Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Rumored to Update Non-Retina MacBook Air Line in Late February

zedsdead said:
There were rumors saying the 12" Retina was going to still be sold alongside the 13" non-Retina; similar to how Apple transitioned their other Macs.

This could be why the upgrade is coming, plus the fact that it seems the rMBA is taking more time to make. Sounds like Apple went all out on it with the thinness and USB 3.1 port. This is a machine they are going to put in a keynote, so they likely will wait until at least the Apple Watch event or even WWDC.
Click to expand...

I think it has to do with cost. The 12" rMBA will likely be expensive, and Apple probably wants to maintain the "starting at $999" marketing for the MBA line. So until the rMBA cost can be brought down, the cMBA will remain alongside.
 
I think initially the 12" mac will have a premium price tag, also limited ports wont make it a choice for everybody.

I can see them add another 14" or so retina to that line.

11" and 13" will stay for a bit.

Note that Apple Stores just carry the basic config in store inventory, at least where I checked, no higher end models so I think its true upgrade must be around the corner.
 
It's going to be like this

2015 - Broadwell
rMBA 12" unveiled
cMBP 13" dropped
MBA/rMBP upgraded

2016 - Skylake
rMB 14" unveiled
MBA 11" dropped
rMBA 12/MBA13/rMBP upgraded

2017 - ?????
rMBA 12" upgraded
rMB 14" upgraded, makes MBA 13" and rMBP 13" obsolete
rMBP 15" upgraded, possibly redesigned



And... 12" rMBA is definitely going to start at $999 at most. It doesn't have any expensive components (unlike riMac) and it has to be positioned under the 13" rMBP. Also lack of most ports and slots will drive the BOM down.
I think the Apple lineup lacks a mobile workstation with no-compromise power and expandability but I doubt that will come.
 
Last edited:
I'm curious to see where Apple is going with the Air line.

Based upon rumors and speculation I'm seeing more bad things than good for my personal uses.

I'm pretty sure my next Macbook will be a Retina pro when it comes time to retire my 2012 MBA, but I still can't wait to see this Air update whenever it happens.
 
maflynn said:
I'm curious as what apple is doing, I think there's way too much overlap in their product line if they do come out with a 12" MBA as people expect them too.

11" MBA
12" MBA
13" MBA
13" rMBP
13" cMBP.

Something's gotta give
Click to expand...

I can only assume the cMBP is in it's last year of life.
 
Quu said:
I think the 11" and 13" MacBook Air days are numbered and the rMBP's will keep getting thinner and lighter until they are in Air territory but they'll keep the Pro names.

So it'll end up like this:

12" MBA
13" rMBP
15" rMBP

And that'll be it.
Click to expand...

Well, of course, none of us know for sure what the product line-up will be, but it is fun to speculate. I agree with your list except I would add the entry level consumer 13 in MBA at the $999 sweet-spot.

I think the 12in MBA is going to be more of a second computer/iPad alternative. The rMBP is a bit pricey at $1299 to be an everyday consumer laptop. As a result, I think Apple will, at least initially, retain the consumer oriented MBA for the larger market.

Edit: I must admit that I didn't give the loss of ports much thought initially. However, this weekend i used my MBA to show a video slideshow for my mothers 80th birthday, so I had to connect to a monitor, speakers, and power cable. Anyway, it was nice to have all of those ports readily available without bringing along a hub or special adapters. I think there are plenty of people that would continue to buy the classic MBA with evolutionary upgrades to the internals and maybe a reduced bezel.
 
Last edited:
Two Paths

Let's hope you're wrong.

I agree that the MBA will receive Broadwell in 2015, but the million dollar question is whether Apple is transforming the entire line-up this year when they introduce the 12" rMBA or whether it will drag into 2016.

I think there are two options:
Option A (Your Proposal)
2015--Year of the 12" rMBA with incremental updates (i.e., Broadwell) to rMBPs in late summer/early fall
2016--Skylake moves into the rMBP

Option B
2015--Whole new lineup: 12" rMBA and new form factors for Skylake rMBPs

I am really hoping Apple just skips Broadwell and introduces Skylake with a new form-factor and updated I/O (Thunderbolt 3.0, USB 3.1, updated version of DisplayPort and HDMI) in the fall (if Intel can deliver). Whether Apple updates to Broadwell or Skylake, I believe there will be a new form factor in the Fall to correspond to the CPU process shrink and the introduction of newer technologies. IIRC Skylake is necessary for TB 3, so let's hope that Apple skips Broadwell. If Apple opts to go with Broadwell, then I may start to become concerned that Apple is still pondering a transition to ARM-based processors. Regardless, it could be a long wait for an update to the rMBP line.

gpat said:
It's going to be like this

2015 - Broadwell
rMBA 12" unveiled
cMBP 13" dropped
MBA/rMBP upgraded

2016 - Skylake
rMB 14" unveiled
MBA 11" dropped
rMBA 12/MBA13/rMBP upgraded

2017 - ?????
rMBA 12" upgraded
rMB 14" upgraded, makes MBA 13" and rMBP 13" obsolete
rMBP 15" upgraded, possibly redesigned



And... 12" rMBA is definitely going to start at $999 at most. It doesn't have any expensive components (unlike riMac) and it has to be positioned under the 13" rMBP. Also lack of most ports and slots will drive the BOM down.
I think the Apple lineup lacks a mobile workstation with no-compromise power and expandability but I doubt that will come.
Click to expand...
 
Quu said:
I think the 11" and 13" MacBook Air days are numbered and the rMBP's will keep getting thinner and lighter until they are in Air territory but they'll keep the Pro names.

So it'll end up like this:

12" MBA
13" rMBP
15" rMBP

And that'll be it.
Click to expand...

Yes, that is my guess as well.

I put all the talk about a 14" MBA in the same bin that I put all of the talk about the 17" MBP coming back.
 
holydude said:
And do you want to run an iOS8 with just true "multitasking" on it or...?

I do not think what would be the benefit of having a bigger "tablet" with the same iOS. Also it would break the consistency too much...they would either have to keep 2gb of ram for it (which would be pretty much too low for such thing) or increase it to a point where the difference would be just too much compared to other iDevices.
Click to expand...

Several things to respond fully. First we need to assume that Apple will release a larger iPad (per rumors). Second they would need to modify iOS to allow true multi-tasking (whatever version that would be 8.x or 9.x). If we assume a hardware release in the first half of this year then l would go with iOS 8.3 or 8.4. In order to make this work, you are correct, I think that they would need at least 2 gig RAM or possibly more. They will also need more battery. Then to make it a laptop killer the user would need to get a keyboard cover (plenty of those available already).

With all that in place, I would think the cost of the iPad Pro (as it is being called) compared to the new fanless Mac Air, will be about the same. But if you already have a big investment in iOS Apps, this could totally make sense.
 
The Current MBA range just need retina screens. The 13 MBA + retina, yes please.
 
I'd like Apple to transition their entire iMac & Macbook line to Retina. With their pile of cash they could afford to sell them under cost. Once people realize that every Mac has spectacular resolution, many PC people would finally make the leap.
 
Apple: mighty unhappy with the Intel delays.

I think we'll see an ARM MBA / MBP within 12–18 months … provided that the OS is capable of multitasking. The end of the desktop is nigh for most consumers: people who just want to surf, email, use iWork, and manage their photo and video libraries, but who also want a keyboard and trackpad.
 
Val-kyrie said:
Let's hope you're wrong.

I agree that the MBA will receive Broadwell in 2015, but the million dollar question is whether Apple is transforming the entire line-up this year when they introduce the 12" rMBA or whether it will drag into 2016.

I think there are two options:
Option A (Your Proposal)
2015--Year of the 12" rMBA with incremental updates (i.e., Broadwell) to rMBPs in late summer/early fall
2016--Skylake moves into the rMBP

Option B
2015--Whole new lineup: 12" rMBA and new form factors for Skylake rMBPs

I am really hoping Apple just skips Broadwell and introduces Skylake with a new form-factor and updated I/O (Thunderbolt 3.0, USB 3.1, updated version of DisplayPort and HDMI) in the fall (if Intel can deliver). Whether Apple updates to Broadwell or Skylake, I believe there will be a new form factor in the Fall to correspond to the CPU process shrink and the introduction of newer technologies. IIRC Skylake is necessary for TB 3, so let's hope that Apple skips Broadwell. If Apple opts to go with Broadwell, then I may start to become concerned that Apple is still pondering a transition to ARM-based processors. Regardless, it could be a long wait for an update to the rMBP line.
Click to expand...

They're not going to turn upside-down a full line of best selling products. Just incremental changes and gradual replacements. That's the way Apple has always operated.
 
They really need to update that screen. As much as I loved (and still miss) my 2011 MBA there is just no way I'll buy one of these.
 
theSeb said:
They really need to update that screen. As much as I loved (and still miss) my 2011 MBA there is just no way I'll buy one of these.
Click to expand...

While the retina displays are crisp, I think they are overkill for most use. I would gladly take longer battery life and hopefully better performance over the retina screen.
 
maflynn said:
I'm curious as what apple is doing, I think there's way too much overlap in their product line if they do come out with a 12" MBA as people expect them too.

11" MBA
12" MBA
13" MBA
13" rMBP
13" cMBP.

Something's gotta give
Click to expand...

That, or Apple is spinning back into the 90's under Tim Cook :roll eyes:

*Except this time Apple has the market and resources to experiment.

Nonetheless, I hope they can once-again simplify their product lines as Jobs did after they figure out whatever it is they're doing.
 
Apple wasn't the first company to release a machine with Broadwell chips so I now have to say I'm waiting for Apple to release Macs with Skylake.
 
Quu said:
I think the 11" and 13" MacBook Air days are numbered and the rMBP's will keep getting thinner and lighter ...
Click to expand...

The non-Retina MBA 11 might be kept in the line-up (with a fairly insignificant update) for the same reason the 5C is currently in the iPhone line-up. To encourage more people to buy the better (and higher profit margin) models. More people (many are sheep) buy the middle model of a Good/Better/Best line-up, and Apple doesn't want the hypothetical 12" model to only be seen as just "Good".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back