According to the Taiwan based publication, Digitimes, the next-generation MacBook Air will have an 11-inch screen and an ultra-low voltage (ULV) Intel Core i-series processor. The report claims that Digitimes is getting their information from "upstream component makers" and also echoes increasingly common rumors that the new iPod Touch released this year will have a camera. The report also claims that the refreshed MacBook Air would be produced in relatively few numbers, with only 400,000 units to ship by the end of the year. If the report information turns out to be true, then it would move the MacBook Air to almost netbook size although it'll still have a very significant price premium compared to most ultraportables. Apple's lightest notebook will start at a hefty price for $1,499.
The Digitimes story, with credit going to senior analyst Mingchi Kuo claims that the new MacBook Air will be thinner, lighter, and supposedly also have a ULV Intel CPU possibly the Core i5-560UM). Other rumors such as a 3G chip and more SSD options were not mentioned in the report. The MacBook Air has always been at a strange position in Apple's lineup since it's performance is like that of low-end MacBooks but the device as a whole is priced near the MacBook Pro range. It has done pretty well but is far outsold by the other more mainstream models. Many analysts have been challenging Apple for years to try and come out with a netbook but the company seems to ignore the requests. With a lower cost chip, Apple could easily reduce the price somewhat, but it is still very unlikely to see Apple netbooks priced below $500.
