No MBA Update....

[mbisson]

While not surprised, the way Apple didn't so much as say "Thanks!" to the now-retired iPod Classic tells me that they may be willing to put the MBA out to pasture without so much as an honorable mention.

It seems that their future for small computing devices is the iPad. There's the "MBA replacement" everyone was waiting for.

Sorry but the iPad comes nowhere close to replacing a MacBook Air, they are simply not aimed at the same market.

An iPad is a mass market device, designed to be as simple as possible. A MacBook Air is designed to be a fully featured ultra portable computer for a smaller group of users who are willing to pay a premium.

Also the iPod Classic hasn't been retired, they're still selling them, just no updates and probably sell in very small numbers so nothing to mention.

 

[Joel Horn]

Just ordered the MBP 13"

I have waited as long as I can.

If they come out with a new more powerful, more battery life MBA maybe I will get that as well and give my newly ordered MBP 13" to someone else in the office.

Maybe this is exactly what Apple wants and when they read this they just check another MBA fan off the list as "converted to MBP".

 

[stockscalper]

I would think sometime soon Apple would refresh the line with a new processor, more ram and perhaps a bigger SSD drive and then in January when the new chipset is available introduce a newly designed model. If we don't see a refresh soon my gut tells me we aren't going to see a redesign in January - they just don't wait that long to redo their product lines.

 

[bowlerman625]

patience my brothers and sisters, patience!

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

Also the Macbook Air hasn't been retired, they're still selling them, just no updates and probably sell in very small numbers so nothing to mention.

Fixed that for you.

 

[No ice please]

Really hoped that there would be an update. Being apple's most mobile computer it could count towards media.

 

[Scottsdale]

Sometime between October and January. I really believe the information could lead us to either October or January. If Apple is waiting for Sandy Bridge, probably January. An event could happen in October, as another iPad and the new MBA could be updated... and I am expecting other updates much quicker this rotation. The 13" MBP/MB/Mm updates were a stop-gap measure of sorts until they could get the strategy determined... I did feel like the AppleTV update could mean that this is all we're getting this year, but Apple has updated products in October quite frequently... I am not giving up at all. I think it was far-fetched to expect an update today.

 

[PsyD4Me]

Sometime between October and January. I really believe the information could lead us to either October or January. If Apple is waiting for Sandy Bridge, probably January. An event could happen in October, as another iPad and the new MBA could be updated... and I am expecting other updates much quicker this rotation. The 13" MBP/MB/Mm updates were a stop-gap measure of sorts until they could get the strategy determined... I did feel like the AppleTV update could mean that this is all we're getting this year, but Apple has updated products in October quite frequently... I am not giving up at all. I think it was far-fetched to expect an update today.

i feel like you have been saying this for the past 6 months, and each month you were more certain than before....

 

[michaelshen]

It is actually a good sign for all the guys who are waiting for MBA updates!

If MBA gets updated soon, it will come with C2D with nVidia's new integrated graphic, or i* series Intel processor with sucking Intel integrated graphic. Either of them is far from satisfaction.

On the other hand, when Sandy Bridge comes out. There will be totally another story. Current leaked Sandy Bridge benchmarks are really impressive. Besides the stunning CPU improvement, graphic performance is close to HD 5450. Then, it is possible to make MBA even thinner, lighter, smaller, but with very limited performance compromise.

Actually, I'm waiting for MBA as you guys. But I'm willing to wait couple of more months. There's no doubt that it will be a winning deal with time to get an awesome and perfect MBA.

 

[GeekGuys]

The Rev d MBA won't be announced at a big event, rather it will be one off announcement without much fanfair.

Apple use the events to showcase new designs/features etc. When a product gets a small update, then it is just released with a small trumpet, rather than the entire orchestra.....unless it is near a big event that is relevant of course!

Also, I just don't see the point of a 11" version. Too close to the iPad and it then becomes a Netbook (don't forget, these are pointless machines say Mr Jobs).
15" MBA....again, no. No point. The form factor is what it is.... Maybe Apple will change the design to match the current products designs to be uniform thickness, but still ultra-thin. That I could see being a worthwhile change. It would also facilitate the glass trackpad without too much change to that design.
Enough on the spec's..... been discuss here enough I think.

 

[markelim]

So guys, do you suggest getting one now or waiting for the possible update in october, from what ive read you guys say thats unlikely and if they did update it, they would do it in january ?

 

[iAir]

i feel like you have been saying this for the past 6 months, and each month you were more certain than before....

hahahahaha!! You said it!! As the ol' sayin goes.. Jack of all trades, master of None!

 

[bwaadass]

So guys, do you suggest getting one now or waiting for the possible update in october, from what ive read you guys say thats unlikely and if they did update it, they would do it in january ?

I think the MBA is unlikely to be updated in October. An Oct update would need to use exisiting Intel chips which have already been out for months (e.g. i3/i5 or Core2Duo). If Apple planned/wanted to update with these chips they would have done so back when the other laptops were updated (April/May). For some reason they don't want to use them (I guess heat+performance+battery life issues).

I think it's clear they are waiting for Sandy Bridge CPUs, and the earliest they will be available is Q1 2011. The good news is that Apple has a track record in getting Intel chips as quickly as any other manufacturer, and so it's realistic to assume that the new MBA will be announced around 22nd Feb 2011 (my guess). It's also very likely that all the MacBook Pros will be updated at the same time.

As to whether to wait... that depends on you're existing hardware, wallet and psychology. Personally my 3yr old Vaio is OK to last at least another 6 months so I'm waiting...

 

[halledise]

Sometime between October and January. I really believe the information could lead us to either October or January. If Apple is waiting for Sandy Bridge, probably January. An event could happen in October, as another iPad and the new MBA could be updated... and I am expecting other updates much quicker this rotation. The 13" MBP/MB/Mm updates were a stop-gap measure of sorts until they could get the strategy determined... I did feel like the AppleTV update could mean that this is all we're getting this year, but Apple has updated products in October quite frequently... I am not giving up at all. I think it was far-fetched to expect an update today.

agree fully.
as well as January for the 'sandy bridge' factor (+ whatever GPU marriage occurs there) I just get the feeling that the recent acquisition of Liquidmetal Technologies will be a significant factor going forward for all Apple 'lightweight' devices.
ergo - watch this space, after the yuletide celebrations.
(cold and snow for you guys to the north, warm and suntans for us in the antipodes - heh, heh)

 

[BBB180]

Not sure how credible this site is, but September 7th is the date they think the new MBA will be announced.

http://www.product-reviews.net/2010...r-refresh-apple-event-to-reveal-better-specs/

 

[CuteBaby]

Not sure how credible this site is, but September 7th is the date they think the new MBA will be announced.

http://www.product-reviews.net/2010...r-refresh-apple-event-to-reveal-better-specs/

They had the date wrong; they were referring to the same September 1st media event. See bottom of a this other article for the correction:

http://www.product-reviews.net/2010...hite-iphone-4-release-date-and-ipod-touch-4g/

 

[Blondie :)]

But why would they need to have an event to introduce a new MacBook Air at all?

After all the completely redesigned Mac Mini was introduced without any event being held.

I agree. It could definitely be a silent update, but I'm not too sure that it will. Simply because all of the MBA owners on this site are getting really frustrated that their computer hasn't seen a new update in what...a year or better? So, Apple may indeed hold a new even for the release of a new MBA (if it ever comes) but they probably won't really. But you never know for sure with Apple haha

 

[mbisson]

I think the MBA is unlikely to be updated in October. An Oct update would need to use exisiting Intel chips which have already been out for months (e.g. i3/i5 or Core2Duo). If Apple planned/wanted to update with these chips they would have done so back when the other laptops were updated (April/May). For some reason they don't want to use them (I guess heat+performance+battery life issues).

I think this is wrong. Firstly Apple couldn't have introduced a C2D update as there are no faster ULV chips made by Intel.

Secondly the ULV chips usually arrive some months after the mainstream chips. There is a difference between Intel announcing a chip and it becoming available. I believe that the Core i3/i5/i7 ULV Chips have only become available this June and other manufacturers have recently been introducing models utilising them.

I think it's clear they are waiting for Sandy Bridge CPUs, and the earliest they will be available is Q1 2011. The good news is that Apple has a track record in getting Intel chips as quickly as any other manufacturer, and so it's realistic to assume that the new MBA will be announced around 22nd Feb 2011 (my guess).

Again, whilst Sandybridge chips may be available early next year, this is going to be the mainstream Desktop and Laptop variants. It will probably be mid next year before ULV versions are available in quantity which would be required for the MB Air unless you want something that you couldn't pick up whilst in use without heat proof gloves.

If we have to wait for Sandy Bridge I think it will be Summer next year at the earliest before there is an MBA update, hence an update with current generation Core i3, i5 or i7 ULV chips happening sooner seems more likely.

 

[mbisson]

Also, I just don't see the point of a 11" version. Too close to the iPad and it then becomes a Netbook (don't forget, these are pointless machines say Mr Jobs).

1. Completely different markets:

- Mass market device thats very easy to use but has limited fuctionality at a reasonable price point.

- Niche device that is fully featured at a premium price.

There is limited crossover between the iPad and a MacBook Air and can happily co-exist alongside each other without cannibalisation of sales.

2. An 11" screen would not magically make the device a netbook. A netbook has limited memory, graphics, processor (Atom) etc. I would assume that if an 11.6" MacBook Air were introduced its specs would far surpass those of netbooks, otherwise there would be no point in me swapping from the Samsung NC10 I currently use.

Most importantly though, a smaller screen would make it an even more portable machine which is a key selling point for an ultra-portable laptop and part of the wow factor that Apple would be keen to capitalise on.

 

[DiamondGCoupe]

I have waited as long as I can.

If they come out with a new more powerful, more battery life MBA maybe I will get that as well and give my newly ordered MBP 13" to someone else in the office.

Maybe this is exactly what Apple wants and when they read this they just check another MBA fan off the list as "converted to MBP".

I sold my Air and just got my 13" MBP today. So far it holding up a lot better at work. Battery life X2. Probably would have got a new version of the Air if it was announced but for now this will do!

 

[matelot]

I'm sort of "secretly gald" because I just bought a used MBA 2 weeks ago.

 

[Fswaid]

So guys, do you suggest getting one now or waiting for the possible update in october, from what ive read you guys say thats unlikely and if they did update it, they would do it in january ?

october, january whatever dude... i'm waiting for the new macbook air...i'm not buying a device with only 2GB of Ram and a core 2 duo processor for that kind of money...my great great grandparents use better equipments in their graves... i'm waiting for the update no matter how long it takes, besides i'm not getting to school until next year : )...if you still want it though... get an iPad... work your way with it until the MBA is updated... then sell it or keep it : ) (iPad)

 

[xparaparafreakx]

We might be like the users of the Mac Pro, waiting forever for a release and turns out that the refresh is not all it is hyped up to be.

It is going to be a long fall and winter with my friend Rev. A.

 

[PracticalMac]

If no new MBA by November, its a dead line.


More likely a iPad with built in keypad.

 

[animatedude]

every single Mac,iPhone and iPod has been updated and the iPad was just released earlier this year...hell even the Apple TV has been updated.