Apple analysts outline forthcoming MacBook releases with 15-inch MacBook Air to miss out on Mini LED backlights and ProMotion technology

Apple may have announced two more MacBooks this week, but Mark Gurman and Ross Young allege that even more models are in development. As we have discussed previously, both believe that a 15-inch MacBook Air is planned, building on the 13.6-inch model that Apple just announced. For reference, the new MacBook Air abandons the wedge-shaped design of older models and introduces the Apple M2, a refresh of the Apple M1 based on the same TSMC node.

According to Gurman, Apple aims to release the MacBook Air in early 2023, potentially alongside a 14.1-inch iPad Pro and other refreshed iPad Pro tablets. Incidentally, Young adds that the MacBook Air will have a 15.2-inch display without Mini LED backlights or ProMotion technology. Presumably, the MacBook Air 15 will replicate the new MacBook Air 13 in other areas too, such as MagSafe charging, an Apple M2 SoC and a notched display.

Meanwhile, Gurman claims that Apple could release new M2 Pro and M2 Max-powered MacBook Pro machines towards the end of this year. However, Gurman states that the release date 'may slip into early 2023', although it is unclear why at this stage. Allegedly, Apple has codenamed these MacBook Pro machines 'J414' and 'J416', which will succeed the current MacBook Pro 14 (J314) and MacBook Pro 16 (J416).

Separately, Gurman believes that Apple could return to a 12-inch MacBook, potentially launching in late 2023 or early 2024. Unfortunately, he has not provided any other details about the machine yet. The analyst claims that Apple is already developing Apple M3 though, so a new 12-inch MacBook may rely on this SoC, rather than the current Apple M2.

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