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iPad Air Pro and new MacBook Air rumoured to be released early 2015
Tue, 27th Jan 2015
FYI, this story is more than a year old

It's been rumoured that a 12-inch MacBook Air and 12-inch iPad Air Plus/iPad Pro will launch this year, with added features and design details.

Recently, a Chinese online publication released images of the 12-inch MacBook Air next to the existing MacBook Air and iPad Air, which helped to guage the differences between devices.

One new feature of the MacBook Air is the metal logo, that's used on Apple's iOS devices, which could replace the current translucent logo.

The new MacBook Air is also rumoured to be the thinnest model yet, due to the use of Intel's Core M processor that doesn't require fans to keep cool.

There have been debates about whether the new devices will look noticeably different to the existing models or potential customers won't be able to tell the difference. In order to see how the new models will look, designer Martin Hajek has created 3D renderings.

In the past, Martin Hajek has released 3D renders of rumoured Apple devices, using leaks about the devices as the basis for his concept renders.

According to Hajek's images the 12-inch MacBook Air and 12-inch iPad may be similar in size and thickness, but the iPad will have a larger bezel than anticipated.

The models in Hajek's images include details rumored for the iPad Pro, such as those featured the images published by Japanese Apple magazine ‘Macfan' in December 2014. The images also remain true to design drawings that surfaced last November.

The images show the iPad Pro with a 12.2 - 12.9 inch display and have the same rounded design of the current iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3.

True to the rumours, Hajek has placed the speakers at the top, bottom and edges of the device, which in theory allows for stereo sound when used in landscape orientation.

It's said this device could have a new A9 processor, which is an upgrade from the A8X processory in the iPad Air 2.

The iPad Pro sticks include volume rockers on the right side of the device, a lock button on the top right, a lightning charger on its bottom center and a Touch ID capacitive home button in a central position.

Hajek also displayed how the rumoured Apple stylus may look. He has added a capacitive +/- slider for additional operations and elements of the Apple Watch, such as biometric sensors and a digital crown.

Due to the limited information about the stylus, these renderings are not based on specific details.

The latest rumours suggest the iPad Pro may launch in April and June of this year, but may not enter mass production until the second quarter of 2015 so Apple can focus on improving iPhone 6 Plus supply.