The design of the MacBook Air line has not changed a lot in years and is due for an update.

Rumors have been swirling for months that a new Air model was on the way. Now, we are one step closer to confirmation.

Apple suppliers launched the mass production of a new 12-inch MacBook Air earlier this year, reported the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The new MacBook Air's dominant feature is reportedly a higher resolution display, also known as a retina display. The computer will not have full-sized USB ports, SD Card slot or the MagSafe connector, reports The Verge.

Suppliers plan to start shipping the new device in "large quantities in the second quarter," though an exact launch date is unknown at this time, the sources said.

The MacBook Air is currently available in an 11-inch model with a resolution of 1,366 x 768 and a 13-inch version with a resolution of 1,440 x 900.

Apple's more expensive MacBook Pro already offers a retina display. The 13-inch model has a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels. The 15-inch version has a resolution of 2,880 x 1,800 pixels.

According to Apple, retina display offers four times the number of pixels of the standard display, a wider viewing angle, incredible detail, higher contrast, richer blacks and reduced glare. The company has made sure the latest versions of Mac OS X have applications that support the higher resolution.

The decision to offer retina display may be Apple's way of keeping up with its rivals. Vendors are upgrading their Windows PC ultrabooks with high-resolution displays and offering retail prices less expensive than the Air.

Apple usually offers two screen sizes on its products. If the consumer electronics company does introduce the 12-inch Air, it may eventually drop either the 11-inch or the 13-inch model.

We may learn more about the rumored MacBook Air at Apple's March 9 press event that will include the official launch of the Apple Watch.

Related