What Would You Like to See in Future MBAs?

[webitorgal]

I'm considering a Macbook Air in the next refresh, likely an 11 inch. It will be my first Mac in 13 years - I had one throughout high school, but switched to Windows for university. The MBA will be used as a second computer. What I'm hoping to see:

1. An SD slot for the 11 inch - I'm a blogger and would like to be able to upload pictures without the use of a converter or hooking my camera up to the computer

2. A lighter-weight machine - maybe down to 2 lb for the 11" and 2.5 lb for the 13"

I don't really care whether they bring back a backlit keyboard or not - I was taught to type without looking at the keyboard and have pretty much memorized where all the keys are.

What about you? How likely are we going to see lighter machines in the next refresh?

 

[rgs3]

Backlit keyboard would take it to another level. Theres just something very awesome about the backlit keyboards. I dont need to look at the keys to type, I just like the esthetics of it all. I would also like to see current gen processors in a current gen model. The last thing that I could ask for would be edge to edge display with zero bezel around the display and trim up around the keyboard. Thats all extra bulk as far as Im concerned.

 

[Windowsrefugee]

1. 4G (3G) modem so I don't have to carry around my VZW dongle
2. Even better battery life
3. More memory

I don't care so much about backlit keyboard as I really want longer battery life and can always tilt screen forward a little to see keyboard.

 

[ShiftClick]

1) 4G
2) USB 3.0
3) Thunderbolt
4) up to 8GB ram option


Mainly 1 and 2 but 3 and 4 would be nice as well. Don't give a hoot about BL keyboards. I always turn it off as it sucks power.

 

[epictempo]

Sd card slot and an 8 hour battery life (videos) will have me ditching this iPad2 quicker than the flash. intended.

 

[BENJMNS]

seriously just shut ur pretty faces with the tired backlit keyboard anthem. this is like the least desirable feature esp since it has a direct impact on battery life.

so simple really:

-more power
-longer battery life
-IPS display
-less weight
-runs cool

the new x220 does the mba better in three items above today for a fact. time for apple to step it up again.

 

[TheMacBookPro]

seriously just shut ur pretty faces with the tired backlit keyboard anthem.

Bit rude don't you think?

this is like the least desirable feature

In your opinion.

esp since it has a direct impact on battery life.

Not on my Pro or VAIO Z.

so simple really:

-more power
-longer battery life
-IPS display
-less weight
-runs cool

the new x220 does the mba better in three items above today for a fact. time for apple to step it up again.

Fair enough.

 

[mrsir2009]

This is for the 13" model as its the one I'm interested in:

1. Thunderbolt.

2. Backlit keyboard!

 

[Hellhammer]

the new x220 does the mba better in three items above today for a fact. time for apple to step it up again.

And is about twice as thick (up to ten times if measured from MBA's thinnest point) and weighs 0.7lb or 1.3lb more. Basically it's just a lighter 13" MBP since even MBP is thinner. No thank you.

 

[kurtster]

I know there's no real estate for it, but I wouldn't complain it if had a dedicated Ethernet port.

1. An SD slot for the 11 inch - I'm a blogger and would like to be able to upload pictures without the use of a converter or hooking my camera up to the computer

Have you tried an Eye-Fi memory card? I picked one up recently and it's made offloading photos from the camera SO much easier.

 

[maclaptop]

Longer battery life

 

[mrsir2009]

I know there's no real estate for it, but I wouldn't complain it if had a dedicated Ethernet port.

Get a 13" MBP.

 

[TheMacBookPro]

I know there's no real estate for it, but I wouldn't complain it if had a dedicated Ethernet port.

They could very easily do it like the VAIO X-

Flip it down to use it, flip it back up to maintain its thinness. It works because all the Ethernet pins are one side only.

Works well on my X128. (that thing is as thin and way lighter than the Air btw so don't say it isn't possible because it's heavier or thicker or anything)

Apple included the Ethernet adapter on the last gen Air- why did they cheap out and leave it out for the new generation?

Get a 13" MBP.

Why should one have to compromise on weight, thinness and portability when the above solution is possible?

 

[kurtster]

That's pretty cool. Trust Sony to push the envelope like that.

 

[Angelo95210]

Intel i3 or i5 CPU.

 

[animatedude]

IRS sensor to use or the Apple Remote.

 

[KnightWRX]

The MBA currently sold is a solid contender in and of itself. It has the perfect set of features already for me. The only things I'd want :

- higher resolution screen. 13", 1920x1200. Do it.
- Better GPU/CPU combo. No SB + Intel crap, gimme nVidia with newer generation processors. Intel should just get out of the GPU business.
- USB3 only to get a 1 Gbps USB Ethernet adapter. But that's candy.

Otherwise, keep it like it is.

 

[boffo]

More storage please

More storage please! I guess that means a 512GB SSD.

All I want is a 13" Mac laptop with a 1440x900 display and with enough storage space for all my stuff.

 

[OSMac]

Longer battery life, backlit keyboard, charcoal case.

 

[Cerano]

i get very puzzled when people ask for an Arrandale Core I3 ULV when that's slower than the C2D ULVs that we have. People are apparently falling for all the marketing.

 

[Ommid]

More memory!

I think the Air needs a complete revamp to be honest, I think Apple could sell alot more.

 

[Ca$hflow]

Make the RAM user upgradable even if it means only having one ram slot. I really feel strongly about this because it seems that the MBA is morphing into a full functional iPad with a keyboard.

I can not help wonder if this is going to put more laptops in landfills this way. There are many people that can't afford ordering the ultimate BTO option and are able to upgrade the components over time.

What do you think?

 

[cirus]

i get very puzzled when people ask for an Arrandale Core I3 ULV when that's slower than the C2D ULVs that we have. People are apparently falling for all the marketing.

I think you mean an i5 or i7 ULV sandy bridge. The cpu will be much stronger but the graphics will be weaker (compared to the 320m nvidia chipset). Sandy bridge integrated graphics are twice arrandale graphics.

Don't fall prey to the megahertz myth. Clock speed is not all. I've got a 3.2 GHz Pentium 4 computer (desktop) and my 1.66 GHz core 2 duo (laptop) completely destroys it, even on single threaded tasks. Core 2 duo was extremely efficient compared to pentium 4.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core-i7-2657M-Notebook-Processor.49737.0.html
Benchmarks for the i7 2657M (the best ULV processor). It looks pretty good. 3D mark 06 was better than the standard voltage i3 2310. It ranks around an arrandale standard voltage i3 for most of the benchmarks. In some it even passes some of the i5 CPUs. But for this to happen it needs good cooling.

 

[Cerano]

I think you mean an i5 or i7 ULV sandy bridge. The cpu will be much stronger but the graphics will be weaker (compared to the 320m nvidia chipset). Sandy bridge integrated graphics are twice arrandale graphics.

Don't fall prey to the megahertz myth. Clock speed is not all. I've got a 3.2 GHz Pentium 4 computer (desktop) and my 1.66 GHz core 2 duo (laptop) completely destroys it, even on single threaded tasks. Core 2 duo was extremely efficient compared to pentium 4.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core-i7-2657M-Notebook-Processor.49737.0.html
Benchmarks for the i7 2657M (the best ULV processor). It looks pretty good. 3D mark 06 was better than the standard voltage i3 2310. It ranks around an arrandale standard voltage i3 for most of the benchmarks. In some it even passes some of the i5 CPUs. But for this to happen it needs good cooling.

i was actually referring to Arrandales not SBs. SBs are far superior compared to the Arrandales. The Arrandale ULVs arent exactly fast.

I actually have a thread on this here
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1076834/

 

[Twe Foju]

- Thunderbolt ( most likely )

- Backlit Keyboard ( Unlikely )

- AMD combo ( Chip + GPU )

- Upgradeable Ram ( at least 6gb )

- More SSD option ( 512 pretty pleasee )

- Black Color MBA