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Apple to Launch Retina MacBook Air Later This Year, According to Supply Chain Sources
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I quite like the widescreen 16:9 aspect of the 11-in MBA , but all other MacBooks are 16:10, as is 2304 x 1440.
Agree the rumoured resolution is bad news. I wouldn't buy a replacement for my 13-in MBA that had a lower resolution than the 11-in MBA, I'd rather get a less expensive 11-in MBA!
The only possible good thing about a 'retina' 2304x1440 is that whilst the native resolution is only 1152 x 720, there's likely to be a scaled halfway step of around 1512 x 945. Which is slightly better than the 13-in non-retina MBA of 1440 x 900.
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Err no it doesn't work that way.
It depends upon how you use the machine, some users will successfully make use of the enhanced screen resolution. You can't assume it will be too small for everybody because not everybody uses the machine in the same way you do.
Well in the case of 16:9 I have to agree, they are perhaps the most anti user feature on PC laptops. The smaller the machine the worst the 16:9 aspect ratio is for most creation users. 16:10 is certainly better and as such I hope Apple sticks with this if they can offer nothing better.
Yes, that is all correct. We'll see in June what the actual numbers come out to. Looking forward to it!
This does indeed sound very interesting, and as the prices for high-resolution panels in the laptop marked is plummeting I could clearly see Apple going for MacBook Air's with retina displays this time around.
Though I highly doubt Apple will go for any of these low-quality HiDPI panels that are floating around the PC-market these days, the ones you find on the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 and whatnot feature some less than ideal colour calibrations and a yellowish tint to the entire screen and I highly doubt Apple will accept anything of the sort. But you never know with the MacBook Air as these are acting as the lowest priced offerings these days so I doubt Apple wants to up the price even after moving to retina and the current displays have been some of the worst in their line-ups for the past few years, so..
Having the MacBook Air replacing the MacBook Pro 13" with retina display is nonsense, even if they release a MacBook Air 13" with retina display it wont replace the MacBook Pro 13" with retina display as they are two rather different machines when you look at raw performance. And as mobile computing is moving more and more towards 12-14" instead of 15-17" even in more demanding markets it would be foolish to only offer the MacBook Air with its tiny Ultra-Low-Voltage CPU and lower powered integrated graphics.
For students and the like the ultra-low-voltage CPU's of the MacBook Airs is more than efficient for every day usage for some years, and most will be more than satisfied with the performance of the integrated graphics, especially as Apple tends to pick out the CPU's containing superior integrated graphics compared to their competitors like with Intel Haswell where everyone else seems to opt for the integrated Intel HD 4600 in their ultrabook offerings, while Apple is going for the more powerful Intel HD 5000.
But these ultra-low-voltage CPU's doesn't not meat the requirements for some one who are going to use their machine for more CPU intensive tasks and / or go down the route of some heavy multi-tasking, and most would prefer even more performance out of their integrated GPU to be able to future proof their machine too last for more than just a few years. The MacBook Pro 13" with retina display with it's full-voltage CPU and its superior integrated graphics is a much more capable machine and in a market where prosumers are opting for smaller, lighter, more slimline machine with smaller display it would be foolish of Apple to force any one who demand more performance than what a ultra-low-voltage CPU is able to deliver into going for the 15" model just cause.
It's not like Apples line-up is in the need of being slimmed down even further, so other than perhaps replace the 11" and 13" MacBook Air with a slimmer 12" model might be a good trick it don't see a MacBook Air 13" with retina display replacing the more powerful MacBook Pro 13" with retina display. Not even with Intel Broadwell which of course will provide much better integrated graphics performance and better battery life but it won't make any major improvement in terms of efficiency per clock so the ultra-low-voltage CPU's will still be about the same performance just with lower power consumption and better graphic performance.
Though I highly doubt Apple will go for any of these low-quality HiDPI panels that are floating around the PC-market these days, the ones you find on the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 and whatnot feature some less than ideal colour calibrations and a yellowish tint to the entire screen and I highly doubt Apple will accept anything of the sort. But you never know with the MacBook Air as these are acting as the lowest priced offerings these days so I doubt Apple wants to up the price even after moving to retina and the current displays have been some of the worst in their line-ups for the past few years, so..
Having the MacBook Air replacing the MacBook Pro 13" with retina display is nonsense, even if they release a MacBook Air 13" with retina display it wont replace the MacBook Pro 13" with retina display as they are two rather different machines when you look at raw performance. And as mobile computing is moving more and more towards 12-14" instead of 15-17" even in more demanding markets it would be foolish to only offer the MacBook Air with its tiny Ultra-Low-Voltage CPU and lower powered integrated graphics.
For students and the like the ultra-low-voltage CPU's of the MacBook Airs is more than efficient for every day usage for some years, and most will be more than satisfied with the performance of the integrated graphics, especially as Apple tends to pick out the CPU's containing superior integrated graphics compared to their competitors like with Intel Haswell where everyone else seems to opt for the integrated Intel HD 4600 in their ultrabook offerings, while Apple is going for the more powerful Intel HD 5000.
But these ultra-low-voltage CPU's doesn't not meat the requirements for some one who are going to use their machine for more CPU intensive tasks and / or go down the route of some heavy multi-tasking, and most would prefer even more performance out of their integrated GPU to be able to future proof their machine too last for more than just a few years. The MacBook Pro 13" with retina display with it's full-voltage CPU and its superior integrated graphics is a much more capable machine and in a market where prosumers are opting for smaller, lighter, more slimline machine with smaller display it would be foolish of Apple to force any one who demand more performance than what a ultra-low-voltage CPU is able to deliver into going for the 15" model just cause.
It's not like Apples line-up is in the need of being slimmed down even further, so other than perhaps replace the 11" and 13" MacBook Air with a slimmer 12" model might be a good trick it don't see a MacBook Air 13" with retina display replacing the more powerful MacBook Pro 13" with retina display. Not even with Intel Broadwell which of course will provide much better integrated graphics performance and better battery life but it won't make any major improvement in terms of efficiency per clock so the ultra-low-voltage CPU's will still be about the same performance just with lower power consumption and better graphic performance.
Good question!
The current rumor, somewhat supported by Intel themselves, is that Broadwell is delayed until later in the year. That sucks of course. However Broadwell is a broad # product line, so who knows for sure what is up. Intel might offer a limited release as they ramp up production. This wouldn't be much different than the Haswell launch which was also stretched out.
In any event I don't see a significantly enhanced Air shipping before the Broadwell launch. We could see a near term bump in the next few weeks to bridge the gap if nothing Broadwell comes in time for a spring/summer launch.
Retina = normal display
I mean, the days of being prideful of having a Retina display are over as most screen manufactures are pushing out cheaper hi-DPI screens anyways. Most likely its just cheaper to make MacBook Air have Retina then the other way around. In fact Apple is going to have to consider dropping the Retina moniker in the near future because even PC notebooks and many tablets are offering higher DPI then a "Retina" device.
Unless Apple pushes way past the competitor's pixel density, there is no point to use Retina in a product name anymore.
I mean, the days of being prideful of having a Retina display are over as most screen manufactures are pushing out cheaper hi-DPI screens anyways. Most likely its just cheaper to make MacBook Air have Retina then the other way around. In fact Apple is going to have to consider dropping the Retina moniker in the near future because even PC notebooks and many tablets are offering higher DPI then a "Retina" device.
Unless Apple pushes way past the competitor's pixel density, there is no point to use Retina in a product name anymore.
When will the iMacs be updated. We hear NO NEWs about them. Are they being positioned out of the line up?
Not a chance! The iMac is the only Apple desktop that sells really well.
I'm thinking I'll get one of these and either a 4K iMac or Mac Pro with 4K Thunderbolt 2 Display to replace my 15" rMBP. I just find that using a 15" display for extended periods (like 3+ hours) is taxing on my eyes, and my 26" display won't connect to my Mac any more because it's dying and the colors are shifting horribly. At work I have a 27" iMac that is wonderful, aside a little bit of image retention. Having a little rMBA would be fantasticespecially if they can squeeze a 12" display into a form factor near the size of the 11" since it has a large bezel. Would be great to take to client meetings and for travel. Then I'd have the big, powerful machine in my home office for extended use. I like upgrading parts so maybe Mac Pro is the way to goespecially as I'm getting more into video editing. I'm starting to give up hope for an iPad Pro that would actually be usableas in having an actual file system and the ability to have apps open side-by-side with plenty of RAM. Maybe Apple will surprise me but they've been signaling that they want to stick with the Mac for productivity. A slim 12" retina device would certainly win me over. I also hope they add LTE as a BTO option.
Current gear: iPhone 5, Retina iPad Mini LTE, 15" rMBP
Replace with: 5.5" iPhone 6, 12" rMBA, and 30" 4K Thunderbolt 2 Mac Pro
Or maybe: 4.5" iPhone 6, 10-12" iPad Pro, 27-30" iMac 4K
I wonder how close we are to having 6-8 cores in the 15" MBP and quad-core in the smaller models?
The thing that worries me is the 2304x1440 display. 1152x720 usable desktop space? That's rather pitiful even for a smaller laptop. Even the 11" MBA is 1366x768. Pretty weird dimension with not much room to actually do work. I guess having a laptop that size is more about doing touchup work or dumping and rating photos, etc. But Photoshop still looks miserable. I had to collapse about all of my toolbars:
Current gear: iPhone 5, Retina iPad Mini LTE, 15" rMBP
Replace with: 5.5" iPhone 6, 12" rMBA, and 30" 4K Thunderbolt 2 Mac Pro
Or maybe: 4.5" iPhone 6, 10-12" iPad Pro, 27-30" iMac 4K
I wonder how close we are to having 6-8 cores in the 15" MBP and quad-core in the smaller models?
The thing that worries me is the 2304x1440 display. 1152x720 usable desktop space? That's rather pitiful even for a smaller laptop. Even the 11" MBA is 1366x768. Pretty weird dimension with not much room to actually do work. I guess having a laptop that size is more about doing touchup work or dumping and rating photos, etc. But Photoshop still looks miserable. I had to collapse about all of my toolbars:
Any guesses as to what "12 inches" might actually be? For example, the 11" MBA is actually 11.6" and the 13" MBA is 13.3".
If it's literally 12" then it's not much bigger than the 11"/11.6" model. As a 13"/13.3" MBA 2011 owner, considering upgrading this year, I'll be disappointed if the new model is that small. Something like 12.5" I wouldn't mind so much.
Might be time to go Pro... And I have a feeling that's what they what. Currently the 13" MBA and 13" rMBP tread on each others toes a little. Making the MBA smaller would mark them out and inevitably push people onto the Pros (whilst attracting new people to the smaller MBA)
If it's literally 12" then it's not much bigger than the 11"/11.6" model. As a 13"/13.3" MBA 2011 owner, considering upgrading this year, I'll be disappointed if the new model is that small. Something like 12.5" I wouldn't mind so much.
Might be time to go Pro... And I have a feeling that's what they what. Currently the 13" MBA and 13" rMBP tread on each others toes a little. Making the MBA smaller would mark them out and inevitably push people onto the Pros (whilst attracting new people to the smaller MBA)
When Apple releases the new MBA with a retina display they will certainly call it a rMBA. That would be a great selling point. Who would know any better otherwise?
What We Need
These days space is less of a concern with everything being stored in the cloud and ram and speed has reached a point where other than video editing it's sufficient.
The biggest problems in my opinion is dramatically improving battery life and reducing the screen bezel and thickness of the Macbook Pro as well as touch id and 4G integrated.
Of course getting smaller but better battery life are counterintuitive but if I were Apple that's what I would be focusing on.
Also hopefully MagSafe 2 goes back to before where it doesn't fall out easily and the power line can run parallel with the laptop like before.
These days space is less of a concern with everything being stored in the cloud and ram and speed has reached a point where other than video editing it's sufficient.
The biggest problems in my opinion is dramatically improving battery life and reducing the screen bezel and thickness of the Macbook Pro as well as touch id and 4G integrated.
Of course getting smaller but better battery life are counterintuitive but if I were Apple that's what I would be focusing on.
Also hopefully MagSafe 2 goes back to before where it doesn't fall out easily and the power line can run parallel with the laptop like before.
I don't care that much about battery life. Having a retina display is more important to me than battery life.
However, with an IGZO retina display and Intel Broadwell processor the battery life should be about equal (unless they make it significantly thinner).
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With the current size of the MBAs, Apple could potentially introduce an edge-to-edge Retina display, which will bolster the 11" and 13" to 12" and 14", respectively. Failing that they'd keep the bezel size and just make the display Retina.
However with the addition of a 13" rMBA, that begs the question of why keep a 13" rMBP. So I'd imagine that they'd either drop the 13" rMBP in favour of the 13" rMBA, or they'd upgrade the rMBP to a Quad-Core processor. That way there will be a clear definition between the power of their consumer and Pro portable products, and Retina will be standardised in all their laptops.
All of the above is speculation, naturally -- very excited to see what Apple will do because I haven't a clue.
Quad-core in a 13" MBP??? I don't think we are there quite yet.
May I ask why you would rather physically press down on the button to select or click something rather than just tapping the trackpad to do the same? I've never understood why Apple does this with their MacBooks. I hope they change it. I won't hesitate to buy one.
Great news indeed...
However I'm more interested in Mac Mini news at the moment. Apple, what is happening?
However I'm more interested in Mac Mini news at the moment. Apple, what is happening?
The big problem with wide screens, that are small like the AIR, is the lack of vertical space. Space that is very useful in many use cases.
If it is a bit bigger it isn't totally bad news.
I'm not sure how you guys keep screwing this up. A retina 2304 x 1440 panel by default is 2304 x 1440 native! To say otherwise is nonsense.
1152 x 720 is an alternative resolution but even then it isn't t like the old days.
there's likely to be a scaled halfway step of around 1512 x 945. Which is slightly better than the 13-in non-retina MBA of 1440 x 900.
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At some point I would expect a Mac OS update that does away with these resolution problems. The problem is that will likely outmoded many apps. As can be seen with the tweaks to the latest Mavericks updates Apple is still working on correct support for the Mac Pro under Mavericks. Moving beyond the Mavericks support for high resolution screens isn't trivial.
I highly doubt this would be the new resolution. Seems ... how do you say.. unintelligent to me
Actually jarred125, I am happy with what I have, and good point , sometimes we do not appreciate what we have.
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Why would it be cheaper? I can see 14" rMBA and 13" rMBP selling for the same base price.
Some people will value light, cool and quiet as much as others prefer power and connectivity.
The 11" MBA currently can be configured to have 8G of RAM and 512G SSD.
I don't consider that to be 'pitiful' and 'tiny'.
Some people sound like this: cry cry cry cry oh apple won't release anything sooner cry cry cry. Keep crying cuz they ain't changing their pattern for ya
This new air might use a A8 chipDammit, Apple. My Haswell Air isn't even that old.