Current MBA Owners - will you automatically upgrade to a new MBA in January? If not..

[Scottsdale]

From the Apple menu, About this MAC, More Info you can find your Model Identifier: e.g. MacBookAir2,1

RevA would be 1, rev B 2, and RevC2,1. Each rev had a basic version with slightly slower processor and HDD and a slightly faster processor and an SSD (although special orders could confuse that issue).

RevB was a major upgrade going from a custom version of an older processor to a mainstream version of a newer higher density lower power processor, going to much more powerful graphics, going from a PATA to a SATA drive interface etc. Major rework of the internals, completely new motherboard.

RevC was a much more minor upgrade - with the only readily apparent change being a processor speed bump. You got a newer generation of SSD and a different screen as well but no major redesign.

Who knows what the RevD will bring and when.

That's not true. Since October 2008, the model has been 2,1. What people here have called a rev C is still the same rev 2,1 that has had an extremely minor CPU bump not a revision to the MBA. The main basis of the machine has stayed the same since October 2008.

So January 2008 was rev 1,1. October 2008 was rev 2,1. When Apple bumped the CPU the next time, it stayed rev 2,1. The only reason there was a bump is Intel bumped the SL9x00 series chips. So Apple probably got the 2.13 for the same price as 1.86 was before.

I expect the next MBA to be a new form factor and a new chipset with a real rev C designation to 3,1.

 

[Clix Pix]

I love my first-gen Rev A MBA and in fact am typing on it right now. I knew what I was getting, knew the limitations and have worked comfortably within those limitations since I have other Macs to do the heavier lifting. If something new is announced in January or February, I would have to assess whether or not there would be enough value to me to purchase the newest version..... What would I like? Well.....more than just the one all-purpose port, for starters: c'mon, Apple, give us a FW port, too!!!!! 4 GB RAM would be nice......

 

[Nugget]

Not currently using a MacBook Air, although we've got two at work that I play around with from time to time. I'd be tempted by any bump that takes the max RAM to 4GB or higher.

Like kellen, though, I might also be happy with a tablet (depending on how one works) so I'm up in the air completely (no pun intended).

 

[juro]

I have the original 1.6 Rev. A with the 80gb HDD, and, to be honest, I am very happy with it — until those times that I visit these forums and suddenly start thinking that maybe I could do with a faster, more powerful, lighter, and more multi-ported MBA, hahaha.

For me, I would have to wait and see what surprises Apple has in store for the new MBA.

The price point will definitely be a big factor in my decision making process.

 

[sushi]

I like my MBP15, but would definitely consider switching over to an MBA if the following were true:

- 256GB SSD
- 4GB RAM

RAM is needed for VMware and other apps I regularly use. A 256GB SSD for speed and internal capacity.

 

[Scottsdale]

I like my MBP15, but would definitely consider switching over to an MBA if the following were true:

- 256GB SSD
- 4GB RAM

RAM is needed for VMware and other apps I regularly use. A 256GB SSD for speed and internal capacity.

My bet is that the next MBA will NOT have a 256 GB SSD. However, it will have larger than 128 GB.

My best guess is 160 GB to 192 GB. Also, it might even be a dual drive system... Apple hasn't done that before, but the MBA seems to be a "test" platform for other Mac notebooks.

I do believe it will have 4 GB RAM. However, it could have Intel integrated graphics which will make the "power" of 4 GB of RAM or the space of a larger SSD useless to me. Intel integrated graphics will be the end of me buying MBAs.

More than anything, I want to know which direction Apple is going with graphics? Since October 2008, all we have seen is 9400m in Macs. With the loss of Nvidia GPUs/Chipsets with Arrandale CPUs, Apple will have to go dedicated graphics OR Intel integrated OR stick with Penryn CPUs for another revision. I don't know that Apple will spend the money for a dedicated ATI graphics card, and I don't know if the MBA can handle it?

The best case scenario is Arrandale without integrated graphics and a dedicated ATI solution. Second best scenario is a Penryn SL9x00 CPU with Nvidia 200m or even 9400m again. I can live with Penryn more than I could Arrandale with Intel integrated graphics. Intel graphics mean the end of the MBA's performance capabilities. The reason we all love the MBA is the 9400m.

I would like to hear some legitimate leaks about the MBA. We have heard there might be an MBP update in January, but there have been no leaks/rumors about the MBA for nearly six months. However, there were no leaks before the tiny bump last Summer.

 

[theappleguy]

1. Rev A (1.8GHz, HDD)
2. Not automatically, but I will most likely need to as my MacBook Air is dying - fans seem to run all the time, audio in and out are dead and in general it is now too slow for what I want to use it for.
3. I would expect 4GB RAM, the option of a 256GB SSD (or at least 160GB) and a general bump in processor, graphics and battery performance (does not have to be significant, but it certainly can't be a step backwards). A bump in screen resolution and a matte screen option would also be nice but would not stop me from buying a new Air.

Edit: Another thing that would be quite nice is if Apple offered the MacBook Air in 12-inch and 14-inch configurations. Don't see it happening, but being about to get a 14-inch model is another reason I would upgrade.

 

[alphaod]

Even though I'm not entirely satisfied with only 2GB of RAM (ie: I have 34MB free…including inactive and a 2GB swap size), unless the spec change is significant, I can't justify upgrading. I already have 8 computers (7 of which were purchasing in the last 6 months), so I can't see how I can fit another in.

If it has 4GB of RAM, uses a standard SATA connector (for the HDD), and offers a faster processor with an excellent cooling aparatus, I might consider it… but I'm more inclined to wait for the looming Apple slate (if is just approaching the horizon).

And if it has Intel graphics, I probably won't even bother… but if it does use Intel graphics, it better have more than 10 hours of battery life (in a real test, not the advert bullocks).

 

[musicpenguy]

I'm sure everyone here would love to upgrade to the latest greatest Macbook Air when it is released - but that is never an inexpensive proposition

So I think those with extra cash will upgrade and sell of the old ones but those tight on cash - probably not

 

[halledise]

All current MBA owners...Ayeying, MacMod, Scottsd, etc:

1) What Rev do you currently have?
2) Will you automatically upgrade the MBA if we see a new one in January?
3) If not automatic, what is the minimum spec increase that will make you likely upgrade?

Jan 26 is getting closer and closer!

1. Rev C with the 128gb SSD

2. No.
a. because there will be no new release of MBAir, as it would distract from the Tablet/iPhone/iPod release that it's supposed to be all about; and also Apple usually go end of cycle or beyond before releasing a new model
b. I like to get at least 1 full year out of my Macs

3. 4gb memory; tighter graphics; combined optical digital/audio line-in; longer battery life; run cooler (it's annoying when fan keeps kicking in and the thing gets warmer when only surfing 'net or typing words; 128gb ssd is more than sufficient for my needs

I'm sure when the Rev D comes out mid to late 2010 there will be a slight lift in processor speed/type, and additional memory, but then the heat issue will also need to be dealt with by then.

Other than that, the Rev C MacBook Air is the ideal and best machine for mobile computing - as long as you don't want to do video editing, Photoshopping etc - which I don't.

as a post script, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but in reality the Adamo simply sucks just like windows does.
check out this comparison:

http://apcmag.com/dell-adamo-vs-apple-macbook-air.htm

 

[Jobsian]

Great link Halledice, and shows you just how amazing-looking the MBA is. The original Adamo isn't too bad either imo (certainly easier on the eye than the Adamo XPS imo). Underpowered though.


If you excuse the ignominy of answering my own question, I'm going to get a next revision MBA, if they announce one, almost certainly.

However, the following are reasons I would not buy one:

1) Intel IGP only - the only way I can even imagine buying one then is if there's some other compelling feature that is hitherto unknown. Intel graphics are still weak, even when comparing with Nvidia technology > 1 year old. That wouldn't be acceptable for me.

2) Subjectively ugly design - If I don't like the look of it, I wouldn't buy it regardless of specs. Shamelessly(!), this is a big factor for me loving the MBA. I can't imagine Apple failing here though, their track record for design eclipses every other major manufacturer as far as I'm aware (imo).

3) Tablet overlaps much of MBA function - I can't imagine this scenario however as, from rumors only, it appears that it's going to be more media-focused and have iphone-modified os. Almost unimaginable that it would have OSX. Also it appears, again from rumors RE hardware staffing, that it looks almost certain to have ARM processor and not an Intel Core. Which would probably put it out of the scope of power for what I'd want my next notebook to do.


That's it. Apart from these hopefully unlikely scenarios, I can't imagine not buying one if they do release it

 

[FJIL]

Waiting for MBA!

HI
I am an avid PC user and I'm now making the switch to Mac. I am startled by the Price relative to the spec. This however is not dampening my spirits too much as I'm waiting for an MBA revision of the following:

1)New to Mac
2)Will upgrade as soon as a new more comparatively powerful machine is released - 4GB ram is a cert for me and 2.5GHz processor - slightly larger storage options and slightly better connectivity would be nice.
3) Still waiting

A member of my family has a 1.6GHz 80GB Intel MBA which to be honest is really good. She is hung up on spec / model revs etc. Which is really pointless given what she and most people use them for. For a start people don't buy macs for games as there are none and unless your a designer etc. Then its really just a glorified netbook, hold on i'm talking myself out of buying one. Take the new Sony as an example, what a waist of time! £1500 for an Intel atom processor, might as well burn your money.

I need slightly more processing power and storage than the current MBA due to work related use and the MBP 13 looks good but I'm going the full distance with an iMac so want ultra portability with respectable power so Dell Adamo XPS (thinnest laptop on market - 4gb ram - 256gb ssd) so Apple get your finger out of your **** and keep up with the market as you do have the best products!

All the best for the New Year to all that read this.

 

[Scottsdale]

HI
I am an avid PC user and I'm now making the switch to Mac. I am startled by the Price relative to the spec. This however is not dampening my spirits too much as I'm waiting for an MBA revision of the following:

1)New to Mac
2)Will upgrade as soon as a new more comparatively powerful machine is released - 4GB ram is a cert for me and 2.5GHz processor - slightly larger storage options and slightly better connectivity would be nice.
3) Still waiting

A member of my family has a 1.6GHz 80GB Intel MBA which to be honest is really good. She is hung up on spec / model revs etc. Which is really pointless given what she and most people use them for. For a start people don't buy macs for games as there are none and unless your a designer etc. Then its really just a glorified netbook, hold on i'm talking myself out of buying one. Take the new Sony as an example, what a waist of time! £1500 for an Intel atom processor, might as well burn your money.

I need slightly more processing power and storage than the current MBA due to work related use and the MBP 13 looks good but I'm going the full distance with an iMac so want ultra portability with respectable power so Dell Adamo XPS (thinnest laptop on market - 4gb ram - 256gb ssd) so Apple get your finger out of your **** and keep up with the market as you do have the best products!

All the best for the New Year to all that read this.

Would you be happy with an Arrandale CPU at 2.1 GHz with two physical cores, four virtual cores and a "Turbo" feature boosting it to 2.8 GHz when only needing one core? Just a question... not saying that's what Apple will use in the next MBA.

However, the following are reasons I would not buy one:

1) Intel IGP only - the only way I can even imagine buying one then is if there's some other compelling feature that is hitherto unknown. Intel graphics are still weak, even when comparing with Nvidia technology > 1 year old. That wouldn't be acceptable for me.

2) Subjectively ugly design - If I don't like the look of it, I wouldn't buy it regardless of specs. Shamelessly(!), this is a big factor for me loving the MBA. I can't imagine Apple failing here though, their track record for design eclipses every other major manufacturer as far as I'm aware (imo).

3) Tablet overlaps much of MBA function - I can't imagine this scenario however as, from rumors only, it appears that it's going to be more media-focused and have iphone-modified os. Almost unimaginable that it would have OSX. Also it appears, again from rumors RE hardware staffing, that it looks almost certain to have ARM processor and not an Intel Core. Which would probably put it out of the scope of power for what I'd want my next notebook to do.

Quite frankly, I am terrified that Apple will stick the MBA buyers with an Intel IGP which will eliminate the desire to buy an MBA in the first place. I say it's a 30% chance we get Intel IGP and we all use our current MBAs for the next five years.

Going back to the first point, I would gladly stick with the Penryn 2.13 GHz rather than get stuck with an Intel IGP. I say 30% chance we get Penryn with an Nvidia GPU.

ATI, now I am guessing this would be the real winner with a 30% chance of a dedicated solution by ATI.

Finally, a 10% chance that Apple axes the MBA (or even worse leaves it as is for another two years like it did with the Mac mini) and we're all stuck using a "Magic Board"* instead of a computer.

* Magic Board = iSlate, Magic Slate, iTablet, MacTablet, MacBook Tablet, MacPad, MagicPad, iPod Tablet, iPod Slate, or whatever the hell else it has been called.

 

[happyslayer]

RevB - 1.86GHz
Probably not since I just got a RunCore SSD yesterday.
4Gigs of Ram, non-Intel graphics, longer batter life.

I think an upgrade in January is unlikely. Other than RAM what could the even upgrade at the moment. From what I can see online, there isn't a bigger 1.8" 5mm SSD in existence. 128 GB seems to be as big is it gets. (Anybody know of a bigger one?) There currently isn't a faster Intel CPU either... And why would Apple go with slower CPU unless battery life is the big push. As for the RAM, for what I use the Air for, 2 gigs has proven to be just fine. The only time I see a slow down is bringing up Windows 7 in Parallels5.

I am guessing a tablet-type device is more likely than an Air upgrade...

For now, I am happy.

Just my opinion...

 

[iBookG4user]

1) Rev C
2) No
3) Quad Core processor, minimum of 4GB (preferably 8GB of RAM) and hopefully a matte screen option. (I know I'm probably dreaming there, but I absolutely will not upgrade to a glassy screen if they decide to put one in. Which I should hope they don't, as that is more unnecessary weight.)

Once I get an actually working Runcore SSD, I'll be reasonably happy with my Air. Although I'm heavily considering returning this SSD too, as the Air is completely freezing (i.e. requiring a hard reboot) far too often after the latest one.

 

[MacModMachine]

My bet is that the next MBA will NOT have a 256 GB SSD. However, it will have larger than 128 GB.

My best guess is 160 GB to 192 GB. Also, it might even be a dual drive system... Apple hasn't done that before, but the MBA seems to be a "test" platform for other Mac notebooks.

I do believe it will have 4 GB RAM. However, it could have Intel integrated graphics which will make the "power" of 4 GB of RAM or the space of a larger SSD useless to me. Intel integrated graphics will be the end of me buying MBAs.

More than anything, I want to know which direction Apple is going with graphics? Since October 2008, all we have seen is 9400m in Macs. With the loss of Nvidia GPUs/Chipsets with Arrandale CPUs, Apple will have to go dedicated graphics OR Intel integrated OR stick with Penryn CPUs for another revision. I don't know that Apple will spend the money for a dedicated ATI graphics card, and I don't know if the MBA can handle it?

The best case scenario is Arrandale without integrated graphics and a dedicated ATI solution. Second best scenario is a Penryn SL9x00 CPU with Nvidia 200m or even 9400m again. I can live with Penryn more than I could Arrandale with Intel integrated graphics. Intel graphics mean the end of the MBA's performance capabilities. The reason we all love the MBA is the 9400m.

I would like to hear some legitimate leaks about the MBA. We have heard there might be an MBP update in January, but there have been no leaks/rumors about the MBA for nearly six months. However, there were no leaks before the tiny bump last Summer.

i agree with you here,

256gb ssd's are not there yet for this drive size, which has been stated by runcore.


i would like to think apple will keep a dedicated graphics card for the air, maybe something custom made, who knows.

i highly doubt apple will go to intel graphics, they designed snow leopard to run on accelerated graphics cards and CUDA based technology, why put a intel graphics card in there?

wireless charging would be cool, larger battery also, not much larger but a extra hour or so would do for most.

speaker quality could be improved also....i wouldn't hate that.

 

[tbear1]

OK, so technically a MBPro user, not MBA but if the new one is good enough I would really like to change over to one.

So:

1. 2.53GHz MBPro Unibody.
2. If the hardware is good enough,yes.
3. 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD - would be fine with the same processor and graphics as they seem more than up to the job day to day.......

Really hope they do the whole glass trackpad thing........

This is sort of where I am at. I would like to move over to a MBA if they improve the hinge durability and have similar performance to the current MBP's. I do not need 4GB of RAM or a big hard drive though.

 

[camboy1999]

?

What happens in January?

 

[couto27]

1. just bought 2x used macbook air rev A for $600 each in exelent condition
2. no
3. im looking for the tablet release.

the only upgrade i will do in current air rev A is a runcore 128gb, when the prices drop a little.