The rumored 12-inch Retina Macbook Air could be delayed because of production issues.
News that Apple is expected to release a 12-inch Macbook Air sometime in late 2014 was leaked in 2013 by KGI securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Kuo notes that Apple was looking to manufacture a Macbook Air with the portability of the 11-inch model, yet have the productivity capabilities of the 13-inch model, and hence decided to create a 12-inch variant.
However, a report from Taiwan’s Economic Daily News reveals that Apple will have problems meeting the late 2014 release projection because of delays with Intel’s 14-nanometer Broadwell chips.
Intel’s U series Broadwell chips are expected to be ready only by February 2015, and if the reports are accurate, it means that the 12-inch Macbook Air model will most certainly not be ready for release in 2014.
The chip delay also means that Apple will probably not be able to launch any new laptops any time soon.
Mobile devices won’t be affected, though, and Apple’s iPhone 6 could still be unveiled in late 2014.
Apple’s latest smartphone will go into production sometime this week.
The 12-inch Macbook Air is speculated to have a redesigned, ultra-thin chassis, a new trackpad design with no mechanical button, and a contain no cooling fan.
As with all rumors, the 12-inch Retina Macbook Air development should be taken with a pinch of salt.
