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Macbook Air 15in
- Thread starter Bosman
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dream killers
Dang you guys are so dang objective...is this how the air came into existence by saying it cant be done? Is this how anything has ever been made that "couldn't be done"?
We don't need to give the thing sick power but the new Chips should calm the heat down a bit, and think about the battery life if an air was 15in...it could have a much bigger battery. Shoot why stop there...make the whole enclosure just a little bit thicker.
Ok I have been all about the Macbook Pro's in this update coming and just recently thought i'd take a look at the airs and wow, the SSD makes those little things scream! Now i am thinking, hey i could do a 13, i have been thinking about the benefits to that with the macbook pro, why not the air...? which led me to the thought, it would be sick if there was a 15in air! This is where some of my ideas on this came from.
I haven't studied the liquid cooling of macs and how it all went bad, i do recall something about it but i have only been a mac pro user since Jan 2008. There has to be something we haven't developed yet or discovered yet.
Dang you guys are so dang objective...is this how the air came into existence by saying it cant be done? Is this how anything has ever been made that "couldn't be done"?
We don't need to give the thing sick power but the new Chips should calm the heat down a bit, and think about the battery life if an air was 15in...it could have a much bigger battery. Shoot why stop there...make the whole enclosure just a little bit thicker.
Ok I have been all about the Macbook Pro's in this update coming and just recently thought i'd take a look at the airs and wow, the SSD makes those little things scream! Now i am thinking, hey i could do a 13, i have been thinking about the benefits to that with the macbook pro, why not the air...? which led me to the thought, it would be sick if there was a 15in air! This is where some of my ideas on this came from.
I haven't studied the liquid cooling of macs and how it all went bad, i do recall something about it but i have only been a mac pro user since Jan 2008. There has to be something we haven't developed yet or discovered yet.
Hey thanks for pointing out i have a stupid idea, great contribution.
I am intrigued by the 11 idea, not for my uses but a serious hi end net book/notebook sounds interesting...
More real estate in a lite package, great for travels and yet more usability. I guess it was a stupid idea.
i believe all laptops will go to the air type design.
maybe not as port limited.
but slim , no optical drives.
just the future, accept it or not.
maybe not as port limited.
but slim , no optical drives.
just the future, accept it or not.
It might not be called an air but it probably will exist in a similar form down the macbook pro line one day, you watch. Still i wouldn't want one because the tech and power isn't widely available for such an animal yet. At that size i'd want macbook pro power, just not happening until 2012 prob. By then it'll prob be more like this...
http://gizmodo.com/5450176/dell-fro...eed&utm_campaign=Feed:+gizmodo/full+(Gizmodo)
Talk about green manufacturing too!
I really believe a 15" MBA would make sense... however it doesn't need to be called an MBA. Apple is using the MBA form factor to foretell the future of the MacBook/Pro. I really thought we were getting close to an MBP that didn't have the optical drive, as it would save a ton of space. However, recently people have cried for BluRay. While BluRay doesn't really fit Apple's strategy of digital download, it is wanted by MBP buyers. I don't know if Apple will cave or force its way (if history has taught us, Apple does what it wants). Let's face it, Apple is correct, the DVD/CD are a thing of the past. The vast majority don't use them. I see no purpose myself either. Especially if Apple just included an external optical drive for the first few updates without an optical drive attached. I wouldn't think most people need the optical drive on the road, and could migrate stuff from disk when at desk.
Anyways, I believe we will see something like the MBA in a 15" model within two years. Technology is almost there to miniaturize the space needs to make it happen. Especially given the low grade components Apple uses in the first place. Heck, if Apple wanted it could go with just an Arrandale with IGP, and it could easily thin-up the 15" MBP into an MBA-like experience/device.
I would buy a 15" MBA if they released one now. For my experience at home, I would rather have a bigger display. When I travel, the 13" display size is right for using in an airline or train seat. I often thought Apple's strategy was stupid in that a consumer could only get a consumer 13" display, and a pro could only get a 15" or 17" display. Well, they finally called a MacBook a Pro in a 13" version, but it isn't really a "Pro" as it doesn't have its own graphics. And Apple does now provide a consumer-grade 15" MacBook but it's called a "Pro" so the consumer wouldn't realize it's for them as it says "Pro" right on it. Apple is confusing.
Why not have an MacBook Air in 13" and 15," a MacBook in 13" and 15," and a Pro in 13" through 17." Then the Air could focus on the thin and lightweight experience, the MacBook could feature low end components with integrated graphics, and the Pro could feature dedicated graphics with better components... that system makes more sense to me!
Maybe you will get your wish and Apple will introduce a bigger display in the MBA on the 27th? Apple is really unpredictable... the more people say Apple won't do it, the more likely Apple will do it just to prove those people wrong.
Anyways, I believe we will see something like the MBA in a 15" model within two years. Technology is almost there to miniaturize the space needs to make it happen. Especially given the low grade components Apple uses in the first place. Heck, if Apple wanted it could go with just an Arrandale with IGP, and it could easily thin-up the 15" MBP into an MBA-like experience/device.
I would buy a 15" MBA if they released one now. For my experience at home, I would rather have a bigger display. When I travel, the 13" display size is right for using in an airline or train seat. I often thought Apple's strategy was stupid in that a consumer could only get a consumer 13" display, and a pro could only get a 15" or 17" display. Well, they finally called a MacBook a Pro in a 13" version, but it isn't really a "Pro" as it doesn't have its own graphics. And Apple does now provide a consumer-grade 15" MacBook but it's called a "Pro" so the consumer wouldn't realize it's for them as it says "Pro" right on it. Apple is confusing.
Why not have an MacBook Air in 13" and 15," a MacBook in 13" and 15," and a Pro in 13" through 17." Then the Air could focus on the thin and lightweight experience, the MacBook could feature low end components with integrated graphics, and the Pro could feature dedicated graphics with better components... that system makes more sense to me!
Maybe you will get your wish and Apple will introduce a bigger display in the MBA on the 27th? Apple is really unpredictable... the more people say Apple won't do it, the more likely Apple will do it just to prove those people wrong.
Apple oddly doesn't do things just because they want to prove people wrong.
If they were going to do that we would have seen the Powerbook G5.
If they were going to do that we would have seen the Powerbook G5.
Not that Apple really does it to prove anyone wrong... but more frequently people just really underestimate Apple's next move. Was more on pointing out that we really don't know what Apple will do next.
The same logic was used to support the idea of the 17" Air. While iThink that the machines will get thinner, it seems that the Air would go smaller, not larger. The market I have to imagine is much larger for a smaller MacBook Air then a larger one.
I don't know if I agree with you. I believe the tablet device will takeover Apple's secondary Mac device needs. I believe this "iPod Slate" will fulfill the needs of current MBA owners who are buying the MBA as a secondary Mac... which is NOT the intended market for the MBA.
The MBA has been a winner for many of us since October 2008 when Apple introduced it with Penryn and Nvidia components. The reason it has been a winner to its targeted market is that it provides the performance of a MacBook yet in a smaller, thinner, and lower weight design.
I don't want it to go smaller if that means losing the CPU and graphics power. A major factor in current owners of rev A MBAs is that they weren't the targeted market buyers. The MBA failed so greatly that Apple dropped the price from $3099 to $1299 in eight months. The original market was a business "type" professional willing to pay more money for a feature set that was really cool in a slick, lightweight and thin design that still handled their needs as a primary Mac. The eventual buyers of the original MBA were the market of those wanting to use it as a secondary Mac. I believe Apple will fail with the MBA as a secondary Mac unless it continues to drastically reduce the price... that doesn't seem Apple-like to me.
I think Apple hit the market at just the WRONG time for the MBA. If it was introduced as a first model/version with Penryn and Nvidia components in a strong economy, I think it would have kept its higher-end market. As it is, I hope Apple sees the advantage of an MBA that continues to be primarily built for a MacBook replacement as a primary Mac for the professional who doesn't need a professional grade computer. It really only makes sense for the MBA to be a primary Mac since the tablet device will fulfill secondary Mac like needs.
For me, it will be a complete failure for Apple to go ULV CPU in the MBA to further reduce the size and thickness. I would greatly prefer Apple reduce the footprint by removing the bezel all around the display and the area to the sides of the keyboard. I don't want a smaller display either. The reason the MBA is so perfect is that it's still fully functional as a primary Mac at 13." I think the tablet tells us that Apple is NOT going smaller with the MBA.
EDIT/ADD That is to say the MBA might lose weight, could get thinner, and it could get a smaller footprint... but it should not get a smaller display and keyboard. Think of all of the wasted space around display and keyboard... that might go away with the next update.
Scottsdale, if you asked me if Apple was going to change the size of the MacBook Air in terms of screen size I'd tell you no. I just see the smaller MacBook Air as being more likely then then a larger MacBook Air given the market for the larger MacBook Air just doesn't seem to exist.
There are plenty who are in the same boat as you in terms of how you use your MacBook Air, but I think it's clear that in the end you are in the minority. Even you make arguments that seem to go against the idea of a larger MacBook Air, specifically the original MacBook Air. At its current price point the MacBook Air is justifiable, at 15" it becomes significantly less portable, but at the same time in the form factor of the MacBook Air the specs would become be rather expensive, similar to the original MacBook Air.
As for the tablet, I don't know how secondary it can be. The lack of a physical keyboard is going to make it difficult to do a lot of things, particularly word processing. I'm still not sure you would hold the device if you had to type something longer then 50 words, do you lie it on a table and lean over the device? I see the tablet as more of a novelty/media device then anything else, but that might just be me. The MacBook Air has clearly made itself a primary machine for some users, I'm just not sure that it is most users. I can't imagine many that would find a Tablet fitting all of their needs.
I think we both agree that the MacBook Air needs an upgrade in power, not screen size. I however, find the lackluster sale of MacBook Air's competitors evidence that the MacBook Air may still be winning the competition.
There are plenty who are in the same boat as you in terms of how you use your MacBook Air, but I think it's clear that in the end you are in the minority. Even you make arguments that seem to go against the idea of a larger MacBook Air, specifically the original MacBook Air. At its current price point the MacBook Air is justifiable, at 15" it becomes significantly less portable, but at the same time in the form factor of the MacBook Air the specs would become be rather expensive, similar to the original MacBook Air.
As for the tablet, I don't know how secondary it can be. The lack of a physical keyboard is going to make it difficult to do a lot of things, particularly word processing. I'm still not sure you would hold the device if you had to type something longer then 50 words, do you lie it on a table and lean over the device? I see the tablet as more of a novelty/media device then anything else, but that might just be me. The MacBook Air has clearly made itself a primary machine for some users, I'm just not sure that it is most users. I can't imagine many that would find a Tablet fitting all of their needs.
I think we both agree that the MacBook Air needs an upgrade in power, not screen size. I however, find the lackluster sale of MacBook Air's competitors evidence that the MacBook Air may still be winning the competition.
Well, I think the 13" MBA could get a smaller footprint, weigh less, and be thinner, but I think it stays with 13" display and low voltage not ULV. If there's an addition of a 15" display, it wouldn't be much bigger overall than the current 13" MBA. It would just have a bigger display and more space for cooling and battery power. Many people do want a MacBook Pro that uses the MBA design and don't care about the optical drive. I am talking about two completely different things here... one a MacBook Air update and two an addition to the MBA form factor with a 15" display. I wouldn't say Apple shouldn't do either!
I think you will be shocked at how the tablet becomes a transformation to the way everyone works and uses computers. I cannot wait for a tablet, but I plan to own a MacBook Air too. Interestingly, I see the tablet as a reason to get rid of my iPhone. I want to go back to a basic phone that handles all of my calls. My tablet can do everything else.
My lifestyle revolves around being at places not being out all the time. When I go out to dinner, I need to focus on my family and friends. When I am in the yard or bathroom, I will use the tablet. When I am traveling and am in an airport, I will use the tablet but have my MBA for need when actually on the plane. When I am at client offices, I will use the tablet for personal communications and MBA for certain tasks. When I am out everywhere, I will have the tablet as a communications device, scheduler, book replacement, paper replacement, magazine replacement, text messaging, and etc. When I go to my parents house, I will just take my tablet. When I am in the car, I will use the tablet if I need directions or to find a restaurant.
I think the tablet will go everywhere with people. Sure it's bigger than something that can fit in your pocket, but people carry around planners and notebooks, purses, and etc all the time that are the same size or bigger. Just think about students who will not have to carry all their books in their bag as the tablet can hold them all. Or a student who no longer wastes paper to take his/her own notes.
I really think the smartphone has gone too small and provides a crappy experience to the user. I think the MBA is too big and provides a crappy experience as a secondary communications/web surfing device and portable device. I think the tablet takes over all of that.
The MBA is just used as a real computer by those who want premium but don't need professional grade computing power. The MBA should definitely be focused as the primary Mac.
I think those that are using the MBA as a secondary Mac were not the initial target market. It wasn't meant to be sold for $999 to someone wanting to check their email and do light surfing. Not at its original price, that was to be a primary Mac for a market willing to spend more money for performance in a lightweight and thin package that is essential to be ubercool!
I think Apple should release a 15" MacBook. (Yep)
15" screen, 2.26GHz Processor, 320GB Hard drive, 4GB of RAM and matte black unibody construction. No Firewire, no SD slot. Price it like $1299.
It's still blatantly consumer and made for someone who doesn't need processing power, but likes the hard drive space for lots of music or photos. Fair price point.
Thing would sell like freaking hot cakes.
15" screen, 2.26GHz Processor, 320GB Hard drive, 4GB of RAM and matte black unibody construction. No Firewire, no SD slot. Price it like $1299.
It's still blatantly consumer and made for someone who doesn't need processing power, but likes the hard drive space for lots of music or photos. Fair price point.
Thing would sell like freaking hot cakes.
That would also price it under the 15" MacBook Pro? I don't think that will happen.
I wouldn't mind a 17" Air. Make it 1.8kg, 10 hour battery life, 3 usb ports and an SD slot.
Lightest 17" in the world
Lightest 17" in the world
Exactly the point. The Pro's should be Pro for a reason, there's NO reason your average college student needs to spend an extra $700 for 2 inches of screen real estate that they might PREFER.
I just wish apple would reduce the bezel size... the current air could easily be 14" or even close to 15" if the screen went to the edge of the cover.
They could have the same exact physical size, and just increase the screen to a 14.5" and call it a 15" MBA... that would be the most feasible thing to do, both design and marketing-wise.
They could have the same exact physical size, and just increase the screen to a 14.5" and call it a 15" MBA... that would be the most feasible thing to do, both design and marketing-wise.
I agree. Apple's marketing system of "Pro" has really left the consumer out. Just like Pros always wanted a 13" MBP, consumers want a 15" MB. Pros didn't really even get a 13" MBP, but Apple called it that for them... without a dedicated graphics card, how pro could it really be?
Apple's idea that consumers should just want a 13" MB is stupid. I have always said that Apple should have 13" and 15" MBs. Along with 13", 15" and 17" MBPs (REAL PROS THOUGH with dedicated graphics as a minimum standard to call it "pro"). In addition, what about a gaming rig that focuses on a 17" display, advanced graphics, mid-level CPU, and no extras, just made for GAMING! In this system, 10", 13" and 15" MBAs make a lot of sense. I even believe the MBA could sell well as a 17" model. The whole thing is a lot of people will pay for a lightweight system and don't care at all about an optical drive. A 15" MBA actually could weigh about the same as a 13" MBA. A 17" wouldn't weigh that much more. And figure how much space there would be for cooling.
The MBA is fun. Almost everyone that has used one falls in love with it, especially if they don't NEED a professional grade computer.
I think Apple could make the Mac sell so much more if it broadened the range of the Mac and catered to different markets. For some reason, Apple seems content with the level of its Mac sales, very slowly growing the Mac market. Why wouldn't Apple want to grow the Mac much faster than it has? It sure seems like it could if it would provide more systems and options. Although Dell does that and has started to fail, it sure seems Apple could do it with the Mac better.