darcyf
macrumors 6502a
Fitting the necessary components into a smaller space is not as simple as leaving some out and calling it a day. It’s not as simple as fewer components so lower cost.
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Apple Executives Discuss MacBook Air Redesign and Reflect on 12-Inch MacBook
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ja'
macrumors member
what you’re saying makes a lot of sense, though couldn’t it arguably also be for standing out among all these wedge-shape copycats you yourself mention?
Tagbert
macrumors 604
The slanted design of the older laptops was not more ergonomic from a typing perspective. A keyboard that is higher in back than in front forces your wrists to bend more and contributes to carpel tunnel. We’ve had decades of external keyboards sold that had a feature to elevate the rear, not because it was more ergonomic but because a number of people thought it was and would not buy a keyboard that did not have this feature. It’s a strange upside-down customer perception issue.
In the case of the Macbooks, the slope was fairly mild so the effect would probably not be strong, but I can’t let a casual reference to better ergonomics of sloped keyboards go unchallenged.
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entropys
macrumors 65816
The trouble with the rMB is that it had one port, a rubbish keyboard and cost a mint.
The 13 inch MBA even with an inferior screen waaaay outsold it. I suspect the 11 inch did too. Because it was reasonably priced and actually had some useful ports.
I actually saw a gold rMB in the wild last week going through airport security. About the first time I saw one outside an Apple Store.
The 13 inch MBA even with an inferior screen waaaay outsold it. I suspect the 11 inch did too. Because it was reasonably priced and actually had some useful ports.
I actually saw a gold rMB in the wild last week going through airport security. About the first time I saw one outside an Apple Store.
Tagbert
macrumors 604
The 12” Macbook was 2.03 pounds / 0.92 kg
The 2022 MBA is 2.7 pounds / 1.24 kg
The weight alone is a significant difference.
Even the older 11.5” MBA was 2.36 pounds / 1.07 kg
That 12” MacBook was very light.
Tagbert
macrumors 604
What is the purpose of tilting that keyboard even more. That is terrible for your wrists. that is an anti-function.
jmgregory1
macrumors 68040
I agree, though at the time I bought my first MBA (13” 2011), it was such a huge improvement in performance and lightweight compared to my old MBP that it was the first Apple device I could say that I actually loved. I used it for work, back when I was traveling all the time and the long battery life and low weight made it such a workhorse. But I really like the new updated form factor with the M2 Air, though I’ve gone full iPad Pro (12.9” M1) for my daily driver, though I do have to also use a work supplied MS Surface which happens to have the wedge shape and I’m no longer impressed by the form.
Apple_Robert
Contributor
EugW
macrumors P6
I was just pointing out the text sizes of the 12" MacBook and MacBook Air would be the same.
You can manually change the text sizes, but that's true on either machine.
I guess what you're really saying is you want a bigger screen for more screen real estate when you increase text size.
Leon Ze Professional
macrumors 6502a
Never say never!
What's old is always new again at some point. You merely need to look at the fashion industry for examples of this.
I absolutely agree. The new design is absolutely dull. The previous Airs were eye turners.
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
...and yet Apple maintains a gentle slant from back to front on all their desktop keyboards.
In my experience with many MBA's and MBP's ... and indeed a ton of desktop KBs, I find it more comfortable to have a slight slant towards the front... nothing crazy, but just a very slight amount of it.
karen999
macrumors member
One undeniable advantage of the wedge design is that you pick it up from desk one-handedly by grabbing the thinner edge. Waiting to get my hands on the M2 Air on Friday but can imagine it would be quite difficult.
Leon Ze Professional
macrumors 6502a
"which Hankey described as "quite honest and simple."
No, it's like he said above. They're just keeping the design honest and simple, yet functional. That alone is elegant enough.
Leon Ze Professional
macrumors 6502a
9to5mac.com have a picture of the internals of the new M2 MBA in midnight colour.
According to 9to5mac.com:
"We do get a better look at Apple’s cooling system for the MacBook Air, which seems to be a large heat sink covered in graphite tape for thermal conductivity."
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Cyanide89
macrumors newbie
I loved that wedge shape. I’m kinda annoyed the new one doesn’t have it, made it look unique.
I was debating if I bought a new MBA, to replace my mid 2012 MBA. Decided not to, until was forced to… my trusty MBA after 10yrs finally called it quits. Currently waiting on the new MBA. Hopefully is just as long lasting as my previous MBA.
I was debating if I bought a new MBA, to replace my mid 2012 MBA. Decided not to, until was forced to… my trusty MBA after 10yrs finally called it quits. Currently waiting on the new MBA. Hopefully is just as long lasting as my previous MBA.
ackmondual
macrumors 68020
Well, when people say "Apple products hold their value much longer", that's the same drum we're beating from.
Ouch! Seems there's no love lost between Hankey and Ive. And right on the heels of Apple saying they were cutting ties with Ive (which may have given Hankey the freedom to speak her mind).
I was never a fan of Ive's extreme emphasis on form over function (single-button mouse, mouse with charger on bottom, butterfly keyboard, thermally-limited notebook designs, too-small 2013 MacPro, which actually ended being bad on purely aesthetic grounds*).
Having said that, I think the above quote is unfair. There is room for good design, and the Air's design was quite lovely, and much-admired. Plus many found the thin front end was more comfortable, since it meant there wasn't a raised front edge digging into their wrists.
*Sometimes Ive's design itself was bad because it lacked foresight: The 2013 Mac Pro was beautifully small on its own, but Ive didn't think of how it would look in actual use. In this case, its limited internal room meant that needed add-on devices (cards, storage, etc.) had to go on the outside, which ended up making the desk much more cluttered than if it had a used larger case to start with.
Possibilities:
1) Apple's factories have a lot of those chassies, and needed to sell through them.
2) They are made on a different production line than the Air, and keeping that line going would help with the backorder situation.
2) They had enough customers that liked the design, but not enough to justify updating the chassis.
transpo1
macrumors 68000
transpo1
macrumors 68000
It’s only “nearly the same weight” if you’ve tried to travel ultra-light before. On the road, every ounce counts. 32 oz vs 43.2. That can be a big difference for a biz traveler.
transpo1
macrumors 68000
Angled Keyboard?
One point seems to never be addressed in any of the comparisons between the old MacBook Air and the new version:
The angle of the keyboard.
Professional keyboards - for people who type a lot - are never flat on the table surface but angled upwards at the back.
This makes extended typing sessions a lot more comfortable.
In that respect, the old MacBook Air, as well as the 12" MacBook, had a slight angle on the keyboard thanks to their wedged design.
Even the Apple Magic Keyboard has a slight angle still.
Now with the new boxy design of the Air, that advantage is lost.
Typing must feel a bit more tedious and uncomfortable in comparison, no?
At least I do prefer a slight angle on my keyboard - and even the old Air had a noticeable keyboard angle. It was not completely flat.
Suddenly this does not matter anymore. New for newness sake? And let's call it an "honest design"?
One point seems to never be addressed in any of the comparisons between the old MacBook Air and the new version:
The angle of the keyboard.
Professional keyboards - for people who type a lot - are never flat on the table surface but angled upwards at the back.
This makes extended typing sessions a lot more comfortable.
In that respect, the old MacBook Air, as well as the 12" MacBook, had a slight angle on the keyboard thanks to their wedged design.
Even the Apple Magic Keyboard has a slight angle still.
Now with the new boxy design of the Air, that advantage is lost.
Typing must feel a bit more tedious and uncomfortable in comparison, no?
At least I do prefer a slight angle on my keyboard - and even the old Air had a noticeable keyboard angle. It was not completely flat.
Suddenly this does not matter anymore. New for newness sake? And let's call it an "honest design"?