new macbooks arriving - considering ebaying my air

[ducatidoc]

i love my air - love the size, the design, the screen, that it lacks a useless optical drive. yeah the battery is weak. and yeah, the HD is limited. but i feel like the poor performance -- way below what was advertised -- may be my pushing point.

just curious if anyone else is getting really curious about switching to one of these new macbooks. people keep on throwing around the words "aluminum case" and "really thin." i'd be willing to lose a couple of hundred of bucks when ebaying my air to trade down if they get the macbook to the low 4 lb / high 3 lb range.

[gooddeal]

If the rumor is true thinner aluminum case with 4lbs, faster CPU, backlit screen, illuminate keyboard and for $1000?, I will get that instead the Air in the future.

However, if Apple really offers all of those in a $1000 macbook, they have to lower the price of the Air and Pro by at least $500 or most people wouldn't buy the Air or the Pro.

[KamiNoYadoru]

Apple's MO is usually not about massive price cuts, but about added value, so I'd more expect to see enhancements to the Air to continue to justify a price in the general range. However, they do charge $200 for a black finish so who knows.

[Rondue]

If the rumor is true thinner aluminum case with 4lbs, faster CPU, backlit screen, illuminate keyboard and for $1000?, I will get that instead the Air in the future.

However, if Apple really offers all of those in a $1000 macbook, they have to lower the price of the Air and Pro by at least $500 or most people wouldn't buy the Air or the Pro.

I donno man, lots of people are saying these crazy low prices.. 1. I dont see why apple has to drop prices and 2. i dont think they screw the prices of their higher end brand products.. Macbook Pro and Air

Im in the midst of selling my 2.4GHz macbook and Ill prob ride out the storm with my AIR and sell it for whatever loss it takes.

[ercanbas]

in the same boat as you. love my air but i feel like i could have gotten more from a macbook. im going to wait til oct 15 to see what the deal is. im having my logic board replaced but it is taking longer because of Ike smacking Texas around like Tina Turner.

[Abstract]

They'll have the LED lit LCD screens, and maybe slightly faster processors (although there's nothing available right now that's a lot faster than what they're offering), but they're not going to start including things like the backlit keyboard, or a weight of <4 lbs. It'll likely be a 1" thick aluminium MacBook with similar hardware to today, except with an LED backlight. It'll be a bit lighter because of the aluminium, but don't expect any miracles here. There won't be massive SSD drives in there or something to reduce weight, nor are they going to start using the 1.8" harddisks to achieve this weight reduction either.

[illian]

I'm thinking about the same...but i think it's better to sell it before the oct 14. if apple updates the air too, you'll lose a lot more money.

1000-1200€ should be fine..just to get a new macbook ;)

[gooddeal]

Apple's MO is usually not about massive price cuts, but about added value, so I'd more expect to see enhancements to the Air to continue to justify a price in the general range. However, they do charge $200 for a black finish so who knows.

Yeah, I saw that in the past also but if Apple adds all the nice features backlit screen, aluminum case, thinner and almost weight the same as the Air, they cannot sell the Air $700 (the Pro for 1K) more than MB. Technically, they can but I think more people will switch to a regular MB.

[aleksandra.]

Apple's MO is usually not about massive price cuts, but about added value, so I'd more expect to see enhancements to the Air to continue to justify a price in the general range. However, they do charge $200 for a black finish so who knows.
Half of this $200 is for the 250GB HDD.

I can't see Apple making MB lighter, or at least significantly lighter, and certainly not as light as Air. I think pretty much everyone who's interested in getting an Air now would get MB if it was as light and cheaper, not to mention better performance.

[Rondue]

Half of this $200 is for the 250GB HDD.

I can't see Apple making MB lighter, or at least significantly lighter, and certainly not as light as Air. I think pretty much everyone who's interested in getting an Air now would get MB if it was as light and cheaper, not to mention better performance.

I don't care who the source is i dont think apple will take away from their more expensive laptops with a feature packed cheapie. They wont shoot themselves in the foot.

[hogfaninga]

I don't care who the source is i dont think apple will take away from their more expensive laptops with a feature packed cheapie. They wont shoot themselves in the foot.

They won't. Every year people put up their dream list only to be disappointed again and again. They won't ever learn. There will be a clear distinction between the 3 laptops. Let the dreamers, dream. I love it when they realize it was a dream and they feel stupid.

[iMacmatician]

They won't. Every year people put up their dream lists only to be disappointed again and again. They won't ever learn. There will be a clear distinction between the 3 laptops. Let the dreamers, dream. I love it when they realize it was a dream and they feel stupid.Totally totally agreed.

Given the rumors, I can see the new MacBooks having:

13.3" display or 14" if they go 16:9
.9" or so thickness
Optical drive
4.5 lbs. or so, a bit more if they go 14"So I can't see the MacBook cannibalizing the MacBook Air. And an aluminum case won't make the MacBook cannibalize the MacBook Pro.

[aleksandra.]

I don't care who the source is i dont think apple will take away from their more expensive laptops with a feature packed cheapie. They wont shoot themselves in the foot.
I didn't say they will...

They won't. Every year people put up their dream list only to be disappointed again and again. They won't ever learn. There will be a clear distinction between the 3 laptops. Let the dreamers, dream. I love it when they realize it was a dream and they feel stupid.
It certainly sounds as if "I want a perfect laptop that I can afford" became a self-delusion in some cases.

Or, in the future, there might not be 3 notebooks. If light (as in 3lbs or less) becomes a standard in a few years, MB and MBA might be replaced by one laptop... unless it'll be possible to make MBA even lighter by then.

[Heavenkittykat]

I was thinking of the same thing too. Though I wasn't really planning on selling my MBA. I really like my MBA since I value portability and the specs of the MBA is enough for me. Although I thought that if apple is going to introduce an aluminum macbook with higher specs and thinner and lighter than the old version, then wouldn't this just kill the MBA sales totally?

Apple will be nuts if they do this so I think that they will introduce a new MBA that will have better specs and all (I think)

[Mikebuzzsaw]

I don't think the MacBook will get too much into MBA territory because everyone would end up getting the MB!

[gotzero]

I do not think the macbook would be modified to eat sales away from the other two.

I do not think little things like the backlit keyboard I will show up in the MacBook. It might be switched aluminum and maybe tapered a bit, but I doubt it will significantly thinner/lighter. I think of the Macbook, Mini, and Imac to be gateway drugs. There are things that are intentionally left off of all three that make you desire the Pro counterparts.

I think the Air may eventually get knocked down to 12" to differentiate it.

I just bought an air at a price that makes me think the macbook fear is priced in the market, but I assume the worries will be unfounded.

[hogfaninga]

I don't think the MacBook will get too much into MBA territory because everyone would end up getting the MB!

I agree. I seriously contemplated getting the Air (I had to do a few things that the Air couldn't do--so I needed to buy the Macbook which is perfect for me) and I love the concept. It will only get better. I will get one one day. Probably soon if they make a few changes. It is too appealing to me.

[DjAmTraX]

I don't think we'll see a revised Air until MW 09'. One year anniversary of Air.

I say keep your Air for road use, unless you really hate it and get a second MacBook/MBP. Why take a lost.

[SFStateStudent]

No plans to sell or buy, so I'll just wait and see. Unlike others that have posted, I'm quite happy with my MBA...:cool:

[mattniles007]

They won't. Every year people put up their dream list only to be disappointed again and again. They won't ever learn. There will be a clear distinction between the 3 laptops. Let the dreamers, dream. I love it when they realize it was a dream and they feel stupid.

I agree with you here. I cannot see them making a super Macbook that directly undercuts their MBA and MBP.

[AboveTheChaos]

I'm definitely getting rid of this MBA as soon as something comes out. (I've already got a buyer lined up.) I'm just tired of the poor performance. But, that's what I get for being an early adopter. Anyway, I'm hoping new Macbooks or even MB Pros come out soon so I can switch. Let's hope it's something good.

[donga]

before you guys ebay anything just wait til the actual macbooks come around, be it in a month or more. remember we're all just speculating right now...

[mac jones]

With ultralights every lbs matters.

If the new Macbook is 4 lbs , the extra pound will matter to those who want the lightest.

Also, At 3 lbs, the Air can be easily grabbed with one hand from just about any position by just about any adult which makes it unique for Macs just for that.

I like the way the Air can be stashed virtually anywhere as it's so thin. I slide mine under sofas and lay it up against walls all the time.

Love the little guy.

[*Sandy*]

The Air did not live up to the Hype, its not a great everyday Machine, I sold mine and went back to a MB!

[ishopukisfake]

I am considering a MBA, but wondering to hold off until october. When some have mentioned "poor performance" what exactly do you mean? Is there lag in program use or are you referring to the limited specs?

I can foresee an upgrade HD next month to the 120 GB's in the new ipods, and probably a speed bump up to 2.0 GHz.

[glitch44]

I am considering a MBA, but wondering to hold off until october. When some have mentioned "poor performance" what exactly do you mean? Is there lag in program use or are you referring to the limited specs?

I can foresee an upgrade HD next month to the 120 GB's in the new ipods, and probably a speed bump up to 2.0 GHz.

That truly would be a miracle, as there is no 2.0 GHz chip in the line. The Macbook Air's current processor was a "one off" die shrink design. The next chips will be 45nm and will most likely be the 1.6GHz SL9300 and the 1.86GHz SL9400 processors which use less power and create less heat, thereby increasing battery life.

The heat decrease will make it easier to cool, which will help problems with core shutdowns that you can read about here in the forums.

[ishopukisfake]

Interesting - I suppose the slimness of the MBA makes it a whole different kettle of fish as regards to upgrading.

I was considering ordering it earlier, then saw the poor performance comments, liked the look of the HPTX tablet, but saw the battery life is 2 hours max, wow - we need a new method of holding energy for portable devices. So now I'm learning the only likely upgrade will be hard drive, interesting..

[pgflmac]

I like my MBA also. It is plenty fast for me. The only issue was x-plane 9 would not render very well. VMWare and parallels are fine. MS-office is slow but I cannot upgrade to the latest version because I need macro support. I have gotten used to the smallish hard drive.

The only issue is the very sloppy trackpad button. I took the machine apart and have been tinkering with the tension on the mechanical button. It is close to OK but very stupid design. BTW, the case is plastic. shhhh.

[aleksandra.]

Interesting - I suppose the slimness of the MBA makes it a whole different kettle of fish as regards to upgrading.

I was considering ordering it earlier, then saw the poor performance comments, liked the look of the HPTX tablet, but saw the battery life is 2 hours max, wow - we need a new method of holding energy for portable devices. So now I'm learning the only likely upgrade will be hard drive, interesting..

2 hours max? That's not what I thought. By the way, can any MBA owner write how long its battery life is? How accurate this test is:
http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=3226&p=16
?

[gooddeal]

2 hours max? That's not what I thought. By the way, can any MBA owner write how long its battery life is?

I usually don't play musics. I use internet, chat, and office. I think it's good for at least 5 hours.

[Bobjob186]

I only have 9 cycles on my battery so granted it's not really broken in yet, but I can get over 4 hours with wifi on, 75% brightness, with ichat, safari, and word open.

[ishopukisfake]

over 4 hours on that link and from what you two are saying, thats not so bad, thats actually about the same as my MBP

[awvan]

If it is true that the new MacBooks are coming in at lower prices, you guys are crazy to think you are going to get something that much slimmer and lighter. You can't have it both ways. Personally I see these new ones come in a hair under 1" thick (mainly so Apple can market it as "less than an inch thick") and just under 5 pounds. Nothing too crazy. It will be brought up to speed with an LED backlit screen, multitouch, backlit keyboard, aluminum casing and slight bumps in HD space and processor speeds.

Not enough to sell my Air I don't think. I'll wait to see if new Airs deliver a cooler running system with improved battery life when under higher loads. That is the main issue for me, I don't really care about the speed nor the space.

[That70sGAdawg]

With ultralights every lbs matters.


I like the way the Air can be stashed virtually anywhere as it's so thin. I slide mine under sofas and lay it up against walls all the time.


I stash mine under the seat of the arm chair in hotels while I'm out for dinner to keep dishonest maids from being tempted!

[Mactagonist]

I stash mine under the seat of the arm chair in hotels while I'm out for dinner to keep dishonest maids from being tempted!

Just wait until they decide to sit down and have a little break while cleaning your room! :)

*Crunch*