Waiting for next MBA revision, what do you think it's going to inlcude ?

[perryj]

I'm a university student, (I graduate in 8 weeks, so Apple had better hurry up and release the MBA D's so I can apply my edu discount ) I'll be attending grad school starting this summer, and I want to upgrade my MB for a MBA (kinda a grad present from my wife) plus I will be lugging it in my backpack for 3 more years.......I have been following several threads on here waiting on the next revision, but I'm wondering what it will likely include for the Air ?

I especially have been following this thread.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/869283/

but it's mainly the MBP's so I don't know if these are the likely "updates" to the Air also ?
Nvidia, i5, I assume ??

So what are we "hoping" for ?
Thanks !

 

[perryj]

the main things I'm hoping for is a new bezel, like the uni MBP, and new track pad, and then any speed/power bumps would just be icing

 

[Paperboy2010]

I'm a university student, (I graduate in 8 weeks, so Apple had better hurry up and release the MBA D's so I can apply my edu discount ) I'll be attending grad school starting this summer, and I want to upgrade my MB for a MBA (kinda a grad present from my wife) plus I will be lugging it in my backpack for 3 more years.......I have been following several threads on here waiting on the next revision, but I'm wondering what it will likely include for the Air ?

I especially have been following this thread.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/869283/

but it's mainly the MBP's so I don't know if these are the likely "updates" to the Air also ?
Nvidia, i5, I assume ??

So what are we "hoping" for ?
Thanks !

More RAM
Better Speakers
More SSD options
New Design perhaps
Faster processor

 

[MartiNZ]

Glass trackpad. Glass cover screen option, 4GB RAM. Some clever graphics solution we haven't foreseen that avoids Intel still.

 

[Raje]

Hoping? Well, I am hoping for:

Core I7, Nvidia GeForce GTX 285m, 8gb of ram, USB 3.0 and lightpeak, 20 hour battery life, 1 TB SSD, and a glass trackpad like the MBPs. Hey I can dream right oh and price $1000

What Rev. D will most likely have:

Core i3(base)/i5(high end), 4gb of ram, USB 3.0, somewhat longer battery life 7 hours, 256gb or larger SSD(forget the HDD) and an MBP like glass track pad, probably a slightly improved Nvidia card (310m on base??? and 325m on high end???)

 

[MartiNZ]

Just saw an hp envy for the first time. It really is a flattering imitation of the Air, and with 2 USB and HDMI (isn't it?) and a dedicated graphics card ... in what looks to be not much more space. Any chance for dedicated in Air d?

 

[Paperboy2010]

Just saw an hp envy for the first time. It really is a flattering imitation of the Air, and with 2 USB and HDMI (isn't it?) and a dedicated graphics card ... in what looks to be not much more space. Any chance for dedicated in Air d?

But as many have said here, the HP machines are pretty poorly built and crap out pretty easily. Don't be swayed by the specs until you can judge (and hear from others about) the performance over time.

 

[Hands Sandon]

55 googles of light lazer beam intensity with guaranteed asteroid smashing abilities (maybe even star smashers). Trillions of millions of light beams covering every colour of the universe in all it's blinding brilliance and intensity. 1000 watt built in amp and speakers with an awe inspiring 3000 watt subwoofer that's bridgeable too. Slight thin silver chrome around the screen (like the iPhone). And last, but not least, super thin. Maybe get it down to a max of 2.5mm, because it's really got to remain focused on being thin and lightweight.

 

[MartiNZ]

But as many have said here, the HP machines are pretty poorly built and crap out pretty easily. Don't be swayed by the specs until you can judge (and hear from others about) the performance over time.

Oh don't worry I would never ... . More just that I was impressed about how well they had done on the looks for a PC ... especially vs the adamo that is supposed to be all about that and not much more. And impressed by the presence of dedicated graphics. Well, hopefully not much longer until we know - possibly no new releases this side of the iPad though, wouldn't want to steal its thunder now.

 

[Scottsdale]

The MBA and Sony Vaio laptops are the two most popular computer choices of grad students. You will see a lot of Vaio Z's, I am sure. It is really one heck of a capable computer. Windows 7 is no slouch either. On the campus I visit, about 90% of professors use MBAs and 50% of students use MBAs and about 90% of those have Windows installed via Boot Camp. About the other 50% use Sony Vaios. It's literally RARE to see a grad student without either an MBA or Vaio... occasionally an MBP but there always the "geek" left out of the group with way too much horsepower for the requirements.

I am going to go WAY OUT on a limb and expect that although it should have been introduced four months ago, it will be released on March 16 as is rumored over in the MBP section of MR.

What I expect...

Either -
Core 2 Duo CPU, Nvidia 9400m successor, 4 GB RAM, 1 x USB 3.0, same form factor, 128 GB and 256 GB SSDs standard. $1299 and $1599.

OR -
Core i7-640UM (1.2 GHz to 2.26 GHz Boost - it's essentially what the current C2D is doing anyways), with Nvidia 310m and Optimus, 4 GB RAM, 1 x USB 3.0, same form factor, 128 GB and 256 GB SSDs standard. $1499 and $1799.

What I want...

Core i7-640LM 2.13 GHz to 2.93 GHz boost, Nvidia 330M with Optimus, 8 GB RAM, 1 x USB 3.0, 256 GB SSD, HD 1440 x 900 13" IPS Display, Silver aluminum capped keys on keyboard, digital audio out (no black parts at all), Blu Ray external (optional $299), new hinges, no bezel with display going right to the edge, aluminum case removing all wasted space that currently is bezel and all space around keyboard, silky-smooth glass buttonless trackpad, weighing in at 2 lb. (same thickness in remaining areas not removed around bezel), and finally a 10-day battery powered by (cold water fusion) a single drop of water... meeting every green certification possible so Apple can market it as the "Greenest Mac Ever." What I will pay, $5k as requested... willing to pay more for "extras." Less without the absurd and (currently) fictional battery request.


FINALLY, I have said this in other threads, but I am saying again here... When the real update comes, probably late this year, the MBA will get a new revolutionary display of some sort. It might be an HD IPS display, OLED, or even 3D... but this will happen within two updates of the current version of the MBA. Remember I have been saying this for four or five months and I am sticking with it no matter how ridiculous it sounds.

 

[iMacmatician]

Core i7 LV with Intel GMA HD
Maybe higher resolution display
4 GB RAM
HDD/SSD (whatever capacities are out now)
Same design, ports, etc.

 

[CountBrass]

So what are we "hoping" for ?

4GB memory standard, expandable to 16GB.
Minimum 256GB SSD hard drive with bto option to 512GB SSD.
17" screen (but I dont want the case to be any bigger).
Cup holder on the left, cold drinks dispenser on the right.
Two buttons on the trackpad (no multi-touch, sorry: cup holder took up the space).
Price reduced by $1000.

Is there anything more foolish than speculating on an upgrade to an existing device? Ooh ooh! More memory! Faster CPU! Faster GPU!

And you damn kids better stay off my lawn dag nabbit!

 

[stoconnell]

And you damn kids better stay off my lawn dag nabbit!

Back in my day, we had to walk to school uphill both ways in the freezing rain with bears, and we got MacBook Airs with 2GB of RAM. And we liked it.

 

[jdechko]

Hoping for the new ones to have 4GB RAM, i7 (2.26 > 2.93), and I guess the nVidia 310m would be fine by me. I'd also like a glass trackpad and wouldn't object to a larger SSD, though 128 or 160 would be fine. USB 3.0 would be cool just because.

 

[perryj]

Do you all think we have a shot at getting rid of the siver bezel or are we stuck with it ?

 

[ATiph0ne]

I wouldn't expect too much from it. At best id imagine a slightly larger SSD hard drive option and slightly faster processor.

As for looks, if their strategy with the iphone is anything to go by, it will look exactly the same (which isn't a bad thing).

 

[roxygal9]

Hey You all hate to hijack this thread but may be relevant.

In Arrandale THread section someone spotted a Bestbuy image that shows 15/17 MBP and MBA being sold with i7 processor! Updates may be soon....

 

[roxygal9]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Apple&#...inum/9391384.p?id=1218097699910&skuId=9391384

There is image of a MBA in case ur interested and if gets deleted!

 

[Raje]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Apple&#...inum/9391384.p?id=1218097699910&skuId=9391384

There is image of a MBA in case ur interested and if gets deleted!

This is a good sign a very good sign. Or else Steve Jobs is just trying to toy with us

 

[Scottsdale]

This is a good sign a very good sign. Or else Steve Jobs is just trying to toy with us

I bet you it's nothing more than a switch in the link to added logo being updated with current CPU's info.

It is nice that the MBA is backordered and leaves in a week or two. That is the kind of update information we're looking for before an actual update.

I believe a Core i7 will make it into the MBA eventually, but I would think the MBP would get a Core i5 CPU. With the Mac mini leak about getting the updated Nvidia GPU/chipset, I really thought Apple would keep the C2D in the MBA, low-end MBP, and Mac mini. Maybe this is a good sign... or perhaps it's NOTHING. And it's only a good thing to lose C2D if we're gaining dedicated graphics, otherwise it's devastating.

I still think that now is beyond the point of an update and any point after this Tuesday/Wednesday would now interfere with the iPad updates/attention. Surely Apple doesn't want MBP traffic when it's busy featuring its iPad? I thought Apple was better at scheduling its cash flow than this. Look at the normal cycles of one set of product updates per quarter... Mac notebooks | iPhones | iPods | Mac Desktops and REPEAT! iPad gets thrown into the loop, so Apple ignores the Macs further between updates.