Air update this Tuesday!? UPDATED! I was Wrong

iDisk said:

Hey ladies and gentlemen (and kids ...) anyway.. The September media event is ironically on a Wednesday, noticing the trend with Apple this year, everything that's been announced has been i-This and i-That the important stuff (ie: MacBooks, Mac Pros, iMacs etc...) have been online annoucements/releases and here is why I think the MacBook Air will finally be updated this Tuesday...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp?id=pcat17080&type=page&qp=crootcategoryid%23%23-1%23%23-1~~q70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d30312d3031~~cabcat0500000%23%230%23%2311a~~cabcat0502000%23%230%23%23o~~nf865%7C%7C4d6163&sc=abComputerSP&sp=%2Bcurrentprice+skuid&usc=abcat0500000

The Air is Not available online nor at A few Stores.. The low end model is limited too.

I figured Apple does a silent update this tuesday, nothing major though and then they'll release multiply variations of the MacBook Air 2011 with a thinner more robust case since they acquired the rights to the innovative liquid metal technologies company...Hopefully by then hard drives or SSDs will be able to have higher capacities In smaller packaging...

Anyway here's to hoping Tuesday brings some fresh air to the line ( pun intended)

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Maybe, given the coincidence with Samsung's tablet a day later - but my gut feeling is: Not going to happen. Ships in 24 hrs at the US store

I don't see them doing a minor update on the Air, it will either be a whole new model or nothing at all. If they were planning a simple spec change they would have done it ages ago with the macbook & macbook pro. The only reason the iMac/Mac pro/Macbook Pro & macbook have had silent updates is that they were just spec bumps with no design or major changes, the only time Apple announce computer hardware at an event is when they are bringing something new.

I don't think you can read too much into BestBuy inventories. Up here in Canada neither BestBuy nor FutureShop have had very many in stock for about a year now. It's simply a matter of them not needing to stock very many because they don't sell very many.

Sadly, the only recent update for the Air seems to be that they've swapped spots on the Apple store (2.13 on the left and 1.86 on the right--used to be vice-versa). Didn't think anything of it until I went into my local Apple store and noticed that the display/demo models had also swapped positions.

Sad that this is what it's come to, I know

Although I really wish I'm wrong, I don't see it happening. This event has been announced as a media event (apple guitar and all) so presenting a new Air would be kind of odd. I'm thinking that a October/November event introducing the much rumored 7" iPad along with a new Air line and iOS on Macs would be more likely.

gri said:

Maybe, given the coincidence with Samsung's tablet a day later - but my gut feeling is: Not going to happen. Ships in 24 hrs at the US store

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To be clear, The MacBook Pro was the same way before it was updated.

GadgetAddict said:

Although I really wish I'm wrong, I don't see it happening. This event has been announced as a media event (apple guitar and all) so presenting a new Air would be kind of odd. I'm thinking that a October/November event introducing the much rumored 7" iPad along with a new Air line and iOS on Macs would be more likely.

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You realise new apple computers have been announced in previous years at the annual iPod/Media event right?

Adidas Addict said:

You realise new apple computers have been announced in previous years at the annual iPod/Media event right?

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I assume you are referring to the iMac and Mac mini update in 2006 but please, enlighten us.

an update is not coming, because there are always rumors in advance, and considering that the Air needs a moderate upgrade something would have been leaked somewhere....
Just look at the rest of the apple products....no way in hell an update is coming out of the blue, because that is NOT how you generate demand and $$$

GadgetAddict said:

I assume you are referring to the iMac and Mac mini update in 2006 but please, enlighten us.

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I remember in 08' the Rev B was announced/released in the fall. I specifically remember this because I was in the middle of replacing my MBP (faulty) for the 3rd time, and Applecare offered me the MBA rev b SSD that had just came out that week. I want to say it was Sept. 08'

In my heart I would love to see a new MB Air this coming Tuesday but my head and gut both say no. I would be so happy to be proved wrong but I think we will have to wait until October or early next year before the MB Air is updated.

If Apple has been able to re-engineer the MB Air to include a non intel graphics option, along with a Core i processors then we may see something next month and therefore probably accompanied by revised 13" MB Pros at the same time.

If this isn't possible then we are going to have to wait until new technology options are available for Apple to engineer the replacement machine and given there doesn't seem to have been many relevant new products lately I guess that means next year is more likely.

tigres said:

I remember in 08' the Rev B was announced/released in the fall. I specifically remember this because I was in the middle of replacing my MBP (faulty) for the 3rd time, and Applecare offered me the MBA rev b SSD that had just came out that week. I want to say it was Sept. 08'

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It was October 14th unfortunately. In recent years we have seen the following October Mac Hardware releases:

09: Mac Mini, iMac, MacBook
08: MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, 24" Cinema Display

But 2006 was the last time there were updates in September (iMac & Mac Mini) and these were a week before the Apple media event.

Based on past history it is therefore extremely unlikely that there will be any September Mac hardware announcements and if there is anything waiting in the wings it will be introduced in October with a probable increase in rumors beforehand.

mbisson said:

It was October 14th unfortunately. In recent years we have seen the following October Mac Hardware releases:

09: Mac Mini, iMac, MacBook
08: MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, 24" Cinema Display

But 2006 was the last time there were updates in September (iMac & Mac Mini) and these were a week before the Apple media event.

Based on past history it is therefore extremely unlikely that there will be any September Mac hardware announcements and if there is anything waiting in the wings it will be introduced in October with a probable increase in rumors beforehand.

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Good info to be sure. But remember, this machine would have been updated with the Pros if parts were available. Remember that Apple is currently using a Core2Duo "Penryn" design slimmed down to ULV size. But the chip itself is not a standard ULV design. I believe the machine is ready for launch when Intel has the new custom procs ready. My guess is that one of two things is about to happen:

1. Update to 4 gigs of ram, same SSD option but the 1499 model will get a 250 gig option. GeForce 320M with a faster Core2Duo running 2.26/2.53.

2. Same as above, but rather then using a core2duo, they will use a slimmed down i3.

I think we are going to see updates this week. Either Tuesday, or on stage Wednesday. And I put no stock in the 11.6 inch rumors. It will be the same unibody case design.

I think you're bang on. As much as I'd like to see a new MBA this week, October is more likely.

MrFlynn said:

Good info to be sure. But remember, this machine would have been updated with the Pros if parts were available. Remember that Apple is currently using a Core2Duo "Penryn" design slimmed down to ULV size. But the chip itself is not a standard ULV design.

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Is that still the case? I know the Rev A used a custom chip but thought the Revs B and C have used the std ULVs part, which had not been released at the time of the MB Air's introduction.

I'm interested as to whether anyone have a definitive answer to this one as it would make the reading up on CPUs I have doing a bit pointless. I've not paid the MB Air much attention until the past couple of months as I haven't had the need for anything smaller than my MB Pros before.

I still think September is unlikely as it will draw attention away from whatever is announced on the 1st and a month will not make an iota of difference to Apple.

I see a major update to the MBA sometime between September and January. I see Apple using the MBA to introduce where the Mac notebooks are headed in the future. It will be a major overhaul, and it will have something for everyone. I am now predicting two models... and I believe we will have low-end MBAs and high-end MBAs that make a lot of people very happy.

I see ATI discrete GPUs finally making their way into 13" Mac notebooks. Apple believes it should give its customers more than Intel's IGP can provide, at least in a high-end MBA.

I really believe Low Voltage Core i7, along with 4GB RAM, and a 256 GB SSD will be found in the 13" high-end MBA. This is the update we have been waiting over 16 months for... finally.

Scottsdale said:

I see a major update to the MBA sometime between September and January. I see Apple using the MBA to introduce where the Mac notebooks are headed in the future. It will be a major overhaul, and it will have something for everyone. I am now predicting two models... and I believe we will have low-end MBAs and high-end MBAs that make a lot of people very happy.

I see ATI discrete GPUs finally making their way into 13" Mac notebooks. Apple believes it should give its customers more than Intel's IGP can provide, at least in a high-end MBA.

I really believe Low Voltage Core i7, along with 4GB RAM, and a 256 GB SSD will be found in the 13" high-end MBA. This is the update we have been waiting over 16 months for... finally.

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I really hope this does come to fruition. I think the MBA deserves a major rethink and redesign to reposition it as a flagship device.

I saw a piece on engadget that AMD is axing the ATI brand name.

I really really wish...

Why not go AMD+ATI (why did they kill ATI brand? Idiots. You said AMD you meant CPU, you said ATI you meant GPU; now it's AMD... AMD what?). Would make it possible to lower the price.

And then high-end with whatever is the latest and greatest from Intel.

Anyway, if Mighty Steve thinks we're not ready yet for new MBA, maybe he'll toss us a bone - high res MBP 13".

Seriously, 1280x800? what's the res on iPhone again? 960xsomething something? Why is MBP stuck with this insanely low 1280x800? MBP 15" got an option for higher res screen (its not that high res, but at least it's better). What is it, year 2000?

Sigh... I sold my iMac 27" because now I need a portable laptop. And MBA or 13" MBP just don't cut it.

I'm off to Japan soon and I'll probably get Vaio Z once I'm there. Install OS X on and it should be fine. And get myself another iMac 27" ;-)

Oh, didn't realize 13" is still stuck with C2D. LOL.

I'm with those who are betting on October for reasons that have been mentioned here already, as well as the possibility that Apple may have moved this week's event ahead 2 weeks in order to space out new product introductions (and to keep a healthy buzz around the company heading into the holiday shopping season) that may be due before year's end.

This week: iPods and maybe iTV (iTunes streaming service too?)

October: MBA and 7 inch iPad, (and iTV if it doesn't materialize September 1)

December: $$$

Scottsdale said:

I see a major update to the MBA sometime between September and January. ...I am now predicting two models... and I believe we will have low-end MBAs and high-end MBAs that make a lot of people very happy.
This is the update we have been waiting over 16 months for... finally.

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From your mouth to Jobs' ear.

codehead said:

From your mouth to Jobs' ear.

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greek?...

iDisk said:

Hey ladies and gentlemen (and kids ...) anyway.. The September media event is ironically on a Wednesday, noticing the trend with Apple this year, everything that's been announced has been i-This and i-That the important stuff (ie: MacBooks, Mac Pros, iMacs etc...) have been online annoucements/releases and here is why I think the MacBook Air will finally be updated this Tuesday...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp?id=pcat17080&type=page&qp=crootcategoryid%23%23-1%23%23-1~~q70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d30312d3031~~cabcat0500000%23%230%23%2311a~~cabcat0502000%23%230%23%23o~~nf865%7C%7C4d6163&sc=abComputerSP&sp=%2Bcurrentprice+skuid&usc=abcat0500000

The Air is Not available online nor at A few Stores.. The low end model is limited too.

I figured Apple does a silent update this tuesday, nothing major though and then they'll release multiply variations of the MacBook Air 2011 with a thinner more robust case since they acquired the rights to the innovative liquid metal technologies company...Hopefully by then hard drives or SSDs will be able to have higher capacities In smaller packaging...

Anyway here's to hoping Tuesday brings some fresh air to the line ( pun intended)

Click to expand...

Ironically? Do you know that it's ironic when someone uses the word ironic when they don't know how to use it properly?

I have two questions:

1) Will a Sandy Bridge platform have similar dimensions to a potential i7 platform, so that a potentially redesigned MBA could accommodate the latter for now, and the former once it becomes available in the spring?

2) Can anybody provide me with a single argument for why there should be a ULV i7 update now when this part has been available for several months?

If the answer to 1) is no, an imminent update seems very unlikely in the light of 2), i.e. given that there have been no updates of the Air earlier this year.

macbook123 said:

I have two questions:

1) Will a Sandy Bridge platform have similar dimensions to a potential i7 platform, so that a potentially redesigned MBA could accommodate the latter for now, and the former once it becomes available in the spring?

2) Can anybody provide me with a single argument for why there should be a ULV i7 update now when this part has been available for several months?

If the answer to 1) is no, an imminent update seems very unlikely in the light of 2), i.e. given that there have been no updates of the Air earlier this year.

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1) Don't know

2) Because as an Intel Chipset has to be used with the Core i processors it wasn't a case of just swapping parts, more involved re-engineering would be required.

This is potentially evidenced by the 13" MB Pro retaining C2D processors. The 15" and 17" being that much larger probably made it much easier to accommodate the necessary silicon.

So whilst the MB Air was not updated in April I expect Apple has continued to work on a solution, which allows them to release an updated MB Air using the currently available Core i processors (No guarantee that it will be an i7 they use) and that will be released in October.

This would probably be introduced alongside an updated 13" MB Pro using a similar solution so that the entire Pro line use the Core i processors.

Well that's my argument!

I am actually relieved that it probably won't be updated! I am very happy with my Windows 7 machine, but I was really contemplating switching back for an updated Air. It was a timing issue for me with my Bday coming up - my wife wants to know what I want which was the Air, but now may be a workout machine.