Apple is allegedly working on an overhauled version of its MacBook Air laptop, Digital Spy reveals.

Purported inside sources have told 9to5Mac that the Cupertino firm is working on a new 12-inch edition of the machine.

The 2015 MacBook Air is said to be radically different to its predecessors, smaller than the existing 13-inch models and narrower than the 11-inch laptops.

It is also believed to be taller and exclude standard features such as USB inputs, microSD slots, Thunderbolt ports and MagSafe inputs.

The report claims that the next MacBook Air will include only a headphone jack and a USB Type-C connector, which will serve multiple purposes.

Redesigning the machine's trackpad, keyboard and speakers has reportedly allowed Apple to make the MacBook Air smaller and more compact than before.

The 2015 MacBook Air has been tipped for release in the early-to-mid part of the year.