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Compiled MBA email to SJ
- Thread starter Mhkobe
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Heh, I would say "please Mr Jobs, don't release the new MBA for a long time so the value of my current one doesn't go into the toilet overnight".
Apple is in the process of setting the Air apart with new innovations and capabilities from the competitors.
Expect Apple to take the Mac towards the next level.
Expect Apple to take the Mac towards the next level.
Whatever you say, keep it short and to the point. 2-3 sentences max, with only one specific question (if any).
That will increase the chance of actually getting a meaningful response.
I just want to know if Apple still has the excitement and enthusiasm for the MBA that there was to begin with. If the answer is "Yes" then updates will come. They may not be what people hope for, but eventually (a few revisions down the line) they will be.
It's understandable that the MBA is revised less frequently than the other notebooks with the size having implications upon components and temperature but it's a computer that really excites me, partly because the limitations on revisions may mean smaller updates but greater price reductions (as has been witnessed so far).
It's understandable that the MBA is revised less frequently than the other notebooks with the size having implications upon components and temperature but it's a computer that really excites me, partly because the limitations on revisions may mean smaller updates but greater price reductions (as has been witnessed so far).
I say it needs to be really short and sweet. Somehow making a funny jab at the original terse reply of "Not to worry" to the MBP requester, would probably work. Something like this, but this could be improved on...
Dear Mr. Jobs,
When you recently replied "Not to worry" to the person wanting an MBP update you made me feel really happy. Us MacBook Air fans remembered that in the past every time the MBP was updated so was the MBA. Well with this update "Not to worry" didn't apply to the MBA... is it "Not to worry" or "To worry" for someone like me who is waiting for a new MBA? Also, is it "Not to worry" if I NEED 4 GB of RAM in that MBA or should I just buy an MBP?
Dear Mr. Jobs,
When you recently replied "Not to worry" to the person wanting an MBP update you made me feel really happy. Us MacBook Air fans remembered that in the past every time the MBP was updated so was the MBA. Well with this update "Not to worry" didn't apply to the MBA... is it "Not to worry" or "To worry" for someone like me who is waiting for a new MBA? Also, is it "Not to worry" if I NEED 4 GB of RAM in that MBA or should I just buy an MBP?
For your next trick edit for grammar.
But seriously, if there is anything I've learned in business that is to not point the finger at something else when trying to make the point. In other words (for the sake of being redundant), if you're going to ask for an update have an actual original point rather than pointing your finger and whining that you're unsure if you were told not to worry or to worry about a MBAir update but some random condescending question, "should I just buy a MBP?" My reply would be a resounding yes and I'd tell you to buy an iPad for
For your next trick edit for grammar.
But seriously, if there is anything I've learned in business that is to not point the finger at something else when trying to make the point. In other words (for the sake of being redundant), if you're going to ask for an update have an actual original point rather than pointing your finger and whining that you're unsure if you were told not to worry or to worry about a MBAir update but some random condescending question, "should I just buy a MBP?" My reply would be a resounding yes and I'd tell you to buy an iPad fortravelentertainment.
Well the point was "Not to worry" was Steve's FULL REPLY to the poster who sent an email expressing concern for no update to the MBPs and that he had told friends that the MBP would be updated. Not to worry and to worry seem like potential assumptions to the MBA given "Not to worry" was Steve's full reply.
Ok, my point with the "Should I just buy an MBP" was to try to get further information as to whether if I am "Not to worry"-ing should I "to worry" or Not to worry if I NEED that MBA update to have 4 GB RAM.
Yes, I agree that it is best to just be funny and quick while not being an ASS.
If I wanted to be a real ASS, I would have said I am going to buy a Sony Vaio Z that is more powerful than Apple's ***** MB "PRO" and weighs as little as MBA that Apple cannot be bothered to upgrade to at least 4 ***** GB of RAM!
As I said before, this was a base possible idea and not what the full email should look like but we could start with something like this and improve from here.
So to make this work best, rather than just criticizing my message, please offer your own message with completely different verbiage or improving upon my verbiage.
thanks.
Oh, yes. And thanks to the OP who made this thread. I would love to know how to get a reply, and I think the right quick message might just get a reply from Sir Steve.
We also need someone with an email address that is at a real company to send this letter too. For example, if your email address is @intel.com I would think Steve's more likely to read it than @yahoo.com. You get the point... anyone want to apply for the job if the OP doesn't want the responsibility?
I believe this needs to be one email sent from one fan who is dying for a new MBA from Apple and not willing to buy anything else. We cannot say it's a bunch of fans from a rumor site, and jessica is right if we're disingenuous or condescending or even make fun of Steve's reply he's not going to reply.
Perhaps using "Not to worry" is not the right place to start? Anyone else have any better ideas? A real example of what we might really say to get a reply?
Perhaps we ask Sir Steve about buying an iPad, and ask when it will have 4 GB of RAM... JOKING!
i don't believe that statement solely because the new MBPs were never taken to the next level
I really liked that template email scottsdale posted, and I believe it is an excellent starting point; however, I do not believe we should poke fun at sir Jobs' "not to worry," or "stay tuned." He is a very busy man, and a short answer like that is all that we should really expect. I think that the first thing we need to figure out is what we want as an answer from him. Whether it be the simple assurance that there will in fact be another MBA, or something more specific like battery life, weight, power etc. The second thing we need to do is write something that will hook him in order to prevent him from simply hitting delete.
I am pretty good at writing hooks, so my main question is just what exactly you guys want to know from him.
-Also, my only @non-gmail.com address seems to show up in everybody's junk mail, so if we want to take that route; I would consider it a wise choice to not send it by my email.
-Also2, Scottsdale: You should use "an" only before words beginning with a vowel, use "a" otherwise. (e.g. A Macbook Air. As opposed to: An Macbook Air. -not a big deal, just felt worthwhile to point it out.)
I am pretty good at writing hooks, so my main question is just what exactly you guys want to know from him.
-Also, my only @non-gmail.com address seems to show up in everybody's junk mail, so if we want to take that route; I would consider it a wise choice to not send it by my email.
-Also2, Scottsdale: You should use "an" only before words beginning with a vowel, use "a" otherwise. (e.g. A Macbook Air. As opposed to: An Macbook Air. -not a big deal, just felt worthwhile to point it out.)
Dear Mr. Jobs:
I'm concerned with the lack of an update for the Air considering the recent one to the Macbook Pros. With the launch of the iPad many are predicting the demise of the Air. I hope not. I love the Air and think there is no other laptop out there in it's league. Is there hope for an update to the Air? Soon?
Sincerely,
I'm concerned with the lack of an update for the Air considering the recent one to the Macbook Pros. With the launch of the iPad many are predicting the demise of the Air. I hope not. I love the Air and think there is no other laptop out there in it's league. Is there hope for an update to the Air? Soon?
Sincerely,
You just made this thread no fun!
What is with criticizing people all over these forums? The level of personal attacks on these forums is frustrating. One cannot express his or her ideas without getting personally criticized. I am not trying to write a book or professional article here. I am trying to share ideas and enjoy myself while debating others. In addition, I don't even believe you're correct in this instance.
I use "A/AN" properly more often than most here. One thing that I believe you are missing is the sound not whether the word it precedes starts with a vowel or consonant.
If I say, an MBA, it's correct assuming the user is in their mind thinking MBA (em-bee-A) and not "MacBook Air." When I type MBA and not MacBook Air, I always use "AN." When I type out MacBook Air, I always use "A" preceding it. When I think of an MBA I am thinking em-bee-A/MBA and not MacBook Air.
I was taught to ALWAYS use "AN" preceding a vowel sound and always use "A" preceding a consonant sound. Note, I am not always using An before a vowel and A before a consonant but using the sound to determine which is proper for the situation. For example, united starts with a vowel but the sound is YOU-Nited which starts with the consonant Y.
I am a firm believer that the critical decision as to whether "A or AN" should be used is the SOUND of the start of the first syllable of the word and NOT the first letter of the word. I believe people are wrong when they use the first letter to determine whether to precede a word with an "A or AN." However, I wouldn't criticize someone for using a different method to determine whether they want to use A or AN. Many do use just the vowel or consonant to determine usage, and while I believe that OFTEN leads many down the wrong path, I am not going to criticize them for using it as their personal rule for A or AN.
Therefore, here is how I normally write...
I earned an M.B.A. from Arizona State University. I earned a Master of Business Administration from A.S.U. How is that incorrect? Notice the "M" is first in M.B.A, but the sound is "em" for M. Are you saying that it is proper to write, I earned "a M.B.A." from Arizona State University?
The same applies with the MacBook Air. I want an MBA. I want a MacBook Air. I am thinking MBA (em-bee-A), not MacBook Air, when I write MBA short for MacBook Air.
I would love to buy an MBP if it weighed three pounds. I would love to buy a MacBook Pro. Sometimes I error on this one, as sometimes I am thinking "MacBook Pro" when I write or read MBP. But I have caught myself lately and been consistent with an MBP.
I am an Apple, Inc. shareholder. I am a shareholder of Apple, Inc stock.
There are many examples that can be used here. I know most use the first letter and if vowel they use An and if consonant they use A. I disagree with that, but for most its a good start. With the MBA, it can be argued that it means MacBook Air so perhaps An MBA would be incorrect if the person reads it as MacBook Air and not MBA. However, I use two of my MBAs to illustrate the correct use of AN MBA with the MacBook Air. If an M.B.A. is correct assuming a Master of of Business Administration, and I believe it is, then an MBA is acceptable for the MacBook Air.
Strunk and White wrote The Elements of Style. I usually use that as my base understanding of writing well. One can go read that or check just about any source on the Internet and read that the common usage rules are based NOT on the first letter of the word "A or An" precedes but rather the sound of the first part of any word "A or An" precedes.
I am often incorrect, but I try to be correct whenever possible. I am here to have fun and share my opinions and ideas, so it disappoints me when people have to ruin the fun and criticize other people. We can criticize ideas without personally attacking each other. Cannot we debate ideas and just have fun?
What is with criticizing people all over these forums? The level of personal attacks on these forums is frustrating. One cannot express his or her ideas without getting personally criticized. I am not trying to write a book or professional article here. I am trying to share ideas and enjoy myself while debating others. In addition, I don't even believe you're correct in this instance.
I use "A/AN" properly more often than most here. One thing that I believe you are missing is the sound not whether the word it precedes starts with a vowel or consonant.
If I say, an MBA, it's correct assuming the user is in their mind thinking MBA (em-bee-A) and not "MacBook Air." When I type MBA and not MacBook Air, I always use "AN." When I type out MacBook Air, I always use "A" preceding it. When I think of an MBA I am thinking em-bee-A/MBA and not MacBook Air.
I was taught to ALWAYS use "AN" preceding a vowel sound and always use "A" preceding a consonant sound. Note, I am not always using An before a vowel and A before a consonant but using the sound to determine which is proper for the situation. For example, united starts with a vowel but the sound is YOU-Nited which starts with the consonant Y.
I am a firm believer that the critical decision as to whether "A or AN" should be used is the SOUND of the start of the first syllable of the word and NOT the first letter of the word. I believe people are wrong when they use the first letter to determine whether to precede a word with an "A or AN." However, I wouldn't criticize someone for using a different method to determine whether they want to use A or AN. Many do use just the vowel or consonant to determine usage, and while I believe that OFTEN leads many down the wrong path, I am not going to criticize them for using it as their personal rule for A or AN.
Therefore, here is how I normally write...
I earned an M.B.A. from Arizona State University. I earned a Master of Business Administration from A.S.U. How is that incorrect? Notice the "M" is first in M.B.A, but the sound is "em" for M. Are you saying that it is proper to write, I earned "a M.B.A." from Arizona State University?
The same applies with the MacBook Air. I want an MBA. I want a MacBook Air. I am thinking MBA (em-bee-A), not MacBook Air, when I write MBA short for MacBook Air.
I would love to buy an MBP if it weighed three pounds. I would love to buy a MacBook Pro. Sometimes I error on this one, as sometimes I am thinking "MacBook Pro" when I write or read MBP. But I have caught myself lately and been consistent with an MBP.
I am an Apple, Inc. shareholder. I am a shareholder of Apple, Inc stock.
There are many examples that can be used here. I know most use the first letter and if vowel they use An and if consonant they use A. I disagree with that, but for most its a good start. With the MBA, it can be argued that it means MacBook Air so perhaps An MBA would be incorrect if the person reads it as MacBook Air and not MBA. However, I use two of my MBAs to illustrate the correct use of AN MBA with the MacBook Air. If an M.B.A. is correct assuming a Master of of Business Administration, and I believe it is, then an MBA is acceptable for the MacBook Air.
Strunk and White wrote The Elements of Style. I usually use that as my base understanding of writing well. One can go read that or check just about any source on the Internet and read that the common usage rules are based NOT on the first letter of the word "A or An" precedes but rather the sound of the first part of any word "A or An" precedes.
I am often incorrect, but I try to be correct whenever possible. I am here to have fun and share my opinions and ideas, so it disappoints me when people have to ruin the fun and criticize other people. We can criticize ideas without personally attacking each other. Cannot we debate ideas and just have fun?
"The Elements of Style", by Strunk and White, is the most useful guide to English usage. It covers all the basics, yet it's short and readable and funny. It's also in the public domain. It's a very good idea to read it before attempting to correct someone else's grammar, otherwise you can look like a fool if you are wrong. William Garner, in Modern American Usage, calls the tendency to correct correct grammar "hyper-correction".
Scottsdale is correct. But I can see how the misunderstanding arose. We don't hear people saying "MBA", we only read it in MacRumors, so we don't know whether the abbreviation is spoken as "an em-bee-eh" or "a mu-ba" or indeed simply "a MacBook Air".
I've got a 3+ year old 15" MBP with a 30" ACD, and I've been patiently waiting for the MBA update since December. I also have 2 academic research email addresses, which always get through spam filters. One is @ucl.ac.uk and the other is @evolbio.mpg.de. I can use one of these to send the message if you like.
Duncan (another grammar pedant!)
Scottsdale is correct. But I can see how the misunderstanding arose. We don't hear people saying "MBA", we only read it in MacRumors, so we don't know whether the abbreviation is spoken as "an em-bee-eh" or "a mu-ba" or indeed simply "a MacBook Air".
I've got a 3+ year old 15" MBP with a 30" ACD, and I've been patiently waiting for the MBA update since December. I also have 2 academic research email addresses, which always get through spam filters. One is @ucl.ac.uk and the other is @evolbio.mpg.de. I can use one of these to send the message if you like.
Duncan (another grammar pedant!)
you're ****ing kidding me aren't you?
just ask him without grovelling; he's just a man after all, not a god
UCL is a fine university. I'll be applying there for my PhD. I love the campus and its location in London.
As for the letter, I vote for something pithy. Like this:
"Dear Mr Jobs,
I think Apple has hit the nail on the head with the Macbook Air, and want to continue using such a marvelous machine. Will we see an update in the foreseeable future?
Thanks for your time,
So-and-so"
Core 2Duo < Core i5-i7.
9400m & 9600GT < Standard 330GT Across the board, which = 80% More Graphics performance.
Standard 8hrs battery Life < Standard 8-9hrs battery life.
Option SSD's 128 & 256 < Option SSD's 128 & 256 & 512.
Higher Res Screen (Glossy/Antiglare)
8x SuperDrive
Next Level = Next Level from previous generation.
Apple has NO viable competitor for the their notebook lineup. If you say "Dell" "Sony", just save it, cause they wouldn't have those poorly made notebooks with so so specs without looking on Apple's Website and copying.
The AIR is a mobile device. Apple is a mobile devices company, so the Air is staying place.
Steve, the Macbook Air is a beautiful design, but to be practical it needs more than 2GB RAM and 128GB storage. When can we expect an update? Duncan
How's that?
How's that?
Dear Steve,
Re. my once-flagship MacBook Air.
Is the lack of a major spec and/or design update in the past year simply due to current hardware obstacles, or symptomatic of a more permanent policy shift away from the ultraportable sector?
Should I start to make room on my 'classic' shelf alongside my G4 Cube, scale model of a 300SL Gullwing and signed photo of Sophia Loren?
Regards, etc.
Re. my once-flagship MacBook Air.
Is the lack of a major spec and/or design update in the past year simply due to current hardware obstacles, or symptomatic of a more permanent policy shift away from the ultraportable sector?
Should I start to make room on my 'classic' shelf alongside my G4 Cube, scale model of a 300SL Gullwing and signed photo of Sophia Loren?
Regards, etc.
That's my point. Look, it's business. Do I really believe this will help get an MB Air update any sooner? No. I loved and I do mean loved my Air and I would likely buy another if it gets a major overhaul. However, I deal with people who wave their paper hammers all day long. I've been very successful in arguing with these folks who really have nothing on the company I work for. Threatening to buy something else or telling the boss that you'd like further clarification of some random e-mail sent out about a MacBook Pro update probably won't do it.
I think you know that though, I can appreciate the humor behind the initial letters but I do think you know if you're going to do it then do it right.
Dear Steve,
The Macbook Air is an amazing design, but its current specs mean it is no longer a viable computer. Is there some technical problem that is delaying its update, or has Apple simply abandoned the ultra-portable sector, damning the Macbook Air to be a museum icon like the G4 cube?
Please tell me "not to worry"!
Duncan
So when is the best time of day to send it?
The Macbook Air is an amazing design, but its current specs mean it is no longer a viable computer. Is there some technical problem that is delaying its update, or has Apple simply abandoned the ultra-portable sector, damning the Macbook Air to be a museum icon like the G4 cube?
Please tell me "not to worry"!
Duncan
So when is the best time of day to send it?
Nice job on plagiarising my above suggestion
"No longer a viable computer" is not a statement I'd make to Jobs or even to a friend asking for advice. Why? Because it's not true.
I'd also leave out such strong language such as "abandoned" and "damning".
Not that any of this crap really matters. Don't see "an MBA update" threatening the inclusion of death and taxes on that list anytime soon.
Nice job on plagiarising my above suggestion
I wasn't plagiarising, I was trying to incorporate all compatible suggestions!
Plea
I suggest begging as nothing else seems to work, maybe as follows:
Oh Great One,
Thy MacBook Air, the portable computer of choice of all who know it well, approaches its end of life (cycle). In order to beat back the hords of lightweight pretenders using limited OS, are there any plans to return the MBA to its glory or at least to arm it for battle?
Your humble customer,
I suggest begging as nothing else seems to work, maybe as follows:
Oh Great One,
Thy MacBook Air, the portable computer of choice of all who know it well, approaches its end of life (cycle). In order to beat back the hords of lightweight pretenders using limited OS, are there any plans to return the MBA to its glory or at least to arm it for battle?
Your humble customer,
- Status