What reasonable things would you like to see in the MBA version 2?

[Roller]

I've explained this in so many posts that I'm beginning to hope whichever Apple-addled party taking umbrage at one of my posts would stumble on those as well.

There's this thing called OSX. I own software which runs on this thing called OSX. And unlike most consumers who don't believe in paying for software, I actually pay for stuff and have bespoke development projects in place, which means that my investment in software rivals/exceeds investment in hardware.

And there's this range of very pretty yet badly engineered and defect-laden machines (especially those bearing the laughable 'Pro' moniker) manufactured by the same company which OSX exclusively runs on.

Well - that's not entirely true as you and I know. It runs on other machines but it becomes a toss-up between somewhat unreliable and considerably hassle-laden software operation on a reliable hardware platform, or somewhat less unreliable, no-hassle software operation on an unreliable hardware platform. In the light of this situation, I find myself choosing hardware which is supported under OSX - the lesser of two evils if you will.

Can't understand why people take umbrage at your posts? Could it be because you manage to pepper them with insulting phrases ("Apple-addled party," "most consumers who don't believe in paying for software," and "another sheep abandoning a ship that's recently just as good as the one they're jumping to because other people (who themselves don't know what they're talking about) says so") to give just three examples.

Not that you're likely to take this advice, but perhaps if you just answered the question or simply presented your opinions without being condescending, people wouldn't be so put off.

To get back to the original question, though: I think that we have to differentiate between version 1.5, which will probably sport internal improvements such as a cooler CPU or a larger SSD, and version 2.0, which might incorporate changes that require more of a redesign. I'm hoping that we at least see MBA 1.5 before MW Expo 2009.

 

[Sesshi]

Oh I do understand why people take umbrage. I just wish they'd think before put their Apple-addled brains in attack mode. Sweet delusions or less popular truths - not a tough choice for me, I have to say. There is always the Ignore button.

 

[samscam]

Small things....

As a prediction I'll go with minimal changes. Larger HD, faster processor.

As a wouldn't-it-be-nice I would hazard that they might just possibly introduce USB-3. It could assuage all your firewire worries.

 

[buccsmf1]

There is absolutely no way that they add an ethernet port.... IT'S CALLED THE AIR...... MAYBE they add a firewire or extra USB port but i doubt it.

 

[Tosser]

There is absolutely no way that they add an ethernet port.... IT'S CALLED THE AIR.....

You cannot base you opinion on a brand name. It's like saying that Tivoli Audio should only make speakers for merry-go-rounds or that since the Macbook "Pro" is named that way, it will _always_ have pro ports. Guess what, they tried nixing FW800, but fortunately, people were in uproar about it, so they put it back in, no thanks to the fanboys.

 

[Skeletal-dæmon]

Oooh, how about a "slice" that mates to the bottom of the MBA and adds a 2.5" HDD, Superdrive, and ports!? If it could add additional processing power too that'd be very cool. Put the whole thing in a package that 's as thin as an MBP and they'd sell like mad.

No no no no NO!!! ITS A DUO-DOCK ALL OVER AGAIN! RUNAWAY!

Heh heh now that I've stopped laughing and have got slightly unnerved that I remember the Duo-Dock considering I was like four at the time, I've been having a ponder about the MBA and I can only find one quibble (thats the third time I've said quibble today, I'm turning old!) with it - the battery can't be replaced.

I mean I'm never going to buy the MBA, but I know from past experience that not being able to switch batteries in the middle of a journey somewhere is a bloody pain in the arse! C'mon, its a MacBook AIR. Free it from its power-cord tether!

Dæmon

 

[Tosser]

I mean I'm never going to buy the MBA, but I know from past experience that not being able to switch batteries in the middle of a journey somewhere is a bloody pain in the arse! C'mon, its a MacBook AIR. Free it from its power-cord tether!

Yes, a non-swappable battery on a computer which takes hours and hours to charge, because Apple in their infinate wisdom thought it wise to supply a 45W charger. Of course, it's most likely because of heat issues, but when it takes up to six hours to charge a Li-ion, something is just plain wrong.

 

[awvan]

Realistically I'd really like to see it run cooler and have longer battery life, hopefully the new processors do that. They will probably be a bit faster too, though I don't have any problem with the speed right now.

Slightly bigger HHD, and cheaper and/or bigger SSD option would be nice too. It will never get an ethernet port, I'm sure Steve sees ethernet going the same way he sees optical drives going, just as usual, he is a couple years early.

 

[BWhaler]

Strong Needs:

1. The new 5x faster Intel GPU
2. Fix the heat/core shut down issue
3. Minimum of 128 gigs of SSD space

Strong Wants:
1. 4 gigs of memory
2. External battery (It would be killer if it were designed as a modified plug/battery white brick.)
3. Faster CPU
4. Longer battery life (Yes, I see the irony given the rest of the list)
5. Better resolution

Mild Wants:
1. Another USB port
2. Swappable battery

 

[jnc]

...Aside from the usual "faster, cooler, better" internal tweaks...

64GB SSD/160GB $1799
128GB SSD $2598

4GB RAM option
2xUSB - being unable to use other USB peripherals with Superdrive connected is way too limiting
Better speakers
Swappable battery
Smaller dimensions (less space around keyboard and smaller screen bezel should shave a few mm)

...voilà!

Ethernet, FW and/or ExpressCard would be nice too.... wouldn't hold my breath though.

 

[Tosser]

The funny thing is, had Apple not all but abandoned firewire, it would be the perfect plug for the MBA. First of all it has more power, but it does something USB can't: You can chain devices without any problems. That alone would make the lack of ports a bit more bareable.

 

[ic1]

I'd like to second or third glitch44 back at post 14. I visited the Westside Manhattan store in March which was my first chance to put my paws on a Mac Book Air. I'd read up on all the pluses and minuses (here and on other forums) and the package was what I have needed for a long time and I was ready to buy. However there was no security cable slot.

The great majority of this thread is rightly focused on technological improvements Apple could well include in V.2, making an already attractive product that much more usable. However, the absence of a basic, low-tech item squelched me.

Please add a security slot. I'd like to keep what I have.

 

[muldul]

A replaceable battery would sell me

 

[CJRhoades]

I'd like to see either options for additional RAM or make the RAM user replaceable.

 

[dwsolberg]

I will buy it when...

I'm going to buy a MBA. I'm waiting for three things:
1. 4 GB of RAM -- I need to run VMWARE among other RAM-hungry apps.
2. Acceptable power/heat -- Basically, the current speeds are fine so long as the computer doesn't start to fry and slow down under load.
3. 128 FAST SSD to come down in price so it's "only" $1000 more.

The only other thing I really want is a matte screen, but I'll buy whenever prices and technology allow Apple to add the above three things.