I would love to see this too, but the only way this is happening is if they lower the current Macbook pricing or they all out discontinue it, which I don't see happening.
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Realistic Next MacBook Air
- Thread starter iDisk
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I would love to see this too, but the only way this is happening is if they lower the current Macbook pricing or they all out discontinue it, which I don't see happening.
Well - you guys have covered most of the things I was hoping to see, so let me throw a couple of other thoughts in - firstly what do you think about a different screen shape? Haven't the recent iMac's gone from 16:10 down to 16:9? If a similar change was to hit the Air, I guess that would take the screen to a resolution 1360x768 which is about perfect for 720p video?
I guess I also have my fingers crossed for a high speed external interface to make hooking up more storage easy. I don't imagine firewire 800 is going to be fitted, but are we too early for USB3 or similar?
I guess I also have my fingers crossed for a high speed external interface to make hooking up more storage easy. I don't imagine firewire 800 is going to be fitted, but are we too early for USB3 or similar?
or they update the MB with better processor and more RAM so that it fills the gap between the base model of air and the MBP...$999 for air would be awesome
16:10 is a better ratio for small screens. 16:9 works fine for the 27-inch iMac, and I suppose you can get away with it on the 21-inch, but I wouldn't like to see Apple using 16:9 in anything smaller (that's not to say they won't though).
I highly doubt a $999 MBA will happen... it doesn't make good marketing sense. If it were to happen, it would have to be a severely underpowered computer, as to not steal every sale from the 13" macbook and 13" MBP.
I bet we'll get an MBA with similar specs as the base 13" MBP now, but a few hundred dollars more in price... think $1499 for the 'base' model (2gb ram, about 2.26ghz). THen I would expect a high-end with 4gb, 128 or 256gb SSD, and around 2.5ghz for $1999 or above. I think that would make the most sense for apple and for us. Apple would hate for MBA sales to be 'poached' from their other models. I bet you'll get good specs, but for a few hundred dollars more than a comparable MB or MBP.
I bet we'll get an MBA with similar specs as the base 13" MBP now, but a few hundred dollars more in price... think $1499 for the 'base' model (2gb ram, about 2.26ghz). THen I would expect a high-end with 4gb, 128 or 256gb SSD, and around 2.5ghz for $1999 or above. I think that would make the most sense for apple and for us. Apple would hate for MBA sales to be 'poached' from their other models. I bet you'll get good specs, but for a few hundred dollars more than a comparable MB or MBP.
The main thing I want: lose the extra margin around the screen and keyboard. Is possible, the machine could be that much smaller and still have the same screen/keys.
Otherwise, my aging original-release Air is still pretty close to perfect! Im sure Ill get another one when I need a speed kick. Id like the glass no-button trackpadand update the speed and graphics of course, that always happens. And I wouldnt mind the black real-glass screen surface of the other laptops, if space permits.
Id say more battery lifenever a bad thing. But I have to say, the battery has been awesome on this thing. Two years later and I still can go a nice long time on a charge. (I only do so when I HAVE to, but still, compared to past laptops, this battery has lasted!)
Otherwise, my aging original-release Air is still pretty close to perfect! Im sure Ill get another one when I need a speed kick. Id like the glass no-button trackpadand update the speed and graphics of course, that always happens. And I wouldnt mind the black real-glass screen surface of the other laptops, if space permits.
Id say more battery lifenever a bad thing. But I have to say, the battery has been awesome on this thing. Two years later and I still can go a nice long time on a charge. (I only do so when I HAVE to, but still, compared to past laptops, this battery has lasted!)
I have a 1st gen Air, and it's fallen into disuse since I got a 13" MacBook Pro. I do notice the different in weight, but the 64GB SSD is just too small for me. I realize this is easily overcome now, but the other feature I really want is 4GB RAM.
What it would take for me to buy a new MacBook Air:
Any modest updates and 4GB RAM capability. That's my minimum.
I'd also really like:
- 256GB SSD (yeah, I know it doesn't exist yet) option
- One-piece glass track pad, like the MacBook Pro
Nice to have:
- USB 3.0
- Second USB port
That's about it for me.
What it would take for me to buy a new MacBook Air:
Any modest updates and 4GB RAM capability. That's my minimum.
I'd also really like:
- 256GB SSD (yeah, I know it doesn't exist yet) option
- One-piece glass track pad, like the MacBook Pro
Nice to have:
- USB 3.0
- Second USB port
That's about it for me.
I do think that an upgrade to 4GB is overdue, but I do not think that a black bezel for the display could be done, due to the extra weight. One possible thing that could be done would be a speed bump, maybe a ultra low voltage Core 2 Quad? Or this would sound nice "MacBook Air, now with Core i7". A 2nd USB port, and/or a SD or microSD slot would be nice. I'd be the first in line if Apple put the 9600M GT in it, or a 15" MBA. 
Realistically, this wouldn't happen, but a $999 MBA could, with the 1.6Ghz C2D, 120GB HD and the 9400M.
Realistically, this wouldn't happen, but a $999 MBA could, with the 1.6Ghz C2D, 120GB HD and the 9400M.
I just want the air to have a new heatsink design.. the status quo doesn't work when the system is stressed at 100% for long periods of time
Yeah, Apple really could take some lessons from the heat pipe designs in other thin and light computers from the likes of Sony and Asus. Packing a lot of power into such a thin package is not easy but I think there is room for improvement here.
I am sure I will get flamed for this, but I think apple would do well to get rid of the tapers and go with slab sides (where the tapers start now or keep the taper but push it out further) to allow for more options in terms of vent -- I really dislike the current vent location --, battery size and port placement and variety. It would not be as aesthetically pleasing, but the functionality increase would be huge.
I really do like my MacBook Air, and at the time of purchase, it was really the only option as the unibody macbook wasn't doing it for me in terms of screen quality/functionality and the 15" MacBook Pros are just too darn big (I have one from work). Having said that, my wife recently got a 13" MBP (after giving up on Windows). Thinking about it more, I wish there was something more like the MBP sans DVD that hit at the 3.5 pound weight that had more battery and ports (full disclosure, I really just want a gigE port, but a second USB port and/or SD slot would be gravy that rarely if ever use -- something analogous to the Thinkpad X200.
I really do like my MacBook Air, and at the time of purchase, it was really the only option as the unibody macbook wasn't doing it for me in terms of screen quality/functionality and the 15" MacBook Pros are just too darn big (I have one from work). Having said that, my wife recently got a 13" MBP (after giving up on Windows). Thinking about it more, I wish there was something more like the MBP sans DVD that hit at the 3.5 pound weight that had more battery and ports (full disclosure, I really just want a gigE port, but a second USB port and/or SD slot would be gravy that rarely if ever use
-- something analogous to the Thinkpad X200.You'd be the first (and likely only) person in line for an $1800 molten paperweight
But I do understand the status quo heatsink. I've been trying to create a mock up prototype heatsink with Copper/Aluminum and it just doesn't work due to the size. However, if the fan was smaller, we could use a heatsink with fins similar to a mini size MacBook/13" MacBook Pro heatsink
What would make me upgrade ?
Hi All,
I have the MBA REv B which I got recently. As evryone is suggesting their views, here a few that I think would make me buy the newer model almost instantaneously (money permitting) :
1. 4GB DDR 3 RAM
2. 7/8 hour battery life
3. 256GB SSD
4. Processor (don't really care, as long as beachball doesn't strike everytime more than 2/3 programmes are working, like word/excel/pivots/a couple of webpages/iphoto/iTune for browsing and playing - not editing)
5. Heat problems, it sometimes really gets hot to keep the laptop on the lap !
6. An extra USB port/Firewire (to do a transfer from time machine when you set up a new machine/install software I think you need the Firewire/ethernet cable)
7. Stronger Wifi signal catching
The design, the weight, the screen and the overall asthetics are just superb.... so much better sized than any netbook or netbook+ category.
Also, I don't know about everyone else, but I have used the MBA much more than my uMBP 17", had the MBA been a stronger machine etc I wonder if I would have sold my uMBP !
Cheers
Preetinder
Hi All,
I have the MBA REv B which I got recently. As evryone is suggesting their views, here a few that I think would make me buy the newer model almost instantaneously (money permitting) :
1. 4GB DDR 3 RAM
2. 7/8 hour battery life
3. 256GB SSD
4. Processor (don't really care, as long as beachball doesn't strike everytime more than 2/3 programmes are working, like word/excel/pivots/a couple of webpages/iphoto/iTune for browsing and playing - not editing)
5. Heat problems, it sometimes really gets hot to keep the laptop on the lap !
6. An extra USB port/Firewire (to do a transfer from time machine when you set up a new machine/install software I think you need the Firewire/ethernet cable)
7. Stronger Wifi signal catching
The design, the weight, the screen and the overall asthetics are just superb.... so much better sized than any netbook or netbook+ category.
Also, I don't know about everyone else, but I have used the MBA much more than my uMBP 17", had the MBA been a stronger machine etc I wonder if I would have sold my uMBP !
Cheers
Preetinder
Nice try, but that link you posted contains only 2.5" SSDs. Obviously the MacBook Air would only use a 1.8" drive, and presumably it would need a LIF connection. So unless the SSD seen here uses a LIF connection, or if it just happens to be who Apple chooses for the next MBA for their SSDs (highly unlikely), or if it is an after-party modification that would be the only option.
Don't think you could find me a 1.8" LIF 256GB SSD that works with the MBA.
You'd be the first (and likely only) person in line for an $1800 molten paperweight
True..but then is it possible to design an ultrathin watercooling system? Now that, in a Air, or any other MB/MBP would be awesome.
you need to crawl from under your rock.....
way to link 2.5" ssd's, were talking about the air, which as stated is 1.8" LIF
Not only that, the MBA uses a 1.8" drive with a further requirement of a 5mm height clearance... most 1.8" drives are 7 to 9mm. In addition, it requires an LIF cable... and there are two drives on the market meeting those specifications and both max at 128 GB. Now, I do think a larger SSD will soon be possible/available, but for now 128 GB is where we are stuck.
Unfortunately, even I would have to draw the line there. I would drop $5k to get the MBA I really love and want, and some would call that insane. We each have our own pricepoint where it no longer becomes worth the marginal utility it provides. I would say it's around $5k for me. But it would have to be one heck of a system!
Let's say Arrandale 32nm 2.5 GHz Core i7, ATI dedicated graphics, 8 GB RAM, 500 GB SSD next v. SATA, black aluminum, glass trackpad, 14" oled HD 3D display, aluminum capped keyboard to match frame, 6-hour battery, .5" thick, and weighs in at 2.5 lbs. That's the MBA I would go crazy for! It would have to be really amazing for me to pay more.
At the same time, we know Apple isn't going to make a $5000 MBA. However, I think it should use a system of lowering the base price for the MBA and adding a bunch of BTO options allowing the higher-end components for those who wanted them. I can see a $1299 base with options adding upwards to $4k. That could get all of the lower end buyers into a system that fulfills the travelers needs. However, it captures the higher-end enthusiasts/business professionals needs/wants of high-end fun filled features.