Updated 04:35 PM EDT, Thu, Mar 28, 2024

MacBook Air Retina Release Date, Specs & Features: Touch ID on Apple Laptop?

  • Staff
  • Dec 01, 2014 06:57 AM EST
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Retina Display for the new MacBook Air has long been rumored, thanks to its incorporation in the recent iPhone 6 and iMacs. But an additional feature cooks fishy speculations -- allegedly, the Cupertino giant is packing the Retina MacBook Air with Touch ID technology, the fingerprint security system protecting some Apple devices today.

The arrival of Touch ID in 2015 MacBooks was previously cited by Gadget Insiders. While the idea seems promising, the outlet was also convinced otherwise since the technology appears to be built "primarily" for mobiles.

On a recent note, International Business Times reported that the 12-inch notebook is expected to arrive packed with Intel's Broadwell Core M chips. The device is eyed by many to arrive in June's Worldwide Developers Conference in 2015. That leaves us around six months in waiting.

Meanwhile, one of the loudest-echoing whispers pointed at the Retina MacBook Air is its fan-less architecture. As we have earlier noted, Intel's Core M chips were said to be necessary in the realization of such feature. Reportedly, these chips were already delivered to Apple -- making a December 2014 launch likewise possible.

Yet an earlier update from Digital Trends ditched Retina MacBook Air's probability of running Core M chips. Apparently, the outlet predicted that the notebook could have Intel's Core i5 and Core i7 chips instead.

The Retina MacBook Air's 12-inch size was suggested by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, said TechRadar. According to the source, the biggest drawback experienced by the 11-inch and 13-inch versions of the Air line is display. The move is expected to "plug the gap" between the older models.

Canalys analyst Daniel Matte specifically pointed that Retina Macbook Air's 11.88-inch display panel will pack a 2732 x 1536 pixel resolution. This spec is at par with that of the iPad Air 2, which comes at 264 ppi.

We have also covered reports claiming that the notebook was alleged to be so thin that adjustments in accompanying connectors had to be made. In particular, a redesigned USB Type C connector and MagSafe port were made.

MacRumors supported the notion of a redesigned Macbook Air, citing an earlier forum post which spilled details on a "new trackpad design." This feature takes away the mechanical button, as seen in other MacBooks.

Previously, we noted that the laptop model is speculated to come in three colors: gold, silver and space gray. TechRadar said in its report that the device may opt for an aluminium gray variant in lieu of black.

Finally, Macworld cited Kuo's earlier prediction that the product may retail cheaper than its Mac predecessors.

What do you think about Touch ID in the new Macbook Air?

Watch MrBrickley's take on the rumored notebook below.

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