no new MBA - will you wait?

[gwsat]

I don't know why so many people in this forum are so antipathetic to iOS. For me, it doesn't upset me to see a simpler, more fun operating system to come into it's prime. It doesn't detract from what I do for real work on my Mac one bit.

I get the feeling that many people in this forum are around 40 or older. I think this discrepancy is somewhat generational. To me, it makes perfect sense to have a streamlined OS in your phone and a real OS on your computer.

I am certainly over 40 so let me explain where I come down on the iOS issue. By smartphone standards it is impressive. The problem with iOS arises with its use in the iPad. The iPad comes tantalizingly close to being a real computer but is not, for a litany of reasons already discussed at length elsewhere. Compared to real computers running real computer OSes, such as OS X and Windows, iOS is primitive and maddeningly limited.

Don't get me wrong, I love my iPad. In situations where a high degree of portability is vital, or when you just want to grab a fast answer to something stored on it or from the Web it is wonderful. Nevertheless, even now, I find that my MBP is still my default machine because, once it is open and ready to go, it is far easier and faster to use than the iPad.

 

[Spacekatgal]

I am certainly over 40 so let me explain where I come down on the iOS issue. By smartphone standards it is impressive. The problem with iOS arises with its use in the iPad. The iPad comes tantalizingly close to being a real computer but is not, for a litany of reasons already discussed at length elsewhere. Compared to real computers running real computer OSes, such as OS X and Windows, iOS is primitive and maddeningly limited.

Don't get me wrong, I love my iPad. In situations where a high degree of portability is vital, or when you just want to grab a fast answer to something stored on it or from the Web it is wonderful. Nevertheless, even now, I find that my MBP is still my default machine because, once it is open and ready to go, it is far easier and faster to use than the iPad.

It's hard to remember now, but what was OSX like when it first launched? It was a promising mess, right? iOS is still in its infancy. I have a strong belief that in time it will overcome the limitations that have been so commonly discussed.

I think the main mistake people have in discussing the iPad is wondering if it's a laptop replacement. These are very bifurcated devices. SJ talked as D8 about the post-PC world and the fear it struck in people. Respectfully, I think there are some people in this forum like that. I will always need a professional, high-power computer - but most people do not. I welcome iOS and the advent of the post-PC age.

 

[Metlin]

It's hard to remember now, but what was OSX like when it first launched? It was a promising mess, right? iOS is still in its infancy. I have a strong belief that in time it will overcome the limitations that have been so commonly discussed.

I think the main mistake people have in discussing the iPad is wondering if it's a laptop replacement. These are very bifurcated devices. SJ talked as D8 about the post-PC world and the fear it struck in people. Respectfully, I think there are some people in this forum like that. I will always need a professional, high-power computer - but most people do not. I welcome iOS and the advent of the post-PC age.

Indeed - well said.

As I've grown older, I've changed from someone who took great pains (and pleasure) in installing the latest flavor of Linux to someone who rarely uses his computer for anything more than Powerpoint or Excel.

At this stage, I just want my computer to work without much hassle because my time is valuable and usability and simplicity are key. As I've become, shall we say, increasingly post-technical, I've come to admire Apple as a platform more than ever before.

And I think there is a good chunk of the populace that can relate to that.

 

[Scottsdale]

I love my iPad, and like you, it does not detract from my Macs either. In a couple of weeks, I will be upgrading our iPhones to iPhone 4. For both of the iOS devices, I particularly love the "instantaneous" nature of the device. It is something that we have never achieved in the computer industry. The value is significant.

My biggest single disappointment with the iOS devices is their incompatibility with flash use on the web. This surprised me. I was previously unaware of level of integration of flash in the web today. I honestly do not care how this incompatibility gets solved... either Apple supports flash... or Apple takes on the responsibility to enable/drive/fund/etc the obliteration of flash on the web. It is a problem that Apple created by undertaking a holy war against flash. As a user, I expect them to solve it. Doing so sounds hard, and expensive. In any case, this would not cause the iPad to be a replacement device for me.

I love my compliment of:

27" i7 iMac
MBA Rev C w/SSD
iPad 3G
iPhone (soon to be upgraded to iPhone 4)

I especially love the way they seamlessly interoperate.

/Jim

My number one problem with iOS on the iPad is the lack of Flash. People don't realize just what Flash does until they work on an Apple product that doesn't have it. The web is absolutely loaded with Flash-based websites. Some want to say Flash is only advertisements and garbage, but it's just not true. I absolutely am disgusted with my iPad anytime I try to surf the web on it. For that reason alone, I pretty much have given up on the iPad. I will use it on a flight here or there to watch a movie.

The problem with the iPad not having Flash, is the whole point of the iPad is that it's supposed to be an entertainment device. However, there's little entertainment available on the web without Flash. The biggest error in Apple's ways is to not consider the terrible loss of its customers who are buying a $499 to $829 device that doesn't have the full power of the Internet that it describes in the commercials. I feel like most buying the iPad have no idea just how bad the Internet experience is without Flash. I let various family members play with my iPad, and most of them found the Internet experience to be disgusting. Most of them said they would never buy an iPad because it cannot even surf the web. These are family members that can easily afford a $499 entertainment device, but they're turned off because it doesn't do what Apple says it does.

What is really troubling for me is the amount of control Apple wants over everything on the iPad. These developers are having to play an incredibly disgusting game with Apple pulling or denying their app's acceptance into the app store. The problem is Apple has too much control, and what's okay today may not be tomorrow. Whatever Apple does it needs to stick with one set of rules and not keep changing the rules. Jobs brags about 200,000 apps, but the quality apps are few and far between. And the biggest problem is once I have slapped down the $500 to buy my iPad, I cannot even decide myself if I want to install Adobe's Flash on it. I don't care if I lose 90% of my battery power, if I want to install Flash it should be MY DECISION. Apple often takes stances on policies that so negatively affect its customers, and it doesn't seem to rationalize the effects felt by the customers after they have given Apple their money.

I do love the iOS on my iPhone. I too will be buying the iPhone 4 the day it's released. I can live without Flash on the iPhone because it fits in my pocket and serves primarily as a communication tool rather than an entertainment tool. So it depends on the device running iOS more than the lack of capabilities of iOS itself. I would say the nature of the iOS really comes down to the hardware and portability of the hardware that is running the software. It's not as simple as iOS vs. OS X. It comes down to usability and function given the fact that when iOS can fit in my pocket it's great, but when it cannot fit in my pocket it fails so miserably to OS X that it basically makes iOS worthless when the device running iOS cannot fit in my pocket.

I think 4GB RAM should be standard in all Macs by now, but i would rather see a Processor improvement over a HDD improvement, as the Air is really for my Uni studies only and not as a primary machine (although if the next update is significant it will be) plus i use a 1TB Time Capsule for File Storage and backup so space really isn't an issue, but SSD standard on both models would be nice, plus, does anyone know of an option to add SSD to my 1.6GHZ MBA?

I personally don't get the need for a processor improvement. I feel the 2.13 GHz CPU is plenty capable. However, what would you expect Apple go with for the next MBA? Do you believe they will go with another C2D and Nvidia 320m or do you think it will be an Arrandale CPU with Intel's GMA as the sole graphics solution? Are you willing to give up your graphics performance to get a faster CPU?

The problem with adding an SSD to both models is the cost. It costs a ton of money for SSDs versus HDDs right now. I just feel the user must buy an SSD model. The MBA experience goes from brilliant with an SSD to poor with an HDD for the end user. I feel nobody should buy an HDD model, but I don't expect Apple to give people an SSD for free. Quite honestly, the price including an SSD in the MBA was amazing when introduced in June 2009. People are already getting the SSD for free, because before the pricing update the low-end was $1799.

I believe Apple should refocus its efforts with the MBA and raise the prices back up. That way it could allow an SSD in the low-end MBA. I want a higher quality experience, and since the iPad is available for those who want less computer functions and more portable entertainment capabilities, Apple can definitely refocus the MBA again as a luxury item. Why not make a 2.13 GHz C2D, with Nvidia 320m, 4 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD for $1799 low end. Then make a high-end MBA for $2499 with overclocked SL9x00 C2D at maybe 2.4 GHz with the same 320m, use a 192/256 GB SSD, 8 GB RAM, along with an IPS display. In addition, allow the low-end MBA buyers the BTO options to add the features desired from the high-end MBA. In addition, add some more high-end BTO options available for either MBA model. They could offer 3G/4G service from Verizon for $99.

What I see Apple doing at some point is adding an LCD trackpad that functions like iOS running within a shell in OS X. This would allow touch access of the icons on the display, but the user would touch them on the trackpad instead of putting their greasy mitts on the display. I also see Apple using a hybrid drive method soldering maybe 32GB NAND Flash to the logicboard which will run the OS and apps. Then the user can select either HDD or SSD, but their Mac would be as fast as SSD for the OS and applications where it is primarily needed. Apple could also use some of their cool patents allowing motion sensing interactivity with the OS. Or they could finally implement a liquid cooling solution to run a faster CPU in the MBA. They could even offer colors or even just black aluminum in Mac models. I see the MBA as the idea launching platform for Mac notebooks. Apple can test future possible features on the MBA's as a luxury feature allowing Apple to refine the experience before going mainstream into MBs and MBPs.

At the end of the day, I am willing to pay ridiculously for the products I buy from Apple. However, I want Apple to give me the options to buy new/current technology even at ridiculously high prices in an MBA that isn't from October 2008. I don't care how insane the prices are, we should have the opportunity to spend ridiculous amounts of money on current technology ensuring Apple gets paid handsomely for the sales of the MBAs. I also want my iPad to run the software I tell it to run not what Apple permits me to run on it. As consumers, we need to demand more from Apple. I want Apple to WANT to take my money. It is bad that Apple refuses to update several products as it's forgetting about its long-term relationships with Mac users.

 

[gwsat]

It's hard to remember now, but what was OSX like when it first launched? It was a promising mess, right? iOS is still in its infancy. I have a strong belief that in time it will overcome the limitations that have been so commonly discussed.

I think the main mistake people have in discussing the iPad is wondering if it's a laptop replacement. These are very bifurcated devices. SJ talked as D8 about the post-PC world and the fear it struck in people. Respectfully, I think there are some people in this forum like that. I will always need a professional, high-power computer - but most people do not. I welcome iOS and the advent of the post-PC age.

I first used version 10.2 of OS X, Jagar, when I got a Powerbook G4 in the spring of 2003. By that time is was the OS X most of us have come to know and love. There have been improvements over time, of course, but those have, with a few exceptions, been incremental.

 

[gwsat]

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

That's a good question. I like the 13 inch MBP's form factor and (relatively) light weight far better than those of my 17 inch. Further, the resolution of its display, while inferior to that of my 17 inch MBP, is outstanding in most applications. The most impressive thing about the 13 inch MBP is that when I have used it for Web surfing and email, it has turned out to be the functional equivalent of my 17 inch MBP. When Applecare ends on my 17 inch next spring, I will likely replace it with a 13 inch model unless the version of the MBA current then is a whole lot more capable than the MBA that is current now. Even if I upgraded it with 8Gb of RAM and a 256Gb SSD, the 13 inch MBP would still be cheaper than a 17 inch MBP with only 4Gb of RAM and a conventional hard drive. There is a lot to be said for cost effectiveness.

 

[entatlrg]

That's a good question. I like the 13 inch MBP's form factor and (relatively) light weight far better than those of my 17 inch. Further, the resolution of its display, while inferior to that of my 17 inch MBP, is outstanding in most applications. The most impressive thing about the 13 inch MBP is that when I have used it for Web surfing and email, it has turned out to be the functional equivalent of my 17 inch MBP. When Applecare ends on my 17 inch next fspringall, I will likely replace it with a 13 inch model unless the version of the MBA current then is a whole lot more capable than the MBA that is current now. Even if I upgraded it with 8Gb of RAM and a 256Gb SSD, the 13 inch MBP would still be cheaper than a 17 inch MBP with only 4Gb of RAM and a conventional hard drive. There is a lot to be said for cost effectiveness.

You made good points about the 13" MBP.

It's kind of the 'sleeper' notebook ... some laugh at it's spec's, complain that it's thicker and heavier that the MacBook Air ... While all that may be true once you get the 13" MBP on your lap and get using it you realize it's a GREAT notebook.

The screen is low resolution yes, but it's INCREDIBLY crisp, clear and a true pleasure to view for long hours, I can't find a 13" notebook anywhere with a better screen regardless of the resolution.

Then you'll notice it's not so bad on your lap, very small footprint on a table or desk, in a bag it really does not feel that much heavier than my MBA, add the 10 hour battery, super keyboard, enough ports ... heck it's an excellent notebook, throw in a 24" ACD and you have a capable desktop replacement.

The 13" MBP has really won me over, the new Air will have to have some killer spec's to draw me away from it ... and regardless I doubt we'll see it with the spec's and ports of the 13" MBP.

Perhaps during this lull of updates to the MacBook Air others like me are seeing the 13" work well as an ultraportable ... hence the increasing possibility that Apple won't do anything with the Air. The next major update (early 2011?), could see the 13" MBP get thinner lighter and the MBA disappear ... if no update to the Air by the end of June then I'd bet this is the route Apple will take.

 

[Spacekatgal]

You made good points about the 13" MBP.

It's kind of the 'sleeper' notebook ... some laugh at it's spec's, complain that it's thicker and heavier that the MacBook Air ... While all that may be true once you get the 13" MBP on your lap and get using it you realize it's a GREAT notebook.

The screen is low resolution yes, but it's INCREDIBLY crisp, clear and a true pleasure to view for long hours, I can't find a 13" notebook anywhere with a better screen regardless of the resolution.

Then you'll notice it's not so bad on your lap, very small footprint on a table or desk, in a bag it really does not feel that much heavier than my MBA, add the 10 hour battery, super keyboard, enough ports ... heck it's an excellent notebook, throw in a 24" ACD and you have a capable desktop replacement.

The 13" MBP has really won me over, the new Air will have to have some killer spec's to draw me away from it ... and regardless I doubt we'll see it with the spec's and ports of the 13" MBP.

Perhaps during this lull of updates to the MacBook Air others like me are seeing the 13" work well as an ultraportable ... hence the increasing possibility that Apple won't do anything with the Air. The next major update (early 2011?), could see the 13" MBP get thinner lighter and the MBA disappear ... if no update to the Air by the end of June then I'd bet this is the route Apple will take.

I agree with every word of this, except for one small fact. Core 2 Duo is essentially dead. For me, personally i would not spend a dime in any new computer that didn't at least come with an i5. I understand Jobs logic in wanting a battery life, and I understand the space issues involved. But for me, personally, I wish it was a BTO option.

Bri

 

[gwsat]

Perhaps during this lull of updates to the MacBook Air others like me are seeing the 13" work well as an ultraportable ... hence the increasing possibility that Apple won't do anything with the Air. The next major update (early 2011?), could see the 13" MBP get thinner lighter and the MBA disappear ... if no update to the Air by the end of June then I'd bet this is the route Apple will take.

Yesterday, I learned something, which seemed to me to be highly relevant to the issue of whether the MBA might be discontinued. My son in law bought a black MB a couple of years ago. Yesterday, he told me that he got it only because Apple had not introduced a 13 inch MBP at the time. A few minutes ago I did a little research and saw that the first 13 inch MBP was the unibody model, which was not introduced until mid 2009. Thus, at the time of the MBA's introduction in early 2008, it was the only 13 inch laptop in Apple's high end lineup and remained so for nearly a year and a half. It was last updated contemporaneously with the introduction of the 13 inch MBP but has not been updated since. These fun facts have gone a long way toward convincing me that there is a very real chance Apple will drop the MBA from its lineup.

 

[pharmx]

I love my iPad, and like you, it does not detract from my Macs either. In a couple of weeks, I will be upgrading our iPhones to iPhone 4. For both of the iOS devices, I particularly love the "instantaneous" nature of the device. It is something that we have never achieved in the computer industry. The value is significant.

My biggest single disappointment with the iOS devices is their incompatibility with flash use on the web. This surprised me. I was previously unaware of level of integration of flash in the web today. I honestly do not care how this incompatibility gets solved... either Apple supports flash... or Apple takes on the responsibility to enable/drive/fund/etc the obliteration of flash on the web. It is a problem that Apple created by undertaking a holy war against flash. As a user, I expect them to solve it. Doing so sounds hard, and expensive. In any case, this would not cause the iPad to be a replacement device for me.

I love my compliment of:

27" i7 iMac
MBA Rev C w/SSD
iPad 3G
iPhone (soon to be upgraded to iPhone 4)

I especially love the way they seamlessly interoperate.

/Jim

As usual Jim, I find myself agreeing with everything you said, particularly with respect to your assessment of the Flash situation, and the role Apple plays in this ordeal, especially given how it affects the end user. I think Apple made the right move, or at least moved in the right direction, but should have prepared their customers a little better. And although I don't agree with Scottsdale about the overall importance of Flash, I completely agree that Steve Jobs was foolish to imply that the web could be experienced fully without Flash.

There are many legitimate uses for Flash, and there is definitely a place for Flash on the web...the problem is that it was no longer serving "just" as a browser plugin, and was in fact defining the internet experience as a whole. I think Apple is the only company that is willing to risk its entire user base for something it believes in, especially given the long term consequences of what would happen if Adobe was left unchecked. Many people see actions like this as foolish, since it disrupts the user experience for almost all their customers in the short run, but Apple has a history of taking big risks.

As usual, the Flash debate has gotten me sidetracked on a long rant, lol. I love my MBA, but I also love my iOS devices. I see huge potential for all devices running iOS as the system matures and grows. However, regardless of how advanced it gets with respect to capabilities, it will always be destined for consumption or entertainment as long as it is based on the iTunes/AppStore model, and the resulting restrictions to file system, etc. If that changes though, all bets are off, and who knows what the future has in store.

 

[Scottsdale]

I agree with every word of this, except for one small fact. Core 2 Duo is essentially dead. For me, personally i would not spend a dime in any new computer that didn't at least come with an i5. I understand Jobs logic in wanting a battery life, and I understand the space issues involved. But for me, personally, I wish it was a BTO option.

Bri

C2D is dead to you and outdated? I think you have been influenced by Intel's marketing if that's the case. Seriously, computers don't need faster or newer CPUs. Apple could make its Macs so much better by focusing on any one of other components providing a better experience to the users. It is the user that influences the switch of CPUs, and it's based on Intel's marketing logic. Intel's marketing does the job for certain.

Apple did the right thing by sticking with C2D, and the reason is it gave its users a much better overall computing experience than it could have with Core i-series CPUs and Intel's worthless GMA graphics. Another factor is the fact that Apple's OS is far inferior when it comes to graphics drivers, OpenGL, and etc.

I would love to see Apple focus on faster drives and drive controllers. Then focus on better GPUs. Then focus on more RAM. And then focus on better software to take advantage of the hardware available... all of this should be done before it needs to upgrade the CPUs. All of these other constraints should be focused on. The reason the MBA "feels" faster than much more powerful Macs (in terms of CPU, RAM, and etc) is that they use an SSD which reduces the bottleneck in the drive and drive controller system.

I believe people need to learn more about what the constraints are in current Macs and demand a better system rather than focusing on a better CPU. We really don't need faster CPUs.

 

[Spacekatgal]

C2D is dead to you and outdated? I think you have been influenced by Intel's marketing if that's the case. Seriously, computers don't need faster or newer CPUs. Apple could make its Macs so much better by focusing on any one of other components providing a better experience to the users. It is the user that influences the switch of CPUs, and it's based on Intel's marketing logic. Intel's marketing does the job for certain.

Apple did the right thing by sticking with C2D, and the reason is it gave its users a much better overall computing experience than it could have with Core i-series CPUs and Intel's worthless GMA graphics. Another factor is the fact that Apple's OS is far inferior when it comes to graphics drivers, OpenGL, and etc.

I would love to see Apple focus on faster drives and drive controllers. Then focus on better GPUs. Then focus on more RAM. And then focus on better software to take advantage of the hardware available... all of this should be done before it needs to upgrade the CPUs. All of these other constraints should be focused on. The reason the MBA "feels" faster than much more powerful Macs (in terms of CPU, RAM, and etc) is that they use an SSD which reduces the bottleneck in the drive and drive controller system.

I believe people need to learn more about what the constraints are in current Macs and demand a better system rather than focusing on a better CPU. We really don't need faster CPUs.

I feel like that's a blanket statement, dude. It's not true for everyone.

I often use Illustrator for 8 hours a day, and when I'm not doing that I'm using Photoshop 8 hours a day. I also do a ton of Maya work, though that's less dependent on CPU and more on GPU. It's not marketing, I find the i5 and i7 to be a much faster processor for my workflow. The difference in performance is staggering to me between this generation's top of the line MBP and the last gen.

Revolving a 100,000 polygon object took about 20 seconds with my last machine. It takes half as long with this one. When you do that hundreds and hundreds of times to composite a scene, it really adds up.

C2D is not future proof. You're investing in something that's at the end of its life. The resale is also going to suck on those in a year or two.

For many people, C2D will probably be fine, but it's not something I would invest money in, personally.

Bri

 

[halledise]

Perhaps during this lull of updates to the MacBook Air others like me are seeing the 13" work well as an ultraportable ... hence the increasing possibility that Apple won't do anything with the Air. The next major update (early 2011?), could see the 13" MBP get thinner lighter and the MBA disappear ... if no update to the Air by the end of June then I'd bet this is the route Apple will take.

if that's indeed the case then current owners of the Air can take solace in the fact that their value should increase as a result of EOL-ing.
and as mentioned before, it's battery not optical drive that dteremines the thinness of a notebook

I tend to think that they will indeed continue with the product but only when the relevant combination of components become available.
puzzling they didn't bering a minor refresh of nVidia 320M coupled with the current C2Duo processors when thy did the recent 13" MBP bump.

suggests to me a more significant refresh when they work out the Intel/nVidia conundrum.

but hey what do I know, I'm from Australia and we can't even score 1 goal against Germany's 4. dunno why I got up in the wee small hours to watch a slaughter and still don't understand why we've got a Dutchman for our National coach

 

[Scottsdale]

if that's indeed the case then current owners of the Air can take solace in the fact that their value should increase as a result of EOL-ing.
and as mentioned before, it's battery not optical drive that dteremines the thinness of a notebook

I tend to think that they will indeed continue with the product but only when the relevant combination of components become available.
puzzling they didn't bering a minor refresh of nVidia 320M coupled with the current C2Duo processors when thy did the recent 13" MBP bump.

suggests to me a more significant refresh when they work out the Intel/nVidia conundrum.

but hey what do I know, I'm from Australia and we can't even score 1 goal against Germany's 4. dunno why I got up in the wee small hours to watch a slaughter and still don't understand why we've got a Dutchman for our National coach

The least Germany could have done is to have scored one for you guys... sorta like when Green scored one for the US by "pushing" it into his own net to tie up the game, LOL. Australia really looked like they were a bunch of chickens running around with their heads chopped off. Seriously now, what happened?

I don't for a minute think the MBA will be EOL'd. It just doesn't make sense. However, it could be left unchanged until Apple has a solution to the Intel GMA "problem." Apple is definitely a mobility company. Apple knows why the MBA sales are lacking, and Apple still makes half of its income selling Macs. There is no reason not to make an ultraportable Mac. With 4 GB RAM and larger drive options, the MBA would sell greatly. Apple should also make the MBA a high-end luxury Mac just as the Mac Pro. There is a market for ultraportables and every manufacturer is selling them. The MBA's branding might go EOL, but the ultraportable 3 lb. Mac OS X notebook is here to stay.

 

[skate71290]

I feel like that's a blanket statement, dude. It's not true for everyone.

I often use Illustrator for 8 hours a day, and when I'm not doing that I'm using Photoshop 8 hours a day. I also do a ton of Maya work, though that's less dependent on CPU and more on GPU. It's not marketing, I find the i5 and i7 to be a much faster processor for my workflow. The difference in performance is staggering to me between this generation's top of the line MBP and the last gen.

Revolving a 100,000 polygon object took about 20 seconds with my last machine. It takes half as long with this one. When you do that hundreds and hundreds of times to composite a scene, it really adds up.

C2D is not future proof. You're investing in something that's at the end of its life. The resale is also going to suck on those in a year or two.

For many people, C2D will probably be fine, but it's not something I would invest money in, personally.

Bri

For most computer illiterate people, such as my parents, they see Core i3/5/7 as something new, faster and a must have in computers even though many normal users will probably never ever require such power, and would benefit more from SSD and better RAM - Gulftown Processor in next MacBook Air

 

[skate71290]

I personally don't get the need for a processor improvement. I feel the 2.13 GHz CPU is plenty capable. However, what would you expect Apple go with for the next MBA? Do you believe they will go with another C2D and Nvidia 320m or do you think it will be an Arrandale CPU with Intel's GMA as the sole graphics solution? Are you willing to give up your graphics performance to get a faster CPU?

The problem with adding an SSD to both models is the cost. It costs a ton of money for SSDs versus HDDs right now. I just feel the user must buy an SSD model. The MBA experience goes from brilliant with an SSD to poor with an HDD for the end user. I feel nobody should buy an HDD model, but I don't expect Apple to give people an SSD for free. Quite honestly, the price including an SSD in the MBA was amazing when introduced in June 2009. People are already getting the SSD for free, because before the pricing update the low-end was $1799.

I guess it all depends on benchmarks of various setups, but, because the MacBook Air is not really targeted for Gaming or heavy Photo/Video/Audio work, would having, for example the nVidia 330m with C2D seem, well, a little pointless? Would the MBA, for day to day use benefit more from an Arrandale i3 with Integrated Intel HD Graphics? Top end model:
-i3 Arrandale
-4GB RAM
-128 SSD
-Glass Trackpad

 

[halledise]

The least Germany could have done is to have scored one for you guys... sorta like when Green scored one for the US by "pushing" it into his own net to tie up the game, LOL. Australia really looked like they were a bunch of chickens running around with their heads chopped off. Seriously now, what happened?

a 'Cloggie' for a Coach who left 3 or our best players on the bench for the entire game , plus Mark Viduka (our hard man) retired recently

 

[Jayomat]

You are right that you can have either a 10 hour battery or a 3 pound ultra lightweight computer but not both.

ever heared of Thinkpad X200/X200s/X300 ?

 

[JackLeBoul]

Usage

Having 3 computers, I monitored my usage (in hours) last week to determine what and how much I used my stuff.

20'' iMac - 2.4Ghz 4GB Ram
MBA - 2.16 Ghz 128 GB SSD
WiFi iPad

MBA - 70% of my computing time
iMac - 25%
iPad 5%

Since I got my iPad I realize how much more I love the MBA.
The productivity compared to my other computer is significantly better on the MBA. One document I created using Pages which took me 2 hours on iPad and 25 min on MBA.

Jack

 

[askduds]

Having 3 computers, I monitored my usage (in hours) last week to determine what and how much I used my stuff.

20'' iMac - 2.4Ghz 4GB Ram
MBA - 2.16 Ghz 128 GB SSD
WiFi iPad

MBA - 70% of my computing time
iMac - 25%
iPad 5%

Since I got my iPad I realize how much more I love the MBA.
The productivity compared to my other computer is significantly better on the MBA. One document I created using Pages which took me 2 hours on iPad and 25 min on MBA.

Jack

How restricting do you find the 2GB RAM on the Air? That's my one worry with buying one of the current models. In 3 years I can happily imagine the C2D 2.16ghz being fine. I can certainly imagine not having a problem with the 128GB SSD.

But 2GB?

 

[Spacekatgal]

For most computer illiterate people, such as my parents, they see Core i3/5/7 as something new, faster and a must have in computers even though many normal users will probably never ever require such power, and would benefit more from SSD and better RAM - Gulftown Processor in next MacBook Air

I totally agree with that. Still - perception is reality when it comes to resale. I typically keep my Macs for a year or two then sell them. I believe that any C2D chip will depreciate rapidly.

 

[pharmx]

I feel like that's a blanket statement, dude. It's not true for everyone.

I often use Illustrator for 8 hours a day, and when I'm not doing that I'm using Photoshop 8 hours a day. I also do a ton of Maya work, though that's less dependent on CPU and more on GPU. It's not marketing, I find the i5 and i7 to be a much faster processor for my workflow. The difference in performance is staggering to me between this generation's top of the line MBP and the last gen.

Revolving a 100,000 polygon object took about 20 seconds with my last machine. It takes half as long with this one. When you do that hundreds and hundreds of times to composite a scene, it really adds up.

C2D is not future proof. You're investing in something that's at the end of its life. The resale is also going to suck on those in a year or two.

For many people, C2D will probably be fine, but it's not something I would invest money in, personally.

Bri

All things in perspective though...if we're talking about the Air, most people would not be using it for Maya or extended Photoshop sessions. So with respect to the MBA, upgrades to other components would have a more noticeable impact on day to day use than a CPU bump. Improved SSD and increased RAM would have a much greater effect on performance than moving from C2D to i-Series, especially given the current GPU conundrum.

That being said though, the 13 inch "Pro" model sticking with a C2D is a tough sell. Anything with a "Pro" designation should have the latest tech, even if it comes with a cost to battery life. The whole point of being a professional product line is having bleeding edge tech. With mobile products this becomes tricky, since a balance must be reached to satisfy opposing ends of that pendulum. We'll never know all the details, negotiations, and complications that went on behind the scenes, resulting in the current 13" MBP...but I'm pretty sure Apple would never have refreshed it with the C2D unless it was forced to. Steve Jobs, being the lemonade out of lemons type of guy that he is, was able to market the decision as a good thing due to the improved battery performance.

In my opinion, the MBA and the 13" MBP (and to a lesser extent, the high end MB) need to be re-evaluated with regards to the demographic that are making the purchase, and the role these laptops play in Apple's lineup. I think the success of the 13" MBP has to due with the fact that it hits the sweetspot of price/functionality, causing purchases from people who otherwise would have bought an MB (students), MBA (business), or MBP (professional).

 

[Metlin]

How restricting do you find the 2GB RAM on the Air? That's my one worry with buying one of the current models. In 3 years I can happily imagine the C2D 2.16ghz being fine. I can certainly imagine not having a problem with the 128GB SSD.

But 2GB?

That would depend on your needs. For the work that I do (which, arguably is only run office applications with music/video and web), it works quite well with no problems.

 

[Gaelic2]

I have no desire to replace my MBA. I only use it as an adjunct to my iMac 24" when I travel. I use it to load up and edit photos and some movies, check e-mail, the net etc. It does all this well enough for short periods when I'm away. Had the iPad been available at the time, I would have opted for it and just did my editing at home, since the cost differential is considerable. I will not replace the MBA with another, updated one when it comes out.

 

[gwsat]

There are many legitimate uses for Flash, and there is definitely a place for Flash on the web...the problem is that it was no longer serving "just" as a browser plugin, and was in fact defining the internet experience as a whole. I think Apple is the only company that is willing to risk its entire user base for something it believes in, especially given the long term consequences of what would happen if Adobe was left unchecked. Many people see actions like this as foolish, since it disrupts the user experience for almost all their customers in the short run, but Apple has a history of taking big risks.

You are right. Apple's decision not to provide Flash support for iOS for the iPad was simply insupportable, the rationalizations of Steve Jobs and the Apple apologists here not withstanding. Because of the absence of Flash support, the Web browsing experience with the iPad is inadequate. Period, paragraph, end of report.

On another topic, I suggest that it would be the rare 13 inch Mac buyer, indeed, whose computing needs were so demanding, an i5 or i7 CPU would provide dramatically faster throughput than they could get with the C2D. For most everyday uses, improved graphics, additional RAM, and an SSD would provide far more improvement than a faster CPU.