Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
News reports of the MacBook Air Refresh Model to receive Core-i7 ULV Processor?
- Thread starter Jobsian
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
"Mac Five"
It probably does if the MBA were to get the Core i7-6x0UM CPUs. However, it might still be soon. The MBA has been the same basic configuration since October 2008, and it's way past due for an update. I really believe we're going to get an MBA update before or at WWDC. I am really leaning towards this Tuesday. There are a lot of rumors for an MBA, MB, and Mac mini updates and even a part number for the MBA.
That has been my theory since the day the 13" MBP was released...
Starting in October 2008, when Apple updated to MBA v 2,1, Apple has used one basic strategy for five Macs - 13" MBP, 13" MB, 13" MBA, Mac mini, and 20/21.5" iMac. I will call this "MacFive" from now on. MacFive is more than just a typical economies of scale strategy as it's not just ensuring bulk pricing for components for these five Macs. MacFive allows Apple to develop drivers, OpenCL instructions, h.264 acceleration, updates, and etc into its integration into the Mac OS X operating system. This allows Apple to more rapidly update its Macs in bundles and future OS X updates too. It allows Apple to make one set of drivers for all five Macs, which all get updated at the same time. Other companies might have a completely different set of drivers for every computer they make, and they're making 10x as many models as Apple is making. This strategy is really an integral part in making gigantic margins off already highly priced computers.
I expect to see an MBA update before WWDC. I expect the MB, Mac mini, and 21.5" iMac to all get updates around the same time and makeup as the MBA. All five of these Macs will use the C2D and Nvidia GPU/chipset until they can no longer purchase C2D CPUs from Intel at the end of 2010. If Apple were to upgrade to Core i-series CPUs in these Macs, it wouldn't be able to use the Nvidia GPU/chipset model in these Macs; Intel cancelled Nvidia's license to create chipsets for Intel CPUs beyond C2D.
Now, since last November when Apple said its holiday lineup was set, the rumors began that Apple was going to use Core i7 in the MBAs when the Core CPUs were going to be introduced on January 7, 2010. These rumors also said, all the way up to the morning before the MBP update, that the 13" MBPs would get the Core i3 and Core i5 CPU lineup also. These same rumor sources have been saying the MBA is still getting an ultra low voltage CPU, even when the direct replacement for the SL9x00 CPUs in the MBA is the Intel Core i7-6x0LM that is a low voltage CPU not ULV.
I believe we were just hearing chatter that isn't accurate and doesn't mean anything until yesterday when the rumor became clearer that the Core i7-6x0UM would overclock the CPU to run at boost speeds by turning off the integrated GMA IGP that is on the CPU. That makes it extremely clear that Apple would use a dedicated GPU in the new MBA. Now, it's very possible that Apple could do this, but it sounds too good to be true. I mean Apple is going to run a 1.46 GHz CPU at 2.26 GHz Core i7 and use a dedicated graphics card in its MBA while the "Pro" users get integrated graphics and C2D in their MB "Pro." I just don't believe it's probable that Apple will do this. Possible, not probable.
Now we have both Mac mini and WhiteBook rumors of C2D and Nvidia 320m for a release soon. This follows in logic to the MBA getting the same basic makeup as MacFive. I suspect an MBA with a C2D SL9x00 CPU lineup (at 30% boost in performance), Nvidia 320m GPU (at reduced GPU clock speed), 4 GB RAM, 192/256 GB SSD, and a glass trackpad. If Apple raises the price, I believe it will also add IPS HD displays to the high-end MBA. I wouldn't rule out the larger SSD being a BTO option rather than included with the high-end MBA. I wouldn't rule out not getting an Intel 160 GB 1.8" SSD in this new MBA either as Intel announced it a few days ago which seems awfully close to the hopeful MBA update. I wouldn't rule out the MBA going the opposite way and breaking up from MacFive alliance. Basically, none of us know the truth at this time.
One thing is for certain, people shouldn't freak out if Apple updates the MacBook, Mac mini, and iMac in a silent update before WWDC with no MBA update. I believe that could happen IF Apple is moving forward with the Core i7 in the MBA at WWDC. If Apple goes not just with Core i7-6x0UM but also a dedicated GPU in the new MBA, along with the IPS display I am hopeful for, it's going to want to show this thing off! It might even get a redesign, hopefully allowing for two RAM slots... I am really looking forward to the next few weeks, and I don't know if I want an update this Tuesday or at WWDC because the implications that come with the later seems more beneficial as long as it includes 2+ GHz CPU and dedicated GPU in the MBA.
thinkdesign said:
It probably does if the MBA were to get the Core i7-6x0UM CPUs. However, it might still be soon. The MBA has been the same basic configuration since October 2008, and it's way past due for an update. I really believe we're going to get an MBA update before or at WWDC. I am really leaning towards this Tuesday. There are a lot of rumors for an MBA, MB, and Mac mini updates and even a part number for the MBA.
That has been my theory since the day the 13" MBP was released...
Starting in October 2008, when Apple updated to MBA v 2,1, Apple has used one basic strategy for five Macs - 13" MBP, 13" MB, 13" MBA, Mac mini, and 20/21.5" iMac. I will call this "MacFive" from now on. MacFive is more than just a typical economies of scale strategy as it's not just ensuring bulk pricing for components for these five Macs. MacFive allows Apple to develop drivers, OpenCL instructions, h.264 acceleration, updates, and etc into its integration into the Mac OS X operating system. This allows Apple to more rapidly update its Macs in bundles and future OS X updates too. It allows Apple to make one set of drivers for all five Macs, which all get updated at the same time. Other companies might have a completely different set of drivers for every computer they make, and they're making 10x as many models as Apple is making. This strategy is really an integral part in making gigantic margins off already highly priced computers.
I expect to see an MBA update before WWDC. I expect the MB, Mac mini, and 21.5" iMac to all get updates around the same time and makeup as the MBA. All five of these Macs will use the C2D and Nvidia GPU/chipset until they can no longer purchase C2D CPUs from Intel at the end of 2010. If Apple were to upgrade to Core i-series CPUs in these Macs, it wouldn't be able to use the Nvidia GPU/chipset model in these Macs; Intel cancelled Nvidia's license to create chipsets for Intel CPUs beyond C2D.
Now, since last November when Apple said its holiday lineup was set, the rumors began that Apple was going to use Core i7 in the MBAs when the Core CPUs were going to be introduced on January 7, 2010. These rumors also said, all the way up to the morning before the MBP update, that the 13" MBPs would get the Core i3 and Core i5 CPU lineup also. These same rumor sources have been saying the MBA is still getting an ultra low voltage CPU, even when the direct replacement for the SL9x00 CPUs in the MBA is the Intel Core i7-6x0LM that is a low voltage CPU not ULV.
I believe we were just hearing chatter that isn't accurate and doesn't mean anything until yesterday when the rumor became clearer that the Core i7-6x0UM would overclock the CPU to run at boost speeds by turning off the integrated GMA IGP that is on the CPU. That makes it extremely clear that Apple would use a dedicated GPU in the new MBA. Now, it's very possible that Apple could do this, but it sounds too good to be true. I mean Apple is going to run a 1.46 GHz CPU at 2.26 GHz Core i7 and use a dedicated graphics card in its MBA while the "Pro" users get integrated graphics and C2D in their MB "Pro." I just don't believe it's probable that Apple will do this. Possible, not probable.
Now we have both Mac mini and WhiteBook rumors of C2D and Nvidia 320m for a release soon. This follows in logic to the MBA getting the same basic makeup as MacFive. I suspect an MBA with a C2D SL9x00 CPU lineup (at 30% boost in performance), Nvidia 320m GPU (at reduced GPU clock speed), 4 GB RAM, 192/256 GB SSD, and a glass trackpad. If Apple raises the price, I believe it will also add IPS HD displays to the high-end MBA. I wouldn't rule out the larger SSD being a BTO option rather than included with the high-end MBA. I wouldn't rule out not getting an Intel 160 GB 1.8" SSD in this new MBA either as Intel announced it a few days ago which seems awfully close to the hopeful MBA update. I wouldn't rule out the MBA going the opposite way and breaking up from MacFive alliance. Basically, none of us know the truth at this time.
One thing is for certain, people shouldn't freak out if Apple updates the MacBook, Mac mini, and iMac in a silent update before WWDC with no MBA update. I believe that could happen IF Apple is moving forward with the Core i7 in the MBA at WWDC. If Apple goes not just with Core i7-6x0UM but also a dedicated GPU in the new MBA, along with the IPS display I am hopeful for, it's going to want to show this thing off! It might even get a redesign, hopefully allowing for two RAM slots... I am really looking forward to the next few weeks, and I don't know if I want an update this Tuesday or at WWDC because the implications that come with the later seems more beneficial as long as it includes 2+ GHz CPU and dedicated GPU in the MBA.
Maybe Not Core i7?
Well, maybe Scottsdale's original forecast for the mba update was more correct than this i7 one. Here's a recent leak of the new macbook: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/15/apple-macbook-with-2-4ghz-core-2-duo-and-nvidia-geforce-320m-gra/
It would strike me as odd if Apple/SJ was willing to simply update the macbook with core duo, and not just make the same bet with the mba update - especially since so many of us would be willing to buy it simply with increased ram (and then so many more would buy the core i7 version sometime in 2011 anyways, perhaps with a major revision).
Well, maybe Scottsdale's original forecast for the mba update was more correct than this i7 one. Here's a recent leak of the new macbook: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/15/apple-macbook-with-2-4ghz-core-2-duo-and-nvidia-geforce-320m-gra/
It would strike me as odd if Apple/SJ was willing to simply update the macbook with core duo, and not just make the same bet with the mba update - especially since so many of us would be willing to buy it simply with increased ram (and then so many more would buy the core i7 version sometime in 2011 anyways, perhaps with a major revision).
It's true that it may seem odd for Apple to update the 13" MBP and the Whitebook with a C2D and not the MBA however this may only be an illusion. We have to remember that Apple markets the MBA as a premium notebook, with premium prices for the hardware.
This alone may be enough not to completely discount a possible departure from the direction taken on the 13" MBP and Whitebook.
We can't say for certain. I'm personally really hoping for a major revision regardless of cost, but would be happy with a minor update. I wouldn't be that surprised either way. And either way, we win
This alone may be enough not to completely discount a possible departure from the direction taken on the 13" MBP and Whitebook.
We can't say for certain. I'm personally really hoping for a major revision regardless of cost, but would be happy with a minor update. I wouldn't be that surprised either way. And either way, we win
I, too, hope that we get a major revision of the MBA because I fear a modest revision would result in an MBA still too resource poor to allow me to run all the OS X and Windows apps I now run on my MBP. Alas, all we can do is wait and see. The upside to all of this is that it keeps us off the streets and gives us something to talk about.We can't say for certain. I'm personally really hoping for a major revision regardless of cost, but would be happy with a minor update. I wouldn't be that surprised either way. And either way, we win
MBA refresh
still reckon there are new models being released 18.May and 8.June as per my previous post in another thread.
we now know about the impending MB refresh, so I'd say that'll be the 18.May release.
thus, 8.June is my tip for an MBA refresh.
I really don't think Apple will EOL the Air for at least 2 or 3 reasons.
1. they will sell like hot cakes, albeit in a smaller volume than a MB or a MBPro.
Apple do their research and given it's a 'niche' market (isn't everything these days!) they would know what percentage of current Air owners will update within a month or so (around 80% methinks; include me here) and they would know how many other punters would favor a stunningly spec'd Air over the alternatives.
2. we all thought the Mini was fecked with soooo long between refreshes and were thinking EOL for sure; but it's still around and selling well and I'd say in about the same numbers as the Air.
3. add your reasons here. (I'm noticing an increase on eBay for example of the numbers of MBAirs up for sale)
still reckon there are new models being released 18.May and 8.June as per my previous post in another thread.
we now know about the impending MB refresh, so I'd say that'll be the 18.May release.
thus, 8.June is my tip for an MBA refresh.
I really don't think Apple will EOL the Air for at least 2 or 3 reasons.
1. they will sell like hot cakes, albeit in a smaller volume than a MB or a MBPro.
Apple do their research and given it's a 'niche' market (isn't everything these days!) they would know what percentage of current Air owners will update within a month or so (around 80% methinks; include me here
) and they would know how many other punters would favor a stunningly spec'd Air over the alternatives.2. we all thought the Mini was fecked with soooo long between refreshes and were thinking EOL for sure; but it's still around and selling well and I'd say in about the same numbers as the Air.
3. add your reasons here. (I'm noticing an increase on eBay for example of the numbers of MBAirs up for sale)
I think you may be right that the MBA would sell decently if appropriately updated. I do not currently own an MBA but, as noted in earlier posts, will buy one as long as it is updated sufficiently to give it the power to run the OS X and Windows apps I currently run on my MBP.I really don't think Apple will EOL the Air for at least 2 or 3 reasons.
1. they will sell like hot cakes, albeit in a smaller volume than a MB or a MBPro.
Apple do their research and given it's a 'niche' market (isn't everything these days!) they would know what percentage of current Air owners will update within a month or so (around 80% methinks; include me here
Speaking of the prospective update of the MB, I still can't understand how Apple sells them to anybody but teenyboppers these days, now that they are all white. I don't know how anybody else feels but I hate the looks of the white MB and was both puzzled and disappointed with Apple's decision to drop the black model. My son in law got one of the last black MBs and I will guarantee that he would never have bought a white MB. Others have postulated that Apple dropped the black MB as a marketing strategy to sell more 13 inch MBPs. If so, it would have worked that way on my son and law and me, at least.
I have to buy on June 5th which I can realistically stretch to WWDC on the 7th, personally if it isn't updated by then its probably not going to be for a while. Honestly I think it is just going to be a ram bump and nvidia 320m maybe a cpu bump like the last time. I really doubt we are getting a core i7 at this point in time.
Hmm...what do you think the chances are that Apple will split up the MacBook Air lineup?
For example, the low end staying with the C2D (but with a CPU boost and nVidia 320M) while the high end receives the ULV Core i7 (with dedicated graphics card and SSD boost). Maybe some new features could be shared like glass trackpad, IPS screen, and 4GB RAM.
I believe the iMacs, and now the MBPs, have c2d in some configurations, and core i-series in others, so would this be so far fetched?
For example, the low end staying with the C2D (but with a CPU boost and nVidia 320M) while the high end receives the ULV Core i7 (with dedicated graphics card and SSD boost). Maybe some new features could be shared like glass trackpad, IPS screen, and 4GB RAM.
I believe the iMacs, and now the MBPs, have c2d in some configurations, and core i-series in others, so would this be so far fetched?
I, too, hope that we get a major revision of the MBA because I fear a modest revision would result in an MBA still too resource poor to allow me to run all the OS X and Windows apps I now run on my MBP. Alas, all we can do is wait and see. The upside to all of this is that it keeps us off the streets and gives us something to talk about.
Come on, a Core 2 Duo at 2.13 GHz de-throttled with an Nvidia 320m isn't going to be "too limited" in any way if it has 4 GB of RAM or better yet two RAM slots. The CPU and GPU are not the issues. The only issues for the vast majority of the buyers are most importantly the lack of RAM followed closely by a larger SSD. People can be happy with 4 GB of RAM and a 192 GB SSD... people would be ecstatic for two RAM slots for 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD. Hell, Apple wouldn't need to upgrade the CPU or Nvidia 9400m to make it a huge seller.
I know, you said three weeks ago that it would be the 18th, and if you remember correctly, I said I believe you! I do think that the 18th is a C2D MBA with an Nvidia 320m. I believe a June 7th MBA is a Core i7, and I pray to God it's with an ATI 5430 GPU! But then every Pro out there would then consider the MBA over the 13" MBP... which would be a hell of an upsell.
I believe that's accurate. But we have to remember who is selling their MBA and why? I believe, as I have stated repetitively here, that the real market segment buyers for the MBA will not abandon the MBA for an iPad. The MBA target buyer is using it for business and needs a real computer to do input or creation of work.
Those who bought dumped MBAs for $999 to $1299 are not the intended target buyers for the MBA, and they just wanted in to the club to use the MBA as a secondary device for "netbook" like uses which can be replaced by the iPad.
The MBA targeted buyer is more interested than ever in an MBA that meets their demand for power and performance of a Mac, who can use it as their primary computer on the go or at their desk. If the MBA gets an update to either a C2D and Nvidia 320m, 4 GB RAM, and a 256 GB SSD, I believe they can sell two or three times as many MBAs at $500 more per top end... to cover the larger SSD.
Dream land...
Now if we get a Core i7 at faster than 2 GHz besting the SL9600 by 30%, a dedicated ATI 5430 graphics card with 256 MB VRAM, two RAM slots, a 256 GB SSD, glass trackpad and an IPS HD display and the MBA market will change and grow tremendously/exponentially (okay not really but it would really grow).
The 13" MBP buyer will see the MBA as a possibility if the MBA has a dedicated ATI 5430 GPU and a Core i7. Honestly, this is a GOLDMINE opportunity for Apple. It might even fortell why Apple stuck with C2D in the 13" MBP... to make a crapload of money selling MBAs for $2499 again to the original target buyer, the tech enthusiasts, and even the "pro" users who don't give a damn about a worthless DVD drive in their Mac notebook. And people will shell the money if it has a Core i7, dedicated ATI card, up to 8 GB RAM, and a 256 GB SSD... wow, this could be a miracle... I need to slow down or I will hyperventalate - I am joking people. I don't believe this is going to happen, but I sure would love this MBA.
I would absolutely buy an MBA with a Core i7 at 2.26 GHz with GMA HD IGP disabled, an ATI 5430 GPU with 256 MB dedicated VRAM, two RAM slots with up to 8 GB DDR3 RAM, 256 GB SSD, IPS HD display, and a silky smooth glass trackpad. I would think it would be the high end at $2499.
Could Apple even have two different MBAs? A "consumer" model and a "pro" model? Seriously, this Core i7 potential with a dedicated 5430 ATI GPU completely changes the MBA's market. Apple could even go consumer with a C2D in low-end with an Nvidia 320m, 4 GB RAM soldered to the board, and a 128 GB SSD. That would make a great $1799 low-end MBA. No, this isn't going to happen. It's either going to be all C2D or all Core series CPUs in the MBAs.
I give the C2D and Nvidia 320m a 85% chance, and I give the Core i7-6x0UM overclocked w/dedicated GPU a 5% chance, and I give a Core i7-6x0LM w/Intel HD a 10% chance. So let's not get our hopes way up here. I will be really happy with a C2D and Nvidia 320m, with 4 GB of RAM, 192/256 GB SSD, and a glass trackpad. An IPS display and all the rest are hopeful's not probables.
Is there any reason why a 15" and 17" MBA have not been released? Is it possible that by increasing size (not thickness or relative weight), that a dedicated card and core i-series would make sense? I guess the MBA's would mirror the MBP's in this scenario where the 13" models stick with c2d and the bigger models go with the newer intel chips.
Would people even be interested in a 15" or 17" MBA? I guess I should make a new thread with a poll to find out, but the very prospect has me thinking of what my current MBA would be like with a bigger screen.
Would people even be interested in a 15" or 17" MBA? I guess I should make a new thread with a poll to find out, but the very prospect has me thinking of what my current MBA would be like with a bigger screen.
I think we are more likely to get 15" and 17" MBPs that are thinner like the MacBook Air. The NON-Super Drive is about worthless. Apple needs to either adopt BluRay or get rid of the NSD and use the space to thin the MBPs or use it for something productive and worthwhile. I don't care which way they go for the MBPs right now, but in the long run even Blu Ray is worthless. Digital is the way to go, and a thumb drive can be used to sell applications in much smaller boxes wasting less materials and being much greener. Plus, then the space of the drive isn't used. Apple needs to start selling its apps right on USB thumb drives if it wants to eliminate optical drives, and it makes a lot of sense. I just don't understand the Non-Super Drive.
I don't know if a 15" MBA or a 15" MBP without an optical drive is more sellable? I would guess a 15" MBP without an optical drive would still be thicker, but thinness isn't the best part of the MBA... the weight (or lack thereof) is the super amazing feature of the MBA.
Who would buy a 15" MBA? I have thought a lot about it, but I need the ultraportable 13" MBA because I travel frequently. A 15" MBA would be difficult to open in an airline seat. However, a 15" MBA would allow the space for dedicated graphics, but that might be possible in a 13" MBA - I guess we will see soon if that's possible. I really like having just one computer, and the capability for me to connect the 13" MBA to a 24" LED ACD gives me ultraportability on the go, and complete perfection of an instant desktop solution when at the desk.
So I believe I am out of the 15" MBA if the footprint were similar to the current 15" MBP, however, there's a solution. There is so much wasted space in the bezels of Mac notebooks. Why not take the display right to the edge with just a 1/8" thick "bead" of aluminum around the display? That way a 14.9" display would fit in the current footprint of the 13" MBA. That is the complete solution. I would LOVE this solution, and especially with an HD display all the way up to 1920 x 1200 resolution.
So a 15" MBA becomes the same basic footprint as the 13" MBA, and the 13" MBA gets a smaller footprint by reducing the bezel and wasted space on sides of keyboard. Doesn't this make more sense?
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11) Sprint PPC6850SP)
2 questions: Re: MINI -- Is what I read a year or year and a half ago now plausible, that any idea of EOL-ing the Mini got delayed when the early fall '08 economic crisis occurred? Suggesting that if the economy got back up, then they might still want to EOL it? So that then it survives only as sort of merged with an improved Apple TV unit? ///// RE: WHITEBOOK: Does the one on sale, now, have the case cracking problem fixed? (If not, will the new one?) And is the MB another product (per '08 rumor) Apple might have EOLed, if the 9/'08 financial crisis hadn't made 2008-2009-2010 a bad time to drop the relatively most affordable model? Meaning again, that in better economic times, they may still want to dump it? Other than needing a dongle adapter to get SD-card pix into it, what won't the rumored-next MB do, that a 13" MBP can do?
2 questions: Re: MINI -- Is what I read a year or year and a half ago now plausible, that any idea of EOL-ing the Mini got delayed when the early fall '08 economic crisis occurred? Suggesting that if the economy got back up, then they might still want to EOL it? So that then it survives only as sort of merged with an improved Apple TV unit? ///// RE: WHITEBOOK: Does the one on sale, now, have the case cracking problem fixed? (If not, will the new one?) And is the MB another product (per '08 rumor) Apple might have EOLed, if the 9/'08 financial crisis hadn't made 2008-2009-2010 a bad time to drop the relatively most affordable model? Meaning again, that in better economic times, they may still want to dump it? Other than needing a dongle adapter to get SD-card pix into it, what won't the rumored-next MB do, that a 13" MBP can do?
Perfect! That get's my vote for the ultimate 13" MBA:
- overclocked ULV Core i7 with disabled GMA
- dedicated graphics card from ATI (or maybe a custom nVidia solution)
- the new Intel SSD's that are coming out in 2011 which offer "double the storage for the same price"...320GB at the current 160's price...yes please!
- 4GB RAM
- improved screen size with bezel replaced by aluminum "bead" allowing a 14.9" display HD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200
- Lightpeak port(s)
- Glass trackpad
So how much would you pay for that MBA?
Not much how many lightpeak devices do you own versus usb? I'm so tired about people expecting lightpeak in every device now, how many of you need the bandwidth? A gigabit port would be more useful.Perfect! That get's my vote for the ultimate 13" MBA:
- overclocked ULV Core i7 with disabled GMA
- dedicated graphics card from ATI (or maybe a custom nVidia solution)
- the new Intel SSD's that are coming out in 2011 which offer "double the storage for the same price"...320GB at the current 160's price...yes please!
- 4GB RAM
- improved screen size with bezel replaced by aluminum "bead" allowing a 14.9" display HD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200
- Lightpeak port(s)
- Glass trackpad
So how much would you pay for that MBA?
I agree that more RAM is far more important in any updated MBA than either the CPU or GPU. I also agree that the size of the SSD would be another vitally important consideration. Like you, part of me wants an update next Tuesday, while another wishes that Apple would wait until WWDC and announce a really dramatic upgrade.
Been reading about this as I'm looking to replace my current (Dell / Windows Vista) laptop, and a MacBook Air is a definite possibility...
I suspect, however, that any rumours about big changes to the processor are wrong, and so the processor will be the same as the 13" MBP, ie still the Core 2 Duo. But the update must happen soon.
Why? Because (in an apparently slip-up, which has gone largely unnoticed) if you scroll to the bottom of this page (http://www.apple.com/uk/airportextreme/features/frequency.html) Apple themselves already have a link advertising the "new" MBA.
Clearly then, the update to the MBA is relatively minor, with new graphics (presumably the same as the 13" MBP), and larger storage. Obviously that doesn't preclude the possibility of more RAM, glass trackpad, etc, but i'd suggest that given the headline improvements don't mention the processor then an i7 is not there, and presumably battery life won't be massive (but probably still a bump)?
All still speculation on the details, but that Apple's focus of the new MBA is graphics and storage is undeniably from a very reliable source: Apple!
Edit: Ignore all of the above. Seemingly the "More storage. Faster graphics." phrase was used for the 2008 launch of the MBA (see, for example, http://www.macworld.com/article/136051/2008/10/macbookair.html). Still seems a bit odd that Apple still use that after 2 years, but never mind
David
I suspect, however, that any rumours about big changes to the processor are wrong, and so the processor will be the same as the 13" MBP, ie still the Core 2 Duo. But the update must happen soon.
Why? Because (in an apparently slip-up, which has gone largely unnoticed) if you scroll to the bottom of this page (http://www.apple.com/uk/airportextreme/features/frequency.html) Apple themselves already have a link advertising the "new" MBA.
Apple said:
Clearly then, the update to the MBA is relatively minor, with new graphics (presumably the same as the 13" MBP), and larger storage. Obviously that doesn't preclude the possibility of more RAM, glass trackpad, etc, but i'd suggest that given the headline improvements don't mention the processor then an i7 is not there, and presumably battery life won't be massive (but probably still a bump)?
All still speculation on the details, but that Apple's focus of the new MBA is graphics and storage is undeniably from a very reliable source: Apple!
Edit: Ignore all of the above. Seemingly the "More storage. Faster graphics." phrase was used for the 2008 launch of the MBA (see, for example, http://www.macworld.com/article/136051/2008/10/macbookair.html). Still seems a bit odd that Apple still use that after 2 years, but never mind
David
That would be good enough for me. 256SSD and the 320m. I'm in.
Anyway, we are not 100% that ads regards the new air. It may refer to the rev b or rev c MBA.
I don't recall apple using that motto, for the rev c the motto was faster than ever.
I keep my finger crossed.
Anyway, we are not 100% that ads regards the new air. It may refer to the rev b or rev c MBA.
I don't recall apple using that motto, for the rev c the motto was faster than ever.
I keep my finger crossed.
If you Google that phrase you'll see it's just the headline from the 2008 introduction of the MacBook Air rev B/C.
The thing is LightPeak WILL be ultimately be infinitely faster as it's already amazingly faster than USB 3.0, but the technology can be written to go far faster than it already is. The idea of fiber is almost unlimited in terms of speed comparison to USB or any other port/cable technology available today.
The thing is we will all have USB 3.0 for awhile for input devices like keyboards and mice. However, even those are going wireless. For drives, displays, printers, network connection, and etc, LightPeak is the universal standard that will do all of these devices instead of needing a separate type of port for each technology.
A Mac in 2011 will probably have one USB 3.0, one mini Display Port, and one LightPeak. A Mac in 2013 will probably have three LightPeak ports. There will probably be a connector to use USB via a LightPeak cable to converter.
This.
Since space, and more specifically room for ports, is extremely constrained, the flexibility gained from what LightPeak claims to be able to do is extremely valuable. Since Apple and Intel are working together on developing this technology, I just saw it as the logical choice.
I certainly hope Apple also considers taking on Intel's wireless display technology. It would be much better to completely eliminate wires - what the MBA sets out to do/BE.