According to "DigiTimes" (http://macte.ch/uxNwD), Apple is considering responding to the upcoming second-generation ultrabooks by launching an US$799 MacBook Air in the third quarter of 2012. This has some folks speculating that a new Air model may be in the works. Perhaps a 9-inch or 10-inch version.

Sorry, but no way. Tablets are putting the hurt on ultrabook sales as it is. Apple has no good reason to introduce a new model of the Air.

What MAY happen is a price cut on the entry level, 11-inch 64GB MacBook Air. Currently, it's priced at US$999 with a 128GB version selling for $1,199. The 13-inch 128GB model costs $1,299 with a 256GB version offered for $1,599. Perhaps the prices will drop to $799 for the entry level model, with the other models seeing a $100-$200 price drop. Along with this we'll see a 15-inch MacBook Air arrive.

But a new Air to do combat with ultrabooks? Not needed, and it won't happen.

-- Dennis Sellers