Macbook air Rev. C?

[tubbymac]

I'm not as optimistic about significant changes to either the MB, the Pro, or the Air at the June WWDC. The reason for this is simple economics. I think any significant changes to the notebook lines will be closer to xmas to take advantage of thanksgiving and xmas sales.

There's no reason to really upgrade the machines significantly in the summer since students who need to buy the machines before school starts will buy them anyway. Students are usually looking for discounts and deals so they don't mind getting end of line units.

At most I see a refresh and not an update. By refresh I mean simple stuff like swapping in a better CPU or more ram or a different hard drive. The big changes I do not anticipate happening until Snow Leopard is released.

 

[qubex]

Apple needs to stop believing their customers are lay hicks. I don't see why they should expect me to pay heavy premiums for machines that are below the standard of comparable machines elsewhere. I'm perfectly willing to pay extra, but I want extra for my delta.

Hopefully they have an inkling that their sales will slide if they do not keep their line up to date.

(I've pretty much decided I'm returning that Air as soon as it's delivered on Monday.)

 

[iMacmatician]

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.

I agree with most points, but I also see a good HDD bump across the line (like the late 2006 and early 2008 MacBook Pro and the May 2007 MacBook) and 4 GB RAM on the low-end MacBook Pro.

I see CPU bumps but on the order of 133 MHz. 267 MHz on some models if we're lucky.

 

[JonHimself]

I'm in a similar situation to those that are waiting. I thought I would share my plan and see if it helps anyone.
I have a broken-ish MBP that needs to be replaced. My plan is to buy a mac mini and a macbook air OR the ultra-portable if it fits what I want (I'm ok with spending the extra cash to get the mba but if there's a smaller version that does more or less the same thing I would take it).
I have committed myself to waiting until WWDC to see what happens (if they end up announcing a new product in sept-dec then I'll just have to deal with it). The benefit being that if they release a new product (or even annouce one so I know what I'm waiting for) then I won't miss out on that opportunity and also if they sneak in a spec bump I'll be able to get that. As much as I want the black bezel (the trackpad is lower on the list of what I'd like to have) I can do without it.
So, short version of that is that I'm waiting to WWDC to see if anything new is released/announced and then I'll make my purchase (if nothing new, it'll be a refurb rev b).
The other factor at play is Snow Leopard. I'm hoping they announce the release date for that so I can figure out if it's worth waiting for that as well. It could be a blessing in disguise.. imagine if nothing new is released/announced at WWDC (in terms of portable computing) but the snow leopard release date is September.. then I wait until September to buy the machines and there ends up being a new MBA (spec bump or even black bezel, trackpad, etc) released along with it then I'll be happy I didn't pull the trigger at WWDC.

 

[applecultvictim]

I think there is a possibility that they just silentle upgrade the air by 100+ mhz per pricepoint and then go to arrandale, or even go arrandale directly around december. By the way have we heard anything about arrandale's schedule, will it be q4 2009 or has it slid to q1 2010?

 

[iMacmatician]

I think there is a possibility that they just silentle upgrade the air by 100+ mhz per pricepoint and then go to arrandale, or even go arrandale directly around december. By the way have we heard anything about arrandale's schedule, will it be q4 2009 or has it slid to q1 2010?

Q4 production, although release may be in Q4 or Q1.

 

[Scottsdale]

Apple needs to stop believing their customers are lay hicks. I don't see why they should expect me to pay heavy premiums for machines that are below the standard of comparable machines elsewhere. I'm perfectly willing to pay extra, but I want extra for my delta.

Hopefully they have an inkling that their sales will slide if they do not keep their line up to date.

(I've pretty much decided I'm returning that Air as soon as it's delivered on Monday.)

I think Apple learned with the Mac mini, iMac, and even Mac Pro, that if they wait too long, people stop buying anticipating an update.

With Apple's system, buyers have no incentive to buy once systems are five months old. Apple needs to discount systems as they age, but they refuse to budge on price. The result is people wait for the update to buy. Apple has been updating Mac notebooks approximately every six months.

In order to keep sales moving, Apple absolutely must update the notebooks. Thinking of this, and Apple needing to keep sales up, a June refresh makes a lot of sense. Let's just hope Apple has learned its lesson and sticks with six month refreshes.

Snow Leopard could throw a wrench into this if buyers are waiting for SL to buy their next Mac. But I sure hope bumps are coming and the MBA gets some nice bumps.

We are not dumb buyers, but some buyers don't see much value in waiting if they need it at this time. Let's hope the majority keep demanding updates to buy Macs.

 

[Balthezor]

I'm also waiting for this rev. C. I'm going to medical school in August, so I don't need the machine now and I'm also willing to wait even longer for the Rev. C. I really want the newest, and fastest Air I can possibly buy this year. This is gonna be my last laptop purchase for several years, so I want to make it count.

And I regret being cheap on a laptop purchase due to a previous Mac purchase. I should have bought that 12" Powerbook instead of that iBook which has been MIA for years now.

 

[queshy]

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.

Why not? Apple rolled out the "new look" starting with the iMac, and the MacBook Pro and MacBook eventually followed. I'm not saying I want a glass screen or a buttonless trackpad, but it only makes sense that Apple brings it in line with the rest of the gang. And I probably retract my Ram statement, Apple is really stingy with ram and I don't think the Air is ready to get 4 GB, even with rev C.

 

[kyrian]

With WWDC coming up early June, you only technically have to hang on another month (mid-May) just on the (very good IMO) off-chance they'll update the MBA at that time at which point you can always return for the updated model. But don't expect any black bezel/glass gimmicks, it will almost certainly be a CPU and HD refresh only. I say only but that's what really matters at the end of the day. At a push, the only 'cosmetic' things I'd like is higher screen resolution and a thinner display bezel.

any thinner, and Apple's gonna have to include bandaids and neosporin with the Air I know, cheesy, but I seriously don't think the MBA's LCD bezel should be thinner. As of now, there are a lot of MBA users accidentally broke their LCDs just by picking their MBAs up. (wrong finger positions, but there's a big chance one might for get and use the wrong amount of force)

Back to the OP's question, I use the Apple online store's Refurbished item page to gauge the timelife of an Apple product: when you first see it, you're halfway to the speed bump/ update/ revision. Not accurate, but reasonable and layman enough to me.

 

[qubex]

Back to the OP's question, I use the Apple online store's Refurbished item page to gauge the timelife of an Apple product: when you first see it, you're halfway to the speed bump/ update/ revision. Not accurate, but reasonable and layman enough to me.

An interesting quantitative approach. And, do tell me, when did the Rev B 'Air first turn up under the Refurbs? I need a bit of data to compute my metric. Does anybody track this data?

 

[JonHimself]

An interesting quantitative approach. And, do tell me, when did the Rev B 'Air first turn up under the Refurbs? I need a bit of data to compute my metric. Does anybody track this data?

It was within the last two weeks (I believe). There is a thread that was in this forum that had a bunch of posts letting people know they were available. Might be able to get the exact date that way.

 

[qubex]

Well, I bought one of the Refurbs (but it had lines, and so I would've returned it anyway).

Now, lets think this through: we're at 192 days, two weeks ago would be 178 days since refresh. 178 * 2 = 356. Mid-October + 356 days = beginning of October.

Hmm.

I'm hoping you're wrong.

 

[iMacmatician]

An interesting quantitative approach. And, do tell me, when did the Rev B 'Air first turn up under the Refurbs? I need a bit of data to compute my metric. Does anybody track this data?

I would also like to know the standard deviation / variance as well as any trends within the trend.

Well, I bought one of the Refurbs (but it had lines, and so I would've returned it anyway).

Now, lets think this through: we're at 192 days, two weeks ago would be 178 days since refresh. 178 * 2 = 356. Mid-October + 356 days = beginning of October.

Hmm.

I'm hoping you're wrong.

 

[kyrian]

Well, I bought one of the Refurbs (but it had lines, and so I would've returned it anyway).

Now, lets think this through: we're at 192 days, two weeks ago would be 178 days since refresh. 178 * 2 = 356. Mid-October + 356 days = beginning of October.

Hmm.

I'm hoping you're wrong.

I was not that exacting and referring to the approximate of the timeline. besides, one might want to factor in the SL release and the economic situation of the US in general into the anticipating the rev C.

here is my thinking: if you want to buy an apple product and you don't necessarily need it this month. look at the history of the refurbish page, if the item you want has not made it there at all, you're safe to buy now, rather than wait it out. if it has been offered as a refurbished item, I'd wait it out for the next revision.

I hope this helps ...

 

[Veinticinco]

It was within the last two weeks (I believe). There is a thread that was in this forum that had a bunch of posts letting people know they were available. Might be able to get the exact date that way.

It was within the last two weeks (I believe). There is a thread that was in this forum that had a bunch of posts letting people know they were available. Might be able to get the exact date that way.

Two weeks? In the US perhaps but the rev.B has been available as a refurb in Europe since February, 10 weeks or so. Stick that into your calculations.

Also, don't think Snow Leopard will have any bearing on anticipated sales or how long people wait.... hardware and software traditionally follow completely independent launch paths. Say those of us waiting impatiently for a rev.C got our wish the week before WWDC in June, at which time they announce the release schedule for SL, which is likely to be Sept/Oct. Who would then say "no no I'm going to wait until Sept as then my new MBA will have Snow Leopard pre-installed.....". Nobody of course, they'll just upgrade the OS when the time comes. What was Leopard Retail? $99 or so? And that was quite a leap forward from Tiger, whereas SL is being downplayed as much as I've ever seen an OS release downplayed - they may as well call it Leopard Lite - the leaner, greener and ever so slightly meaner OS.

Honestly I'm at the fingernail-chewing point where if they just released a refresh with the SL9600 CPU and 256GB SSD, I'd bite without hesitation. Anything else of worth (for me, 4GB RAM and battery tech only, not in the slightest interested in the extra glass others seem to crave) would just be a nice bonus.

 

[cyberwolf777]

Honestly I'm at the fingernail-chewing point where if they just released a refresh with the SL9600 CPU and 256GB SSD, I'd bite without hesitation. Anything else of worth (for me, 4GB RAM and battery tech only, not in the slightest interested in the extra glass others seem to crave) would just be a nice bonus.

I think you'll be lucky.

My predictions after consulting the crystal ball:

SL9600 CPU: 99% probability.. Apple has, with only very few exceptions, always upgraded the CPU. The minor speed bump will move the MBA above the psychologically relevant 2Ghz threshold, too.

256GB SSD: 99% probability. The 256GB SSD from Samsung offered by Apple for the MBPs is also available from Samsung in the 1.8" form factor.

4GB RAM: 70%. Similarly, RAM prices are down considerably from the level of last summer so 4GB would also be possible. If Apple will not offer more memory, then the fact that upgrading RAM is not possible would make buyers more and more hesitant to pay the "apple tax" in a time of economic crisis, especially since netbooks are moving towards 2+ GB.

glass trackpad/black bezel: 50%. I'm sure Apple is trying to fit those in. If they manage without compromising size or weight then it will be done.

15" MBA/16:9 ratio/OLED: 25%. If the OLED rumor is true and that 15" LG panel will be used in an Apple notebook this would pinpoint to the introduction of a 15" MBA and a shift to a 16:9 ratio for the Macbook Air series only. The resolution of the OLED display (1366x768) is too low to be used in a MBP and the 16:9 ratio could be a "feature" exclusive to the MBA. The 13" model wouldn't have an OLED display and for the 15" it would be BTO. Even if the OLED won't be used we could still see a 15" MBA soon - there was a page 2 rumor about this a while ago...

increased screen resolution: 25%. There is currently no proper 13.3" panel available, and especially not from Apple-partner LG that has a 1440 resolution and delivering acceptable quality. The one used in the Lenovo x301 is crap. Similar situation as with moving the 15" MBP to a 1680x1050 resolution. But should there be something available, I think Apple might consider it also to set the MBA further apart from the consumer Macbooks that might cannibalize its sales more and more since the unibodies are lighter and of higher build quality. This speculation is not compatible with the OLED rumor above, however.

carbon-fiber bottom plate: 25%. There was a rumor about that a while ago. As with the glass trackpad and bezel, I'm sure that Apple is likely to be working hard on that and if it can be done it will.

firewire-port: 10%. With the MBA further developing, Apple might find space to include a FireWire 800 port especially for fast storage solutions. I would welcome this but I fear this is more wishful thinking than anything else.

Rev. C / MBA II release date: May/June 90%. The main reason Apple held off for so long (273 days compared to around 190 for MB/MBP average) with Rev. B was that the components (CPU, 120GB harddisk) were just not available earlier. Also, since the new iPhone will be introduced at WWDC, it would be convenient if Apple then would focus on the subject of mobility in general. Introducing a new MBA and/or the rumored netbook/tablet would then be just fitting.

 

[applecultvictim]

Hey cyberwoolf that was one incredible post right there. Thanks so much. Post of the week for me. Btw how long has the 256gb ssd 1.8 been available and how much would it cost?

 

[Scottsdale]

Hey cyberwoolf that was one incredible post right there. Thanks so much. Post of the week for me. Btw how long has the 256gb ssd 1.8 been available and how much would it cost?

Has to be very recent. I did some research maybe a month ago and did not find a single 1.8" SSD, that also fit the other thickness measurement requirement, that was larger than the 128 GB Samsung.

I have been under the impression that an enlarged SSD in the 256 GB size may be the only thing holding up a rev C MBA. Seems the CPU has been ready for a few weeks. The RAM is not an issue. One would think the graphics would stay 9400m Nvidia. Glass trackpad has to cost pennies to manufacture. Battery tech has been ready since 17" MBP.

I think the SSD could be the hold up, or like I said in several other posts, what if Apple decides to change the size to be thinner than Dell's Adamo? It would suck, and I sure hope Apple is happy with the current form of the MBA.

I want 4 GB RAM, 2.13 GHz SL9600, 256 GB SSD, glass trackpad, new battery. I do not want the black bezel but do want a completely line free display. Also rather than soldered on RAM, I would really be happy with 2 slots capable of up to 4 GB each. An 8 GB MBA would be unbelievably awesome. In fact, I think I would fall in love with it and keep it for several years not caring what rev D had to offer... ugh oh, for that reason we will not get two RAM slots! and maybe missing something else that I think would be there.

Really thinking this Mac notebook bump would happen right before WWDC and not at it. I guess it happened that way two years ago for the MBPs???

 

[applecultvictim]

I agree with the other fellow air fans here let me just add that a 15 or14 inch screen would be to me by far the best way to go for the air, far above anything else, cause the speed bumps are going to be minimal anyway in CPU, the ssd can be a mod to any rev b, but the screen can't be moded, let's see how it will turn out!

 

[iMacmatician]

Great post there cyberwolf777.

The 256GB SSD from Samsung offered by Apple for the MBPs is also available from Samsung in the 1.8" form factor.

Does it meet the thickness requirement?

Assuming a 15" MacBook Air will be released (with 1366x768 and the MBA lineup going 16:9), I would think the resolution of the smaller (13"?) MacBook Air would be 1280x720, unless Apple decides to bump its resolution to 1366x768. It might be possible for the 15" to be even thinner than the existing and new MacBook Air (and the Adamo) because the larger display size might give more room to shuffle components around. I'm also thinking a higher mass and a larger battery. Maybe the 15" will have 4 GB and/or 2 RAM slots. Price-wise, I guess I'm thinking that the 13" Airs will move down while the 15" will be about where the high-end 13" is right now.

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?

Pretty much (although I don't drink). I'm not sure how long I'll have to wait for that though, the sequence doesn't seem to converge to 0.

 

[qubex]

We're all obsessed.

 

[stoconnell]

Great post there cyberwolf777.
Assuming a 15" MacBook Air will be released (with 1366x768 and the MBA lineup going 16:9), I would think the resolution of the smaller (13"?) MacBook Air would be 1280x720, unless Apple decides to bump its resolution to 1366x768.

Apple seems very committed to the 16:10 aspect ratio. If they go up in resolution it would likely be to 1440:900. The extra horizontal space afforded by 1366x768 would be nice for multiple windows, but the loss of the vertical would kind of suck for web browsing

 

[macbook123]

Why would anybody want the Air screen to be in line with the MB and MBP?

I find it hilarious that some people here are digging the black bezel and glass screen. The black bezel is a way of making a *fat* bezel look interesting, because a fat bezel is something bad in a laptop, which should have maximal real-estate/size ratio. The bezel on Apple laptops are getting fatter and fatter since the Ti-Powerbook, and many consumers don't even notice.

The glass screen is a simple way to make a laptop cheaper, while adding lots of unnecessary weight (bad for the Air!). It has no advantage, except for movie watching in low-light conditions, something people who use their laptops for work don't view as a most important criterion.

People are talking about necessity of bringing the Air in line with the other products. The screen part of the MB and the MBP were a huge step back from the last versions (the unibody of course being a step forward), which is why they had to re-introduce the mate screen and silver bezel in the 17 inch MBP. In the future, the black bezel will with certainty disappear, because bezels will disappear on laptops. The glass screen will disappear because it only adds weight and reflections.

The only thing that's really timely on the Air (as on the MB and MBP) is to have a less gigantic bezel and a higher resolution screen. They could fit a 1440x900 screen with close to 14 inches in the same footprint. And please don't tell me "oh, I don't want higher resolution because the font gets too small", because that's BS because the minimum font size can be adjusted in OS X and higher res fonts at a fixed size are crisper and more easily legible.

PS: Now that I mentioned the MB and MBP, I should also say that optical drives will disappear. They're the modern floppy drives. Like the glass screen, mostly folks who use their laptops for entertainment want optical drives. The current line of MB and MBP, while I own one of the latter, are dinosaurs, except they'll only last 2 years.

 

[mojibake]

^^^ macbook123 speaks the troof