The current $999 entry level model is 8GB/128GB, and has been for several years.
That’s what the new model will have. There’s no way it will be 16GB RAM—or a 256GB SSD, for that matter. Neither is happening in a $999 machine.
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Apple Expected to Release New MacBook Air at End of Third Quarter: September or October
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That’s what the new model will have. There’s no way it will be 16GB RAM—or a 256GB SSD, for that matter. Neither is happening in a $999 machine.
I'd find a way to begrudgingly live with USB-C and the lost MagSafe port -- but butterfly keyboard is still a dealbreaker for me.
Here's hoping they use the "old" keyboard as a "budget" move.
Controversial, but I'd live with a (good) plastic body if it saved weight and cost.
Here's hoping they use the "old" keyboard as a "budget" move.
Controversial, but I'd live with a (good) plastic body if it saved weight and cost.
I like this plan too.
I would like to see them rename the MacBook to the MacBook Air, but add one more USB-C port. They don't need to be thunderbolt 3 versions, just standard USB-C capabilities and for charging.
Then release the new MacBook based on the Air design, but this time include two USB-C thunderbolt ports. This would help differentiate the capabilities of the computers. I can see Apple dropping the non-touchbar version of the MacBook Pro as this will overlap that category and price point.
To me, that would be a much cleaner laptop lineup, with clear objectives and price points for each laptop option.
old keyboard will be a 300 dollar upgrade from the base model. Along with MagSafe, from a non rechargeable single use laptop.
Touch Bar is the envy of all other major computer manufacturers.
iCloud Pro will get a space grey option.
A thin, 3 lb. 13” retina machine with a 15W CPU, 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD has been available for years. But the nTB MBP cost $1,299. How could Apple sell the same basic specs for $999
The problem/challenge has been how to remove enough cost that 13” retina model could be sold for $300 less. Component costs have come down some over time, but we’ll have wait to see what the specs are on the Air replacement. At $999, I’m skeptical it will be retina, rather it would be a $100-$150 upgrade. But there’s no doubt it will have a better screen than the current Air.
The problem with the Air is that it's too expensive to be an "inexpensive" laptop and it is competing squarely in a market where products that are as thin and light are more likely to be "hybrids" or Chromebooks that offer convertible touch screen designs or pen support which offer better value for most users.
As just a "vanilla" laptop it it overpriced and lackluster and while it "airiness" used to be a major selling point there is already a lot of competition in the ultralight laptop market.
I am sure a refresh of the Air will generate some quick sales in the first quarter, but the overall health of this product line is in question if Apple simply proceeds by continuing to ignore the 2-in-1 laptops and Chromebooks competing in this market and trying to sell an overpriced vanilla laptop in the supposed post-PC era and doesn't even wow us for design anymore.
Barring any significant spec bump, price drop or design changes I think this will be an underwhelming product launch.
As just a "vanilla" laptop it it overpriced and lackluster and while it "airiness" used to be a major selling point there is already a lot of competition in the ultralight laptop market.
I am sure a refresh of the Air will generate some quick sales in the first quarter, but the overall health of this product line is in question if Apple simply proceeds by continuing to ignore the 2-in-1 laptops and Chromebooks competing in this market and trying to sell an overpriced vanilla laptop in the supposed post-PC era and doesn't even wow us for design anymore.
Barring any significant spec bump, price drop or design changes I think this will be an underwhelming product launch.
I can see Apple just dropping the price of the non-touchbar MacBook Pro and using that as an Air replacement (as they've suggested before). After all they haven't updated it at all when the touchbar pro was updated recently so it could do with a price drop. Unless they're waiting for suitable processors to spec bump it, that is.
After all they already updated the Air and called it a MacBook.
After all they already updated the Air and called it a MacBook.
I would not be at all surprised if the new "MacBook Air" is the current MacBook (with a spec bump) and the 13" MacBook Pro without Touchbar (the "MacBook Escape") becomes the new MacBook to re-align the product mix as such:
MacBook Air - smallest and lightest (like the current model was when launched back in 2008)
MacBook - larger and heavier with two USB-C/TB3 ports, better performance and longer life
MacBook Pro - four USB-C/TB3 ports, still more performance and TouchBar (plus 15" option).
MacBook Air - smallest and lightest (like the current model was when launched back in 2008)
MacBook - larger and heavier with two USB-C/TB3 ports, better performance and longer life
MacBook Pro - four USB-C/TB3 ports, still more performance and TouchBar (plus 15" option).
Except for FaceID, you just described exactly the $1,299 MacBook Pro that has been available for years. The problem has been how to get the price to $999 without removing $300 worth of profit.
It could also be an 11” retina MB. This way they would have 11,12,13 and 15 instead of hurting sales of the base 13”. I don’t see how they can sell a cheaper 13” retina and not hurt the $1299-1499 sales. Perhaps taking away TB3 or using Kaby Lake instead of a newer generation.
Keeping this budget MB on Kaby Lake lets them make a clear distinction between dual and quad core. Giving a 13” retina MB a CoffeeLake quad core CPU would be a mistake imo. Great for consumers, bad for the bottom line.
Keeping this budget MB on Kaby Lake lets them make a clear distinction between dual and quad core. Giving a 13” retina MB a CoffeeLake quad core CPU would be a mistake imo. Great for consumers, bad for the bottom line.
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There are still some of the registered product ID numbers in Eurasia that have not been released yet, and they were registered as running 10.13.x, so new MacBooks should come in september rather than october, or at least before Mojave is released (and I really hope so, as I wouldn’t buy a new Macbook with 10.14.0 not even drunk... if at least it was 10.14.4, maybe, but 10.14.0, come on!!). Let’s really hope they ship with 10.13.6, as registered in Eurasia.
This is a very good point, I think they will be announced/released in September not sure if it will be during the keynote or after. The 12” MacBook is due an update, as is the iMac and so on, it will not take that long to show a slide on the keynote of updated specs to the Mac’s and say something like “and today we are adding a new 13” MacBook” show the specs and so on, similar to when they announced spec updates at last years WWDC.
They've been expected to for over 2 years. We see this article again and again. Might even be the exact same one re-published with a couple details changed. I'll believe it when Apple announces it.
Still using my 2012 11" MacBook Air (Core i5, 128GB, 4GB ram).
My only complaint is the screen.
Runs Mohave beta just fine.
My only complaint is the screen.
Runs Mohave beta just fine.
Apple might replace a product that has not been replace for a while, at the time of the year when they normally release products. Thanks for this amazing revelation! Those analysts sure earn there money!
Seeing all this anniversary iMac releasing videos makes me remember how excited I have been when apple had launched new hardware ...
i hope this new machine will make me feel like this again
i hope this new machine will make me feel like this again
If the base model comes with 128gb and then they want 200 more for 256gb, I'm walking straight over to the Microsoft Store.
I would buy a 15” MacBook with Retina display. No more than 1500 bucks. I don’t need a lot of performance but the screen real estate is helpful when writing in 2 apps side by side.