I was just about to purchase a MBA but I saw that there's chance that there will be an upgrade w/ SB in June. If all I really do is use microsoft office, surf the web, watch movies, and transfer/play music (no gaming)..would it be worth the wait for a better CPU? I'm also big on battery life but I'm not enough of a computer geek to know if the new update will be worth waiting for. Will the update dramatically increase battery life? Also, will the new MBA's physical design change? I was just about to get excited to use my new MBA now, too!
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How much will the MBA refresh affect average/college users?
- Thread starter reese07
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It won't provide much for you. The faster CPU will be completely unnoticeable. Thunderbolt is the only thing that might be worth waiting for but it boils down to do you need it right now or can you wait. There is also BTS promo starting late next month (i.e. free iPod for a student 
).
Battery life may be marginally increased but nothing major. Design change is extremely unlikely since that was just done in October.
). Battery life may be marginally increased but nothing major. Design change is extremely unlikely since that was just done in October.
I'm in the same boat. I'm definitely going to wait for the new one though... I can't even stand the thought of buying a new computer that has a processor older than my current computer. Plus, I don't really need a new computer immediately. Also, I don't game either, so the marginal differences between the 320m and the HD3000 don't particularly affect me, but I could see why certain demographics would be concerned there.
Not in the least. The current models, (I have both) are extremely good computers.
So it's only a matter choosing the size that you want.
Their is nothing that is going to be that noticeable about the new models.
Certainly nothing that will be a deal breaker. The current ones are simply outstanding.
Take it from someone that has owned, and used heavily, nearly every new Apple Laptop Made back since the 100 series days.
So it's only a matter choosing the size that you want.
Their is nothing that is going to be that noticeable about the new models.
Certainly nothing that will be a deal breaker. The current ones are simply outstanding.
Take it from someone that has owned, and used heavily, nearly every new Apple Laptop Made back since the 100 series days.
Fanboy NO, Enthusiast YES, their's a big difference.
I completely enjoy most all of Apples products. But I don't just blindly follow or agree with the company line of the moment. That's for Fan-Boys. Nor do I defend Apple when they are wrong. That's for Fan-Boys. Nor do I shy away from being outspoken as to my opinion on things.
That said, I have a distinct dislike for their arrogance, superiority complex, and their narrow minded view that Apple is the only tech company that's worth it's salt. Worse, when they show their stupidity and slander Windows for no good reason other than to follow the rest of the cult like heard of Mac Heads.
I cannot stand their assumption that only they know what's best for us. I don't need anyone to think for me, or hold my hand, thank you. So that's that.
As far as computers, smartphones and anything related to mobile computing and communications, (I'm highly mobile and travel internationally) I like lots of gear to choose from. I routinely replace all my laptops and phones at each upgrade cycle. I buy lots of laptops from the two top makers (in my opinion) Apple and Lenovo.
Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of things that Lenovo needs work on, but at least they don't have a CEO that spews marketing BS, and acts like the most superior person on the planet. They don't have legions of followers, since Lenovo has no interest in creating a cult. They are in the business of building outstanding computers and they focus on that. Period.
I buy and enjoy MacBook Pros and ThinkPad T or W series, since I require a workstation class PC for my scientific, mathematic, design and creation work. I require a Mac by choice, since that's my primary choice for my personal laptop as well as using it for some of my work.
I have iPhones, Android Phones, Windows Phones, you name it. After all that what a true enthusiast does.
if you can wait, it would make the most sense. If you do not like the new upgrade you should be able to get the previous CD2 at a bigger discounted price
June is just around the corner2010 13MBA 1.86 4GB 128SSD
Im on the same boat as you are, but i do some gaming. So I decided to buy the current model. But if its you, just buy it later. Lion will come with it, and perhaps a backlit, which outweighs the curent model. And if you like the current model, you can just buy it cheaper.
Maclaptop, have you ever been tested for OCD or other illnesses? I don't believe a word of your post. International travel? A need for dozens of gadgets refreshed every season? Yeah right. And your name's probably Austin Powers too
Maclaptop, have you ever been tested for OCD or other illnesses? I don't believe a word of your post. International travel? A need for dozens of gadgets refreshed every season? Yeah right. And your name's probably Austin Powers too
Dude its his money. Although dozens of gadgets refreshed yearly does not sound good for me, it might for him. I would love to have a mac desktop, an airport, an MBA (which I have
), an iphone (which I will get this fall ), and a shuffle for running (which I have also ), but seriously, its his money and you shouldnt tell him how to spend it.Dude its his money. Although dozens of gadgets refreshed yearly does not sound good for me, it might for him. I would love to have a mac desktop, an airport, an MBA (which I have
Have you seen evidence to suggest that he is even telling the truth?
This is the internet, you have to take their word for truth.
If they are lying, they are only lying to themselves, really no point to lie on the internet.
Apparently they will use an i5 chip that hovers at 1.4 ghz and has "turbo boost" up to 2.4 ghz. And dont forget good old intel graphics.
I dont know anout anyone else but this "turbo boost" feels like back in the old days of the 386/486 "turbo" button on the tower, good old days going from 33 to 66 mhz... lol.
And yes I believe in the conspiracy that the manufactures are just trying to screw the consumer now days, putting out crappier quality and refucing manufacturing costs. Thsts the only real reason now days for manufactuing change, or at least the biggest... i.e. edge lit LED TV sets.
I dont know anout anyone else but this "turbo boost" feels like back in the old days of the 386/486 "turbo" button on the tower, good old days going from 33 to 66 mhz... lol.
And yes I believe in the conspiracy that the manufactures are just trying to screw the consumer now days, putting out crappier quality and refucing manufacturing costs. Thsts the only real reason now days for manufactuing change, or at least the biggest... i.e. edge lit LED TV sets.
I was all set to get the MBA 13 Ultimate but the lack of backlit KB was a deal breaker for me; I use my MBP in the dark/low lighting a lot and make full use of its backlit KB.
I'm hoping they bring that back in the next MBA refresh, and Thunderbolt wouldn't hurt either.
I'm hoping they bring that back in the next MBA refresh, and Thunderbolt wouldn't hurt either.
Great defense / explanation. I was a CTO for 25 years and now run a storm restoration company using lots of (I think) technically appropriate products. I also like to have lots of tools to choose from so we have (for my use and several employees) 5 or 6 assorted Mac portables and an iMac 27. What grows old I either sell or pass along to one of my 5 kids or my mom ((93) or my motherinlaw. I have been accused of having been converted to a Mac fanboy as well. But, although I may buy a little more technology than I need, I thoroughly enjoy it and the company truly benefits as I do not buy toys for toys sake only, although some products end up seeing more use than others!
I haven't tried the lenova products, but I have heard they are pretty nice. I am curious, if you wanted to, couldn't you use osx only and run parallels instead of the lenova?
I haven't tried the lenova products, but I have heard they are pretty nice. I am curious, if you wanted to, couldn't you use osx only and run parallels instead of the lenova?
Fanboy NO, Enthusiast YES, their's a big difference.
I completely enjoy most all of Apples products. But I don't just blindly follow or agree with the company line of the moment. That's for Fan-Boys. Nor do I defend Apple when they are wrong. That's for Fan-Boys. Nor do I shy away from being outspoken as to my opinion on things.
That said, I have a distinct dislike for their arrogance, superiority complex, and their narrow minded view that Apple is the only tech company that's worth it's salt. Worse, when they show their stupidity and slander Windows for no good reason other than to follow the rest of the cult like heard of Mac Heads.
I cannot stand their assumption that only they know what's best for us. I don't need anyone to think for me, or hold my hand, thank you. So that's that.
As far as computers, smartphones and anything related to mobile computing and communications, (I'm highly mobile and travel internationally) I like lots of gear to choose from. I routinely replace all my laptops and phones at each upgrade cycle. I buy lots of laptops from the two top makers (in my opinion) Apple and Lenovo.
Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of things that Lenovo needs work on, but at least they don't have a CEO that spews marketing BS, and acts like the most superior person on the planet. They don't have legions of followers, since Lenovo has no interest in creating a cult. They are in the business of building outstanding computers and they focus on that. Period.
I buy and enjoy MacBook Pros and ThinkPad T or W series, since I require a workstation class PC for my scientific, mathematic, design and creation work. I require a Mac by choice, since that's my primary choice for my personal laptop as well as using it for some of my work.
I have iPhones, Android Phones, Windows Phones, you name it. After all that what a true enthusiast does.
My opinion on wait vs buy now is simply, wait if you can, or buy now if you can't. I do believe the next rev will be worth it. I believe the battery life on the 11 will be better as it is kind of a known weakness. The better efficiency of the sandy bridge processors will really help in the small form factor of the Mac Air computers. It isn't that often that you find yourself within a couple of months of the next rev when you are in the market for a new computer and that is where we are now with the Airs. Whichever way you go, they are fantastic machines.