Speculation over new MBA, excited...

[AtmChm]

Eol???

I hate to rain on the parade, but what could be the reason to pull the MBA superdrives from stores? One reason could be that the MBA is at the EOL.

I don't see a new/redesigned MBA with an internal drive, and no longer having any cd/dvd drive option for the MBA would seem to limit it even further. I was actually thinking about getting a second external superdrive for my MBA just in case the one I have fails. Guess I better do it soon!

Update: Just bought the last one on Amazon!

 

[dh2005]

I hope Apple repositions the MBA as a luxury high-cost ultraportable.

That's the way I see it going.

 

[Adidas Addict]

I hate to rain on the parade, but what could be the reason to pull the MBA superdrives from stores? One reason could be that the MBA is at the EOL.

I don't see a new/redesigned MBA with an internal drive, and no longer having any cd/dvd drive option for the MBA would seem to limit it even further. I was actually thinking about getting a second external superdrive for my MBA just in case the one I have fails. Guess I better do it soon!

Update: Just bought the last one on Amazon!

It's more likely they are replacing it. You know the superdrive is for the mac mini server too right?

 

[AtmChm]

It's more likely they are replacing it. You know the superdrive is for the mac mini server too right?

I believe ANY external USB CD/DVD drive will work with the Mini. Not so with the MBA. I asked about this when I first purchased the MBA superdrive and was told you had to get the MBA superdrive. It might be that the MBA will only boot from the MBA superdrive. I'm not sure about that. I think the issue is the power supply through the MBA USB port, and the external superdrive is matched to that.

 

[halledise]

I believe ANY external USB CD/DVD drive will work with the Mini. Not so with the MBA. I asked about this when I first purchased the MBA superdrive and was told you had to get the MBA superdrive. It might be that the MBA will only boot from the MBA superdrive. I'm not sure about that. I think the issue is the power supply through the MBA USB port, and the external superdrive is matched to that.

MBAir will startup from just about any external optical drive.

for example: mine syncs quite comfortably with a LaCie Lightscribe dvd writer no problems at all

 

[Scottsdale]

MBAir will startup from just about any external optical drive.

for example: mine syncs quite comfortably with a LaCie Lightscribe dvd writer no problems at all

Agreed. That user was mistaking the fact that the MBA SuperDrive doesn't work with many other computers... not that other USB external optical drives don't work on the MBA. Hell, we can even use BluRay external drives for the MBA... the OS just doesn't play the movie format.

 

[iDave]

small, thin, light

Given Apple's obsession with small, thin things and the name "Air" given to this product, I'd expect any new revision to be smaller, thinner and lighter than the original — not bigger or much more powerful.

With removal of the screen bezel on the current model, or dropping the screen size to 11.6 inches, it could be smaller and therefore lighter. Eliminating the HD option and using best new battery technology, perhaps Apple could get the Air below two pounds. Unfortunately, the price will likely still be too high for me, even though I'd want one.

 

[cbronfman]

If there were really any major changes planned ..

If the new MBA were to have any really significant redesign or innovation, wouldn't there be an "event" at which it was announced? I still have the original Rev A MBA with the SSD drive (only 64, or in fact 59 once the system files are added) with the 1.8mhz (which has a different chip than the 1.8mhz in the most recent upgrade - 15 months ago). When it was announced it was a big thing, big event with Steve presenting the skinny form factor etc. I'd love there to be a new one soon as I'm waiting (my Apple Care runs out in February), but somehow I doubt it will have anything like the dreams in this thread. (Since I'm not very strong, I'd love them to have a 11.6" option with much better battery-life; the iPad isn't enough of a computer for me but something lighter than my MBA with some improvements would find me placing an order for delivery on the release date as I had with the original MBA.)

I don't know whether I lucked out or what, but my MBA has been great since the get-go in all respects (although I'm not a gamer and therefore may not demand some of the features the rest of you need)..

 

[iDave]

If the new MBA were to have any really significant redesign or innovation, wouldn't there be an "event" at which it was announced?

Good point. Yes, a completely new MBA would probably need to be introduced at some event. So if there's a revision soon it'll probably be a minor feature bump, unless Apple sends invitations next week. I don't recall Apple ever holding any intro events during November or December.

 

[cluthz]

I guess most consider the MBA as a second computer, so putting in a 330M will not make much sense.
I rather take a thinner (and cheaper) MBA with Intel IGP.
The i5 versions of the IGP is actually not much worse than the 9400M.

MBA with 4GB RAM, SSD, i3/i5, Intel IGP and a price drop and you'll have a winner.

The MBP should not offer more than the 13 inch (which I'm sure will have i3/i5 soon)

 

[ccsicecoke]

Good point. Yes, a completely new MBA would probably need to be introduced at some event. So if there's a revision soon it'll probably be a minor feature bump, unless Apple sends invitations next week. I don't recall Apple ever holding any intro events during November or December.

They didn't have an event for a brand new design of 2010 Mac mini

 

[iDave]

They didn't have an event for a brand new design of 2010 Mac mini

True but I don't think the mini is an iconic product for Apple like the MacBook Air. Even the Air isn't iconic like the iMac, so maybe there would not be an event for a redesigned model. Was the MBA featured all by itself in its own event when introduced? I can't remember.

Apple certainly doesn't try to promote the mini. It just sells well all on its own because it's the cheapest Mac you can buy. I think if it wasn't selling so well, Apple would just quit making it.

 

[Scottsdale]

Who is to say there will not be a live event? We simply don't know... we don't know if the MBA will be updated this week even... we could get notice Tuesday or Wednesday that there's a live event the following Tuesday/Wednesday.

I think it's wrong to assume that just because there are rumors, and we haven't heard of a live event, that there will not be a live event. Sure, could be that the MBA stays the same, or the MBA changes and still no live event... but it's probably just as likely that there will be an event and we don't know the details yet.

I think it's too early to assume the MBA will stay the same... as we haven't received a note from Apple that the MBA will be updated this Tuesday and not to expect a live event. Once the MBA is updated, or we get notification of a live event, we can make assumptions accordingly and use the information as a basis for deciding the level of the update forthcoming... if it's forthcoming at all!

 

[iDave]

Just speculating. I don't think anybody's saying anything will happen next week or even this year. Recent rumors have us talking is all.

 

[zedsdead]

Who is to say there will not be a live event? We simply don't know... we don't know if the MBA will be updated this week even... we could get notice Tuesday or Wednesday that there's a live event the following Tuesday/Wednesday.

I think it's wrong to assume that just because there are rumors, and we haven't heard of a live event, that there will not be a live event. Sure, could be that the MBA stays the same, or the MBA changes and still no live event... but it's probably just as likely that there will be an event and we don't know the details yet.

I think it's too early to assume the MBA will stay the same... as we haven't received a note from Apple that the MBA will be updated this Tuesday and not to expect a live event. Once the MBA is updated, or we get notification of a live event, we can make assumptions accordingly and use the information as a basis for deciding the level of the update forthcoming... if it's forthcoming at all!

Apple is releasing its Q4 results on the 18th. There will be no new products until after that date. Once they announce the date, Apple never releases anything until after the report. Could be Tuesday the 19th at the earliest.

 

[skate71290]

Apple is releasing its Q4 results on the 18th. There will be no new products until after that date. Once they announce the date, Apple never releases anything until after the report. Could be Tuesday the 19th at the earliest.

What a nice two days that will be, Apple telling us Shareholders ooooo we have Billions of $ in the bank and nope you can't have any, nor are we going to do anything with it

 

[gwsat]

Add to the suspense...

I went around town to my spots to check out the MBA's and "No One" has any in stock and there are no demo models displaying anywhere. I know something was posted on the rumor's page about this, but really....there are not any around.....Did not check an Apple Store though....

Something is a-brewing.....

According to Apple's own site both models of the MBA are available and ship within 24 hours.

 

[lilcosco08]

Im going with scottsdale because the rest of you just make **** up.

17"
dual 12 core opterons
12hr battery
1tb ssd
retina display
touchscreen keyboard
4 light peak connectors
intel igp

trollface.jpg

 

[AtmChm]

Who is to say there will not be a live event? We simply don't know... we don't know if the MBA will be updated this week even... we could get notice Tuesday or Wednesday that there's a live event the following Tuesday/Wednesday.

I think it's wrong to assume that just because there are rumors, and we haven't heard of a live event, that there will not be a live event. Sure, could be that the MBA stays the same, or the MBA changes and still no live event... but it's probably just as likely that there will be an event and we don't know the details yet.

True, but the recent pattern seems to be that about 1 week before an Apple update there are reported shortages of the item being updated. This happened with the Mini in June, and the iPods in September, as well as some of the iMac and Mac Pro updates in August/September. It also seems that on a Thursday or Friday there is an announcement of a media event (if there is going to be one) on the following Tuesday. This did not happen with the Mini or the iMacs/Mac Pros, but did with the iPods. At this point, putting 2+2 together, since shortages were reported last week, and there was no media event announced for this week, we may see a modest update to the MBA (like the update to the mini). I would agree a major update would suggest a media event. Now the question is what constitutes a "major update" to the MBA justifying a "media event"????

Given that the shortages were reported last week, we need to see an update to the MBA very soon, or it's EOL!

 

[Adidas Addict]

True, but the recent pattern seems to be that about 1 week before an Apple update there are reported shortages of the item being updated. This happened with the Mini in June, and the iPods in September, as well as some of the iMac and Mac Pro updates in August/September. It also seems that on a Thursday or Friday there is an announcement of a media event (if there is going to be one) on the following Tuesday. This did not happen with the Mini or the iMacs/Mac Pros, but did with the iPods. At this point, putting 2+2 together, since shortages were reported last week, and there was no media event announced for this week, we may see a modest update to the MBA (like the update to the mini). I would agree a major update would suggest a media event. Now the question is what constitutes a "major update" to the MBA justifying a "media event"????

Given that the shortages were reported last week, we need to see an update to the MBA very soon, or it's EOL!

You're right, the only way there will be a media event is for a physical change. Something new and 'magical™'. If there is a spec change/bump and everything else stays the same (form, size etc) then it will just silently get updated.

 

[skate71290]

You're right, the only way there will be a media event is for a physical change. Something new and 'magical™'. If there is a spec change/bump and everything else stays the same (form, size etc) then it will just silently get updated.

Physical change to the Mac Mini, no Apple Media Event, but i guess you are right... any MAJOR change will probably result in a Media Event, perhaps they are going to overhaul the whole notebook line, removing the Superdrives, explaining a potential re-design of the External Superdrive for the MBA, compatible with all Macs, which would need a design change to reduce the power required?