Apple Expected to Release New MacBook Air at End of Third Quarter: September or October

[Roadstar]

If it were universally hated, it'd be gone.

There are some who like it and others hate it with a passion. You could argue that it's a design flaw to offer such a divisive (which the previous models weren't) keyboard without any real alternatives. It would be interesting to see how many would opt for the butterfly version if an otherwise similar setup were available with the older keyboard. For after all, currently you need to give up the retina screen to get the old keyboard in a MacBook Air.

 

[ignatius345]

just tell me why?
why there is "Air" in the line until now! it serves what suppose exactly?

It's still one of Apple's all-time best selling Macs because it's got great battery life and build quality -- and nowadays it stands out for having USB-A ports, MagSafe, and a good, reliable keyboard with proper key travel. It has one Achilles Heel, which is the dated display -- and even that isn't a huge deal for web browsing, email/messaging, and working with basic documents (aka, like 90% of what most people use laptops for).

 

[travelsheep]

If they put a Kaby lake and Retina with small bezels in this thing it will be better than their MacBook "Pro" in almost every aspect.

 

[Cape Dave]

It's still one of Apple's all-time best selling Macs because it's got great battery life and build quality -- and nowadays it stands out for having USB-A ports, MagSafe, and a good, reliable keyboard with proper key travel. It has one Achilles Heel, which is the dated display -- and even that isn't a huge deal for web browsing, email/messaging, and working with basic documents (aka, like 90% of what most people use laptops for).

Um, that crappy old dated display actually IS a big deal. Horrible.

 

[Peperino]

If they put a Kaby lake and Retina with small bezels in this thing it will be better than their MacBook "Pro" in almost every aspect.

Macbook Pro is so bad in every aspect anyway.

Bad keyboard
Not upgradable
soldered RAM and HD
Problems with speakers
limited USB ports for a PRo computer.
overpriced
No Mag-safe
should I keep going...?

 

[lockerc18]

So... things have been really quiet about the event or the new Air lately. What's the scoop? Will there be an event the third week of this month? And will a new Air be released?

 

[Mainsail]

I fear that the new lower cost MacBook “Air” is simply a low spec 12 inch rMB, with 128 GB storage, prior generation processor, etc.. Perhaps, Apple will implement Touch ID on the standard rMB and nTB MBP, but the low cost model might not get this upgrade. Perhaps, Apple will finally upgrade the iSight camera on the rMB but the low cost won’t get this upgrade.

So, basically, it might just be the current rMB with 2017 specs, but less standard storage. It is not a new computer model, just a cheaper version of the existing 2017 rMB model, without 2018 updates and upgrades.

 

[ignatius345]

Um, that crappy old dated display actually IS a big deal. Horrible.

Yeah, it's really holding me back from web browsing, writing and email.

Me, I'll take a laptop with usable ports and a good keyboard any day, thanks. Oh, and I replaced my battery in all of 15 minutes recently, which was pretty damn cool and extended the usable life of the machine by a lot.

 

[lockerc18]

I fear that the new lower cost MacBook “Air” is simply a low spec 12 inch rMB, with 128 GB storage, prior generation processor, etc.. Perhaps, Apple will implement Touch ID on the standard rMB and nTB MBP, but the low cost model might not get this upgrade. Perhaps, Apple will finally upgrade the iSight camera on the rMB but the low cost won’t get this upgrade.

So, basically, it might just be the current rMB with 2017 specs, but less standard storage. It is not a new computer model, just a cheaper version of the existing 2017 rMB model, without 2018 updates and upgrades.

Not sure about that. We have 2 Airs in the family. One is a 2012 13 inch model with a 2.0 GHz i7, and a 256 GB SSD. It still works great. I don't see why Apple would downgrade the Air specs like you're saying. OTOH, I don't see why Apple has both the MB and Air. These seem to be overlapping products.

Anyway, I was just wondering about the date of the event, though I really do want to know the actual specs of the new Air, too. Thanks.

 

[Mainsail]

Not sure about that. We have 2 Airs in the family. One is a 2012 13 inch model with a 2.0 GHz i7, and a 256 GB SSD. It still works great. I don't see why Apple would downgrade the Air specs like you're saying. OTOH, I don't see why Apple has both the MB and Air. These seem to be overlapping products.

Anyway, I was just wondering about the date of the event, though I really do want to know the actual specs of the new Air, too. Thanks.

Oh, I misunderstood your post. I thought you were pointing out that we haven’t had any recent leaks, and maybe there won’t be a new Air at the October event. I think the lack of news is somewhat telling, and the new low cost MacBook won’t be an updated Air, but instead, a low spec 12 inch rMB. Of course, this is all just conjecture on my part.

BTW - we have several MBAs in our family, and they have been terrrific. I wish Apple would just update the current MBA; 1. routine processor bump, 2. “consumer” quality IPS display (doesn’t have to be retina), and perhaps 3. replace one existing port with USB-C.....just to future proof a bit. Otherwise, leave everything the same. How difficult would this be to do? Apple couldn’t screw it up if they tried, and an updated MBA would continue to be the most popular computer on College campuses. Alas, Apple won’t do it. Jony, needs to focus on new color schemes and shaving another mm of thinness...... nobody cares about a time tested reliable laptop that will get students through 4 years of undergrad at a reasonable cost.