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What do you think Steve Jobs has in plan for the MBA?


  • Total voters
    197

zedsdead

macrumors 68040
Jun 20, 2007
3,438
1,252
With only two Tuesday's to go before WWDC can we assume it's highly unlikely Apple will introduce anything new between now and then, such as the MP or MBA?

Jobs did unveil Youtube for Apple TV at all things digital last time he attended, so you never kniw if he will bring something new with him. I doubt it, but it possible.
 

gwsat

macrumors 68000
Apr 12, 2008
1,920
0
Tulsa
The disquieting news about the unsuitability of Intel's new mobile processor for use in the MBA is bad news, indeed. It appears that Apple is in a corner and will either have to discontinue the MBA, offer an inferior version, or change its design significantly. Maybe the iPad can be a worthy successor to the MBA but it's a long way from it at the moment.
 

thinkdesign

macrumors 6502
May 12, 2010
341
0
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11) Sprint PPC6850SP)

The Ars T. article seems lacking in sources. As was the one from the computer mag recently ending with yammering about a touch-screen. ---- Certainly the notion of core duo plus bigger 4gb RAM, etc. not being "enough" of an update to manufacture, comes across as -- conclusion first, and reasoning to get there, second. ------ There are lots of "smaller" things that, in a BUNDLE of say 4 or 5 improvements, could be added on top of the Core Duo solution: If speed is also gained by RAM, upgrade to 6, not just 4. Offer BTO of higher and higher SSDs to 512. Throw in more jacks, and a lock slot. Boost screen quality. If not redesiging the case substantially, just thicken the thick end imperceptably so the UFO-like pop-out door can ge eliminated and jacks can fit on that edge (and then crow about having gained an hour or 2 of battery life). In other words, if the chip situation disappoints, ease up on the design's stinginess elsewhere.
 

kyochin

macrumors newbie
May 7, 2010
5
0
UK
...

Good things come to those who wait...
Just wait and accept the consequence whatever it will be, that's the way I found out after 15 years with Apple.
 

Gruber

macrumors regular
Jun 15, 2009
108
19
Hopefully, the Air gets discontinued. I hate waiting for an update, and then be disappointed with some crappy 4GB and C2D, while PCs are moving on...

I also hate going back to Windows for my on-the-road laptop, but at least I get to buy up-to-date hardware.
 

tim100

macrumors 65816
May 25, 2009
1,368
0
Apple has just identified itself as a "Mobility Company," and you think it's going to EOL the most MOBILE device that runs OS X?

No, it doesn't make sense. Many things make sense. A new MBA that blows us away at WWDC makes sense. No update until late 2010 or early 2011 makes sense. A minor bump to Nvidia 320m, drive size boost, and RAM bump makes sense. A Core i7 MBA makes sense. A new case design makes sense. The current case design makes sense. Changing the MBA makes sense. Keeping it the same but boosting its RAM and drive space could triple, quadruple, or more the sales of the MBA... it makes sense.

Apple could rebrand the MBA, use the MBA designs in the MB and MBP, but that is not happening now... but makes sense. In one form or another the MBA represents where the Mac notebooks are going.

A lot of things make sense depending on how Apple views the MBA. The one thing that doesn't make sense, from a company that identifies itself as a Mobility company, is eliminating its most mobile product that runs its bread and butter, OS X.

I wouldn't wage much on what Apple does with the MBA, but I would wage a pretty penny that the MBA doesn't get EOL'd. That makes zero sense.

With Jobs coming out saying this year we're taking Macs to the "next level," and the MBP & MB updates being a joke, somewhere in the Mac lineup something incredible is bound to happen, no? It could be the Mac Pro being "next level" but would that make sense from a mobility company?

Remember the iMac updates last January 2009? They were terribly boring. There was nothing to them at all. In October 2009 the "REAL" updates came and they were "next level" for certain. Maybe Apple means next level will happen with the next MacBook Pro updates? Maybe Apple will converge the MBA design with the MBPs at some point? It just makes zero sense to EOL the MBA. It has been a launching board for the Mac notebook technologies and designs.

I would put a pretty penny on the MBA not being EOL'd. It just doesn't make sense.

I hope they dont EOL the air. If they dont upate the air, why not remove the optical drive from the pro and make them thinner?
 

Apple!Fre@k

macrumors 6502a
Jun 25, 2006
520
7
I hope they dont EOL the air. If they dont upate the air, why not remove the optical drive from the pro and make them thinner?

Only chance of that happening is on the 13". People with the 15" and 17" use those are their primary machine and no one wants to have an accessory to play CDs/DVDs with their primary computer -- at least, a vast majority doesn't. Instead, Apple should just invent new optical drive technology and cut its thickness in half, almost to the thickness of a CD itself. There's a price for making anything possible. I'm sure Apple's got enough money in the bank to make it happen.
 

thinkdesign

macrumors 6502
May 12, 2010
341
0
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11) Sprint PPC6850SP)

I'm getting a sinking feeling that Apple's just-completed "cloud" facility ... providing Tivo-like but remote storage especially for (?) the iToys (iPhone, iPad) might BE what the "next level" rhetoric means. Aw gee, there's a limit to how much memory we can fit into your iToy, but, no matter, step this way to become entangled in our centralised storage facility.
 

brendu

Cancelled
Apr 23, 2009
2,472
2,703
A lot of things make sense depending on how Apple views the MBA. The one thing that doesn't make sense, from a company that identifies itself as a Mobility company, is eliminating its most mobile product that runs its bread and butter, OS X.

With Jobs coming out saying this year we're taking Macs to the "next level," and the MBP & MB updates being a joke, somewhere in the Mac lineup something incredible is bound to happen, no? It could be the Mac Pro being "next level" but would that make sense from a mobility company?

two problems with what your saying here..
1. OSX is no longer apple's bread and butter... iPhone OS is making them a ton more money than OSX is... look at their revenue stream ever since the iPhone launched (and more importantly the app store)... That is their focus because THAT is their bread and butter...

2. Steve Jobs is full of ****. "this year were taking macs to the next level" that does not mean anything. All it means is "yeah we will be upgrading them so they are on the next level".... this is the same guy who keeps calling a big iPod magical... sure its cool and fun, but there is nothing magical about it... steve spits out BS and you eat it up.

will there be an update to the air.? Yeah most likely... but dont expect steve to deliver too much on the whole "taking it to the next level" garbage...
 

Scottsdale

Suspended
Sep 19, 2008
4,473
283
U.S.A.
two problems with what your saying here..
1. OSX is no longer apple's bread and butter... iPhone OS is making them a ton more money than OSX is... look at their revenue stream ever since the iPhone launched (and more importantly the app store)... That is their focus because THAT is their bread and butter...

2. Steve Jobs is full of ****. "this year were taking macs to the next level" that does not mean anything. All it means is "yeah we will be upgrading them so they are on the next level".... this is the same guy who keeps calling a big iPod magical... sure its cool and fun, but there is nothing magical about it... steve spits out BS and you eat it up.

will there be an update to the air.? Yeah most likely... but dont expect steve to deliver too much on the whole "taking it to the next level" garbage...

I don't mean that OS X makes Apple money itself, but it sells every Mac over a PC. OS X is critical to Apple's Mac computers. People buy Macs as Apple holds OS X hostage.

The iPhone OS might make Apple more money right now, although that's not true either. But the point is Apple needs to continue innovation with OS X. Apple cannot afford to stop innovating and developing OS X as Windows has caught up. I believe Apple is making a huge mistake if it's truly stopping OS X 10.7 development so it can put all hands on iPhone OS 4. I just don't think Apple should forget how it got here, Mac OS X. Surely it should move forward with BOTH OS X and iPhone OS.

I do believe the recent MBP updates were a joke, and definitely didn't bring "next level" to the Macs. More than anything, we used to be able to count on one innovative advantage with every Mac update, but this recent MacBook Pro updates brought no innovation not already available in PC competitors. Apple used to have a glass multitouch trackpad, backlit keyboard, 8-hour battery, LED backlit display, Mini DisplayPort, aluminum case, and etc. There was always something that wasn't available in PCs that set the Macs apart. Innovation if you will. The latest MBPs brought same Nvidia GPU, or same switching between Intel GMA and discrete Nvidia GPU available in other systems like Sony's or even Nvidia's own Optimus. In addition, the only other new tech in the MBPs was a slightly better resolution available in 15" displays at a higher cost. Again, there are PCs with higher resolution than the 15" MBP got as an option. The point is there was nothing new.

I expect more from Apple, and I fear that Apple has given its Macs a cold shoulder while focusing too much on iPhone OS products. I hope that I am wrong in thinking this, and I hope Apple proves me wrong at WWDC with a real innovative Mac solution in an MBA or even a Mac Pro. However, I believe Apple would focus more on the MBA since it's a mobility company. I am not going to discount Apple as fast as one update and they're done innovating. We could see a better innovative MBA update now or even MBP updates later in the year that are truly innovative versus competition. Remember the Early 2009 iMac updates were a joke, but then Apple redeemed itself in October 2009 with relevant iMac updates that were much better systems.

I am not giving up on Apple yet...
 

soph

macrumors regular
May 3, 2010
102
0
Whoa! Scottsdale - why are you taking that lip. I didn't think you took that kind of trash talk from anyone.

If I'm not unjustly overinterpreting Scottsdale I think you could take it as an indication of just how unhappy Scottsdale is with the recent updates. But then it could have slipped his attention, too :)
 

Scottsdale

Suspended
Sep 19, 2008
4,473
283
U.S.A.
If I'm not unjustly overinterpreting Scottsdale I think you could take it as an indication of just how unhappy Scottsdale is with the recent updates. But then it could have slipped his attention, too :)

Quite honestly, I don't view the argument as a personal attack. What I hate is when people call others names here and moderators do nothing about it. Saying that I eat SJ's BS is partially true. Most of us do. Many are far worse and believe everything he says. I am trying to be positive and give Apple benefit of doubt until WWDC. I do believe there's something behind taking Macs to the next level.

I believe with the MBPs it will ultimately happen with their next update; remember iMacs got a minimal update after a long wait last year, then later in the year they got a real update. I believe the same could be true for the MBPs. It seems like Apple implemented something just to keep sales up until they could get the real update out. Now I could be wrong in my logic, but I bet late 2010 or early 2011 brings a real update to the MBP and all Mac notebooks. Apple will have to take a different strategy with C2D by that time, so why not adjust the lineup together.
 

pharmx

macrumors regular
Aug 31, 2009
133
0
...

I believe with the MBPs it will ultimately happen with their next update; remember iMacs got a minimal update after a long wait last year, then later in the year they got a real update. I believe the same could be true for the MBPs. It seems like Apple implemented something just to keep sales up until they could get the real update out. Now I could be wrong in my logic, but I bet late 2010 or early 2011 brings a real update to the MBP and all Mac notebooks. Apple will have to take a different strategy with C2D by that time, so why not adjust the lineup together.

I agree with this assessment. It also explains the delay with the MBA (assuming it's not getting the c2d and 320m), for two reasons:

1) The MBA serves a niche population, so delaying the update affects far less people than it would if the other laptops were delayed. Since the MBA is also seen as somewhat of a testing ground for new ideas, it would make sense to experiment with it first. We might see in the MBA first, what may trickle down to the MBP's in the next update.

2) Intel's tick-tock system pushes Apple into an update cycle that doesn't mesh well with their selling or marketing strategies. With the MBP's, Apple had no choice but to update...and even that was delayed to shortages. Maybe someone can back the following statement with some numbers, but I'm willing to bet that on average Apple owners keep their Macs longer than PC owners keep their systems. If people are not buying as frequently, then it doesn't make sense to spend money updating, if the ROI isn't profitable.

It's all speculation at this point, but I'm excited at the prospect of a redesigned MBA :D
 

jcoop

macrumors member
Jun 23, 2003
83
0
Indianapolis, IN
Okay, folks, I've just pretty much guaranteed a refreshed MBA next week--by buying a 1.86 GHz/128 GB SSD model for just over a thousand dollars today. I'm traveling next week and would really like to have it for the trip, and I know I'm not going to want to spend the money for a new one in any event (and I'm assuming the entry price won't drop by $485).

You can thank me next week. :)
 

Scottsdale

Suspended
Sep 19, 2008
4,473
283
U.S.A.
Okay, folks, I've just pretty much guaranteed a refreshed MBA next week--by buying a 1.86 GHz/128 GB SSD model for just over a thousand dollars today. I'm traveling next week and would really like to have it for the trip, and I know I'm not going to want to spend the money for a new one in any event (and I'm assuming the entry price won't drop by $485).

You can thank me next week. :)

Heck, I will thank you in advance!

It's actually ten days until WWDC. Since you updated, we can expect a Core i7, ATI 5430, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, along with case redesign to a thinner model, glass trackpad, IPS display, 10-hour battery... all weighing in at 2 lb... and costing $999.

I hope you're just that "unlucky" for buying now! Come on SJ, punish the unfaithful and reward us faithful!

JK.
 

Zulu1

macrumors member
Apr 28, 2010
30
0
Well I finally got my hands on an iPad today (Canada) and I have to say I was underwhelmed. It's cool for sure, but it's smaller than I thought and it can't compete with a true multi-tasking laptop.
I am really surprised they've sold so many ( and I sure many more in this release), it's really a "neat factor" in my opinion, but if you have one good on you.

I can see the use, but my the money has already burnt a hole in my pocket and is now starting on the socks waiting to be spent on a new Air. I just wish they'd get it over with, or at least announce they will release when they get the chipset figured out.

I already have a tablet (Win7) which I like, but it's so heavy and does not run OS-X; please Steve release the Air so I can run everything I want on a nice light laptop.

I guess a more interestign poll will be; If nothing is updated at WWDC, how many will "settle" for something else :D
 

pharmx

macrumors regular
Aug 31, 2009
133
0
Well I finally got my hands on an iPad today (Canada) and I have to say I was underwhelmed. It's cool for sure, but it's smaller than I thought and it can't compete with a true multi-tasking laptop.
I am really surprised they've sold so many ( and I sure many more in this release), it's really a "neat factor" in my opinion, but if you have one good on you.

I can see the use, but my the money has already burnt a hole in my pocket and is now starting on the socks waiting to be spent on a new Air. I just wish they'd get it over with, or at least announce they will release when they get the chipset figured out.

I already have a tablet (Win7) which I like, but it's so heavy and does not run OS-X; please Steve release the Air so I can run everything I want on a nice light laptop.

I guess a more interestign poll will be; If nothing is updated at WWDC, how many will "settle" for something else :D

That poll already exists: link
 

jcoop

macrumors member
Jun 23, 2003
83
0
Indianapolis, IN
Oops, got my weeks wrong. I always get confused around holidays. In any event, this is good for me--I get to enjoy my MBA for a few more days before it gets trumped by the new release.
 

Scottsdale

Suspended
Sep 19, 2008
4,473
283
U.S.A.
:eek:OH SCOTTSDALE! (we can expect a Core i7, ATI 5430, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, along with case redesign to a thinner model, glass trackpad, IPS display, 10-hour battery... all weighing in at 2 lb... and costing $999.)
You made me wet my Depends!:D

Well, I am not honestly predicting that, just playing along with jcoop. I am hopeful for something great or even just a C2D and Nvidia 320m along with 4 GB RAM and a glass trackpad.
 
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