Apple last updated the MacBook Air at WWDC in June 2017 (read our MacBook Air (2017) review
here). However, the update was only change was that Apple switched the 1.6GHz Broadwell processor for a 1.8GHz Broadwell processor. Broadwell is the generation of Intel processor from 2014/2015.
So essentially the 'update' to the MacBook Air in 2017 just made a build-to-order option on the 2015 model standard.
It's unclear why Apple hasn't updated the generation of Intel processors used in the MacBook Air since 2015. It would be understandable if the price had dropped on the model in reflection of its lowly status, but the price is still high - and since the demise of the 11in MacBook Pro in 2016 the price of entry is £949 (it used to be £749).
Like the MacBook Air update in 2016 (increased from 4GB to 8GB RAM as standard), this was a minor and frankly disappointing update. However, given that everyone was expecting the MacBook Air to be killed off for good, the fact that it remains offered some consolation to its fans.
Why did Apple keep the MacBook Air on? It sounds like there is still a market for the machine. According to Bloomberg sources before WWDC 2017: "The company has also considered updating the ageing 13in MacBook Air with a new processor as sales of the laptop, Apple's cheapest, remain surprisingly strong," wrote Bloomberg before WWDC.
How much longer can the MacBook Air hold on for though? Will the 2017 update be the final iteration of the MacBook Air, or will Apple breathe new life into its entry-level laptop at some point? In this article, we round up all the rumours, hints and clues about the hoped-for new MacBook Air release, including tech specs, new features, design, as well as speculation that Apple may be phasing out the 'Air' lineup completely.
For buying advice related to the current Apple laptop range, read our Best MacBook buying guide and Best cheap MacBook deals articles. We also have a Best Cheap Mac article, of which MacBook Air is an option.
You can also see our one-stop guide to the best place to buy any Mac. Also, if you are wondering how the 13in MacBook Pro compares to the 13in MacBook Air read this: MacBook Pro vs MacBook Air comparison review.
2018 MacBook Air release date
It's possible that Apple won't ever update the MacBook Air again. However, some hope remains in that Apple has indicated that another low-cost Mac, the Mac mini, "is still important" to it leading to hope that the Mac mini will be updated. Since the Mac mini and MacBook Air are both using the same generation processor chips right now, and since both Macs are located in the lower end of Apple's pricing structure, it could be that both Macs will get updated at the same time.
If the MacBook Air is updated we would expect to see that update in the spring of 2018 or at the very latest at WWDC in June.
