Can we expect these updates in 2011?

hcho3 · Jan 23, 2011, 10:17 AM

For MBA 11inch

Backlit keyboard?
256 gb storage option? Pls?
4gb ram standard? Pls?
Faster processor with better gpu?

Am I hoping too much that MBA will be updated by wwdc 2011 with Mac os lion?

Beaverman3001 · Jan 23, 2011, 10:30 AM

Fall at the very earliest, i'd honestly be surprised if they even got updated this year.

Psilocybin · Jan 23, 2011, 11:24 AM

Probably won't update till the MBA is up for another update next year

C64 · Jan 23, 2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcho3

For MBA 11inch

Backlit keyboard?

Nope. They're easier to build without, which saves Apple money, and people buy the MBA regardless. And if they really want a backlit keyboard, chances are they'll spend even more for a MacBook Pro. Either way, Apple wins.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcho3

256 gb storage option? Pls?

Probably. It shouldn't be a problem to add this to the motherboard, and they're still getting cheaper. By the time we'll see an update the 256GB should be priced "low" enough to add as an extra option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcho3

4gb ram standard? Pls?

Nope. Most people don't need it. Even if they do run out of the 2GB, they won't notice it because swapping to the SSD is really fast. Only the people who know what the difference between 2 and 4GB RAM is, or are planning to use the MBA for heavier work than browsing the web and playing around with photos, will want that upgrade to 4GB. Bottom line: the MBA will run just fine with 2GB for most, and if people really want 4GB, Apple gets more money. Perhaps only on the most expensive base model, depending on the other specs. Either way, Apple wins.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcho3

Faster processor with better gpu?

No doubt. The new Intel CPUs will be used in both the MBPs as the MBAs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcho3

Am I hoping too much that MBA will be updated by wwdc 2011 with Mac os lion?

At the earliest, after their one year cycle. I don't know how long they will even make C2D chips, but after a while it'll be easier and cheaper to buy big batches of the newer CPUs and include them in all their products.

zinka · Jan 23, 2011, 03:40 PM

My guess is the most likely updates are built-in 3G networking, faster processors (probably still C2D for another year), and more RAM and storage. I wouldn't expect a backlit keyboard until a major redesign (2012?).

C64 · Jan 23, 2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinka

My guess is the most likely updates are built-in 3G networking

Why? Apple figures that if you really need that with your MBA, you should buy an iPhone on Verizon and create your own hotspot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinka

faster processors (probably still C2D for another year)

Why?

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinka

and more RAM and storage

Options or as default?

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinka

I wouldn't expect a backlit keyboard until a major redesign (2012?).

Another major redesign? After 2 years?

MikePA · Jan 23, 2011, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcho3

For MBA 11inch

Backlit keyboard?
256 gb storage option? Pls?
4gb ram standard? Pls?
Faster processor with better gpu?

All of these will happen.

bella92108 · Jan 23, 2011, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcho3

For MBA 11inch

Backlit keyboard?
256 gb storage option? Pls?
4gb ram standard? Pls?
Faster processor with better gpu?

Am I hoping too much that MBA will be updated by wwdc 2011 with Mac os lion?

NO Backlit keyboard?
YES 256 gb storage option? Pls?
NO 4gb ram standard? Pls?
YES\NOFaster processor with better gpu?

Beau10 · Jan 23, 2011, 09:20 PM

The next update surely won't use C2D. Sandy Bridge has proven excellent performance-wise all around - CPU, GPU, and battery. The GPU is the reason why C2D is currently being used, now it is a non-issue.

Apple hasn't had a consistent release cycle with the Air, so it's hard to peg a date. My guess is anytime from August until Oct, but not sooner due to keeping space with MBP updates.

Psilocybin · Jan 23, 2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C64

Why? Apple figures that if you really need that with your MBA, you should buy an iPhone on Verizon and create your own hotspot.

Why?

Options or as default?

Another major redesign? After 2 years?

well put my friend

slioch · Jan 24, 2011, 09:03 AM

The revB (10/08) to revC (6/09) update was a fall to wwdc span. The revC update was accompanied with updates to the pro line as well.

Just saying an earlier update (< 1 yr) is a possibility.

Mike

--
Crunchy technical tidbits: http://softengcrunch.blogspot.com/

dal20402 · Jan 24, 2011, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcho3

Backlit keyboard?

I'd expect to see this at the next revision.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcho3

256 gb storage option? Pls?

For sure. There is no reason Apple couldn't offer this today.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcho3

4gb ram standard? Pls?

Yep. 8-gigabit DDR3 SDRAM chips are now being produced. When they get cheap enough to be reasonable for Apple to use in volume, expect the MBA to shift to 4 GB standard and 8 GB optional. This might not happen in the next revision, but it should happen by sometime in 2012 at the latest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcho3

Faster processor with better gpu?

It will use Sandy Bridge. The processor will be much faster, but GPU performance won't change much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcho3

Am I hoping too much that MBA will be updated by wwdc 2011 with Mac os lion?

Yes. If Apple is consistent with past practices, the update will show up in the summer or fall.

Scottsdale · Jan 24, 2011, 10:19 AM

I don't believe Apple is ready to take the move past Nvidia GPU/chipsets. We keep hearing that Apple is planning to use this Nvidia chipset for a long time to come. When Apple does switch the 13" MBP, MacBook, and Mac mini, the last of the list is typically the MBA.

I would say end of 2011 would be a good time to upgrade as long as the 13" MBP, MB, and Mm have all been updated it would then be upgrade time.

However, don't expect all of the upgrades you want at a $999 price point. Apple could have made the 11" MBA standard with 4GB RAM, and larger SSD, but then the standard starting price point would be more expensive like $1299. Apple essentially downgraded the model to allow the $999 entry point.

There is always hope, but I don't see a backlit keyboard in 11" MBA for its next upgrade. I think the 13" MBA is likely to get it but not 11" MBA. There is hope for a 1.86 GHz or 2.13 GHz 11" MBA with same C2D CPUs.

I think a lot happens but it's a long ways out. Apple has shown its willingness to stick with old irrelevant technology and components for a long time just making their Macs look pretty. Hell, it could be two years more before they eliminate Core 2 Duo... I don't think it will be two years, but with their track record, these exact MBAs could stay the same until holiday season 2012.

Jan 23, 2011, 10:17 AM	#1
hcho3 macrumors 68030 Join Date: May 2010	Can we expect these updates in 2011? For MBA 11inch Backlit keyboard? 256 gb storage option? Pls? 4gb ram standard? Pls? Faster processor with better gpu? Am I hoping too much that MBA will be updated by wwdc 2011 with Mac os lion?
	0

Jan 23, 2011, 10:30 AM	#2
Beaverman3001 macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2010	Fall at the very earliest, i'd honestly be surprised if they even got updated this year. __________________ iPad Mini 16GB Verizon iPhone 4S AT&T ACSP 10.6 CCNA
	0

Jan 23, 2011, 09:20 PM	#9
Beau10 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Downtown San Diego	The next update surely won't use C2D. Sandy Bridge has proven excellent performance-wise all around - CPU, GPU, and battery. The GPU is the reason why C2D is currently being used, now it is a non-issue. Apple hasn't had a consistent release cycle with the Air, so it's hard to peg a date. My guess is anytime from August until Oct, but not sooner due to keeping space with MBP updates. __________________ 11" MBA 2k12 \| New iPad \| iPhone 4
	0

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Jan 23, 2011, 11:24 AM	#3
Psilocybin macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada	Probably won't update till the MBA is up for another update next year
	0

Jan 23, 2011, 03:40 PM	#5
zinka macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2009	My guess is the most likely updates are built-in 3G networking, faster processors (probably still C2D for another year), and more RAM and storage. I wouldn't expect a backlit keyboard until a major redesign (2012?).
	0

Jan 24, 2011, 09:03 AM	#11
slioch macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2011	The revB (10/08) to revC (6/09) update was a fall to wwdc span. The revC update was accompanied with updates to the pro line as well. Just saying an earlier update (< 1 yr) is a possibility. Mike -- Crunchy technical tidbits: http://softengcrunch.blogspot.com/
	0

Jan 24, 2011, 10:19 AM	#13
Scottsdale macrumors 601 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.S.A.	I don't believe Apple is ready to take the move past Nvidia GPU/chipsets. We keep hearing that Apple is planning to use this Nvidia chipset for a long time to come. When Apple does switch the 13" MBP, MacBook, and Mac mini, the last of the list is typically the MBA. I would say end of 2011 would be a good time to upgrade as long as the 13" MBP, MB, and Mm have all been updated it would then be upgrade time. However, don't expect all of the upgrades you want at a $999 price point. Apple could have made the 11" MBA standard with 4GB RAM, and larger SSD, but then the standard starting price point would be more expensive like $1299. Apple essentially downgraded the model to allow the $999 entry point. There is always hope, but I don't see a backlit keyboard in 11" MBA for its next upgrade. I think the 13" MBA is likely to get it but not 11" MBA. There is hope for a 1.86 GHz or 2.13 GHz 11" MBA with same C2D CPUs. I think a lot happens but it's a long ways out. Apple has shown its willingness to stick with old irrelevant technology and components for a long time just making their Macs look pretty. Hell, it could be two years more before they eliminate Core 2 Duo... I don't think it will be two years, but with their track record, these exact MBAs could stay the same until holiday season 2012.
	0