A new Mac Mini could potentially make me hold my breath longer for a new MBA...

[Huubster]

I use my MBA as my primary computer, but it is running short for some things I want to do...
Anyway, this has been discussed over and over again by all of us. Now to the point:

Now, with all the very strong evidence of a new Mac Mini coming up, and no evidence at all for a new MBA I actually start to see another possibility.

In case the MBA doesn't receive an update coming Tuesday...I might actually opt for a Mac Mini as my primary machine and make the MBA my secondary computer for on the road...

Crossing my fingers for iX on that one...

 

[Kobekes]

...or sell the macbook air and buy an iPad for the road (+ mini @home)

 

[Huubster]

...or sell the macbook air and buy an iPad for the road (+ mini @home)

I have recently borrowed an iPad. No way it can replace my MBA. Not even partially. Not even remotely.

I use my MBA as my primary computer, but it is running short for some things I want to do...

Why do you think I am saying this?

 

[Joel Horn]

MBA users?

Does anyone know how many MBAs have sold and whether that number is meaningful to Apple?

I currently use a MBP 15" and would prefer less weight, smaller size for travel. Of course, I am probably going to buy the MBP 13" but actually don't need that much horsepower. But, a big step down to current MBA. So if the MBA gets a decent upgrade it could be perfect for me. It seems like Apple doesn't really care about the MBA anymore.

And is it all speculation anyway or is there a way to see what they are thinking by knowing the size of the MBA market versus other products?

 

[Cheffy Dave]

Patience Grasshopper! All will be revealed to you on Monday
Yes you will have the touch screen MBA

 

[pharmx]

Patience Grasshopper! All will be revealed to you on Monday
Yes you will have the touch screen MBA

Or an iPad running Mac OSX right?

 

[Huubster]

Patience Grasshopper! All will be revealed to you on Monday

hahaa! cheers

Yes you will have the touch screen MBA

I think I'll switch to a feather with ink and some good old paper the day that happens!
With an Apple logo on it..please...

"POING"

Or an iPad running Mac OSX right?

Naah. A touch screen turd will do. As long as it has the Apple logo on it it will be a big success anyway!

 

[gwsat]

Does anyone know how many MBAs have sold and whether that number is meaningful to Apple?

I suspect that your question may have been rhetorical. In the event it wasn't however, Apple announced on Monday that it had sold more than 2 million iPads in the less than two months since it was released. Yikes! If Apple decides to keep its eye on the iPhone OS based devices prize, that's got to be one of the big reasons why.

 

[halledise]

Apple may slip in a new Mini and Air but basically WWDC will be all about iPhone4, iPad gloating and the CLOUD, baby - no new version of iWork except the acceleration of all things that are cloud-based and iWork is one of them yet to be exploited

 

[Scottsdale]

I am so excited for Monday! I hope there are several new products for me to buy.

On my list of "wants" - MacBook Air, Mac mini Server, AppleTV, Apple Cinema Displays

I am right there with you. I believe a new Mac mini will give me something to do while I am waiting on a new MBA. However, I hope to not "need" to wait however, I fear it will be likely. Nevertheless, I plan to buy a new Mac mini Server as soon as it's updated to the Nvidia 320m. I want to use the mini for an AppleTV replacement too if the AppleTV isn't updated. I also want to run an ElGato TV tuner on the Mac mini Server. I also plan for it to be my "Windows" machine and setup a VM on it. That way I could get Windows off my MBA if I wanted to. I am not really concerned about the space on my MBA though. I would really love for the new Mac mini to have dual MDPs. It makes sense with Apple probably releasing new ACDs and eliminating the DVI ports.

I definitely am also looking forward to some new LED ACDs. I believe Apple will introduce two new ACDs. We all have read about the 27" LED ACD on the way, but I also learned of a 32.5/33" LED ACD planned (the size was "guesstimated" but was thought to be around 33" but was told 32.5" one time). I guess we will see. I want to buy one of those Mini Display Port to dual MDP out "splitters" if the new Mac mini doesn't have dual MDPs. That MDP "splitter" works with two 24" LED ACDs, so I hope it works on the new larger LED ACDs. Anyways, I hope to buy two of the largest LED ACDs Apple offers, and I hope they work natively with dual MDP ports on the mini.

What displays is everyone else using nowadays? Is anyone else waiting for these new LED ACDs? What else are people doing with Mac minis now? I suppose an external BluRay Drive will be perfect for Windows on the mini. It's too bad that Mac OS X doesn't at least support BluRay even though Apple is too cheap to put them in Macs. Are there any "fun" mods for Mac minis? Anyone think Apple will change the design or plastic color of the next Minis?

I guess I could just find the Mac mini forum section, LOL. Nice to see this thread in the MBA section. It is funny how we all are seeming to have planned out having to wait for an MBA update. It is like deep down we all know Apple will PROBABLY disappoint us. Is it me, or does everyone else feel the same? I still think the MBA update is coming, I just feel it will be an Nvidia 320m update some Tuesday after WWDC.

 

[thinkdesign]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11) Sprint PPC6850SP)

Joel Horn: What we do have is that recent pie chart, showing the overall breakdown of Apple's (IIRC) profit sources. Unfortunately, all the Mac computers were lumped into one category. Of course the scary thing about it was that the pdone and the iPad are more than half of the $. The toys and the App Store have now financially dominated the company. (And the trend may worsen... partly because... if I understand this and other forums correctly, Apple is less constrained by others with devices using the iPhone operating system, compared with the Macs being at the mercy of the chip wars, etc.) ---- But is there TRULY no info on Air' sales ? ? ? Not even from the Taiwanese tech press? Cant't they/we at least find out... how many days each year, the 'Air'-making factory is making them (?) ... and compare that w/ similar data for other Mac models... enabling an analyst to deduce a guesstimate to show what % of Macs each model/size comprises?

 

[Huubster]

Tired of waiting for new MBA - Check
Vaio Z is problematic with Ubuntu - Check
The new Mac Mini seems very cool - Check
Buy a new Mac Mini and make my MBA secondary - ....

Checklist almost complete...still waiting till the end of the month

 

[Monolythix]

Does anyone know how many MBAs have sold and whether that number is meaningful to Apple?
(...)
And is it all speculation anyway or is there a way to see what they are thinking by knowing the size of the MBA market versus other products?

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11) Sprint PPC6850SP)
But is there TRULY no info on Air' sales ? ? ? Not even from the Taiwanese tech press? Cant't they/we at least find out... how many days each year, the 'Air'-making factory is making them (?) ... and compare that w/ similar data for other Mac models... enabling an analyst to deduce a guesstimate to show what % of Macs each model/size comprises?

Hi all, I'm new here and also in the market for a new MBA. Thought it could be interesting for you guys to join in, as I'm an ex-Apple store employee from The Netherlands. I'm not aware of any rules that prohibit me from sharing any information on sales, but I keep my fingers crossed as we're all becoming desperate for some information that might help us to decide wether to wait for an update or to go with the old model (or another model such as the MBP).

First of all, as you may assume, store employees don't know anything more about product updates as you guys do. For us it's just speculation too, although some of my colleagues like to pretend that they know more than the customers who come into the shops Only a few people over at Cupertino know what\s going on and even then things are covered up with red lights above the door, you've probably read this stuff too.

Secondly, the shops in The Netherlands are dependent on distributors, so no information about stock capacity is known, too.

Then about the MBA sales figures. I didn't have access to detailed information, but my estimate from experience as a salesman is that for every 15-20 portable Macs that are sold, 1 MBA is sold. Mostly it's people who already own a desktop or fast portable and want to have something for traveling or presentation purposes. Although sales are significantly lower than the other portables, they have been steady for a long period of time (at least until I quit). Therefore I'm convinced that the MBA will live despite the introduction of the iPad. Keep in mind that the sales figures in the US or other countries might be different from those of Western-Europe.

Ok I have been doubting wether to share this with you guys but since the Mini update today and still no MBA update, I decided to go for it.

 

[wildjohn999]

Buy a new Mac Mini and make my MBA secondary

Buy a new iMac i7 and make my MBA secondary, or at least that is what I did.

But seriously, today's update of the mini gives me hope that the MBA is next or at least coming really soon.

 

[Scottsdale]

I really wish the 27" and 32.5/33" LED-backlit Apple Cinema Displays were updated. Why does Apple refuse to update so many of its products? There are still plenty of reasons for a Mac media event.

I am really done thinking the MBA will be updated soon. I suspect October or January now seem the most realistic.

One problem with the Mac mini today is the damned HDMI. I know some like it, but I would have much preferred two Mini Display Port outs. That way we could connect two new LED ACDs. With the HDMI, it limits that port basically to a flat panel TV. I think the users could buy a $29 MDP to HDMI with sound just fine. Or include the thing if they thought it was necessary.

I am going to buy the Mac mini Server. I plan to use it as a media server and for some web stuff. It should be pretty fun to mess around with. I really like having the server software even if I don't fully utilize it. I also like the idea of connecting a BluRay drive to it and running Windows on it.

At least it will be something to mess with while we're all waiting for a damned MBA update.

 

[gwsat]

One problem with the Mac mini today is the damned HDMI. I know some like it, but I would have much preferred two Mini Display Port outs. That way we could connect two new LED ACDs. With the HDMI, it limits that port basically to a flat panel TV. I think the users could buy a $29 MDP to HDMI with sound just fine. Or include the thing if they thought it was necessary.

I am going to buy the Mac mini Server. I plan to use it as a media server and for some web stuff. It should be pretty fun to mess around with. I really like having the server software even if I don't fully utilize it. I also like the idea of connecting a BluRay drive to it and running Windows on it.

I am surprised that you don't like the addition of an HDMI port but plan to use a Mac mini Server as a media server. An HDMI port seems to me to be nearly a necessity with any home theater component. That's why the Apple TV has HDMI. I understand that the Mini Display Port can pass both video and audio signals to an HDMI equipped device with the proper adapter but that the adapters are expensive. I think that the HDMI port is a major selling point. I like the idea of simply having an HDMI port from the get go.

I agree that a Windows installation would be a natural for a Mac mini that you intended to use as a media center. I would certainly do the same thing.

 

[skate71290]

I am surprised that you don't like the addition of an HDMI port but plan to use a Mac mini Server as a media server. An HDMI port seems to me to be nearly a necessity with any home theater component. That's why the Apple TV has HDMI. I understand that the Mini Display Port can pass both video and audio signals to an HDMI equipped device with the proper adapter but that the adapters are expensive. I think that the HDMI port is a major selling point. I like the idea of simply having an HDMI port from the get go.

I agree that a Windows installation would be a natural for a Mac mini that you intended to use as a media center. I would certainly do the same thing.

With HDMI on the Mini it has put the Apple TV into an empty grave and started to pour concrete on top of it, while yes there is a price difference, the capabilities of the Mini would far surpass the Apple Tv and provide as a fully functional computer capable of running 1080p MKV and Mac/Windows games, whereas the Apple TV is not capable of either

 

[dudulang]

Learning the updates of MB and mac mini, i guess the pending MBA refresh may have 2GB RAM, slightly improved C2D CPU and 320m GPU. if so, I would not buy with a 2GB ram.

 

[halledise]

Learning the updates of MB and mac mini, i guess the pending MBA refresh may have 2GB RAM, slightly improved C2D CPU and 320m GPU. if so, I would not buy with a 2GB ram.

if Apple decide to go that way, then will more than likely do 4 gb of memory and charge you accordingly …

but everyone seems so hung up on 4gb of memory these days.

the wife's MB has stock 2gb of DDR3 memory and it's fast & fine for what she does. (admittedly she does have the option of upping it to 4 gb)

I find the same in my Air - it's fast and fine with the similar intelligent pairing of processor (with 6mb of L2 cache which I might add makes a big difference to performance right there), nVidia graphics and SSD.

then again, I use the machine for that for which it was designed and if Apple release a specced up RevD with faster CPU/GPU and 4 gigglebytes of memory, I'll probably update when the tax refund cheque arrives, but I still probably won't be doing serious Photoshop or video editing on it.
for that we use the MB Pro baby.

it's horses for courses really and my Air is as fine for me now as it was this time last year when I bought it.

I'm patient and content (well in this area anyways!)

 

[cleric]

I think the price increase on the new mac mini is kind of lame, for negligible performance upgrades. You seem to be mostly paying for redesign and hdmi/sdcard slots.

 

[gwsat]

With HDMI on the Mini it has put the Apple TV into an empty grave and started to pour concrete on top of it, while yes there is a price difference, the capabilities of the Mini would far surpass the Apple Tv and provide as a fully functional computer capable of running 1080p MKV and Mac/Windows games, whereas the Apple TV is not capable of either

I agree that the Apple TV is as dead as a mackerel. I have had mine for a year and half but have used it only as a movie file server for more than a year. A Mac mini could do that easily, of course, plus a bunch more.

if Apple decide to go that way, then will more than likely do 4 gb of memory and charge you accordingly …

but everyone seems so hung up on 4gb of memory these days.

the wife's MB has stock 2gb of DDR3 memory and it's fast & fine for what she does. (admittedly she does have the option of upping it to 4 gb)

I find the same in my Air - it's fast and fine with the similar intelligent pairing of processor (with 6mb of L2 cache which I might add makes a big difference to performance right there), nVidia graphics and SSD.

then again, I use the machine for that for which it was designed and if Apple release a specced up RevD with faster CPU/GPU and 4 gigglebytes of memory, I'll probably update when the tax refund cheque arrives, but I still probably won't be doing serious Photoshop or video editing on it.
for that we use the MB Pro baby.

it's horses for courses really and my Air is as fine for me now as it was this time last year when I bought it.

I'm patient and content (well in this area anyways!)

I agree that, even now, 2Gb of RAM remains plenty for many users. Unfortunately, I am not one of them because of my dependence on running Windows in a VMware Fusion virtual machine, a big time memory hog. Nevertheless, I thought that Apple's decision to raise the price of the Mac mini substantially but still put only 2Gb of RAM in it was irresponsible. The de facto standard for RAM these days is 4Gb and Apple should have honored it, it seems to me.

 

[robotmonkey]

Get a 13 inch pro

Performance of the mini with the portability of the air. Done.

 

[dudulang]

I agree that, even now, 2Gb of RAM remains plenty for many users. Unfortunately, I am not one of them because of my dependence on running Windows in a VMware Fusion virtual machine, a big time memory hog. Nevertheless, I thought that Apple's decision to raise the price of the Mac mini substantially but still put only 2Gb of RAM in it was irresponsible. The de facto standard for RAM these days is 4Gb and Apple should have honored it, it seems to me.

agree, I'm an electronics university student, so I have to run windows on my mac to run some windows-only simulation applications or programming applications. I don't need a good GPU, but 4GB ram and more SSD storage is important for me.

 

[Duncanreally]

gave up waiting for MBA

So I reluctantly ordered a 13" MBP, with everything maxed out (8GB + 512GBSSD). Annoyingly I also needed to order the €75 dual link DVI adaptor to use it with my 30"ACD (which is the most neglected Apple product!).

D

 

[Scottsdale]

I am surprised that you don't like the addition of an HDMI port but plan to use a Mac mini Server as a media server. An HDMI port seems to me to be nearly a necessity with any home theater component. That's why the Apple TV has HDMI. I understand that the Mini Display Port can pass both video and audio signals to an HDMI equipped device with the proper adapter but that the adapters are expensive. I think that the HDMI port is a major selling point. I like the idea of simply having an HDMI port from the get go.

I agree that a Windows installation would be a natural for a Mac mini that you intended to use as a media center. I would certainly do the same thing.

With HDMI, I cannot use two LED ACDs. If there were two MDPs, then anyone could use two LED ACDs or any combination also using an HDMI(s) with a convertor. We cannot convert HDMI and it's far less capable than MDP. I am surprised and disappointed. I would have thought Apple would be happy giving us sound on MDP and allowing people to buy or even include one HDMI convertor. It's disappointing for anyone that wants to use the Mm with actual computer displays. I just think people could buy the $29 convertor if they want to attach a non-Apple flat panel TV. With two MDPs, Apple could sell extra LED ACDs to those of us who enjoy the much better displays than TVs offer for ACTUAL COMPUTING which is why we're buying Mac minis and not AppleTV or Google TV equipment.