no new MBA - will you wait?

[gyus]

Im in the market for the updated MBA, as much of you people are. I'm pretty confident that the new specs are gong to be 4 GB RAM and 320M video card. Just wanted to know if your going to wait and if so, how long do you think its going to be?

End of summer ?

End of the year?

 

[celo48]

I will wait. In the meantime, I will be using my 4 year old Macbook

 

[Cheffy Dave]

Yep, I'm waiting, quite happy with my iPad,and BMB. I'm not buying till Scottsdale says so!!!!!
Welcome back BTW! Heard you went to Aruba while you were in T.O.

 

[Spacekatgal]

Just put it on eBay and Craig's List. I'm jumping ship.

Bri

 

[Dr. B]

Here's what I did

I am a devout Mac user, and I was frustrated with the wait. I had a 2 year old 17" Macbook Pro - great computer, just too big and heavy to carry around. I too wanted a Macbook Air, but frankly wasn't going to pay for OLD technology, the heat issue, poor battery life, etc.

I bought a 15" new Core I7 Macbook Pro with the High Res Anti-Glare Screen. I am OVER THE MOON. It's fast, sleek, and POWERFUL...and I don't even give up having a drive. It's small enough to EASILY fit on my backpack and on a tray table. Frankly, I'm GLAD I didn't go with a Macbook Air. I paid scarcely more than I would have for a Macbook Air, and I have a nice, THIN, and awesomely versatile computer.

Just a thought...

 

[gyus]

Im getting a little frustrated, but it looks like my G4 powerbook is going to have to last a little longer.....

 

[DiamondGCoupe]

Um just get a 13" MBP guys it's not much heavier far superior

 

[pharmx]

I am a devout Mac user, and I was frustrated with the wait. I had a 2 year old 17" Macbook Pro - great computer, just too big and heavy to carry around. I too wanted a Macbook Air, but frankly wasn't going to pay for OLD technology, the heat issue, poor battery life, etc.

I bought a 15" new Core I7 Macbook Pro with the High Res Anti-Glare Screen. I am OVER THE MOON. It's fast, sleek, and POWERFUL...and I don't even give up having a drive. It's small enough to EASILY fit on my backpack and on a tray table. Frankly, I'm GLAD I didn't go with a Macbook Air. I paid scarcely more than I would have for a Macbook Air, and I have a nice, THIN, and awesomely versatile computer.

Just a thought...

Are you seriously comparing a 5.6 pound 15" laptop, to a 3 pound 13" ultra-portable? Unless you are going forward with the mindset that you just want a laptop made by Apple....why would anyone considering an MBA buy the 15" MBP? The 13" MBP or even an iPad would be much more suitable alternatives. As awesome as the 15" MBP is, it's way too big and way too heavy for someone who was originally planning on buying an MBA.

 

[thinkdesign]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11) Sprint PPC6850SP)

Part of the "wait or buy" calculation, is that if one has paid a price by waiting... the longer you wait and then give in and buy (in my case buy a SSD-120 model, new/old, which is too little memory for me).... the harder you'll be kicking yourself IF it turns out that, just a LITTLE more waiting would have succeeded in - money better spent. It's gambling in the dark. ----- In my case, the decision involves juggling 5 or 6 computer factors, and 3 financial/personal ones. I have money to spend, not to waste. If it were a quantifiable problem, it'd be a big trigonometry problem in search of a formula. I'm comparing losses-by-buying-now Vs. losses-by-waiting. A lose-lose quandry. It's the most complex and difficult buying decision I've ever had to make. Sigh.

 

[Scottsdale]

I suspect the wait will equal < 6 weeks or > 4 months. If there are Mac mini and 21.5" iMac updates to the 320m, and still no MBA, then it's October 2010 or January 2011 before the MBA gets its update.

I still believe it's more likely that the MBA gets its update in the next six weeks. I believe it will have the 320m just as will the Mac mini and 21.5" iMacs. It is cheaper to make all MacFive products with the same component makeup then to keep making batches of old and new. However, there's the possibility that the MBA's sales are so poor that Apple made say 50,000 logicboards that could be installed in new MBAs as needed over the next four to six months. It all comes down to costs and quantities needed to fulfill demand.

However, if we think about Apple's motive to sell Macs, surely it knows what we know, an update to just 4 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD could maybe quadruple the MBA's best sales quarter ever. The average MBA user isn't concerned about faster CPUs nor even a faster GPU, they're concerned with RAM and drive space increases.

I will wait, until Apple releases a new MBA or my current MBA no longer fulfills my needs. Right now it's fulfilling my needs, but it is failing to fulfill my wants. I want more RAM and a glass trackpad more than anything else...

 

[gyus]

Welcome back ScotD,

Will the 320M make the MBA run cooler? If so i'll wait....

 

[gwsat]

The long delay in an MBA update makes me glad that my tried and true MBP still has 9 months of Applecare coverage remaining. My old Powerbook G4 withstood 5 years of everyday use so I see no reason why the MBP can't last for 3 years. Anyway I have been in the throes of dealing with a bunch of home repair expenses, for reasons that are too dreary to go into here, to worry much right now about a new MBA.

 

[alexandero]

What I'd want is a MBP without DVD drive, that should reduce its weight and size significantly..

Maybe the reason why there's no new MBA is that the next revision of MBPs might get rid of the DVD drive, and then the 13" will more or less have the size of today's MBA.

 

[Scottsdale]

What I'd want is a MBP without DVD drive, that should reduce its weight and size significantly..

Maybe the reason why there's no new MBA is that the next revision of MBPs might get rid of the DVD drive, and then the 13" will more or less have the size of today's MBA.

Actually, those that remove their optical drives from their Macs notice very little difference in weight. I believe Apple should offer discrete GPUs in 13" MBPs and get rid of the optical drive. The optical drive is just about worthless unless it's BluRay. Apple needs to start innovating with the Macs again. I can think up some great ways, but Apple seems too focused on its damn iOS and the products that run it.

Remember that the heaviest component in the MBP is the battery. It is the battery that keeps the MBP from being an MBA and not the optical drive. The optical drive probably doesn't make the MBP any thicker either as it needs that thickness to keep the battery as capable as it is.

This is why I don't expect a 10-hour battery in the MBA. They make a 10-hour MBA but it's sold as a 13" MBP. For those that are "disgusted" or "bullied" that I want a 5-hour battery in the MBA, understand why the MBP weighs more than the MBA... I for the life of me don't understand how it's condescending to not want a 10-hour battery in the MBA but it has been said, about me.

In the end, I do believe that we will ultimately get MBPs and MBs that are much thinner and lose their optical drives. It shows with Apple patent applications that they're searching for new cooling methods (liquids) and more capable batteries that weigh less and are much thinner. I suppose we're a few years away still, but I think the MBA design/concept will find its way to all Mac notebooks when the technology exists. Apple is a mobility company, so why not make Macs more mobile.

 

[halledise]

heeeeeyyyy Scotters! - welcome back

things have been pretty quiet since you been gone.
how was the holiday - gave your fingers a chance to recuperate I guess … …

 

[gwsat]

Remember that the heaviest component in the MBP is the battery. It is the battery that keeps the MBP from being an MBA and not the optical drive. The optical drive probably doesn't make the MBP any thicker either as it needs that thickness to keep the battery as capable as it is.

This is why I don't expect a 10-hour battery in the MBA. They make a 10-hour MBA but it's sold as a 13" MBP.

You are right that you can have either a 10 hour battery or a 3 pound ultra lightweight computer but not both. Every laptop design involves a series of compromises and the battery endurance versus weight dichotomy is a classic example of one of them. I don't know whether the 13 inch MBP's larger battery is totally responsible for its being 1.5 pounds heavier than the MBA but it is certainly the reason for the bulk of the difference.

 

[Scottsdale]

Welcome back ScotD,

Will the 320M make the MBA run cooler? If so i'll wait....

Thanks

It does have a lower TDP, but I believe Apple would de-throttle the C2D CPU and attempt at the same total TDP.

So, it depends. Maybe, maybe not.

heeeeeyyyy Scotters! - welcome back

things have been pretty quiet since you been gone.
how was the holiday - gave your fingers a chance to recuperate I guess … …

thanks... yes, according to the moderator the word "ONETWO" where ONE=Fan and TWO=Boi is an "insult" and "offensive" if a user complains. Over 4,000 other results didn't have complaints reported so was acceptable usage in those situations because moderators only ban on "reported abusers."

I did also note that many criticized me and, in my opinion, said far worse things about me than my usage of the term "ONETWO" where ONE=Fan and TWO=Boi. Some also were positive and supportive. Interestingly, the positive posts have been removed as "off topic" while many of the original negative posts remain. I suppose life isn't "fair."

Note... pharmx might just want to change his quote as it includes an "offensive" and "insulting" word.

 

[Caem]

For me the point of no return is when iPhone 4 is released, I want a laptop so I will buy the "new" MBA or current MBP 13" 2.4 at end of july (Sweden).

 

[pharmx]

Thanks

It does have a lower TDP, but I believe Apple would de-throttle the C2D CPU and attempt at the same total TDP.

So, it depends. Maybe, maybe not.



thanks... yes, according to the moderator the word "ONETWO" where ONE=Fan and TWO=Boi is an "insult" and "offensive" if a user complains. Over 4,000 other results didn't have complaints reported so was acceptable usage in those situations because moderators only ban on "reported abusers."

I did also note that many criticized me and, in my opinion, said far worse things about me than my usage of the term "ONETWO" where ONE=Fan and TWO=Boi. Some also were positive and supportive. Interestingly, the positive posts have been removed as "off topic" while many of the original negative posts remain. I suppose life isn't "fair."

Note... pharmx might just want to change his quote as it includes an "offensive" and "insulting" word.

Welcome back Scottsdale

Lol, I'm not going to change my quote, nor am I going to avoid using the term "fanboi". Not that I use it that much to begin with, lol. I was thinking about actually linking the terms "fanboi", "hater", and "troll" from my sig, to certain profiles who frequent the main page discussions and spew absolute nonsense....but came to the conclusion that it would probably just land me in trouble even though the shoe fits.

At any rate, I'm still waiting for Apple's decision with respect to the Air

 

[theappleguy]

I need a new laptop before I go overseas for six months at the end of August (my current MacBook Air's hard drive at 80GB isn't big enough, the fans destroy battery life - the battery itself is actually still very good, and I have no sound or mic anymore so not really that usable).

I will wait until then to see if a new MacBook Air comes out, otherwise I'll probably get a MacBook and sell it when I get back.

 

[wildjohn999]

I'm definitely waiting for at least 4GB of ram in the next series of MBA. In fact if Apple just did that I would be very happy since the 9400M is fine for my needs. Shoot if Apple had some kind of authorized program where I could send this MBA in and they would solder in the 4GB of ram I would be doubly happy.

I guess my new i7 iMac will have to tide me over until the next MBA release.

 

[Scottsdale]

I need a new laptop before I go overseas for six months at the end of August (my current MacBook Air's hard drive at 80GB isn't big enough, the fans destroy battery life - the battery itself is actually still very good, and I have no sound or mic anymore so not really that usable).

I will wait until then to see if a new MacBook Air comes out, otherwise I'll probably get a MacBook and sell it when I get back.

The white MacBook or the 27" iMac are by far the best values in any current Macs. If I had to buy a new Mac notebook, it would be a MB. If I had to buy a new Mac desktop, it would be a 27" iMac.

Hopefully Apple will give us all a new real reason to believe the MBA is again a Mac worth buying... especially at these prices. I find it disgusting that not only does Apple not update the MBA, they demand the same ridiculous prices as they have for over a year.

I hope Apple gives you the opportunity to buy a new MBA before you leave in August.

 

[halledise]

Welcome back Scottsdale

Lol, I'm not going to change my quote, nor am I going to avoid using the term "fanboi". Not that I use it that much to begin with, lol. I was thinking about actually linking the terms "fanboi", "hater", and "troll" from my sig, to certain profiles who frequent the main page discussions and spew absolute nonsense....but came to the conclusion that it would probably just land me in trouble even though the shoe fits.

At any rate, I'm still waiting for Apple's decision with respect to the Air

I'm a great FAN of Macs and BOI does it get frustrating TROLLING thru the net to see when we're gonna get an updated Air. I Hate it.

gee some people are sensitive about semantics, aren't they?

tolerance for all except when you tread on my toes.
get rooted is what i reckon.

oh and by the way when you Americans speak about 'rooting for my team' we Aussies have a quiet chuckle, since that term means something quite different down under … … …

 

[alexandero]

I don't know whether the 13 inch MBP's larger battery is totally responsible for its being 1.5 pounds heavier than the MBA but it is certainly the reason for the bulk of the difference.

Based on this information the SuperDrive weighs 1 pound. In other words, there doesn't seem to be a big difference in battery weight between the MBA and the MBP, especially if you consider that there are a few other components the MBA misses, e.g. a couple of ports.

I therefor still think that next MBP will lose its optical drive (plus that 1 lbs) and feature a thinner, MBA-like case. And who knows, maybe they'll then call the MBP 13" the "MBA", while keeping the "pro" label to the 15" and 17" MBPs.

If I'm correct, we'll not see any MBA refresh until the next MBP refresh, which will arrive between november and january.

 

[stonyc]

Based on this information the SuperDrive weighs 1 pound. In other words, there doesn't seem to be a big difference in battery weight between the MBA and the MBP, especially if you consider that there are a few other components the MBA misses, e.g. a couple of ports.

I therefor still think that next MBP will lose its optical drive (plus that 1 lbs) and feature a thinner, MBA-like case. And who knows, maybe they'll then call the MBP 13" the "MBA", while keeping the "pro" label to the 15" and 17" MBPs.

If I'm correct, we'll not see any MBA refresh until the next MBP refresh, which will arrive between november and january.

That weight is probably their shipping weight for the unit. I've taken a superdrive out of a PB before, and assuming they're similar design/weight/etc... it did not feel like 1 pound of weight in my hand.