It would make no sense to discontinue the whole 13" line. It's not the case here, they would just update it while changing the name.
They would just replace it with its logical evolution. Just like the mini -> nano evolution people pointed out.
Another example would be the 2008 Aluminium MacBook. It was selling very well, but they discontinued it. They still introduced the 13" MBP, which was pretty much the same thing, except it was upgraded and had a new name.
It also means with the removal of the optical drive they can add a discrete GPU. You can say that they want people to upgrade to the 15" but people still will because the 15" will still offer a better GPU than the 13". The 13" MBP will not be gone.
The only way I could see both a 13" MBA and 13" MBP (with SSD and no ODD) coexist is if they put discrete graphics into the MBP.
However, most people buying 13" MBPs right now are not pro users. They will compare the price of the old and new MBP and think the price raised for no reason, since they don't need discrete graphics. Most of them will not consider the 13" MBA even though it would be just what they need only because it has a different name. I know it's crazy but just the name of a product has a lot of influence on the buying decision of most people, especially those with poor technical knowledge.
A lot of people used to just walk into an Apple Store and ask a regular MacBook. Yeah, it sucked for the price, but it was the "regular" MacBook. The one that targeted "regular" computer user, what they felt they were. A lot of them wouldn't even consider the other options.
If they discontinued the 13" MBP, I think it would be more obvious that something else could fit their need, even with a different name. A lot of people are now minded that they want a MacBook Pro, because it's now what is considered the "regular" MacBook, the 13" specifically. If you tell them it's gone, they will ask what replaced it, and consider the new option.
It's like if somebody walked into an Apple store after they discontinued the iPod mini and ask for one. They would had offered him the nano instead. If Apple had kept both at the same time, even at the same price, I'm sure some people would have managed to buy the mini just because that's the name they knew.
- The difference between ULV and LV is not negligible.
True. But the thing is that processor performance evolves more quickly than the need of most people. With ULV processors getting better and better, I can see LV-CPU laptops having the same faith as desktops in the future. ULV-CPU laptops will have enough performance for most people while having a more attractive form factor, and LV-CPU laptops will slowly start to be chosen more for specialized tasks such as pro applications and gaming.
- The MBP has more ports. Namely the Ethernet one.
- The MBP has higher potential for RAM upgrades. The MBA's capped at 4GB, while the MBP can go up to 8GB (or even 16GB if you go aftermarket).
- The MBP offers storage space. For 1200€ you get double than what you'd get for a 1600€ MBA. (And if one wants SSD, one can get that as well.)
- The MBP has better screen quality despite the lower resolution.
- The MBP has an Optical Drive. If that goes, it might have a dedicated graphics card.
For all these reasons, I believe the MBP 13" and the MBA 13" are not redundant. And for the fact it's Apple's best-selling laptop, I even more doubt it'll disappear next year.
You are comparing the current MBP and MBA. The thread was about a future, hypothetic new MBP released sometime next year, with SSD and without ODD.
The MBA would probably be updated around the same time, with likely a better CPU and higher storage and RAM options. The MBP could also lose its FireWire and even Ethernet port if Apple feel they are outdated. Apple are like that sometimes.
Optical media is not dead, it's dying, but it's not dead. It's still going to be around for a long time. Just because Apple says it's dead doesn't mean it's dead.
Apple just makes design decisions (no matter how stupid) for the sake of making them. Look at the new Mac Mini, only God in his infinite wisdom knows why a desktop computer shouldn't have an optical drive, especially since Apple left the other hard drive bay empty by default.
It's not dead yet but Apple are doing everything they can to kill it. It's not really just a design thing, it's also an economic decision. If people can't watch DVDs, install disc-based software and rip their music CDs, they will be more likely to buy content on iTunes and the Mac App Store.
