A disappointing day for the MacBook Air. When will we see rev 3,1?

[Scottsdale]

I really do not understand why everyone wants such horsepower in an MBA. I chose an MBA because I travel frequently for work and any less weight to carry in my laptop bag is welcome to me. If I rarely traveled or only went to a coffee shop or something, I'd bring my MBP. I guess the question I have for people wanting all this horsepower is why did you require an MBA? Why didn't you buy a MB or MBP? My storage and memory needs were met for what I need to do while on the road, so I bought an MBA. If I needed 4GB of RAM and a 500GB HD, I'd have bought bought something else. You should too if that's what you need. Don't like the specs? Don't buy one. It's pretty simple.

That's not what we're talking about in terms of power. I have said I would be happy with an MBA that has the exact same SL9600 2.13 GHz CPU, Nvidia GPU, SATA-II SSD, but I want 4 GB RAM to use OS X or Windows 7 virtually. I don't feel like that should be a problem.

I do think a lot want a larger SSD, but I would rather use a Runcore SSD at 3X the performance than a larger SSD at 1/3 the power.

I don't think anyone is talking about a 3 GHz MBA, with a 1 GB RAM dedicated graphics card or 500 GB HDD. I think you're a little "off" on what people here want and need to run the MBA.

Apple just needs to evolve the MBA and include "NORMAL" updates to RAM and a glass trackpad at a minimum. Anything else is extra. The biggest point is I would pay a fortune for a BTO MBA that I could add whatever components I want that would work together inside an MBA. People want to improve their Macs, and the MBA has the biggest advantage here because the market can afford the upgrades. I would pay $5k for the "ultimate" MBA. Not everyone would, but then they can buy an MB. It's a true business "pro" Mac... at least that's what was intended for it from the beginning.

 

[epictempo]

Tell that to Mac Mini owners from 2007. Took well over a year and a half.

There just isn't a monetary incentive to update the cheapest mac; the Air is a different story.

 

[Scottsdale]

There just isn't a monetary incentive to update the cheapest mac; the Air is a different story.

Agree. The Mac notebooks are Apple's bread n butter and they're a different story from the Mac mini. Apple isn't going to neglect the MBA v 2,1 for two full years. Either it's going to be revived or EOL'd; that's my story and I am sticking to it.

An MBA probably probably during first two weeks of January but by the end of March 2010 for certain. Apple's in business to make money, and it cannot make money when it doesn't update models. Look at how bad sales suffer when Apple refuses to update for a year. When the iMac stayed the same for a year people stopped buying it and Apple had a terrible desktop sales year. Apple knows better, and in times of troubled economies, companies update/upgrade more often to ensure new technology drives purchasing/sales.

 

[PsyD4Me]

i don't see the point of upgrading if the new revision will add
now if it had a new case design maybe

 

[awesomedeluxe]

I don't think Apple will kill the Air. CD Drives will become less and less crucial for users and the Air will give them a head start in what looks to be an emerging market. Also, I wouldn't expect an Air in January; the first updates will most likely come to the 15 and 17".

 

[Scottsdale]

I don't think Apple will kill the Air. CD Drives will become less and less crucial for users and the Air will give them a head start in what looks to be an emerging market. Also, I wouldn't expect an Air in January; the first updates will most likely come to the 15 and 17".

Anyone can have those same thoughts knowing that MBP v 6,1 6,2 are the only ones listed in hidden files. I prefer to use ALL information and rumors not just that one.

 

[Maks]

Agree. The Mac notebooks are Apple's bread n butter and they're a different story from the Mac mini. Apple isn't going to neglect the MBA v 2,1 for two full years. Either it's going to be revived or EOL'd; that's my story and I am sticking to it.

An MBA probably probably during first two weeks of January but by the end of March 2010 for certain. Apple's in business to make money, and it cannot make money when it doesn't update models. Look at how bad sales suffer when Apple refuses to update for a year. When the iMac stayed the same for a year people stopped buying it and Apple had a terrible desktop sales year. Apple knows better, and in times of troubled economies, companies update/upgrade more often to ensure new technology drives purchasing/sales.

Your posts are too filled with emotion. In another thread you "guaranteed" that the MBA is being EOLed. Now you are saying it's either going to be revived or EOLed. One sentence later you are "certain" that a new rev is coming out in March 2010. There is a difference between your opinion and fact. Your "guarantees" and certainty mean absolutely nothing, they are simply your opinion.

Apple is already making plenty of money, despite what your personal ideas may be. The economy is in the crapper and their ttm sales vs ttm 1 year is about 12.5. They have an excellent ROI TTM far above industry average and their net profit margin is through the roof. Apple might know a little more about running their company than you do.

Once again, if you aren't happy with a 2GB RAM MBA, do not buy one. It doesn't do anyone any good to rant about how you'd spend $5,000 on one. Apple is not going to custom build an MBA just for you. If the majority of the market feels the way you do, the drop in MBA sales would cause Apple to rethink their strategy. Supply and demand, the basis of our economic system.

 

[Scottsdale]

Your posts are too filled with emotion. In another thread you "guaranteed" that the MBA is being EOLed. Now you are saying it's either going to be revived or EOLed. One sentence later you are "certain" that a new rev is coming out in March 2010. There is a difference between your opinion and fact. Your "guarantees" and certainty mean absolutely nothing, they are simply your opinion.

Apple is already making plenty of money, despite what your personal ideas may be. The economy is in the crapper and their ttm sales vs ttm 1 year is about 12.5. They have an excellent ROI TTM far above industry average and their net profit margin is through the roof. Apple might know a little more about running their company than you do.

Once again, if you aren't happy with a 2GB RAM MBA, do not buy one. It doesn't do anyone any good to rant about how you'd spend $5,000 on one. Apple is not going to custom build an MBA just for you. If the majority of the market feels the way you do, the drop in MBA sales would cause Apple to rethink their strategy. Supply and demand, the basis of our economic system.

I don't tell you how to speak, write, or post on these threads.

I am not talking about Apple as a company... get real and read what it is that people are writing. I never said Apple isn't profiting nor that they aren't smart to keep $20 billion in the bank. I am a shareholder, and as a shareholder and a fan, I am disappointed with SOME of the things Apple is doing. Things are going great with the iPods and iPhones, but that doesn't mean that everyone is happy with the Macs.

We all have OUR OWN opinions. I don't call you out on your own or tell you off on what to buy or whatever. So go find someone else to boss around and tell how much you know about Apple as a company. I don't need to be hearing anything about supply or demand from you. I am aware of the economic condition of the world. I don't care to be lectured by you.

We are all at this site to share our opinions... and that's what I am doing. Sometimes people have differing opinions, and it's fine to constructively debate... but bashing people for their opinions isn't part of the fun.

 

[pedsurg]

new MBA

Is not the new MBA to be called the "tablet" ??

Jack

 

[n0d3]

Is not the new MBA to be called the "tablet" ??

Jack

I think the "Tablet" is going to be part of a whole different product segment altogether. As far as rumours are concerned, they say it's a media/entertainment/eBook platform kinda thingy.

If the new Air doesn't have a real/proper keyboard, I'm sooooo not buying it.

 

[cichlid81]

Threads like this always make me laugh. Someone expresses the fact that they would like something in a product that Apple does not offer and the arrogant, condescending, fanboy cavalry attacks. As if Apple was god and could do no wrong, Apple already knows what we want with no need to respond to consumer desires. Maybe if our community was not so easy to excuse and justify Apple's restrictive behavior things would be different. I have owned Apple products from the beginning and I (and nobody else for that matter) has to justify what they want to see from Apple regarding their products.

Please spare me the "Apple doesn't respond to the marketplace, it innovates" nonsense because its hogwash. Any company that doesn't respond to the market goes bye bye quickly. What do you call Apple cutting the price of the MBA in June by $300-$700? Do you think Apple was just tired of making all that cash? Or were they simply RESPONDING to current market conditions?

When I'm multi-tasking and running out of memory, my thoughts are not "Geez I'm sure glad Apple knows how to make obscene amounts of money" I am thinking that a couple more gigs would be nice. If Apple does not want to listen that is fine they don't have to, I just won't purchase their product. Don't give me the "why not just buy a Pro instead if you want 4GB" WOW! thanks for letting me know what my needs are, you and Apple obviously know what my needs/wants are better than I do, again with the arrogance.

Chalk me as someone who is waiting for Apple to put 4GB of memory in the air, until then I will not be purchasing.

This is just my opinion, which I can and will express freely, anyone who doesn't like it can go pound salt.

 

[darngooddesign]

Is not the new MBA to be called the "tablet" ??

Jack

Only if its a tablet and not a light laptop.

 

[Rai Saix]

Only if its a tablet and not a light laptop.

I HATE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE THAT THINK THE TABLET WILL BE ANYTHING LIKE THE MACBOOK AIR!!!!!

Where do people draw this insane connection from?!

 

[jb1280]

I HATE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE THAT THINK THE TABLET WILL BE ANYTHING LIKE THE MACBOOK AIR!!!!!

Where do people draw this insane connection from?!

It's the same type of person who for years now insists the mac mini and apple tv will be merged together.

Not going to happen.

 

[Rai Saix]

Threads like this always make me laugh. Someone expresses the fact that they would like something in a product that Apple does not offer and the arrogant, condescending, fanboy cavalry attacks. As if Apple was god and could do no wrong, Apple already knows what we want with no need to respond to consumer desires. Maybe if our community was not so easy to excuse and justify Apple's restrictive behavior things would be different. I have owned Apple products from the beginning and I (and nobody else for that matter) has to justify what they want to see from Apple regarding their products.

Please spare me the "Apple doesn't respond to the marketplace, it innovates" nonsense because its hogwash. Any company that doesn't respond to the market goes bye bye quickly. What do you call Apple cutting the price of the MBA in June by $300-$700? Do you think Apple was just tired of making all that cash? Or were they simply RESPONDING to current market conditions?

When I'm multi-tasking and running out of memory, my thoughts are not "Geez I'm sure glad Apple knows how to make obscene amounts of money" I am thinking that a couple more gigs would be nice. If Apple does not want to listen that is fine they don't have to, I just won't purchase their product. Don't give me the "why not just buy a Pro instead if you want 4GB" WOW! thanks for letting me know what my needs are, you and Apple obviously know what my needs/wants are better than I do, again with the arrogance.

Chalk me as someone who is waiting for Apple to put 4GB of memory in the air, until then I will not be purchasing.

This is just my opinion, which I can and will express freely, anyone who doesn't like it can go pound salt.

This. Dear God a thousand times this!!!

 

[Scottsdale]

Threads like this always make me laugh. Someone expresses the fact that they would like something in a product that Apple does not offer and the arrogant, condescending, fanboy cavalry attacks. As if Apple was god and could do no wrong, Apple already knows what we want with no need to respond to consumer desires. Maybe if our community was not so easy to excuse and justify Apple's restrictive behavior things would be different. I have owned Apple products from the beginning and I (and nobody else for that matter) has to justify what they want to see from Apple regarding their products.

Please spare me the "Apple doesn't respond to the marketplace, it innovates" nonsense because its hogwash. Any company that doesn't respond to the market goes bye bye quickly. What do you call Apple cutting the price of the MBA in June by $300-$700? Do you think Apple was just tired of making all that cash? Or were they simply RESPONDING to current market conditions?

When I'm multi-tasking and running out of memory, my thoughts are not "Geez I'm sure glad Apple knows how to make obscene amounts of money" I am thinking that a couple more gigs would be nice. If Apple does not want to listen that is fine they don't have to, I just won't purchase their product. Don't give me the "why not just buy a Pro instead if you want 4GB" WOW! thanks for letting me know what my needs are, you and Apple obviously know what my needs/wants are better than I do, again with the arrogance.

Chalk me as someone who is waiting for Apple to put 4GB of memory in the air, until then I will not be purchasing.

This is just my opinion, which I can and will express freely, anyone who doesn't like it can go pound salt.

I enjoyed your post. I agree completely.

Well, I hope you feel my reply was appropriate. I am just relaying my OPINIONS here as I thought this was a place to share without being bashed. Sometimes I feel like sharing here is a waste of my time... especially when someone flat out attacks me for sharing my opinions.

 

[bowlerman625]

I really enjoy following this board. As a newbie to Macs it's been a great source of thoughts and information. Even on the level of getting advice from somebody at an Apple store!

But the attacks or bashing of posters who are trying to help or offer advice is just nonsense. We all have things we are passionate about. Some posters here are passionate about Apple and about MBAs...what's wrong with that?

If you can't say something nice or helpful in a thread, just scroll on by!

It's ok to disagree and post your comments. Being respectful would be a good thing though!

I appreciate the help here greatly...but make it drama free please!

 

[Macadamian]

That was a perfect strike, Bowlerman.

I am interested in the mba, mb, mbpro, and wait for new information so I can make intelligent decisions about when and what to buy. So when I get an email alert that there is something new in the thread, I click into action to learn something. And what do I get, too often? Hissy fits. Let it go, boys. (I guess I could have followed my own advice, too.)

I really enjoy following this board. As a newbie to Macs it's been a great source of thoughts and information. Even on the level of getting advice from somebody at an Apple store!

But the attacks or bashing of posters who are trying to help or offer advice is just nonsense. We all have things we are passionate about. Some posters here are passionate about Apple and about MBAs...what's wrong with that?

If you can't say something nice or helpful in a thread, just scroll on by!

It's ok to disagree and post your comments. Being respectful would be a good thing though!

I appreciate the help here greatly...but make it drama free please!

 

[awesomedeluxe]

Anyone can have those same thoughts knowing that MBP v 6,1 6,2 are the only ones listed in hidden files. I prefer to use ALL information and rumors not just that one.

Okay, but what are you going on specifically? That is more or less the most solid information we have about coming updates. Also, if you read my earlier post, I'm not just going on that. I think it would make sense for Apple to hold out for the mainstream ATi 5000 series, Park, which promises to consume no more power than the current 4530 but with very significant performance gains. This is not so pressing for the 15" and 17", since they will have a much higher-end GPU in the system anyway. The Air would be switching between the ATi GPU and Intel's IGP, so that is the "roof" so to speak.

 

[Macadamian]

Imagine this.......

Reading a yachting magazine open to two color facing pages almost full size on my G5 today I realized what I want from Apple regarding the MBA is a "butterfly" design, in which both the cover and the bottom side consist in part of screens that--if turned 90 degrees to an "upright" position--present a format on which one could read full-size magazines and books. I suppose if you left it in the "normal" position, and the top opened back to reveal itself as a screen and the bottom piece as a screen as well, you could have what we could call a "centerfold" format a la Playboy. Flip a switch and one screen becomes a keyboard for data entry, searching, gaming et cetera.
Of course, I would also like the world with a white picket fence around it.
But remember, you read it here first.
It is coming, isn't it? Plastic Logic is playing with some screens that might work....

 

[Scottsdale]

Reading a yachting magazine open to two color facing pages almost full size on my G5 today I realized what I want from Apple regarding the MBA is a "butterfly" design, in which both the cover and the bottom side consist in part of screens that--if turned 90 degrees to an "upright" position--present a format on which one could read full-size magazines and books. I suppose if you left it in the "normal" position, and the top opened back to reveal itself as a screen and the bottom piece as a screen as well, you could have what we could call a "centerfold" format a la Playboy. Flip a switch and one screen becomes a keyboard for data entry, searching, gaming et cetera.
Of course, I would also like the world with a white picket fence around it.
But remember, you read it here first.
It is coming, isn't it? Plastic Logic is playing with some screens that might work....

Sounds interesting. I know there were rumors about OLED displays bending and Apple might be using one... speculated it was in a tablet like device though. I even like the eBook reader that was just announced that had displays on both sides. One was an LCD and the other eInk. We never know what Apple has coming in the next Air.

 

[Scottsdale]

Okay, but what are you going on specifically? That is more or less the most solid information we have about coming updates. Also, if you read my earlier post, I'm not just going on that. I think it would make sense for Apple to hold out for the mainstream ATi 5000 series, Park, which promises to consume no more power than the current 4530 but with very significant performance gains. This is not so pressing for the 15" and 17", since they will have a much higher-end GPU in the system anyway. The Air would be switching between the ATi GPU and Intel's IGP, so that is the "roof" so to speak.

I don't believe much is "solid" information. According to many Apple has "fake" prototypes on campus mixed in with real and most groups of employees only know certain pieces of the puzzle of each product. I would guess that one person truly knows exactly what he is going to decide... in the end. Apparently, Apple will even start development and he will change his mind and they go back to work and make changes... that supposedly happens often. Or they "leak" what a new product is going to be, then the real prototype is ignored and such. I do believe that Apple is most concerned with innovative products like a new iPhone... but when Apple released the original MBA it was an important piece of technology that it didn't want others to know about until released. I think the next MBA could be any number of different things.

I definitely believe that a lot of people can get certain parts right, but the end products are known by very few... and those who think they know are usually wrong. Since I heard a few differing things about the MBA, I think anything could happen. I guess we will have to wait until the day it's released before we truly know. I do believe that Apple has something planned to upgrade the MBA to a v 3,1... or it has already learned its lessons from the MBA. One or the other. I don't think it will move on as is for another year or more as some have suggested; we have essentially had the same MBA since October 2008 - it's time.

 

[PsyD4Me]

how much more would the OLED push the price?

would anyone like to see a 15 inch version?

 

[awesomedeluxe]

The Macbook Air uses the LV processors that intel is apparently not releasing until well into next year.

So probably, no new Air, anytime soon. If there is one, the updates will be trivial (4GB RAM, 2 USB ports) and not game-changing.

 

[cfitz7111]

The Macbook Air uses the LV processors that intel is apparently not releasing until well into next year.

So probably, no new Air, anytime soon. If there is one, the updates will be trivial (4GB RAM, 2 USB ports) and not game-changing.

I agree with you, to the point that I will get the MBP instead when I need it come January.