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MacBook Air 2nd Gen Thread
- Thread starter vendettabass
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you guys are being way too unrealistic
i think apple will get rid of the 80gb HDD option and make the MBA an all SSD line once the 128gb ssd drives become cheaper. The processor speed will probably get upgraded slightly. The 64gb ssd will probably stay at 1.8ghz and the 128gb will probably get bumped to 2.0ghz
The pricing will probably remain the same...at least i hope
That's all I really see getting improved, other than the QC issues like the heat/fans.
Also on a side note, this ssd change will probably differentiate the mba enough for apple to turn the macbook aluminum.
i think apple will get rid of the 80gb HDD option and make the MBA an all SSD line once the 128gb ssd drives become cheaper. The processor speed will probably get upgraded slightly. The 64gb ssd will probably stay at 1.8ghz and the 128gb will probably get bumped to 2.0ghz
The pricing will probably remain the same...at least i hope
That's all I really see getting improved, other than the QC issues like the heat/fans.
Also on a side note, this ssd change will probably differentiate the mba enough for apple to turn the macbook aluminum.
Without going into details, keeping the Air in its original *intent* would be my best guess for the future. Simple. Uncluttered. Productive. Cutting-edge.
Future generations: I look for the day when no ports whatsoever shall be required. Battery not required. Infinite memory capacity. And the ability to fold into various origami shapes.
Future generations: I look for the day when no ports whatsoever shall be required. Battery not required. Infinite memory capacity. And the ability to fold into various origami shapes.
that still doesn't justify your reasoning for being rude. Just as an example, if a foreign person came to these forums, you don't expect perfect english from someone who doesn't know it as his/her 1st language. If that person can speak english well but can't spell for crap, that's his/her problem. As far as im concerned, I can understand what he's saying. can YOU?
Doesn't it already do that?
As it stands, the Air is almost perfect for me, as a work machine. The only thing that lets it down, is the small capacity of the SSD's ( having the 80GB seems to contradict the idea of the Air ), and the RAM limit. 64GB doesn't leave much, once the OS is on, plus a couple of VM's and some tunes. Having the machine BTO with 4GB RAM would help, too.
A bump in screen res would be nice. There's no reason that it doesn't match that of the MBP's, as it's priced at the "Pro" level. A switch to OLED would surely improve the battery life, too.
Roll on RevB.....
Yawn...
Higher screen res, yeah whatever - who cares.
Faster processor - it already runs pretty hot according to some of you so I guess you want it running hotter?
More RAM - why not 16GB, for most users more than 2GB is a waste.
3G - I'm lost for words...
Higher screen res, yeah whatever - who cares.
Faster processor - it already runs pretty hot according to some of you so I guess you want it running hotter?
More RAM - why not 16GB, for most users more than 2GB is a waste.
3G - I'm lost for words...
Needs Ethernet and 2nd USB. Lovely if they could also through in FW. So a door on the other side with these three.
4GB ram standard.
Fix the heat.
Better battery life.
Cheaper.
4GB ram standard.
Fix the heat.
Better battery life.
Cheaper.
We will not see any form factor changes at all. Period. Any changes will be made under the hood.
My 2c:
1.6 rolls off the back, 1.8 standard with a 2.0 BTO
Still 2 Gigs of RAM
80G hdd standard, BTO for 120G single platter hdd and 128G SSD
Once you start adding more USB and FW ports, you're talking about a MacBook. It won't happen. The whole point of the Air is that it doesn't have I/O. People that want more I/O are looking at the wrong laptop.
Take What You Need - MBAs hidden benefit
45nm - obviously
SSD price cut - yes please!!
Extra USB or Firewire - Preferably nearer the edge to allow for fat devices
For the rest I prefer the 'Golf Bag approach' - take what you need, leave behind when not required and miss the weight that a larger chassis would have brought to the party, if trying to accommodate it all internally all of the time.
Ethernet Port - Not fussed! Does anyone have regular access to an ethernet outside of a fixed location? When I'm away from base at a client's site, 'public' ethernet lines are at a designated set station, ditto hotel rooms. I can therefore leave an adaptor at the appropriate desk, and don't need it when operating elsewhere (meeting rms, labs, field work).
Superdrive - MBP territory? As above, most data transfer in my work happens by engrs passing 1-2GB USB sticks. CD/DVDs are the format for mass distribution e.g. handout after completion of forums/workshops and not required to be used there and then. Definitely should have an external drive included for the price. Wireless virtual disc has too many restrictions.
3G - Onboard nice. However if too much compromise on size/weight, how about automatic pairing with a 3G iPhone - the perfect companion device?
45nm - obviously
SSD price cut - yes please!!
Extra USB or Firewire - Preferably nearer the edge to allow for fat devices
For the rest I prefer the 'Golf Bag approach' - take what you need, leave behind when not required and miss the weight that a larger chassis would have brought to the party, if trying to accommodate it all internally all of the time.
Ethernet Port - Not fussed! Does anyone have regular access to an ethernet outside of a fixed location? When I'm away from base at a client's site, 'public' ethernet lines are at a designated set station, ditto hotel rooms. I can therefore leave an adaptor at the appropriate desk, and don't need it when operating elsewhere (meeting rms, labs, field work).
Superdrive - MBP territory? As above, most data transfer in my work happens by engrs passing 1-2GB USB sticks. CD/DVDs are the format for mass distribution e.g. handout after completion of forums/workshops and not required to be used there and then. Definitely should have an external drive included for the price. Wireless virtual disc has too many restrictions.
3G - Onboard nice. However if too much compromise on size/weight, how about automatic pairing with a 3G iPhone - the perfect companion device?
everyone's saying obviously to the 45nm Penryn, but from looking around on the net it appears the 45nm Penryn mobile version is still 5W TDP higher than the Macbook Air's current TDP of 20W.
I suspect that's why they held off on the 45nm to begin with, although it looks like they did a package shrink so the Merom core could sit on the same size package as the Penryn (so maybe a CPU upgrade in the future would be theoretically possible?)
Maybe 2nd gen will need a better heatsink for that 5TDP?
I suspect that's why they held off on the 45nm to begin with, although it looks like they did a package shrink so the Merom core could sit on the same size package as the Penryn (so maybe a CPU upgrade in the future would be theoretically possible?)
Maybe 2nd gen will need a better heatsink for that 5TDP?
Completely agree. There's a "reason" for the Air not being a MacBook Pro and vice versa. A few simple improvements as things advance is the key. We're talking about a Piet Mondrian Air and a Van Gogh Pro. Two unique styles of creative technology for different users.
I predict the late 2008 model of Macbook Air, will have these specs:
1.9 or 2.1 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
2GB RAM/3GB RAM
100GB HDD, 64 GB SSD (SSD model will probably be $150-200 cheaper than current SSD model)
1.9 or 2.1 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
2GB RAM/3GB RAM
100GB HDD, 64 GB SSD (SSD model will probably be $150-200 cheaper than current SSD model)
1.8GHz or 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo Processor
2GB or 4GB BTO Ram
64GB SSD/128GB SSD and 80GB/160GB HDD
New battery technology design for improved life?
Maybe 2x USB 2.0 Ports, ethernet dongle w/o extra purchase
For the unrealistic, how about a nVidia 9600GT vid card too
2GB or 4GB BTO Ram
64GB SSD/128GB SSD and 80GB/160GB HDD
New battery technology design for improved life?
Maybe 2x USB 2.0 Ports, ethernet dongle w/o extra purchase
For the unrealistic, how about a nVidia 9600GT vid card too
With the popularity of the EEE and other laptops, apple would be silly not to attempt to grab a portion of that market. naturally with a bit of our premium apple penach.
And rather than launch a whole new product line, it could be benefical to simply release a slightly smaller Air, rather than 13" something in the region of 10" - i'm not advocating an ultra-small screen, 10" is a good comprimize. Naturally cheaper, possibly using the Atom platform. And since it lacks the ports and disc drive, along with other features that the macbook range offers i doubt sale canabalisation would be an issue.
Regarding the Air itself, A second USB port won't hurt. trimming its dimentions ever so slightly may be possible. it could even loose a whole 1.5cm if it adopts an ultra-thin bezel around the display. Rather than build faster processors it may remain with similar, but cooler running equivilents.
Finally i would sugest figuring out a mechanism for attaching an external battery, the 2-3 hour level of the air is a little on the short side for its stated purpose, but a lot of users appreciate the dimentions the Air packs, which is why any extended battery would have to be an entirely optional affair. As far as things go i would sugest something akin to a module that you could clip onto the underside (maybe magnetically) or something you can connect to the power plug, hopefully it'll be 'smart' enough to recognize it has an extended battery attached isntead of mains power. if the Air can push into the 5-12 hour range it'll be an absolute killer
...and this is where my ideas get blasted apart
And rather than launch a whole new product line, it could be benefical to simply release a slightly smaller Air, rather than 13" something in the region of 10" - i'm not advocating an ultra-small screen, 10" is a good comprimize. Naturally cheaper, possibly using the Atom platform. And since it lacks the ports and disc drive, along with other features that the macbook range offers i doubt sale canabalisation would be an issue.
Regarding the Air itself, A second USB port won't hurt. trimming its dimentions ever so slightly may be possible. it could even loose a whole 1.5cm if it adopts an ultra-thin bezel around the display. Rather than build faster processors it may remain with similar, but cooler running equivilents.
Finally i would sugest figuring out a mechanism for attaching an external battery, the 2-3 hour level of the air is a little on the short side for its stated purpose, but a lot of users appreciate the dimentions the Air packs, which is why any extended battery would have to be an entirely optional affair. As far as things go i would sugest something akin to a module that you could clip onto the underside (maybe magnetically) or something you can connect to the power plug, hopefully it'll be 'smart' enough to recognize it has an extended battery attached isntead of mains power. if the Air can push into the 5-12 hour range it'll be an absolute killer
...and this is where my ideas get blasted apart
You're not really the master of punctuation and capitalization either, so what gives...
If my dreams came true:
2.0 GHZ(+) processor
128 GB SSD
Price Drop
WAAAAAY MORE PORTS! They have tons of room for it. no little "doors" either. they could fit tons of ports on each side. At least 3 USB ports, 2 firewire, 1 ethernet, 1 audio jack.
hopefully a better border around the display... the current one is ehhg
better back-lighting
option for white keyboard (I prefer black... I think the black keyboard is niiice)
option for matte display (I prefer glossy)
and option for high resolution [1440 x 900] (like MacBook Pro... after all the air is a pro machine)
and maybe a removable battery to attract more customers
higher resolution, matte display, removable battery, more ports, 20 GHz processor, and an external (wireless, maybe ) optical drive would attract so many more customers
-------
Your not following the capitalization rule, or the punctuation rule... or the sentence formation rule, yet you accuse others of not taking typing seriously?
I don't follow all those rules because I don't want to, but don't accuse other people if you don't follow these rules.
2.0 GHZ(+) processor
128 GB SSD
Price Drop
WAAAAAY MORE PORTS! They have tons of room for it. no little "doors" either. they could fit tons of ports on each side. At least 3 USB ports, 2 firewire, 1 ethernet, 1 audio jack.
hopefully a better border around the display... the current one is ehhg
better back-lighting
option for white keyboard (I prefer black... I think the black keyboard is niiice)
option for matte display (I prefer glossy)
and option for high resolution [1440 x 900] (like MacBook Pro... after all the air is a pro machine)
and maybe a removable battery to attract more customers
higher resolution, matte display, removable battery, more ports, 20 GHz processor, and an external (wireless, maybe
) optical drive would attract so many more customers-------
Do you have to be so rude? Not everyone HAS to be a perfect typer! for intsance i knoww a lot of people that type like this, but they are definityley not a fool. Who cares how people type?
Your not following the capitalization rule, or the punctuation rule... or the sentence formation rule, yet you accuse others of not taking typing seriously?
I don't follow all those rules because I don't want to, but don't accuse other people if you don't follow these rules.