The future for Macbook Air

[luffytubby]

I know that MBA has just been released, and I hope I am not offending anyone for asking this, but when MBA sometime in the future will be updated, what do you think will happen?


Will MBA be a line of MB that they will continue? Or is it possible, that MBA will take over MBs place, so it will just be MBA and MBP?
Or is it possible that in the future that the MBA and MB lines will merge into a combination?


Right now, SSD are very expenssive, and they currently have lots less room than HDD. But they are showing up everywhere as an option in many machines. When do you guys think that SDD will expand in size(above 100 and 150 GB) and decrease in price? Will it be a boom, or will it take years?


It seems that there are alot of confusion about MBAs role. Who is it designed to? What is its purpose? What is its strategic position in the Mac family? What will they focus on updating in the future? Will they try to make it smaller, or will they want to make it more powerful?


I tried holding and typing on a MBA the other day, and I had never seen such an accesable and easy to transport machine. But unlike the EEE PC and other ultraportables, it had an actual real sized keyboard and decently sized high quality screen. with more power it could be a desktop replacement. thats how great it felt. So light. So cohesive... its like that MB and MBP are way way way to heavy, big and bulky in comparrisons to call themselfs for notebook computers.



What are your guys guesses? Will Apple make more USB ports and that sort of stuff in the future for the Air? What can we expect?

 

[Phil A.]

For me, the single biggest weakness of the current MBA is the solitary USB port and I would expect that to be addressed in a future update. I would also expect to see a bigger SSD and processor speeds breaking the 2Ghz barrier.

I think they'll keep the 3 notebooks as they address 3 distinct markets (price led, power led and weight led)

 

[macanudo]

I believe that Apple will use all the lessons learned from rev 1 of the MBA and apply it to future designs of the MB and MBP. As of the next rev of the MBA, I'd say that Apple will somehow add another USB port, a higher capacity battery, faster CPU...and I agree that Apple will keep 3 different notebooks to give their customers a choice.

 

[thejakill]

1 USB won't change to 2. Everyone who says they should add more ports to the air is wrong. If you want more ports, get a MacBook.

 

[clayj]

1 USB won't change to 2. Everyone who says they should add more ports to the air is wrong. If you want more ports, get a MacBook.

I agree. One USB port should be enough for anyone; if it isn't, get a hub. I do think that future MBAs might have a single USB 3.0 port, which will be mindnumbingly fast.

I definitely see future iterations of the MBA having faster CPUs, bigger storage (HD/SSD), and more RAM. Improved video (possibly with a dedicated GPU) is certainly a possibility, as is improved battery life.

Beyond that, though, there's nothing more that the MBA really needs. As many have said, if you need a plethora o' ports, get a MacBook or an MBP.

 

[youradhere4222]

I don't know how the sales of the MacBook Air are, despite the fact that it's the "top selling" item on Apple's website, my guess is that it will only be a fad and soon the MacBook will become popular again.

I don't see them progressing with this much in the near future. They can't add more USB ports until USB's are made thinner. Unless one were to make the MacBook Air bigger (destroying it's purpose), it can only accommodate one at the moment, which isn't enough.

In my opinion, they eliminated CD's way too early. While they may become obsolete in the future, it's no where near the point where we don't need CD's. While doing this they also increased the dependency the MacBook Air had on other laptops to perform routine task.

The fact of the matter is that once the MacBook Air's "coolness" wears off it won't become practical. Apple is able to put in better technology in cheaper machines, and people will realize that the MacBook Air will look the same but a cheaper model will always have better technology until the time comes when 250GB hard drives and 4GB RAM can cram into such a thin machine - and that time isn't soon.

I understand that they're somewhat lighter, but I have no idea why people pay so much for "old" technology - previously seen in older models of the MacBook and MacBook Pro - just because it's thinner.

Two pounds hardly seems worth it, and since it's other "light" features are being intergrated with the MacBook Pro - later on the MacBook (speculation), the slight weight difference is all it has going for it, besides the look, which in my opinion isn't too appealing to the eye.

 

[luffytubby]

Well.. you might be right, but the Air looks so cool.


I really dislike the design of MBP. I think they looking wrong in that metallic/silver/greyish way. I like the MB much better. but somehow, there is something great about the air aswell. its really its own.

 

[droo94]

If the MB and MBP are any indications, then I don't think the 13" MBA will have any re-design to include more ports, etc. That said, perhaps they might introduce a 15" model which would allow some extra room for that one additional USB port?

The one thing that concerns me about the MBA is RAM. My guess is that version 2 will allow 4GB but that you'd only get that as a BTO by paying Apple's high prices at the actual time of purchase.

 

[kockgunner]

I've wondered as well whether the air is a new addition to the mac family to stay, or whether it's just one computer and that's it. If they do make another one there will be a bigger SSD and a faster processor. I don't really know how they are going to keep the air distanced from the macbook in the future as technology improves; maybe they'll artificially handicap it by staying with one usb port?

 

[netdog]

I don't know how the sales of the MacBook Air are, despite the fact that it's the "top selling" item on Apple's website, my guess is that it will only be a fad and soon the MacBook will become popular again.

This isn't a competition. The MacBook, MacBook Pro and MBA are all very popular, and are all aimed at different markets.

I don't see them progressing with this much in the near future. They can't add more USB ports until USB's are made thinner. Unless one were to make the MacBook Air bigger (destroying it's purpose), it can only accommodate one at the moment, which isn't enough.

You mean which isn't enough for you. For many of us, it clearly is enough. For many, it isn't.

In my opinion, they eliminated CD's way too early. While they may become obsolete in the future, it's no where near the point where we don't need CD's. While doing this they also increased the dependency the MacBook Air had on other laptops to perform routine task.

I haven't missed my DVD drive once.

The fact of the matter is that once the MacBook Air's "coolness" wears off it won't become practical.

Mine is very practical. I write. This is a great writer's machine. Fantastic keyboard. Great screen. Light as a feather in my bag.

Apple is able to put in better technology in cheaper machines, and people will realize that the MacBook Air will look the same but a cheaper model will always have better technology until the time comes when 250GB hard drives and 4GB RAM can cram into such a thin machine - and that time isn't soon.

So? If your needs are for "better technology" (your words), then get a MacBook. People can get a MacBook now, but the MBA is the biggest seller at Apple.Com. Not sure what you base your forecast on. As for the 256GB SSD drive and 4GB of RAM fitting in their, it's maybe a year or a little more away? That isn't long to wait.

I understand that they're somewhat lighter, but I have no idea why people pay so much for "old" technology - previously seen in older models of the MacBook and MacBook Pro - just because it's thinner.

Old technology? Are you high? SSD. New shrunken Intel chip. Superior screen to the MacBook. Great keyboard. C2D that sips power. Oh yeah, this is ancient tech.

Two pounds hardly seems worth it, and since it's other "light" features are being intergrated with the MacBook Pro - later on the MacBook (speculation), the slight weight difference is all it has going for it, besides the look, which in my opinion isn't too appealing to the eye.

The MacBook Pro and MacBook are nearly twice the weight. This is not a slight difference. If you find it ugly, get something else. Most of us are enchanted by its looks, and I find it to be a very practical, solidly built machine that suits my needs perfectly.

It's amazing to me how many people who haven't actually spent any significant time using an MBA have such a need to tell others what a crap machine it is.

The MBA, as a member of the Mac family, is here to stay, and I am glad that it is. I love using mine.

 

[BongoBanger]

I think the MBA will be here to stay as it meets a certain market. We can argue back and forth about what features it needs and what its benefits are but it comes down to preference. If you're a power user or someone who needs a versatile machine then it's not for you. On the other hand, if you use it for light work - writing, surfing, etc - and need a portable then it'll do quite nicely.

Horses for courses.

 

[Tom J]

"...it will only be a fad"

"...soon the macbook will become popular again"

"...until USB's are made thinner"

"...they eliminated CD's way too early"

"The fact of the matter is that once the MacBook Air's "coolness" wears off it won't become practical."

"...they're somewhat lighter"

"old" technology"

"Two pounds"

"...the slight weight difference"



Seriously? Seriously!?!?

 

[youradhere4222]

This isn't a competition. The MacBook, MacBook Pro and MBA are all very popular, and are all aimed at different markets.

Wow, that totally wasn't obvious. The point is after the newness wears off will it's sales decline.

You mean which isn't enough for you. For many of us, it clearly is enough. For many, it isn't.

I wouldn't say "for many of us, it clearly is enough" when most of the complaints I see here are the lack of USB ports. You couldn't plug in an external keyboard and mouse at the same time, if that shows how impractical it is. Even my three year old Dell laptop has four USB ports.

I haven't missed my DVD drive once.

Too bad this post wasn't about you specifically.

Mine is very practical. I write. This is a great writer's machine. Fantastic keyboard. Great screen. Light as a feather in my bag.

Too bad this post wasn't about you specifically.

So? If your needs are for "better technology" (your words), then get a MacBook. People can get a MacBook now, but the MBA is the biggest seller at Apple.Com. Not sure what you base your forecast on. As for the 256GB SSD drive and 4GB of RAM fitting in their, it's maybe a year or a little more away? That isn't long to wait.

The point is that once these sized hard drives can fit in the MBA two of them can fit in a MacBook or MacBook Pro. Until every other manufacturer makes their models this thin, then they're computers are going to appeal to those who want all they can get - and with software requiring more as time goes on, that's what they're going to want.

Old technology? Are you high? SSD. New shrunken Intel chip. Superior screen to the MacBook. Great keyboard. C2D that sips power. Oh yeah, this is ancient tech.

So is 80GB. Wow, what a handful of space! No CD drive? Dependency on other computers to do routine task? Cool!

The MacBook Pro and MacBook are nearly twice the weight. This is not a slight difference. If you find it ugly, get something else. Most of us are enchanted by its looks, and I find it to be a very practical, solidly built machine that suits my needs perfectly.

3x2 =/= 5

Too bad this post wasn't about you specifically.

It's amazing to me how many people who haven't actually spent any significant time using an MBA have such a need to tell others what a crap machine it is.

It's amazing people have the psyhcic ability to tell how much experience someone has with using a MacBook Air.

The MBA, as a member of the Mac family, is here to stay

Thanks Steve Jobs.

 

[cedar]

I don't know how the sales of the MacBook Air are, despite the fact that it's the "top selling" item on Apple's website, my guess is that it will only be a fad and soon the MacBook will become popular again.

I don't see them progressing with this much in the near future. They can't add more USB ports until USB's are made thinner. Unless one were to make the MacBook Air bigger (destroying it's purpose), it can only accommodate one at the moment, which isn't enough.

In my opinion, they eliminated CD's way too early. While they may become obsolete in the future, it's no where near the point where we don't need CD's. While doing this they also increased the dependency the MacBook Air had on other laptops to perform routine task.

The fact of the matter is that once the MacBook Air's "coolness" wears off it won't become practical. Apple is able to put in better technology in cheaper machines, and people will realize that the MacBook Air will look the same but a cheaper model will always have better technology until the time comes when 250GB hard drives and 4GB RAM can cram into such a thin machine - and that time isn't soon.

I understand that they're somewhat lighter, but I have no idea why people pay so much for "old" technology - previously seen in older models of the MacBook and MacBook Pro - just because it's thinner.

Two pounds hardly seems worth it, and since it's other "light" features are being intergrated with the MacBook Pro - later on the MacBook (speculation), the slight weight difference is all it has going for it, besides the look, which in my opinion isn't too appealing to the eye.

Can we safely assume that you are not interested in buying one?

 

[mhaas]

I don't know how the sales of the MacBook Air are, despite the fact that it's the "top selling" item on Apple's website, my guess is that it will only be a fad and soon the MacBook will become popular again.

I don't see them progressing with this much in the near future. They can't add more USB ports until USB's are made thinner. Unless one were to make the MacBook Air bigger (destroying it's purpose), it can only accommodate one at the moment, which isn't enough.

.....................

The sales are higher than anyone expected, they even have problems restocking. So, the AIR will not just be a fad.

At the same time I don't think this means the macbook is un-popular! All three portable lines are popular, they just have different target groups.


Mathis

 

[phoxrenvatio]

Wow, that totally wasn't obvious. The point is after the newness wears off will it's sales decline.


I wouldn't say "for many of us, it clearly is enough" when most of the complaints I see here are the lack of USB ports. You couldn't plug in an external keyboard and mouse at the same time, if that shows how impractical it is. Even my three year old Dell laptop has four USB ports.



Too bad this post wasn't about you specifically.


The point is that once these sized hard drives can fit in the MBA two of them can fit in a MacBook or MacBook Pro. Until every other manufacturer makes their models this thin, then they're computers are going to appeal to those who want all they can get - and with software requiring more as time goes on, that's what they're going to want.



So is 80GB. Wow, what a handful of space! No CD drive? Dependency on other computers to do routine task? Cool!


3x2 =/= 5



It's amazing people have the psyhcic ability to tell how much experience someone has with using a MacBook Air.


Thanks Steve Jobs.

I agree with the guy you're bashing, and 5 is nearly 6, not exactly double, but nearly double.
MBA is a great machine- no body cares if you like it, but don't bash it!
One thing that's very nice about the MBA is that it's forced to be a portable- i use my MBP as a desktop, so if I get enough money, I'll buy an Air- because it's a portable
MBA sales may decline after the "newness" wears off, but that's the same with every device, and MBA will continue to sell well, because it is very well set for students, writers, businessmen, etc.

 

[wordmunger]

If I needed a portable computer right now, I'd get an MBA. But my iBook G4 still does everything I need, so I'll hold off.

I seriously doubt Apple will add another USB port unless they use a smaller size plug. But people would whine and moan even more about that, so one USB port is here to stay. Honestly, one is plenty for me -- I hardly ever use it on my iBook. The MBA isn't designed to be a primary computer -- that's what I use my iMac for.

 

[mtk75]

I wouldn't say "for many of us, it clearly is enough" when most of the complaints I see here are the lack of USB ports. You couldn't plug in an external keyboard and mouse at the same time, if that shows how impractical it is. Even my three year old Dell laptop has four USB ports.

So, how many of us need to get on and tell you that it perfectly serves our needs before you will admit that "for many of us, it clearly is enough" can be a true statement even if it doesn't fit YOUR needs. I don't need an external mouse and keyboard. Haven't used one in the full four years before this that I used the 3 pound Sony TX650P. Used both USB ports on that thing once, or twice. Not enough that I have even worried about getting a hub...

Too bad this post wasn't about you specifically.

So it was about you?

The point is that once these sized hard drives can fit in the MBA two of them can fit in a MacBook or MacBook Pro. Until every other manufacturer makes their models this thin, then they're computers are going to appeal to those who want all they can get - and with software requiring more as time goes on, that's what they're going to want.

So is 80GB. Wow, what a handful of space! No CD drive? Dependency on other computers to do routine task? Cool!

To bring my Vaio back into this, I only needed 20 GB of that hard drive for data. Played with Linux, etc in the remaining space. I've even partitioned off 10 GB of this SSD for installing BootCamp eventually. I also have only needed the CD drive when installing software or ripping CDs. On the Vaio, I always turned it off for the battery savings.

It's amazing people have the psyhcic ability to tell how much experience someone has with using a MacBook Air.

We can tell how much experience because people expect it to do every thing, but are really unclear about the things it is very capable of. Those who focus obsessively on the "lack of ports" or "lack of power" tend to be those who haven't seen one. This is not true of all the complainers on this board, but it is true of most.

To get back to the topic of the thread, I believe that the MBA is here to stay as a product that has its purpose well defined and different than the MB and MBP. The MB is the affordable do most things and do them well machine, the MBP is for those who really need to do a large amount of processing, and the MBA is here for people who can accept a small performance decrease for the increased portability that it provides.

The MBA will always seem expensive for the processing power and storage, but it will always be less weight, while being just the right size to slip into a brief case next to the paper documents.

-Matt

 

[levitynyc]

The sales are higher than anyone expected, they even have problems restocking. So, the AIR will not just be a fad.

At the same time I don't think this means the macbook is un-popular! All three portable lines are popular, they just have different target groups.


Mathis

I played with one this weekend. I am relatively unimpressed. I need a laptop for my basement and for work was thinking about picking one up. Its not THAT small. For my use there is no need to spend an extra 600 bucks for something a little smaller and not as speedy as a plain macbook.

Different strokes for different folks. Theres an ass for every seat as they say.

 

[ayeying]

Wow, that totally wasn't obvious. The point is after the newness wears off will it's sales decline.



I wouldn't say "for many of us, it clearly is enough" when most of the complaints I see here are the lack of USB ports. You couldn't plug in an external keyboard and mouse at the same time, if that shows how impractical it is. Even my three year old Dell laptop has four USB ports.



Too bad this post wasn't about you specifically.








The point is that once these sized hard drives can fit in the MBA two of them can fit in a MacBook or MacBook Pro. Until every other manufacturer makes their models this thin, then they're computers are going to appeal to those who want all they can get - and with software requiring more as time goes on, that's what they're going to want.




So is 80GB. Wow, what a handful of space! No CD drive? Dependency on other computers to do routine task? Cool!



3x2 =/= 5





It's amazing people have the psyhcic ability to tell how much experience someone has with using a MacBook Air.



Thanks Steve Jobs.

Don't like it. Don't buy it. Easy and simple. Some people might like it, others might not. Same with everything else (Cars, clothing brand, etc.)

 

[mhaas]

I played with one this weekend. I am relatively unimpressed. I need a laptop for my basement and for work was thinking about picking one up. Its not THAT small. For my use there is no need to spend an extra 600 bucks for something a little smaller and not as speedy as a plain macbook.

Different strokes for different folks. Theres an ass for every seat as they say.

Well, if I would need one for the basement, I would not look at the AIR either...

Next semester my wife will probably commute 90 minutes in the morning and 90 minutes in the evening by train. So, as I know her she will complain about dragging her 2004 Powerbook back and forth. I think for commuters in a similar situation an AIR is perfect. That way she can do some class work on the way home from or to grad school.

For the basement a Macbook or even an iMac have better performance for a better price......

Mathis

 

[levitynyc]

Well, if I would need one for the basement, I would not look at the AIR either...

Next semester my wife will probably commute 90 minutes in the morning and 90 minutes in the evening by train. So, as I know her she will complain about dragging her 2004 Powerbook back and forth. I think for commuters in a similar situation an AIR is perfect. That way she can do some class work on the way home from or to grad school.

For the basement a Macbook or even an iMac have better performance for a better price......

Mathis

Exactly. I am not bashing it for any reason. For my needs (limited portability) a macbook makes much more sense. I need to work while watching TV or playing Xbox in my basement. If I needed to carry it with me all day, I would consider an Air. If the Air was higher powered and offered a performance boost compared to the Macbook, I would get it anyway.. I just don't the ultra-portability of it.

 

[youradhere4222]

The sales are higher than anyone expected, they even have problems restocking. So, the AIR will not just be a fad.

At the same time I don't think this means the macbook is un-popular! All three portable lines are popular, they just have different target groups.


Mathis

This disagrees with which one of my points?

Yes, now the sales are good, but the question this thread posed is whether or not they'll continue the MBA line, obviously I believe they will not for the reasons I previously mentioned.

Also, I'd have to guess that the MacBook and MacBook Pro sales (*individually*) will surpass the MacBook Air's once it's "newness" wears off.

 

[youradhere4222]

I agree with the guy you're bashing, and 5 is nearly 6, not exactly double, but nearly double.
MBA is a great machine- no body cares if you like it, but don't bash it!
One thing that's very nice about the MBA is that it's forced to be a portable- i use my MBP as a desktop, so if I get enough money, I'll buy an Air- because it's a portable
MBA sales may decline after the "newness" wears off, but that's the same with every device, and MBA will continue to sell well, because it is very well set for students, writers, businessmen, etc.

Number one, yes numbers can be close and I took specific mention of that word, but whether or not you're comparing 3 pounds to 5 pounds the reality is that the weight difference is slight (I've compared), and even though you can tell the MacBook Air is lighter the reality is that the MacBook isn't heavy in the least.

Also, I wasn't "bashing" the MacBook Air - I responded to the original question posed by the thread. Obviously, I understand that for some people portability is more important than power - but I gave my reasons for why I think it will be discontinued. If you'd like, go back and read it.

While a small amount of my post was opinion, most of it was fact. Just because you don't like it doesn't make it bashing.

 

[youradhere4222]

So, how many of us need to get on and tell you that it perfectly serves our needs before you will admit that "for many of us, it clearly is enough" can be a true statement even if it doesn't fit YOUR needs. I don't need an external mouse and keyboard. Haven't used one in the full four years before this that I used the 3 pound Sony TX650P. Used both USB ports on that thing once, or twice. Not enough that I have even worried about getting a hub...

I'm not basing it on any number of people - I am, however, basing it around the fact that many people use at least two USB ports, and if they do not I'm sure people like having them.

I've seen replies stating that they don't like it, and the unfortunate truth of it is that no matter how many people here can claim to think otherwise, it won't in anyway amount to the number of people who own MacBook Airs.

My opinion is that the majority of people who have a MacBook Air would prefer more USB ports, feel free to disagree with me.

So it was about you?

No.

To bring my Vaio back into this, I only needed 20 GB of that hard drive for data. Played with Linux, etc in the remaining space. I've even partitioned off 10 GB of this SSD for installing BootCamp eventually. I also have only needed the CD drive when installing software or ripping CDs. On the Vaio, I always turned it off for the battery savings.

Great. That's your opinion. Once again, I'd have to assume that the majority of people would prefer more than 20GB - feel free to disagree if you'd like.

We can tell how much experience because people expect it to do every thing, but are really unclear about the things it is very capable of. Those who focus obsessively on the "lack of ports" or "lack of power" tend to be those who haven't seen one. This is not true of all the complainers on this board, but it is true of most.

You really can't, sorry. My mom has a MacBook Air - even though I tried to talk her out of it. My sister has a MacBook Pro, and I've played around with the MacBook.

Just because you disagree with my opinion doesn't make it fair or justified to say I have no experience with the MacBook Air.