Apple’s freshly unveiled 15-inch MacBook Air is reportedly off to a slow start, experiencing a less than enthusiastic reception from customers. According to a DigiTimes report that cites Apple’s supply chain insiders, demand for the new MacBook Air model has not matched initial expectations.

Unmet expectations for the 15-inch MacBook Air

In a surprising development, the 15-inch MacBook Air’s shipment volume for July is stated to be half of what was projected, indicating weaker consumer demand. The findings also highlight a general decline in the global notebook market. The reportedly tepid response has led some Apple suppliers to request a downsizing in the 15-inch MacBook Air shipments.

The 15-inch MacBook Air, priced at $1,299, made its debut at WWDC last month. While it retains the design and M2 chip from its 13-inch counterpart, it boasts a larger display and an additional pair of speakers. This marks the first time Apple has extended a 15-inch display option for the MacBook Air, previously offered only in 13-inch and discontinued 11-inch sizes.

Apple’s silence on MacBook Air’s performance

Whether the demand for the 15″ MacBook Air has met Apple’s internal forecasts remains unclear. As the company prepares to report its third-quarter earnings results on August 3, more information on the new laptop’s performance may emerge.

During this same quarter, Apple also launched the Mac Studio and Mac Pro models with upgraded specifications. The underperformance of the MacBook Air might be partially offset by the performance of these other models.

Looking forward: New MacBook Pro

The MacBook supply chain can allegedly anticipate the introduction of a new MacBook Pro soon. The report fails to provide additional details but previously suggested that Apple is working on a new 13-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 chip to be released later this year. This M3 chip, likely to be developed using TSMC’s 3nm process, promises substantial performance and energy efficiency enhancements over the 5nm-based M2 chip in the current 13-inch MacBook Pro.

What are your thoughts on the muted demand for the new 15-inch MacBook Air? Do you believe this could signify a trend? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!