well this is a good article--with so many things that i ogtta say i agree with--regarding the (possible) this year's macbook pros http://gizmodo.com/5884734/the-next+generation-macbook-pro-2012
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Accessory Manufacturer Claims 15-Inch MacBook Air Coming in April
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lack of LAN would be a deal breaker for me. I use ps3 media server and streaming HD over wi-fi is just BS, it's ok for SD content
edit: wait a minute, you can probably get a dongle which could split video signal and LAN, like thunderbolt on one end and hdmi + lan on the other - or not??? anybody technically knowledgeable enough to shed more light into this?
edit: wait a minute, you can probably get a dongle which could split video signal and LAN, like thunderbolt on one end and hdmi + lan on the other - or not??? anybody technically knowledgeable enough to shed more light into this?
true but i think its more than an optical drive and ethernet port that makes the Pro better for a primary machine than an Air would
You nailed it. That's the difference between pro models and non-pro models for Apple. In non-pro models Apple is conscientious to the pocket book of the consumers, whereas pro models give the best mix of performance, size and weight. It isn't about worrying about the cost. That's why if they can keep high performance and scale down the size and weight but have to charge to 100-200$ for a small TB dongle, that's a far better choice than having a bulky MBP.
Ask yourselves this. Given two options with the same overall price and performance:
(A) Bulkier MBP with all the ports built-in
(B) Nice thin and light MBAP with the ports in an external TB adapter
Which would you choose? The obvious choice to me is (B)
Will it replace the MacBook Pro, or be a parallel offering?
That is the question... Hamlet has been asking for about 450 years
That is the question... Hamlet has been asking for about 450 years
Don't forget that with option B that TB adapter is probably going to be fairly expensive.
USB 2 sure, but that's antiquated by the time the new Macs are out.
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Even if option (B) is a little more, if you are looking for a pro model, the total cost shouldn't be your primary factor but rather what you need your laptop for and whether or not those needs are met. I don't see why a TB dongle wouldn't achieve all performance requirements.
You can use a USB adaptor, no drama.
And when I'm on a customer's site trying to get connectivity to work on their systems, the primary suspect will always be the USB dongle if there are any issues.
Not to mention the throughput limitations imposed by the adapter..
My guess that would be mostly because of price. We got our MBP13 delivered for like $1040 which was a good $300 less than a 4GB, 13 Air at the time (and it had 2.5X the HDD storage, though obviously slower vs. the SSD). The 13 MBP seems to always be available for pretty stout discounts.
Because Apple is no longer dependent on them.
Those pros realized how their steadfast loyalty and dependence on Apple has been rewarded.
Large portions of creative industries and professionals have moved on. So has Apple.
Why take away the Ethernet port when it's built in to the chipset?
Does this mean that apple for omit the USB3 as well to push Thunderbolt?
http://lenzfire.com/2011/07/eleven-new-7-series-chipsets-from-intel-in-q1q2-2012-2012/
Does this mean that apple for omit the USB3 as well to push Thunderbolt?
http://lenzfire.com/2011/07/eleven-new-7-series-chipsets-from-intel-in-q1q2-2012-2012/
More and more wired connections are being replaced by wireless and Apple's notably an early adopter of next-gen solutions. The infrastructure will take awhile to catch up (e.g., as with Thunderbolt), and meanwhile nobody (I've noticed) in the thread's mentioned 811ac yet (which other rumors have tied to Apple's plans)..... ...and in which gigabit (and beyond) "WiFi" is on the way....
811n
Bandwidth (MHz): 40
Data rate per stream: 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 135, 150
Allowable MIMO streams: 4
811ac (2 specs, 2011)
Bandwidth (MHz): 80
Data rate per stream: 433, 867
Allowable MIMO streams: 8
Bandwidth (MHz): 160
Data rate per stream: 867, 1.73 Gbit/s, 3.47 Gbit/s, 6.93 Gbit/s
Allowable MIMO streams: 8
Granted, your average coffeeshop is still lucky to give you 811g, let alone n, and Hotel chains have to consider nationwide and world-wide rollouts while not being especially forward-looking about tech in the first place), and even tech-savvy corps will see some bottom-line foot-dragging.
But nonetheless Apple's taken steps forward and waited for the world to catch up before. Might be 2013 or beyond, but it also wouldn't hurt their bottom line to give everyone (two rollout phases) of reasons to buy new Airport Routers (80 and then 160 MHz bandwidth) over the next few years.
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I find it rather hard to believe USB 3 and TB is too slow in terms of connectivity requirements.
I think you are approaching it from the wrong side. Why keep it if the port is large and easily replaceable for the few people who need it?
15-inch MBA... That might be interesting. If they can bring gaming rig graphics into something that light, that is. That would be the deal breaker for me.
Yes, I think that is the reason. I see both sizes of airs but more of the 13" pros. Of course 15 inch pros as well. But, I don't see SSDs being inexpensive enough to replace the HHD yet for many people's primary machine or only computer.