MacBook Air Update Coming in Mid-July?

Many customers have been waiting for Apple to begin shipping its long-rumored updated MacBook Airs, bringing a significant performance improvement to the line with the incorporation of Intel's Sandy Bridge platform. A number of reports had pegged the release for the June-July timeframe, but the June dates are essentially out of the picture now and Apple has been said to be holding the release until it can offer OS X Lion preinstalled on the new machines.

macbook air 2010 profile
Chatter is now beginning to coalesce around a mid-July launch, and we've been hearing that Apple may be planning a MacBook Air launch for the third week of the month. AppleNApps seems to agree, with several sources there reporting that Apple plans to release the new MacBook Airs alongside OS X Lion on Tuesday, July 19th.

Sources have indicated to AppleNApps that Apple has an internal launch date of July 19th for Mac OS X Lion and a refresh of the MacBook Airs. This is the target date under which the company is currently operating, though both sources are indicating that things can change. Our sources have just seen indications, and can’t be entirely certain, but if everything goes according to plan there will be a new MacBook Air shipping with Lion starting July 19th.

That would coincide with Apple's earnings announcement for the quarter just ending, providing the company with enticing discussion fodder for the conference call.

9 to 5 Mac also reports that it has been hearing Thursday, July 14th in the "rumblings" regarding a launch for Lion and new MacBook Airs, adding to the increasing consensus of a release right around the middle of the month.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Related Forum: MacBook Air

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Foldable Thumb

First Foldable iPhone Design Details Revealed

Monday February 2, 2026 7:19 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature relocated volume buttons, an all-black camera plateau, a smaller Dynamic Island, and more, according to design leaks from a known Weibo leaker. The user known as "Instant Digital" today claimed to share several key details about the design of the foldable iPhone: The volume buttons will be located on the top edge of the device, aligned to the...

Top Rated Comments

lvlarkkoenen Avatar
191 months ago


I NEED AIR NOW!

Then maybe open a window?
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Skika Avatar
191 months ago
Good for you. Apple works on their schedule, not yours. They will do whatever they damned well pleases them.

If you want to change that, please contact Apple's board of directors and have them appoint you as Apple CEO.

Well, someone's day is crappy.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
reputationZed Avatar
191 months ago
I NEED AIR NOW!
Good for you. Apple works on their schedule, not yours. They will do whatever they damned well pleases them.

If you want to change that, please contact Apple's board of directors and have them appoint you as Apple CEO.
Looks like there's a new sheriff in town and he means to clean up this here forum.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xkmxkmxlmx Avatar
191 months ago
Good for you. Apple works on their schedule, not yours. They will do whatever they damned well pleases them.

If you want to change that, please contact Apple's board of directors and have them appoint you as Apple CEO.

You mad?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pjperez Avatar
191 months ago
Lion has a restore partition so including external media is unnecessary.

If there's hard drive failure, though, wouldn't accessing the restore partition be rendered null as well?

(That's not snark, BTW, that's genuine curiosity.)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gri Avatar
191 months ago
Pretty please Apple add the freakin' backlit keyboard again...
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)