

no. chips and motherboards aren't ductile.

[jeesusfreek @ Jan 18th 2009 5:39PM]

GOD DAMN. I AM REPLYING TO ILOVEAPPLE.

WTF engadget, fix your comment system.

[joueboy @ Jan 18th 2009 5:40PM]

but why?

[Neha @ Jan 18th 2009 5:50PM]

They gonna add another $1000 on the pricetag for those precious inches they add?

Maybe take out USB and put in super-duper-mini-USB and tell us all how behind we are with technology.

[ImaYam @ Jan 18th 2009 6:09PM]

No, their main goal is to cut a 15" cake this time, since everybody left the last party hungry.

[norgarry @ Jan 18th 2009 6:15PM]

If they REALLY wanna shock the masses, they should give it a touchscreen and allow you to move widgets ala iPhone OS.

The original MBA was a failure - I don't think its possible to argue that it wasn't.

[Alex Linhares @ Jan 18th 2009 6:24PM]

Apple, you need to get out a netbook real fast now.

[Decoy @ Jan 18th 2009 6:39PM]

I believe that's how plasticine works too.

[coolbee8 @ Jan 18th 2009 7:05PM]

No wonder why Mr Job decided to take a break...

[Decoy @ Jan 18th 2009 6:42PM]

Comment system fails. AGAIN.

[cuban, the paris hilton of tech @ Jan 18th 2009 7:06PM]

NO

ONE

CARES

[BenJI @ Jan 18th 2009 10:35PM]

I love how noones makin apple fan boy comments cuz they no they get low ranked,,,

[Knee to the Groin @ Jan 18th 2009 11:54PM]

no

[Like_A_Glove @ Jan 19th 2009 2:23AM]

Everything is possible, however this is not everything, this is "Something", so this makes it impossible. Besides, despite Apple's lameness many would think, it certainly is not lame enough to stack things up inside the original Air, so there is hardly any room left to shave off its thickness. so a 15-inch book may be faster, battery may lasts longer, but no, I don't think the internal organs will get any thinner, maybe they can achieve some 1 to 2 mm by updating Apple Brick to version 1.1.

[Like_A_Glove @ Jan 19th 2009 2:38AM]

Everything is possible, however this is not everything, this is "Something", so this makes it impossible. Besides, despite Apple's lameness many would think, it certainly is not lame enough to stack things up inside the original Air, and there's no significant breakthrough in IC packaging since Air, so there is hardly any room left to shave off its thickness. so a 15-inch book may be faster, battery may last longer, but no, I don't think the internal organs will get any thinner, maybe they can achieve some 1 to 2 mm by updating Apple Brick to version 1.1.

[who? @ Jan 18th 2009 5:14PM]

It's a lie!!!!!

[broli @ Jan 18th 2009 5:21PM]

^ DOUBLE FAIL!

[adrian @ Jan 18th 2009 6:27PM]

It could be a 10 inch Netbook version.

[megamouse @ Jan 18th 2009 5:14PM]

A3 size envelope?

[nohone @ Jan 18th 2009 6:19PM]

Nah, they will just invent a new envelope size that is now a "industry standard", patent the new size, declare it to be the most environmentally friendly envelope ever made, charge $50/envelope, and I will start getting postcards shipped in the new envelope size from Apple-adoring fans.

A year later Engadget will have rumors of a new version fixing the problem where the old version did not actually have an opening. You had to cut one end off, insert the contents, then use Apple branded tape with pictures of Dear Leader's face printed on it because any other tape is incompatible to seal it shut. Apple fans will declare the new version revolutionary, wait in line for hours to get iEnvelope 3G, and deny the existance of the previous version and its shortcomings. The usual crew will spam any article about Windows with only the word "iEnvelope", and yell that Microsoft is blatantly copying Apple when they send mail contained in cheap knockoff non-Apple envelopes, which were created as a response to Apple (because envelopes did not exist before Apple invented them).

[Skeezle @ Jan 19th 2009 10:22AM]

@ nohone: you sure type a lot to ultimately say nothing at all.

[pika2000 @ Jan 18th 2009 5:15PM]

So a heavier and larger Air? What's the point of the "Air" branding then? So much for the idea of Apple's ultra portable.

[Matt @ Jan 18th 2009 5:26PM]

They keep the word air, but add the words "heavier than" in front of it

[xcom2002 @ Jan 18th 2009 5:55PM]

Fail...
The MacBook Air is a homerun but now you will be adding a.....Let me see....
1. more fragile MBP
2. Underpowered MBP
3. Incredibly expensive
4. Less storage
5. no optical drive....?

this would be, in my opinion, a HUGE mistake.
The Apple consumer would be better served by a smaller Netbook type tablet..? possibly the MB Air Mini...?

[DarkFader @ Jan 18th 2009 7:20PM]

lot of O3 and N3 then?

[Darkroom @ Jan 18th 2009 7:49PM]

MacBook Hormone Imbalance

[telepheedian @ Jan 19th 2009 9:48AM]

Macbook Wind

[sr @ Jan 18th 2009 5:19PM]

I'd prefer a 12" Macbook Air. 4lbs does not make a modern ultraportable no matter how thin it is. In fact that number is extremely disappointing when the Lenovo x200s is 2.4lbs and the Dell E4200 is 2.2 lbs. Both are smaller, superior machines.

[sr @ Jan 18th 2009 5:21PM]

Sorry that's 3lbs for the Macbook Air. Still, too heavy to compete in the ultraportable space with that pathetic battery life to boot. Despite its thinness it is a large machine in dimension.

[Oli D @ Jan 18th 2009 5:28PM]

But will the dell or lenovo get you laid?

[sr @ Jan 18th 2009 5:31PM]

^^^ If you think you will get laid because of the laptop you bought, you are a sad loser. But hey keep trying with your stupid Macbook Air, I see your types flashing their stupid Apple logo at every coffee shop I go to. They only go there to show off their stupid laptop. Retards every last one of them.

[Syndication @ Jan 18th 2009 5:32PM]

@Oil D

If you need a macbook air to get laid then I think you're compensating for something else

[ILoveApple @ Jan 18th 2009 5:32PM]

But will Dell or Lenovo cut your birthday cake?

[patriotsn1 @ Jan 18th 2009 5:33PM]

@sr...

There is a distinct possibility that Oli D was joking...

[sr @ Jan 18th 2009 5:37PM]

^^^ Well if he was then, I guess we agree about Macbook air types.

[Oli D @ Jan 18th 2009 5:39PM]

"hey baby, check this out!" (Thrusts macbook air her way)
"umm eww, that thing totally weighs 0.8Lbs more than the Dell E4200!"

[Alpinerover @ Jan 18th 2009 6:17PM]

Your omnibook may be good, but I think the intel classmate beats them all...

[Backlin @ Jan 18th 2009 8:23PM]

@sr: You sound jealous.

Anyway, making a 15" version would defeat the whole "Air" suffix attached. They could call it the "Thin". but that sounds really stupid.

[slamEVIL @ Jan 18th 2009 11:00PM]

"And by the way, i never said i have a macbook air.

I have a 1997 HP Omnibook 800 with a pentium 1 166Mhz and 32Mb RAM.

Now that thing pulls pussy in like catnip"

possibly the best comment ever. i'm gonna clear my private data like ten times just to uprank you.

[Oli D @ Jan 19th 2009 2:13AM]

They removed my omnibook comment, obviously Engadget don't like old school computing :(

[kam @ Jan 19th 2009 4:46AM]

@sr someone needs to explain sarcasm to you for that will a lenovo get you laid comment.

[Stewart @ Jan 18th 2009 5:21PM]

I was thinking about switching to a MacBook Air, but I'm still worried about the capability of the machine. Hopefully upgrades will come with the big brother. Anyone with a MacBook Air have any comments about it's performance and overall functionality?

[nicholas @ Jan 18th 2009 6:13PM]

Most of what I do as a designer isn't incredibly complicated resource-wise. I am beginning to use my Air as my primary machine, although as it is the first generation, it would be better to wait for a 256 SSD option and better graphic capabilities. Wait for the next update, but don't worry about it...

In terms of size, I prefer the thin profile to the smaller screen. Apple sells to a different market than that which would buy most ultra-portables, so I think the compromise was good. Attach it to a monitor when you need more... But, I barely notice the thing in my messenger bag, and the power adapter is small enough to not be a nuisance. It's a touch slow, but that’s compared to a desktop. Again, most of my work is actually client service, and revisions and such. I hop on a larger machine when necessary, that is increasingly less often.

[nikster @ Jan 18th 2009 7:29PM]

My only concern with the Air was screen real estate. When that's taken care of, and when there is a blistering fast SSD installed, it will be perfect for my programming work.

Oh - battery life too. If it has 8h, I am sold. The only problem now is that I was going to get the 17" MBP. But a 15" MBA with long battery life would be even better.... damn.

[CraigJ @ Jan 18th 2009 9:54PM]

@Nikster

I now use my MacBook as my primary machine for Photoshop, Illustrator and Dreamweaver. It has the same screen as the Air (i think)

It felt a bit constricting at first, but I quickly got used to it, plus as an added bonus I can do my dev work on the couch while watching BSG and Hogan's Heroes.

Personally, I'd get the MB over the Air, or the MBP over this rumored Air. I put 4GB of RAM and a WD Scorpio Black 7200 RPM drive in the MB and it smokes. (as in its really fast and yes, it does get a little warm)

If the rumored 15" Air has 4GB of RAM and that super duper battery from the 17" MBP, and a 256GB SSD I'd reconsider. Then again my rig cost about $1,800 with all the upgrades and taxes. A 15" MBA with 4GB RAM and a 256GB SSD is going to be a lot more than $1,800.

[Reece @ Jan 18th 2009 5:21PM]

Hmm, an underpowered Macbook Pro? I think they hit the nail on the head with the 13" air, if anything I would have guessed theyd go to 11 or something.