Macbook Air Update still waiting.

[roxygal9]

So I was on the phone with Apple yesterday to ask a few questions, and make sure my law school was covered under the educational discount. I mentioned the Air to the guy, and he quickly diverted me to the MBP. This is the second time when I showed interest in the MBA, that I was diverted to the MBP instead. It seem it is like the Apple dudes are not even trying to sell the MBA, like it isnt important at all. Not sure why, as this will be my first Mac, but I have noticed this.

 

[aaronfzr]

I wouldn't read too much into it. I had a similar experience.

Apple will be keen to shift out their new toys as rapidly as possible, and commit as many orders as possible, and the sales guys will be trying to take advantage of all the hype to promote the new product.

 

[Scottsdale]

What would you think about a new MBA with a modified version of iPhone OS? Some kind of an iPad with a notebook form factor (a keyboard, you know). It would be lighter and have more battery life. Of course, you couldn't install regular apps but it could browse the web, do word process, use the app store... This may be the way to go for future notebooks and I wouldn't be bothered as long as I could download files. What do you think?

Terrible idea. I would be devastated... the whole point is if one wants an iPhone OS, and no Mac OS X, they should buy an iPad. I don't want to gain battery life at the cost of performance. Besides, there are ways to make the MBA run for 10 hours. Give it a 1 GHz CPU, ultra low voltage Arrandale with Intel GMA IGP only, and add a little weight and the MBA gets the same results running Mac OS X.

The reason the MBA has been successful is that the business professional or mobile computer user can get ultra portability in terms of weight and thickness, yet at the same time they get a full-sized keyboard, full-sized display, and performance capable of running Mac OS X.

What I do think WILL HAPPEN is Apple will eventually allow Macs to run iPhone OS in the overground yet in a shell (sounds odd but think about it). Imagine a glass trackpad that is actually like an OLED iPhone display... the user can interact with the iPhone OS and even probably see the Mac OS X desktop on the trackpad to select Apps and icons that run inside Mac OS X. I see some sort of convergence to allow Mac users access to apps running on iPhone OS.

 

[zodqyv]

What would you think about a new MBA with a modified version of iPhone OS? Some kind of an iPad with a notebook form factor (a keyboard, you know). It would be lighter and have more battery life. Of course, you couldn't install regular apps but it could browse the web, do word process, use the app store... This may be the way to go for future notebooks and I wouldn't be bothered as long as I could download files. What do you think?

I have no doubt something like that is on the way in the 2010-2012 timeframe. Steve has promised several new products for this year in addition to the iPad so it could be sooner rather than later.

iPhone OS gadgets are the future. I sometimes wonder if there will ever even be a Mac OS XI. I have often thought OS XI would be a fusion of OS X and iPhone OS. A few more years of hardware improvements and who knows?

2010-2019 should be even more interesting than 2000-2009.

 

[jdechko]

So I was on the phone with Apple yesterday to ask a few questions, and make sure my law school was covered under the educational discount. I mentioned the Air to the guy, and he quickly diverted me to the MBP. This is the second time when I showed interest in the MBA, that I was diverted to the MBP instead. It seem it is like the Apple dudes are not even trying to sell the MBA, like it isnt important at all. Not sure why, as this will be my first Mac, but I have noticed this.

I wouldn't read too much into it. I had a similar experience.

Apple will be keen to shift out their new toys as rapidly as possible, and commit as many orders as possible, and the sales guys will be trying to take advantage of all the hype to promote the new product.

When I worked at Apple, I probably would have directed you to the MBP as well, or at the very least least mentioned the Pro. For the vast majority of users, the MBP is a much better value, plain and simple, but that doesn't mean that it's necessarily the best for everyone.

<captain obvious micro-rant>
The pro is cheaper, and has better specs (probably overkill, even for most users). The air is thinner, lighter and looks better and if it still fills the computing needs of the user, then it's a viable option in my book.
</captain obvious micro-rant>

 

[roxygal9]

When I worked at Apple, I probably would have directed you to the MBP as well, or at the very least least mentioned the Pro. For the vast majority of users, the MBP is a much better value, plain and simple, but that doesn't mean that it's necessarily the best for everyone.

<captain obvious micro-rant>
The pro is cheaper, and has better specs (probably overkill, even for most users). The air is thinner, lighter and looks better and if it still fills the computing needs of the user, then it's a viable option in my book.
</captain obvious micro-rant>

Haha nice I like your rant! Well I have held off buying a MBP until the educational discount promo starts. And while I am waiting I can see if the MBA will be updated perhaps even at WWDC?

 

[PsyD4Me]

When I worked at Apple, I probably would have directed you to the MBP as well, or at the very least least mentioned the Pro. For the vast majority of users, the MBP is a much better value, plain and simple, but that doesn't mean that it's necessarily the best for everyone.

<captain obvious micro-rant>
The pro is cheaper, and has better specs (probably overkill, even for most users). The air is thinner, lighter and looks better and if it still fills the computing needs of the user, then it's a viable option in my book.
</captain obvious micro-rant>

if you spec the pro with SSD, is it still cheaper?

 

[Scottsdale]

When I worked at Apple, I probably would have directed you to the MBP as well, or at the very least least mentioned the Pro. For the vast majority of users, the MBP is a much better value, plain and simple, but that doesn't mean that it's necessarily the best for everyone.

<captain obvious micro-rant>
The pro is cheaper, and has better specs (probably overkill, even for most users). The air is thinner, lighter and looks better and if it still fills the computing needs of the user, then it's a viable option in my book.
</captain obvious micro-rant>

I agree. Unless someone truly wants or needs the ultraportability of the MBA they're much better off with a 13" MBP. With all of its capabilities, the 13" MBP is going to be fully capable for three years or more. The MBA is already seriously troubled for computing demands right now.

I would advise anyone that wants an MBA to buy knowing they should update their MBA as soon as the MBA is updated. Or they should wait for an MBA with at least 4 GB of RAM. Basically, the MBA will be completely capable if Apple updates it to... SL9600 without throttling, 320m Nvidia GPU, 4 GB RAM, and 256 GB SSD. When that happens, people will be able to buy an MBA that is capable now and a few years down the road.

So it comes down to what people expect from the MBA and for how long. If they are buying the MBA as a secondary Mac, it's much more likely to be acceptable in the long run. Those like me, who need their MBA to run everything for them as a primary Mac need the aforementioned updates before being worthy of their money and time right now.

I wouldn't sell someone an MBA unless they completely understood all of its drawbacks. Now if someone still wants an MBA knowing all of this, that's their decision. And in truth, everyone should know what they're getting before they buy a new computer anyways... so it's really not up to the salesperson if someone says they want something. If someone asks me what I think, I would tell them to buy a 13" MBP over the MBA UNLESS they completely understand the one advantage of the MBA, ultraportability.

 

[roxygal9]

if you spec the pro with SSD, is it still cheaper?

Well, exactly my point that you pointed out. I will get the MBP with a SSD (256) which brings it to more than the Air (not by much though). Maybe that was another reason he was pushing the MBP? A few hundred more dollars in the sale? Or maybe they know the chances of it coming back to the store before the 2 week policy ends is high.

If the Air gets updated by June and has 4GB RAM i will opt for that over the MBP. I would be able to run parallels on it, and do all the word processing I need to do on it.

I had been leaning towards the 13 MBP because I wanted to do some flash/video editing, but after talking to some law students, i will not have time for that fun stuff So Air would be great!

Oh and lets not forget I am a girl, and well 4.5 lbs can get kinda heavy...

 

[gwsat]

if you spec the pro with SSD, is it still cheaper?

I had really wanted an MBA but finally had to give up on the present incarnation. It's non upgradeable 2Gb of RAM simply couldn't have fulfilled my needs. I am now looking at the base 13 inch 2.4Ghz MBP, which I would upgrade with 8Gb of RAM and a SSD drive from a third party, probably OWC. Even with 8Gb of RAM and a 200 or 256Gb SSD added, the whole shooting match would cost less than $2,300. That's more than the MBA costs but adds an additional 6Gb of RAM and around 100Gb more SSD drive space. Best of all, such a computer would actually do the jobs I need done, whereas the current MBA would not.

 

[jdechko]

I wouldn't sell someone an MBA unless they completely understood all of its drawbacks. Now if someone still wants an MBA knowing all of this, that's their decision. And in truth, everyone should know what they're getting before they buy a new computer anyways... so it's really not up to the salesperson if someone says they want something. If someone asks me what I think, I would tell them to buy a 13" MBP over the MBA UNLESS they completely understand the one advantage of the MBA, ultraportability.

I completely agree. And that's the reason why I only sold 2 MacBook Airs during my tenure with Apple. People admired it, and when they asked about it, I told them what they could expect. The majority of college students/parents who came in were on a budget, and needed the best bang for their buck. Unless they were going into engineering, architecture or design, the majority of them walked out with the mid-range MacBook, as it really was the best value for any computer Apple sold at the time.

It's really a case of want vs need. That can present itself in a few different ways though. I want the power of a Mac Pro. The majority of the time, my needs are filled by the MacBook Air. I desire the form factor of the Air, but I'd like to pay something around the price of a MacBook.

My advice is simply this, and it's some of the best advice offered on MacRumors: If you need a computer now, buy it regardless of the specifications. If you can afford to wait, then wait, because something better is always in the works. Even now, Apple is probably looking into the next MBP (and probably even the one after that) because of the lead time required to create these amazing machines.

I don't need a laptop right away, so I'm content to wait.

 

[jdechko]

if you spec the pro with SSD, is it still cheaper?

A 13" MBP could be upgraded to the 128GB SSD and still come out cheaper.

You could fit an Intel X25M 160GB drive in the 13" Pro and still come out cheaper than you could on an Air. If you did the Intel drive, you'd have a better Processor, better graphics, more RAM, a larger and much faster SSD, more ports, an SD card reader, a better battery, and a glass trackpad (for better or worse) for $150 less than you would the current top-of-the-line Air.

The only downside is that you'd lose out on that very sexy design and the laptop would weigh a bit more.

 

[gwsat]

A 13" MBP could be upgraded to the 128GB SSD and still come out cheaper.

You could fit an Intel X25M 160GB drive in the 13" Pro and still come out cheaper than you could on an Air. If you did the Intel drive, you'd have a better Processor, better graphics, more RAM, a larger and much faster SSD, more ports, an SD card reader, a better battery, and a glass trackpad (for better or worse) for $150 less than you would the current top-of-the-line Air.

The only downside is that you'd lose out on that very sexy design and the laptop would weigh a bit more.

The MBA's superb design and light weight have, once again, convinced me to keep waiting for the new MBA instead of buying the thicker and heavier 13 inch MBP and upgrading its RAM and hard drive. My current 17 inch MBP is handling my needs well and still has a year left under AppleCare. Thus, as frustrating as it is, I am going to keep waiting for an MBA upgrade.

 

[jdechko]

The MBA's superb design and light weight have, once again, convinced me to keep waiting for the new MBA instead of buying the thicker and heavier 13 inch MBP and upgrading its RAM and hard drive. My current 17 inch MBP is handling my needs well and still has a year left under AppleCare. Thus, as frustrating as it is, I am going to keep waiting for an MBA upgrade.

It's funny. When I think about it the way I wrote it, the MBP seems like the clear winner. But then thinking about the design of the Air draws me away.

I guess it's a lot like love. You can think with your head, or think with your heart.

(Or it's a lot like lust. You can go for the smarter one, who's not quite as good looking, or you can go with the skinny sexy one. )

 

[pruhawk]

It really all depends upon what you need your computer to do and how many you plan to use.

If you have light computer needs (email, light surfing) then the iPad is probably your best bet, if you actually need a computer but not for heavy processing then the MBA is great (especially if you link up with a bigger monitor and more storage when you bring it back to base). If you need more power, then you must either buy a MBP or a desktop (iMac or Pro) as your primary machine.

For my work the desktop is the best form factor but the MBA is then my choice for all of my mobile needs. This generation of the iPad is still a toy but I can see having a like device in a year or two after both Apple and the competition upgrade their function.

 

[gwsat]

It's funny. When I think about it the way I wrote it, the MBP seems like the clear winner. But then thinking about the design of the Air draws me away.

I guess it's a lot like love. You can think with your head, or think with your heart.

(Or it's a lot like lust. You can go for the smarter one, who's not quite as good looking, or you can go with the skinny sexy one. )

There is a lot to what you say. It's clear to me, at least, that the MBA's sex appeal is a big selling point. Of course, its light weight and sleek design add to its portability but where that stops being a practical consideration and starts being sexual attraction is anybody's guess.

It really all depends upon what you need your computer to do and how many you plan to use.

If you have light computer needs (email, light surfing) then the iPad is probably your best bet, if you actually need a computer but not for heavy processing then the MBA is great (especially if you link up with a bigger monitor and more storage when you bring it back to base). If you need more power, then you must either buy a MBP or a desktop (iMac or Pro) as your primary machine.

For my work the desktop is the best form factor but the MBA is then my choice for all of my mobile needs. This generation of the iPad is still a toy but I can see having a like device in a year or two after both Apple and the competition upgrade their function.

Thanks to my longterm use of 17 inch laptops I have completely weened myself from desktops. Clearly, though, the desktop is the only solution for maximum performance. Even a 17 inch MBP falls somewhat short of what even an iMac can do. On the other hand, it weighs only 6.6 pounds.

I have been enjoying my iPad but use it mostly for casual Web surfing and watching Netflix videos. I knew from the beginning that the iPad, at least in its current state, is not a substitute for a real computer. Still it is stellar at doing what it does best and didn't break the bank, at least when the "Apple Tax" is factored into its price.

 

[jphlau]

Something should happen 3 weeks from now - from a pretty reliable source

Hope the reliable source is steve job, not friend of a friend

 

[Zulu1]

That could be.

I don't know if there would be a point to wait for WWDC for updates that are already selling in 13" MBPs. What we have to assume is that as soon as the production lines open up, meaning the stock of 13" MBPs and demand for them have been met, Apple can move on with the other four products using the same strategy.

We will have to wait. However, I would be shocked to see an MBA that didn't use the same SL9x00 CPUs and Nvidia 320m GPU/chipsets between now and WWDC. I will also be shocked to see two RAM slots, so I believe 4 GB will be soldered to the board. It seems that 256 GB 1.8" SSDs have been ready since late 2009 by Samsung and Toshiba (although neither is selling either both stated would be ready by late 2009). Glass trackpad seems like an obvious last idea for an update too... it has been great on the other Mac notebooks.

Last thing, I could be completely wrong, but I predict a new IPS HD/OLED/3D display with either this upcoming update or the next one. I have been saying this for seven months and I am sticking with it. It wouldn't be un-MBA like to get an IPS HD or OLED display first. The MBA is a premium product, and Apple could use the display to increase the MBA pricing again. I see $1599 and $1999 being possible... I would be happy to pay more IF WE'RE GETTING MORE!

Does anybody want more than one USB port or is it just me?

 

[Scottsdale]

Hope the reliable source is steve job, not friend of a friend

I hope he's correct, but it seems more likely that Apple would follow the same strategy as last year and update at WWDC. However, I suspect WWDC would have a lot of upgrades if it keeps them all for WWDC... iPhone, 6" iPad, two new ACDs, MB, iMac, Mac mini, MBA, and the most outdated Mac the MAC PRO. Given all of that, it sure seems possible the MBA, iMac, Mac mini, and 21.5" iMac could all see an update before WWDC. We have read MBA and Mm rumors, so it all makes sense especially if they're "just" getting the same update as the 13" MBP.

Does anybody want more than one USB port or is it just me?

I would much prefer one USB 3.0 port to two or three USB 2.0 ports. I really don't understand people wanting to plug things into their MBAs? Seriously, I see the MBA as the ultimate ultraportable. I use an AEBS for wireless access to Internet, backup drive, and printers. On a random occasion while away from my home or office, I might plug a USB thumb drive into the MBA. I just don't see the point in a bunch of USB ports. It's sorta like the iPad. It could use one USB port, but who wants to plug in a bunch of devices to an iPad... it should all work wirelessly. Eventually we will get Intel wireless display tech and LightPeak. Beyond that I see everything going wireless, including power. I want to quickly achieve a complete wireless computing environment, and I would rather Apple focus on that than getting "more power" in Mac notebooks. The CPU situation is ridiculous, as people need to stop buying into this Intel marketing that we need a new CPU that's faster with every update. What we really need is a better IO drive controller/system bandwidth for the drive, more RAM, much better graphics, and software & apps that take advantage of the hardware we do have.

 

[MartiNZ]

I would much prefer one USB 3.0 port to two or three USB 2.0 ports. I really don't understand people wanting to plug things into their MBAs? Seriously, I see the MBA as the ultimate ultraportable. I use an AEBS for wireless access to Internet, backup drive, and printers. On a random occasion while away from my home or office, I might plug a USB thumb drive into the MBA. I just don't see the point in a bunch of USB ports. It's sorta like the iPad. It could use one USB port, but who wants to plug in a bunch of devices to an iPad... it should all work wirelessly. Eventually we will get Intel wireless display tech and LightPeak. Beyond that I see everything going wireless, including power. I want to quickly achieve a complete wireless computing environment, and I would rather Apple focus on that than getting "more power" in Mac notebooks. The CPU situation is ridiculous, as people need to stop buying into this Intel marketing that we need a new CPU that's faster with every update. What we really need is a better IO drive controller/system bandwidth for the drive, more RAM, much better graphics, and software & apps that take advantage of the hardware we do have.

Really nice points. It would be great to see the Air get to test-drive some of that new technology, starting with USB 3 which I'm not sure why didn't make it to the new MBPs. Wireless power is something I've always wanted as well.

It is interesting, as you say, that these days the CPU upgrades count for little more than a swift comparison for sales; having checked out the graphs at barefeats.com it seems that much improvement could be made in drive speed with the SSDs, and if they didn't increase CPU speed much, surely that could keep prices lower as it's already over a year later at this point.

 

[stewie1]

It's funny. When I think about it the way I wrote it, the MBP seems like the clear winner. But then thinking about the design of the Air draws me away.

I guess it's a lot like love. You can think with your head, or think with your heart.

(Or it's a lot like lust. You can go for the smarter one, who's not quite as good looking, or you can go with the skinny sexy one. )

I know what you mean... I had a 13" mbp in my cart and was ready to buy it, but something stopped me. I ended up finding a used MBA with a 128gb SSD for $1000 and went for that instead. It's an amazing machine. The SSD certainly makes up for the slower processor, it feels very snappy. My only complaint is that the HD is too small to hold my iTunes library... and as I have discovered, trying to manage a large iTunes library over a wireless network is practically impossible. [Apple really needs to do something about the resource hog that is iTunes, but that is another discussion...]

The MBA is now my roadtrip computer and my around-the-house computer. Home base is still my old iMac. But I gotta say, the Air is pretty schweet.

 

[jdechko]

if they didn't increase CPU speed much, surely that could keep prices lower as it's already over a year later at this point.

The new 15" MBP is a good reason why Apple doesn't adjust prices throughout a product's life cycle. One day, it was $1699, the next day it was $1799. Although it was faster, people still complained. Now, imagine if Apple had dropped the price to $1399 and then it was $1799. People would riot at the Apple stores.

Apple works hard to maintain the perception of their products and part of that includes the price you pay for them. Which is why Wal-mart and Target can't undercut Apple's price by more than a dollar or 2 for iPods. Apple also doesn't care that you buy them from Wal-mart or Target. Because if they break, you're likely going to an Apple store for support. And when you get there, and you realize how cool the store is, you're going back there for your next purchase.

 

[bjavor]

I'm really hoping for an update before or at WWDC... (Though the new iPhone is a much more likely candidate and I'm not sure they will launch multiple things.)

I've almost convinced myself to get the 13" MBP. The long battery life is pretty sweet. (Please don't point it out that that's not the point of the Air. I know that. But one can still envy it...) Couple that with 4GB+ or RAM and a 256GB SSD and the configurations is pretty tempting. If it were not for that #$%^& mirror of a screen... I went to the local Apple store twice to stare at it for a while and see if I could not get used to it but I still do not think I could.

 

[gwsat]

I'm really hoping for an update before or at WWDC... (Though the new iPhone is a much more likely candidate and I'm not sure they will launch multiple things.)

I've almost convinced myself to get the 13" MBP. The long battery life is pretty sweet. (Please don't point it out that that's not the point of the Air. I know that. But one can still envy it...) Couple that with 4GB+ or RAM and a 256GB SSD and the configurations is pretty tempting. If it were not for that #$%^& mirror of a screen... I went to the local Apple store twice to stare at it for a while and see if I could not get used to it but I still do not think I could.

I almost bought a 13 inch MBP recently but finally changed my mind and decided to wait and see what an upgraded MBA looks like. As tempting as the MBP was, I just couldn't get around the appeal of the elegant design and light weight of the MBA. By the way, I hate that Apple doesn't offer a matte screen option with the 13 inch MBP, too. The things are simply inferior to matte, or it seems so to me.

 

[MartiNZ]

In contrast I would like to see the glass-cover display in the MBA. I've had enough of dust-under-the-rim displays and the glass cover makes the newer ones easier to clean in general. I think I've done pretty well with my '08 MBP though .

As for my earlier comment about small ups to the CPU meaning prices stay down, I meant only per update not during one lifecycle. Apple does seem to have had problems recently with prices going up per update, and that is just compounded when they change things like max. RAM and make one want to shell out for that, and now the 15" hi-res display option and SSDs as well mean that prices for the machine one wants go up quite a lot.