Sales of Apple's ubiquitous laptop lineup the MacBook decreased in the last quarter. While this isn't a major concern to Apple since their mobile devices are selling like hotcakes, it does indicate a change in consumer trends. What is Apple to do is it wants its MacBook lineup to catch fire one again?

Introducting a new, redesigned MacBook Air would help in that regard. Here's what we can expect from the forthcoming Air.

Cheaper Starting Price

Expect the new MacBook air to be priced at around a grand. The current 11" and 13" models are just $100 apart at $999 and $1099 respectively. Apple won't drop the new Air down to $899 because, after all, they are a premium company with an image to uphold.

Better Battery Life

Every new MacBook seems to have increased battery life. The last version, which released in June 2013, saw battery life jump to 13 hours! Expect new chips from Intel to consume ever less power. The new chips will make it into the air. Also expect OS X to better conserve power and help give the 2014 MacBook Air industry leading batter life.

New I/O

Is Thunderbolt just not getting it done for you anymore? Never fear speed demons as Intel and Apple have partnered up once again to devise an even faster method of writing and reading your precious data: Thunderbolt 2. At 20gbps it's twice as fast as the original version and is compatible with existing Thunderbolt cables!

The forthcoming Mac Pro and the current 13" and 15" MacBook Pro with Retina Display's have Thunderbolt 2 so it should be coming to the new Air as well.

Goodbye 11" and 13" models

The MacBook Air lineup will be simplified by the release of a 12" model at the expense of it's elder statesmen, the 11" and 13" models Apple users have come to know and love.

A 12" screen would help retain much of the portability the 11" inch offers, but make it much easier to type on thanks to the wider keyboard. Also, a Retina Display would make text and images sharper then ever. A 12" Air would be a big hit.

Those who love the 13" model wouldn't sacrifice that much by jumping to a 12" screen. The aforementioned new features like Thunderbolt 2, faster USB 3 and amazing HD video playback would make for a nice compromise. Two versions of the 13" MacBook Pro are also available for those who truly believe that a 13" laptop is the optimal size.

Anything else?

Other things to look forward to include an iPhone like touchscreen on the Air and a thinner/lighter body that truly invokes the 'air' moniker.

What do you want to see in the new MacBook Air? Let us know in the comments below.