Realistic Next MacBook Air

[csnplt]

L3 Cache at 3MB (Thats one hidden plus for the current Air, since it has 6MB L2 Cache)

L3 Cache is slower than L2 Cache. However, the newer Intel processor designs (Nehalem and newer) can scale more efficiently from dual core at the lower end to 8 core at the high end (the new cache hierarchy w/ L3 shared among all cores helps this). Each core still has dedicated L2 cache, though, as well as L1 cache, which is the fastest of all but takes up the most room.

 

[spaceballl]

I want 4GB DDR3 and 256GB SSD.

Same here... If they stick that in the MBA, I'll get that. I don't think they will put 256GB in there, though... and i'll have to get the 13" MBP

 

[clickgr]

I don't need better processor, nor better graphic card, bigger HD, other screen etc. for the Air. I only need 4GB RAM, standard SSD=long-life battery and low price below $1300. If Apple introduces something like this I will buy it immediately.

 

[emvy]

Difference in 'interfacing' not CPU

You have to look at little bit more forward, rather than envision that the changes will be CPU or RAM related.

The biggest change will be the inclusion of a glass (or other material) touch sensitive surface in lieu of a keyboard. This will allow inclusion of all kinds of 'widgets' on the 'keyboard', including keyboard customization, etc.

So you would be able to change key spacing, or perhaps include keyboard layouts from other manufacturers (eg the infamous ibm thinkpad keyboard), and so on.

 

[puma1552]

You have to look at little bit more forward, rather than envision that the changes will be CPU or RAM related.

The biggest change will be the inclusion of a glass (or other material) touch sensitive surface in lieu of a keyboard. This will allow inclusion of all kinds of 'widgets' on the 'keyboard', including keyboard customization, etc.

So you would be able to change key spacing, or perhaps include keyboard layouts from other manufacturers (eg the infamous ibm thinkpad keyboard), and so on.

After reading this same thing in the other thread, I wasn't going to say anything but after seeing it written here for a second time, I have to tell you-----you are going to be MASSIVELY disappointed when the next Air comes out, if it even ever does.

Amazing how update after update after update by Apple people still expect them to deliver the moon and then some, and then update after update after update you get lackluster updates, and everyone complains.

Here's what you'll get:

HIGH END:

--2.4 GHz C2D
--160 GB SSD (256 *maybe* but doubtful, Apple won't give you a 100% hard drive space increase overnight)
--4 GB RAM
--GPU, who knows who cares, something lackluster, either continue with an outdated NVIDIA or switch to an outdated ATI 4xxx
--Glass trackpad
--Garbage screen with lines

LOW END:

--2.26 GHz C2D
--160 GB HDD
--2 GB RAM
--Same GPU as above
--Glass trackpad
--Garbage screen with lines

The only thing in my prediction I'm uncomfortable with is the same size hard drives in each, but I really don't think Apple will give us a 256 GB SSD. Hell, for all I know we will get a 160 GB SSD in the high end, and be insulted with the retaining of the 120 GB HDD in the base model.

Personally I think the Air is going to be EOL'ed soon. Haven't heard so much as a peep on updates, it's design is long in the tooth and dated, and it gets one back corner spot in the store if it's lucky.

 

[clickgr]

You have to look at little bit more forward, rather than envision that the changes will be CPU or RAM related.

The biggest change will be the inclusion of a glass (or other material) touch sensitive surface in lieu of a keyboard. This will allow inclusion of all kinds of 'widgets' on the 'keyboard', including keyboard customization, etc.

So you would be able to change key spacing, or perhaps include keyboard layouts from other manufacturers (eg the infamous ibm thinkpad keyboard), and so on.

Touch screen is nice for navigating web pages, photos etc. and for selecting 'widgets' like you do in iphone/ipod touch, but it sucks when in comes to typing due to the lack of feedback sense. For a full operational computer and not a pocket gadget, I would prefer a normal keyboard by far!

 

[emvy]

about force feedback..

Touch screen is nice for navigating web pages, photos etc. and for selecting 'widgets' like you do in iphone/ipod touch, but it sucks when in comes to typing due to the lack of feedback sense. For a full operational computer and not a pocket gadget, I would prefer a normal keyboard by far!

Your brain (or perhaps your past experience) is tricking you in believing that you actually need force feedback for keyboard, when you actually don't.
It's just that with previous technology mechanical parts were needed for the keyboard (hence the force feedback).

In the beginning was the typewriter (a LOT of force feedback), then the old keyboard (still hard), now the new apple keyboards (almost silent), and then the iPhone with the virtual keyboard.

My father who grew up typing his texts on a typewriter, still presses the keys on his computer keyboard so hard, as if he was still using a typewriter! (true story). In the same way, newer generations (us including) will be accustomed to this new(er) input paradigm.

The virtual keyboard can actually operate like a real one, simulate the experience of a current keyboard using simple clicking sounds (or even more advanced features like 'micro-bumps'). Additionally it does not come with the limitations of a current keyboard (eg being completely static).

The new MBA is not going to be a new update by rehashing old components.
It has served its purpose, since most of the innovations included in it, have been transferred in the other laptop lines.

Expect something radical!

 

[Scottsdale]

After reading this same thing in the other thread, I wasn't going to say anything but after seeing it written here for a second time, I have to tell you-----you are going to be MASSIVELY disappointed when the next Air comes out, if it even ever does.

Amazing how update after update after update by Apple people still expect them to deliver the moon and then some, and then update after update after update you get lackluster updates, and everyone complains.

Here's what you'll get:

HIGH END:

--2.4 GHz C2D
--160 GB SSD (256 *maybe* but doubtful, Apple won't give you a 100% hard drive space increase overnight)
--4 GB RAM
--GPU, who knows who cares, something lackluster, either continue with an outdated NVIDIA or switch to an outdated ATI 4xxx
--Glass trackpad
--Garbage screen with lines

LOW END:

--2.26 GHz C2D
--160 GB HDD
--2 GB RAM
--Same GPU as above
--Glass trackpad
--Garbage screen with lines

The only thing in my prediction I'm uncomfortable with is the same size hard drives in each, but I really don't think Apple will give us a 256 GB SSD. Hell, for all I know we will get a 160 GB SSD in the high end, and be insulted with the retaining of the 120 GB HDD in the base model.

Personally I think the Air is going to be EOL'ed soon. Haven't heard so much as a peep on updates, it's design is long in the tooth and dated, and it gets one back corner spot in the store if it's lucky.

I actually liked the main part of this post. We all overexpect as Apple often underdelivers with its Mac updates. I agree with your expectations except for two things:

One, I don't believe the MBA form factor will be EOL'd but the brand might be. Apple will utilize the MBA form factor in all of its Mac notebooks over the next few years (as it has been). The MBA represents Apple's vision (or perhaps more appropriately Steve Jobs vision), and its form factor will be seen for a long time to come. Also, the MBA is representing the mobile lifestyle that people truly want. The tablet will focus on lower end use that includes some current computing tasks, and the MBA will focus on the mobile computer. What I mean is the MBA will be used by "professionals/enthusiasts" as a primary computer that don't need a professional grade computer but who actually need a real COMPUTER to work. The tablet will do everything that people are currently using the MBA as a secondary computer for... Web, email, entertainment, movies, music, and extremely light computing not meant for "work."

Two, I believe this update will offer us a STUNNING DISPLAY that will be an entirely new technology not found in any other Mac; it will be either OLED, HD (higher resolution), or 3D (or any combination thereof). I truly believe that Apple has an update in store for the display, FINALLY. I don't know about the rest of the component makeup, but I tend to agree completely with you that we will effectively be UNDERWHELMED!

I also see a price DROP to get into a base configuration down to around $1299. I see BTO options returning and a maxed out model coming in at $2000+.

 

[clickgr]

My prediction/wish

New Low End:

• 1.86Ghz
• 4GB 1066Mhz DDR3 Ram
• 128 GB SSD
• Nvidia 9400M
• 7hr battery life
• $1,399

New High End:

• 2.26Ghz
• 4GB 1066Mhz DDR3 Ram
• 256 GB SSD
• Nvidia 9400M
• 7hr battery life
• $1,699

Same design, same display, same keyboard, same ports.

From marketing point of view those changes should be followed by updates on 13” MacBook Pro’s.

 

[AAPLaday]

Im hoping for something specs wise that resembles this soon to be released Sony Vaio Z Series. Now carved from a single slab of aluminium, the new line up will feature a Core i7-620M processor and up to 256GB of 'Quad SSD' storage - aka four SSDs strapped together. It has 13.3 inch display with resolution up to 1920x1080 up to 6GB ram and Nvidia GT 330M GPU with 1GB memory

Weighing a reported 1.43kg its not a brick either. Apple better pull its finger out on its laptop line up.

 

[jimboutilier]

Im hoping for something specs wise that resembles this soon to be released Sony Vaio Z Series. Now carved from a single slab of aluminium, the new line up will feature a Core i7-620M processor and up to 256GB of 'Quad SSD' storage - aka four SSDs strapped together. It has 13.3 inch display with resolution up to 1920x1080 up to 6GB ram and Nvidia GT 330M GPU with 1GB memory

Weighing a reported 1.43kg its not a brick either. Apple better pull its finger out on its laptop line up.

On paper the Sony Z series has been a leader for a number of years. A great quality PC in a thin and light package with all the speed, amazing screen, huge feature list, power, and peripherals you would expect from a much larger machine. The sony Z series was the best PC laptop I ever owned. Awesome unit for the PC power user. And I think the Sony Z series continues its tradition here.

It was a Sony Z series I left when I transitioned to an early Intel Mac. While the feature list and paper specs of the Z were far superior (and I did miss some of the features like the biometrics, aircard etc), the MAC performed every bit as well and was far more reliable. Thats when I first really learned that feature lists and spec sheets are not nearly the whole story in having a machine that maximizes your productivity and minimizes your frustration.

Don't get me wrong, if I could get a MAC with the feature list and specs of a Sony Z and the user experience of current MACs I'd be ecstatic. But alas a great user experience is at odds with large feature lists and leading edge hardware specs. The more complex something is the longer it takes to get right and the faster you push something out the harder it is to get right.

Apple has always chosen longer product cycles and more modest feature sets and hardware specs in favor of a superior user experience. Thats not going to change any time soon. Apples market share continues to increase and their customer satisfaction remains among the highest of any brand. Apple has about a 60-70% market share of all PCs sold over $1000 so while they'll have to continue to evolve and improve I'm not sure they worry about directly completing with the likes of the Sony Z series. And don't forget a well configured Z can easily run over $3000!

 

[Thunder82]

Im hoping for something specs wise that resembles this soon to be released Sony Vaio Z Series. Now carved from a single slab of aluminium, the new line up will feature a Core i7-620M processor and up to 256GB of 'Quad SSD' storage - aka four SSDs strapped together. It has 13.3 inch display with resolution up to 1920x1080 up to 6GB ram and Nvidia GT 330M GPU with 1GB memory

Weighing a reported 1.43kg its not a brick either. Apple better pull its finger out on its laptop line up.

Yeah, the new Z is a beast of a machine! (honestly wonder how it'll handle heat though) a higher resolution screen in the air would be amazing. Maybe not quite 1920x1080, but 1440x900 would be a welcome upgrade in my book.

 

[jgp]

Macbook Air Should Pickup Where iPad Leaves Off

I am one of this who are scratching their heads at the iPad. I have waited for years and years for an Apple tablet and the iPad just aint it. However, it seems that the Macbook Air, which is supposed to be an ultra light and elegant macbook, should take a page from the iPad. Designers often say that Job's strength and genius lies not in what he includes in a product, but what he excludes. The result often being a tour de force of elegant design and function. So, Mr. Jobs, please cut the keyboard off of the Macbook air and give us an OS X tablet!! Keyboard and mouse can attache via bluetooth.

Lighter, more elegant, more flexible.

I also hope for a tablet version with core i7 or i5...

 

[Scottsdale]

I am one of this who are scratching their heads at the iPad. I have waited for years and years for an Apple tablet and the iPad just aint it. However, it seems that the Macbook Air, which is supposed to be an ultra light and elegant macbook, should take a page from the iPad. Designers often say that Job's strength and genius lies not in what he includes in a product, but what he excludes. The result often being a tour de force of elegant design and function. So, Mr. Jobs, please cut the keyboard off of the Macbook air and give us an OS X tablet!! Keyboard and mouse can attache via bluetooth.

Lighter, more elegant, more flexible.

I also hope for a tablet version with core i7 or i5...

I really don't want the MBA to lose its keyboard. Why not ask Steve Jobs to put a real version of OS X on the iPad rather than ruin the brand MBA to make it a tablet.

The MBA will continue to be a Mac focused on being capable of primary computing for those who want elegance, simplicity, portability and still need the power of a MacBook.

I feel the iPad is missing the mark by not including Flash capabilities. In addition, it's missing the business capabilities by not having OS X. I see the iPad as a revolutionary device but not as a Mac nor as capable of primary computing for anyone except the most basics of users who need nothing more than a netbook but want a better experience/display to watch and be entertained.

Light web, minus the Flash, simple note taking, and light email is the traditional focus of the netbook. Add to that all of the other capabilities currently not being marketed by computer companies and an enhanced entertainment experience with stunning graphics and display.