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Scottsdale

Suspended
Sep 19, 2008
4,473
283
U.S.A.
8gb of Ram may be asking too much! You have to remember that the ram on the MBA is integrated into the motherboard... so it doesn't even have one "slot" right now. if it did, people would be upgrading to 4gb already (I know I would). 4gb is a realistic amount to build into the motherboard of the next gen, 8 would either take too much space (depending on how many chips have to be used, if not, see next), cost wayyy too much, or get too hot for use in the MBA.

It's using the space equivalent of two slots. I wouldn't predict 8 GB or two slots, but I would love LOVE LOVE it!:D
 

fteoath64

macrumors regular
Nov 16, 2008
215
0
No one seems to look into the AMD/ATI alternative for the graphics side for the Rev D. i know it might be a long shot but an RV770 mobile chip might make a refreshing change especially with the higher than normal power consumption of the Nvidia part. That would be a good change to solve a lot of the Nvidia/Intel squabbles to date. These rumblings are not going to die down in a hurry....
 

LAS.mac

macrumors 6502
May 6, 2009
363
0
Mexico
More predictions please! I love these types of threads.

OK, just because you ask'd for, I predict that in November well'see:

- carbon fiber MBA, black, weighing less that 2 pounds
- 13" OLED screen
- 9 hrs (declared) battery life, although its real working time will be only 7 hrs with BT and wifi on
- 4 Gb ram and 256 Gb SSD
- 2 USD + 1 FW + SD slot
- glass trackpad
- new hinge, no lines, no overheat problems (Scottsdale is actually working side by side with Steve Jobs on the screen lines problem, provided that's the guy who saw more in the whole universe)
- stereo surround sound
- 3G, GPS included
- Price to be confirmed, however I've been (unofficially) told that won't be higher than 1699 USD
 

Scottsdale

Suspended
Sep 19, 2008
4,473
283
U.S.A.
OK, just because you ask'd for, I predict that in November well'see:

- carbon fiber MBA, black, weighing less that 2 pounds
- 13" OLED screen
- 9 hrs (declared) battery life, although its real working time will be only 7 hrs with BT and wifi on
- 4 Gb ram and 256 Gb SSD
- 2 USD + 1 FW + SD slot
- glass trackpad
- new hinge, no lines, no overheat problems (Scottsdale is actually working side by side with Steve Jobs on the screen lines problem, provided that's the guy who saw more in the whole universe)
- stereo surround sound
- 3G, GPS included
- Price to be confirmed, however I've been (unofficially) told that won't be higher than 1699 USD

If I am working with Jobs I will not be asking for a CF shell. LOL. Funny though.

Here's a NOVEMBER MBA I can see coming out...

SAME EXACT FORM FACTOR in ALUMINUM (The current form is perfect)
2.13 GHz SL9600 Core 2 Duo (This is a great chip)
Nvidia 200m GPU (Maybe not this but this would be nice - probably downclocked)
4 GB RAM (I would BEG Jobs for two RAM slots so we could install up to 8)
256 GB SSD
3G
Glass Trackpad
(I don't believe anyone who says it will not fit in MBA - maybe as implemented in MBP wouldn't fit but that doesn't mean cannot change)
Same battery is fine with me... the new tech to ensure 1000 charges is great, but I feel that the nearly 4.5 hours I get on average is pretty good. We have to remember that increasing battery power means BOTH weight and space! Any increase would certainly offset the gains from CF vs Al.

I want MORE POWER from SAME FORM FACTOR. I feel a CF form will end up with a ULV CPU and far less powerful MBA. Think of how much a 1.4 GHz SU CPU might downgrade the MBA's capabilities.

Does anyone here think the MBA should be smaller? If they make the MBA smaller, I can see removing bezel to and area on sides of KB to make footprint smaller. At the same time, I don't want smaller than full size KB.
 

Rai Saix

macrumors member
Jan 17, 2009
89
0
I just hope for the 226 GB SSD, 4 GB on RAM, and the glossy, full glass screen on the MBP. But really it's all about internal upgrades for me.
 

Scottsdale

Suspended
Sep 19, 2008
4,473
283
U.S.A.
Bigger SSD, SD slot and 4G RAM would be fine with me.

Weird thing is I think the SD slot would RUIN the looks of the MBA. I don't want any other ports either. I see people asking for two USB or a FireWire, and I just don't get it. The MBA is beautiful and not showing the ports is part of the beauty.

In addition, I don't feel there is any need in the world for any other ports. The MBA isn't about ports. It's about wireless connectivity to everything and being away from desk. When at desk, and needing ports, the ACD's USB hub functions perfectly... any other hub would do the same.
 

bloodycape

macrumors 65816
Jun 18, 2005
1,373
0
California
I think it is a bit wrong to base a laptop purchase decision solely on looks. I think adding a firewire port would make it a much more usable device, and so what if it looks a bit out of place it still a nice laptop to use.
 

stoconnell

macrumors 6502
Mar 22, 2009
446
0
Rockville (Despite REM's plea.)
A boy could dream..

I vote for slightly redesigned case with vents cannot be blocked by simply having the machine in your lap, and possibly 2 fans so that they can combine to move more air volume at lower speeds. 4GB (or the option for it) would probably help sales and ease some folks concerns about future proofing their investment. I'd love to see a 1440x900 resolution panel (only if they can keep the brightness up). Obviously, a higher capacity drive option would be nice. I don't have any first hand experience with the button-less glass trackpad, but I suspect that would unify the feature set across the Aluminum product line. Lastly, if they could somehow squeeze a GigE nic into the machine, it would be the cat's meow.
 

stockscalper

macrumors 6502a
Aug 1, 2003
917
235
Area 51
Carbon fiber is for crummy Windows machines. It will never be used in a Macbook Air because of heat issues. If you think the Air is hot now, just wait until you see it in a flimsy Carbon fiber form.
 

Scottsdale

Suspended
Sep 19, 2008
4,473
283
U.S.A.
yep! same here! this is all i am waiting on - 226 GB SSD, 4 GB on RAM, and the glossy screen.

Did we somehow lose the common 256 GB SSD to an obscure 226 GB SSD? Is there really an SSD coming out that size? Sure some are 250 while others use the conventional 256 GB sizing. Just wondering if I have missed something?
 

Scottsdale

Suspended
Sep 19, 2008
4,473
283
U.S.A.
I think it is a bit wrong to base a laptop purchase decision solely on looks. I think adding a firewire port would make it a much more usable device, and so what if it looks a bit out of place it still a nice laptop to use.

It's not ALL about looks. The MBA as mine is now functions PERFECTLY with ONE USB port, one Mini Display Port, and one audio port. I enjoy the flip down door so the ports cannot be seen all the time like the ugly MBP ports. That's truly UGLY! So, I don't want a hole for an SD card, and FireWire is completely USELESS at this time.

USB 3.0 is far better than ANY FW port. I hope we get ONE USB 3.0 port and no other interface ports than the ones we have right now.
 

bloodycape

macrumors 65816
Jun 18, 2005
1,373
0
California
Carbon fiber is for crummy Windows machines. It will never be used in a Macbook Air because of heat issues. If you think the Air is hot now, just wait until you see it in a flimsy Carbon fiber form.

Wait your telling me that my carbon fiber based Laptop has heat issues? Have you used one? Because I have one and thank you for informing me on my non-existent heat issue. /end sarcasm.

In all honestly my first gen MBP get hotter(specifically on the bottom), partly due to the aluminum case. Build quality is a wash, as most will tell you both are equal. If you actually have used a carbon fiber laptop and notice heat, that could be due to the same reason the Macbook line heats up, poor use of thermal paste or a fan/fan speed that ins't up cpu's heat.


@Scottsdale
Well if they include firewire or SD card slot covered like they do with the USB port then it could be just like how it is now.
 

wartnig

macrumors member
Mar 4, 2009
47
0
Shropshire, UK
Did we somehow lose the common 256 GB SSD to an obscure 226 GB SSD? Is there really an SSD coming out that size? Sure some are 250 while others use the conventional 256 GB sizing. Just wondering if I have missed something?

LOL! yeah i meant 256gb.. sorry! PS - Loving your posts Scottsdale.. you're one of the reasons i am switching to the Macbook Air (when its upgraded..) :)
 

GoCubsGo

macrumors Nehalem
Feb 19, 2005
35,742
155
Did we somehow lose the common 256 GB SSD to an obscure 226 GB SSD? Is there really an SSD coming out that size? Sure some are 250 while others use the conventional 256 GB sizing. Just wondering if I have missed something?

Clearly that was a typo, clam yourself tiger.
 

krimsen

macrumors member
Dec 15, 2005
93
0
FireWire is completely USELESS at this time.

USB 3.0 is far better than ANY FW port. I hope we get ONE USB 3.0 port and no other interface ports than the ones we have right now.

USB 3.0 is completely USELESS at this time.

At least until there's decent Audio interfaces for it. Even Firewire 400 leaves USB 2.0 in the dust, so it's far from useless. It's the best we have right now until USB 3.0 devices appear.
 

Scottsdale

Suspended
Sep 19, 2008
4,473
283
U.S.A.
USB 3.0 is completely USELESS at this time.

At least until there's decent Audio interfaces for it. Even Firewire 400 leaves USB 2.0 in the dust, so it's far from useless.

Over 95% of peripherals for computers use USB. FireWeak (wire) SHARES part of the remaining 5% which is pretty sad.

Is USB 2.0 slower maintained speed than FW800, sure but USB 3.0 is said to blow FW800 away in sustained transfer AND with >95% adoption rate USB is where it's at.

In fact, I would guess that USB 3.0 will have all of the other ports covered as far as conversion capabilities.

We can only hope 3.0 makes it into the next MBA. Some are saying the cutoff will be close. And the reason for Apple to adopt it is because it's fully backwards compatible.
 

krimsen

macrumors member
Dec 15, 2005
93
0
In fact, I would guess that USB 3.0 will have all of the other ports covered as far as conversion capabilities.

As I understand it, that would be quite hard with FW and USB having totally different architectures (P2P vs. Master-Slave).

USB 2.0 can reach a max of 480 Mbit/sec, which, in theory, is more than FW with its 400 (mind that FW 800 reaches 800...), but Firewire actually maintains that speed, whereas with USB it is peak speed only and can slow down drastically. That's why you don't see professional audio interfaces or cameras with USB transfer, or with reduced quality over USB.

USB 3.0 might be everything FW is and more, but until we get the devices that support it, FW is king.
 

stockscalper

macrumors 6502a
Aug 1, 2003
917
235
Area 51
Wait your telling me that my carbon fiber based Laptop has heat issues? Have you used one? Because I have one and thank you for informing me on my non-existent heat issue. /end sarcasm.

In all honestly my first gen MBP get hotter(specifically on the bottom), partly due to the aluminum case. Build quality is a wash, as most will tell you both are equal. If you actually have used a carbon fiber laptop and notice heat, that could be due to the same reason the Macbook line heats up, poor use of thermal paste or a fan/fan speed that ins't up cpu's heat.

Yes, I've used them and they are garbage. The reason you feel heat with a MBP is that aluminum dissipates heat. Carbon fiber doesn't and the heat builds up and cooks the electronics. That's one reason pc laptops don't last very long. Look at the new thin Dell, its top speed is 1.4 GHZ. It's all about trying to control the heat in that thin shell so the innards don't get fried. Carbon fiber is a poor material to use in a laptop for a number of other reasons too.
 

bloodycape

macrumors 65816
Jun 18, 2005
1,373
0
California
Yes, I've used them and they are garbage. The reason you feel heat with a MBP is that aluminum dissipates heat. Carbon fiber doesn't and the heat builds up and cooks the electronics. That's one reason pc laptops don't last very long. Look at the new thin Dell, its top speed is 1.4 GHZ. It's all about trying to control the heat in that thin shell so the innards don't get fried. Carbon fiber is a poor material to use in a laptop for a number of other reasons too.

I guess this point can be moot if it has proper air and cooling flow. Not sure which Dell you are referring to the 11Z or the Adamo which is a bit older. The 11z is plastic while the Adamo I am pretty isn't carbon fiber, but something else. Again I have carbon fiber Sony and so far with the proper cooling it has, heat isnt that bad on it.

If carbon fiber was that bad they wouldn't be using it cars would they? Also, there isn't that many laptops that use carbon fiber as it is kind of a pricey material.
 

Rai Saix

macrumors member
Jan 17, 2009
89
0
Did we somehow lose the common 256 GB SSD to an obscure 226 GB SSD? Is there really an SSD coming out that size? Sure some are 250 while others use the conventional 256 GB sizing. Just wondering if I have missed something?


Sorry! I got them mixed up. I think it's because the second 2 in 226 looks like a 5...
 

still in school

macrumors 6502
Feb 21, 2009
270
0
It's not ALL about looks. The MBA as mine is now functions PERFECTLY with ONE USB port, one Mini Display Port, and one audio port. I enjoy the flip down door so the ports cannot be seen all the time like the ugly MBP ports. That's truly UGLY! So, I don't want a hole for an SD card, and FireWire is completely USELESS at this time.

USB 3.0 is far better than ANY FW port. I hope we get ONE USB 3.0 port and no other interface ports than the ones we have right now.

It's a computer! Not a handbag. Computers do come with ports/slots/plugs ya know.

Function > Form
 
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