Rumored 12-inch MacBook Air with Retina could come with USB Type-C, multiple colors

By Konrad Krawczyk September 23, 2014

macbook air refresh 2016 rumors macbookairbig

Though we may not get a new 12-inch MacBook Air with Retina this year, when (if?) it does eventually arrive, it could come with the newest version of USB, a report claims.

The new USB ports, dubbed USB Type-C, are much thinner than the existing version of the connector. The USB Promoter Group announced last month that USB Type C has been “finalized,” and that the connector is now ready to be produced. Because USB Type C promises to to offer smaller connectors than USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports do, this can help Apple and other computer manufacturers make ultra-thin systems that are unlike anything we’ve seen.

Related: USB Type-C finalized

However, as part of the USB Promoter Group’s announcement, it said that compatible devices won’t begin to land until sometime by early 2015. If that’s the case, and if the USB Type-C rumor regarding the MacBook Air is indeed accurate, then that just further minimizes the chance that we’ll see a new MacBook Air launch sometime this year.

Also of note is the rumor that the new MacBook Air will not only ship in silver, which is its typical hue, but two other colors as well. The same report states that the new Air will also be available in Space Gray, and Gold, as well.

Digital Trends suspects that the new MacBook Air will also ship with Intel’s freshly minted Core M processor, which is fan-less. The upcoming MacBook Air has long been rumored to sport a fan-less design, which, if true, would help Apple make it even thinner.

Related: Intel dishes out more details about Core M, its new, fan-less CPU

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Konrad Krawczyk

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Konrad covers desktops, laptops, tablets, sports tech and subjects in between for Digital Trends. Prior to joining DT, he…

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