no new MBA - will you wait?

[phil123]

My "theory" (or is a fools hope) is that the new MBA will offer us long suffering apple fans what we really want - a 13" high res, matte, macbook. Since we new the culv chips are coming in the fall, i just pray that we'll get a refresh with high res. And you'd think it would make sense too from their part as that aspect would certainly be a key driver of sales.

I love the 15" high res anti gloss, but the darn thing is just too big, weighs too much for my uses.

 

[thinkdesign]

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"...the fans destroy battery life..." I hadn't seen it put that way, before. So if you're sitting in a hot park. working with a battery headed for exhaustion... adjourning to an air-conditioned cafe can save the day? Even though all the cafe's outlets are taped over? Who knew?

 

[theappleguy]

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"...the fans destroy battery life..." I hadn't seen it put that way, before. So if you're sitting in a hot park. working with a battery headed for exhaustion... adjourning to an air-conditioned cafe can save the day? Even though all the cafe's outlets are taped over? Who knew?

I mean if the fans are running the whole time, the battery runs down faster. For example, I get three hours on a good day if the fans don't kick in much. If they run fast the whole time then it is significantly less. This is perhaps obvious, but given the fans run above their minimum speed so much of the time on a MacBook Air it is certainly an important thing to consider when thinking about battery life. Normally you can slow them down by restarting and putting it to sleep for a few minutes, but you don't really have that luxury when taking notes in class.

 

[ludavico]

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.

The new i7 15" MBA is truly fantastic ( I just got one to replace my mid-2007 17" MBP), but I have to agree with pharmx...comparing it to a MBA is chalk to cheese. Too heavy.

Geesus, cant bloody believe the MBA was not upgraded...

Took a hard look at the iPad again and still no dice (for me). Ditto for the Sony.

Oh well...

 

[thinkdesign]

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This "mobility" stuff sounds a lot more futuristically romantic in the abstract, than it is in the real nitty gritty. My actual "mobile" life involves keeping track of: (1.) Where can I sit down often enough, to rest my arthritic bones?, (2.) Where are the bathrooms, for my aging plumbing's frequency?, and (3.) where are the elec. outlets to charge my e-things so they can last all day? (The new food chain in NYC where everything's 500 calories or less... Energy Kitchen, does have outlets near some tables, and has bathrooms too. Add in the chairs, and it's a perfect trifecta! Busy in PM, but in AM mostly empty so you can linger and work...). ------ Item #(4.) that I juggle would be - Where are the free Wi-Fi's?, but I've given up on that. They're nearly all locked up, even if a first glance at the list seems to say some are unlocked. Try to connect, and Boom! it IS locked. (My small city was going to start muni Wi-Fi downtown, but it never happened.) I wish Rip Van Jobs would wake up to THAT reality, and offer 3G modems, already!

 

[soph]

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.

While < 6weeks would certainly fulfill my wishes (and from that aspect < 2 weeks are what I really hope for) I strongly suspect a > 4 months update would give me a better product.

How probable do you estimate the possibility of an upgrade < 6weeks and another one around January 2011 (ie final good-bye to C2D)?

 

[abriwin]

MBA, 13"MB Pro or iPad

I would really love the MBA but price and limitations put me off. Only one usb port, no firewire, the need for a dedicated CD (although admittedly it would rarely be needed or used apart from running Diskwarrior) and the dodgy hinges.

I wonder if Apple have something up their sleeve having gone for a flat design with the new iPhone/Touch maybe they are going the same way with the Air?

Then the iPad.
At first I was totally against it for not having a USB port or an sd slot and no full OS but when iOS becomes available they will be one step closer to a full OS. Then there are all those lovely Apps that dont run on an Air or a MBP. I want/need something light to travel with.

I still have my trusty old 15" PB G4 which although slow by modern standards still does most of my work and still looks new, the sign of a good design. However it is far too heavy to travel with for three weeks. (I remember being criticised for saying it was too heavy for travel and now I see folks talking about getting a 13" MBP lighter by removing the CD drive)

So the iPad looks like it might after all fill my needs for travel. At 700€ with case and sd/usb adapters, it's a lot cheaper than a MBA (which I'd still need to buy a case for) and half the weight. All I need to do now is discover whether a 3G iPad bought in Europe/UK will work in Japan?

 

[Joe23]

Didn't the MacBook Air pave the way for the aluminium unibody design? The same unibody design that subsequently got carried forward into the new MacBook Pros and to some extent, the white MacBook?

It wouldn't be wholly unreasonable to assume that Apple would again use the Air as a launchpad to showcase a new style of design, perhaps something more in line with the iPhone 4; dropping some of the curves to free up internal space for a larger battery, etc.

This is, of course, just a bunch of wild speculation, but that's what this site is all about isn't it?

 

[ChemGolf]

I need an ultraportable laptop in January next year the very latest. So, yes, I'll wait and hope for an upgrade...

 

[dudup]

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.

Totally second that!

5 months ago I've received one of those new MB at work -- I was using my own MBA previously. It's a very good and reliable machine.

Right after that, I've decided to clean up some space on my home office and got rid of a lot stuff (mac mini + lcd display/tv) for a 27" iMac and it's quite phenomenal, simply the best Mac I've ever used.

Since then, I haven't been using my MBA as much, only for DJing once in a week. My current setup now requires two usb ports (shame on me), and I've been thinking about trading the MBA for a MB, specially after this last refresh.

But I can't let go its wonderful design. And even though I've been using a true desktop-class Core i5 one the iMac and everything, the MBA feels faster 99% of the time, thanks to its SSD -- even though Apple's SSD isn't that good. Those things kinda compensate the lameness of using a USB hub for a data-hungry operation like real time audio mixing.

However I must admit that now that my MBA is approaching 1 year and it's time to think about renewing its Applecare, I'm becoming more and more tempted to sell it, buy a brand new MB and still get some cash back.

 

[dudup]

Also I would like to give my 2 cents about the "MBA versus iPad" dilemma:

I don't think they are competing products. You can have both and be very happy with them. It's just a matter of how much you need OS X on the go. If you need it so bad and so often, the MBA on its SSD version is still a fair choice, unless you need to work with virtualization.

But if you can live without OS X on a trip, I can't lie to you: the 27" iMac will give you way more value over any Apple laptop in terms of cpu, gpu, display, storage and expandability (more ports, up to 16gb ram, etc). And the iPad is all that, even from a MBA lover perspective -- after all, we love thinness, don't we?

Anyway,

Currently I have a 27" iMac, a MBA and an iPad. If I have to give up one of these, I would give up the iMac, even if it's my primary machine now. But only because I still can't DJ with the iPad -- my setup is OS X based.

Weren't I a DJ, I would easily give up the MBA, since the iPad fully address my mobility needs -- I'm a product manager, I don't need nothing more than iWork, email and calendar to get my work done. iOS totally fulfills that.

 

[gwsat]

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.

I agree that the white MB is a great value but I hate that white case. In fact, I hate is so much, I wouldn't buy a white MB, despite what a great value it is, because I wouldn't want to be seen with it.

More seriously, I agree that the 27 inch iMac is the best choice in the Mac desktop lineup, by far.

 

[Zulu1]

I for one will wait. I need a new Apple laptop as my G4 is full, but alass I am tired of waiting, so I've kept busy with my Window 7 tablet, and no; an ipad just doesn't cut it for my. I am not a fanboy (ONETWO), but I have always been an Apple user as I get the most out of their systems, but they need to step up with the new Air or claim it to be dead.

I need more RAM, SSD, and yes I would like two USD ports, and longer battery. Other than that keep it cool, but the CPU's should be fine, and I hope for a GPU update.

The sad fact for me is I think Apple will not do anything until the new year to make sure the CPU vendors ( you know who you are) get their "acts" and supply chain inline.
I can dream can't I....

 

[Spacekatgal]

The new i7 15" MBA is truly fantastic ( I just got one to replace my mid-2007 17" MBP), but I have to agree with pharmx...comparing it to a MBA is chalk to cheese. Too heavy.

Geesus, cant bloody believe the MBA was not upgraded...

Took a hard look at the iPad again and still no dice (for me). Ditto for the Sony.

Oh well...

I also have this computer, the i7 MBP with the high rez screen. It is such an amazing box. I have tried for years to get a computer that could do my workflow, and the one-two punch of this machine and the 64 bit CS5 suite finally did it. Obviously, it's not an ultraportable - but with the iPad you have a good mix of options.

The battery life is not the best, though. There are times when I can only get two hours on a charge - using both my battery-sucking Wacom and the discrete GPU for heavy PS work.

 

[bluescity]

I agree that the white MB is a great value but I hate that white case. In fact, I hate is so much, I wouldn't buy a white MB, despite what a great value it is, because I wouldn't want to be seen with it.
.

+1. Of course, I'm not not a trustworthy contributor, given my recent purchase of the 13''MBP. I have to believe whatever will protect me from buyers remorse.

By the way, good to have you back Scottsdale. I was intrigued by your earlier comment about Apple's new patents and what they might mean. Perhaps in 2-3 years none of will have to be making the choices that are driving all these threads.

 

[Spacekatgal]

I agree that the white MB is a great value but I hate that white case. In fact, I hate is so much, I wouldn't buy a white MB, despite what a great value it is, because I wouldn't want to be seen with it.

More seriously, I agree that the 27 inch iMac is the best choice in the Mac desktop lineup, by far.

Gee, I think the white macbook is a good deal, but a bad idea in the long run. I have no confidence the case won't crack. The aluminum alone makes the 13 inch MBP an attractive upgrade.

 

[gwsat]

+1. Of course, I'm not not a trustworthy contributor, given my recent purchase of the 13''MBP. I have to believe whatever will protect me from buyers remorse.

I really like the 13 inch MBP, too. My daughter gave my 17 year old grandson a 13 inch MBP as a combination high school graduation and birthday gift. My grandson is spending a couple of days with me. He went to lunch with a friend today, so I am working Mac Rumors with his new MBP while he is gone. I have been surfing the Web with it for more than an hour and the battery icon still shows 8:58 battery life remaining. That's not chopped liver. It is an impressive little machine. I still may end up buying a 13 inch MBP and upgrading it with 8Gb of RAM and a 256Gb SSD, rather than buying an upgraded MBA -- it there ever is an upgraded MBA.

 

[Scottsdale]

Gee, I think the white macbook is a good deal, but a bad idea in the long run. I have no confidence the case won't crack. The aluminum alone makes the 13 inch MBP an attractive upgrade.

Funny you say that. I have just the opposite opinion. I took my two kids to the Apple Store, which is now my son's favorite store (he likes being like daddy). Anyways, I took them in to get, the then new, unibody white MBs. I really felt like for two young children plastic was the way to go. I didn't want them to have aluminum which dent very easily when dropped or bumped into things. However, my daughter wanted the "cool metal" MBP as it matches her "silver and pink" backpack which she carries it in. Therefore it was two aluminum 13" MBPs for them. Couldn't use MBAs as they need DVD drives.

So it all comes down to opinions and probably the situation. I think kids are far better off with plastic MBs over aluminum MBPs. But for someone that doesn't "plan" on dropping their notebook maybe the MBP is more durable. I am actually amazed because both of their Macs are six months old and they both look like brand new, minus a few stickers. Another thing is I find optical drives to be pretty much worthless, but for kids they're a necessity to watch DVD movies.

I still feel the white MBs offer the best value for someone wanting to get into Macs and OS X. Another nice thing is the $729 price tag refurbished with plastic unibody and 9400m GPU. I don't know if the unibody design has eliminated the cracking or not? Anyone know if the newer unibody MBs crack?

 

[Spacekatgal]

Funny you say that. I have just the opposite opinion. I took my two kids to the Apple Store, which is now my son's favorite store (he likes being like daddy). Anyways, I took them in to get, the then new, unibody white MBs. I really felt like for two young children plastic was the way to go. I didn't want them to have aluminum which dent very easily when dropped or bumped into things. However, my daughter wanted the "cool metal" MBP as it matches her "silver and pink" backpack which she carries it in. Therefore it was two aluminum 13" MBPs for them. Couldn't use MBAs as they need DVD drives.

So it all comes down to opinions and probably the situation. I think kids are far better off with plastic MBs over aluminum MBPs. But for someone that doesn't "plan" on dropping their notebook maybe the MBP is more durable. I am actually amazed because both of their Macs are six months old and they both look like brand new, minus a few stickers. Another thing is I find optical drives to be pretty much worthless, but for kids they're a necessity to watch DVD movies.

I still feel the white MBs offer the best value for someone wanting to get into Macs and OS X. Another nice thing is the $729 price tag refurbished with plastic unibody and 9400m GPU. I don't know if the unibody design has eliminated the cracking or not? Anyone know if the newer unibody MBs crack?

No, I'd probably agree with that for a child - though being a parent and buying this stuff for kids is a totally different universe. I just can't imagine. Does a child really need the Firewire and other features of a pro laptop?

Actually, come to think of it - it's my opinion that a desktop would be great for a kid. You learn so much taking them apart and upgrading them, or at least I did.

I've had a quite different thought, and that's if I ever had an accident on my motorcycle, my MBP would probably be pretty decent back protection armor. I wear it in a MacCase Flight Jacket in backpack mode. Ah, the differing worlds of those that choose to have kids, and those that choose not to.

I haven't heard reports of the current MBs cracking, and I do think the new unibody design will protect against it somewhat. But still. The last gen Macbook cracked like crazy. The white iPhone cracks like crazy. Is there any reason to believe this also won't crack? I don't think so.

 

[entatlrg]

I really like the 13 inch MBP, too. My daughter gave my 17 year old grandson a 13 inch MBP as a combination high school graduation and birthday gift. My grandson is spending a couple of days with me. He went to lunch with a friend today, so I am working Mac Rumors with his new MBP while he is gone. I have been surfing the Web with it for more than an hour and the battery icon still shows 8:58 battery life remaining. That's not chopped liver. It is an impressive little machine. I still may end up buying a 13 inch MBP and upgrading it with 8Gb of RAM and a 256Gb SSD, rather than buying an upgraded MBA -- it there ever is an upgraded MBA.

For me, the 13" MBP has been a better replacement for my MacBook Air than I expected. I've definitely gotten over the difference in weight and I have to admit each day I use it I'm seeing it more and more as an adequate replacement for my MacBook Air. I do like the extra battery life, the power, extra ports, even the SD card slot has come in handy, I could do without the DVD.

So, this is a good thing, right? I should be happy my 13" MBP filled the gap my Air left behind better than I expected it would, right?

Hell, NO. It's not a good thing. Because if Steve Jobs and the staff at Apple are sharing the same feelings, that 'hey for now we'll let the Air ride or slide or fade away and the 13" MBP is fine for a more powerful option', then us MacBook Air fans are in trouble.

In that case I would expect the Air to be EOL'd under the premise that the 13" MBP will only get thinner in Q1 2011 and maybe have an option for or eliminate the built in DVD...

Who knows it's all speculation but sure is interesting to see where Apple goes with 'premium ultra portable notebooks'. The iPad cannot fill that gap and at 4.5lbs, with C2D processor in the 13" MBP it's not going to get recognized in that class. In a way, shouldn't Apple be embarrassed, the company that's known for leading and innovation is missing a market that's still big, important, and gets a lot of attention from people in the tech circles.

At it stands now Apple is happy meeting the needs of the basic consumer, getting the iPad in grandma and granpa's hands and anyone else who's a light computer user ...

It's obvious where followers of this forum fit in with those plans for now anyway But if former MBA owners all start getting happy with the 13" MBP as a replacement, (as I am), then it makes me think more about where the Air is going to fit into all this. Maybe there's a chance it's simple been squeezed out due to the iPad and 13" MBP.

 

[thinkdesign]

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On the Macbook forum, recently there were reports that the plastic still cracks, where the little soft bumpers strike the other half (leaf?). Unbeleivable.

Even Ikea has testing machines to test this sort of thing... they even have a couple of these mechanical testing machines on display in my local Ikea, one endlessly testing a chair seat, and another endlessly testing cabinet hardware, every 5 seconds or so. Ikea can afford to own hundreds of these machines; and so I wonder, how many does Apple own ? Did they ever TEST their 2 most damage-prone laptops this way?

Jobs has obsessed over the glass staircases to the extent that the architect had to let only Apple use the patent, and Jobs parlayed his little client-type whims and CEO status into getting himself listed as "co-inventor". (Nonsense. He came to the table knowing nothing about staircases.) Maybe the time spent there, explains why he has not focussed enough on the Macbook and Macbook Air's weak cases? Of course Apple has PLENTY of other employees who know even better how to do that... but I wonder if perhaps Jobs is egotistically micro-managing everyone in the design studio building so much, that he won't LET them???

That'll be $900. to fix your case because we pretend it was user's abuse in some cases.... but enjoy the glass staircase on your way out!

SJ has his strong points, but Apple like other firms is secretive enough that we may never know how much he's being over-credited for specific things in the media. Perhaps when Jobs retires, Ive will finally emerge from SJ's shadow and really bloom as a designer? And truly become the new Dieter Rams... which ignorant reporters and others sometimes say Jon Ive already is. Bosh. Did any of Rams's designs crack? Not that I've ever heard of.

IMHO Apple may already be at the point where they should give Jobs a part-time position of Senior Philosopher Prince - For Life, and let someone else run the company.

 

[gwsat]

IMHO Apple may already be at the point where they should give Jobs a part-time position of Senior Philosopher Prince - For Life, and let someone else run the company.

How did it work out for Apple the last time they squeezed Jobs out?

 

[entatlrg]

People sure bash Steve Jobs a lot around here. I'll never understand it. I dare to say no one on these forum knows the man well enough to cut him up, what's the point? Enjoy what he and Apple has to over ... or don't.

 

[tim100]

I really like the 13 inch MBP, too. My daughter gave my 17 year old grandson a 13 inch MBP as a combination high school graduation and birthday gift. My grandson is spending a couple of days with me. He went to lunch with a friend today, so I am working Mac Rumors with his new MBP while he is gone. I have been surfing the Web with it for more than an hour and the battery icon still shows 8:58 battery life remaining. That's not chopped liver. It is an impressive little machine. I still may end up buying a 13 inch MBP and upgrading it with 8Gb of RAM and a 256Gb SSD, rather than buying an upgraded MBA -- it there ever is an upgraded MBA.

do you like the 13 better than your 17???

 

[Disavowed]

definitely

My 15' MBP is a delight, despite the weight. My work situation will change next year, maybe it's all for the best. *cough cough*

I hope it's worth the wait and that they hit it out of the park.