The year is about to end and 2016 is almost upon us. As such, all eyes are on Apple as tech enthusiasts are excited to see what the company has in store for the coming year. And rumor has it, that the company is releasing its 2016 MacBook Air earlier than expected.

News about the laptop's early release had been in the grapevine for months and Geek Snack adds to the reasons why it is to be believed that Apple will introduce its 2016 MacBook Air sooner than expected. This year's MBA model is but a few months old but it has not received a lot of favorable responses.

There had been minimal — also greatly unnoticeable — changes from last year's model. Some have even noted that features are getting repetitive and the $1000 price tag on just the base model alone is becoming too steep, given that adding just a few more dollars, one can already get the more feature-packed new MacBook or MacBook Pro with Retina display.

But all that is about to change when the 2016 model hits the stores. Aside from an overhaul in design, the new MBA will reportedly reclaim its spot as the thinnest and lightest notebook in town. Apple will also incorporate the Force Touch in its 2016 MBA. Display along the USB ports will also be tinkered with so it can be at par with the new MacBooks.

Aside from these rumored features, though, another pervasive speculation is that the 2016 MacBook Air will be the first MacBook to change its release cycle. The Cupertino-based company is said to be preparing to have its new laptops out by this year's holiday season to compete with all the the new devices coming out before the year ends.

If that proves true, then the 2016 MBA will be available by November 2015 and not the usual March release. Geek snack weighs in that an October release may simply be too rushed and might not give the company enough time to incorporate the needed changes.

All these are but rumors and speculations though. No official word yet on whether or not the 2016 MacBook Air will actually be unveiled this year. Stay tuned for further updates.