Apple Announces New 13.3-Inch and 11.6-Inch MacBook Air Models with Flash Storage

[KPOM]

I have 2nd Gen MBA (1.87, 128GB) and would jump on the new one for the 4GB of RAM if I could upgrade the RAM and processor on the 128GB model. I have over 50GB of free space as it is and have every program I could possibly need installed (including xcode which I installed and only used one time). I need a little extra power and RAM to run Parallels and would shell out the money for the new model, but don't want to pay $300 for an extra 128GB of storage I don't need. They need to add the processor upgrade option to the 128GB model.

If the last generation was any guide, the 2.13GHz model throttles down a bit because it runs hotter, so there isn't much difference between the 2.13GHz and the 1.86GHz most of the time. Last year, Macworld actually released specs showing that the 1.86GHz with SSD released in November 2008 actually slightly outperformed the 2.13GHz SSD released in June 2009.

That said, I did notice that the processor upgrades are available only on the "higher storage" models (128GB 11" and 256GB 13" models). However, you can purchase any of the new models to 4GB for $100 more. You need to order it with 4GB. You can't buy a 2GB model and upgrade it later.

Also, interestingly, the Boot Camp drivers that ship with the new MacBook Airs support only Windows 7 (in 32-bit and 64-bit mode). They don't support XP or Vista.

 

[gkarris]

Saw them at the Apple Store today - the smaller model is cute. Definitely the closest thing you'll get to a Mac "netbook". If you want smaller - you'll need to get the iPad.

The screen is too small for my taste - prefer the 13"...

(the older you get... )

 

[Eidorian]

I just hope it means 1440 x 900 standard on the other 13.3" models.

 

[KPOM]

right, but the GPU is near the same speed as the nvidia 9400, what did that lower speed prevent previous macbookair, macbook and macmini users from doing?

So the latest and greatest CPU from Intel has a GPU speed that is "near the same speed" as the GPU included in the MacBook Air 2 years ago and other MacBooks nearly 3 years ago?

It seems to me that the criticism against the C2D-equipped MacBooks (Air, base, and 13" Pro) is a bit unfair. Apple had a choice between a 3 year old CPU married to a new GPU, and a new CPU married to a GPU with performance like a 3 year old design. Since they are emphasizing use of the GPU, and GPU speeds have increased faster than CPU speeds, it seems like a decent tradeoff until Intel either gets its act together (with Sandy Bridge) or ends its squabble with nVidia.

 

[KPOM]

I just hope it means 1440 x 900 standard on the other 13.3" models.

Perhaps, but I'm guessing that if that were the case, we'd have seen it on the new 13" MacBook Air.

 

[Eidorian]

Perhaps, but I'm guessing that if that were the case, we'd have seen it on the new 13" MacBook Air.

768p is rather annoying since it's everywhere. There is always next year. Core 2 is an insult to me otherwise.

 

[pr5owner]

The GPU in that is about 3-4 times slower than the one in the air.

you sure about that?

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/apple-macbook-pro-air-11-inch-2010.aspx?page=2#ixzz136ZPR8NI

in that review the 1215N outperforms the Air in games 30FPS vs 37FPS (thats a big difference considering the 1215N is half the price)

The 320 and 330 are discrete GPUs.

Integrated GPUs are the ones on the CPU die or on the chip itself, discrete have their own die as you can see below.

MBA 11" Motherboard below (from iFixit):
Red = C2D
Orange = 320M

No, integrated GPU's are either on the northbridge or the cpu itself, you would see 3 die's if it was discrete, apple only has crippled onboard video cards in their laptops.

And AGAIN. The lowest wattage i3 is 18W, 7W MORE than the C2D used in the 11".

The MBA will NOT get a iX CPU until there are lower wattage chips. End of story.

yes apple users will continue to get ripped off in speed for form factor, there is not enough heat sink material to cool an i3, i5 or i7 inside of a MBA.

on the other hand, if you need speed just get an alienware 11" for cheaper and faster. 12" hp laptops now have low voltage i7s

 

[Inconsequential]

No, integrated GPU's are either on the northbridge or the cpu itself, you would see 3 die's if it was discrete, apple only has crippled onboard video cards in their laptops.

Please, check your facts before posting.



yes apple users will continue to get ripped off in speed for form factor, there is not enough heat sink material to cool an i3, i5 or i7 inside of a MBA.

on the other hand, if you need speed just get an alienware 11" for cheaper and faster. 12" hp laptops now have low voltage i7s

I stood corrected a few posts ago.

And you miss the point.

The MBA is NOT about power, it IS about portability AND battery life. Neither of which the iX chips currently offer.

I know someone who has bought the 11" MBA and asked why he didn't get a 13" MB or MBP.

His answer was simple. Lightness, size and battery life.

He does not NEED a iX CPU, he DOES carry around his laptop 24/7.

Just because you don't like the product or doesn't have the specs YOU require does NOT mean it's a waste of money/space/time.

Need some perspective on the issue tbh.

Edit: I've looked at your 11" alienware, it's nearly twice as heavy and the same price as the 11" MBA for HE or £100 less.

And it doesn't come standard with a SSD. I know which one i'd have tbh!

 

[KnightWRX]

Perhaps, but I'm guessing that if that were the case, we'd have seen it on the new 13" MacBook Air.

Uh ? the new 13" MacBook Air does have a 1440x900 resolution screen. What are you talking about ?

This is also likely the next screen that's going to be used in the MBP 13" and the 15" will probably lose the "low-res" option.

 

[Chase R]

This is also likely the next screen that's going to be used in the MBP 13" and the 15" will probably lose the "low-res" option.

Yup. I'd say early spring of 2011 we'll see the 13" MBP updated with a 1440x900 screen. And hopefully this whole dispute between nVidia and Intel get resolved. I'd like a 320M (or whatever the next generation is) and an i5.

 

[Eidorian]

Yup. I'd say early spring of 2011 we'll see the 13" MBP updated with a 1440x900 screen. And hopefully this whole dispute between nVidia and Intel get resolved. I'd like a 320M (or whatever the next generation is) and an i5.

Sandy Bridge will be out by then. Intel isn't going to budge with its decision. At least it's forcing AMD and nVidia to provide better low end GPUs.

The 1440 x 900 migration is a god send though. It's just waiting for all the other products to flatten out.

 

[Chase R]

Sandy Bridge will be out by then. Intel isn't going to budge with its decision. At least it's forcing AMD and nVidia to provide better low end GPUs.

I'm surprised the FTC hasn't done anything about the dispute (I know they are involved). This is just ridiculous. The consumer is who's losing here.

Any idea on how well the GPUs perform in the mobile variants of Sandy Bridge processors?

 

[Eidorian]

I'm surprised the FTC hasn't done anything about the dispute (I know they are involved). This is just ridiculous. The consumer is who's losing here.

Any idea on how well the GPUs perform in the mobile variants of Sandy Bridge processors?

Performance is at least on par with the current generation of entry level dedicated GPUs.

 

[frunkis54]

wrong topic

 

[JordanNZ]

you sure about that?

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/apple-macbook-pro-air-11-inch-2010.aspx?page=2#ixzz136ZPR8NI

in that review the 1215N outperforms the Air in games 30FPS vs 37FPS (thats a big difference considering the 1215N is half the price)

"In the GeekBench test, for example, the Air scored 2,159, which is nearly 900 points higher than the Asus Eee PC 1215N."

Bad example.
http://www.barefeats.com/mbpp30.html

You might want to check that out....

 

[toke lahti]

Okay, but the only justified expectation you had was that it might get FW800. And that was pretty unlikely.

Nope,
if MBA had several ports, there could be something else than usb. But since it does not, it can only have usb.
Usb does not suck, only usb2 does suck. Usb3 is great!

 

[Fraaaa]

No, integrated GPU's are either on the northbridge or the cpu itself, you would see 3 die's if it was discrete, apple only has crippled onboard video cards in their laptops.



yes apple users will continue to get ripped off in speed for form factor, there is not enough heat sink material to cool an i3, i5 or i7 inside of a MBA.

on the other hand, if you need speed just get an alienware 11" for cheaper and faster. 12" hp laptops now have low voltage i7s

You jocking right?

These are the 11" upgrades:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo SU7300 (1.3GHz, 800 MHz, 3 MB)
11.6" (29 cm) WideHD 1366x768 (720p) LCD
Up to 500GB 7,200rpm HDD
Up to 8GB of DDR3 800MHz RAM

Sorry but alienware but looks like a POS.

PS: there are video where Starcraft II and COD4 ran perfectly fine on the 1.86Ghz "GB model.

 

[mortenandersen]

Great idea!

I like these new MBAs, but what I'd really like to see is an ultra-thin iPad that docks (elegantly, as Apple would have it) into the keyboard which would add memory and ports to a certain capacity resident in the iPad itself. The result would be a screen-detachable MBA that could be used both for landscape/portrait browsing/reading/light email and as a fully loaded PowerBook to handle more boring stuff, like actual work. Seems this might be feasible with Lion. Am I being too impractical?

This post is written in August 2011, and I have exactly the same idea as you come up with in your post.

I think it is not only clearly doable but that it would be a great idea.

Hope some Apple people read this and bring this idea into reality during fall or winter or spring 2011 and 2012!

 

[Steve121178]

This post is written in August 2011, and I have exactly the same idea as you come up with in your post.

I think it is not only clearly doable but that it would be a great idea.

Hope some Apple people read this and bring this idea into reality during fall or winter or spring 2011 and 2012!

It's a good idea. A guy I work with has an Android device that does exactly that. Plus when connected to the keyboard it gives 16 hours worth of power.

 

[AppleFan360]

I agree. My mother passed away from cancer and I see it too. Steve also looked a bit thinner.

Don't be surprised if we lose Steve over the next year.

So sad. I was hoping I wasn't going to be right.