Your Second Generation Air Wish List?

[glennm0270]

Given Apple's historical upgrade cycles, I'm hoping to see Rev 2 in the July/August timeframe. My wishlist is oriented on things I speculate would be achievable in that timeframe, involve minimal retooling, still be perceived as upgrades, and also allow Apple to maintain margins.

- 4GB RAM + Penryn 2.1GHz + (faster?) 64GB SSD at current 1.8+SSD price or slightly lower (banking on drop in memory/SSD to offset cost of memory+CPU upgrades)

- Optional 128GB SSD (though it will likely be more expensive...not likely SSD price is going to drop enough in 6 months to allow it to be offered for same price as current 64GB SSD).

- 2 USB ports, or at the very least, a powered USB hub that lets you use the SuperDrive at the same time as the ethernet dongle

While the 2 USB ports may be a tussle...definitely require some retooling both inside and out...I think that the first group would be achievable in the August-ish timeframe. After all, the current CPU is sitting on essentially the same form factor as planned for the Penryn.

The 128GB SSD would also definitely be doable, for those that have the extra cash for it.

Based on the benchmarks I've read, my guess is that a 2.1GHz Penryn+4GB RAM+SSD would put the MBA pretty close to the performance of the lower-end MacBook Pro, but still preserve battery life, heat dissipation, and the lower weight of the MBA.

That's my dream, anyway

 

[queshy]

built in can opener. common, apple!

 

[iMachine]

I'm not lucky enough to own one yet, but top of the list would have to be a second USB port as others have also suggested. Also an 11" widescreen version for those that want a smaller footprint for their 'ultraportable'.

Not essential for me personally but a user-replaceable battery would also make life easier for many users.

 

[boazjoe]

MacAir Wish List

I think that a truly ultraportable should be, well, ultraportable. That means no brick. I would gladly pay a little more in weight for a battery life that meant I could run it all day and leave the brick at home. If I am going to have to carry the brick, I might as well have 3 times the machine at less price sitting in my bag.

All the neat features are neat, but when it comes down to actually using the machine, battery life is at the top of the list.

 

[acfusion29]

What is your second generation Air wish list?

Here is mine. Apple are you listening?

Ten, Twelve, and Fifteen inch screen option
Silver or Black aluminum case option
Silver case with silver keys and Black case with black keys
Matte screen option
Thin bezel frame around screen
High Definition screen option
Blu-Ray disc option
Built in EVDO wireless
Firewire
Change name to PowerBook Air

That's what pisses me off... people want 10 and 12" screens. If apple were to do that, then the inside of the computer would be ****, would be way worse in performance than the current air.

THENNNN people would complain AGAIN saying "why couldn't they put more GHz into this thing blah blah BLAH"

 

[Alchematron]

I added Stereo Speakers.

C'mon Apple for 3 grand you can do it!

What is your second generation Air wish list?

Here is mine. Apple are you listening?

Ten, Twelve, and Fifteen inch screen option
Silver or Black aluminum case option
Silver case with silver keys and Black case with black keys
Matte screen option
Thin bezel frame around screen
High Definition screen option
Blu-Ray disc option
Built in EVDO wireless
Stereo Speakers
FireWire
Change name to PowerBook Air

 

[barijazz]

Faster CPU
Bigger HDD
3G (in some form possibly utilizing iphone's 3G via blue tooth)
Battery add-ons.
Change mag safe. (it will attatch even when the power is not connected)
HD screens for 15" option.
Touch screen.

And a completely new mac. macbook touch (completely tablet). With everything the MBA has.

 

[barijazz]

That's what pisses me off... people want 10 and 12" screens. If apple were to do that, then the inside of the computer would be ****, would be way worse in performance than the current air.

THENNNN people would complain AGAIN saying "why couldn't they put more GHz into this thing blah blah BLAH"

He's got a point. Only so much power you can pack into that small a space.

 

[ayeying]

I just want more ram (4GB at least?) and a bigger hdd. Thats it, I'm not picky or "OMG I WANT THIS THIS AND THIS OR IMMA KILL MYSELF"

 

[barijazz]

I think that a truly ultraportable should be, well, ultraportable. That means no brick. I would gladly pay a little more in weight for a battery life that meant I could run it all day and leave the brick at home. If I am going to have to carry the brick, I might as well have 3 times the machine at less price sitting in my bag.

All the neat features are neat, but when it comes down to actually using the machine, battery life is at the top of the list.

A truely ultra portable should be a tablet. Something that you can work with while you are actually moving (such as walking). For instance a building designer can walk through the build sight and take a look at the plans as well as what is happening. It is very hard to be ultra portable with 2 parts of the laptop.

 

[barijazz]

-Thinner bezel
-Better battery life
-Another USB port, an ethernet port, and maybe firewire 800.

It's apple's wireless machine so don't think ethernet will be coming to it... ever. One thin we need is the door for the ports to be removed. The door is much like the disk drives on all pcs. asking to get broken.

 

[benfeibleman]

Amen

You guys want too much. It will never happen.

I agree, there os only so much you can fit in a small box. How about as ram and processors shrink, we get more power, more ram (4gb) and more space (MTEC just came out iwth 128gb SSD, to ship in april). Add a firewire and another usb and I'll call it good.

BF

 

[kzin]

My wishlist:

1) shrink it to an 8" screen size form factor (ie. the EeePC size device)
2) multi-touch touch screen
3) express card slot
4) twist/rotating/swivel screen convertible (so you can use it as a tablet)
5) under $1000 (preferably under $600)


#2 is kinda optional. #1 and #3 are definitely not.

 

[Adokimus]

Ok, I'll add mine. But, unlike other's, I'll be reasonable:

Penryn - better battery life and performance per watt.
Larger HDD and SDD options (when they are available in the required size)
4 GB RAM option, even if it must be soldered on
Non-recessed headphone jack
Fixed wireless problems with screen closed

Any other hopes aren't for the 2nd gen... maybe 4th.

 

[kkrull]

Haven't seen...

OLED screen
HD iSight
stereo speakers
MagSafe with wired ethernet (maybe a POE magsafe adapter)

 

[Salty Pirate]

15" screen size w/ 1440 x 900 LED
4 GB RAM
Penryn processor
some dedicated graphic chip- it really needs some form of GPU

 

[zephead]

High Definition screen option

Ehh.. technically it's already a 720p HD screen since 720p is 1280x720 and the MBA is 1280x800.

As for anything else, I couldn't say it any better than this:

Firewire! For the love of God, Firewire!

 

[dannewell15]

Two Firewire ports
Dual Bluray Burners
1TB HDD
32GB of RAM
Octo Core Penryn Processor
8800GT

 

[bguillemette6]

REV MBA.2 (Shipping 10/15/08)

3G <--- ......a must...... heck it will be 2009 in 6 weeks (yup, Rev 2 at xmass time & 3G networks are almots built to 20% and growing...user picks the network of choice)

Memory max option to 4G <----"must" #2,,should have been included in rev #1


Either better Apple solutions on accessories & their power-sync-connection or 1 additional port via firewire.

Reader/Slot for Flash cards/USB drive's to be plugged in for quick access.

Minor increase in HDD's to 120G SSD...SSD is only HDD versions....no Ipod HDD's

CPU to 2.0 and 2.2...

 

[pbbaker123]

Hmmm

I would like a MBA that is slightly thicker, white, and comes with an optical drive...

either that or half as thick and twice the footprint..

okay... you got me...


What I really want is a pro machine without an optical drive built in.

 

[Whorehay]

Two Firewire ports
Dual Bluray Burners
1TB HDD
32GB of RAM
Octo Core Penryn Processor
8800GT

In 20 years my friend, in 20 years. Haha.

 

[dannewell15]

In 20 years my friend, in 20 years. Haha.

Along with a hover board please

 

[sushi]

In 20 years my friend, in 20 years. Haha.

And in 20 years, when the latest version of the current series laptop is released, some will still complain because it doesn't have this or that.

...some things will never change.

 

[marvingaye]

If they added firewire, I'd buy one in an instant.

 

[arjunm]

Before I'd buy one it'd need a security slot, two USB ports, FireWire, and a 2ghz processor. I know I'm being greedy now, but I wouldn't be looking to buy one for at least another three years.

I hear Apple makes a laptop along those lines. Could be just rumors tho. The say it's called Macbook Pro or so.