Show us your/someone else's next-gen Macbook Air Mockups!

[Jobsian]

I absolutely love the Air, this forum and all the speculation, I think it has to be my all-time favorite computer.

I haven't seen that many mockups of what a next-gen one could look like, so post your impressions or any good ones you've seen. I don't care about quality, do it in paint! Or even ascii :D

Out of the ones I've seen, this one has to rank as one of my favorites so far:

http://i32.tinypic.com/2s7uj2a.jpg

Ok my impression:

http://i28.tinypic.com/25zihqt.jpg



omg!

[cjacks68]

Hilarious representations of macmodmachine and scottsdale

[MacModMachine]

Ok my impression:

http://i28.tinypic.com/25zihqt.jpg



omg!

incredible.....


just incredible.....

[sanPietro98]

I don't care about quality, do it in paint! Or even ascii :D

You asked for ASCII, so here goes...


.. .............. ..,,:~~~=~~~~~~=,. ...
........,,,:~::::::::,,::::::::::::::::::~~~~~~~~=+~.. ..
.+=~:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,::::::::::::::~~~~~~~=====+..... ..
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....... . ..=:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:::::::::~~~~~~========+++++++++++++++++++:.
......... :+7$$+~:,,,,,,,,,:,:::::::::~~~~~~=========+++++++++=======:=,.
..:~===++++??II777777$$~:,,,,,:::::::::::~~~~~~~~===============~:~?$Z$. .
,.:~======+++??II7II77$ODNNMD~:,,:::::::::::~~~~~~=~~====~~~~~::I7Z7, ......
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.. . . ... :?Z$?~,.,=?77777$8+:,::::::::::,=77Z?...... ... ..
.......... ..=$Z8OI=:,,=7ZI??:?IOM7. .. .....
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.......... ... .... ...

.............. . . . . . ... .
....+:::::::::~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~======++++++???????????III7
..,,,,,,,,,,,,,::::::::::::~~~:~~=====++++++++?????+++??+7..
...,,.:~I7~+I~I:+?I~I:~~~:~~:::~~~:~::::::::+~I7?~I?+??~++7..
...,,.D888OOOOZOZOOOZZ$$$$$77I7$$$$$$$$7$7777$$$$ZZZZZZ8++I.
...,,.888OOOOOOZZZZZZ$$77777II7777$$77777III7777$$$ZZZOO++I.
...,,.OOOOOOOOZZZZZ$$$77777II?II777I7I7I?IIII7777$$$ZZZO+=I..
:,.OOOZZZZZZZZZZ$$77IIIII???IIII?IIIII?II7777777$ZZZO==I..
::,ZZZZZ$$$$ZZZZZ$77IIIII???II?????????IIIII7777$ZZZO==I..
...::,ZZ$$$$7777$$$$$7IIII??++????????++????I?I77$$ZZZZZ==?
...::.ZZ$$$$77II777777I???+?+++++++++===?+????II7$$$$$II==?
...::.$$7777777I???IIII??=+==~~==~~~~~=+=++++??I777I????~~?
...::,777II7I777I????III?===~~~~~~:~~~~~=+==+III7II?+++?~~+
...~:,++?IIIIIIIIII??????+=~~::::::::~~==~??III??++????I~~+
...~::I+++++??IIIII77I??+?=~~:,,,,,,:~~:+IIIII??IIII77ZZ~~+
...~~:OZZZ$77III?II7777??=+=~:,::::,,,?I777III777$ZOO8DN~~+ .
...=~:888OOOOOZZZZ$$$$777??I?+~~=::=I7$$$$ZZZZOO888DDDDN::+ .
...==:D88888888888OOZOOOZ$$$Z7?=+7ZO88888888888DDDDNNNNM::+ .
...==~DDDDDD8888888888888Z$7??$Z8DDDDDDDDDDDDDNNNNNNNNNM::+ .
...+=~8DDDD888888888DDDDDDD8DDDN8NNNNNNNNNNNNDNDNNNNNNNM::+..
...+=~888DDDDDNNNNNNNNNNNNNNMMNMNMMMNMNMMMMNNDDNNNNDNNNM::+.
...++=NNNNNO8887~M7M?M?8D87~8OO8NONN8?I8IZ?$MIZ+Z8ON8NMM::+
?+=MMMM?7I???+??+I+$II7=II~+$7IIO?$ZI=7IIII?+=?7+MMMM::+
.. ...?++++++++++++++++++++==============~~~~~~~~~~::::::::::?. ..
.. ...?++++++++++++++++========~~~=~===~~~~~~~~~~~:::::::::::?....
:===~::,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,..,,,,,~..........,:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,..,.,.,,88:~~==~,
.... :?7OO8OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO88OZ7=. .....
..,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
.............. . ....... ....

[Jobsian]

incredible.....


just incredible.....
Nicely done :D

[Jobsian]

You asked for ASCII, so here goes...


.. .............. ..,,:~~~=~~~~~~=,. ...
........,,,:~::::::::,,::::::::::::::::::~~~~~~~~=+~.. ..
.+=~:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,::::::::::::::~~~~~~~=====+..... ..
. ..~~:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,::::::::::::~~~~~~~====+=+=+:....
.. ,=::,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,::::::,...,~~~~~~=======++++++,..
....:~,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:::::::::....,~~=======++++++++++,.. .
.. ...,~:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,::::::::::~~~~~=======+++++++++??+??=....
.... ,~,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,::::::::~~~~~~=======++++++++++++++?+?:....
....... . ..=:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:::::::::~~~~~~========+++++++++++++++++++:.
......... :+7$$+~:,,,,,,,,,:,:::::::::~~~~~~=========+++++++++=======:=,.
..:~===++++??II777777$$~:,,,,,:::::::::::~~~~~~~~===============~:~?$Z$. .
,.:~======+++??II7II77$ODNNMD~:,,:::::::::::~~~~~~=~~====~~~~~::I7Z7, ......
...... :7$=,.,~?IIIIII78MMN8DDNN~:,,::::::~~~~~~~~:::::,=77ZI,..... ..
.. . . ... :?Z$?~,.,=?77777$8+:,::::::::::,=77Z?...... ... ..
.......... ..=$Z8OI=:,,=7ZI??:?IOM7. .. .....
......... .=$8OO?........
.......... ... .... ...

.............. . . . . . ... .
....+:::::::::~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~======++++++???????????III7
..,,,,,,,,,,,,,::::::::::::~~~:~~=====++++++++?????+++??+7..
...,,.:~I7~+I~I:+?I~I:~~~:~~:::~~~:~::::::::+~I7?~I?+??~++7..
...,,.D888OOOOZOZOOOZZ$$$$$77I7$$$$$$$$7$7777$$$$ZZZZZZ8++I.
...,,.888OOOOOOZZZZZZ$$77777II7777$$77777III7777$$$ZZZOO++I.
...,,.OOOOOOOOZZZZZ$$$77777II?II777I7I7I?IIII7777$$$ZZZO+=I..
:,.OOOZZZZZZZZZZ$$77IIIII???IIII?IIIII?II7777777$ZZZO==I..
::,ZZZZZ$$$$ZZZZZ$77IIIII???II?????????IIIII7777$ZZZO==I..
...::,ZZ$$$$7777$$$$$7IIII??++????????++????I?I77$$ZZZZZ==?
...::.ZZ$$$$77II777777I???+?+++++++++===?+????II7$$$$$II==?
...::.$$7777777I???IIII??=+==~~==~~~~~=+=++++??I777I????~~?
...::,777II7I777I????III?===~~~~~~:~~~~~=+==+III7II?+++?~~+
...~:,++?IIIIIIIIII??????+=~~::::::::~~==~??III??++????I~~+
...~::I+++++??IIIII77I??+?=~~:,,,,,,:~~:+IIIII??IIII77ZZ~~+
...~~:OZZZ$77III?II7777??=+=~:,::::,,,?I777III777$ZOO8DN~~+ .
...=~:888OOOOOZZZZ$$$$777??I?+~~=::=I7$$$$ZZZZOO888DDDDN::+ .
...==:D88888888888OOZOOOZ$$$Z7?=+7ZO88888888888DDDDNNNNM::+ .
...==~DDDDDD8888888888888Z$7??$Z8DDDDDDDDDDDDDNNNNNNNNNM::+ .
...+=~8DDDD888888888DDDDDDD8DDDN8NNNNNNNNNNNNDNDNNNNNNNM::+..
...+=~888DDDDDNNNNNNNNNNNNNNMMNMNMMMNMNMMMMNNDDNNNNDNNNM::+.
...++=NNNNNO8887~M7M?M?8D87~8OO8NONN8?I8IZ?$MIZ+Z8ON8NMM::+
?+=MMMM?7I???+??+I+$II7=II~+$7IIO?$ZI=7IIII?+=?7+MMMM::+
.. ...?++++++++++++++++++++==============~~~~~~~~~~::::::::::?. ..
.. ...?++++++++++++++++========~~~=~===~~~~~~~~~~~:::::::::::?....
:===~::,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,..,,,,,~..........,:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,..,.,.,,88:~~==~,
.... :?7OO8OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO88OZ7=. .....
..,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
.............. . ....... ....
Preordered!

[Scottsdale]

I absolutely love the Air, this forum and all the speculation, I think it has to be my all-time favorite computer.

I haven't seen that many mockups of what a next-gen one could look like, so post your impressions or any good ones you've seen. I don't care about quality, do it in paint! Or even ascii :D

Out of the ones I've seen, this one has to rank as one of my favorites so far:

http://i32.tinypic.com/2s7uj2a.jpg

Ok my impression:

http://i28.tinypic.com/25zihqt.jpg



omg!


LMAO!!! Funniest post EVER!

[creon]

:)

Not a fan of the white keys.

[Scottsdale]

:)

Not a fan of the white keys.

There is a way to mod the MBA with white keys from MB. There's a thread here in the MBA section. It actually looks beautiful if doesn't have the black bezel of hell.

I really really wish the MBA, and all Mac notebooks, still had silver keys. I like the chiclet keyboard, but the plastic keys should be painted silver to match the MBA. For me, an older MBP with silver keys and bezel is by far the best looking Mac notebook ever.

[creon]

It actually looks beautiful if doesn't have the black bezel of hell.

I'm gonna have to use that saying sometime if you wouldn't mind...:).

[Scottsdale]

I'm gonna have to use that saying sometime if you wouldn't mind...:).

It's like shareware... use it all you want.

I really think the MBA and anti-glare MBPs look amazing with silver bezels. The gloss on the glass displays wouldn't be half as bad without the black bezel of hell.

[Surely]

OP..... now that is what I call art.

Brilliant.

You should submit it to Threadless and have them print t-shirts......

[Veinticinco]

There is a way to mod the MBA with white keys from MB. There's a thread here in the MBA section. It actually looks beautiful if doesn't have the black bezel of hell.

I really really wish the MBA, and all Mac notebooks, still had silver keys. I like the chiclet keyboard, but the plastic keys should be painted silver to match the MBA. For me, an older MBP with silver keys and bezel is by far the best looking Mac notebook ever.
I think my first post here on MR was concerning the white key mod on an MBA - which I dug up and persuaded the OP to post additional pics. Aside from the nice clean aesthetics of the white against aluminium (as per the desktop Apple keyboards), I absolutely hate the black keys as within days/weeks they go all shiny from fingertip skin oil.

Another aesthetic complaint...on an MBA (or indeed an antiglare 15/17 MBP) with a silver bezel, the black keys just dominate visually and draw the eye, whereas they should in fact blend into the case as much as possible. The "oh look it's a black keyboard with an aluminium laptop attached" look is not a good one.

I'm not a huge fan of chiclet keys in general (cheap-looking) but they're clearly here to stay. With that in mind then, rather than painted silver keys, I'd much prefer to see brushed aluminium keys with etched opaque markings for backlighting. That would give a very 'premium' look not to mention tactile feel when using the keyboard.

[Scottsdale]

I think my first post here on MR was concerning the white key mod on an MBA - which I dug up and persuaded the OP to post additional pics. Aside from the nice clean aesthetics of the white against aluminium (as per the desktop Apple keyboards), I absolutely hate the black keys as within days/weeks they go all shiny from fingertip skin oil.

Another aesthetic complaint...on an MBA (or indeed an antiglare 15/17 MBP) with a silver bezel, the black keys just dominate visually and draw the eye, whereas they should in fact blend into the case as much as possible. The "oh look it's a black keyboard with an aluminium laptop attached" look is not a good one.

I'm not a huge fan of chiclet keys in general (cheap-looking) but they're clearly here to stay. With that in mind then, rather than painted silver keys, I'd much prefer to see brushed aluminium keys with etched opaque markings for backlighting. That would give a very 'premium' look not to mention tactile feel when using the keyboard.

In case anyone wants to do the white key mod, there's a Mac parts wholesaler from China that sells brand new white keyboards for the MB for $20. I can dig up the site if anyone mentions interest. The only problem, if one remembers the MB white KB is some of the secondary functions of F-keys are different like for display brightness or etc. Also the mod allows for changing the backlight coloring for the keys by covering the LEDs with some colored semi-transparent film.

Getting back to a silver KB. I would obviously LOVE brushed aluminum keys on the next Air, but I don't see Apple spending that kind of money when a few cents worth of plastic can be painted the same color as the casing (think pre-unibody MBP keys). But your idea of brushed al. keys sounds wonderful, but a little too wonderful for Apple.

I have really fallen hard for all of my Apple products. I have noticed that others do too. I once contemplated starting a company for mod parts for Apple products. Whether it be something like brushed al. keys or anything else Mac owners will pay serious money for mods to their computers, phones, and pods. Even though Apple has a small share of the computing and phone segments, its users are die-hard loyal fans who are far more willing to spend money and take pride in their Apple products and differentiating them. It would be fun on top of it!

I would like a display mod right now for a 13" LED hi-res display, and I can see shelling out a premium. I would pay handsomely for a 256 GB SSD. Aluminum keys would be painstakingly swapped out.

I can also see myself choosing tons of BTO options from Apple. I would gladly pay $800 for 8 GB RAM. I would pay $150 for aluminum keys. I would pay $700 for a hi-res display. I would pay $300 for black aluminum frame. I would pay $1000 for the 256 GB SSD. I would pay $1000 for an OLED display. I would pay extra for better internal speakers. I would pay extra for different colored backlit keyboard. I would pay extra for USB 3 port. I would pay extra for a silky smooth glass trackpad. I would pay extra for a display that goes all the way to the edge and eliminates the bezel completely.

I believe that the vast majority of the people I know would pay much more for their MBAs if they were given BTO options. People that use their Macs daily for business use like me see value in the details. I spend half my life on my Mac working for clients or writing or etc. My motto is life is too short, so I will always spend the extra to get whatever makes my work easier or more enjoyable.

Think about Apple's recent changes offering no BTO options for the MBA. I think that's a huge mistake. Niche markets are willing to spend more for the details or small stuff. I would gladly pay quadruple for an Apple external Blu Ray SuperDrive, yet Apple doesn't sell it. Think of all the MBP or iMac buyers who would gladly pay $300 or more for a Blu Ray upgrade! Apple not offering a 4/8 GB RAM upsell in the MBA is unthinkable. The niche audience buying the MBA would pay an extra $300 for 4 GB RAM... why is Apple doing this so wrong???

[Consultant]

Every single Mac laptop since 1999 iBook has built in Microphone

MacBook Air has built in microphone.

[Veinticinco]

In case anyone wants to do the white key mod, there's a Mac parts wholesaler from China that sells brand new white keyboards for the MB for $20. I can dig up the site if anyone mentions interest. The only problem, if one remembers the MB white KB is some of the secondary functions of F-keys are different like for display brightness or etc. Also the mod allows for changing the backlight coloring for the keys by covering the LEDs with some colored semi-transparent film.

Getting back to a silver KB. I would obviously LOVE brushed aluminum keys on the next Air, but I don't see Apple spending that kind of money when a few cents worth of plastic can be painted the same color as the casing (think pre-unibody MBP keys). But your idea of brushed al. keys sounds wonderful, but a little too wonderful for Apple.

I have really fallen hard for all of my Apple products. I have noticed that others do too. I once contemplated starting a company for mod parts for Apple products. Whether it be something like brushed al. keys or anything else Mac owners will pay serious money for mods to their computers, phones, and pods. Even though Apple has a small share of the computing and phone segments, its users are die-hard loyal fans who are far more willing to spend money and take pride in their Apple products and differentiating them. It would be fun on top of it!

I would like a display mod right now for a 13" LED hi-res display, and I can see shelling out a premium. I would pay handsomely for a 256 GB SSD. Aluminum keys would be painstakingly swapped out.

I can also see myself choosing tons of BTO options from Apple. I would gladly pay $800 for 8 GB RAM. I would pay $150 for aluminum keys. I would pay $700 for a hi-res display. I would pay $300 for black aluminum frame. I would pay $1000 for the 256 GB SSD. I would pay $1000 for an OLED display. I would pay extra for better internal speakers. I would pay extra for different colored backlit keyboard. I would pay extra for USB 3 port. I would pay extra for a silky smooth glass trackpad. I would pay extra for a display that goes all the way to the edge and eliminates the bezel completely.

I believe that the vast majority of the people I know would pay much more for their MBAs if they were given BTO options. People that use their Macs daily for business use like me see value in the details. I spend half my life on my Mac working for clients or writing or etc. My motto is life is too short, so I will always spend the extra to get whatever makes my work easier or more enjoyable.

Think about Apple's recent changes offering no BTO options for the MBA. I think that's a huge mistake. Niche markets are willing to spend more for the details or small stuff. I would gladly pay quadruple for an Apple external Blu Ray SuperDrive, yet Apple doesn't sell it. Think of all the MBP or iMac buyers who would gladly pay $300 or more for a Blu Ray upgrade! Apple not offering a 4/8 GB RAM upsell in the MBA is unthinkable. The niche audience buying the MBA would pay an extra $300 for 4 GB RAM... why is Apple doing this so wrong???
Having just the other week had the pleasure (the pain comes later when the order goes to build and balance is due) of going into a car dealership and speccing my new car EXACTLY how I want it, choosing from maybe 50-plus different BTO items from a choice of 8 base models in unlimited different colours, I could not agree more with the ethos you describe in your post.

Unfortunately for like-minded people such as ourselves, Apple is not interested in selling user-specified product, much preferring mass-produced clones - obviously where the money is, as it cuts production costs immeasurably. It's the equivalent of being able to only ever buy, say, an Audi A4 SE with a 2.0 engine manual transmission, with perhaps a choice of alloys if you're lucky. One marque, one range, one car, one spec. I know I'm taking it a little out of the original context of what it meant, but whatever happened to the "think different" mentality?

[orpheus1120]

Scottsdale, care to share the link to the Chinese keyboard vendor?

[Scottsdale]

Scottsdale, care to share the link to the Chinese keyboard vendor?

http://www.chinaontrade.com/apple-macbook-133-keyboard-white-p-197.html

Was actually a great deal for everything I ordered. They charged me like $6 shipping and it got to me after six or eight days. I would definitely buy from them again.

[gri]

In case anyone wants to do the white key mod, there's a Mac parts wholesaler from China that sells brand new white keyboards for the MB for $20. I can dig up the site if anyone mentions interest. The only problem, if one remembers the MB white KB is some of the secondary functions of F-keys are different like for display brightness or etc. Also the mod allows for changing the backlight coloring for the keys by covering the LEDs with some colored semi-transparent film.

Getting back to a silver KB. I would obviously LOVE brushed aluminum keys on the next Air, but I don't see Apple spending that kind of money when a few cents worth of plastic can be painted the same color as the casing (think pre-unibody MBP keys). But your idea of brushed al. keys sounds wonderful, but a little too wonderful for Apple.

I have really fallen hard for all of my Apple products. I have noticed that others do too. I once contemplated starting a company for mod parts for Apple products. Whether it be something like brushed al. keys or anything else Mac owners will pay serious money for mods to their computers, phones, and pods. Even though Apple has a small share of the computing and phone segments, its users are die-hard loyal fans who are far more willing to spend money and take pride in their Apple products and differentiating them. It would be fun on top of it!

I would like a display mod right now for a 13" LED hi-res display, and I can see shelling out a premium. I would pay handsomely for a 256 GB SSD. Aluminum keys would be painstakingly swapped out.

I can also see myself choosing tons of BTO options from Apple. I would gladly pay $800 for 8 GB RAM. I would pay $150 for aluminum keys. I would pay $700 for a hi-res display. I would pay $300 for black aluminum frame. I would pay $1000 for the 256 GB SSD. I would pay $1000 for an OLED display. I would pay extra for better internal speakers. I would pay extra for different colored backlit keyboard. I would pay extra for USB 3 port. I would pay extra for a silky smooth glass trackpad. I would pay extra for a display that goes all the way to the edge and eliminates the bezel completely.

I believe that the vast majority of the people I know would pay much more for their MBAs if they were given BTO options. People that use their Macs daily for business use like me see value in the details. I spend half my life on my Mac working for clients or writing or etc. My motto is life is too short, so I will always spend the extra to get whatever makes my work easier or more enjoyable.

Think about Apple's recent changes offering no BTO options for the MBA. I think that's a huge mistake. Niche markets are willing to spend more for the details or small stuff. I would gladly pay quadruple for an Apple external Blu Ray SuperDrive, yet Apple doesn't sell it. Think of all the MBP or iMac buyers who would gladly pay $300 or more for a Blu Ray upgrade! Apple not offering a 4/8 GB RAM upsell in the MBA is unthinkable. The niche audience buying the MBA would pay an extra $300 for 4 GB RAM... why is Apple doing this so wrong???

So - in total it would be a roughly $6,000 MBA, assuming $1500 for the base and few hundreds for speakers, USB 3 etc...? Seriously? You would pay that?
(Not disagreeing with your wishes though, I AM delaying my new Laptop until a MBA with 4G RAM and 250 G SSD...)

[Scottsdale]

So - in total it would be a roughly $6,000 MBA, assuming $1500 for the base and few hundreds for speakers, USB 3 etc...? Seriously? You would pay that?
(Not disagreeing with your wishes though, I AM delaying my new Laptop until a MBA with 4G RAM and 250 G SSD...)

I would pay basically whatever, I just want the options. It wouldn't cost that much but those seem like reasonable prices for each option. Go configure a Mac Pro with every option and you'll be out nearly $30k!

Fortunately I have justified just about any Mac to myself as paid for from AAPL proceeds which have been unreal in the last six months alone!

Not bragging, but I consider my Mac essential to my work and a writeoff. Needless to say, if Apple offered a $6k ultraportable with all of the technology I have envisioned $6k would be a small, no tiny, price to pay.

Smaller MBA but same CPU, OLED display, Nvidia GPU, 256 GB SSD, 8 GB RAM, glass trackpad, and a few extras and Apple gets a sale from me...

[LAS.mac]

Every single Mac laptop since 1999 iBook has built in Microphone

MacBook Air has built in microphone.


Uh? What do you mean with that?

[pvmacguy]

Uh? What do you mean with that?

I think he was just trying to be a dry humorless d***.

[Hands Sandon]

http://eeepc.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/1238371178184.jpg

[Scottsdale]

http://eeepc.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/1238371178184.jpg

I hope not. I don't care for that black bezel of hell. I like the glass trackpad.

[still in school]

http://eeepc.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/1238371178184.jpg

O wow, if that is it, I'm def upgrading!

[LAS.mac]

I actually like the black bezel More than the silver one. And glass trackpad, however I feel that it won't fit in a laptop as thin as the mockup...

[w00tini]

wow that would be an awesome iteration of the Air!

[pvmacguy]

I'd have to agree with scottsdale I don't like the black bezel or that keyboard layout with the old style return key.

[Rai Saix]

How can you NOT love that keyboard? It's a work of art and by far the best keyboard I've ever typed on!

I would just like to see a black bezel, full glass/glossey display exactly like the MBPs. I basically want a super thin MBP.

[pvmacguy]

How can you NOT love that keyboard? It's a work of art and by far the best keyboard I've ever typed on!

I would just like to see a black bezel, full glass/glossey display exactly like the MBPs. I basically want a super thin MBP.

How can you type on a keyboard with a machine that is non-existant? I wasn't refering to the one on the air now (which I do love) but the one on the mock up which looks smaller more (netbook) sized.

[Hands Sandon]

I hope not. I don't care for that black bezel of hell. I like the glass trackpad.

Do you think it would be possible to put aluminium behind the glass instead of black? That would be more in keeping with the current Air. Failing that they could go with anti-glare or offer it as an option.

Personally I'd like it wider than that mock-up, like the current Air. Leaving more room for more things inside and a screen that went further to the edge making it a 14 inch screen, ideally with higher resolution too.

The glass trackpad would be a welcome addition, but my biggest turn-off other than possible fan and heat issues is the screen. I just find it too grainy. The white MacBook I'm using at the moment has noticeably better whites IMHO. However other than that it's a better display.

[ob81]

Lol, that mockup is hilarious. I have to admit that I am looking forward to the new MBA. Hopefully they have realized their mistakes and correct them with the new version.

[dudup]

i used to like the black bezel on the MBP.

but now i would prefer silver keys on the MBA. it would make much more sense, as it would make it resemble the classic macbook pro/powerbook look and feel.

one thing they need to address is the inconsistent black keys + silver hinge + white apple logo. 2 colors is not a problem (white apple logo + black/silver keys AND hinge), but 3 is a mess.

[Hands Sandon]

I absolutely love the Air, this forum and all the speculation, I think it has to be my all-time favorite computer.

I haven't seen that many mockups of what a next-gen one could look like, so post your impressions or any good ones you've seen. I don't care about quality, do it in paint! Or even ascii :D

Out of the ones I've seen, this one has to rank as one of my favorites so far:

http://i32.tinypic.com/2s7uj2a.jpg

Ok my impression:

http://i28.tinypic.com/25zihqt.jpg



omg!

I've been wondering about the new tablet and whether it will work with the wireless keyboard and your mock-up reminds me of it more so than what the new Air will look like. I wander, if not Apple, a third party might offer a keyboard to work with it, like your mock-up with the trackpad. If it was hinged somehow you wouldn't have to hold it up constantly too.

[goldfronts]

http://eeepc.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/1238371178184.jpg

VERY good :D

[Rai Saix]

http://eeepc.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/1238371178184.jpg

I'd buy it in a heart beat.

[jdechko]

Having just the other week had the pleasure (the pain comes later when the order goes to build and balance is due) of going into a car dealership and speccing my new car EXACTLY how I want it, choosing from maybe 50-plus different BTO items from a choice of 8 base models in unlimited different colours, I could not agree more with the ethos you describe in your post.

Unfortunately for like-minded people such as ourselves, Apple is not interested in selling user-specified product, much preferring mass-produced clones - obviously where the money is, as it cuts production costs immeasurably. It's the equivalent of being able to only ever buy, say, an Audi A4 SE with a 2.0 engine manual transmission, with perhaps a choice of alloys if you're lucky. One marque, one range, one car, one spec. I know I'm taking it a little out of the original context of what it meant, but whatever happened to the "think different" mentality?

I can understand you analogy perfectly, but it is flawed in one fundamental way. In the second half of your post, it does sound like you at least grasp this concept. I think it comes down to the fact that the 2 machines fill the need for 95% of the buyers. To add features for that remaining 5% would raise the cost unnecessarily for the 95%. It's the way Apple has always been: Offer a good mix of products that cater to the mass of the population. Where it's practical, offer BTO options (for stuff that can easily be changed out).

I don't know if it's still this way, but Dell can offer so many configurations because it doesn't actually have any stock. Dell operates on a Just-in-time manufacturing process; it just so happens that it's suppliers have their warehouses in the same facility as Dell. Dell doesn't pay for what it doesn't use and therefore carries less of a risk in it's operations. If something new comes out, Dell doesn't have to worry about selling off too much obsolete stock because it's still the supplier's stuff and it's the supplier's problem to deal with.

Not to be a jerk, but if someone really wants lots of options, go buy a Dell.

[Veinticinco]

I can understand you analogy perfectly, but it is flawed in one fundamental way. In the second half of your post, it does sound like you at least grasp this concept. I think it comes down to the fact that the 2 machines fill the need for 95% of the buyers. To add features for that remaining 5% would raise the cost unnecessarily for the 95%. It's the way Apple has always been: Offer a good mix of products that cater to the mass of the population. Where it's practical, offer BTO options (for stuff that can easily be changed out).

I don't know if it's still this way, but Dell can offer so many configurations because it doesn't actually have any stock. Dell operates on a Just-in-time manufacturing process; it just so happens that it's suppliers have their warehouses in the same facility as Dell. Dell doesn't pay for what it doesn't use and therefore carries less of a risk in it's operations. If something new comes out, Dell doesn't have to worry about selling off too much obsolete stock because it's still the supplier's stuff and it's the supplier's problem to deal with.

Not to be a jerk, but if someone really wants lots of options, go buy a Dell.
No you're right to be fair, I never claimed my analogy was perfect. Very few are.

It just grates a little that (and I'm not ashamed to admit this) I feel I'm lumped in with the 95%, and I think that's psychological more than anything else. No-one wants to feel predictable or restricted about expressing or specifying individual wants or needs.

The car thing, it's funny because I know for a fact that regardless of the myriad options available, the great majority of buyers come down with almost the same spec anyway for any given model, give or take the odd substitution here and there. Have a look on any German car forum...."take it you got the X, Y with Z-pack? Of course. Yeah me too, worth every penny."

It's about having the freedom, or at least the delusion of freedom to specify exactly what you need. I like to think I'm discerning, but am realistic enough to know (as evidenced by common themes on threads like this asking what we want on a rev.D MBA) that for the most part, what I want isn't much different from you, or anyone else really, even Scottsdale (depending on what day of the week it is ;)). Aside from the aesthetically-challenged weirdos who want that mausoleum-grade slab of black-backed glass of course :D

Your point about the cost of being completely BTO is an interesting one, as that's how certain car manufacturers operate. That said, the successful dealerships often take a punt and pre-order build slots in the manufacturing process, essentially ordering and speccing cars for customers they've not yet secured. But they feel safe (less so in the current climate) in the knowledge that by the time the order is confirmed and the car goes to build, that customer will have walked in through their door and asked for almost exactly the identical car. Even if they haven't matched exactly, they still have time to change the odd feature here or there anyway. And of course, the huge added benefits of being able to offer them a delivery within a few weeks instead of a few months, something which very often clinches the sale in the first place.

I had no real idea Dell operated like that as a purely BTO manufacturer, but then I'd rather deep fry my own testicles in sesame oil than ever consider buying a PC, much less a Dell.

[Mac-Book-Air]

It looks thinner and sexier in black.

[Davidkoh]

I'd switch to an MBA from my 13" MBP if they did this, took a 13" MBP (can underclock a bit and lose a few ports and the superdrive), made it thinner/lighter but kept battery life. :) In essence, I want the black bezel and the glass screen and trackpad :) Also think the base model CPU is too slow and the upgrade cost too big ;) So a speedbump and change of looks = I buy :)

[jdechko]

I had no real idea Dell operated like that as a purely BTO manufacturer, but then I'd rather deep fry my own testicles in sesame oil than ever consider buying a PC, much less a Dell.

Let's not go that far overboard... ;)

At one point, Dell was more or less a BTO-only manufacturer. That's how the company was started anyway. Michael Dell built computers for people in his college dorm room. He'd pay for components on credit and then repay the loan. Essentially, he was on net/30 terms with his suppliers, and only had a paper liability for 30 days. Now that Dell is much bigger (and has gotten into retail) there are a lot of pre-built configurations that are most likely going to be sold, like you said with the car thing.

I'll also agree that being lumped in can be psychologically grating, but not having too many choices (or having the illusion of choice) is something that we all pretty much accept when we buy from Apple.

[Veinticinco]

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