Rumours of a 15 inch MacBook Air are doing the rounds, with whispers that Apple’s about to upgrade its ultraportable to the same size as the MacBook Pro, but packing much less weight.

According to the rumourmongers at Chinese site Apple.pro, the Mac maker is preparing a MacBook Air that’s “suitable for the older [with] poor eyesight.”

That either means a bigger screen, or some fancy Apple technology – maybe a strap-on magnifying glass.

Other tidbits are that it’ll pack an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and keep its lightweight frame.

Of course, Apple could be preparing the release of its rumoured carbon fibre MacBook Air, that would keep the weight down, and allow a bigger screen. But if we’re honest, it all sounds a bit dubious.

If Jobs and Co can’t find much truck in the netbook market, it’s unlikely Apple will start cranking out products specifically for the poor sighted, an even smaller market overall.

What’s more, adding extra screen space would bulk up the MacBook Air’s frame significantly, adding lots of extra weight.

We’re filing this firmly in the “dubious” bin. Give us your thoughts below.

TBC | £TBC | Apple (via Apple.pro)

  • http://www.finetuneimaging.com Nigel hughes

    I honestly think Apple is barking up the wrong tree. Apple should really look at what other companies are doing with netbooks. When Apple’s cheapest lapto is around the £650 mark, it’s losing a huge potential Market of punters that would just love a little mac operated netbook that they could carry in a jiffy bag that is around £300, not £1000 like the air. I work on two mac computers and really wanted to buymy partner a mac laptop, but just coulnt afford it. My £250 went on a hp 2133 netbook. Apple just lost put there. I’m sure many people are thinking the same. What are your views guys? Would a little mac netbook come in handy?

  • Ben Sillis

    We’ve covered Apple netbook rumours whenever they pop up online, and while I’ve complained about the lack of a budget level Mac before, it has to be said that Apple keeps its cool branding by not reducing the price ever. I think the Sony VAIO P could well set a precedent for a MacBook nano. If it sells well, despite the £800+ pricetag, don’t expect an Apple netbook to cost less.

  • http://www.gravatar.com James Holland

    I carry a 15 inch MacBook Pro with me for work, but it’s far to heavy to justify what I use it for. When I’m at home, however, I plug it into a monitor and use it as a desktop replacement with a wireless keyboard and mouse. If I had the option of a netbook, I’d trade up to a full-blown desktop iMac and use the ultra portable, any day. That’s two Mac sales for the price of one! It’s only a matter of time before Apple embraces netbooks. Let’s just hope it looks like this! http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2009/01/02/apple-macbook-nano-to-debut-on-monday/

Hot chat, right here!


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