Macbook air Rev. C?

[Veinticinco]

Seventy-thousand statement Mathematica financial models. I don't care if it's "fast" or "slow" (quantified in terms of brutal seconds between issuance and completion: modest number crunching session can last three or four hours on my current laptop), but I do desire it to remain "snappy" while it grinds away in the background. As a ballpark, if it handles moderately-hefty multimedia tasks suitably (such as light iMovie editing), you can be fairly sure it'll be reasonable while under heavy strain. While on the corporate network I can just offload the job to a cluster so it doesn't really matter, provided, as I stated, it remains non-frustrating.

I'm beyond doubt that the next refresh MBA will be slower than my current MBP (though I will opt for whatever SSD they have); my argument is that it will be more usable despite being slower because of the decreased annoyance of carrying it around.

Ok so now we get down to the crux of it aye? It's not about speed, it's just about being a pain in the backside having to lug such a weight about. Perfectly understandable, but should have said so originally - like the teenager nervously asking the pharmacist for cough drops when really he wants condoms

If it's snappy interface you want, then the SSD will do the job. Buy a rev.B now and relax safe in the knowledge that the rev.C will almost certainly (99.9%) not look any different to the rev.B. Forget about black bezels and crap like that, and just enjoy the sensation of not having aching pain in your shoulder.

 

[qubex]

That thing has dug a trench in my roadwarrioring shoulder. I've learnt to despise every bloated item it entails.

 

[Veinticinco]

That thing has dug a trench in my roadwarrioring shoulder. I've learnt to despise every bloated item it entails.

I shared your pain once. My old but minty fresh and trusty G4 PB. It's now been put out to stud, enjoying its retirement at home, still very active, but it doesn't venture out much. And my love for it has been reborn, and the previous cursing and evil looks I used to give it for causing me discomfort have been forgiven and forgotten.

Buying an MBA for my own travels (usually meetings, airport to airport, Europe-based) was like having an amazingly sexy new mistress but with a lovely and understanding wife at home. Still working on that goal in real life....

Just be careful of falling into the trap and using the same bag....for some people buying a smaller/lighter/thinner laptop just means they fill up their bag with more crap and paperwork which offsets the gain in the first place.

 

[qubex]

Buying an MBA for my own travels (usually meetings, airport to airport, Europe-based) was like having an amazingly sexy new mistress but with a lovely and understanding wife at home. Still working on that goal in real life....

Just be careful of falling into the trap and using the same bag....for some people buying a smaller/lighter/thinner laptop just means they fill up their bag with more crap and paperwork which offsets the gain in the first place.

Hey, trust me, I'm a financial analyst: I already have a new MBA-intended backpack and felt sleeve ready to accomodate the Device itself. I plan ahead to a level that is truly obsessive.

 

[Veinticinco]

Hey, trust me, I'm a financial analyst: I already have a new MBA-intended backpack and felt sleeve ready to accomodate the Device itself. I plan ahead to a level that is truly obsessive.

Also explains why you're so risk-averse and neurotic about Apple bringing out a new version

Ah don't worry, I too ascribe to the buy accessories before you have the hardware for them. It's not so much obsession or even incentive, it's more like a Field of Dreams thing...if you build it they will come, or like those Italian/Swiss villagers who built that Alpine railway long before there was a locomotive engine capable of enough power to tackle the incline.

 

[dubhe]

One more thing....whilst I don't agree the black bezel/glass design will make its way to the MBA for the reasons I've outlined above, if the product survives into 2010 and a rev.D, then it's very possible we will see aesthetic changes to the form factor, except it will be totally different to both the current MBA and MB/MBPs.

The carbon fibre rumour is still doing the rounds, but it wouldn't surprise me given the popularity of the old BlackBook (MB) to see a black/anthracite anodized aluminium finish on a rev.D MBA, similar to the finish on the black iPod nano and new shuffle. A stealth-like appearance for a stealth-like product.

I thought this when the first black iPod classics came out a couple of years ago. But, we still wait...

I also think we will see Rev.E before a refresh on form factor, apple has obviously put a lot of money into the MBA and it isn't about to put a lot more money into a new one.

What apple needs to do is fix the screen lines, fix the hinge, improve the QC and implement the new intel processors and increase the SSD capacity. Once the current design has achieved what it can then it will be time for a refresh.

 

[dubhe]

I shared your pain once. My old but minty fresh and trusty G4 PB. It's now been put out to stud, enjoying its retirement at home, still very active, but it doesn't venture out much.

Buying an MBA for my own travels (usually meetings, airport to airport, Europe-based) was like having an amazingly sexy new mistress but with a lovely and understanding wife at home. Still working on that goal in real life....

I too have a trusty PB at home but prefer to be seen out with my MBA. I'm tempted by the MBP too, it might be a little bigger but makes up for it in performance

 

[qubex]

Neurosis is a way of life. As an Italian who lives within 30 km of the border I know exactly what you refer to: I take it as a point of inspiration.

Seriously, I can hold out until mid-June, but what if nothing's announced by the time WWDC is closed?

 

[PaperMacWriter]

Neurosis is a way of life. As an Italian who lives within 30 km of the border I know exactly what you refer to: I take it as a point of inspiration.

Seriously, I can hold out until mid-June, but what if nothing's announced by the time WWDC is closed?

Then you'll have a Rev. B MBA. Will not having an ultra-portable until June seriously affect you?
SG

 

[mojibake]

Let's make it simple. Here is the spec sheet for Rev. C:

• CPU -> speed bump to 2.17 high-end or 1.87 GHz low-end
• Glass trackpad -> added
• Black glossy bezel -> no change
• Storage -> slightly bigger SSD on the high end
• One Battery Is All You Get -> no change
• 2G RAM Is All You Get -> ????? (increase?? Hopefully??)
• Screen Resolution Limited to 1280x800 -> no change
• Wide display bezel & thin but overly broad chassis -> no change
• One USB Port Is All You Get -> no change

Announcement in June.

 

[queshy]

My predictions for Rev C:

-"glass" screen a la Macbook
-buttonless glass trackpad
-perhaps a battery charging meter
-bigger HDD, 4 GB ram BTO
-same pricepoint
-release date unknown! Sometime in 2009, or perhaps early 2010

 

[dubhe]

My predictions for Rev C:

-"glass" screen a la Macbook
-buttonless glass trackpad
-perhaps a battery charging meter
-bigger HDD, 4 GB ram BTO
-same pricepoint
-release date unknown! Sometime in 2009, or perhaps early 2010

No
No
No
Yes, Yes but you can't BTO soldered RAM
Yes
mid-late 2009

The screen and trackpad will require a design overhaul, and the form factor is still relatively new.

 

[qubex]

Well, for what it's worth today I splurged on a refurbished MacBookAir Rev B. with 1.8 GHz processor and 128 GB SSD.

We're 190 days from the last refresh, versus an average (based on a sample of one) of 273 days. That's a residual of 83 days.

In so doing, I have virtually ensured that within three months:

• A new MacBookAir will be released;
• It will feature a processor speed bump, double RAM (to 4 GB), and an enlarged SSD (perhaps 256 GB);
• It will sport a black bezel and a glass trackpad.

I expect the rumouring to begin in a week or less, so as to coincide with the delivery with the unit and spoil any transient joy I might've otherwise experienced. Hopefully you other guys shall benefit from my sacrifice. Myself? I'm planning to use it until the new models are out, and then sell it on before it loses too much value.

 

[dudup]

http://9to5mac.com/pro-apps-macbooks-updated-wwdc

Makes sense to me. Just a small bump on the configs.

I'm game anyway!

 

[HLdan]

This Rev A, Rev B jargon has become so second nature to many of you that you don't even know when you are using the terms wrong. The so called "Rev B" MBA is not really revision B, it's really revision A. The first MBA was not a revision of anything, it's the first model ever made. the latest MBA with the Nvidia GPU IS "Rev A".

 

[iMacmatician]

http://9to5mac.com/pro-apps-macbooks-updated-wwdc

Makes sense to me. Just a small bump on the configs.

I'm game anyway!

I'm not surprised, although I expected neither the 3G nor the WWDC release date.

Pro App updates should be good too.

 

[Scottsdale]

This Rev A, Rev B jargon has become so second nature to many of you that you don't even know when you are using the terms wrong. The so called "Rev B" MBA is not really revision B, it's really revision A. The first MBA was not a revision of anything, it's the first model ever made. the latest MBA with the Nvidia GPU IS "Rev A".

I tried to make that argument once... waste of my time. The saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." It's better to just speak the lingo of the other forum members.

However, I agree. Then I calling them original and revised MBAs and everyone was confused. Seemed only normal to me.

 

[qubex]

This Rev A, Rev B jargon has become so second nature to many of you that you don't even know when you are using the terms wrong. The so called "Rev B" MBA is not really revision B, it's really revision A. The first MBA was not a revision of anything, it's the first model ever made. the latest MBA with the Nvidia GPU IS "Rev A".

Indeed, we must start referring to model successions in the "correct" n+Δn, n∈Z, n>0 notation, or perhaps Russell-Whitrehead's Principia Mathematica successor syntax (s0+s0=ss0 et al.).

This is why Intel (amongst others) internally refers to steps: step 1, step 2, and not revisions, which I concur, are by definition nonzero only after a first review.

 

[qubex]

http://9to5mac.com/pro-apps-macbooks-updated-wwdc

Makes sense to me. Just a small bump on the configs.

I'm game anyway!

On cue, the rumouring has begun.

 

[Scottsdale]

http://9to5mac.com/pro-apps-macbooks-updated-wwdc

Makes sense to me. Just a small bump on the configs.

I'm game anyway!

No word about the MBA from what I read about it here on MR. It sure would be nice to get a MacBook Air rev C in less than two months.

 

[iMacmatician]

Indeed, we must start referring to model successions in the "correct" n+Δn, n∈Z, n>0 notation, or perhaps Russell-Whitrehead's Principia Mathematica successor syntax (s0+s0=ss0 et al.).

Absolutely.

Does that mean we use (n + Δn) + (m + Δm)i for all the features that people are wishing for?

 

[qubex]

Oh!

I've finally found someone to crack mathematical jokes with.

Shall we indulge in beers until the marginal benefit of the next integer unit attains zero?

 

[Veinticinco]

As an Italian who lives within 30 km of the border I know exactly what you refer to: I take it as a point of inspiration.

Finally someone who believes me about the railway! It is an inspirational example I agree, a perfect demonstration of forward-thinking, something so often lacking in these pecuniary times in a world run by beancounters.

Seriously, I can hold out until mid-June, but what if nothing's announced by the time WWDC is closed

Then you either pony up for the rev.B complete with a duodenal ulcer just thinking about what July or September may bring, or just wait some more safe in the knowledge that it WILL eventually arrive sooner rather than later.

Although I'm currently back to being without an MBA (damn lines), thankfully I have enough Apple hardware to keep me occupied during this cold turkey period.

Interestingly enough the MR story today about speed bumps for the MB/MBP at WWDC makes no mention of the MBA - the machine which of the entire lineup I think NEEDS a refresh most, as much for perceptual as well as commercial reasons. Either that's an oversight by the editors, or the leak source didn't see anything and/or didn't think it worthy of a mention. The latter alternative does not bode well. As much as I'm rational in thinking the MBA may end-of-lifed in the not too distant future (next year even) it won't be until the tablet/netbook project is up and running. Which means there'll be a rev.C soon and probably a rev.D sometime in Q1 2010.

 

[Veinticinco]

No word about the MBA from what I read about it here on MR. It sure would be nice to get a MacBook Air rev C in less than two months.

Yep, doesn't bode well does it? But then as I outlined above they'd have to certifiably insane not to announce/release/ship the rev.C at the same time.

Worst case scenario is the tacit acknowledgment that even in-house, the MBA has finally become that ginger-haired stepchild. Before you know it, we'll all be swapping tips about elegant and bespoke upgrades on something like AirOwner.com and laughing at how stupid Apple were to mothball a classic piece of design and computing genius. (yes I am one of the 150,000 )

 

[Scottsdale]

Yep, doesn't bode well does it? But then as I outlined above they'd have to certifiably insane not to announce/release/ship the rev.C at the same time.

Worst case scenario is the tacit acknowledgment that even in-house, the MBA has finally become that ginger-haired stepchild. Before you know it, we'll all be swapping tips about elegant and bespoke upgrades on something like AirOwner.com and laughing at how stupid Apple were to mothball a classic piece of design and computing genius. (yes I am one of the 150,000 )

I have thought about this a bunch, and I think the MBA will see an update with the other Mac notebooks before WWDC. I just think Apple has learned its lesson selling desktops that after six months, people expect a speed bump update at a minimum. We are coming up on six months of the unibody MB and MBP. The MBA took an extra three weeks to ship. But, I really think it will get updated at the exact same time as other two.

And I was originally thinking September for upgrade, but rumors of Mac notebooks should mean all mac notebooks.

Here is what I expect...

Unibody MB... CPU bumps??? battery upgrade to new tech possible. nothing else.

Unibody MBP... Quad Core? NO... Not much room for CPU bumps so very little speed bump upgrade if stick with core 2 duo. Maybe video RAM doubled. Definitely officially support 8 GB RAM on all Pros. Definitely new upgraded battery tech. Would be real reason to upgrade.

MACBOOK AIR... 2.13 GHz SL9600 CPU. Either 4 GB RAM, or two dimm slots instead of soldered on board RAM. Glass trackpad. New battery for certain! This is a luxury or premium brand it will definitely get the battery which will probably increase battery life to real four hours. This is not all I am wishing for but I think is all very logical for the rev C. I think the 256 GB SSD may come as a BTO option later, but I haven't read of it possible in 1.8" form. Maybe HDD up to 160 GB. Maybe SSD to 192 GB??? Maybe still only 128 GB SSD??? Just don't know.

If the MBA rev C doesn't come before WWDC, I fear Apple will be modifying the shell to be thinner than Dell's Adamo. God, I sure hope not. I love the MBA size and shape as is.