No MBA Update....

[manhattanboy]

Not true. Apple could easily go with an AMD CPU, and use an AMD (no longer ATI) chipset/GPU combo. This would be sorta the "norm" in a sense as Apple really liked the Nvidia chipset/GPU combo. If AMD can provide the best overall solution, I hope Apple goes with it.

The problem with Intel, is it markets to consumers that the only way to improve computers is to upgrade CPUs. In reality, the C2D CPUs are amazingly capable. What we need is for Apple to focus on all of the other things that with tuning could be impressive.

For example, go beyond SATA-II as SSDs are quickly going to saturate the bandwidth of SATA-II drive controllers. The bottleneck in the current computing environment is the drive and drive controller combination. The reason the MBA with an SSD is so very fast is Apple jumped on the SSD bandwagon... and thankfully it didn't take them as long as it has with other tools and components - like no Blu Ray and etc.

Take advantage of better graphics systems. Focus on making simple use of OpenCL and other tools available to application providers. Make Grand Central Dispatch a widely used tool. Keep focusing on software improvements. ADD MORE ***** RAM!

About the least problematic (and most capable) component in the MBA, or any Mac for that matter, is the Intel CPU. But until consumers understand that, Apple will be forced to upgrade the damn things. Just like when it upgraded the 15" to Core i-Series CPUs... the users would have been better off with C2D and Nvidia 320m, as they would have had the much more powerful base graphics system. Everytime the 330GT kicks in it eats more battery than it would have had the 320m had first crack at taking care of the graphics.

I would say people need to learn about the current state of computing and understand what the hell does what... before preaching go big, GO INTEL, or go home.

This is probably the best post you've made.
Everything you say is spot on.

I know everyone is complaining about the lack of an update, but any of the rev B or C MBAs (i.e. updated graphics abilities) with an SSD are pretty good machines, even today. For example, my rev B boots faster than the new core i5. Why? Because the SSD>>spinning HD. The best thing to do is for people to buy a balanced system because then it means no one component is dragging the whole thing down.
As a side note, because everything you say is spot on, my last computer purchase was ......... a PC. For 1/4th the cost of an appropriately configured iMac, I was able to get a well-balanced PC. Windows 7 has grown on me, and while the MBA will be my laptop for the foreseeable future, the PC is slowly supplanting my iMac as my desktop. Google is spot on in saying that the majority of time we use are computers to be on the internet. You don't need OS X to do that.

 

[robeddie]

Not true. Apple could easily go with an AMD CPU, and use an AMD (no longer ATI) chipset/GPU combo. This would be sorta the "norm" in a sense as Apple really liked the Nvidia chipset/GPU combo. If AMD can provide the best overall solution, I hope Apple goes with it.

The problem with Intel, is it markets to consumers that the only way to improve computers is to upgrade CPUs. In reality, the C2D CPUs are amazingly capable. What we need is for Apple to focus on all of the other things that with tuning could be impressive.

For example, go beyond SATA-II as SSDs are quickly going to saturate the bandwidth of SATA-II drive controllers. The bottleneck in the current computing environment is the drive and drive controller combination. The reason the MBA with an SSD is so very fast is Apple jumped on the SSD bandwagon... and thankfully it didn't take them as long as it has with other tools and components - like no Blu Ray and etc.

Take advantage of better graphics systems. Focus on making simple use of OpenCL and other tools available to application providers. Make Grand Central Dispatch a widely used tool. Keep focusing on software improvements. ADD MORE ***** RAM!

About the least problematic (and most capable) component in the MBA, or any Mac for that matter, is the Intel CPU. But until consumers understand that, Apple will be forced to upgrade the damn things.

Dude.... as much as we've had our quibbles, and as much as you've repeated yourself (to your detriment) this post is a keeper. I'm willing to give props when they're due.

The core2duo is SO friggin' beyond what we ever could have dreamed even 5 years ago, that this constant push for more CPU power, ignoring the other elements that make for a 'fast' computer, is simply retarded.

The CPU is the LAST thing we need to worry about. But it's a HABIT. A habit built on some three decades of wanting faster CPU's.

Well, Guess what folks, the CPU's are now ridiculously fast - it's time to start thinking about better graphics subsytems, faster hard drives (SSD's), faster/more memory, etc.

Now do me a favor and delete that last 1400 posts where you repeated this same basic point but not nearly as eloquently and economically as you did with this one, LOL

 

[Scottsdale]

retarded

And you using words like "retarded" is why I will NEVER care for you. Grow up...

 

[mangrove]

Hey Scottsdale- I respect your input ever since reading it when I first joined.

Question. Have a friend who needs for work a Macbook. She really wants an MBA, but I told her to hold off a good month to know if one comes out this month. Was that too optimistic? If so, your best guess, if you can offer one.

If the MBA does not come this month, should she get another Macbook?

She will probably need Boot Camp or the new Parallels 6 for old documents.

She has never owned a Mac before. This computer will be truly portable every day of the week using lots of data input and photos, but that can all be downloaded daily or weekly as needed.

Budget-- up to $2k I would think, but possibly at little less.

 

[manhattanboy]

And you using words like "retarded" is why I will NEVER care for you. Grow up...

Demonstrate what you desire by behaving as such.

 

[Scottsdale]

Hey Scottsdale- I respect your input ever since reading it when I first joined.

Question. Have a friend who needs for work a Macbook. She really wants an MBA, but I told her to hold off a good month to know if one comes out this month. Was that too optimistic? If so, your best guess, if you can offer one.

If the MBA does not come this month, should she get another Macbook?

She will probably need Boot Camp or the new Parallels 6 for old documents.

She has never owned a Mac before. This computer will be truly portable every day of the week using lots of data input and photos, but that can all be downloaded daily or weekly as needed.

Budget-- up to $2k I would think, but possibly at little less.

If she can wait, maybe she should especially if she wants an MBA. However, I expect the MB will be updated when the MBA is too. All three of the 13" Mac notebooks should have the same basic configuration/component makeup/type. Not saying the MBA will have a 35W GPU, so people don't need to tell me that. I am just saying like the MBA, MB, and 13" MBP all use C2D CPUs and Nvidia GPUs right now.

If she cannot wait, the white MacBook is a hell of a computer. Probably the best buy in any Apple notebook right now. For $849, Apple sells refurbished current generation white MacBooks. If I had to buy a Mac notebook, and I was worried about VALUE and I needed to run Parallels or Fusion, I would buy a MB.

Since she needs the VM program, she shouldn't buy a current MBA at all. I would say don't even recommend it to her.

Cheers.


OH, and Manhattan Boy, that user has publicly called me so many names far worse than OneTwo where One equals fan and Two equals boy, like I got temporarily banned for just a few months ago. I choose to "right off" people who continually treat me like crap, perhaps to my detriment. Everything that user said in the so called, complement was all a BIG negative trashing of me publicly AGAIN.

You may want to do certain things to "teach" people or whatever, but life is too short for me to waste my time on someone like that. I certainly don't care what the user thinks of me, so there's no point in somehow attempting to educate through avoidance.

 

[CaoCao]

Hey Scottsdale- I respect your input ever since reading it when I first joined.

Question. Have a friend who needs for work a Macbook. She really wants an MBA, but I told her to hold off a good month to know if one comes out this month. Was that too optimistic? If so, your best guess, if you can offer one.

If the MBA does not come this month, should she get another Macbook?

She will probably need Boot Camp or the new Parallels 6 for old documents.

She has never owned a Mac before. This computer will be truly portable every day of the week using lots of data input and photos, but that can all be downloaded daily or weekly as needed.

Budget-- up to $2k I would think, but possibly at little less.

The MacBook Air has zero chance to get updated before 2011 (then again so does the MacBook (Pro))

 

[wirelessmacuser]

Thats going to be next to go. For Apple doesn't care for real computers anymore, just gimmicky touch screen devices ...

It certainly appears that way.

Hint number one... The companies name is changed from Apple Computer, to Apple Inc.

Hint number two... iPhone this, iPad that.

Hint number three... Steve Jobs gushing about iTunes revenue.

Welcome to Apple Entertainment Co.

 

[CaoCao]

It certainly appears that way.

Hint number one... The companies name is changed from Apple Computer, to Apple Inc.

Hint number two... iPhone this, iPad that.

Hint number three... Steve Jobs gushing about iTunes revenue.

Welcome to Apple Entertainment Co.

iOS is a gateway drug to OS X

 

[manhattanboy]

It certainly appears that way.

Hint number one... The companies name is changed from Apple Computer, to Apple Inc.

Hint number two... iPhone this, iPad that.

Hint number three... Steve Jobs gushing about iTunes revenue.

Welcome to Apple Entertainment Co.

You say yes, I say no.

Oh wait, that is Apple Record Entertainment Co.

 

[goncode]

So this is all I know: It's coming. It's coming before the end of the year, not sure about screen size, but I know it's thinner than the current model.

 

[CaoCao]

So this is all I know: It's coming. It's coming before the end of the year, not sure about screen size, but I know it's thinner than the current model.

There is nothing for it to upgrade to

 

[goncode]

Im not sure about the specs, but I know it's real and I know it's coming soon. thats all i know.

 

[CaoCao]

Im not sure about the specs, but I know it's real and I know it's coming soon. thats all i know.

How do you know?

 

[animatedude]

next month soon?

 

[CaoCao]

next month soon?

Why do you think that?

 

[PhelpsiPhan]

Hopefully next month

 

[cleric]

iOS is a gateway drug to OS X

I think iOS is crack and OS X is cocaine, they are competing products but one is a luxury item. Problem is Apple has been selling a lot more crack rock lately and they don't seem to want to go through the extra work involved in slanging the real stuff anymore.

 

[cleric]

Hey Scottsdale- I respect your input ever since reading it when I first joined.

Question. Have a friend who needs for work a Macbook. She really wants an MBA, but I told her to hold off a good month to know if one comes out this month. Was that too optimistic? If so, your best guess, if you can offer one.

If the MBA does not come this month, should she get another Macbook?

She will probably need Boot Camp or the new Parallels 6 for old documents.

She has never owned a Mac before. This computer will be truly portable every day of the week using lots of data input and photos, but that can all be downloaded daily or weekly as needed.

Budget-- up to $2k I would think, but possibly at little less.

Your reason for requiring a virtual machine is old documents? What are obscure format are they in?

I would say just go buy a mbp 13" or an mba if you really need the portability I doubt shes really going to care about the performance difference of updated machines I'd always rather buy one than be a slave to the update game. I don't see a new macbook air til January personally.

 

[PhelpsiPhan]

I think iOS is crack and OS X is cocaine, they are competing products but one is a luxury item. Problem is Apple has been selling a lot more crack rock lately and they don't seem to want to go through the extra work involved in slanging the real stuff anymore.

I Totally Agree!

 

[Scottsdale]

I think iOS is crack and OS X is cocaine, they are competing products but one is a luxury item. Problem is Apple has been selling a lot more crack rock lately and they don't seem to want to go through the extra work involved in slanging the real stuff anymore.

I like this... it's so true for so many of us here. We are all addicts of the Apple product offerings. And unfortunately, consumer markets yield higher margins and higher stock prices. You would sell crack rock too, an analogy product, if you had both opportunities too.

However, Apple is big enough that selling iOS products SHOULD sell more Macs. Apple knows this. While the Mac updates were a joke this year, Apple could really benefit by some growth with some price drops and significant updates.

All of the iOS product buyers NEED a computer to sync with their iOS products... and a Mac does it better. If the prices drop, I am sure Apple could grow in the computing OS product markets. However, Apple is GREEDY. They're not just happy making huge margins, they need to make a certain level on every product they provide or they assume it's not worth providing.

Since the MBA provides huge margins, I don't think it matters if sales are lower, because in the end it pads the ratios where Apple needs it to for Mac notebooks. I say the MBA gets an update soon, and I believe they will bring back BTO options allowing us to spend more money if we want to.

 

[CaoCao]

I think iOS is crack and OS X is cocaine, they are competing products but one is a luxury item. Problem is Apple has been selling a lot more crack rock lately and they don't seem to want to go through the extra work involved in slanging the real stuff anymore.

Dood I iz agree, BRB need moar lines

I like this... it's so true for so many of us here. We are all addicts of the Apple product offerings. And unfortunately, consumer markets yield higher margins and higher stock prices. You would sell crack rock too, an analogy product, if you had both opportunities too.

However, Apple is big enough that selling iOS products SHOULD sell more Macs. Apple knows this. While the Mac updates were a joke this year, Apple could really benefit by some growth with some price drops and significant updates.

All of the iOS product buyers NEED a computer to sync with their iOS products... and a Mac does it better. If the prices drop, I am sure Apple could grow in the computing OS product markets. However, Apple is GREEDY. They're not just happy making huge margins, they need to make a certain level on every product they provide or they assume it's not worth providing.

Since the MBA provides huge margins, I don't think it matters if sales are lower, because in the end it pads the ratios where Apple needs it to for Mac notebooks. I say the MBA gets an update soon, and I believe they will bring back BTO options allowing us to spend more money if we want to.

Have you noticed the price point of iToys marching up? everywhere from $69 to $829, yes some even above the Mac Mini. Where will the march of the iToys stop?

[/TINFOIL HAT]

OS X is growing AT IIRC 30%+ A YEAR

 

[PhelpsiPhan]

Dood I iz agree, BRB need moar lines


Have you noticed the price point of iToys marching up? everywhere from $69 to $829, yes some even above the Mac Mini. Where will the march of the iToys stop?

[/TINFOIL HAT]

OS X is growing AT IIRC 30%+ A YEAR

I really dont think it will