Apple Updates MacBook Air Line With Sandy Bridge, Thunderbolt and Backlit Keyboards

[stevenpa]

It will be my primary computer. I'm watching the 1080 content directly on my computer. Sure, there aren't enough pixels on the 13" MBA to support 1920x1080 but I still watch it anyway.

I know my biggest annoyance would be the drag and unresponsiveness.

Well I'd say it'll be a bit slower every once in a while but not by much. Wait for actual reviews from users to come out.


In terms of 1080 I still don't understand why you need to watch it in that resolution. It takes up more space (especially when a 720 mkv is almost as clear and you can barely tell the difference even on a 40inch LED) and will heat up you laptop a lot more.

 

[timoroso]

That was a rumor that was supposedly debunked.

Yes, in another rumor. Since there has been so much baseless speculation around this release, I am personally going to wait to see some concrete proof about how the Air's SSD is.

 

[Chopstick217]

I couldnt resist and just pulled the trigger on a maxed out 13 inch air

 

[TheRealHershey]

Is anyone else really pissed that an optional upgrade to 8GBs of ram/memory isn't offered at all, even on the top of the line 13 incher!?!

 

[ilfn143]

you had me at i5... it's not a question of if i'll buy it it's a question of how am i gonna pay for it...

 

[RobQuads]

Laptopmag.com did it for you.

11 MBA Benchmarks Geekbench = 5,040 (1.6 GHz i5)
13 MBA Benchmarks Geekbench = 5,860 (1.7 GHz i5)

wow that is interesting. These Sandy-Bridge processers are very impressive.

Its interesting to see how close they are now to last years MBPs. In fact will be interesting to see if the 1.8Ghz i7 will trump all of last years laptops

 

[hogprint]

.

 

[hogprint]

for those of you ordering the ultimate mba 13", what are your delivery estimates?

21-22 July here for a 13" top standard spec

 

[johnmcboston]

Yeah, I haven't thought about the battery drain. Darn. I suppose I need to be patient to see reviews of how big a drain that is. I do use the 11inch for primarily writing in cafes, so I wouldn't want to limit my time even more. I mean, are we talking 5 hours vs 4 1/2 hours or something more subtle or drastic? I understand these things aren't in peoples hands yet of course!

Pick up a hyperjuice...

 

[rovex]

Lovely, just what I wanted.

 

[iExpensive]

Is anyone else really pissed that an optional upgrade to 8GBs of ram/memory isn't offered at all, even on the top of the line 13 incher!?!

8GB is overkill for people wanting pro machines. Is it taboo to close an application where your from?

 

[ToM7]

no white macbook anymore im disappointed apple
i totally love the white macbook
bad move apple bad move

 

[Chopstick217]

for those of you ordering the ultimate mba 13", what are your delivery estimates?

Added the i7, estimated July 27th-29th standard delivery

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Apparently its down to about 4:46 hrs per Laptopmag.com They say the prev gen 11 MBA got 5:18 in the same test.

But I'm not sure if they conditioned the battery first (full charge, then full discharge, then full charge again.).

That is really disappointing news.

Yes I wanted the backlit keyboard back, but couldn't they have improved the battery a little? Or at least kept its life expectancy the same?

An ultraportable computer with a flat battery is a hunk of junk.

 

[TheRealHershey]

8GB is overkill for people wanting pro machines. Is it taboo to close an application where your from?

Yes. I usually only have 3 - 5 programs open at a time, and a few menubar apps, but when you have 15+ tabs in chrome open and would also like to have photoshop and lightroom open (and actually responsive), 8GBs of ram is awesome. After I upgraded to 8GBs of ram in my 2010 MBP 13, it had 75% of the same effect of going from an HDD to an SDD, even with everyday usage.

 

[bigp9998]

That is really disappointing news.

Yes I wanted the backlit keyboard back, but couldn't they have improved the battery a little? Or at least kept its life expectancy the same?

An ultraportable computer with a flat battery is a hunk of junk.

I knew this was going to happen. First people whine and whine about the lack of a backlit keyboard, and then when Apple listens to them and does what they ask for, they start whining about the extra power consumption it takes to give them the feature they were whining about.

 

[sparkie7]

Finally a solid and worthwhile revision. I am severely tempted.

The only gripe is no 8GB RAM upgrade option. C'mon  don't be so tight. And who cares if it marginally cannibalises MBP sales. As their going to be replaced by the Air anyway.

 

[diamond.g]

8GB is overkill for people wanting pro machines. Is it taboo to close an application where your from?

With Lions Resume, where do you think application state is stored?

 

[Sensamic]

No 8GB RAM!!!?????? ILL HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR!!!!!!!

 

[cookie.monster]

availability in amazon store

Does anyone know how long it would take for amazon to stock new mba?

 

[Roessnakhan]

Does anyone know how long it would take for amazon to stock new mba?

I would say a few days.

 

[genosseinski]

I think the MacBook Air 13" will be my first Apple notebook. Basically includes everything I want from a laptop and I hope it will be more reliable and zippy than my old Dell Vista machine.

There is just one big question: Are 256 GB worth 300 bucks? That's a tough decision. Do you think the SSD is replaceable? How much are current 256 GB SSDs now and how easy it is to replace them (hardwarewise, installing lion and that stuff)

Also thinking about a good case/sleeve. Any suggestions?
I have a VGA-DVI adapter, can I just buy a DVI adapter and connect that one with my VGA-DVI adapter?

 

[StevoVandy06]

Hey guys!

So...I need help.

I'm definitely getting a 13" macbook air. Ready to pull the trigger on an order now for the maxed out one, 13" with 256GB HD and i7 processor

Here's my issue:

I leave for a 3 month trip on the 28th. If I order online with the i7 processor in it, it says it'll arrive on the 26-28th. I'm around the states for the next week, so if it shows up on the 28th, it's not the end of the world, I can have it shipped to me before I head overseas.

Now, I know they'll be offering these MBA's in stores starting...tomorrow? But they won't be offering the maxed out model, right? Just the i5, not the i7 in stores, is that right?

Is the i7 going to be so much faster than the i5 that I'd be stupid not to hold out and get it? The extra $100 isn't the issue, it's the time issue that i'm dealing with here...

Or will I be able to walk into an Apple store tomorrow and buy a maxed out 13" MBA?

-Steve

 

[Mustee]

Third Party Resellers

Hi:

Does anyone know when the new MBAs will be available from third party resellers like Amazon or BestBuy..? If not, then does anyone remember how long it has taken for other products to show up with resellers after Apple announces them or starts selling them from their stores..?

Thanks.

 

[iExpensive]

Hey guys!

So...I need help.

I'm definitely getting a 13" macbook air. Ready to pull the trigger on an order now for the maxed out one, 13" with 256GB HD and i7 processor

Here's my issue: ...
-Steve

Some stores do stock the ultimate configurations however they are usually the more popular stores. The best thing would be to call first thing tomorrow.