Ok it's 2013. The MBA is the finest piece of notebook architecture I've ever seen and has been an incredibly handy and mobile machine. I've already run my 2012 MBA into the ground, sitting on 226 battery cycles which is a lot considering it was released just 212 days ago!
CPU:
I don't push the current CPU too much though a minor bump would be welcome to cut down encoding times a bit (the few times I do them). The main thing I want to see here is reduced TDP CPUs for more battery. Heat and noise haven't been a problem AT ALL for my 11" i7. The Intel roadmap seems to put mobile Haswell for release in late 2013 so this cycle might be prolonged if Apple don't go to another architecture but I don't see that happening...
Battery:
True 8 hours for 11" and 12 hours for 13". This is THE upgrade I would like to see. As I've said I zero the battery very regularly. How can they achieve this? apart from shrinking everything else in the chassis, I don't know and am not aware of any new battery tech.
GPU: I don't tax this much as it's weak as it is. I may install more games with a Haswell bump as the GPU is said to be much stronger (I think at least twice as powerful).
RAM:
I'm happy with my current 8GB, not concerned about this.
SSD:
I'm having to juggle files with my TC so I want 512GB minimum but would consider higher if available/reasonably priced.
Display:
I'm happy with the current display but yes the retina displays I browse at the Apple store are pretty beautiful. If its inclusion doesn't kill battery that much I'm all for it, otherwise no big deal.
Connectivity:
Same I/O plus integrated LTE if feasible on power (new modules are dramatically less hungry). I'd also guess 802.11ac WiFi is likely.
Design:
These things would look spectacular in black. Lighter and thinner a bonus but not necessary. I would LOVE to see the bezel shaved right down and have for example a 12-13" panel on the current 11" chassis if possible. I want an L-shaped Magsafe or at least a more powerful T-shape. The current one dislodges WAY too easily and I have to dedicate a clear area around it when surfing on a sofa/cushion/bed.
Reviewing that, there's not actually that much that Apple could do to enhance their current MBAs for my use. The only thing that would absolutely guarantee I'd get a new one on release day would be if the battery was significantly better.
What would you like to see improved over your current MBA?
CPU:
I don't push the current CPU too much though a minor bump would be welcome to cut down encoding times a bit (the few times I do them). The main thing I want to see here is reduced TDP CPUs for more battery. Heat and noise haven't been a problem AT ALL for my 11" i7. The Intel roadmap seems to put mobile Haswell for release in late 2013 so this cycle might be prolonged if Apple don't go to another architecture but I don't see that happening...
Battery:
True 8 hours for 11" and 12 hours for 13". This is THE upgrade I would like to see. As I've said I zero the battery very regularly. How can they achieve this? apart from shrinking everything else in the chassis, I don't know and am not aware of any new battery tech.
GPU: I don't tax this much as it's weak as it is. I may install more games with a Haswell bump as the GPU is said to be much stronger (I think at least twice as powerful).
RAM:
I'm happy with my current 8GB, not concerned about this.
SSD:
I'm having to juggle files with my TC so I want 512GB minimum but would consider higher if available/reasonably priced.
Display:
I'm happy with the current display but yes the retina displays I browse at the Apple store are pretty beautiful. If its inclusion doesn't kill battery that much I'm all for it, otherwise no big deal.
Connectivity:
Same I/O plus integrated LTE if feasible on power (new modules are dramatically less hungry). I'd also guess 802.11ac WiFi is likely.
Design:
These things would look spectacular in black. Lighter and thinner a bonus but not necessary. I would LOVE to see the bezel shaved right down and have for example a 12-13" panel on the current 11" chassis if possible. I want an L-shaped Magsafe or at least a more powerful T-shape. The current one dislodges WAY too easily and I have to dedicate a clear area around it when surfing on a sofa/cushion/bed.
Reviewing that, there's not actually that much that Apple could do to enhance their current MBAs for my use. The only thing that would absolutely guarantee I'd get a new one on release day would be if the battery was significantly better.
What would you like to see improved over your current MBA?