Apple 15-inch MacBook Air is coming early next year, says report

(CBS/CNET) - Apple is planning to unveil a 15-inch MacBook Air towards the beginning of 2012, a new report claims.

According to Digitimes, which claims to have sources with knowledge of Apple's plans, the company has already engaged manufacturing partners to start producing a 15-inch MacBook Air for a first-quarter 2012 launch.

Digitimes' sources say that the bigger Air will complement the current 11.6- and 13.3-inch models already on store shelves.

Apple's ultra slim and lightweight MacBook Air has quickly become a key component in the company's product mix. Earlier this month, research from NPD and Morgan Stanley found that the computer accounted for 28 percent of all Apple notebook sales in October, up from an 8 percent contribution in May and June.

According to those sources, Apple will cut the price of its existing MacBook Airs at some point in the next few months to prepare for the launch of its new line.

CNET News reports that the new prices, as well as pricing on the 15-inch model, are unknown at this point.

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