Kuo: MacBook Air With Mini-LED Display Still on Track for 2022 Launch

Thursday March 18, 2021 2:33 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Apple's first entry-level Mac to feature mini-LED display technology will be a new MacBook Air due to launch next year, according to TFI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Flat MacBook Air Feature 1
From his latest investors note, obtained by MacRumors:

We expect that the new MacBook Air will adopt a mini LED in 2022, increasing MacBook's mini LED adoption rate. In contrast, only high-end iPad models will use mini LED displays, and the overall growth momentum may be lower than that of MacBooks.

The 2022 ‌MacBook Air‌ will also feature Apple Silicon, according to Kuo. The analyst believes that Apple will be able to offset the increased cost of using mini-LED panels in its Macs precisely because the cost of ‌‌Apple Silicon‌‌ chips is significantly lower than that of Intel processors.

Kuo said last year that he believes a mini-LED ‌MacBook Air‌ is due to arrive in 2022, and also said he expected Apple to release two redesigned MacBook Pro models, both equipped with mini-LED displays, in the second half of this year. In today's note, Kuo underlined how much suppliers can expect to benefit from Apple's wider adoption of mini-LED as a result.

We expect the new MacBook Pro will boost the shipment of mini LED displays in 2H21 because the new MacBook Pro will equip with mini LED displays, and MacBook's mini LED display is less challenging to produce than the iPad. We forecast that mini LED display shipments in 2021 and 2022 to be 10 million and 20–30 million, respectively.

In addition to Apple silicon and Mini-LED displays, Kuo expects the new ‌MacBook Pro‌ designs to feature a flat-edged top and bottom, an HDMI port and SD card reader, classic MagSafe charging with a magnetic power cable, and physical function keys instead of the Touch Bar. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has corroborated many of these details, and he was first to report that an SD card reader is returning.

Today's note from Kuo also said that Apple's first mini-LED 12.9-inch iPad Pro will enter mass production in the second half of April, and that the iPad Air would adopt OLED displays in 2022, positioning mini-LED as a display technology exclusive to ‌iPad Pro‌ devices in the company's tablet lineup.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air

Tags: 2022 MacBook Air, Ming-Chi Kuo, Mini-LED Guide

Buyer's Guide: 13" MacBook Air (Neutral)

Related Forum: MacBook Air

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Top Rated Comments

SirAnthonyHopkins

58 months ago

The 2022 MacBook Air will also feature Apple Silicon, according to Kuo

Right? As opposed to what? Going back to using Intel silicon?

"The laptop will also feature the Apple logo on the upper lid, according to Kuo"

Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)

ian87w

58 months ago

Apple really should make it habit to update EVERY Mac model YEARLY, just like back in the Steve Jobs days. It's ridiculous that we are now consistently waiting a couple of years for Mac updates for the past ~5-6 years. Just look at any Mac model and the slow pace is stupid. 16" MacBook Pro? Last update was in 2019. iMac? It's been around a year now. Mac Pro? 2019 again. And now MacBook Air is gonna be 2 years away from an update, not to mention it was so neglected in the 2016-18 era.

You have to understand that there's the intel factor as well. Intel consistently failed to deliver their own roadmap in a timely fashion, and when they did, the delta improvements are not that significant. I cannot blame Apple to not refresh their lineup regularly.

I believe with Apple silicon, we would see a more consistent refreshes in the future since now Apple themselves know what kind of chips they're getting, since it's their own.

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

steve09090

58 months ago

Too many leaks that mean nothing. I just want a timeline for upgraded Hardware. I’ll decide when I see it, whether it fits my need to upgrade. Other than that, this 'business' for clicks just wears me out.

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

asiga

58 months ago

This should really need to be a 15inch. We want big displays but lighter than the MacBook Pro (the MBP is great if you really need it, but there are plenty of scenarios in which you want a big display that you can carry with you without noticing its weight... and yes, the MBP has been made lighter with the years, but it's still heavy if you want extreme mobility).

And I don't care if a 15inch MBA would be prone to bending, not rigid enough, looks like plastic,... whatever... all I want is a big display light as paper, with NO fans, and running MacOS.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

ian87w

58 months ago

I don't care so much about the weight than the cost. I still use a 2013 MBP. It is powerful enough for me and the M1 in the current Air would be all I need. But I like a bigger display but doesn't need to be a Pro machine that can be used for 4K video editing. Just Word, Browser, Zotero and Mail.

Yup. It would be nice if Apple do a 15" Air. Not everyone who wanted larger screens need a Pro performance. But Apple seems to equate larger screens to Pro premium price (iPad Pro 12.9, iPhone Pro Max, MacBook Pro, etc). :(

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)