A new report from the ever iffy source Digitimes says Apple supply partner Quanta has begun ramping up production of the new 12-inch MacBook Air, preparing for a Q1 2015 release.
The company has stepped up its efforts to recruit more workers for its production efforts on the notebook, and is looking to bring in a total of 30,000 workers during the quarter to also help with the Apple Watch.
Digitimes’ sources, said to be close to the situation, say the 12-inch model will replace the existing 11-Inch MacBook Pro model.
The next-generation MacBook Air is widely rumored to boast a new Broadwell Core M processor that will allow Apple to use a thinner, fanless design for the new ultralight laptop. The new computer is also expected to include a high-resolution Retina display, and some reports have indicated the new Air will do away with the nearly all of the ports on the current models, in favor of a USB Type-C port that would handle both connectivity and charging.
As always, this is all to be taken with a grain of your favorite low-sodium salt substitute, and nothing is set in stone, or even in Play-Doh, until Apple makes an official announcement.