What Should Apple’s Next MacBook Priority Be; 15 MacBook Air or 17″ and 12 Macbook Pros?

Stabley Times’ Phil Moore says that after expanding its iMac lineup with a new low end model, Apple’s next Mac hardware decision will be how it wants to approach expanding its MacBook lineup as well.

Moore suggests that Apple has three potential MacBook product development strategies it could pursue, to wit: add a 15 MacBook Air model; shrink its professional level laptop and introduce a 12 MacBook Pro model, and/or bring back a 17 MacBook Pro. I would add that there’s a lot of speculative consensus that Apple will unveil a new 12-inch MacBook Air model with a Retina display before year end, which might be enough for them to otherwise stand pat.

Personally, I’m skeptical about a 15-inch MacBook Air being a big seller, except perhaps if it was to replace the current 13-inch MacBook Air and make more room for the new 12-inch Air. However, who would a 15-inch MacBook Air be for? Power users are going to want a MacBook Pro, and few consumers need or want a screen that large.

On the other hand, the erstwhile 12-inch G4 PowerBook was one of the best-loved Mac laptops ever, and I think there would be a lot of interest in a 12-inch MacBook Pro, although it might cannibalize some 13-inch MacBook Pro sales.

As for a 17-incher, I had a 17-inch PowerBook and liked it. Big laptops will always be a niche product rather than a volume seller, but a lot of high-end MacBook Pro users were saddened and frustrated when Apple dropped the 17-inch Pro, and there would be a market.

However, overall a 12-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display would get my vote as likeliest candidate.

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