That weighs under 4 pounds? Yes. That is too much to ask. Just ask every single manufacturer out there that makes sub-4 lb. notebooks. The closest Apple has gotten to this was the 12" PowerBook G4, which weighed in at 4.6 lbs.
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Apple Keynote Predictions for Macbook Air
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That weighs under 4 pounds? Yes. That is too much to ask. Just ask every single manufacturer out there that makes sub-4 lb. notebooks. The closest Apple has gotten to this was the 12" PowerBook G4, which weighed in at 4.6 lbs.
stoconnell - It seems that you want an MBP that weighs a pound less rather than an MBA that weighs a half pound more. I don't want most of your requests. I am happy with the ports, but I do want a bump to USB 3.0 in my one USB port. I don't want Ethernet at all; the USB dongle works fine if needed. I don't want the edges changed to the MBPs. I definitely don't want ulgy ports out in the open without a flip tray; that would be an ugly MBA just as the MBP has with its ports. I would gladly take two RAM slots or even FOUR! I definitely don't want a 2.5" drive because it would require the MBA to be thicker. I don't want any changes to vents, as I like them exactly where they are. If the vents were on the back, instead of the bottom, the MBA would be ugly.
ehurtley - Well, don't forget that OS X is NOT Windows. Just because Windows could manage with the Core i3/5 and ONLY Intel's IGP does not mean OS X could provide us with the same performance with those identical components. I believe you're making a mistake by failing to consider the actual impact to the user. The real loss may not be understood initially, because people will expect the same performance across platforms.
Just think about the original MBA, and how Intel's 3100 and its Merom CPU couldn't do "normal" computing tasks without serious problems obvious to the end user. While the hardware was the true source of the problem, the problem was magnified greatly by software that wasn't as efficient/effective as was available on PCs via Windows. Therefore, we need to strongly consider both the strengths and weaknesses of both platforms before assuming what is true on one platform will also be true on the second platform.
If Apple releases an MBA that only has Intel's IGP, I will not fall for the same "trap" I did with the original MBA. It will take a lot of convincing and testing for me to believe an MBA, with only an Intel IGP, can perform "normally" as any Mac user would expect.
The past MBA problems, and the damage to the brand's reputation, actually gives me some comfort in thinking Apple has learned its lessons from Intel also. I hope it means no Intel IGP in the next MBA... or if there's an Intel IGP that it be a switchable graphics selection where I can utilize a real graphics card to actually use my computer. And the Intel IGP could be there for times when I don't require anything more than a word processor sitting on a cool desk (nope, not even then). Please Apple... no more Intel graphics!
ehurtley - Well, don't forget that OS X is NOT Windows. Just because Windows could manage with the Core i3/5 and ONLY Intel's IGP does not mean OS X could provide us with the same performance with those identical components. I believe you're making a mistake by failing to consider the actual impact to the user. The real loss may not be understood initially, because people will expect the same performance across platforms.
Just think about the original MBA, and how Intel's 3100 and its Merom CPU couldn't do "normal" computing tasks without serious problems obvious to the end user. While the hardware was the true source of the problem, the problem was magnified greatly by software that wasn't as efficient/effective as was available on PCs via Windows. Therefore, we need to strongly consider both the strengths and weaknesses of both platforms before assuming what is true on one platform will also be true on the second platform.
If Apple releases an MBA that only has Intel's IGP, I will not fall for the same "trap" I did with the original MBA. It will take a lot of convincing and testing for me to believe an MBA, with only an Intel IGP, can perform "normally" as any Mac user would expect.
The past MBA problems, and the damage to the brand's reputation, actually gives me some comfort in thinking Apple has learned its lessons from Intel also. I hope it means no Intel IGP in the next MBA... or if there's an Intel IGP that it be a switchable graphics selection where I can utilize a real graphics card to actually use my computer. And the Intel IGP could be there for times when I don't require anything more than a word processor sitting on a cool desk (nope, not even then). Please Apple... no more Intel graphics!
Sony has been manufacturing decently specced subnotebooks for quite a while now. The current Vaio Z sports Core i7 and discrete GPU at pretty much the same weight and price point as the Air (even though Sony also includes an optical drive). The Vaio TT is even small and lighter (and thus a real subnotebook), but Apple is currently in no position to support smaller screens.
Smaller screens require higher resolutions. Higher resolutions require a scalable UI. OSX does not allow scaling of its widgets in its basic app suite (if you change the DPI settings, you will notice that there is almost no Apple application that will play ball). Mail, iTunes and the Finder are not resolution independent.
Apple has declared resolution independence to be a goal for several years now, but failed to deliver. I am sure that they can eventually achieve it, but not this year. Thus, the Apple tablet will run on an extended iPhone OS instead of MacOS, and we won't see an 10" or 11" OSX notebook anytime soon.
I realize there is a competing aesthetic issue going on -- I do love the look of the Air as it is. My desire for more ports is actually driven by ethernet more than anything else as I need it and would like to be able to have a free USB slot for the very occasional times when I need both ethernet and USB (and don't have access to a hub). I do find the ventilation part of the equation to be the most frustrating aspect just because of the way I use a laptop forces me to be to be more careful than I'd prefer to be about not covering the vent
I could imagine with Apple adding a few mm to the overall thickness they could get a little more out of the battery/thermal envelope.Having voiced all of these concerns, etc. I still enjoy using my Air and while I like the feature set of the 13" MBP, I think that I would hate lugging around the extra heft (even though I don't really have much of a commute these days). No product is perfect for all people and even with its "quirks" I would still probably take the MBA over the 13" MBP, which was not a choice when I bought my MBA (unless you count the 13" Alu MB). Either way, it will be interesting to see what they do with their portable line up in the face of the new Intel chips/chipsets and the NVIDIA licensing issue.
I'm guess that the Air will get an updated one button glass trackpad to be consistent with the newer unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro lines. Also, wouldn't put it past Apple to put a new chip, more RAM, and a better battery into the mix.
I think the opposite, the MBA will not get the glass trackpad due to space issues (it's too thick). It should get a new chip, more ram, and better battery. The only way it will get a new trackpad is if the form-factor changes. I'm debating as to whether or not it will get the glass screen cover like the current MBPs... it would probably come down to what is cheaper... an aluminum bezel, or a thin plate of glass.
As for the other concerns... it is not unreasonable to expect an $1800 ultraportable to perform well enough for everyday use. I'm not talking professional use, just normal every day use. As a previous poster stated, Sony has been doing just that for a while now. I would also like to add that the Dell Adamo Desire is $2300, and comes with 2.1ghz core2duo, 4gb ram, and 256gb SSD. I would bet that most fans of the MBA would be elated to purchase a MBA with these specs for that price. I would settle for a slower CPU and 128gb SSD for the $1800 price point. Also, look at what Acer has done with the Travelmate Timeline series... arguably similar specs to the MBA, at half the price. If Acer/Gateway can do it, there is no reason Apple can't offer an MBA with 2+ghz core2duo (LV, not ULV), 4gb of ram, and at least 128gb SSD for $1800. If Intel's integrated GPU is good enough for everyday use, that would be fine with me... but the jury is still out on that. I would like a dedicated GPU, but if Intel's integrated is good enough, it won't matter... at least to me.
totally agree with all of the above; the only problem people fail to realise with all these alternative lighter faster Dell Sony and Acers is that they all run el-crappo Windows.
Give me the elegance of a Mac OS any day.
The current form factor of the MBA is a bout as sweet as it gets and the specs will be enhanced as time goes by; but don't expect the performance of a MBPro in an Air.
maybe extra memory, possibly a faster less power hungry processor and slightly more capacity in the HDD area.
however if one is using the Air for its intended purpose, then 128gb is more than sufficient
There is no Question: WAIT!
With all due respect, I don't understand why there is any question. I can hardly imagine a set of circumstances in which you would not wait. Here's the logic: there is a good chance the mobile computing space will change in a few days, and you lose almost nothing (two days!!) by waiting.
Apple is going to release its "latest creation" in just two days. If this is the much-rumored "tablet," then it is highly likely to affect the market for the MBA. Perhaps Apple will present something for $500 that you would much rather combine with a MB (as compared with just a MBA). (And with Apple, as we all know, they have a way for exposing itches we didn't know needed scratching!) But even if you are not interested in any sort of tablet, many potential MBA buyers would be. Apple, who likes to have clearly differentiated products appealing to distinct market segments, seems likely to do something with the MBA soon. Perhaps that means cutting prices, (more likely) raising the specs, or inadvertently signaling its march toward irrelevancy. Simply put, I think you want to know what Apple thinks is the future before you open that box.
And consider the cost: it is essentially zero! Waiting just two days is nothing in the scheme of a computer you'll own for years. I don't understand why you wouldn't wait--unless you expected to die or go irrevocably broke by Wednesday morning.
This logic, I think, stands independent of the prior questions about whether the MBA is the right computer for you given the current lineup. I assume you've done your homework and found the right choice. The point is that Apple's lineup is almost certainly going to change in two days. Don't you want to know what Apple thinks is the future before you put yourself into a market segment based on the space now, two days before the potential revolution?
Also, for what it is worth, I've had a 2nd Rev MBA for over a year; and I just love it! I probably use it more than I use my MBP. It runs like my MBP but is as portable as a netbook. I don't understand why more people haven't bought one of these! It's been just great.
With all due respect, I don't understand why there is any question. I can hardly imagine a set of circumstances in which you would not wait. Here's the logic: there is a good chance the mobile computing space will change in a few days, and you lose almost nothing (two days!!) by waiting.
Apple is going to release its "latest creation" in just two days. If this is the much-rumored "tablet," then it is highly likely to affect the market for the MBA. Perhaps Apple will present something for $500 that you would much rather combine with a MB (as compared with just a MBA). (And with Apple, as we all know, they have a way for exposing itches we didn't know needed scratching!) But even if you are not interested in any sort of tablet, many potential MBA buyers would be. Apple, who likes to have clearly differentiated products appealing to distinct market segments, seems likely to do something with the MBA soon. Perhaps that means cutting prices, (more likely) raising the specs, or inadvertently signaling its march toward irrelevancy. Simply put, I think you want to know what Apple thinks is the future before you open that box.
And consider the cost: it is essentially zero! Waiting just two days is nothing in the scheme of a computer you'll own for years. I don't understand why you wouldn't wait--unless you expected to die or go irrevocably broke by Wednesday morning.
This logic, I think, stands independent of the prior questions about whether the MBA is the right computer for you given the current lineup. I assume you've done your homework and found the right choice. The point is that Apple's lineup is almost certainly going to change in two days. Don't you want to know what Apple thinks is the future before you put yourself into a market segment based on the space now, two days before the potential revolution?
Also, for what it is worth, I've had a 2nd Rev MBA for over a year; and I just love it! I probably use it more than I use my MBP. It runs like my MBP but is as portable as a netbook. I don't understand why more people haven't bought one of these! It's been just great.
I hold Windows 7 in the same regards as OSX SL. It is just as intuitive and easy to use, with fewer problems than I have experienced with SL. If you haven't tried Windows 7 yet, you should.
I think the fact that those ultra portables have Windows 7 makes them an even better deal! Look at the retail prices of OSX compared to Windows 7.
Macbook Air 2.13 GHz 128 SSD NVIDIA GPU
Here's my story:
Windows User since its inception, working with DEC, HP Unix machines at work. Never touched a Mac before.
In 2007 I bought two machines, a Lenovo T60p as a main machine and a Macbook Air as a pet project. Pet project was a 1.6 GHz, 80 HDD, integrated graphics.
Pet project became main computer, in 2009 the hinges gave up and I sent it for repair, took a while and I did not want to use my windows computer to watch movies in bed, so I went ahead and bought another MacBook Air, the latest and greatest, faster than the first one, but nothing to write home about it. My wife at the time had a Dell XPS 1330, the mofo would burn you if you would try to keep in your lap. When the MacBook Air 1.6 came back from repair it was a no brainer, and I sold the the Dell, and I kept one old Macbook Air for my wife and the new one to myself. But I still had the Thinkpad T60p as my main machine in my office. Today I went ahead and I bought a DVI adapter, an extra charger (hate to be moving those f**kers around) a Magic Mouse and a keyboard and I made an experiment with my Samsung 22 inches with DVI.
I am willing to sell the Thinkpad, docking station, but I would like to keep my setup as a Workstation, Samsung 22", Bose with subwoofer, and the only thing that I haven't fixed yet is the cam. Mine is a MS Cinema, that can stream in 720p, and works with Skype, MSN, Yahoo, and any other major messenger available, I haven't found a driver for Snow Leopard for that cam...(doohhh, it's MS). Other than that, I have found my perfect replacement of a desktop on a Macbook Air....Freaking unbelievable coming from a Windows guy.
I have convinced my bro to buy a Macbook and last Saturday he bought a Macbook Pro 13", and I went to try it on Sunday. The glass pad was not that great, the glass replacing the bezel was freaking awesome, wish my MBA had it, instead of aluminum, DDR3 are pretty fast, but his bottleneck was the disk. The biggest drawback to me was its weight. It was a fu***ng brick to play around.
To summarize my experience, I don't want any Windows Machine, 7, or XP, I do not want a Macbook Pro, I want a MBA with a decent camera and I am all set. And Apple, if you cannot match Bose in the Sound System, don't bother to come up with some ****** can speakers on your Apple Cinema, I love a good music. Andrea Bocelli and a glass of wine (I am enjoying both right now), are paramount to a great evening.
Questions, should I buy an Apple Cinema 24? Is there any way to disable the sound and keep my bose 2.1 ( forget how it is called), or should I wait?
Let me know.
Here's my story:
Windows User since its inception, working with DEC, HP Unix machines at work. Never touched a Mac before.
In 2007 I bought two machines, a Lenovo T60p as a main machine and a Macbook Air as a pet project. Pet project was a 1.6 GHz, 80 HDD, integrated graphics.
Pet project became main computer, in 2009 the hinges gave up and I sent it for repair, took a while and I did not want to use my windows computer to watch movies in bed, so I went ahead and bought another MacBook Air, the latest and greatest, faster than the first one, but nothing to write home about it. My wife at the time had a Dell XPS 1330, the mofo would burn you if you would try to keep in your lap. When the MacBook Air 1.6 came back from repair it was a no brainer, and I sold the the Dell, and I kept one old Macbook Air for my wife and the new one
to myself. But I still had the Thinkpad T60p as my main machine in my office. Today I went ahead and I bought a DVI adapter, an extra charger (hate to be moving those f**kers around) a Magic Mouse and a keyboard and I made an experiment with my Samsung 22 inches with DVI. I am willing to sell the Thinkpad, docking station, but I would like to keep my setup as a Workstation, Samsung 22", Bose with subwoofer, and the only thing that I haven't fixed yet is the cam. Mine is a MS Cinema, that can stream in 720p, and works with Skype, MSN, Yahoo, and any other major messenger available, I haven't found a driver for Snow Leopard for that cam...(doohhh, it's MS). Other than that, I have found my perfect replacement of a desktop on a Macbook Air....Freaking unbelievable coming from a Windows guy.
I have convinced my bro to buy a Macbook and last Saturday he bought a Macbook Pro 13", and I went to try it on Sunday. The glass pad was not that great, the glass replacing the bezel was freaking awesome, wish my MBA had it, instead of aluminum, DDR3 are pretty fast, but his bottleneck was the disk. The biggest drawback to me was its weight. It was a fu***ng brick to play around.
To summarize my experience, I don't want any Windows Machine, 7, or XP, I do not want a Macbook Pro, I want a MBA with a decent camera and I am all set. And Apple, if you cannot match Bose in the Sound System, don't bother to come up with some ****** can speakers on your Apple Cinema, I love a good music. Andrea Bocelli and a glass of wine (I am enjoying both right now), are paramount to a great evening.
Questions, should I buy an Apple Cinema 24? Is there any way to disable the sound and keep my bose 2.1 ( forget how it is called), or should I wait?
Let me know.
Very true. Most people that are Mac fans haven't seen Windows for a few versions. Vista was problematic at the beginning for sure, but Windows 7 has been a dream, and then some. It's really really good stuff. The company has definitely learned to improve the user interface and the system stability.
I think most people should understand that Windows supports infinitely more hardware and software. That is where some problems occur. If you buy junk hardware, that has poorly written drivers, it's not going to be the same as quality hardware with well written software. Sony, HP, and others are putting together really nice systems with hardware much better than Apple uses in Macs, for less than half the price.
Now for some, the apps like iLife are making a difference where they don't want to go back to Windows. I can agree with that. The only thing I miss, when I am in Windows 7 with my MBA, is iLife. So for those talking about how bad Windows is, they really need to try Windows 7 with decent hardware. It's a dream. No, one cannot buy a $300 notebook with Windows 7 that is comparable to an MB or MBA. But if you're willing to spend $500 to $800, you can get a hell of a PC notebook.
good story, I try to convince people on these forums all the time that there is a HUGE difference between the MBA and the 13" MBP... very few believe me because they have not handled both.
I think the major difference is that you can pick up the MBA with one hand... I was trying to think about why I hate the MBPs form factor so much compared to the Air, and I think that's it. It's so inconvenient to use two hands to lift and move a laptop, I know it sounds trivial, but it really is a huge difference when you think about it. I can lift the 13" MBP with one hand, but not without straining my wrist. Sure, you notice the extra 1.5lbs in your bag, but that difference doesn't matter as much as when you are actually using it.
If I had to identify a second huge difference, it's the typing position and wrist comfort. The Air is very thin at the front edge, making it very comfortable to type on... I have written around 50 pages within the last two weeks on my MBA, with no ill consequences. The MBP seems to cut into my wrists and cock them at an odd angle.
Everyone loves something different about the MBA, which is why those with MBPs don't understand it.
Bocelli and good music in one sentence? Granted, he has a nice voice - but he ain't no Domingo, Wunderlich, Melchior etc.
How are the speakers on the air is my real question...? And I wish for 4 MB RAM and 160 G SSD maybe...?
Screen: I have a Dell 30' and extra speakers, very nice.
Snow Leopard is infinitely cheaper than Windows7 to buy.
yes I have used a machine running Windows7 and appreciate the work MS have done to lift their game.
however, it's still Windows with all of it's attendant anomalies and hair-pulling issues.
that said, if you think so highly of it then why not abandon the Mac OS and return to the Windows fold and go get yourself one of the fantastic PC's you refer to?
or bootcamp your HDD and run Win7 exclusively …
(don't think you will though!!)
Snow Leopard is infinitely cheaper than Windows7 to buy.
yes I have used a machine running Windows7 and appreciate the work MS have done to lift their game.
however, it's still Windows with all of it's attendant anomalies and hair-pulling issues.
that said, if you think so highly of it then why not abandon the Mac OS and return to the Windows fold and go get yourself one of the fantastic PC's you refer to?
or bootcamp your HDD and run Win7 exclusively
(don't think you will though!!)
But Snow Leopard wasn't really an OS jump. It was all about removing PPC support files to reduce the size and adding some more 64-bit support. That's why it was only $29, it was really just a glorified service pack. Not only that, a lot of application support was lost with 10.6, not much was lost with Windows 7.
I do agree that Windows 7 is more expensive, but if you add in the hardware costs to own a Mac, OS X is incredibly more expensive. We can run Windows 7 on a $400 laptop and get good results. We can run Windows 7 on a $600 laptop and get really good results. Spend $1000 or more and get incredible results with Windows 7. Compare that to Mac options. MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro coming in between $1000 for good results up to $2500 for really good results.
In the end, we all get what we pay for... it's just most of us here we will pay a lot more to be "cool" and own a Mac.
Snow Leopard is infinitely cheaper than Windows7 to buy.
yes I have used a machine running Windows7 and appreciate the work MS have done to lift their game.
however, it's still Windows with all of it's attendant anomalies and hair-pulling issues.
that said, if you think so highly of it then why not abandon the Mac OS and return to the Windows fold and go get yourself one of the fantastic PC's you refer to?
or bootcamp your HDD and run Win7 exclusively
(don't think you will though!!)
I do use Windows a lot for work (data analysis programs that are not compatible with Mac). I prefer OSX for other things like creating fancy word documents and powerpoint presentations for clients (the Windows version of office doesn't have as cool of templates) or just browsing and surfing the MacRumors! If I didn't prefer doing these things on a Mac... and prefer the portability of the Air, I probably would use Windows full-time (again).