What if the MBA only gets a spec bump? Would you be happy? Ecstatic? Disappointed?

[Mhkobe]

11.6"

I barely get by with a 13.3" screen, an 11.6" would do me no good. I don't really want to see a core ix CPU given the likelihood an intel IGP only, but if they can fit in a discrete I would be ecstatic. If they release a 15" (we can always dream) model I would buy one immediately unless it carries an intel IGP only, or if it weighs more than 4.5 pounds (possible?).
As for SSD size and memory, I need at least 4Gb RAM, and am fine with a 128Gb SSD.

 

[CaoCao]

I barely get by with a 13.3" screen, an 11.6" would do me no good. I don't really want to see a core ix CPU given the likelihood an intel IGP only, but if they can fit in a discrete I would be ecstatic. If they release a 15" (we can always dream) model I would buy one immediately unless it carries an intel IGP only, or if it weighs more than 4.5 pounds (possible?).
As for SSD size and memory, I need at least 4Gb RAM, and am fine with a 128Gb SSD.

The lightest 15" ATM is 5.2lb.

 

[Gli.Azzuri]

surely there is some HUGE update ahead, they have only been working on it for almost 500 days! dissapointment if it doesnt get a squeaky-clean look

 

[cleric]

Anything with 4gb of ram will be a decent enough update.

 

[Scottsdale]

Anything with 4gb of ram will be a decent enough update.

In all honesty, I am fine with this too. I would really appreciate a glass trackpad too... but at the end of the day all the MBA NEEDS is 4 GB of RAM to still be perfection for my needs. I can think of many things I want, but the only thing the MBA NEEDS is 4 GB RAM.

The RAM should have been updated last April if not January. There was no work needed to put 4 GB RAM into it, so I don't get why that MBA wasn't here a long time ago. Apple could probably have sold 3X as many with just 4 GB RAM. I don't know how many sales it could have lost if it just did an all around spec bump adjustment... 320m Nvidia card, 192/256 GB SSD, and 4 GB RAM, and people would have been all over it!

Since we have waited this long, it really should be something spectacular... but I would still buy it if all that is updated is the RAM.

 

[.summerfree]

I don't care how Apple does it, but I'd like to see the price come down and battery life go up. Honestly, even if it's $100 less and gets an hour extra I'm sold. I reckon in this day and age, 4GB of RAM is a given-- but it's Apple, so I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[thinkdesign]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 8.12; MSIEMobile6.0) Sprint T7380)

If they "spec-bump" it, yes I'll almost certainly get it.... but only because of the timing of my needs.

If I had an Air already, I'd want to wait longer for a substantial revision, if only to (one hopes) get a hinge improvement, and a SSD size increase.

 

[niuniu]

Just want a light and small portable that runs OS X to use occasionally. Same thing I've wanted for years. 11.6 with 3G would be a dream. Battery life doesn't have to be great - a few hours would satisfy me. 2GB RAM would also be fine.

 

[iRun26.2]

And EVERYTHING you have read about Sandy Bridge has been Windows-based drivers and OS. It simply doesn't equate to anywhere near the same thing on OS X.

But what proof do you have that it is so poor?

 

[skate71290]

But what proof do you have that it is so poor?

He is probably going off previous experience with Apple and Graphics Drivers, my experience tells me that Windows works much better with Graphics Cards, and i believe Sandy Bridge will be no different

 

[skate71290]

Oh and good news everyone, a Back To The Mac. media event for next Wednesday! I'm hoping:
- 10.7 Lion beta
- 10.6.5 release
- Notebook lineup refresh, major refresh of the 13" MBP and MBA

 

[mr0c]

In all honesty, I am fine with this too. I would really appreciate a glass trackpad too... but at the end of the day all the MBA NEEDS is 4 GB of RAM to still be perfection for my needs. I can think of many things I want, but the only thing the MBA NEEDS is 4 GB RAM.

Since we have waited this long, it really should be something spectacular... but I would still buy it if all that is updated is the RAM.

I don't know if it's only an 11.6 screen, I think I'd have to pass (as opposed to the 13.3) ... and maybe thinking long term would 4GB be enough in 2/3 years?

I'm a regular VM user, so for me it would probably mean a MBP .... decisions decisions ... best get the the gym for lugging the MBP around

 

[Scottsdale]

He is probably going off previous experience with Apple and Graphics Drivers, my experience tells me that Windows works much better with Graphics Cards, and i believe Sandy Bridge will be no different

Absolutely, there is no defined "proof" until Apple is dumb enough to release one. I don't think it's going to happen.

However, if someone does want "proof" that the current Intel IGP sucks badly too, we just need someone to determine how to disable the Nvidia GPU on their MBP 15" with both Intel IGP and Nvidia GPU. Right now, people can disable the Intel IGP but the reverse is not true.

However, as you said, previous experience yes... and the fact that Windows is 3X more capable when it comes to OpenGL graphics. And the fact that we have all dealt with MBA's with Intel's IGP and it's and always has been CRAP.

I am not saying Intel isn't improving, but it's nowhere near where it needs to be for Apple to use it with OS X and have even moderate success. It just isn't what we need with OS X computers right now.

Hell, when Apple can improve on its part, and when Intel catches up with ALL of the Nvidia GPU/chipset specs, it would be time for Apple to go with it. It represents a huge cost savings as Apple has to buy the IGP with every Core i-series CPU. If they didn't have the discrete GPU cost in addition, that would be a good thing for shareholders.

I really like the name of the Apple Media Event next Wednesday. Cannot get any better than Back to the Mac. I have been saying the Mac has been left alone with no real improvement for way too long.

I still think that we will get an MBA update, along with iLife 11, iWork 11, and looks like a preview of OS X Lion as well. I do believe it's very possible the MB and MBP will get updated too. All 13" Macs need an update. Whatever Apple uses in the MBA it will use in the 13" MB/MBP also. So why not at the same time?

I was certain that Apple would introduce a smaller iPad before Christmas, but they cannot do it at this event. Maybe a quiet press release? Not like there would be features they couldn't just show on a commercial and sell like 3b per month especially right before the holiday season.

 

[bjavor]

I really like the name of the Apple Media Event next Wednesday. Cannot get any better than Back to the Mac. I have been saying the Mac has been left alone with no real improvement for way too long.

++

 

[TSE]

-Custom AMD APU
-4 GBs of RAM (8 GBs RAM +$299) - expensive upgrade is always typical of Apple
-128 GB SSD (256 GB SSD +$299) - forces people to go for the MacBook/Pro if they desire more space
-11.6", 1366x768 LED display (1600x900 display +$299) - 1600x900 resolution has been done at 11.6" I believe and the upgrade is equally expensive
-Mini Displayport, 2x USB, 1x SD Card slot, x1 Microphone/Mic combo - Typical Apple skimpy on ports, but needs to atleast add a couple since there is competition in this niche market now
-Full sized, edge-to-edge backlit keyboard - Edge-to-Edge = from one edge of laptop to the other, no extra room.
-7 Hour Battery life (4-5 realistic) - AMD's new processor line has been getting 5 1/2 hours, no reason why it shouldn't hit alteast 4
-2.9 lbs, .80 inches at deepest point - Slightly thicker, slightly smaller footprint and lighter.

Base Price: $999

 

[Scottsdale]

-Custom AMD APU
-4 GBs of RAM (8 GBs RAM +$299) - expensive upgrade is always typical of Apple
-128 GB SSD (256 GB SSD +$299) - forces people to go for the MacBook/Pro if they desire more space
-11.6", 1366x768 LED display (1600x900 display +$299) - 1600x900 resolution has been done at 11.6" I believe and the upgrade is equally expensive
-Mini Displayport, 2x USB, 1x SD Card slot, x1 Microphone/Mic combo - Typical Apple skimpy on ports, but needs to atleast add a couple since there is competition in this niche market now
-Full sized, edge-to-edge backlit keyboard - Edge-to-Edge = from one edge of laptop to the other, no extra room.
-7 Hour Battery life (4-5 realistic) - AMD's new processor line has been getting 5 1/2 hours, no reason why it shouldn't hit alteast 4
-2.9 lbs, .80 inches at deepest point - Slightly thicker, slightly smaller footprint and lighter.

Base Price: $999

I think you're dreaming, but hey anything is possible. I am all for any MBA that adds to the capabilities over the current no matter what CPU/GPU/chipset is used. I am not for going backwards from the two-year-old MBA. I could live with everything you have listed... but I want even more BTO options if they start at $999.

 

[Moodikar]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)

My pref:

- small footprint, 11.6 screen
- 4gb of ram
- i3,5,7 not c2d and something to keep the fan from needing to keep it cool!
- glass trackpad (more to stop the button from scratching the top bezel of MBA).
- better battery life. I'd sacrifice some weight for longer life.
- usb3 and perhaps 2 of them
- less bezel
- same stuff left out: DVD, Ethernet, FireWire.
- keep aluminum or durable metal.

Dream items:
- touch
- 500gb SSD
- 3G
- atsc tv tuner built in
- 10 hour battery
- better camera
-16:9 screen ratio
- instant on like iPad

I will keep dreaming but I'm sure I'll like what they believe we all want.

 

[nidserz]

Honestly I would like to see the MBA redesigned so it can compete against the Z series.

I would like an i5 processor, but i3 will do (its Apple...)
A Blu Ray player, but a DVD drive will do...
4GB RAM
128, 256 SSD options
Glass trackpad
Longer battery life

I've been waiting for a MBA refresh. Going to get rid of my 13" MB and get a desktop, and MBA to go with it instead of an iPad. The iPad is cool and all, but doesnt replace a laptop for me. A MBA would be ideal for couch surfing and travelling, etc. If the event next weekend doesn't introduce a competitive MBA, I am going for the Sony Z series.

 

[jimboutilier]

Given the relatively disappointing MBP 13 update I'm not very optimistic about a much more powerful MBA.

I would expect option 1 and/or 2 as suggested by Scottsdale but option 3 would interest me most.

Anything of decent power but much increased memory and storage (at least 8gb ram and at least 256gb ssd) would interest me though.

 

[Scottsdale]

Given the relatively disappointing MBP 13 update I'm not very optimistic about a much more powerful MBA.

I would expect option 1 and/or 2 as suggested by Scottsdale but option 3 would interest me most.

Anything of decent power but much increased memory and storage (at least 8gb ram and at least 256gb ssd) would interest me though.

I am just excited there will be an actual update... or so we think. All of the rumors are pointing towards an update but not what the update could include. If Apple is changing the case, shouldn't we have some blurry cam pics?

 

[Mhkobe]

I think that this late in the year, Apple needs to go with the ix over the c2d. I don't believe they will do this with a smile on their face, however, the c2d comes to an end at the end of this year, and they don't just update their products every three months. After the Intel igp disaster inside the original, I don't believe Apple will be willing to go with Intel igp unless it is Sandy Bridge. It is unlikely that they will be able to fit a discrete GPU into the MBA, so I would wager a guess that Apple worked out some kind of deal with Intel to get Sandy Bridge processors for testing months ago. Therefore, I think that the next MacBook Air will have a sandy bridge Intel igp, a lower resolution 11.6" screen, a long battery life, and a lower price tag.

Please keep in mind that this is what I think will happen, not what I want to happen. In fact, if Apple releases this machine I am afraid that this wait will have been pointless for me as it does not fit my needs at all. Then again, I know no more than anyone else, and Apple has been one to pleasantly surprise in the past.

Edit: I suppose there is a possibility for some chips from AMD, however, AMD CPU's are underpowered for their TDP.

 

[TSE]

Looks like I was right on the port front.

 

[Scottsdale]

Looks like I was right on the port front.

I hope you're right, but it seems like someone has already shot down the second USB port.

I don't think we know anything yet. This prototype probably tells us Apple wants to make these features part of the next MBA. However, size constraints and modern physics will dictate what actually makes it into the final product.

I do believe the prototype we're seeing probably represents where Apple wants to improve the MBA. Apple doesn't seem to want to get rid of C2D, and I don't blame them. Intel has really ruined the market for buyers, but most people just don't realize the downfalls of the Core i-series CPUs.

I hope there is something completely unseen... and a real innovative piece to the puzzle that we haven't heard about yet. In the past, it was the innovation that set Macs apart from PCs, and the recent Mac updates have been extremely disappointing, to me at least, on the innovation front.

 

[TSE]

I completely agree with you Scottsdale.

Macs aren't anything but a well-built PC with a different OS... and there are better built PCs (Thinkpads) and a lot of people don't mind how Thinkpads look.

 

[jclardy]

I'm hoping for an 11.6" screen with at least 1280x800 resolution like the 13". An extra USB port and an SD card slot would be cool. Maybe a new form factor that is more like the MBP line, only way thinner because of the lack of CD drive and normal sized HDD.

Processor wise I would like a C2D and 320M or an i3. As long as the price is right (AKA lower than the current one)

Edit: meant to write 320M