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oheckyeah

macrumors member
Feb 23, 2011
32
0
ABQ, NM
Because it reduces the margin. Apple puts 2GB into the current model, for $999. You want 2GB more, it's another $100. (A bargain, IMO)

If they introduce the next model with 4GB of memory and start the price at $999 (or lower it, as many have discussed) they are losing money right off the top because their component cost has just increased, with no return for the upgrade.

While I would love to see the low-end MBA get 4GB of RAM as a stock configuration, I would not expect it.

With this philosophy computer companies would be offering 8megabytes of RAM with a $5000 4gb upgrade. The old luxuries become the new standard.
 

jlblodgett

macrumors 6502a
Apr 18, 2008
567
0
With this philosophy computer companies would be offering 8megabytes of RAM with a $5000 4gb upgrade. The old luxuries become the new standard.


We will just have to wait and see. Like I said, I would love to see more RAM in the base model MBA's, but I would not expect it.

As another poster pointed out, the base model iMac only comes with 4 GB of RAM. The entry level Mac Mini only comes with 2 GB of RAM. Heck even the base model Mac Pro only comes with 3 GB of RAM. Apple has always had the bare minimum of RAM on it's low end machines, with the option of user BTO customization.

The new "luxuries" will be the new processor, the new integrated graphics (longer battery life/cooler) and the Thunderbolt port.
 

oheckyeah

macrumors member
Feb 23, 2011
32
0
ABQ, NM
We will just have to wait and see. Like I said, I would love to see more RAM in the base model MBA's, but I would not expect it.

As another poster pointed out, the base model iMac only comes with 4 GB of RAM. The entry level Mac Mini only comes with 2 GB of RAM. Heck even the base model Mac Pro only comes with 3 GB of RAM. Apple has always had the bare minimum of RAM on it's low end machines, with the option of user BTO customization.

The new "luxuries" will be the new processor, the new integrated graphics (longer battery life/cooler) and the Thunderbolt port.

i wouldn't be surprised if you're right though. but i believe thats a big mistake. one of the sole reasons i recently purchased a MBP instead of an air was because of available RAM upgrades (not very user upgradeable on the air due to proprietary screws). at 2gb, there are better offerings on the market, and i believe that apple will do better to take the loss of moving to 4gb at the same price point and selling more product.
 

jlblodgett

macrumors 6502a
Apr 18, 2008
567
0
i wouldn't be surprised if you're right though. but i believe thats a big mistake. one of the sole reasons i recently purchased a MBP instead of an air was because of available RAM upgrades (not very user upgradeable on the air due to proprietary screws). at 2gb, there are better offerings on the market, and i believe that apple will do better to take the loss of moving to 4gb at the same price point and selling more product.


RAM in the MBA is soldered directly onto the motherboard. Unless you are quite handy with the soldering iron, I would not recommend any RAM alterations outside of the Apple store.

The upgrade to 4GB is only $100. When you consider the fact that it must be soldered directly onto the motherboard - that seems a very reasonable price to pay if you simply MUST have the 4GB of ram.

And the MBA's have been the hottest selling laptop in Apple's lineup -- with a 2 GB base model. No reason to think that changes in the next year or so.
 

oheckyeah

macrumors member
Feb 23, 2011
32
0
ABQ, NM
RAM in the MBA is soldered directly onto the motherboard. Unless you are quite handy with the soldering iron, I would not recommend any RAM alterations outside of the Apple store.

The upgrade to 4GB is only $100. When you consider the fact that it must be soldered directly onto the motherboard - that seems a very reasonable price to pay if you simply MUST have the 4GB of ram.

And the MBA's have been the hottest selling laptop in Apple's lineup -- with a 2 GB base model. No reason to think that changes in the next year or so.

but at 4gb standard with an 8gb option?? even more sales, while also laying to rest some "luxury net-book" accusations.
 

hcho3

macrumors 68030
May 13, 2010
2,783
0
SD card reader? LOL
Nope... Doubt

4GB Ram Standard? Maybe on 13 inch, but 11 inch? Apple will probably keep charging 100 dollars.

Some people are talking about price drop and base price will be 899 dollars. Doubtttt..... ful.

Just by looking at how generous apple is right now with B2S promo this year, it is very unlikely that apple will cut anymore prices on MBA.

They don't need to... It's selling well.
 

rhb

macrumors newbie
Oct 5, 2009
22
0
4GB Ram Standard? Maybe on 13 inch, but 11 inch? Apple will probably keep charging 100 dollars.

Agreed on that. 4Gb stock on the 13", 4Gb BTO on the 11".

And as for other enhancements:

1. SB (for the poster who thinks Apple will wait for Ivy Bridge to bump the MBA, you're loco maximus).
2. Thunderbolt
3. Lion (which I'm running in beta on a Rev 2 MBA SSD w/ 2Gb RAM right now, and it's quite fast)
4. A minor uptick in battery life, probably
5. They'll start both models at 128Gb flash storage, and eliminate the 64Gb option

That's about it. Same price point. And I'll get the 11", maxed out, pronto.
 

jmpnop

macrumors 6502a
Aug 8, 2010
821
34
Why not?

They are selling laptops right now that come with 2GB standard.

I would expect the RAM to remain exactly the same.

4GB is the standard nowadays and I expect a $1000+ product to have it. Otherwise Apple is too greedy.
 

skier777

macrumors 6502
Jul 3, 2010
325
6
Probably a 12core xeon processor, 16GB ram BTO up to 64GB, 4HDD bays with 3TB SSD's in a RAID10, a 1200ppi retina touch screen, built in 3G, induction charging and of course a backlit keyboard.

No thunderbolt ports though.
 

skier777

macrumors 6502
Jul 3, 2010
325
6
With this philosophy computer companies would be offering 8megabytes of RAM with a $5000 4gb upgrade. The old luxuries become the new standard.

The difference is that people are willing to pay 100bucks to upgrade a $1300 computer. They would be less willing to pay $5000 to upgrade a useless one.

I know youre just kidding, but 2GB is actually still a fair bit and $100 is quite reasonable. i wouldnt be surprised to see 8GB offered at $300.
 

Mr. Mustard

macrumors member
Jun 11, 2007
39
0
CO
I can't wait for everyone who wasn't going to buy one say "worst update ever". It WON'T have a dedicated GPU, or 8gb of ram, or, or, wait for it..........a damn backlit keyboard. It's only 11 inches people & it's thin as hell! Where do you think they can put all these componets?
 

NutsNGum

macrumors 68030
Jul 30, 2010
2,856
367
Glasgow, Scotland
We do also have to consider Lion itself though. Lion on 2 GB would probably experience significant slowdown from time to time. Since Apple seems to be intent on flashing Lion around like crazy, 4 GB is needed to assure that the machines will run smoothly with Apple's proud creation.

I disagree, Apple routinely makes assertions that software should be made to run smoothly on whatever hardware it is used, not the other way round.

I think the 1st gen iPad is a prime example, at 256MB of RAM I can run quite a few applications before it starts crippling itself. I don't think the Macbook Air is going to struggle with 2 gigs given its target market.

The SSD will play a bigger part in ensuring a smooth user experience than extra RAM in this instance.
 

PraisiX-windows

macrumors regular
May 19, 2011
185
0
You forget that Sandy Bridge uses 1333 RAM vs the current 1066. This does make a little bit of difference. Also, since SB has support for more RAM, apple might/might not just put the base option at 4 GB. RAM really isn't all that expensive right now, and with how well the current batch is selling, they're going to need more to entice early adopters to upgrade.

The speed of the ram makes no difference what so ever (~1% improvement at best probably), however, it could be nice with 4gb standard, at least then I would save the $135 upgrading from the current standard of 2gb.
 

orfeas0

macrumors 6502a
Aug 21, 2010
971
1
Athens, Greece
The difference is that people are willing to pay 100bucks to upgrade a $1300 computer. They would be less willing to pay $5000 to upgrade a useless one.

I know youre just kidding, but 2GB is actually still a fair bit and $100 is quite reasonable. i wouldnt be surprised to see 8GB offered at $300.

find me ONE computer at 1300$ without 4gb ram or more...
4gb ram as standard starts for other manufacturers at the 800-900$ price point! and apple not only sells 1000$+ laptops, they don't even have 4gb ram and overcharge the upgrade!
 

orfeas0

macrumors 6502a
Aug 21, 2010
971
1
Athens, Greece

NutsNGum

macrumors 68030
Jul 30, 2010
2,856
367
Glasgow, Scotland
aha nice one. But that's not overpriced because it has actualy materials that are worth thousands. But anyway, just in case you didn't notice:

It's from 2006 and has 1gb up to 2! Now we're at 2011 and the new mba will have 2gb as standard? Do you see the comparison now?

Now, now. Don't change the goalposts. You said find you a laptop at $1300 that didn't have 4 gigs of RAM. Given that this is almost 30 times that price I assumed that it might qualify.

Date wasn't mentioned as a factor. Neither was relative worth.

Also, not overpriced? Regardless of the materials used, it is more expensive than a house. I think a few people might disagree with you on that point.
 

orfeas0

macrumors 6502a
Aug 21, 2010
971
1
Athens, Greece
Now, now. Don't change the goalposts. You said find you a laptop at $1300 that didn't have 4 gigs of RAM. Given that this is almost 30 times that price I assumed that it might qualify.

Date wasn't mentioned as a factor. Neither was relative worth.

Also, not overpriced? Regardless of the materials used, it is more expensive than a house. I think a few people might disagree with you on that point.

I thought date as a factor was a given... otherwise you could take any 10year old laptop and tell me "look! 256mb ram for a 2k$ laptoP!"....

You get my point, I got yours. Now let's see what apple does :)
 
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