MacBook Air 2016 release date rumor: New MacBooks after March event?

[photo: Commons Wikimedia/Kris Mendoza]

According to speculations, while Apple is currently planning to hold a stand-alone event next month to unveil its latest products, the event is rumored to focus only on the new Apple Watch, the iPad Air 3, and a smaller iPhone.

Meanwhile, although there already are speculations that Apple will also introduce a new lineup of MacBook Air, it will happen later in the year.

According to KnowYourMobile, it is more than likely that Apple is targeting its annual Worldwide Developers Conference to showcase the company's new laptops. In addition to a redesigned MacBook Pro (which has been waiting for an overhaul since 2012), the other laptop lineup, the MacBook Air, will see at least three new iterations added to the flagship. The industry follower stated that there will be a new 12-inch addition (which may not be part of the Air lineup at all), and 13- and 15-inch models of the MacBook Air.

The industry insider added that while the new MacBooks may be seen at this year's WWDC in June, their release dates will be in the latter parts of the year. It is speculated that the release dates will be stretched across the last two quarters of 2016, with the 13- and 15-inch MacBooks appearing close to each other in Q3 at the earliest.

As for its specs, 9to5Mac sees revamped specs for the new MacBook Air lineup. To keep up with its name that denotes minimal weight and mobility, the new laptops will have redesigned specs both in its body and under the hood. Reportedly, the new MacBook Air will sport USB Type-C and Thunderbolt 3 connectivity for a slimmer body profile, as well as integrate the new Intel Skylake processors to optimize performance. Tthe new MacBook Air is also said to bump up its Retina display and might even add 3D Touch as one of its features.