Apple Finishing Up Work on an Ultra-Thin 15" Notebook

[hcho3]

Cut the price on 15 inch Macbook pro. That thing costs way too much. 13 inch MBP starts at 1199 dollars, but then 15 inch MBP goes like 1799 dollars. That's overpriced.

15 MBA will be the day one purchase for me as long as it has...

1. SSD standard. 256-512 SSD memory.
2. Dedicated graphic card
3. Intel's Latest CPU i5 and i7 quad core
4. NO HDD
5. NO optical Drive
6. 1 Thunderbolt Port, 3 USB port. Doesn't need stupid ethernet port.

 

[adder7712]

Doesn't need stupid ethernet port.

Am I the only who is dependant on the Ethernet port for interwebs access?

 

[Pink∆Floyd]

This is great news, I'd opt for this

 

[mrsir2009]

Am I the only who is dependant on the Ethernet port for interwebs access?

Pretty much, as it defeats the purpose of a laptop.

 

[xper]

15 MBA will be the day one purchase for me as long as it has...

1. SSD standard. 256-512 SSD memory.
2. Dedicated graphic card
3. Intel's Latest CPU i5 and i7 quad core
4. NO HDD
5. NO optical Drive
6. 1 Thunderbolt Port, 3 USB port. Doesn't need stupid ethernet port.

I think you and alot of other people missing the point of this, it would just be a 15" MBA, the one you are speccing out is the next gen MBP.

 

[drewyboy]

6. 1 Thunderbolt Port, 3 USB port. Doesn't need stupid ethernet port.

Why 3 USB? Give me 2 TB and fine.. put in 2 USB. Personally, I want to move on from usb, just make a tb hub and then only 1 usb needs to stick around.

 

[drewyboy]

I think you and alot of other people missing the point of this, it would just be a 15" MBA, the one you are speccing out is the next gen MBP.

I don't think so. The SSD standard is right, I'd assume 256 for this 15". No ODD, no HDD... that's not any different than mba. most current i5/i7, it would probably have to be 25W TDP ones, in between MBA and MBP. 1 TB and 3 USB, I disagree on this one saying 2 TB and 1 USB. Again, not much different than current MBA. The discrete graphics, I would fully expect on a machine that's 15" and is getting rid of the ODD. Now going with the its only a MBA, the increased space will do what? Of course put a discrete in it! It's completely reasonable and expected that it would have it. So again, nothing really out of the ordinary for a 15" MBA.

 

[pmjoe]

I just don't get the MR community. Why does everyone laude the removal of the SuperDrive? I would still want it even if it's rarely used, it's less of a fuss to plug-in a USB CD/DVD drive.

Plus, I don't see why you would thumb down comments that are against Apple's crusade on DVD drives, ever heard of opinions?

There are quite a few people on this site who are more interested in Apple's $$$ profits than customer satisfaction.

 

[Agent-P]

Seems logical...

In one or two more generations, when SSDs are cheep enough so that 256GB can be standard in the 13 inch $1200 base model, I see apple dropping the "Air" name and simply having 11/13 inch MacBooks, 15/17s would retain "Pro" status. Right now there is a lot of user base crossover between the 13 MBA and 13 MBP, most people that currently have 13 inch MBP would probably be better suited with a 13 MBA. If you consider the optical drive dead (and apple does) , then the only thing keeping the 13 inch Air from completely replacing the 13 Pro is cost and HDD storage space. Once the storage/price problems are solved by cheaper larger SSDs, there would be no reason to have a 13 inch "Fat" macbook and 13 inch "Air." Lets be honest, for most people there is very little advantage of having the slight CPU speed bump that having more cooling in the larger 13 inch would allow, the real limiting factor is of these notebooks is the GPU, and that currently is the same in the 13 Pro/Air anyway.

Late 2012 or Early 2013 line:

11 inch MacBook: Base 4GB Ram, Dual Core 2.0 Ghz Ivy Bridge, 128GB SDD (optional 256GB), Integrated graphics

13 inch MacBook: Base 4GB Ram (optional 8GB), Dual Core 2.2 Ghz Ivy Bridge , 256GB SDD (optional 512GB), Integrated Graphics.

15 inch MacBook Pro: Base 4GB Ram (optional 8GB), Quad Core 2.0 Ghz Ivy Bridge, 256GB SDD (optional 512GB/1TB), Dedicated Graphics.

17 inch MacBook Pro: Base 4GB Ram (optional 8GB), Quad Core 2.2 Ghz Ivy Bridge, 256GB SDD (optional 512GB/1TB), Dedicated Graphics.

Personally I hope hire right about this. I'll definitely upgrade to that setup. I agree that this post makes perfect sense.

Your post is probably the most logical one out of all the 13 pages I've seen. Space is saved by not having user-removeable parts (like the iPhone's battery). People will whine, but they will get over it or buy something else.

Just because the MacBook Pro has the word "pro" in the name does not mean it's for professionals. Apple's first job is to make money, and the consumer market is MUCH larger than the professional market could ever hope to be.

Absolutely spot on. I agree entirely with this post. I don't get why people don't understand this.

 

[pmjoe]

Am I the only who is dependant on the Ethernet port for interwebs access?

Don't worry. Like every other port, Apple will be glad to sell you a $39 Thunderbolt adaptor for that.

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

Am I the only who is dependant on the Ethernet port for interwebs access?

People forget that one need an Ethernet port to setup a wireless router. What happens if you get a new router or something happens to your present routers firmware. My router does not broadcast its ID and at times its easier to just hardwire when the wifi does not see or drops its connection. Besides everyone does not have wifi. A laptop can connect with WWAN or ethernet as well, people here are being short-sighted.

People complain here about unstable wifi connection with every OS update or upgrade and now they believe that any future update will not have any wifi connection problems, when in actuality it happens frequently even on my MBP under Lion.

x1 TB port
x2 USB 3.0/2.0 ports
SDHC
Ethernet
Power Port
ExpressCard (on 17" model)

This is minimum at best.

Don't worry. Like every other port, Apple will be glad to sell you a $39 Thunderbolt adaptor for that.

As long as the price decreases by double that amount.

 

[DTphonehome]

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I just don't get the MR community. Why does everyone laude the removal of the SuperDrive? I would still want it even if it's rarely used, it's less of a fuss to plug-in a USB CD/DVD drive.

Plus, I don't see why you would thumb down comments that are against Apple's crusade on DVD drives, ever heard of opinions?

There are quite a few people on this site who are more interested in Apple's $$$ profits than customer satisfaction.

Apple's profits are a direct reflection of their customer satisfaction.

 

[ghsDUDE]

This could be epic.

Glad I already got me an iMac and Air.

I'll probably still be tempted to buy one when it comes out though

But I won't...hopefully.

 

[adder7712]

As long as the price decreases by double that amount.

Why not just a hub with multiple USB ports, an Ethernet port plus display options. I'm pretty sure Thunderbolt is capable of that.

I need an Ethernet port as the router is in my store room that obviously limits signal strength and the router is connected to a wall Ethernet port in my room. I really don't want USB peripherals for everything, I usually plug in a mouse and my printer. If I ever use Wi-Fi in my room, the speed will go down from 10 mb/s to 500 kb/s to 1 mb/s...

But, I'm eyeing this external drive, if they ever remove it for the Pro.

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

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Apple's profits are a direct reflection of their customer satisfaction.

On the removal of future ODD, has invested millions on a data centre to support iCloud, iTMS and MacStore, etc. Does anyone really believe that is still going to include the ODD on anything other than the MacPro and possibly the 17" MBP is joking themselves. Need an ODD purchase an external if you really need it and stop forcing it on others who already have more than two in computers that are not being used anymore. With this transition phase, there will always be "growing pains." Its is expected that many people here are either for or against it, however looking at direction and decisions, the ODD is old technology to them, this could have been one reason for not adopting BlueRay.

 

[Object-X]

I would never buy...

I woud never buy a laptop without an optical drive, i don't feel we are at the point where they should be totally phased out.

I would never buy a laptop without a floppy drive....

I would never buy a laptop without a VGA port....

I would never buy a laptop without a PMCIA card slot...

I would never buy a laptop without a firewire port...

I would never buy a laptop without an Express card slot...

I would never buy a laptop without a matte screen...

I would never buy a laptop without a DVI port...

Did I miss any? Never is a long time. Welcome to the future.

 

[rafaltrus]

About the superdrive... Don't you need it when installing a Windows OS using Boot Camp? Or am I missing something?

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

Why not just a hub with multiple USB ports, an Ethernet port plus display options. I'm pretty sure Thunderbolt is capable of that.

I need an Ethernet port as the router is in my store room that obviously limits signal strength and the router is connected to a wall Ethernet port in my room. I really don't want USB peripherals for everything, I usually plug in a mouse and my printer. If I ever use Wi-Fi in my room, the speed will go down from 10 mb/s to 500 kb/s to 1 mb/s...

But, I'm eyeing this external drive, if they ever remove it for the Pro.

I honestly do not mind the USB ethernet dongle option or the TB hub option. The price on that dongle though is typical it should cost no more than $10 and that includes premium.

About the superdrive... Don't you need it when installing a Windows OS using Boot Camp? Or am I missing something?

Use a USB thumb drive. Prices have dropped drastically over the last few months.

Enjoying a 32GB.

 

[hcho3]

You can install Window 7 from USB stick or use it with super drive. Apple can cut the price of super drive from 79 dollars to like 29-39 dollars or something. Make it more affordable for people who want it.

Person like me doesn't use optical Drive. I use it once a month. Please get it out.

 

[Object-X]

About the superdrive... Don't you need it when installing a Windows OS using Boot Camp? Or am I missing something?

Not sure Apple cares about supporting Windows legacy issues. Using an external drive to do a Windows install serves as a reminder of how behind the times Windows is. Nevertheless you should be able to use a USB disk to do it.

Windows install on Macbook Air

 

[Freyqq]

I don't think so. The SSD standard is right, I'd assume 256 for this 15". No ODD, no HDD... that's not any different than mba. most current i5/i7, it would probably have to be 25W TDP ones, in between MBA and MBP. 1 TB and 3 USB, I disagree on this one saying 2 TB and 1 USB. Again, not much different than current MBA. The discrete graphics, I would fully expect on a machine that's 15" and is getting rid of the ODD. Now going with the its only a MBA, the increased space will do what? Of course put a discrete in it! It's completely reasonable and expected that it would have it. So again, nothing really out of the ordinary for a 15" MBA.

discrete would add thickness due to the required cooling. I'm guessing no discrete graphics, but the rest of those specs are reasonable.

 

[Krevnik]

Possibility

15" MBP without optical and SSD as standard

or

15" air... yea 15" air.

Either one would be nice. Since the Air isn't a "netbook" and has become Apple's consumer line, this would be nice for those who want a larger screen for entertainment means.

11", 13", 15" Air's
13", 15", 17" MBP

This is kinda what I expect as well. I know in my case, I usually rip the install discs of anything I buy so I can pull them down from my Mac Pro's RAID to my machine and install if needed. I use a USB stick with Win7 and OS X on it to do diagnostic work on my machines if needed (or reinstall).

But I can certainly see how some pros will still need access to discs for a while on the go. I'd say the next machines to lose the optical drive would be the iMac, MBP and Mac Pro, in that order.

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

discrete would add thickness due to the required cooling. I'm guessing no discrete graphics, but the rest of those specs are reasonable.

MBA line-up: 11", 13", 15."

MBP line-up: 13", 15" 17." (A little thicker due to dedicated GPU).

Solved for both consumers, prosumers and professionals.

Not sure why this is becoming a big decision for many, either you need the GPU power or not in an x86 package.

Some posters have beaten me to the punch.

 

[Krevnik]

Not sure Apple cares about supporting Windows legacy issues. Using an external drive to do a Windows install serves as a reminder of how behind the times Windows is. Nevertheless you should be able to use a USB disk to do it.

Windows install on Macbook Air

Bootcamp 4.0 on the new Air now includes the ability to take a Win7 ISO and make a USB stick bootable directly. No need for a Win7 PC to do it now (but you still need to make the ISO from a machine with a drive).

I have a dual-partition USB stick with OS X / Win7 on it, and I'm giving the Bootcamp method a try to see how well it works.

 

[adder7712]

Bootcamp 4.0 on the new Air now includes the ability to take a Win7 ISO and make a USB stick bootable directly. No need for a Win7 PC to do it now (but you still need to make the ISO from a machine with a drive).

I have a dual-partition USB stick with OS X / Win7 on it, and I'm giving the Bootcamp method a try to see how well it works.

Yeah, I found this gem in the Lion Boot Camp manual.

You may be able to install Windows 7 with a USB flash drive that contains a Windows 7 ISO
image downloaded from Microsoft. To check whether you can do so, open Boot Camp
Assistant, click Continue, and see if the option “Create a Windows 7 install disk” is available.
To install Windows 7 with a USB flash drive, you need the following:
 An ISO image of Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate downloaded
from Microsoft.
 A USB flash drive with 4 GB or more.
Boot Camp Assistant erases the flash drive, and copies to it the Windows 7 ISO
image and software drivers that let Windows work with your Mac hardware
To see how much free space you need on your disk for Windows, refer to the
documentation that came with Windows