Actually Scottsdale what I was implying in my original "condescending" note with respects to replies to my original post was this (your quote above), a point you have now repeated twice in this thread. Let me break this down for you because it's amazing you are even typing these words on your side.
Battery life is one of the most important factors when considering a laptop. This becomes magnified when considering an ultra-portable because it will often be used in travel situations or places where a power cord is unavailable. That's why we want and need a longer battery life in our MBA's. To insinuate that most people are "just fine" with 3+ hrs is ridiculous. To state that I and others want our ultra-portable laptops to last much longer simply because "it's MORE" is both condensing and completely inaccurate.
I never once said or implied a 10-hour battery. Please don't put words in my mouth. And if you think the new MBA won't have a longer lasting battery than what it currently has you are sorely mistaken.
And I am telling you that the vast majority of people I know with MBAs, over 20+ that I have regular communication with, don't care about MORE battery life. Would they take it if it didn't require Apple to add weight, add thickness, nor completely eliminate the MBA's capabilities, sure. But they're not willing to give up the lightweight super thin MBA that has complete Mac capabilities for a 10-hour or 5-real-hour battery as it will require a heavier MBA.
This is something that some people want, NOT most, and definitely not all. I would guess that less than 1 in 20 needs more than 3 hours on a regular basis. What people have a problem with is understanding that there is a 10-hour battery available in an MBA, and it's called the 13" MBP. Look at the 13" MBP, and you will see exactly what a 10-hour battery MBA would look like without completely reducing its capabilities.
You WANT MORE, maybe you need it, maybe you don't, but the MBA is not the Mac for you if you want a long battery life... EX, the 10-hour 13" MBP that probably actually gets 5 hours under normal conditions.
As I have said before, I believe Apple has taken the wrong approach with this battery issue. I believe that given CHOICES, the vast majority of people would select some other feature OVER a long lasting battery that weighs 1.25 lb. Add a bay to the 13" MBP, and put a standard life battery in the normal area for the battery. With the bay, allow people to put an extra battery giving them 10-hours away from power outlet, OR give them Blu Ray, Discrete GPU, extra HDDs, extra ports, and etc... and I bet the vast majority would select something OVER the 10-hour battery. It sounds nice, but in reality, I believe the battery is a waste for the vast majority of people. I suspect most do not need it... many might use it, but I suspect they have power available during that time when they're using their 3+ hours of battery away from charging.
I do NOT want to carry around any battery that is rated at 10 hours and even gets 5 hours in reality. The bottom line is it's rare that I NEED my MBA for more than 3+ hours when away from power. Sometimes it would be more convenient, but it's not worth carrying more weight.
I look at it this way too... if Apple could give me the exact same MBA as right now with a 10-hour battery at 3 lb. or a 5-hour (as now) battery at 2.5 lb., I would take the lightweight option. Again, I find that in reality people don't need or use a 10-hout battery, and it's just part of the wanting "MORE" mentality. Apple has done this to itself by making a 10-hour battery standard in the MBP... I believe it's a waste.
I don't see Apple making a 3 lb. MBA with a 10-hour battery, nor a battery that gets a true hour more than current battery in the MBA, without removing other capabilities and performance features.
The bottom line is a 10-hour MBA exists and it's called the MBP. Remove the optical drive, and that's exactly what a 10-hour MBA would look like.
Rather than destroy the purpose of the MBA, why don't people like you just buy an external battery that weighs two pounds and gives you the 10 hours away from power you seek? That way the majority of us who don't care about it don't have to carry the weight around... but those of you who want MORE can have it.
Apple is already using its dense 1000 cycle battery in the MBA. The difference is it weighs .75 lb. less than the battery in the 13" MBP. Add that weight and thickness to the MBA, and it's doomed and doesn't meet the needs of the vast majority who want an MBA in the first place.
Given choices, I believe people would see it's not worth it to carry around a 10-hour MBA, as it's going to add thickness and weight or eliminate capabilities and performance. Hell, there's a 10-hour Apple device that is ultraportable and it's called the iPad. That is an elimination of performance and capabilities which seems like what the MBA would need to give it a 10-hour battery in current case.
I believe people can carry around an external battery if they want a super long life, as I shouldn't have to carry around an extra .75 lb. of weight in my MBA just because a few people see MORE as more... rather than the point of the MBA which is LESS is MORE.
um. you should get an ipad and a wireless keyboard. itunes will export smaller movies for you. it doesn't take that long.
Agreed. That is what the user needs... either less capabilities to get 10-hours or "long life" or more battery whatever he wants to call it.
Or, an external battery with an MBA so we all don't suffer for the demands of a few.
Or, a 13" MBP which is what the MBA would look like with current capabilities and adding .75 lb. and added thickness required by such a battery in the MBA.
