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When Will MBA Be Updated
- Thread starter Velin
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Do you think this updates weeks away or are we talking months?
Is the Air update due any day/week now
Nobody here knows. In fact, 80% of the people in this forum are unable to tell the difference between a netbook and an ultraportable, and some of the rest believe that they would want to run Photoshop on IOS4
We have nothing to work with, except that we have been waiting for a MBA with 4GB for more than a year, and we have been fed the Digitimes rumor. On top of that, there is not a single other rumor, which is remarkable, because it increases the probability that nothing is going to happen.
Most folks would agree though that the current MBA is seriously outdated. Few people would be surprised if Apple updates the 13in MBA next week to meet at least the 13in MBP specs (very likely that this would be a silent update). On the other hand, it might also be that nothing happens at all - there are no telltale signs of supply shortages or leaked inventory numbers.
Nobody here knows. In fact, 80% of the people in this forum are unable to tell the difference between a netbook and an ultraportable, and some of the rest believe that they would want to run Photoshop on IOS4
We have nothing to work with, except that we have been waiting for a MBA with 4GB for more than a year, and we have been fed the Digitimes rumor. On top of that, there is not a single other rumor, which is remarkable, because it increases the probability that nothing is going to happen.
Most folks would agree though that the current MBA is seriously outdated. Few people would be surprised if Apple updates the 13in MBA next week to meet at least the 13in MBP specs (very likely that this would be a silent update). On the other hand, it might also be that nothing happens at all - there are no telltale signs of supply shortages or leaked inventory numbers.
+1
I actually think we're more likely to get an MBA update in late 2010 or early 2011 than getting an update in the next three months. I don't put much into the 11.6" MBA rumors. I don't believe it would make sense. If anything, the rumor might mean there's something happening sooner rather than later... but everything is really discrete when it comes to the MBA. It is just not a big enough seller to be a concern and be leaked everywhere. I don't think we will know until the night before or morning of the actual update.
If you want to buy an MBA, and you don't need to run Windows 7 virtually, just buy a current v 2,1 MBA with 2.13 GHz and 128 GB SSD. The MBA is very capable of running OS X 10.6 and Windows 7 if it's running one at a time. The only problem comes down to needing to run both OSes at the same time via Parallels or Fusion. I love the MBA. It is a great computer. It could be better, but there's no use waiting if you want one now.
If you want to buy an MBA, and you don't need to run Windows 7 virtually, just buy a current v 2,1 MBA with 2.13 GHz and 128 GB SSD. The MBA is very capable of running OS X 10.6 and Windows 7 if it's running one at a time. The only problem comes down to needing to run both OSes at the same time via Parallels or Fusion. I love the MBA. It is a great computer. It could be better, but there's no use waiting if you want one now.
Run Windows 7 virtually? On 2GB of RAM? I can see boot camp being a better option because you'd have to shut down everything in 10.6 because Windows 7 requires at least 1GB of RAM and 2GB is preferable.
Scottsdale: the Windows on Air matter...
If someone needs to run both Mac & Windows 7 operating systems simultaneously, I assume that means that the program they're running in Windows is one not available in the "Windows for Mac" software.
When do you think the new version of iWork is due? Soon enough that a buyer now for the 2.13 Ghz Macbook Air who doesn't need iWork immediately might handle things more economically by not getting iWork at first... so one doesn't have to pay "twice" for the old suite and then for the updated version?
And when do you think the next edition of the Office for Mac suite is due?
And do I understand correctly that -- if I buy them now preinstalled in my Air, then I just don't pay a small amount for updates to each, later... but I will pay full price for the whole next iWork, and full price for the whole next Office For Mac within the next year?
If someone needs to run both Mac & Windows 7 operating systems simultaneously, I assume that means that the program they're running in Windows is one not available in the "Windows for Mac" software.
When do you think the new version of iWork is due? Soon enough that a buyer now for the 2.13 Ghz Macbook Air who doesn't need iWork immediately might handle things more economically by not getting iWork at first... so one doesn't have to pay "twice" for the old suite and then for the updated version?
And when do you think the next edition of the Office for Mac suite is due?
And do I understand correctly that -- if I buy them now preinstalled in my Air, then I just don't pay a small amount for updates to each, later... but I will pay full price for the whole next iWork, and full price for the whole next Office For Mac within the next year?
I have no idea when the new iWork will be released, but Microsoft Office 10 is in beta now if I understand correctly. I also heard MS has indicated that the new version will be available by EOY.
/Jim
/Jim
Here's my $0.02
I've been giving some thought to the future of MBA lately, and here's how I see it given the broad picture of what Apple has been introducing, the current lineup, and lack of MBA update. I've come up with four scenarios for the future of MBA and the probability of them happening IMHO!
1. (50% probability) The MBA will be discontinued in January 2011 coincident with a revised 13.3" MBP that is lighter and possibly slimmer, but otherwise has substantially the same specs. Until then the MBA will continue to be produced as orders come in.
2. (40% probability) The MBA in its current form will be discontinued in January 2011 coincident with a completely new "Air". The new Air will be:
- smaller - possibly the 11.6" screen rumored
- run OS X and iOS, but not simultaneously
- will be able to transfer files between OS X and iOS
- will retain a keyboard and some sort of trackpad
- will not be a touchscreen
- will have wireless, bluetooth, and 3G
This would be a risk taking/breaking new ground venture to see if this type of platform works and will sell.
3. (7% probability) The MBA in its current form will be updated by the end of 2010 with faster processor, more memory, larger SSD. From Apple's perspective, I think this option is boring at a time when they are exciting the masses with completely new products.
4. (3% probability) the current MBA will just continue on as long as it sells with quiet changes to components that improve performance here and there, like the switch to a faster SSD that occurred in May.
As others have said on this site, Apple is becoming a mobile company, and might best be described as 2 companies: mobile and Mac. Each now has its own hardware running its own operating system. I think Mac hardware/software represents steady growth for Apple whereas mobile hardware/software represents exponential growth. Right now I think they are putting their efforts where the biggest growth is. It reminds me of IBM, which got out of the PC business 6 or 7 years ago to focus on services - because that's where the growth and future was at the time. IBM has done impressively well with this model including periods when other technology companies struggled such as Dell and HP. I'm not suggesting Apple is going to drop Macs any time soon in any way at all. But it is a smart company looking at the near and long term future of technology.
Anyway, just some musings...
I've been giving some thought to the future of MBA lately, and here's how I see it given the broad picture of what Apple has been introducing, the current lineup, and lack of MBA update. I've come up with four scenarios for the future of MBA and the probability of them happening IMHO!
1. (50% probability) The MBA will be discontinued in January 2011 coincident with a revised 13.3" MBP that is lighter and possibly slimmer, but otherwise has substantially the same specs. Until then the MBA will continue to be produced as orders come in.
2. (40% probability) The MBA in its current form will be discontinued in January 2011 coincident with a completely new "Air". The new Air will be:
- smaller - possibly the 11.6" screen rumored
- run OS X and iOS, but not simultaneously
- will be able to transfer files between OS X and iOS
- will retain a keyboard and some sort of trackpad
- will not be a touchscreen
- will have wireless, bluetooth, and 3G
This would be a risk taking/breaking new ground venture to see if this type of platform works and will sell.
3. (7% probability) The MBA in its current form will be updated by the end of 2010 with faster processor, more memory, larger SSD. From Apple's perspective, I think this option is boring at a time when they are exciting the masses with completely new products.
4. (3% probability) the current MBA will just continue on as long as it sells with quiet changes to components that improve performance here and there, like the switch to a faster SSD that occurred in May.
As others have said on this site, Apple is becoming a mobile company, and might best be described as 2 companies: mobile and Mac. Each now has its own hardware running its own operating system. I think Mac hardware/software represents steady growth for Apple whereas mobile hardware/software represents exponential growth. Right now I think they are putting their efforts where the biggest growth is. It reminds me of IBM, which got out of the PC business 6 or 7 years ago to focus on services - because that's where the growth and future was at the time. IBM has done impressively well with this model including periods when other technology companies struggled such as Dell and HP. I'm not suggesting Apple is going to drop Macs any time soon in any way at all. But it is a smart company looking at the near and long term future of technology.
Anyway, just some musings...
Read Post No. 58 before you read No. 59 and it should become clear to you that this is, indeed, an MBA thread. At least it worked for me.
Can you enlighten me, what are the advantages of a hybrid OS X/iOS device to the user?
iOS is perfect for touchscreen devices with fairly slim processors and memory. Upside is it needs little energy (but mainly due to hardware).
OS X is perfect for a fullblown computers with decent CPU, GPU and ram, and physical keyboard.
Now, if you already have a fullblown computer iOS can't have much advantages unless it has a full A7/touchscreen device inside, too. Then you can use the iOS part in low power environments and the OS X part plugged in, right?
Yes, Apple did do the same thing when it introduced the iPhone which combined an mp3-player with a phone, but to me an iPad/MBA-combo does not look too appealing. Yeah, it would be something new and unconventional, but I personally don't see myself as an iPad user and I'd be rather disappointed if they'd clutter an elegant, reduced gadget with a toy.
But I'm probably not in the target community ;-)
I'd rate that with a lot higher probability myself, but I'd give it an exterior re-design, too.
I can imagine tehy continue this line in parallel, just like they continue the older series in iPods and iPhones in the lower price segment.
I've been giving some thought to the future of MBA lately, and here's how I see it given the broad picture of what Apple has been introducing, the current lineup, and lack of MBA update. I've come up with four scenarios for the future of MBA and the probability of them happening IMHO!
1. (50% probability) The MBA will be discontinued in January 2011 coincident with a revised 13.3" MBP that is lighter and possibly slimmer, but otherwise has substantially the same specs. Until then the MBA will continue to be produced as orders come in.
2. (40% probability) The MBA in its current form will be discontinued in January 2011 coincident with a completely new "Air". The new Air will be:
- smaller - possibly the 11.6" screen rumored
- run OS X and iOS, but not simultaneously
- will be able to transfer files between OS X and iOS
- will retain a keyboard and some sort of trackpad
- will not be a touchscreen
- will have wireless, bluetooth, and 3G
This would be a risk taking/breaking new ground venture to see if this type of platform works and will sell.
3. (7% probability) The MBA in its current form will be updated by the end of 2010 with faster processor, more memory, larger SSD. From Apple's perspective, I think this option is boring at a time when they are exciting the masses with completely new products.
4. (3% probability) the current MBA will just continue on as long as it sells with quiet changes to components that improve performance here and there, like the switch to a faster SSD that occurred in May.
As others have said on this site, Apple is becoming a mobile company, and might best be described as 2 companies: mobile and Mac. Each now has its own hardware running its own operating system. I think Mac hardware/software represents steady growth for Apple whereas mobile hardware/software represents exponential growth. Right now I think they are putting their efforts where the biggest growth is. It reminds me of IBM, which got out of the PC business 6 or 7 years ago to focus on services - because that's where the growth and future was at the time. IBM has done impressively well with this model including periods when other technology companies struggled such as Dell and HP. I'm not suggesting Apple is going to drop Macs any time soon in any way at all. But it is a smart company looking at the near and long term future of technology.
Anyway, just some musings...
1 and 2 look to be the best bet but to me you need to look at 2 a little closer. Sooner or later the air design features will be used in the Mac pros ,and we will see airish MBP,s probably the 13" & 15" versions with the 17" staying the same overall.
Now think about this for a minute. Apple obviously sees the touch interface as the new news. From punch cards, to keyboards with DOS, to GUI with a mouse, to today and tomorrow with touch screens. Imagine a 11.6" display tablet/slate that is essentially a MBA under the screen. If the air is where Apple's science experiments come from then look at the future of the OS and the hardware at the feet of the air.
What we are about to see is a full featured slate or tablet with a full version of OS10Touch. Yes an Air tablet that has it all and will be lighter smaller and dare I say it even better.
Line up would be MBP13 15 17, MB 13, and finally the Mac Air tablet.
processor envy
based on this article, I'd say that not only is an Air update a lot closer than early 2011 as I and a few others have settled for and in fact the concept that Scottsdale has previously espoused (re the AMD/ATI combo) is indeed a closer reality
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/04/16/apple_in_advanced_discussions_to_adopt_amd_chips.html
based on this article, I'd say that not only is an Air update a lot closer than early 2011 as I and a few others have settled for and in fact the concept that Scottsdale has previously espoused (re the AMD/ATI combo) is indeed a closer reality
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/04/16/apple_in_advanced_discussions_to_adopt_amd_chips.html
ain't gonna happen!
the Air tablet that you refer to is available already in the form of an iPad which is proving enormously successful and a massive revenues stream - so Apple won't disturb that.
the Air will continue in its form factor with speed bumps.
Let's face it - no other lightweight notebook comes within a bull's roar of the Air for looks and capabilities and full sized keyboard - input method of choice for writers, journalists, book reviewers, bloggers, etc, etc.
I agree that Apple will continue with the current MBPro line of 13" 15" and possible 17" thru the next few years - the MB will more than likely remain the staple entry level notebook and whilst the internal specs may continue to match the low end MBPro 13", the appearance won't for 2 reasons - obvious differentiation with the Pro model and cheapness of construction
Rotorblade69
Another emerging trend in Apple's fresher products is -- good battery life. The phone, the iPad & the 13" MacBook Pro.
I can imagine the touchtastic 11.6" Air you describe, but with any saved weight being 95% shifted to more battery life. Then the other 5% can be subtracted from the 3 lb. weight, mainly just to enable Apple's spin and the media to say that magic revolutionary modern expected futuristic word -- "lighter".*
*And because it's counter-intuitive to say "it got smaller but not lighter".
Is the battery type / tech in the iPad or the iPhone any different than what's now in the Air?
It's very logical in terms of long-term trends (not to mention keeping up with the Joneses) for Apple to put a jolt of effort soon, into the neglected Air. Problem is... Apple's history is a very mixed bag in terms of the intelligence of the decision-making. And the smart moves succeed enough that nobody seems worried about getting fired over the stupid moves (i.e. snatching defeat from the jaws of victory with the Newton, or refusing to offer cellular modems in the laptops of a company now supposedly all about "mobility". The latter decision being so deeply stupid as to defy beleif).
IMHO our discussions can: A.) state what we personally want/need ... B.) comment on what the market or users seem to need now / in the future ... C.)
try to guess or project what Apple will actually do ... or... D.) mix 2 or all 3 of those things. But an original post that's all about "A" can get rebutted with a response that's all about "B" or all about "C"... which can be confusing, or enlightening.
IMHO there was a certain amount of irrationality displayed in the original Air design (I mean -- who cares if the Air's thicker end is a bit thinner than the Sony's thinner end? That diagram seemed to be the core of Jobs's whole intro speech... What is that, design by numerology?)........ and even more irrationality was displayed over the years by how even though it was so underpowered (and under-jacked), the revision bumps were done so stingily that it never caught up with where it should be - basic needs like 4Gb RAM)
So discussing where technology and logic and smarts could carry the Air next can make for a fascinating discussion, and I really love this sort of discussion as a design student and science fiction fan. But realistically - as soon as it was launched, the Air seems to have become Apple's most neglected child when it comes to logic and technology.
The hope that the Air might fly again, due to perhaps Jobs valuing it as a sort of symbolic corporate prestige item, keeps my hope alive. (The Air even though in production, could also be sort of like the "concept cars" that the big car makers would show off at the annual Auto shows... I saw one of those shows in the old NYC Colisseum... wonderful. Citroen even made a car that transformed into a robot-dinosaur, and that was many years before the "TransformerL toys)
Another emerging trend in Apple's fresher products is -- good battery life. The phone, the iPad & the 13" MacBook Pro.
I can imagine the touchtastic 11.6" Air you describe, but with any saved weight being 95% shifted to more battery life. Then the other 5% can be subtracted from the 3 lb. weight, mainly just to enable Apple's spin and the media to say that magic revolutionary modern expected futuristic word -- "lighter".*
*And because it's counter-intuitive to say "it got smaller but not lighter".
Is the battery type / tech in the iPad or the iPhone any different than what's now in the Air?
It's very logical in terms of long-term trends (not to mention keeping up with the Joneses) for Apple to put a jolt of effort soon, into the neglected Air. Problem is... Apple's history is a very mixed bag in terms of the intelligence of the decision-making. And the smart moves succeed enough that nobody seems worried about getting fired over the stupid moves (i.e. snatching defeat from the jaws of victory with the Newton, or refusing to offer cellular modems in the laptops of a company now supposedly all about "mobility". The latter decision being so deeply stupid as to defy beleif).
IMHO our discussions can: A.) state what we personally want/need ... B.) comment on what the market or users seem to need now / in the future ... C.)
try to guess or project what Apple will actually do ... or... D.) mix 2 or all 3 of those things. But an original post that's all about "A" can get rebutted with a response that's all about "B" or all about "C"... which can be confusing, or enlightening.
IMHO there was a certain amount of irrationality displayed in the original Air design (I mean -- who cares if the Air's thicker end is a bit thinner than the Sony's thinner end? That diagram seemed to be the core of Jobs's whole intro speech... What is that, design by numerology?)........ and even more irrationality was displayed over the years by how even though it was so underpowered (and under-jacked), the revision bumps were done so stingily that it never caught up with where it should be - basic needs like 4Gb RAM)
So discussing where technology and logic and smarts could carry the Air next can make for a fascinating discussion, and I really love this sort of discussion as a design student and science fiction fan. But realistically - as soon as it was launched, the Air seems to have become Apple's most neglected child when it comes to logic and technology.
The hope that the Air might fly again, due to perhaps Jobs valuing it as a sort of symbolic corporate prestige item, keeps my hope alive. (The Air even though in production, could also be sort of like the "concept cars" that the big car makers would show off at the annual Auto shows... I saw one of those shows in the old NYC Colisseum... wonderful. Citroen even made a car that transformed into a robot-dinosaur, and that was many years before the "TransformerL toys)
I've been giving some thought to the future of MBA lately, and here's how I see it given the broad picture of what Apple has been introducing, the current lineup, and lack of MBA update. I've come up with four scenarios for the future of MBA and the probability of them happening IMHO!
1. (50% probability) The MBA will be discontinued in January 2011 coincident with a revised 13.3" MBP that is lighter and possibly slimmer, but otherwise has substantially the same specs. Until then the MBA will continue to be produced as orders come in.
2. (40% probability) The MBA in its current form will be discontinued in January 2011 coincident with a completely new "Air". The new Air will be:
- smaller - possibly the 11.6" screen rumored
- run OS X and iOS, but not simultaneously
- will be able to transfer files between OS X and iOS
- will retain a keyboard and some sort of trackpad
- will not be a touchscreen
- will have wireless, bluetooth, and 3G
This would be a risk taking/breaking new ground venture to see if this type of platform works and will sell.
3. (7% probability) The MBA in its current form will be updated by the end of 2010 with faster processor, more memory, larger SSD. From Apple's perspective, I think this option is boring at a time when they are exciting the masses with completely new products.
4. (3% probability) the current MBA will just continue on as long as it sells with quiet changes to components that improve performance here and there, like the switch to a faster SSD that occurred in May.
As others have said on this site, Apple is becoming a mobile company, and might best be described as 2 companies: mobile and Mac. Each now has its own hardware running its own operating system. I think Mac hardware/software represents steady growth for Apple whereas mobile hardware/software represents exponential growth. Right now I think they are putting their efforts where the biggest growth is. It reminds me of IBM, which got out of the PC business 6 or 7 years ago to focus on services - because that's where the growth and future was at the time. IBM has done impressively well with this model including periods when other technology companies struggled such as Dell and HP. I'm not suggesting Apple is going to drop Macs any time soon in any way at all. But it is a smart company looking at the near and long term future of technology.
Anyway, just some musings...
I believe you're completely wrong about the future of the MBA. Apple is going a different route with other 13" Mac notebooks. Those other Macs have 10-hour batteries, optical drives, are thicker, and heavier.
The MBA is the design that gives users the ultraportable feature set many of us want from computers. Ultraportables in the market seem to be doing better and better.
I really think Apple will spread the MBA market before eliminating it. They could add both 11.6" and 15" MBAs to the lineup in addition to the 13.3" MBA.
In addition, I see Apple raising the price of MBAs and repositioning them as luxury computers. The iPad serves the netbook market. Apple doesn't want to detract from that market, as Apple will make more money selling content with iPads than selling an MBA that competes.
One more of the believers in an Apple netbook, hu? Not going to happen, because Apple's business strategy is all about high margins. Why would Apple want to cannibalize the sales of the 13in MBP, which is currently the best selling item in their lineup? For the poorest of kids, they already have the plasticky MB.
On the other hand, while you might not need an ultraportable, there are a lot of traveling professionals that want to have a MacOS equivalent of the portable Vaios and Lenovos. We are not overly price-sensitive, because we earn money with this thing. We earn our money more easily and happily if it is light enough to be carried everywhere. Lets not forget that my computer is much more useful to me than my car, and that it is much cheaper!
I really hope that Apple sees the light with respect to functionality. For practical everyday use, I dont care about a few hundred MHz difference, but about the second and third USB port. On the other hand, I need an optical drive about as badly as a Floppy drive.
Also, having IOS on a professional notebook does not strike me as particularly useful. And a dual-boot strategy would be simply a pain in the neck. There is nothing that I want to do that I can not do within MacOS; I have already bought a lot of applications for that. It is sufficient to have IOS on my phone and my breakfast surfing device.
I, too, can see Apple substantially upgrading the MBA and selling it for a higher price. I would love to see an MBA with an 8Gb RAM option, for example. That would be worth a premium to me. I will be curious to see how Apple solves the CPU-GPU quandary that Intel has forced on it, too. Perhaps a deal with AMD? Anyway, I hope that something is done soon.
Perhaps by not solving it. If Apple chooses to present the MBA as a smaller, all-new device with a focus on portability and Office applications, the GPU issue might not matter anymore in the public perception.
The (Windows) gaming performance of my 15in MBP is not exactly mind-blowing. When switching to an ultraportable form factor, I think that I can ignore 3D performance as long as the GPU is fast enough to keep the GUI responsive and handle HD on an external screen.