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Retina MacBook Airs

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macrumors demi-god
Original poster
Apr 15, 2011
2,478
2,805
Melbourne, Australia
Hi guys,
given the recent announcement of the 3200x2000 resolution wallpapers found in the most recent Lion Dev release 2, i did some calculations and found a nice 2.5-1 scale ratio with the current MacBook resolution of 1280x800.

As it seems, the MacBook isnt a big priority of Apple anymore.. given the success of the MacBook Air..

So here is my prediction..
The new MacBook Airs will feature a new HiDPI display.
Why the MacBook Air?
The new iMac is due to be released very soon, and the 3200x2000 resolution isnt high enough to grant it significant differences over 2560x1440.
Given the new update of MBPs and upcoming iMacs.. the MacBook Air is going to be the first release after Lion is out.

What do you guys think? :eek:
 
robeddie

robeddie

Suspended
Jul 21, 2003
1,777
1,731
Atlanta
ls1dreams said:
Seems unlikely since they only have integrated graphics.
Click to expand...

Exactly what jumped in my mind when I saw this topic - they better get a hellava better video card in there if they ever want to push the number of pixels it would have if it were a retina display.
 
TheMacBookPro

TheMacBookPro

macrumors 68020
May 9, 2008
2,133
3
Yeah those wallpapers are probably for the iMac.

Maybe a 30" model ala 30" ACD?

No IGP is going to be able to drive videos at that res. Not for a laptop methinks.
 
M

macaddict3

macrumors member
Feb 27, 2011
53
0
wouldnt that make the font even smaller but on the plus side works great with external displays or HDTVs.
 
B

bloodycape

macrumors 65816
Jun 18, 2005
1,373
0
California
I am pretty sure the current Vaio Z with its optional 1920x1080 can be powered via the intel gpu as it has a switch to move between the GT330 and the intel IGP. If Sony(and a few others with switchable gpu on a similar res, but on a larger screen) can do it with the first gen i core cpu, I don't see why Apple can't with newer gpu/cpu combo.

Not sure if this counts, but I can hook my Vaio TT up to a 1080p tv and it can output at that res, and I only have the intel 4500hd on that machine. If apple can give the 11.6in Air something like 144/16000x900res matte display I may have to jump on it, specially if the rest of the specs are up there.
 
KnightWRX

KnightWRX

macrumors Pentium
Jan 28, 2009
15,046
4
Quebec, Canada
You guys do realise that some people have 11" MBAs connected to 27" ACDs and drive both the 2560x1440 and the 1366x768 screens at the same time ?

I think you guys are seriously underestimating frame buffer capabilities of IGPs in 2011. GPUs have been capable of this stuff for years.

However, that's besides the point. Retina doesn't mean what you guys think it means. A Macbook Air 13" would only need something like a 1920x1200 display to be considered retina, at normal viewing distances.
 
TheMacBookPro

TheMacBookPro

macrumors 68020
May 9, 2008
2,133
3
They should cram in the 1920x1080 13.1" XBRITE-Premium screen from the VAIO Z. Brighter than my 15" HR Pro, way crisper images and has an incredible amount of screen real estate for that size.
 
iRun26.2

iRun26.2

macrumors 68020
Aug 15, 2010
2,123
345
TheMacBookPro said:
They should cram in the 1920x1080 13.1" XBRITE-Premium screen from the VAIO Z. Brighter than my 15" HR Pro, way crisper images and has an incredible amount of screen real estate for that size.
Click to expand...

I sure wish Apple would add a BTO for a very high quality (and expensive) screen for the 11.6" MBA. I'd be willing to pay a lot of money for a higher resolution screen on the 11.6" MBA.

I don't picture them getting too carried away with allowing the 11.6" to have many high end components...they would like people to buy both a 11.6" MBA (as a secondary computer) and a MBP (as their main computer).

(I highly doubt Apple's goal would be for anyone to look at their 11.6" as the one and only computer (as I do)). :)
 
TheMacBookPro

TheMacBookPro

macrumors 68020
May 9, 2008
2,133
3
iRun26.2 said:
I sure wish Apple would add a BTO for a very high quality (and expensive) screen for the 11.6" MBA. I'd be willing to pay a lot of money for a higher resolution screen on the 11.6" MBA.

I don't picture them getting too carried away with allowing the 11.6" to have many high end components...they would like people to buy both a 11.6" MBA (as a secondary computer) and a MBP (as their main computer).

(I highly doubt Apple's goal would be for anyone to look at their 11.6" as the one and only computer (as I do)). :)
Click to expand...

Maybe a 1600x900 11.6" display? Keeps the screen ratio and is one step above the current res.

Personally I don't use the Air as my primary computer nor my primary laptop nor my secondary laptop but is rather just my out-and-about machine.

That said, I'd still like a more premium screen (although it would put an impact on fps for gaming at native res). The FHD screen on my old Z spoiled me I reckon.
 
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