Mon, 10 Jun 2013 New MacBook Air release date, rumours and leaked images

Update: Apple has now updated its MacBook Air models with better battery and Haswell processors! The company took to the stage at WWDC 2013 to unveil the new models. Follow the links below to find out more:

New MacBook Air release date and UK pricing

See: MacBook Air (2013) review.

Apple launches new MacBook Air with battery improvements, Haswell

Apple's WWDC 2013 keynote in pictures

Apple to offer iWork in the Cloud to Mac and PC users

Intel's new Haswell chips may be hot, but not in a good way

Welcome to our new MacBook Air release date, rumours and leaked images article. Here, we'll bring you everything we know about Apple's next MacBook Air release date so you'll know exactly when the new MacBook Air will launch. We'll also be bringing you some of the juiciest spec rumours circulating the web right now. Finally, we will show you all of the new MacBook Air leaked images that surface online. So check back here regularly for the latest new MacBook Air speculation. Updated 10 June 2013

2012 was a successful year for Apple's MacBook Air, with numerous reports that the laptop has been dominating the ultrabook market.

A DigiTimes report late last year suggested that the MacBook Air took 39 per cent of the slim notebook market in 2012, but predicted that figure would drop to 28 per cent in 2013 as more ultrabooks, including Windows 8 models, gain popularity. However, if Apple impresses consumers with its new MacBook Air this year, then perhaps it can continue its domination of the market.

SEE ALSO: Ultrabooks disappoint in 2012, MacBook Air is king

AND: Apple slashes £200 off MacBook Pro with Retina Display, £100 off MacBook Air

New MacBook Air release date

Apple is planning to unveil a new MacBook Air and new MacBook Pro in June 2013, according to reports from Digitimes.

The report cites sources in the supply chain who claim that Apple issued requests for quotations to its suppliers for a new model of its MacBook Air in early January, in preparation for a June 2013 new MacBook Air release date.

Apple last updated its MacBook Air lineup at WWDC in June 2012, so a June 2013 release date for the new MacBook Air seems likely.

In May, low MacBook Air stock added evidence to the theory that Apple will unveil a new MacBook Air at WWDC, which has been confirmed to kick off on 10 June. SEE: What to expect from Apple at WWDC 2013

Plus, in April, KGI securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a strong track record for predicting Apple product launches, said in a research note that he believes Apple will unveil updated MacBook Air models at WWDC, and that he expects them to feature Intel's new Haswell processors.

In June, a set of SKUs that could belong to new models of the MacBook Air were leaked too.

SEE: Decoding Apple's WWDC 2013 logo: what does it mean?

AND: WWDC history: Apple product launches from the past 10 years

AND: Apple clears out iPad and MacBook stock - new hardware on the way?

AND: Vanishing into thin [MacBook] Air: Shortages signal WWDC refresh

New MacBook Air rumours

The new MacBook Air will have an improved processor

A report in early January from Digitimes claims that sources have said that the new MacBook Air will have a new, improved processor, but that the design of the laptop's body will remain the same.

At the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January, Intel showed off its new Core processors designed for thin and light laptops, which are expected to power the new MacBook Air when it arrives later this year.

The new processors are designed to maintain the high performance needs of consumers despite being low-power, and are said to represent the most significant battery life capability improvement of Intel history.

Related: Apple's 'ambitious processor plans' to involve ditching Intel in future Macs?

SEE: Thinner, touchier, more efficient: Intel tightens its Ultrabook definition with launch of Haswell processors

The MacBook Air will have Retina Display

In February, new rumours suggested that Apple is planning to launch a revamped MacBook Air with a Retina display in the third-quarter of 2013, with parts scheduled to begin shipping in quarter two. A seperate report in March also claimed that Apple will introduce a Retina display to the MacBook Air with the next generation.

Apple launched Retina versions of its MacBook Pro last year, and is expected to introduce a Retina iPad mini later this year.

Kuo, however, doesn't believe that a Retina MacBook Pro will be released at WWDC this year.

SEE ALSO: Apple to retire non-Retina MacBook Pro later this year - analyst

The new MacBook Air will be solar powered

Ok, so this is a bit of an out-there rumour, but it really is possible that Apple will one day release a new MacBook Air with a solar powered display.

In January, Apple was granted a patent that described a method for harnessing sunlight to illuminate a MacBook's display. This patent is actually the seventh solar-related patent Apple has gained in the past two years. 

The new MacBook Air will run OS X 10.9

Apple is also expected to unveil OS X 10.9 at WWDC 2013. The new operating system could bring various improvements to the Mac, as well as new features such as Siri and Maps.

Related: New Macs with 802.11ac WiFi coming soon

New MacBook Air leaked images

At present, there are no new MacBook Air leaked images to share with you, but we will update this story as soon as one surfaces on the web.

See also:

Broadcom launches 802.11ac WiFi chips for PCs and tablets

Buy the cheapest MacBook Air: Best prices in stores, refurb deals, and free accessories

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