What You Want in the Next Macbook Air...

[laughingperson5]

Hello,

Just curious on what you would like in the new Macbook Air for this year.

My hopes are:

1.8 GhZ Processor(base) and an optional 2.0 GhZ Processor
160 GB Hard Drive and an optional 256 SSD(might happen because of the advancing technology)
Battery Life to 5-6 Hours
2 GB RAM and an optional 3 and 4 GB RAM
Optional Glossy or Anti-Glare Screen
Add a Firewire port with the USB, Micro DisplayPort, and Audio Out
Rumored iSight camera behind screen
Newer Graphics Card

Hopes that will most likely not happen:

Less Weight......The MacBook Air might be the thinest laptop ever but it's still 3.0 Pounds....around 2.3 Pounds might be good but again might not happen.

Post Your Thoughts Below in the thread
I would like to see what you have to say

P.S. Highlight and Bold what YOU think will most likely happen...
Byee!!!

 

[cerealj]

Cheaper I already think the specs are fine, a 1.6GHz Penryn is fast enough for me. But $2000 for the base model is outrageously expensive.

Also I wouldn't mind if they decreased the screen size to 12", if it would cut down on cost and weight.

 

[mhnajjar]

4GB of RAM and a second USB if possible!

Quad band 3G from AT&T would be fantastic also

 

[andreab35]

I'm aiming for a CPU boost, a upgradable RAM, and a bit more hard drive space.

 

[andiwm2003]

2x USB (maybe USB3)
Ethernet (maybe in USB integrated)
Backlit Keyboard (not really important)
2.0 or 2.2 GHz
4 GB ram
250 GB HD (or SSD very likely)
7hrs battery life
Kensington lock
3G wireless built in
dock connector

i know i'll have a better chance to get some of this in the next MB. that's what i'm waiting for.

 

[Scottsdale]

My dream MBA, no the next MBA.

2.0 and 2.4 GHz 45 NM Penryn CPU (6 or 8 MB L2 Cache), Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB RAM (BTO 4 GB RAM)
160 GB HDD & 128 GB SSD (BTO 256 GB SSD)
Silky Smooth Glass Trackpad
Glass Display & Black Bezel (if light enough)
Same Nvidia Graphics/GPU
Same port configuration
6 hour new technology battery


My dream MacBook Air

OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Quad (8 MB L2 Cache)
4 GB RAM
256 GB SSD
Nvidia 256 MB Dedicated Graphics
Glossy Glass Display (white thin bezel like on anti-glare 17" MBP)
White Keyboard (saw this mod here in MBA Section/ looks beautiful)
Silky Smooth Glass Trackpad
8 hour battery.

Docking Station (4 USB, 2 FW, 2 Mini DP | NOT REALISTIC)

External Blu-Ray Drive

Dual 30" LED Glossy Apple Cinema Displays

I would promise myself (but not on a stack of Bibles) that I would NOT buy a new Mac for two years if my dream MacBook Air was released, and I would buy instantly for $2999 MBA, $2998 2xACDs, $299 BluRay Drive, $299 Dock.

That is my "dream MacBook Air setup." I know it would never happen, but it's ok to dream big.

 

[hitekalex]

I think MBA Rev B is near perfect as is. I don't see anything major Apple can do to improve it, seriously. Well, OK maybe a couple of things:

- 1440 x 900 resolution (like Lenovo X300)
- larger hard drive (250GB)
- lower price

 

[hithere]

Hi

I'd love to see the following specs in revC:

- larger hd and ssd (256 GB?), I think it's likely
- more ram, likely too
- larger choice of screen size: 13"3' and 15"4', possible but unlikely
- on the 15"4' I think 2 usb ports could be conceivable, but unlikely as well

Before you flame me saying "who cares about a large screen, gimme a tiny 12 incher!", please read below...

I'd be very happy with a smaller MBA, but I am afraid it'll be unlikely because of technical reasons. Apple had a hard time cramming all the components in the 13"3' box, and in their first attempt (revA) the result was not perfect. A smaller MBA without a compromise in the processor type (Atom), or in the keyboard or in thickness looks to me a tough engineering problem.

 

[designgeek]

This thing is really about simplicity and sacrifice and that's what most people don't understand when they complain about the fact that it lacks things. If you've ever seen it all apart you'll notice how squeezed in everything is. It will never have that many options like two sizes, more ports etc...

I think the processor needs the most work though I know that the one it has is a special design, that and the ram was the biggest reason that I didn't get it. The thermal issues would be the next thing, it's so small they can't fit a proper fan/heat sink system so that limits the processor and the 9400m. The trackpad from the uni's would be nice too, that's really simple. I'd love it if the screen bezel was the same as the uni's (black).

 

[tubbymac]

- No horizontal lines.
- 4 gig ram.
- Flash and HD support out of the box that JUST WORKS with no fiddling around
- Updated battery technology.

That's all I want in the next version.

 

[jfriedman8]

My specs in order of importance:
7-10 Hrs battery
At least a 2.0GHz C2D processor 45nm or 32nm (next intel shrink 2010 though, I think)
4GB DDR3 Memory
1440x900 screen with smaller bezel (black or silver)
Switchable graphics (maybe 9400M type with an intel one for battery saver)
Hard Drive around 250GB

I don't really care about price too much if I get these specs. The real kicker here is the battery for me. If they could somehow get that new battery tech from the 17" MBP into the MBA and keep it around 3 lbs and in the same form factor im all for it. Its annoying that Apple's 'most portable' machine has the worst rated battery life at 4.5Hrs. If there is one thing PC makers can do well, it is get a long battery life. Albeit, they stick out and are unappealing to the eye, they get the job done. Apple clearly has the right people to make custom form batteries, so I feel it is just a matter of time before they get a high capacity battery in the MBA and allow for it to run cool enough.

 

[macjay]

Smaller size -- 12"
Matte screen option

 

[CoreyMac]

MBA Rev. C:

**2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo
**256GB SSD
**4GB DDR3 RAM
**GeForce 9400M
**Use the Aluminum MB design with the rubber seal going around the entire bezel and have the glossy screen run to the edges like the alum MB.....but not glass, keep it with its current glossy flex material...and keep the bezel silver, not black.
**The new non-removable battery format used in the new 17" MBP
**Glass Trackpad (if it can fit...if not whats there is perfectly fine)
**2 USB Ports....perhaps a door on the other side if possible for a single USB on both sides of the laptop....if not then an extended door with 2 usb ports on the right as is.

That would be one fine specimen.

 

[Scottsdale]

- 1440 x 900 resolution (like Lenovo X300)

True, I missed that. The better resolution would help tremendously, and it's so doable with the Nvidia graphics. I don't understand why Apple hasn't done that already.

 

[elppa]

Less Weight......The MacBook Air might be the thinest laptop ever but it's still 3.0 Pounds....around 2.3 Pounds might be good but again might not happen.

This has been rumoured, but to do so Apple would use carbon fibre for the base of MacBook Air as this is lighter than aluminium.

I think it is more likely than this:

Rumored iSight camera behind screen

Which, whilst cool isn't actually beneficial in the same way some of the other ideas would be.

Built in 3G or easy tethering with a 3G phone is an obvious next step as well.

4GB of RAM is also fairly likely down the road.

Ethernet (maybe in USB integrated)

Port is too thick sadly. I good solution is to build it into the powerbrick, but Voodoo have already done it and they may have patented the idea.

Backlit Keyboard (not really important)

Not to mention that it already has one.

 

[LinMac]

What I reasonably want from the newer generation of Macbook Air is fairly simple:

1) User replaceable battery.

I find the Macbook Air to be an ideal machine for just carrying around on the off chance I might need it. The real killer is the lack of a replaceable battery and the proprietary connector that doesn't work with solar chargers.

2) Larger/cheaper SSD

3) 4GB ram options

4) 1 or more USB ports on the opposite side of the machine.

 

[kastenbrust]

What I want:

1.86 / 2.13 Ghz CPU Options

2GB / 4GB DDR3 RAM

256GB / 512GB SSD or 512GB 7200RPM

8 hour SiOx Battery

NVIDIA GeForce 9600M graphics

1 x 2.0 USB Port + 1 x 3.0 USB Port

Macbook Glass Trackpad

HD Resolution Screen

Macbook Screen Bezel

WiMAX Support

Snow Leopard O/S with Open CL

Blu-Ray RW Capable SuperDrive

2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Quad (8 MB L2 Cache)

You gotta love it when people just throw quad in there because they think its the best thing since sliced bread. That processor would probably make the MBA slower not faster.

Flash and HD support out of the box that JUST WORKS with no fiddling around

HD I agree, Flash Apple can't do because they don't make it. (same with Microsoft)

 

[mikey28]

I want a 10 inch net book AIR as a companion to my rev B. I would buy it the day it came out.

 

[dissdnt]

The only thing that prevented me from getting one was lack of internal 3G or other cellular carrier option for internet and higher res secreen.

I can't stand using my gf's macbook, the res is just to low and you get all cramped up really quick. If they can bump that a little bit, and of course try to max out cpu as much as possible, i'd be interested

 

[Scottsdale]

What I want:

1.86 / 2.13 Ghz CPU Options

2GB / 4GB DDR3 RAM

256GB / 512GB SSD or 512GB 7200RPM

8 hour SiOx Battery

NVIDIA GeForce 9600M graphics

1 x 2.0 USB Port + 1 x 3.0 USB Port

Macbook Glass Trackpad

HD Resolution Screen

Macbook Screen Bezel

WiMAX Support

Snow Leopard O/S with Open CL

Blu-Ray RW Capable SuperDrive



You gotta love it when people just throw quad in there because they think its the best thing since sliced bread. That processor would probably make the MBA slower not faster.



HD I agree, Flash Apple can't do because they don't make it. (same with Microsoft)

Before you go calling out a Quad, you should consider that I said with Snow Leopard which is designed to take advantage of multiple cores and processing units. I seriously doubt that a MBA running Snow Leopard would run a dual processor faster than a quad processor.

Besides, this is about wants and dreams. Why do you have to rip on people? This is not what I think it will get. Before you act like a jerk, perhaps you should consider the point of the thread is for all of us to share what we want and NOT to criticize what others want. Sad that you have to be that way.

 

[elppa]

Before you go calling out a Quad, you should consider that I said with Snow Leopard which is designed to take advantage of multiple cores and processing units. I seriously doubt that a MBA running Snow Leopard would run a dual processor faster than a quad processor.

Agreed. The future is about parallelism, and increasingly with mobile devices resource utilisation and best power management. Apple knows this and there planning for it in both hardware and software.

 

[cherry su]

no mouse button
higher capacity battery
TRACKPOINT!!!111!!!one
no flip down door for ports
4GB RAM standard
SSD standard
1440x900 screen
stereo speakers

 

[iMacmatician]

Before you go calling out a Quad, you should consider that I said with Snow Leopard which is designed to take advantage of multiple cores and processing units. I seriously doubt that a MBA running Snow Leopard would run a dual processor faster than a quad processor.

Quad-core (at least going by what Intel has) are not likely to come down into the MacBook Air's TDP zone (17~20 W) for a long time (2010+). That being said, it would be cool to have a quad-core Air.

In the next update, I see a 2.0 GHz (or 2.13, whatever Intel will have) CPU in the top-end model.

I want a 15" display, higher resolution, dual hard drives, 4 GB RAM, and the battery technology used in the 17" MacBook Pro.

 

[elppa]

TRACKPOINT!!!111!!!one

I will give you $100 if Apple ships a Laptop this year (2009) with a Trackpoint.

Promise.

 

[hodgeheg]

No lines

Matte screen option (unlikely I think, but I'd like it)

2GHz CPU option - though 1.6 is proving fine

256GB SSD option

4GB RAM

Longer battery life / or cycle count a la MBP 17"

2nd USB port, or at very least a way to run superdrive with a hub, or a hub in the superdrive (which would seem the obvious solution, though may require separate power)