MacBook Air rev C, "Everything we know, and everything we want." (orig. desperate)

[qubex]

Sorry, but I have to take a stance on this, only because I'm tired of people deciding what type of cash is in my bank account based on what I buy. I have a Rev B Macbook Air which I bought for the work I do. I am by no means rich or the affluent type customer, not yet at least. I am extremely price sensitive as my money must go towards what takes care of my needs.
Dude, you don't have $2500 for a computer? It's not a $100k Lamborghini. Maybe you don't know that all laptops used to cost $4000-$5000 as the norm. So what the Macbook Air is for a select amount of customers, it doesn't mean the select customers have to be financially wealthy. You're stereotyping people.

Specs aren't the only thing that sells a product. For me, I have a bad back and I need to carry my Macbook around with me. After packing my bag with my lappy, the power brick, my GPS and such, the bag starts weighing things down and pulls on my back. The Air solves that whole problem for me. As long as a persons needs are met not everyone needs the most the bang for the buck as that type of computer may not solve their problem.

I suggest you: relax, reread, understand, and rectify.

Incidentally, notice my use of affluent (implying a relatively large proportion of disposable income) as opposed to wealthy (implying a relatively large estate). The former pertains to cashflow and the latter is related to the balance sheet. They're not at all synonymous.

 

[glitch44]

At the same time, I would assume we are all in the middle income tax brackets... NOT ANYWHERE NEAR THE TOP 10% of WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD!

While I agree with the original spirit of your post, most people are woefully unaware of how little most of the world lives on. If you make $30,000 a year (which is probably not even considered a middle income tax bracket) you're in the top 7.16% of the richest in the world:

http://www.globalrichlist.com/

 

[Ivan P]

Sorry, but I have to take a stance on this, only because I'm tired of people deciding what type of cash is in my bank account based on what I buy. I have a Rev B Macbook Air which I bought for the work I do. I am by no means rich or the affluent type customer, not yet at least. I am extremely price sensitive as my money must go towards what takes care of my needs.
Dude, you don't have $2500 for a computer? It's not a $100k Lamborghini. Maybe you don't know that all laptops used to cost $4000-$5000 as the norm. So what the Macbook Air is for a select amount of customers, it doesn't mean the select customers have to be financially wealthy. You're stereotyping people.

I concur.

Person: What sort of computer do you have?
Me: I have the latest 15" MacBook Pro.
Person: Sweet! How much'd that cost you?
Me: $3200, plus an extra $300 for AppleCare.
Person: Wow, either you're rich or just plain spoilt.
Me: Hmm, no. It took over 3 months of full time work just to save up for it, kthxbye.

 

[Scottsdale]

Correlation does not imply causation...

While I agree with the original spirit of your post, most people are woefully unaware of how little most of the world lives on. If you make $30,000 a year (which is probably not even considered a middle income tax bracket) you're in the top 7.16% of the richest in the world:

http://www.globalrichlist.com/

Whatever. Missing the entire point.

We buy our computers as what we want and need in a computer not because we make or have a certain amount of money.

I don't believe people say I am a pro, so I need to buy a MacBook Pro. They don't say, I am a business professional so I should buy a MacBook Air because it costs more. They don't say, I am a consumer so I should buy a MacBook. People buy what they want based on their needs and wants and financial resources. If they want a 15" Mac notebook, they have to buy a "Pro" model. If they want a 13" Mac notebook with an internal optical drive and 4 GB of RAM, they have to buy a MacBook. It they want a 3lbs Mac notebook and want a high quality display, they have to buy a MacBook Air. There are many reasons why people buy the Mac they buy... but I think resources just mean they have the ability to purchase and not the reason to purchase one Mac over another.

If I used my Mac for an hour a day to surf the web and check email, I would buy a MacBook. Even if I had plenty of money and could buy a MacBook Air.

If I were a graphics pro who worked on designing websites or working in Photoshop or even playing games, I would buy the MacBook Pro. Even if it took me awhile to save up, or I wanted to spend less, I would need the dedicated graphics of the MacBook Pro.

Since I am a consultant, and I work on the go often, and I use my Mac at the couch, and I work on my Mac 8+ hours per day, and I appreciate a better display, I choose the MacBook Air. It's not because I make X$!

So, correlation does not imply causation... that's my assumption here.

 

[qubex]

I really don't think I could've phrased my argument any differently. It's a first-order theorem.

The MacBookAir is concieved for people who recognise and can afford the extra value offered by the ultraportable package. To enter into the transaction they must both recognise the added value and have the means of paying the sum. Absent the cash (present or prospective by means of financing), Apple would not seek to make the sale. Absent the recognised value, the consumer would not seek to make the purchase.

Is there anything wrong with stating such a trivial fact?

To be perfectly honest, I have a perfectly decent 15.4" MacBookPro dating from mid 2007 with 4GB of RAM and a 2.4 GHz processor. I have an aftermarket 128GB SSD. It's probably faster than any prospective Rev. C MacBookAir.

But I hate this machine.

Why? Because it's heavy. It's bulky. It's comparatively thick. The machine's footprint is huge and that translates into large carrying cases. Despite it's speed, it's an order of magnitude slower than my desktop system anyway. I can't even tell myself I'm dragging around this slab for the sake of performance, because it really drives me mad with it's delays.

For me, there's real value in having a truly portable machine, something so thin and light that the decision to bring it with me carries no (real) downside. The MacBookAir will quite literally fit amongst my A4 papers and inside my backpack without weighing me down. I won't notice it, and I'll have full functionality available whenever I find myself in need of it. Apple perceived this when designing the Air and designed towards that goal. The technology let them down on the first iteration and production has thwarted their redesign. Regardless, their concept is sound. Unfortunately, I don't trust their own instincts. At the very least, this kind of product cannot be allowed to languish without updates for the best part of a year. Failing to address production quality issues is unforgivable. As far as I can discern, they're completely indifferent to the product's fate and the implications it has had for their image.

Which is why, benzodiazepines notwithstanding, I remain in a state of ongoing anxiety.

 

[glitch44]

Whatever. Missing the entire point.

We buy our computers as what we want and need in a computer not because we make or have a certain amount of money.

No, you missed the point. I'm not really involved in your petty argument about the demographics of Apple users. I don't really find the need to write long philosophical posts about why I chose the Macbook Air vs why you chose the Macbook Air vs why someone would choose an Air over a Pro and how that defines us as people. That's all mental masturbation and wasted energy.

I was simply showing that being able to afford a computer-- any computer-- is a great gift that we really should appreciate. Many people behave like it's the END OF THE WORLD that they probably won't update the Air in June and how "Apple hates its customers" if they don't offer 4 GB of RAM in the Air.

We need a little perspective in here.

 

[Scottsdale]

No, you missed the point. I'm not really involved in your petty argument about the demographics of Apple users. I don't really find the need to write long philosophical posts about why I chose the Macbook Air vs why you chose the Macbook Air vs why someone would choose an Air over a Pro and how that defines us as people. That's all mental masturbation and wasted energy.

I was simply showing that being able to afford a computer-- any computer-- is a great gift that we really should appreciate. Many people behave like it's the END OF THE WORLD that they probably won't update the Air in June and how "Apple hates its customers" if they don't offer 4 GB of RAM in the Air.

We need a little perspective in here.

I made a statement based on someone attacking the statement of affluent as to Apple's target market for the MBA. My whole point was we do not buy an MBA because we are wealthy than are people who buy MBs. We buy an MBA because we see more value in it.

I do love the MBA, as do a lot of other people here, and we are all passionate about what we want from a rev C MBA. I work on my Mac eight plus hours per day. I spend more time working on it than sleeping or time with my kids. It's a big part of how I work and make money. I think it's fair to desire a perfect MBA. I see value in working with a MacBook Air over a MacBook and it's fair to share that foreseen value without being classified as though I think I am better than someone who chooses to buy a MacBook!

I don't think this has ever been about Apple hating its customers. I think this whole thread has been a question of who is buying the MBA, and what will lead Apple down the path to great success with the next MBA. Is the future of the MBA more portable less powerful Mac? Is the future of the MBA in its same case with more powerful components well served as a primary Mac? Or, is the MBA destined for EOL? Sure we are passionate, but what's wrong with that?

We are having a fine discussion with all of these points. We are all somewhat passionate about what we want in the next MBA. I have just tried to point out that it isn't about wealth, it's about value and our computing needs and wants. We are not all condescending arrogant affluent and pretentious asses we just see value in buying the MBA over the other choices available.

Anyways, what's wrong with us wanting the MBA we want? It doesn't mean we are acting like it's the end of the world if we don't get the rev C MBA that we want. We are voicing our opinions, and sharing our thoughts, to try to gauge what Apple's move is with the MBA. You don't have to be a part of this if you don't want to. We have common interests and are sharing in conversation, so isn't that the point of discussing on a community forum?

 

[qubex]

Dynamic[N[DateDifference[DateString[], {2009, 06, 08}], 50], None]
19.0823
Dynamic[N[DateDifference[DateString[], DatePlus[{2008, 10, 14}, 273]]]]
55.0823
%-%%//N
36.

 

[HLdan]

I suggest you: relax, reread, understand, and rectify.

Incidentally, notice my use of affluent (implying a relatively large proportion of disposable income) as opposed to wealthy (implying a relatively large estate). The former pertains to cashflow and the latter is related to the balance sheet. They're not at all synonymous.

Maybe you should take look up the definition of "affluent". It doesn't matter which way you were TRYING to use it, the word only has one meaning. Sorry, I have a right to feel the way I do because too many people think Mac users are snobby wealthy people when that's just not the truth, for me at least. Here, I'll save you some time:
affluent |ˈafloōənt; əˈfloō-|
adjective
1 (esp. of a group or area) having a great deal of money; wealthy : the affluent societies of the western world | [as plural n. ] ( the affluent) only the affluent could afford to travel abroad. See note at wealthy .
2 archaic (of water) flowing freely or in great quantity.

 

[qubex]

Cashflow, affluent. Disposable cashflow.

 

[Scottsdale]

Can we just drop the affluent bit? I really don't think it was intended to offend or make people who do not choose the MBA feel inferior. If one polls MBA buyers and one polls MB buyers, I can guess the average MBA buyer earns more money than the average MB buyer. But that doesn't mean ALL MBA buyers are in the top income bracket and anyone is able to buy who comes up with $1799. It comes to value of the MBA for every buyer. If someone is not as wealthy as the average MBA buyer but comes up with $1799, they can buy an MBA. There is no exclusion!

Goes exactly to the statement I made "Correlation does not imply causation." We do not buy the MBA because we are wealthier than others. We buy the MBA because to us it's of greater value for one reason or another. We see it as worth the extra money... whether we make more or less than the average MB buyer. And anyone who wants to buy an MBA has to come up with $1799 or $2499. Someone who wants to buy a uMB has to come up with $1299 or $1599. Draw your own conclusions about the "average" buyer of each.

I don't consider myself better than anyone else because I make a little more than the average American. I do not consider myself as needing to buy an MBA because I make more than the average American. I chose the MBA because I use it for business, I need fast, I want a beautiful display, and I enjoy carrying around less weight in my bag.

So, let's all get back to why we love the MBA and what we want in the next one. Let's drop the talk about economic status as that is NOT the reason we buy the MBA and that is the whole point.

 

[qubex]

For what it's worth, I really regret using that term. The whole thread has degenerated into a trolling contest.

 

[HLdan]

Removed my own post.

 

[Scottsdale]

Well, now let's get back to the rev C MacBook Air.

Another Tuesday down, with no updates. For those of you not aware, Tuesday is the day Apple updates most frequently followed by Wednesday.

Unfortunately, just checked all of the Mac sites and saw NO RUMORS for a rev C MBA. If the June Mac notebook update is going to happen, we sure aren't going to get any rumors until last minute at best. It's already the 20th tomorrow, and we are hopeful for an update before the WWDC the first week of June.

The alternative option of an update if not before WWDC is within two weeks after WWDC. It sure feels like a long wait. Dang this MacBook... I really am missing my MBA right now. Sure hope we get this update soon.

 

[glitch44]

I don't think there will be a Rev C update at all in June. With the Palm Pre launching 2 days before WWDC, it's clear that Palm is trying to get out of the gate before a new iphone. I suspect WWDC and June will be all about new iphone, iphone OS 3.0, and snow leopard. Perhaps spec updates of uMB and MB pro in June/ July, but nothing huge.

 

[Scottsdale]

I don't think there will be a Rev C update at all in June. With the Palm Pre launching 2 days before WWDC, it's clear that Palm is trying to get out of the gate before a new iphone. I suspect WWDC and June will be all about new iphone, iphone OS 3.0, and snow leopard. Perhaps spec updates of uMB and MB pro in June/ July, but nothing huge.

Unfortunately, my so called "source" seems to point that we will not see an MBA update when the uMB and uMBPs are updated next, too. I hope for all of the MBA fans' sake everywhere, that the two of you are WRONG! I am dreaming of a rev C MBA, and I hope to be able to say I told you so, not because I care about being right but because I have $3k set aside for a new rev C MBA and I really want to spend it in MAY/JUNE!

Please Apple, take my money! Take it, take it, take it in JUNE! Or maybe June is too busy so they can push it up to May 20th, 26th or 27th!

Go MBA rev C! I really hope for a great Wednesday morning this week. Anything is possible, right.

 

[ssindi]

It's no doubt that Apple will want to focus attention on the new iPhone. As such, I guess it would make more sense for Apple to update the Air before WWDC, this way when the new iPhone is announced the focus will remain on it. However, in the absence of any rumors all we can do is speculate.

Unfortunately last summer I was waiting for the new MBP, I didn't really want an Air due to the limited storage space. As a result, maybe I don't remember seeing or there was limited rumors circling about a Macbook Air revision? I don't know.

But I do remember Apple silently updating the MB and MBP lines with more RAM (up to 4GB for the MB and up to 8GB for the MBP), faster processor speeds and more SSD storage (256GB SSD for both) a few months after releasing the new MB and MBP.

So there's a chance (I hope) that they silently update the Air to faster processor speeds (>2.0 GHz), more RAM (4 GB) and a larger SSD (256GB). That's all I really want. With these specs I could really consider the Air to be my daily laptop and would most probably buy one.

Personally (and at least some of you since you're members of this site) I'm a Mac freak. I enjoy reading rumors and then seeing whether or not they materialize and how close to predictions they are. Needless to say, I was disappointed when Apple silently updated their MB and MBP lines (not because I had just gotten one).

Also, since the Air was announced in Q1 2008, it would make sense for them to do a major update (cosmetically etc) in Q1 2010. So my guess is we would see a minor update before a "new" Air is released. These as we all know are speculations, only Apple knows.

My point is: Apple is capable of silently applying minor updates to the Air, and it would make more sense for them to update it before the new iPhone.

 

[qubex]

Apple would've also been capable of arranging to fix the production quality problems they have been experiencing with the screen ever since they released the Revision B machine on 24th October: they haven't done so. Let alone refurbished units: new machines still display the "grey lines" problem in ample numbers.

If they choose to update the machine "silently", almost all is lost. One hopes they'd make at least a minor hoopla about the fact they've refreshed the product and that the various problems lie in the past. If they don't make an effort to detach from the present situation, it means they're not interested in addressing the problems.

I'm still hoping that they'll decide to update the internal specs and the case. If they do that, it means they're making an effort to distance themselves from the present failings.

 

[Scottsdale]

It's no doubt that Apple will want to focus attention on the new iPhone. As such, I guess it would make more sense for Apple to update the Air before WWDC, this way when the new iPhone is announced the focus will remain on it. However, in the absence of any rumors all we can do is speculate.

Unfortunately last summer I was waiting for the new MBP, I didn't really want an Air due to the limited storage space. As a result, maybe I don't remember seeing or there was limited rumors circling about a Macbook Air revision? I don't know.

But I do remember Apple silently updating the MB and MBP lines with more RAM (up to 4GB for the MB and up to 8GB for the MBP), faster processor speeds and more SSD storage (256GB SSD for both) a few months after releasing the new MB and MBP.

So there's a chance (I hope) that they silently update the Air to faster processor speeds (>2.0 GHz), more RAM (4 GB) and a larger SSD (256GB). That's all I really want. With these specs I could really consider the Air to be my daily laptop and would most probably buy one.

Personally (and at least some of you since you're members of this site) I'm a Mac freak. I enjoy reading rumors and then seeing whether or not they materialize and how close to predictions they are. Needless to say, I was disappointed when Apple silently updated their MB and MBP lines (not because I had just gotten one).

Also, since the Air was announced in Q1 2008, it would make sense for them to do a major update (cosmetically etc) in Q1 2010. So my guess is we would see a minor update before a "new" Air is released. These as we all know are speculations, only Apple knows.

My point is: Apple is capable of silently applying minor updates to the Air, and it would make more sense for them to update it before the new iPhone.

I wasn't excited at all for the last MBA update. I was so disappointed and discouraged with the original MBA, I never envisioned buying another MBA, ever. What an update that was!

It changed everything the MBA was capable of. Another stunning update like that would be great. When the rev B MBA was introduced, the MBA went from novelty secondary Mac to perfectly capable primary Mac. What would it take for the rev C MBA to be a more amazing update than the rev B update?

That silent update you're mentioning was really a minor deal and not a true update as it didn't change the version or model of any of the MBs, nor the low end MBP. A BTO option of a 256 GB SSD was added for both the MB and MBP. The low end MBP did not get a CPU update. The high end MBP received the ever so slightest bump from 2.53 GHz to 2.66 GHz. And it unofficially supports 8 GB of RAM. It really wasn't a typical speed bump update. It really seemed to just bring the high end 15" MBP to the same CPU as the 17" MBP.

I don't think that update affected the common six month update schedule for the Mac notebooks, but some have suggested that was the update for the Mac notebooks for early 2009. Some have suggested it could be September 2009 before we see new Mac notebook updates, but that wouldn't make sense to me. The iPods updates happen in September, and the first quarter of 2010 gives us Arrandale. So, seems likely given the next obvious updates are six months plus out, that a June update will happen.

Unfortunately, we are still waiting for our rev C MBA.

Someone pointed out that there is a MacBook Pro discount financing offer of some sort that goes through the 15th of June. That would make us think the Mac notebook updates will happen a week or two after WWDC instead of the week before WWDC. The 16th of June is a TUESDAY, and Mac updates usually happen on Tuesdays!

Any May or June update will make me happy.

I sure would be happy to see some rumors. Anything right now would sound good. Maybe a revealed link to a Mid 2009 MBA support page, LOL.

 

[Andrew K.]

I concur.

Person: What sort of computer do you have?
Me: I have the latest 15" MacBook Pro.
Person: Sweet! How much'd that cost you?
Me: $3200, plus an extra $300 for AppleCare.
Person: Wow, either you're rich or just plain spoilt.
Me: Hmm, no. It took over 3 months of full time work just to save up for it, kthxbye.

Hahaha I want to hear you say "kthnxbye!" In person that'd be hilarious!

 

[Veinticinco]

Skipped the last page or two to avoid the bitching about 'affluence' so glad to see the thread back on topic.

Nothing much to add, except this is now beginning to resemble the fifth terrace of Dante's purgatorio

I was in my local Apple outlet yesterday (returning a broken power charger) and again casually asked the guy I know well about the MBA and a refresh. No idea he said, but pointed out they had none in stock, and that Apple weren't exactly rushing to fulfill orders they'd placed. Same with other AARs in the region.

Delivery was 'TBA'. His raised eyebrow matched mine. We concurred that to mean either a refresh or a mothballing was imminent.

Still desperately hoping it is the former, but either way I'm getting so very very tired of this limbo, and just want to be put out of my misery one way or another.

 

[iMacmatician]

That silent update you're mentioning was really a minor deal and not a true update as it didn't change the version or model of any of the MBs, nor the low end MBP. A BTO option of a 256 GB SSD was added for both the MB and MBP. The low end MBP did not get a CPU update. The high end MBP received the ever so slightest bump from 2.53 GHz to 2.66 GHz. And it unofficially supports 8 GB of RAM. It really wasn't a typical speed bump update. It really seemed to just bring the high end 15" MBP to the same CPU as the 17" MBP.

I don't think that update affected the common six month update schedule for the Mac notebooks, but some have suggested that was the update for the Mac notebooks for early 2009.

There have been a few other minor updates in the past (February 2006, May 2006) for the MacBook Pro and November 2007 for both notebooks, none of which have affected the update cycle.

Some have suggested it could be September 2009 before we see new Mac notebook updates, but that wouldn't make sense to me. The iPods updates happen in September, and the first quarter of 2010 gives us Arrandale. So, seems likely given the next obvious updates are six months plus out, that a June update will happen.

It doesn't make much sense to me either. I can see a Q3 update if Clarksfield is to be used in the MacBook Pro, but I doubt Clarksfield will go into the notebooks. Even if that did happen, I don't think the other notebooks will use Clarksfield, so that may mean a Penryn update not long before the MacBook Pro update (like in 2007). In other words, MacBook Air update in midyear either way (although it could be later if the design is being updated).

 

[Scottsdale]

Apple would've also been capable of arranging to fix the production quality problems they have been experiencing with the screen ever since they released the Revision B machine on 24th October: they haven't done so. Let alone refurbished units: new machines still display the "grey lines" problem in ample numbers.

If they choose to update the machine "silently", almost all is lost. One hopes they'd make at least a minor hoopla about the fact they've refreshed the product and that the various problems lie in the past. If they don't make an effort to detach from the present situation, it means they're not interested in addressing the problems.

I'm still hoping that they'll decide to update the internal specs and the case. If they do that, it means they're making an effort to distance themselves from the present failings.

I don't think all is lost with a silent update. One thing I do think, if there's a media event, we are getting an OLED display or a completely new MacBook Air form factor. If there is no media event, we are not getting an OLED display or a completely new MBA.

A silent update would be fine for a CPU bump to the 2.13 GHz SL9600 which is the same line of current Intel Core 2 Duo CPU. It would probably still mean a bump to 4 GB of RAM. And it would probably still include the 256 GB SSD upgrade as we all expect it even though we haven't seen one ready. A silent update can still include the glass trackpad (as current on other Macs). A silent update could include the new battery tech as is already in the 17" MBP. A silent update could still include a black aluminum case (as long as it's the same form factor and just a color update). Unfortunately, a silent update could include super thin glass sheet over display and black glossy bezel.

Really though, a silent update is an improved MBA, with the same form factor, but maybe not a problem free display??? Who knows, as it seems Apple is content dealing with the gray line problem affecting some of the rev B MBAs, seeing as it's seven months later and we still have the problem.

A media event type of update or update at WWDC would scare me, as it could mean a super thin even more portable while less powerful MBA. Or, it could just introduce the OLED displays in the Mac notebooks, which would be ok.

I really think we are looking for a silent update! What do the rest of you think?

 

[Prenvo]

I really think we are looking for a silent update! What do the rest of you think?

Silent update *with* a rumor =

I can't cope wandering in the darkness - soon the MacBook with 256GB SSD will find me

 

[iMacmatician]

I really think we are looking for a silent update! What do the rest of you think?

Aren't most updates silent? I think a silent update is most likely.