Accessory Manufacturer Claims 15-Inch MacBook Air Coming in April

[scottsjack]

My late 2008 MBP will be three years old in a couple of weeks. 8GB of RAM and a 7200RPM HD later it's still runs perfectly. I'm not really interested in buying a replacement with even less ports and less than 16GB max RAM. The all-in-one TB port idea doesn't do much for me especially when some of the similar Windows laptops have HDMI and eSATA.

One thing I'm not worried about is graphics. I almost always run the m9400 GPU. Even for HD TV via EyeTV it works just fine. Not being a gamer the only difference I can see is that if I slide an image around at pixel level (400% or so) in PS CS5 the m9600GT GPU produces a much smoother picture. For work at 100% I can't see a difference.

Surely the latest Intel GPU will be at least as powerful as an Nvidia m9600GT with 256MB VRAM!

 

[D.T.]

Go, buy a book you hero.
Every intranet can use B class address ranges, so there is no "who ho we cannot bind IP addresses to HW MAC addresses"

I am a network admin and I know because i make a living of that knowledge.

So, don't call him stupid if he is in fact absolutely correct.

Funny how all the little boys on MR get all whipped up into a frenzy at the littlest thing...

Didn’t call him stupid, and in fact, I didn’t say he was wrong ... what I did assert was he was unaware of the particular organizations architecture/requirements/limitations, so to make assumption that it’s just a “simple change” is a little presumptive.

Sounds like you need to go buy a book on basic reading comprehension.

I spent several years in the networking industry myself , CCNA, MCSE cert’ed, a few others, so relax “network admin”, there are plenty of folks on this board with extensive knowledge of the subject matter

 

[Furrybeagle]

I think if Apple are going to go down this route for the "Pro" then they're going to have to take the initiative and start making more of their own Thunderbolt peripherals.

In particular, laptop "dock" boxes are a killer app for Thunderbolt - yet, so far, AFAIK we just have one announced by Belkin which isn't going to be out until September, and looks as if it desperately needs a Jonny Ive makeover and a 30% size reduction (so you could carry it around if needed).

The TB display is great if you don't mind having a monitor that only works with <1-year-old Macs (fine for many people, not for me). Even with a TB display, though, it would nice to be able to have a dock to carry around (maybe with a Magsafe PSU)...

A thin, affordable (maybe $150 or $100?) breakout box with GigE, FW800, USB, and a TB passthrough would be amazing. It would essentially be a Thunderbolt Display without the display.

I use both a Mac and PC with my external display, so the Thunderbolt Display isn’t really practical. But a Thunderbolt breakout box would be perfect. I’m not holding my breath, though.

 

[MattInOz]

Apple will release Mac OS X 10.7.4 in the next 2-3 weeks. They released new printer drivers (Epson in this case), which is usually a sign that a new OS update is not far away. And the 15" MBA prototype requires 10.7.4...

Aren't the next batch Ultra-low power processors not due till June?
So thinking we'll see Mac event March-April with Mac OS X 10.7.4
With revised IvyBridge MacBooks iMacs and Sandy Bridge E Mac Pro

Then around June with the Lunch of OS X ML the Air Event.
With the new non-Mac OS X we'll see an Air event.
With an Updated and rebranded Air Books 11,13,15 and the rest of the new Air branded range. The Air TV (low end iMac with Air make over) and Air Server (rebranded mac mini).

Apple will then have a nice 3 column grid on the Store page with one row each for iPod, iOS, Air and Mac

 

[maddog91]

Last legs already? My late 2007 MBP is still going strong. What's wrong with the MBA?

I know,what has he done to his computer that an 08 is on its last leg? lol.. I would want the upgrade but I have the latest 13' Air. But if I ever have the cash I would love a 15 inch air version. Perfect size,good weight.


I think they will do it. Don't see why Apple won't.

 

[xinu]

what I did assert was he was unaware of the particular organizations architecture/requirements/limitations, so to make assumption that it’s just a “simple change” is a little presumptive.

Sounds like you need to go buy a book on basic reading comprehension.

I spent several years in the networking industry myself , CCNA, MCSE cert’ed, a few others, so relax “network admin”, there are plenty of folks on this board with extensive knowledge of the subject matter

So please tell us mr. CCNA MCSE what in your 30.000 people organisation has so differently done that you cannot assign a WiFi IP adress for your laptop?

And why dont you use ThunderBolt display at your work? Who can watch small laptop screen all day long?

We can solve this out, let us help you if your network administrators cannot do their jobs.

ps. And you dont have to worry about my economic status. Here in Finland we get paid even without jobs. Who the hell wants to work anyway, I got better things to do with my life.

 

[nelsonammo]

I can see them doing

Air 11"
Air 13"
Air 15"
with dual core CPU and integrated graphics

Pro 15"
Pro 17"
with quad core CPU and discrete graphics

The new Pros will probably have to be a bit thicker than the airs to get the quad core cpu and graphics card in there but won't have optical drive. If they're thick enough they will have an ethernet port though. Not sure about hard drive. 512gb is pretty expensive. Maybe a dual ssd/hdd combo?

 

[KnightWRX]

I spent several years in the networking industry myself , CCNA, MCSE cert’ed, a few others, so relax “network admin”, there are plenty of folks on this board with extensive knowledge of the subject matter

I wouldn't call CCNA and MCSE "extensive knowledge", but whatever. The fact remains, Wifi or wired Ethernet doesn't matter, the DHCP server can still offer static addresses based on the MAC address of the adapter. My own home DHCP assigns me a static IP for my Wifi connection.

Wired or not has nothing to do with dynamic IP configuration, no matter which protocol (DHCP, BOOTP, RARP) you use.

The fact is, adbe is grasping at straws. Say you "need" gigabit, fine. Say you "can't carry a USB adapter", that's plain not an issue, same as "hotel room wired Ethernet" with said USB adapter, or "Static IPs!" or any other non-sense.

And Gigabit will come with USB3 or Thunderbolt (preferably with USB 3). Let's at least wait and see what Apple has in store for us with the 2012 models before we start whining about "missing" features.

 

[D.T.]

So please tell us mr. CCNA MCSE what in your 30.000 people organisation has so differently done that you cannot assign a WiFi IP adress for your laptop?

And why dont you use ThunderBolt display at your work? Who can watch small laptop screen all day long?

We can solve this out, let us help you if your network administrators cannot do their jobs.

ps. And you dont have to worry about my economic status. Here in Finland we get paid even without jobs. Who the hell wants to work anyway, I got better things to do with my life.

This is so disjointed I don’t even know where to begin...

I think you’re confusing me with somebody else since you’ve butted heads with so many people during your brief participation on this forum. I’m not currently involved with a 30K headcount organization in term of IT support, I don’t wander the halls with a notebook looking for an IP[?]

I have absolutely no idea what the Thunderbolt display rant is about[?]

I’m actually on my 3rd development centered company and I haven’t been involved in IT/networking for years, other than some peripheral contact where it concerns application development (security, authentication, etc.). I generally work out of my home office in beautiful Vilano Beach.

Consider this my last exchange, I’m a reasonable adult, so I don’t spend too many cycles on someone who’s actually starting to sound a little disturbed.

 

[xinu]

This is so disjointed I don’t even know where to begin...

I think you’re confusing me with somebody else since you’ve butted heads with so many people during your brief participation on this forum. I’m not currently involved with a 30K headcount organization in term of IT support, I don’t wander the halls with a notebook looking for an IP[?]

I have absolutely no idea what the Thunderbolt display rant is about[?]

I’m actually on my 3rd development centered company and I haven’t been involved in IT/networking for years, other than some peripheral contact where it concerns application development (security, authentication, etc.). I generally work out of my home office in beautiful Vilano Beach.

Consider this my last exchange, I’m a reasonable adult, so I don’t spend too many cycles on someone who’s actually starting to sound a little disturbed.

Clearly you dont know nothing about TCP/IP

 

[D.T.]

I wouldn't call CCNA and MCSE "extensive knowledge", but whatever. The fact remains, Wifi or wired Ethernet doesn't matter, the DHCP server can still offer static addresses based on the MAC address of the adapter. My own home DHCP assigns me a static IP for my Wifi connection.

Wired or not has nothing to do with dynamic IP configuration, no matter which protocol (DHCP, BOOTP, RARP) you use.

The fact is, adbe is grasping at straws. Say you "need" gigabit, fine. Say you "can't carry a USB adapter", that's plain not an issue, same as "hotel room wired Ethernet" with said USB adapter, or "Static IPs!" or any other non-sense.

And Gigabit will come with USB3 or Thunderbolt (preferably with USB 3). Let's at least wait and see what Apple has in store for us with the 2012 models before we start whining about "missing" features.

You’re a great contributor, especially around development topics so I suspect you and I can be pretty civil.

As far as certs, experience, well, everyone always leaps into these kind of discussions pounding their chest, so I just wanted to frame my experience a little. However you want to label it, I did it for several years.

I totally agree that it can be done, I’ve _never_ said to the contrary ... what I said was you can’t just assume it can be done without knowing the rationale, i.e., you can’t just casually dismiss a large organizations decisions, and for that matter, even if it’s poorly thought out, sometimes you can’t override them once they’re in place (so you have to work with what you’re given).

Personally, if I had a non-ethernet laptop and wanted/needed GB wired connectivity, I’d just buy the appropriate adapter. I use a GB ethernet connection as my desk since I’m already connecting my display, a USB dongle for mouse/KB, and use WiFi when moving around the house or onsite where it’s allowable.

 

[nsayer]

I'm astonished there is so much hate about dropping a built-in Ethernet port. I bought a USB Ethernet dongle for my MBA for those occasions where it's absolutely necessary, and I think in a year I've used it once - to test it when I unboxed it.

But hey, I'm not everybody, and yes, GigE > USB2, so I can sort of grok the complaint that it isn't the equivalent, but if the 15" MBA has a thunderbolt port (I can't imagine it wouldn't), then wouldn't it be reasonable to expect someone to make a relatively small GigE<->Thurnderbolt dongle to obviate the USB2 bandwidth complaint?

 

[briantology]

The first thing that came to mind when I saw that photo was...

 

[Dobiewonkanobie]

I always laugh when somebody claims that their MAC is on its last legs.

Hopefully they just mean that they have so much stuff on it and don't prioritize what to take off.

These may be people who don't put larger HD's and more memory into their computers.

My 1994 Quicksilver MP is still going strong, iMac G5 going strong , MBP 2007 and MBP 2008 going strong. These are great quality machines.

Probably the people also stuff their closets with old clothes and all and complain that their closet is on its last legs and they can't close the door any more
__________________
It's ready, when it's ready !
"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." — Benjamin Franklin

You do see the irony of your own signature quote here, don't you?

 

[Abazigal]

Can I inquire as to how many people actually see a use for the 17' MBP, or know of others using them? I had initially advocated that it be phased out, with the pro and air models merging into one unified line, but it appears now that the higher end MBP models are enjoying much more usage than I originally thought?

So I guess the new 15' MBA is not going to be just a MBP with SSD sans disk drive? I was hoping for 2 storage drives though (1 SSD, 1 normal).

 

[Eric S.]

If they do drop the 13/15" pros, I guess i'm going to be replacing my works laptop with a Windows device.

Agreed. If the MBP goes away in favor of the MBA then Apple completely loses me as a customer at my next laptop purchase.

 

[MattInOz]

I'm astonished there is so much hate about dropping a built-in Ethernet port. I bought a USB Ethernet dongle for my MBA for those occasions where it's absolutely necessary, and I think in a year I've used it once - to test it when I unboxed it.

But hey, I'm not everybody, and yes, GigE > USB2, so I can sort of grok the complaint that it isn't the equivalent, but if the 15" MBA has a thunderbolt port (I can't imagine it wouldn't), then wouldn't it be reasonable to expect someone to make a relatively small GigE<->Thurnderbolt dongle to obviate the USB2 bandwidth complaint?

AS much as i think Thunderbolt really opens some doors, I would have though the expected USB3 support in the next round would be better suited to Ethernet Dongle for the next round.

 

[throAU]

dear apple: with 16gb of RAM (2x8) down to 100 bucks (Retail! likely WAY above your buy price), please make 8gb or 16gb standard (with 32gb option) in the 15" air when you release one.

faffing about with 2 or 4 gigs when ram is so cheap is ridiculous.


to those whining "i'll never need that much ram!", yes you will. with ram prices so cheap, we're ready for the next leap in software, there are PLENTY of uses for more ram, and whilst your apps/workloads today may fit in 4gb (many don't), don't count on that being true before you're looking to replace a box purchased today in 2014-2015...

 

[Abazigal]

Agreed. If the MBP goes away in favor of the MBA then Apple completely loses me as a customer at my next laptop purchase.

Yeah, but think of many more they will potentially gain...

 

[timriggins]

Yeah, awesome!:/

Agreed. If the MBP goes away in favor of the MBA then Apple completely loses me as a customer at my next laptop purchase.

Same here.

 

[carboncow]

I always laugh when somebody claims that their MAC is on its last legs.

The MBA he's talking about could be a 5400 drive and a hot MBA at that...I had mine for about 6 months before giving it up as junk and getting another MBP...now the newest MBA are another story...

So if he says his has about had it...he more likely means he's had enough with 2gig ram, 5400 drive 80 or 120...ect.

 

[barredfreak]

Gaming Graphics as 350W TDP Nvidia Kepler or something? Maybe it wont work, I think that 350W could cause some heating issues if they wont use liquid oxygen as cooling and It has some kind of nuclear energy source in it.

Seriously, if you want gaming machine build a PC.

Yeah, it would definitely cause heating issues. Maybe NVIDIA can whip up something.

 

[SvK]

whatever Pro Laptop solution they come up with HAS to have the ability to have 2 ssd drives, up to 32 gig of RAM, the power of a quad core i7 processor and a 17 inch dislay....it also needs to power 3 monitors in ADDITION to its native display, while still having enough thunderbolt power to tap into an external SSD disk array.

IF all of this is possible, then and only then has the time come to abandon the desktop. Which still leaves us with one major problem. Systems for audio / video like AVID use pcie cards...


best,
SvK

 

[Gurutech]

I'm ok with no ethernet, or no dvd.
But going thin results in reduced performance (adopting less powerful CPU just like current MBA does, no dedicated GPU) and removal of current thick(?) MBP line, I'm out.

 

[sennekuyl]

You have _zero_ idea about the companies network architecture, how/what they’re supporting, impact of existing, or legacy infrastructure.

The DOD is one of my clients and they’ve got a very specific network design, and regardless of some change “not being a big deal”, you wouldn't waltz in and tell the IT staff of 50+ people to start accommodating your needs.

Some large enterprises are doing more than supporting an Xbox 360...

What line of work are you in?

And you are using an unmanaged device on their tightly controlled network? Something is off with your story.