15-inch MacBook Air Coming in Early 2012?

15-inch MacBook Air Coming in Early 2012?

Apple will be updating their MacBook Air line early next year, reports DigiTimes, and introducing a new 15-inch model alongside updated 11.6-inch and 13.3-inch models.

Citing sources within Apple’s upstream supply chain, the report claims that the update will take place in the first quarter of the year, and the updated models will directly compete with current models based on Intel’s Ultrabook spec from various PC vendors.

Pilot production has already begin for the new 15″ models, and the new models will likely be based on Intel’s forthcoming Ivy Bridge platform, which should begin appearing in devices early next year.

Rumors have been suggesting that Apple will be releasing an ultra-thin 15″ MacBook since July, and recent rumors have been suggesting that the new 15″ model will be a MacBook Air rather than a slimmer, redesigned MacBook Pro.

With conflicting reports debating between a 1st-quarter and 2nd-quarter launch of the new ultra-thin 15″ MacBook, it’s possible that both a 15-inch MacBook Air and a slimmer 15-inch MacBook Pro could be released next year.