The MacBook Air will continue to live on for the time-being with Apple focusing more on the MacBook Pro 2016. With no certainty of a successor for the thing Apple laptop, the best to expect that it will still be around as a cheaper alternative to consumers.
There is growing belief that Apple will eventually axe the MacBook Air in favor of the MacBook Pro 2016 and the iPad Pro. A report on Mashable begs to differ, citing how the MacBook Air remains as the logical choice for buyers on a budget. The MacBook Air is the cheapest notebook to get (for now) under Apple’s wing at $899.
While that should be comforting, the bad news is that it will be the same device that came out on March 9, 2015 offering 11-inch and 13-inch ultra portable notebook versions. The last update for the MacBook Air came on Apr. 19, 2016 with the 13-inch model getting a bump in the form of 8 GB RAM.
Fuzzy Future of the MacBook Air
While its end of life is unlikely to happen in 2016, it will be a different story in 2017. Chances are that its future may depend on the MacBook Pro 2016 and the iPad Pro.
Apple is expected to release an updated MacBook Pro boasting of Intel’s new Skylake processor and the latest MacOS Sierra. The ramped up notebook will feature Touch ID, an NFC chip, wireless charging and an interesting OLED interface which will take the place of the traditional function keys per Apple Insider.
Another threat to its existence is word that the iPad Pro is being groomed as a flexible option to take its place. While that could be true, concerns on the iPad Pro operating system (iOS) comes to mind.
Productivity using the iPad Pro over the MacBook Air is a concern and the App Store may not have the proper software to fulfill on-the-go owners needs. Until that is covered, the MacBook Air is likely to remain on the Apple roster until the Cupertino company is able to address such concerns.
