According to the most recent reports from Taiwan, the MacBook Air Retina Display release date has been delated.

All signs seemed to have been pointing to the launch of a 12-inch MacBook Air with Retina display some time in the fall with production set to start during the third quarter.

However, according to Taiwan's Economic Daily, Apple's plans have been thwarted by production issues.The report claims that there's a shortage of Intel's new Broadwell processor, which will be a core component of the new MacBook Air. Built on a minuscule 14-nanometer processor, its superior energy efficiency should serve to offset the extra power draw from that higher resolution screen.

However, Intel did say in May that - despite ongoing delays with the chip - Broadwell will be released by the end of 2014. Intel has yet to comment on this latest report, so it's unclear whether it has been hit by further setbacks.

The result of this component shortage means that the MacBook Air Retina display release date will be delayed until the third quarter at best, if not 2015.

That doesn't mean that we'll be left without a 2014 MacBook Air revamp. According to the same source, new 11-inch and 13-inch models will enter production next month, meaning they'll likely arrive in Q3.

Even so, this apparently doesn't mean that we won't be seeing any new MacBooks this year. Despite Apple having launched a cheaper 11in Macbook Air earlier this year, the Taiwanese report claims that new 11in and 13in models will enter production next month, with a launch expected later in the year.

However, Apple's first Retina display Macbook could be worth waiting for. According to previous speculation, the laptop will be "thinner and lighter" than the company's existing model, with its Retina display boasting 2340x1440 resolution. With an Intel Broadwell chip under the bonnet, the rumoured 12in Macbook Air likely also will boast better battery life than Apple's present laptops, with Intel boasting of "superior energy efficiency".

Apple has yet to comment on the speculation.