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Apple Phasing Out White MacBook in Favor of Entry-Level MacBook Air?
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According to Apple, MacBook sells more than MBAs together... See "Top Sellers" on the right-hand-side http://store.apple.com/us
I doubt this will happen. Or why not discontinue 13" MBP as well, there is 13" MBA at same price points after allThis sounds like another useless analyst
I concur. Lately, how many of these reports from "analysts" have been wrong? We shall see...
Any piece of electronics that does not have moving parts will be more reliable than those that have moving parts.
The MBA does not have an optical drive and comes with an SSD by default. It has less moving parts.
Actually a chromebook would be interesting, i've yet to see one in person though. One thing is for sure in regards to MBA vs MB. I really have not used an optical drive for a long time, and the size and SSD of the MBA is a huge advantage for 99% of day to day activities. The cpu/gpu would still be quite a difference from chromebooks/netbooks.
I've never owned a Mac (probably will one day soon), but any computers I use i've placed SSDs in.. Once you go SSD, can never go back.
When I purchased my MBA (256SSD) I also purchased the external DVD drive, just in case ... what a waste of money, it is still sitting in its original box, untouched. I would say the majority of users these days does not need a DVD drive anymore and by now I wish it would be an optional accessory for every Mac they sell - why pay for something that is never used ???
I think it would be a good thing if they dump the white MacBook and replace it with a same priced MBA with 128GB SSD (and no need to add the DVD to the price, it's not needed)
I think it would be a good thing if they dump the white MacBook and replace it with a same priced MBA with 128GB SSD (and no need to add the DVD to the price, it's not needed)
The entry-level Macbook Pro is $1199 and is a much better option for a college student. For $200 more than the Macbook, you can get a much better computer that's not made out of horrible white plastic that cracks and chips.
Of course it would be nice if Apple dropped the price on the Airs and the Macbook Pros by $200 when they drop the Macbook, considering how far PC laptops and parts have come down in price in the last couple years. But we all know that won't happen
Um, well mine mostly sat at my desktop closed being used as a desktop. In fact, I hear that is the scenario that most likely causes them cause the little plastic ridges on the top of the screen that keep it from totally resting on the keyboard when it is closed (to leave some space for the screen not to get hit by the keys) cause stress points on the area below (right where every single MB I know tends to crack
).And every single person I know with a Macbook save one (who barely uses theirs honestly as they only got it to program on the iphone and I think the guy gave up o that) gets cracks on the palm rest area. One had his keyboard die and apple replaced it and the palm rest (cause it's all one piece really) and the new one cracked too.
It's a very common problem, to the point that the Apple genius told me apple will replace your top case up to three times if it happens to the computer. Even Apple acknowledges it is a problem.
ipod classic still sold
Well actually the iPod classic is still being sold:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_classic?mco=MTM3NTMxMzA
Regardless of that, the MacBook is still in the lineup because of large public school purchases. As long as these purchases remain large enough to pay for itself, Apple will still keep it.
But I don't expect them to update it anytime soon.
Well actually the iPod classic is still being sold:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_classic?mco=MTM3NTMxMzA
Regardless of that, the MacBook is still in the lineup because of large public school purchases. As long as these purchases remain large enough to pay for itself, Apple will still keep it.
But I don't expect them to update it anytime soon.
Just wish they could come up with a design that could get rid of the fan - which is the only moving part left in the machine (and a loudly moving part that is)
Because they are on a budget but want a Mac? $200 is a lot of money, especially when you are staring college costs in the face. Used? Most used machine's I've seen are either beat or priced close to a new one. Refurbs are a possibility but availability is hit or miss.
The MB is a great entry level machine that meets most computing needs. It's a different machine and philosophy than the MBA, which is also great in its own way - not better, not worse, just a different approach.
If I had a say I'd drop the MB price by at least $100 to make it even more attractive as an entry point. With an additional educational discount you'd close to any decent PC laptop as well.
Say you got a Chromebook and used some type of cloud base storage (Amazon/Google) you could be all set if you don't need all the extra stuff.
I was actually checking them out and they look pretty cool.
But I'm not a fan of First Gen stuff...but it's had nothing but great reviews and it's 1/2 the price.
The naming kinda makes sense even without the MacBook.
Air -> lighter
Pro -> more powerful
they're the opposite in one way, so it's not contradictory. The Mac "Pro" exists since 2006, but there never was a Mac "Period", correct?
But still. We're gonna miss the white MacBook. 2001-2011, what a blast it has been.
They might launch a depowered MacBook Pro with less ports and the aluminium casing, and call it the MacBook -- like the late 2008 ones. But after killing the white one, it would be a step backwards in a way.
Air -> lighter
Pro -> more powerful
they're the opposite in one way, so it's not contradictory. The Mac "Pro" exists since 2006, but there never was a Mac "Period", correct?
But still. We're gonna miss the white MacBook. 2001-2011, what a blast it has been.
They might launch a depowered MacBook Pro with less ports and the aluminium casing, and call it the MacBook -- like the late 2008 ones. But after killing the white one, it would be a step backwards in a way.
Um, well mine mostly sat at my desktop closed being used as a desktop. In fact, I hear that is the scenario that most likely causes them cause the little plastic ridges on the top of the screen that keep it from totally resting on the keyboard when it is closed (to leave some space for the screen not to get hit by the keys) cause stress points on the area below (right where every single MB I know tends to crack
And every single person I know with a Macbook save one (who barely uses theirs honestly as they only got it to program on the iphone and I think the guy gave up o that) gets cracks on the palm rest area. One had his keyboard die and apple replaced it and the palm rest (cause it's all one piece really) and the new one cracked too.
It's a very common problem, to the point that the Apple genius told me apple will replace your top case up to three times if it happens to the computer. Even Apple acknowledges it is a problem.
Are you speaking of the old Macbook, I wasn't aware of any cracking problems on the current plastic unibody?
The point of the Air is an extremely lightweight laptop that performs well due to the SSD. It's 2011 and optical drives are nearly obsolete. I wish the MBP line would get a second drive option in place of an optical drive (like MCE's Optibay gives you). I'd love to have an SSD and a HDD in my laptop (and I'm seriously thinking about getting an Optibay).
If they can offer an Air with an 128GB SSD at the $999 price point I can see them retiring the White MacBook. 64GB SSD is far too small, however.
MBAs with this spec may potentially be released tomorrow or in the near future, as in by the end of the month.
Not necessarily - there may be fewer failure modes but that does not always translate to greater reliability.
Would not be surprised in the slightest at this. I also wouldn't be surprised if the Pros lose the optical drive in the next update either (more battery space or the ability to make them thinner).
And you don't get my point. If they are on a budget so tight that 200 dollars is too big a difference, they probably can't afford that Mac when they can afford something cheaper that may not be their desired product but will do what they need it to do. It's called sometimes you can't get what you want (or you realize you shouldn't if you are smart on budgeting your money).
And if they are smart, they may still be able to afford a Mac. They can buy used (that will shave off some money. May not be the best out there but they can have the choice between an older Mac with their OS of choice or a newer PC that may not have OS of choice but will be more powerful). Or refurbished. Or even if they are tech savy, hackintosh.
But when you are on a tight budget, sometimes you have to make compromises.
I don't know... feels like the 11" MBA is too to be a good candidate for the entry-level Mac. And I wonder if Apple can really get aggresive enough on the price of a 13" MBA to make that work at the entry-level.
I do think Apple can get away without an optical drive.
My wife got the first gen MBA. Like some others, we got the external optical drive to go with it. And like others it was a waste... Almost never been used except to test it out.
I do think Apple can get away without an optical drive.
My wife got the first gen MBA. Like some others, we got the external optical drive to go with it. And like others it was a waste... Almost never been used except to test it out.
MicroCenter sells the current 13" MBP for $999 all day long and have been doing so since the month after release. Online stores have it around this price too. You just have to shop around. There really is no point to the MB anymore.
