MBA Sandy Bridge

[secksthoi]

Just last week I purchased a 11.6 MBA, but I purchased it from BHphoto with a no return policy on opened computers (damn me trying to save on tax! We college students are poor..)

Rather than the whole update to Sandy Bridge, what else will we see added to the MBA? Will we possibly see an HD Facetime camera? Thunderbolt? Has Apple been known to only update their processors? Sorry if this is going to be asked a lot on the forums, but I am not one to update my machine every refresh, but considering I JUST purchased it I am a bit more concerned.. So not too familiar with Apple's track record on refreshes.

Should I just consider reselling my machine on ebay?

 

[Hellhammer]

None of us knows for sure but it is possible that the next gen MBA will have better camera and Thunderbolt. I'm sure your current MBA does what you want it to do so I would just keep it. The front page article only tells that the possible CPUs for MBA will be released soon. The actual MBA update can be months away.

 

[donster28]

Just last week I purchased a 11.6 MBA, but I purchased it from BHphoto with a no return policy on opened computers (damn me trying to save on tax! We college students are poor..)

Rather than the whole update to Sandy Bridge, what else will we see added to the MBA? Will we possibly see an HD Facetime camera? Thunderbolt? Has Apple been known to only update their processors? Sorry if this is going to be asked a lot on the forums, but I am not one to update my machine every refresh, but considering I JUST purchased it I am a bit more concerned.. So not too familiar with Apple's track record on refreshes.

Should I just consider reselling my machine on ebay?

1. Lighted keys is a possibility.
2. HD FaceTime is also a possibility.
3. Thunderbolt uses the same outlet/port as mini DVi that's on the current MBA, so yeah, it's a possibility.

The only thing that worries me here is the degradation of graphics power since the 320M will not be used on a SB MBA. But who knows, Apple might have something up it's sleeves.

If you do occasional gaming, the current MBA's should wonders for you. If you don't game, th significant bump in CPU speed will be a benefit coupled with a bump in battery life too.

 

[secksthoi]

Thank you for the quick reply, but actually the processor I don't really mind about considering it fits my needs well with the only real power I need it for is Lightroom 3, which runs like butter.. well I guess also the possible extended battery with a lower processing power. But those damn built in peripherals I care about that really makes my machine feel dated..

 

[secksthoi]

1. Lighted keys is a possibility.
2. HD FaceTime is also a possibility.
3. Thunderbolt uses the same outlet/port as mini DVi that's on the current MBA, so yeah, it's a possibility.

The only thing that worries me here is the degradation of graphics power since the 320M will not be used on a SB MBA. But who knows, Apple might have something up it's sleeves.

If you do occasional gaming, the current MBA's should wonders for you. If you don't game, th significant bump in CPU speed will be a benefit coupled with a bump in battery life too.

Funny thing is, I don't game on my computer. Three years of having this black Macbook, I never once gamed on it. (aside from the occasional website-based flash game ) But receiving this MBA not ten days and I am already interested in purchasing Left4Dead2 to try it out.

 

[donster28]

Funny thing is, I don't game on my computer. Three years of having this black Macbook, I never once gamed on it. (aside from the occasional website-based flash game ) But receiving this MBA not ten days and I am already interested in purchasing Left4Dead2 to try it out.

Then on your way to cashual gaming my friend. As I mentioned, the updates might not do good on gaming as they will do on processor intensive work. It's your call.

 

[secksthoi]

Then on your way to cashual gaming my friend. As I mentioned, the updates might not do good on gaming as they will do on processor intensive work. It's your call.

Haha! I guess that's why I have a console for the casual moments.. HAVE YOU TRIED DEAD SPACE 2?! AWESOME!! But that's a different story..

 

[Hellhammer]

It's really not looking like that. I agreed with you last week, but this new announcement changes things drastically.

I don't see how this announcement changes things at all. The only thing that the article, which has lots of false and misleading information in it, states is that the LV and ULV CPUs will be released soon. We have known those CPUs for months. I actually thought they were released in February already.

 

[secksthoi]

It's really not looking like that. I agreed with you last week, but this new announcement changes things drastically.

Talking about all this future proofing has me thinking.. Again, I'm not one to update every refresh that Apple throws at us (this black Macbook, the spark is still there.. haha) But how would the Sandy Bridge hold up to editing RAW files? Anyone have experience handling the recent 2011 13inch MBPs?

 

[hcho3]

Future proof my ass....

There is no such thing as future proof in tech world.

Intel HD 3000 graphic card will never come into my house.

GPU and CPU are both important.

I am not giving up GPU power, so I can use faster CPU.

I have already seen the results from Samsung 9 series laptop and it has been said that intel HD 3000 is no where near Nvidia 320M graphic card.

Go ahead and enjoy sandy bridge. I am not updating until IVY bridge in 2012

 

[jamesryanbell]

I don't see how this announcement changes things at all. The only thing that the article, which has lots of false and misleading information in it, states is that the LV and ULV CPUs will be released soon. We have known those CPUs for months. I actually thought they were released in February already.

I want to believe that when formal announcements are made, then that's an indicator of "we'll see something soon". Seems like started seeing info popping up about new processors for MBPs, the update was right around the corner. That's just the general vibe I get. Secondly, if they're available, why would Apple wait a year to capitalize on that. I guess you could say they did that with the previous gen i5/i7 updates, but I don't think that's always been the case. It makes a lot more sense that the update is coming sooner than later.

 

[jamesryanbell]

I have already seen the results from Samsung 9 series laptop and it has been said that intel HD 3000 is no where near Nvidia 320M graphic card.

Supposedly, the windows drivers for the 3000 are absolute crap, and OSX's drivers for it are NOT crap. Doesn't mean it's not still an inferior card, but the gap is substantially narrowed.

 

[TrollToddington]

I don't see how this announcement changes things at all. The only thing that the article, which has lots of false and misleading information in it, states is that the LV and ULV CPUs will be released soon. We have known those CPUs for months. I actually thought they were released in February already.

And why release new processors if noone is going to use them in a computer. Just to say, hey, technology is available, and wait for a year before someone buys their new processors? Everyone with basic knowledge in marketing will tell Intel is gonna release these processors because somebody else is going to use them in their new computers.

Do these ULV processors have other application than MBA and similar computers? Who else may be the buyer of these processors?

 

[zinka]

3g.

 

[secksthoi]

3g.

Oh yeah I remember reading that somewhere, about Apple pulling out a survey asking if consumers would prefer a 3g model included in the MBA line. That would be interesting to see..

 

[zub3qin]

Just last week I purchased a 11.6 MBA, but I purchased it from BHphoto with a no return policy on opened computers (damn me trying to save on tax! We college students are poor..)

Rather than the whole update to Sandy Bridge, what else will we see added to the MBA? Will we possibly see an HD Facetime camera? Thunderbolt? Has Apple been known to only update their processors? Sorry if this is going to be asked a lot on the forums, but I am not one to update my machine every refresh, but considering I JUST purchased it I am a bit more concerned.. So not too familiar with Apple's track record on refreshes.

Should I just consider reselling my machine on ebay?

I thought Apple still takes it back for a store credit even with no receipt? I'd check with your local apple store.

 

[BigShoe43]

So am I accurate in saying that a sandy bridge update would most likely still be able to play a game like angry birds but not a game like call of duty?

 

[LoganT]

So am I accurate in saying that a sandy bridge update would most likely still be able to play a game like angry birds but not a game like call of duty?

Depends on the Call of Duty.

 

[alecgold]

Oh yeah I remember reading that somewhere, about Apple pulling out a survey asking if consumers would prefer a 3g model included in the MBA line. That would be interesting to see..

The 3G is the only function I would like to have on the MBA that I ordered 7 days ago. A new processor or another gpu mean that much to me.
And I dropped my mbp so there was no way I could wait with buying another laptop. And for the first time the MBA wasn't an aneamathic underpowered ultralight but a good workable lightweight version of the mbp.

 

[Hellhammer]

And why release new processors if noone is going to use them in a computer. Just to say, hey, technology is available, and wait for a year before someone buys their new processors? Everyone with basic knowledge in marketing will tell Intel is gonna release these processors because somebody else is going to use them in their new computers.

Do these ULV processors have other application than MBA and similar computers? Who else may be the buyer of these processors?

Samsung is already using them. If you look at the past, Intel announcement has not meant that MBA or any other Mac update is imminent. The CPUs for iMac were released in January but Apple is still not using them.

 

[rovex]

FaceTime hd is very likely, backlit keyboard too.

The downgrade in graphics doesn't matter to me, CPU takes priority for the majority I think.

 

[stockscalper]

So am I accurate in saying that a sandy bridge update would most likely still be able to play a game like angry birds but not a game like call of duty?

At 1.4 GHZ and Intel graphics, Angry Birds, yes, Call of Duty, No.

 

[secksthoi]

I thought Apple still takes it back for a store credit even with no receipt? I'd check with your local apple store.

How would I prove I bought it within 14 days? And The whole store credit thing.. Nah. I am a student so if I were to return it, I need to see cash, instead of walking out with another product I don't need. But I'm really enjoying my Air, so I guess it's a keeper.

 

[m3digi]

Samsung Series 9 vs. MBA 13" vs. MBP 13"

After reading reviews from Notebookcheck.com, Anandtech, and Laptop Mag's comparisons, I have my doubts about an MBA with Sandy Bridge. No, I'm not a gamer, but video performance between Nvidia and Intel IGP is pretty telling:

http://blog.laptopmag.com/apple-macbook-air-vs-samsung-series-9/7
http://blog.laptopmag.com/13-inch-apple-face-off-macbook-air-vs-macbook-pro

I can't see a reason to hold out for a SB MBA based on the comparisons. A backlit keyboard would be great. Thunderbolt is something I'd consider down the line in an MBA Pro. Unless Apple throws a curve with the SB MBAs and its GPU, a current 13" MBA seems pretty compelling.

 

[fyrefly]

After reading reviews from Notebookcheck.com, Anandtech, and Laptop Mag's comparisons, I have my doubts about an MBA with Sandy Bridge. No, I'm not a gamer, but video performance between Nvidia and Intel IGP is pretty telling:

http://blog.laptopmag.com/apple-macbook-air-vs-samsung-series-9/7
http://blog.laptopmag.com/13-inch-apple-face-off-macbook-air-vs-macbook-pro

I can't see a reason to hold out for a SB MBA based on the comparisons. A backlit keyboard would be great. Thunderbolt is something I'd consider down the line in an MBA Pro. Unless Apple throws a curve with the SB MBAs and its GPU, a current 13" MBA seems pretty compelling.

So the ULV IGP can't play WoW. Okay. We kindof knew/assumed that it wouldn't do gaming. That's also under Windows drivers.

The 320M scored ~800 points lower on the 3DMark06 under Windows, than other scores we've seen (4600 vs. 5200). If that translates into OSX gains under the ULV IGP, then we could see it reaching ~3000 vs. 5200 for the 320M under OSX. That's not awesome, but that's about 60% of the performance. And the LV IGP should be better than that too.

So while the ULV/LV HD 3000 is never gonna reach the 320m (and no-one thought it would, did they?), if it can do 70% of the performance, that might be a good enough offset for the huge CPU gain.

And by huge CPU gain, I'd say look at the iMovie/WMM tests - final rendering of an 8 Min clip was done in 8 mins with the SB CPU. With the C2D, it's 38 Minutes. Wow. That's more than 4x faster. If that performance translates into other applications, than the SB will kill the C2D on anything CPU dependent (which again, I think we already knew).

I'll also reference the BareFeats testing they did today - with Photoshop CS5. Many people have said on these forums that CS5 would run like a Dog on the SB IGP, but they tested the 2010 MBA and MBP vs. the 2011 MBP with the (admittedly higher-clocked) IGP and the HD 3000 handily beat the 320M in both the MBA and MBP.

http://www.barefeats.com/mbps06.html

The SB IGP even beat the 330m from the 2010 MBP. So is CS5 not as GPU dependent? Or is the SB IGP (when fully clocked) not that bad? Even if the LV IGP is 1/2 as fast - than a SB IGP-equipped MBA would still beat the 320m in Photoshop.

The ULV IGP even did fine with 1080p Flash video, and 1080p Quicktime, so the difference really is only in gaming, no?