Apple Ramping Up New MacBook Air Production in July [Update]

[reputationZed]

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Uh, they are priced below a thousand.

The entry-level 11" MBA is listed at $999. You and your church can go nuts.

I think ghostlyorb means more than just the base 11" MBA, which can hardly count as a proper laptop for an institution.

Why not? Unless the church in question is big into running VM's, encoding video, or multiplayer Left for Dead, I can't see why the base MBA wouldn't be a viable option.

 

[peskaa]

Oh look everyone we have an Apple employee in our presence. He CLEARLY knows everything I was just offering my views about alls that is going to be updated and I don't think Thunderbolt will be added. They barely offer enough ports on the MBA as it is. As port space is very important on the MBA I really don't think they will until it has taken off properly.

Somebody is a bit touchy today!

The MBA currently has an MDP port. Thunderbolt uses the same port, so it won't need to use any extra space - from the outside the MBA 2011 will look exactly the same.

It's the internet, chill.

 

[RawKurd]

I don't know about you guys but i'd rather see them build a cd port and sd card slot on the smallest sized screen. And yes, they can do it, but they just want people to spend more money.

 

[bear1973]

3G or 4G Built-In

What the MacBook Air needs more than anything else is a built-in 3G or 4G option and a subscription plan like an iPad. I can't believe this hasn't happened earlier; if Apple doesn't do it this time it's sheer stupidity. This needs to be a mobile anywhere device.

 

[Heilage]

Somebody is a bit touchy today!

The MBA currently has an MDP port. Thunderbolt uses the same port, so it won't need to use any extra space - from the outside the MBA 2011 will look exactly the same.

It's the internet, chill.

Question is die space though. However, the current MBA has two large chips on the logic board, CPU and the Nvidia chip. Since the SB CPUs has an IGP, there might be enough space for that TB controller.

(Holy crap, that was a lot of acronyms at once)

 

[Hellhammer]

Question is die space though. However, the current MBA has two large chips on the logic board, CPU and the Nvidia chip. Since the SB CPUs has an IGP, there might be enough space for that TB controller.

(Holy crap, that was a lot of acronyms at once)

There is still need for PCH which is roughly the same size as CPU and other bigger chips. It has only 4W TDP though. I don't think that will stop Apple from putting TB in MBAs though.

 

[Heilage]

That is true. I'm only speculating here, I hope TB shows up on the Air, it would be a great upgrade (and the machine for me to buy).

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Speculation runs rife as usual, I see.

For what it's worth, my wish list is:
1 Sandy Bridge processor
2 256 SSD
3 8GB RAM
4 Longer battery life, say 7 hours at least
5 Backlit keyboard
6 Matte Black finish



All I realistically expect is
1 Sandy Bridge processor
2 4GB RAM (as standard)

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I don't see why they couldn't manufacture the Airs and then hold them in a warehouse until the keychain drive with Lion on it is ready, which is probably added as part of the final packaging step anyway. Then at least they could have a large number pretty much ready to ship the day the final Lion build goes out. They probably have a way to quickly copy the OS onto the internal SSD rapidly.

"Go outside the graphics are amazing".

@HiRez. I love your signature, Dude

 

[aiolos]

It's not really surprising the MBA's have been ready for awhile. Even before TB was on the MBP's, Apple was testing the port on prototypes of all of their models. The SB processors will finally be used because the IGP HD 3000's are finally somewhat comparable to the outgoing Nvidia 320m's. They didn't put the first gen i7's in because the IGP was MUCH worse than the 320m's, and would have been too much of a negative impact on the MBA's overall performance to justify the processor upgrade.

I wish they would send them out now, since the upgrade to Lion would be free, but Apple wants to maximize the install base of Lion so they can brag about the numbers to the shareholders. It makes sense, but yes, I want my MBA now.

Also, the only thing left to wonder IMO is whether or not 4GB RAM will be standard and 8GB available, backlit being brought back, or whether or not Apple will use ULV or just LV processors. While the Core2Duo machines have a separate CPU (17w) and GPU (10w), the SB have the CPU and GPU made together, so when they're talking about power consumption, it includes both. This means Apple could use LV processors instead of ULV, because the LV's are 25W, and the ULV are 17W. The current thermal design allowed for 27W, so 17W is way below that. I think they'll probably use the ULV on the 11" for battery life improvement, but I hope the 13" will use the LV processors.

Oh look everyone we have an Apple employee in our presence. He CLEARLY knows everything I was just offering my views about alls that is going to be updated and I don't think Thunderbolt will be added. They barely offer enough ports on the MBA as it is. As port space is very important on the MBA I really don't think they will until it has taken off properly.

The point of the TB port isn't just that it's an amazing port to connect SSD externals too. The point is also that with it's 10Gb/s throughput, you can connect a hub to it that will connect to multiple USB3.0's, eSata, Displayport, etc., without sacrificing ANY of the max throughput's of any of those ports. You can also daisy link devices.

It actually makes MORE sense to put it on a port-limited computer because it allows to connect a ton of devices through one port.

Besides, Apple has a 1-year exclusivity agreement on TB. They want it on every computer to maximize its presence in the market before PC's get access to the devices so they can use it as a selling point for Macs.

 

[KnightWRX]

The MBA currently has an MDP port. Thunderbolt uses the same port, so it won't need to use any extra space -

Except for the huge hulking chip that's required on the logic board. That may be a good reason MBAs won't see TB just yet.

 

[Jumpthrough]

I agree with everything else you say, but the MBA screen is glossy. It is almost the definition of glossy.

The "glossy" MBP can only be described as uber-glossy - with an extra layer of glossiness on top

PS Yes the matte MBP15 screen is great. The MBA glossy panels are ok. The MBP glossy-with-even-more-glass gives me eyestrain.

This is exactly the reason I'm will be purchasing the MBA over the MBP 13"- the gloss on the MBP is to much! And I'm over it!

The somewhat glossy screen on the MBA is just right for me.

I'm excited about the update any which way it goes, and really wish it would happen already-the first of July would be GREAT!

 

[Man9z0r]

Man I just got used to using my MBP. I knew I should of just waited for the air.

If it just has sandybridge and 4 gig standard memory I am going to have to sell the MBP for one.

 

[regandarcy]

If you bought your MBP within 14 days, you can return it to Apple. If not, the resale value on it should be great and you can get a macbook air with the money you get for it and probably have some change left over. No worries.

 

[drsmithy]

Maybe Apple plans on a steep price drop that will greatly increase MBA sales volume. Apple has a huge economy of scale to keep manufacturing cost down at nearly netbook levels.

Steep price drop ? Increase volumes ?

This is Apple we're talking about. They simply don't do either of those things, and they sure as hell don't do it with premium products like the MacBook Air.

 

[Abstract]

All I want is an 11" MBA with 256 GB SSD as an option! I'm not asking for it as standard config. I just want the option (since I'd pay for this option).

That's strange I don't recall seeing anyone stating they are already in product - product has already been ramped up. But hey believe what you want - I could tell the exact building they are being produced in but hey NDAs are something of a bind.

Oh well no more from me . . . c'ya.

Buy loser. Thanks for telling us nothing new.

 

[peskaa]

Except for the huge hulking chip that's required on the logic board. That may be a good reason MBAs won't see TB just yet.

Apple will squeeze the TB chip in, somehow. The 320M won't be on the board any more, which will free up some space (although not as much as you'd think, as Hellhammer points out), which along with juggling other components will be enough.

It just doesn't make any sense for Apple to not put their shiny new tech on the MBA.

 

[Roller]

Apple will squeeze the TB chip in, somehow. The 320M won't be on the board any more, which will free up some space (although not as much as you'd think, as Hellhammer points out), which along with juggling other components will be enough.

It just doesn't make any sense for Apple to not put their shiny new tech on the MBA.

Since when does Apple do things because they make sense?

Seriously, I hope that TB is there, but will probably buy one even if it's not. The MacBook it's going to be replacing doesn't have a FW port, and I haven't missed it as much as I thought I would.

 

[Crunch]

Why it will have to have a discrete graphics card...

Can Intel HD 3000 graphics w/ 384MB of VRAM run the 27" Cinema Display w/ 2560x1440 resolution? I don't think so and there is a miniDP port for exactly that purpose.

I also have something on my wish list and that's an option for more than 4GB of RAM. Even 6GB would make a huge difference for me personally, but 8GB would be ideal. Then again, I doubt this will happen and if for no other reason than the fact that even the highest end MBP's are still limited to 8GB. I can dream, though.

 

[peskaa]

Can Intel HD 3000 graphics w/ 384MB of VRAM run the 27" Cinema Display w/ 2560x1440 resolution? I don't think so and there is a miniDP port for exactly that purpose.

I also have something on my wish list and that's an option for more than 4GB of RAM. Even 6GB would make a huge difference for me personally, but 8GB would be ideal. Then again, I doubt this will happen and if for no other reason than the fact that even the highest end MBP's are still limited to 8GB. I can dream, though.

The HD 3000 can certainly drive the 27" display, if you're only doing 2D tasks in OS X (watching videos, browsing the net etc). It certainly won't be able to play games on the screen.

 

[Crunch]

The HD 3000 can certainly drive the 27" display, if you're only doing 2D tasks in OS X (watching videos, browsing the net etc). It certainly won't be able to play games on the screen.

Oh really? Well, I stand corrected then. And no, I wouldn't be needing anything like gaming support or the ability to run other graphics-intensive applications.

Having said that, wouldn't it be a step down from the dedicated graphics card in the current MacBook Air, even though we'd be getting 384MB of video RAM vs. the 256MB as part of the NVIDIA card that's in the current machines. I have to admit, though, that I may not be comparing 's to 's and that the 128MB difference is either negligible or just a plain invalid comparison due to other factors?

 

[krimp]

Oh really? Well, I stand corrected then. And no, I wouldn't be needing anything like gaming support or the ability to run other graphics-intensive applications.

Having said that, wouldn't it be a step down from the dedicated graphics card in the current MacBook Air, even though we'd be getting 384MB of video RAM vs. the 256MB as part of the NVIDIA card that's in the current machines. I have to admit, though, that I may not be comparing 's to 's and that the 128MB difference is either negligible or just a plain invalid comparison due to other factors?

im looking to buy my first mac an the MBA 13 is what i like, i will only really use for work with spread sheets, word files surfing the net etc. occasionally connect to the tv to watch an online movie. my question is would i be better off buying now to get nvidia graphics or wait for the new one. i was intending to buy with upgraded to 4 g ram and iworks as im sick to death of pc's.

 

[peskaa]

Oh really? Well, I stand corrected then. And no, I wouldn't be needing anything like gaming support or the ability to run other graphics-intensive applications.

Having said that, wouldn't it be a step down from the dedicated graphics card in the current MacBook Air, even though we'd be getting 384MB of video RAM vs. the 256MB as part of the NVIDIA card that's in the current machines. I have to admit, though, that I may not be comparing 's to 's and that the 128MB difference is either negligible or just a plain invalid comparison due to other factors?

I think you're in the right direction in regards to the RAM being largely irrelevant - GPUs are much more about the number of computing cores/architecture/clock frequency and so forth than available VRAM. Until Apple tell us what CPU (and hence model of HD 3000) they're using, we're very much in the dark as to the performance versus the 320M.

Estimates are ranging from anywhere between no performance penalty to up to 50%. My bet is more around the 10% region however, with the increases in CPU (which are going to be 50-100%) making up for the difference to an extent.

The 320M, by the way, isn't dedicated either. It's an integrated chip, same as the HD 3000, except the HD 3000 is embedded on the CPU.

If you're using OS X, not bothered about games, then the HD 3000 will be perfect. Gaming performance is a wait and see.

im looking to buy my first mac an the MBA 13 is what i like, i will only really use for work with spread sheets, word files surfing the net etc. occasionally connect to the tv to watch an online movie. my question is would i be better off buying now to get nvidia graphics or wait for the new one. i was intending to buy with upgraded to 4 g ram and iworks as im sick to death of pc's.

Wait. For your uses a HD 300 is perfectly fine, and you'll get a far better CPU and possibly 4GB of RAM as standard (ie: no need to pay the upgrade cost). Fingers crossed it should be out in the next few weeks.

 

[KnightWRX]

The 320M won't be on the board any more, which will free up some space (although not as much as you'd think, as Hellhammer points out),

HellHammer pointed out that the 320M going away does not free any space at all. Right now, C2D+320M is a 2 chip solution. Sandy Bridge is also a 2 chip solution. TB makes it 3 chip, seeing how big the controller is for that thing.

Basically, they'll really need to "squeeze" stuff in there.

 

[peskaa]

HellHammer pointed out that the 320M going away does not free any space at all. Right now, C2D+320M is a 2 chip solution. Sandy Bridge is also a 2 chip solution. TB makes it 3 chip, seeing how big the controller is for that thing.

Basically, they'll really need to "squeeze" stuff in there.

SB is indeed two chip, but the second SB chip is smaller than the 320M, so it frees up some space. Of course, until we see the logic board of the new MBA, this is all conjecture.

http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/POxSYUGpXHwopXCQ.huge - the orange chip is the 320M.
http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/QWKKPpAh4AHJm1bf.huge - blue is TB, red is controller.

TB is clearly smaller than the CPU, at roughly the width of a USB port. I can see some clear space on the MBA board, that if the board is redesigned it should fit. Certainly not as packed as the MBP board.