MacBook Air 2017 release date, specs, cancellation news: Other Apple products made lineup redundant, could continue as entry-level laptop

Apple has never been one to comment on rumors and speculations regarding its upcoming products but their continued silence over the MacBook Air has more and more people convinced that the laptop lineup will eventually be put to rest — that is, if it hasn't been retired already. Despite these glaring signals, a lot of tech enthusiasts are still hopeful that a new iteration of the MacBook Air will be released in 2017.

According to Macworld.co.uk, the introduction of the 12-inch MacBook and more recently, the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, has made the MacBook Air redundant. Furthermore, the publication predicts that the arrival of the updated MacBook laptop this year will finally spell the death of the MacBook Air. The iPad Air sees a similar fate as it faces stiff competition from the more favored iPad Pro tablets.

The introduction of the first MacBook Air model in 2012 was a welcome addition as it provided consumers with an option for a very thin, ultra-light Apple laptop. However, since then, the rest of the Cupertino-based tech giant's products have slimmed down considerably. With no other major redeeming quality, apart from its thinness, there no longer seems to be space for the MacBook Air in Apple's always-evolving and ever-expanding roster of products.

Nevertheless, there are still those who continue to be steadfast in the belief that a new MacBook Air will be arriving in the first half of 2017. If Apple does indeed release a new iteration of the laptop, it is expected to receive a Retina display, a USB Type-C port, an improved keyboard and the latest processors and graphics cards.

Back in May 2016, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted that Apple could possibly keep the MacBook Air lineup to serve as an entry-level offering. Thus, it isn't expected to gain some of the newer features seen in the MacBook Pro lineup including the Touch Bar, Touch ID fingerprint sensor and Force Touch trackpad.

Ultimately, the MacBook Air's fate will be revealed once Apple decides to make an official announcement.