Why I hope the 11.6 ultra cheap rumors arent true.

[halledise]

11.6" ultra anything

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay.
Even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious;
If you say it loud enough, you'll always sound precocious

 

[zedsdead]

The current model holds NO premium over the Macbook Pro line, and NEEDS a price drop. When it first debuted, it had the first unibody enclosure, black-backlit keyboard, non-removable battery, multi-touch trackpad, and an amazing screen. None of these options were in the other notebooks. There were also expensive research and chip costs.

All of that is gone now. The screen is crap (due to the line issue-only Rev A had a great screen, which I still think is better than my 13" Macbook Pro's), the trackpad button scratches the bezel, and every other option in the Macbook Air is found in the Pro line.

Should they keep it 13", it NEEDS a price drop since it offers nothing over the Pro's, and must cost less to make.

If they go 11.6", 16x9, which I believe they are, then I also believe there will be a price drop. The premium price thing didn't seem to create mass market hype, so they are going to try and make it more affordable. Not garbage, but not a high-end premium machine.

Personally, what I want:

(1) High quality, LED IPS screen (NO LINE ISSUES!)
(2) 4-8 gigs of RAM
(3) No Intel Graphics
(4) Glass Trackpad

Those are enough to make me go back to the Air, and are in order of importance. I will not buy one if the line issue still persists.

It will have at least 4 gigs of RAM. Can't say the same thing for the Intel graphics or trackpad, but I can hope.

The only other issue is battery life. 5 hours is not enough for me. It would need to push 7, which I also doubt will happen.

 

[Scottsdale]

The current model holds NO premium over the Macbook Pro line, and NEEDS a price drop. When it first debuted, it had the first unibody enclosure, black-backlit keyboard, non-removable battery, multi-touch trackpad, and an amazing screen. None of these options were in the other notebooks. There were also expensive research and chip costs.

All of that is gone now. The screen is crap (due to the line issue-only Rev A had a great screen, which I still think is better than my 13" Macbook Pro's), the trackpad button scratches the bezel, and every other option in the Macbook Air is found in the Pro line.

Should they keep it 13", it NEEDS a price drop since it offers nothing over the Pro's, and must cost less to make.

If they go 11.6", 16x9, which I believe they are, then I also believe there will be a price drop. The premium price thing didn't seem to create mass market hype, so they are going to try and make it more affordable. Not garbage, but not a high-end premium machine.

Personally, what I want:

(1) High quality, LED IPS screen (NO LINE ISSUES!)
(2) 4-8 gigs of RAM
(3) No Intel Graphics
(4) Glass Trackpad

Those are enough to make me go back to the Air, and are in order of importance. I will not buy one if the line issue still persists.

It will have at least 4 gigs of RAM. Can't say the same thing for the Intel graphics or trackpad, but I can hope.

The only other issue is battery life. 5 hours is not enough for me. It would need to push 7, which I also doubt will happen.

I hate to say it, because I love my 13.3" display on the MBA, but I would happily go 11.6" if that led us to either OLED or an IPS display at the least.

However, by going to 11.6", I fear that Apple would find it acceptable to use Intel's IGP... and that's not acceptable under any circumstances. I hope that isn't the thought process. I want to be able to use OpenCL, OpenGL, h.264 with excellent drivers and I want to be able to drive my new 27" LED ACDs. I just ordered three of them. I would be devastated to discover that the new MBA cannot drive them. In fact, it would be the end of my use of the MBA, I think... don't hold me to that.

Another thing, if they go to an 11.6" display, they have to reduce the bezel size so it's even smaller than the current gigantic ones. I am using a 15,4" MBP right at this second, not mine, and it has a tiny bezel compared to all of the Mac notebooks right now. I don't understand the big bezels. Apple can make them mirrors for all I care as long as they're small like on these older MBPs.

I believe the glass trackpad is the biggest no brainer ever. I also believe that 4 GB and 8 GB would be offered as they're offered on the other Macs right now... and if Sandy Bridge were to be used, hell, it could accept up to 16 GB with four RAM slots... ok, that's dreaming.

However, your list seems to be acceptable as a way to move to the 11.6" MBA. BUT, I still don't think it's the direction Apple will take. John Gruber has a lot of inside information, and he never made any assertion as to a change in display size or ratio on the new MBA. He didn't say much, but that's one thing I think he would have revealed if true.

We also have to consider Apple's love for Nvidia's GPU along with C2D. I wouldn't be devastated at all to get another C2D CPU with Nvidia 320m which is still a hell of an upgrade... as long as everything else were correct. Larger SSD, 4/8 GB RAM, IPS display, glass trackpad, and a 3.0 USB port.

I just think the 21.5" iMac which is part of my MacFive tells us that Apple will go Intel Core i-series CPUs, and ATI GPUs, in the MBA, MB, 13" MBP, and Mm with their next updates. I know some say it cannot be done, but I believe it can with a widening of the thinner points of the MBA. If the MBA were .65" thick across the entire case, I believe Apple could make it work with an ATI 5430 GPU. It uses a 7W TDP. In addition, the series of 54x0 GPUs could be used in the other four MacFive with their next updates... 5450 is perfect for the MB, and the 5470 would be excellent in the 13" MBP and Mm.

I cannot wait for the next couple of Tuesdays or to hear of a live event would be better yet.

 

[zedsdead]

I hate to say it, because I love my 13.3" display on the MBA, but I would happily go 11.6" if that led us to either OLED or an IPS display at the least.

However, by going to 11.6", I fear that Apple would find it acceptable to use Intel's IGP... and that's not acceptable under any circumstances. I hope that isn't the thought process. I want to be able to use OpenCL, OpenGL, h.264 with excellent drivers and I want to be able to drive my new 27" LED ACDs. I just ordered three of them. I would be devastated to discover that the new MBA cannot drive them. In fact, it would be the end of my use of the MBA, I think... don't hold me to that.

Another thing, if they go to an 11.6" display, they have to reduce the bezel size so it's even smaller than the current gigantic ones. I am using a 15,4" MBP right at this second, not mine, and it has a tiny bezel compared to all of the Mac notebooks right now. I don't understand the big bezels. Apple can make them mirrors for all I care as long as they're small like on these older MBPs.

I believe the glass trackpad is the biggest no brainer ever. I also believe that 4 GB and 8 GB would be offered as they're offered on the other Macs right now... and if Sandy Bridge were to be used, hell, it could accept up to 16 GB with four RAM slots... ok, that's dreaming.

However, your list seems to be acceptable as a way to move to the 11.6" MBA. BUT, I still don't think it's the direction Apple will take. John Gruber has a lot of inside information, and he never made any assertion as to a change in display size or ratio on the new MBA. He didn't say much, but that's one thing I think he would have revealed if true.

We also have to consider Apple's love for Nvidia's GPU along with C2D. I wouldn't be devastated at all to get another C2D CPU with Nvidia 320m which is still a hell of an upgrade... as long as everything else were correct. Larger SSD, 4/8 GB RAM, IPS display, glass trackpad, and a 3.0 USB port.

I just think the 21.5" iMac which is part of my MacFive tells us that Apple will go Intel Core i-series CPUs, and ATI GPUs, in the MBA, MB, 13" MBP, and Mm with their next updates. I know some say it cannot be done, but I believe it can with a widening of the thinner points of the MBA. If the MBA were .65" thick across the entire case, I believe Apple could make it work with an ATI 5430 GPU. It uses a 7W TDP. In addition, the series of 54x0 GPUs could be used in the other four MacFive with their next updates... 5450 is perfect for the MB, and the 5470 would be excellent in the 13" MBP and Mm.

I cannot wait for the next couple of Tuesdays or to hear of a live event would be better yet.

I agree with you. I am hoping for an ATI card. If they stick with core 2 duo I will be shocked, as I believe it will be phased out by end of the year and for apple to launch a new product with it would be rather surprising. I would take core2duo w/ NVIDIA 320 over core I series with intel graphics any day.

 

[TSE]

What do you guys think of Apple possibly going towards AMD? Their performance is pretty damn good for the price and their battery life and heat have really been improving.

 

[Zulu1]

Fast, Feature Rich, Cheap <-- Pick two

 

[Adidas Addict]

What do you guys think of Apple possibly going towards AMD? Their performance is pretty damn good for the price and their battery life and heat have really been improving.

Is it possible? Yes.
Do I think it will happen? Probably not, but not out of the question.
Would I like to see it happen? Nope.

 

[halledise]

The current model holds NO premium over the Macbook Pro line, and NEEDS a price drop. When it first debuted, it had the first unibody enclosure, black-backlit keyboard, non-removable battery, multi-touch trackpad, and an amazing screen. None of these options were in the other notebooks. There were also expensive research and chip costs.

All of that is gone now. The screen is crap (due to the line issue-only Rev A had a great screen, which I still think is better than my 13" Macbook Pro's), the trackpad button scratches the bezel, and every other option in the Macbook Air is found in the Pro line.

Should they keep it 13", it NEEDS a price drop since it offers nothing over the Pro's, and must cost less to make.

If they go 11.6", 16x9, which I believe they are, then I also believe there will be a price drop. The premium price thing didn't seem to create mass market hype, so they are going to try and make it more affordable. Not garbage, but not a high-end premium machine.

Personally, what I want:

(1) High quality, LED IPS screen (NO LINE ISSUES!)
(2) 4-8 gigs of RAM
(3) No Intel Graphics
(4) Glass Trackpad

Those are enough to make me go back to the Air, and are in order of importance. I will not buy one if the line issue still persists.

It will have at least 4 gigs of RAM. Can't say the same thing for the Intel graphics or trackpad, but I can hope.

The only other issue is battery life. 5 hours is not enough for me. It would need to push 7, which I also doubt will happen.

geez - you must have had a dud one.

the beauty of the Air is in the form factor plus the fitting of a fully functioning computer in its slim innards.
(never been done before or since as elegantly)

the screen is a delight and the nVidia graphics deliver crisp and clear - no lines whatever.
my trackpad has never scratched the bezel nor does it look like doing so after 15 months of daily use.

it remans a high-end premium notebook as an imminent refresh will re-establish.

there'll probably be 4gb of memory and an option for a larger capacity SSD and maybe a glass trackpad but I wouldn't bank on it in the current shape as there are space limitations there.

there may well also be an increase to the battery yield betwixt charges and definitely no Intel 'graphics'.

who knows, maybe even an AMD/ATI processor/GPU combo

we await the release with muted anticipation.
it'll either be pre-Chrissy (sooner) or a Happy New Year's present (later)

keep the faith

 

[Hands Sandon]

11.6" is bigger than 9.7" but not by that much. So...why don't Apple just make an iPad stand that's capable of running OSX which latches onto your iPad?

 

[ditosou]

Macbook Touch!

The MacObserver site has an interesting Editorial article (8 Oct.) "Expect iPad Technologies in Next MacBook Air" (2h00 PM) about the possibility of a MacBook Touch in the next MBA refresh... more than the "possible" name it includes very interesting points/discussion about possible add ons on the new model...

 

[kazmac]

while I love the idea of a MBA

my arthritis makes it nearly impossible to use the apple laptops (track pad with keyboard behind the trackpad). This combined with the ridiculously high resolution make it a no-go for me.

Because of my limitations a hybrid Air OS/iOS would be right up my alley. The iPad is not quite where should be for me to buy (including waiting on screenwriting apps).

All that said, I love the concept behind the Air and really hope Apple continues to work on it.

I hope when the Air does come out, it's everything the hardcore users want but at a cheaper price point. It would be nice if the Air had multiple configurations too. Every other Apple computer does and the Air should be no exception.

 

[CaoCao]

my arthritis makes it nearly impossible to use the apple laptops (track pad with keyboard behind the trackpad). This combined with the ridiculously high resolution make it a no-go for me.

Because of my limitations a hybrid Air OS/iOS would be right up my alley. The iPad is not quite where should be for me to buy (including waiting on screenwriting apps).

All that said, I love the concept behind the Air and really hope Apple continues to work on it.

I hope when the Air does come out, it's everything the hardcore users want but at a cheaper price point. It would be nice if the Air had multiple configurations too. Every other Apple computer does and the Air should be no exception.

You can reduce the resolution
system preferences->Displays-> pick the resolution you want

 

[Ace134blue]

I disagree completely. While it could technically happen, the 21.5" iMac was the last of the "Mac Five" to get an update. It got an Arrandale CPU and an ATI GPU. With Apple's strategy in the past, I have to believe the MBA will follow suit... and soon the MB, MBP, and Mm will get updates with the same basic setup/components.

If the MBA gets an AMD CPU/GPU/chipset, then I would expect the MB, 13" MBP, and Mm will get the exact same setup.

Apple will use the economies of scale not just for reducing costs of parts/components but also for writing drivers and supporting down the road.

I don't think Apple will stick us with Intel's IGP and Arrandale. I see Arrandale Low Voltage CPUs... the Core i7-6x0LM which is Intel's stated replacement for the current C2D SL9x00 CPUs used in the MBA. I see a 5430 ATI GPU in the MBA, 5450 in the MB, and 5470 in the 13" MBP and Mm. To me this makes the most sense given Apple's recent strategy.

However, I would be really happy to get an AMD CPU/GPU/chipset setup too. Probably be a better all around computer for us, but probably not going to happen. As long as we just don't get stuck with the Arrandale IGP, I will be happy.

I really don't think Apple has done anything recently to show us that it wants to ruin the whole Mac experience and eliminate OS X features like OpenCL with an Intel IGP. Apple would definitely need to wait for Sandy Bridge if it were going to stick us with an Intel IGP.

FYI, they will NEVER use an AMD Cpu, and they will not use the 54xx

 

[Scottsdale]

FYI, they will NEVER use an AMD Cpu, and they will not use the 54xx

I guess you know everything... We will see, but I am guessing this will be the look on your face soon...

And this will be the look on mine...

Gotta love the people that guarantee their statements with NEVER!

 

[CaoCao]

FYI, they will NEVER use an AMD Cpu, and they will not use the 54xx

Never is a very long time especially considering AMD is developing CPUs that seem almost perfect for MBA

 

[kazmac]

thanks I know this but

You can reduce the resolution
system preferences->Displays-> pick the resolution you want

that doesn't seem to work in the long term for my peepers, and sadly, doesn't address the more serious problem of my wrists being wonked by the laptop input design.

 

[cleric]

my arthritis makes it nearly impossible to use the apple laptops (track pad with keyboard behind the trackpad).

What do you prefer the rubber eraser?

 

[Scottsdale]

Never is a very long time especially considering AMD is developing CPUs that seem almost perfect for MBA

Exactly and with Apple adoring the GPU/chipset model, as it gives users the best overall experience, AMD is perfect for the 13" Mac notebooks. AMD may not have quite as fast of CPUs, but the GPUs more than makeup for the differences and then some. I would much prefer a slower CPU with a better GPU/chipset than a faster CPU with a worthless IGP, like Intel is pawning off on its customers.

I do believe that if Apple were to introduce AMD Macs it would introduce the new CPU and chipset combination for AMD. Apple would want to be the first to show it off... just as it did when it introduced the Nvidia 9400m GPU/chipset model paired with C2D.

Since Apple cannot use Nvidia's GPU/chipset beyond C2D, I believe AMD presents the next best alternative. The only issue is Intel markets its CPUs so well, that it would be difficult for Apple to sell AMD vs. Intel, but that's only due to customer ignorance. Most just don't realize how the CPU is actually only one of MANY ways to speed up the performance of Macs. Intel would have consumers believe that the only way to make a faster computer is to install the latest and greatest Intel CPU.

While I believe it will be an Intel Core i7 paired with an AMD 54x0 GPU, I could be wrong. It could just as easily sell AMD CPU/GPU/chipset... or something else. I don't see Apple sticking its users with Intel's IGP even if it waits for Sandy Bridge. It just goes against the entire strategy of Apple with the OS integration of OpenCL and all of the other advancements in software to take advantage of hardware available in Macs.

 

[alphaod]

What do you prefer the rubber eraser?

I certainly do.

 

[Adidas Addict]

My experience of AMD laptop CPU's has never been great. It's always been a case of too slow and way too hot. Obviously things can change, and I don't doubt that AMD are capable of releasing better. I know personally though, I would find it very hard to spend £1000+ on something using an AMD CPU. Maybe that sounds a little blinkered but bad experiences stay with you.