Apple to Launch New MacBook Air in June-July

[deconstruct60]

Thunderbolt on an MBA? Where would it fit? Would they have to take out a USB port to compensate?

The port isn't the space issue. As another poster remarked both 11" and 13" models have mini DisplayPort now. The external interface space is already present. Besides the "one USB" port was not a good design which the just recently corrected. To remove the correction is a step backwards (many folks are going to have a USB modem jammed into one of the ports. So still just have one free one in that case.).

What is somewhat more questionable is where the internal space is going to come from. The Thunderbolt controller is not a small chip (on MBPs it is 3rd/4th largest one on the board.). It is not as though there is copious empty board space on the current MBA versions. Apple got some reductions to squeeze it onto the MBP 13" version. However, for the 11" MBA not so sure there will be wiggle room unless some of the other support chips consolidate into smaller implementations.

Likewise pricing. The 11" at the inexpensive Mac frontier could be short ports just like the MacBook has been made to be. ( If the Macbook fades into the sunset all the more so for them to move that market segmenting technique over to the MBA 11". )

 

[Le Big Mac]

yes! great news! and please bring back the backlit keyboard!

I don't mean to create a debate, but other than a cool factor doesn't the screen provide enough light for the keyboard? Or am I missing something in terms of use.

 

[Durendal]

I don't see how Apple is going to cram a Sandy Bridge into the 11.6" Air without jacking up the TDP. Right now the 11.6" Air has a 10w Core 2 Duo in it. There are no 10w Sandy Bridge chips. Apple would have to squeeze in a 17w chip, which means a hotter Air and less battery life. The 13" might get the 17w chip, which means 1.4ghz-1.6ghz, although turboboost cranks it up. If Apple can squeeze a 25w chip into it, then we'd get 2.1ghz-2.3ghz with turboboost.

The problem is that Intel just doesn't have Sandy Bridge chips that can run on as little power as the bottom of the Core 2 line. Ivy Bridge will probably change that, but in the meantime, we may only see the 13" Air get Sandy Bridge.

 

[Bubba Satori]

How on earth can they manage to accommodate Sandy Bridge in MBA without it being a barbecue grill?

Needs to be thin and stylish to match maximum CEO.

 

[strwrsfrk]

I don't see how Apple is going to cram a Sandy Bridge into the 11.6" Air without jacking up the TDP. Right now the 11.6" Air has a 10w Core 2 Duo in it. There are no 10w Sandy Bridge chips. Apple would have to squeeze in a 17w chip, which means a hotter Air and less battery life. The 13" might get the 17w chip, which means 1.4ghz-1.6ghz, although turboboost cranks it up. If Apple can squeeze a 25w chip into it, then we'd get 2.1ghz-2.3ghz with turboboost.

The problem is that Intel just doesn't have Sandy Bridge chips that can run on as little power as the bottom of the Core 2 line. Ivy Bridge will probably change that, but in the meantime, we may only see the 13" Air get Sandy Bridge.

You're not taking into account the TDP of the 320M, which (with overhead) is almost definitely 8+W. The move to SB (assuming they don't add a separate graphics chip, which I doubt they would) would actually lower the total TDP of the machine by at least 1W.

Read 1 page earlier in this thread for a more specific discussion of this.

 

[OliverOSX93]

I'd bet you $1300 towards the purchase of a new air that they never have moving parts in their MBA line again.

I bet you the next MBA has a keyboard... where the keys move... up.... and down.... when pressed...

 

[flopticalcube]

I don't see how Apple is going to cram a Sandy Bridge into the 11.6" Air without jacking up the TDP. Right now the 11.6" Air has a 10w Core 2 Duo in it. There are no 10w Sandy Bridge chips. Apple would have to squeeze in a 17w chip, which means a hotter Air and less battery life. The 13" might get the 17w chip, which means 1.4ghz-1.6ghz, although turboboost cranks it up. If Apple can squeeze a 25w chip into it, then we'd get 2.1ghz-2.3ghz with turboboost.

The problem is that Intel just doesn't have Sandy Bridge chips that can run on as little power as the bottom of the Core 2 line. Ivy Bridge will probably change that, but in the meantime, we may only see the 13" Air get Sandy Bridge.

The MBA has used previously unknown Intel CPUs in the past so this time may be no different. GPU will probably suffer, however.

 

[Thomas2006]

No mini update rumors makes me a sad panda

It will definitely get Thunderbolt, the SD slot could get replaced with an SDXC slot and Sandy Bridge means Intel graphics, but the only thing the Mac mini really needs is the 2.0GHz quad-core that is in the 15" MacBook Pro. Apple, however, might feel it only needs one of the dual-core processors used in the 13" MacBook Pro.

 

[Durendal]

You're not taking into account the TDP of the 320M, which (with overhead) is almost definitely 8+W. The move to SB (assuming they don't add a separate graphics chip, which I doubt they would) would actually lower the total TDP of the machine by at least 1W.

Read 1 page earlier in this thread for a more specific discussion of this.

Ah, very true. I hadn't considered that. Still, not all of the functions of the 320M are integrated into the CPU. It isn't just the video card, but also the northbridge, and some of those functions are still needed outside the CPU. It could be an even tradeoff in the end, or at least a very minor gain. Oooh, 2.3ghz i5s in a Macbook air...now that would actually make it a serious performer!

 

[Wild-Bill]

Backlit Keyboard or BUST

Now just add the backlit keyboard and it will be perfect.

EXACTLY. They shouldn't have gotten rid of it in the first place.

But I wouldn't put it past Apple to charge for the upgraded "feature", despite the fact that it was standard on MBA's until the last update.

 

[Hellhammer]

Ah, very true. I hadn't considered that. Still, not all of the functions of the 320M are integrated into the CPU. It isn't just the video card, but also the northbridge, and some of those functions are still needed outside the CPU. It could be an even tradeoff in the end, or at least a very minor gain. Oooh, 2.3ghz i5s in a Macbook air...now that would actually make it a serious performer!

I'm being lazy so I'll quote my own post:

Current lineup:
13": 17W CPU + ~12W 320M = 29W
11": 10W CPU + ~12W 320M = 22W

Sandy Bridge lineup:
13": 25W CPU + 4W PCH = 29W
11": 17W CPU + 4W PCH = 21W

The TDP of 320M is unknown but 9400M has 12W so I'm using that as the TDP. Anyway, give or take a watt or two, it's not going to change anything. 320M includes the functions of chipset controller thus there is no need for another chip to handle the I/O and other stuff. Sandy Bridge still needs one though (PCH).

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

How on earth can they manage to accommodate Sandy Bridge in MBA without it being a barbecue grill?

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4084/intels-sandy-bridge-upheaval-in-the-mobile-landscape

Table:
"Intel Mobile Sandy Bridge (LV/ULV)"

 

[42streetsdown]

Thunderbolt on an MBA? Where would it fit? Would they have to take out a USB port to compensate? One reason they took out the Ethernet connection was so they could keep it thin*, and surely they'd have a similar issue with the Thunderbolt?

* the other reason being of course so they could get an additional 3600 yen from you when you bought a USB-Ethernet adaptor...

Thunderbolt replaces the mini display port

 

[igazza]

im sold if the 11 inch comes with 4GB of ram.

 

[Sonny1]

Not new enough

I switched from Mac laptops to Minis a couple of years ago because I did not want, and still don't, glossy displays. Now I can choose matte displays and any sizes I need at lower prices than Apple's.
I also use backlighted keyboards, also non-Apple products.
And I buy RAM chips elsewhere because of the price differences.
So, Apple has lost me as a customer for some of its products. CAUTION: This will not bankrupt Apple.
--- But it sure saves me a bundle, gives me what I need.
--Another 'but:" I would buy Apple laptops and iMacs IF I could get what I need:
matte displays and backlit keyboards.
I suppose I should admit that I have a Kindle, not an iPad. I also have an old nano and an iTouch...
and I like Apple products. I jsut refuse to buy those listed above.

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

No mini update rumors makes me a sad panda

It will definitely get Thunderbolt, the SD slot could get replaced with an SDXC slot and Sandy Bridge means Intel graphics, but the only thing the Mac mini really needs is the 2.0GHz quad-core that is in the 15" MacBook Pro.

Good morning! Mac mini was the first Mac which had a SDXC-slot. Mac OS X 10.6.4 for these machines contains the necessary exFAT-drivers. Mac OS X 10.6.5 or newer supports third party SDXC-readers.

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

Thunderbolt replaces the mini display port

It is an extension of the DP-spec.

 

[thogin]

Those of you wanting a backlit keyboard should consider learning to touch type. The little bump on the f and j keys serve a purpose.

OTOH if you want a backlit keyboard solely for the coolness factor, that's fine too.

 

[deconstruct60]

I'm being lazy so I'll quote my own post:...

Sandy Bridge lineup:
13": 25W CPU + 4W PCH = 29W
11": 17W CPU + 4W PCH = 21W

the problem wit the 17W CPU+GPU is that Intel chops the graphics clock speed from 650MHz ( on the implementation used in MBP 13") to 350MHz. That is a 46% reduction in speed. That is going to impact performance. Same circuit design run 46% slower is going to loose throughput.

That is how they are doing the limbo under 35W... underclocking CPU a bit and underclocking the GPU substantially.

The 25W i7's have the same issue: 350MHz clocked GPUs.

I imagine these will run decent ( relative to the 9400M ) graphics results when the CPU are running lightly loaded and can "turbo" the graphics core up to back up over the 35W versions' baseline. Will probably be a step backwards from the 320Ms though except in niche activities like HD playback. However, it should be "good enough" for mainstream usage.

 

[macjonny1]

I don't mean to create a debate, but other than a cool factor doesn't the screen provide enough light for the keyboard? Or am I missing something in terms of use.

Exactly. Light from screen + typing skills = no need for backlit keyboard!

 

[patent10021]

Now just add the backlit keyboard and it will be perfect.

I was shopping at Yodobashi Camera today and was surprised to see a new Mac corner that resembled a small Apple store. They've had a good selection for a long time but this is a whole new deal. Was with a friend who will also be buying a MacBook or MacAir and we decided to wait to see if the summer MBAs come with the backlit keyboard. Worth the wait if it comes with one. Same with Thunderbolt.

 

[Parystec]

Only just go one

Dam Dam Dam I only just bought one in April

 

[patent10021]

I don't mean to create a debate, but other than a cool factor doesn't the screen provide enough light for the keyboard? Or am I missing something in terms of use.

Good Q but no it doesn't provide enough light if you have your brightness all the way down to not annoy others in a dark room. Family sleeping, friends watching a movie, people in the studio, people enjoying the park at night, sleeping neighbor on the long haul flight etc

 

[DelisleBA.info]

Maybe I will buy one if

They have a backlit keyboard. Lets hope so.

 

[MacChinoNyc]

BACKLIT KEYBOARD and Im in

I'll switch over from my Sony Vaio.

Cmon Apple, dont ignore your public