With Apple’s introduction of the MacBook Air in March 2020, Apple gave us quite a feat. Then the M1 followed shortly which blew our minds in November 2020. With these two launches, we’d think Apple would take a break but rumours circulating say 2021 bring the arrival of a redesigned version of the MacBook.

At Apple’s event earlier this year, it was revealed the MacBook Air 2021 is expected to launch later in the year or early 2022. Apple has already begun working on a thinner and lighter version of the MacBook Air, which is good because a smaller design would also help differentiate the Air from the MacBook Pro. Both current 13-inch laptops feature the same width and depth (30.41 x 21.24 cm) and the Air is only 0.11kg lighter. It is also supposed to get a new M2 chipset, MagSafe charging technology (this is great news for Mac users). MagSafe is a magnetic charging system that can easily and sturdily connect into the laptop. The 2021 MacBook Air will likely feature specs similar to the 2020 model. That includes 8GB of RAM, a 256 or 512 GB SSD, a Retina display with True Tone, Magic Keyboard, Touch ID, and two USB 4.0 ports. Touch ID on the MacBook can be used instead of a password, unlocking the Mac when a finger is placed on the sensor. It’s powered by a Secure Enclave that keeps your fingerprint data and personal information safe.

I can’t wait to see the exciting new colour the MacBook is getting; it’s supposedly coming in blue colour. Interesting right? Such a relief from the long-standing drab silver and space grey MacBook.  You should also expect the standard upgrade of new processors, storage increases and access to the latest version of macOS. Battery life in the MacBook Air is significantly improved, offering up to 15 hours of web browsing and up to 18 hours of video playback.

For external tweaks, there seem to be a couple of changes. With how thin and lighter Apple is making MacBook Air, we hope there’s room for a USB-C ports.  Although, it’s expected to remain a 13-inch design, Apple may shrink the bezels, which would yield a smaller chassis. The new MacBook Air will also be getting a mini LED display. These would bring more balanced contrast to colours and lighting, brighter panels and should prove more energy efficient.

The keyboard has been tweaked slightly and the function keys now include Do Not Disturb, Spotlight search, and dictation options. The keyboard also features backlit keys controlled by an ambient light sensor to light up the keys in dark rooms. We’re also hoping to see improvements to the webcam because Apple has used a 720p front-facing camera for multiple years now and has not upgraded the quality.

Additionally, the MacBook Air does not have a fan for cooling purposes. Instead, an aluminium heat spreader dissipates heat, allowing for silent operation. 

For those wanting to buy a Mac, the MacBook Air has always been the more affordable option when entering into the Mac family. However, while the current Air will likely continue to start at £706, there’s no information about the price of the MacBook Air 2021 but reports say the redesigned model will reportedly sit at a higher price tier.

So the question is, is the new MacBook Air worth waiting for? Definitely! The deciding factor varies. For most, I think, it’ll be the battery life (who doesn't want a great battery life?). For others, the physical tweaks or internal tweaks. Whichever factor you use, getting the MacBook Air is going to be a worthy investment.

With that in mind we shouldn't expect the 2021 MacBook Air to be much more powerful than it's predecessors. If you're still unsure whether to trade your old MacBook in, no worries. it's to be expected cos you never know what the future holds with the MacBook 2021.