Apple's New MacBook Air Uses MacBook-Class Amber Lake Chip [Updated]

[otternonsense]

It is a mess. But I think it has a lot to do with Steve Jobs legacy then anything else.

The Air was his baby and Tim Cook wouldn’t dare kill off something so near and dear to Steve.

Steve knew how to cut his losses, move on and not linger in the past.

The “Air” moniker does not make ANY sense in 2018 when pretty much all of their MacBooks are ultraportables. The only thing it now alludes to is maybe how its specs have vanished into thin air.

What a hot mess of a product. And why wasn’t Ive narrating anything yesterday?

 

[forbegos34]

Well, optimizing also for user value, which is something Apple historically did pre-Cook.

Agreed but all in support of the goal of maximizing profits. And that is ok. That is what they should be doing.

 

[tromboneaholic]

why wasn’t Ive narrating anything yesterday?

It seemed like overall there was an effort to introduce new faces (aside from Angela – who needs no introduction or last name).

 

[otternonsense]

Agreed but all in support of the goal of maximizing profits. And that is ok. That is what they should be doing.

No, it is not OK. What kind of Stockholm syndrome is this. They could still be doing it without being so insufferably bean-countery and lame.

 

[forbegos34]

No, it is not OK. What kind of Stockholm syndrome is this. They could still be doing it without being so insufferably bean-countery and lame.

Don't disagree. I said that's what they should be doing. Never said the way they are doing it is the most effective way to do it though.
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It seemed like overall there was an effort to introduce new faces (aside from Angela – who needs no introduction or last name).

Oh yes, Angela, the person that completely ruined me visiting any Apple Store to buy apple products. That Angela?

 

[AppleHaterLover]

Oh yes, Angela, the person that completely ruined me visiting any Apple Store to buy apple products. That Angela?

I'm at a loss as to how many people with a job are visiting Apple Stores for "creativity" classes

 

[otternonsense]

Don't disagree. I said that's what they should be doing. Never said the way they are doing it is the most effective way to do it though.

Context is a powerful thing though, no?

I don’t expect them to suddenly turn into benevolent innovators, but a bit of focusing and balancing wouldn’t hurt their manic revenue stream. In fact, it might lead to interesting Macs again.

 

[forbegos34]

I'm at a loss as to how many people with a job are visiting Apple Stores for "creativity" classes

I am at loss at how difficult and painful it is to go to an Apple Store to buy anything.
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Context is a powerful thing though, no?

I don’t expect them to suddenly turn into benevolent innovators, but a bit of focusing and balancing wouldn’t hurt their manic revenue stream. In fact, it might lead to interesting Macs again.

Exactly. Doing that might lead to more profit. Which is my point.

 

[KPOM]

MacBook Air sounds better than MacBook Basic! The word MacBook is just a precursor for a while now, at least from when Steve held the Air up in the air.

Down the line - a year - we might just have the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro left standing. Thinning the crowd, sounds good.

I think the 12” MacBook will stick around. They could have called the new notebook the 13” MacBook (and I’m guessing that was Apple’s original plan when they released the 12” MacBook) but used Air because the brand apparently still has appeal for Macs (though apparently not for iPads).

The MacBook wasn’t upgraded since Amber Lake isn’t much of an upgrade. Any speed improvements the MacBook Air have over the MacBook are as much to do with the improved thermals as with the clock speed boost. Arguably the i7 MacBook has the same maximum CPU speed as the MacBook Air but is more likely to throttle.

 

[jackietreeh0rn]

Help me out. I'm looking to buy a new Mac. My use case is mostly browsing/music/editing documents and coding(Python/Java). Would the latest MBA be good? Or should I better go for the MBP? (Looking at the 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD option)

 

[tromboneaholic]

I think the 12” MacBook will stick around. They could have called the new notebook the 13” MacBook (and I’m guessing that was Apple’s original plan when they released the 12” MacBook) but used Air because the brand apparently still has appeal for Macs (though apparently not for iPads).

The MacBook wasn’t upgraded since Amber Lake isn’t much of an upgrade. Any speed improvements the MacBook Air have over the MacBook are as much to do with the improved thermals as with the clock speed boost. Arguably the i7 MacBook has the same maximum CPU speed as the MacBook Air but is more likely to throttle.

When Steve introduced the Air, it was an expensive, underpowered, extremely portable laptop. Over time, Apple just gave it minor refreshes until it was an aging computer that was affordable and "beloved."

Apple really should have introduced the 12" MacBook as the MacBook Air replacement (underpowered and lightweight).

This year's 13" MacBook Air would be the new MacBook (mid range specs).

And then you have 13" and 15" MacBook Pros (top of the line).

In the end, it seems like for some reason the naming of the machines is inconsistent, but the lineup makes sense.

 

[Salty Pirate]

Help me out. I'm looking to buy a new Mac. My use case is mostly browsing/music/editing documents and coding(Python/Java). Would the latest MBA be good? Or should I better go for the MBP? (Looking at the 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD option)

It would be more than good. Pro would be overkill unless you need four USB-C ports, 32 GB RAM, or a 4/6 core.

 

[dafodeu]

Surface laptop 2 is using quadcore CPUs

Oh my mistake. I thought it was a dual-core.

 

[AllenAmini]

I have a question for all the experts here. I am an elementary principal teacher and I’ve been using a mid 2012 MacBook Pro which is now running quite slow. MagSafe is emmensely important with kids ages 7-12 walking around and MagSafe has saved my MacBook Pro quite a few times. I figure I’ll get used to the keyboard as I’m not typing long essays all day long. I’ll need a dock to stay in class. My question is: are there docks that incorporate a MagSafe style magnetic connector? I have seen adapters that allow for a magnetic connection, but if is incorporated into a dock that would be a big plus. Thanks ahead for any input.

 

[zla]

When Steve introduced the Air, it was an expensive, underpowered, extremely portable laptop. Over time, Apple just gave it minor refreshes until it was an aging computer that was affordable and "beloved."

Apple really should have introduced the 12" MacBook as the MacBook Air replacement (underpowered and lightweight).

This year's 13" MacBook Air would be the new MacBook (mid range specs).

And then you have 13" and 15" MacBook Pros (top of the line).

In the end, it seems like for some reason the naming of the machines is inconsistent, but the lineup makes sense.

This is true most people forget it launched with a 1799 price tag? while you could pick up a white macbook for 1099.. the good old days, Steve Jobs was alive and Windows was crap so there was a real advantage.

 

[Mainsail]

I think people should judge the new MBA in the context of its intended customer. The lower power CPU yields 12 hour battery life......that’s huge for a lot of the average everyday consumers. Touch ID is a great convenience for shopping and Apple Pay. Most of the average laptop buyers will never come close to taxing the CPU of these machines.

Just as a reminder, when the beloved (I think Tim basically admitted the MBA is still their most popular laptop) prior incarnation of the MBA was released in 2010, these were some of the particulars:

• 2 GB RAM on base model
• 7 hours of Battery Life
• No Backlit Keyboard
• Mini Display Port rather than Thunderbolt 2
• TN display
• Entry price $1299

The new MBA:

• Retina Display
• Touch ID
• 12 hours battery life
• 8GB RAM
• Backlight Keyboard
• Premium Speakers
• Entry price $1199

When Apple releases a new or redesigned model, the price typically increases compared to the existing model. So, while the MBA went from $999 to $1,199.....that’s really comparing Apples and Oranges. You can’t compare pricing to a model that has been in production for 8 years. It is more reasonable to compare entry price on release: $1,299 (2010) vs $1,199 (2018). My guess is that as production ramps up and the model ages, the entry price for the new MBA will drift back down to $999. But, either way, that’s a $100 lower entry price for a much better device after 8 years of inflation.

Look, I understand that technology moves rapidly, and we should expect better tech for the same price. In this case, you are getting a much better device for a lower entry price point. I think a ton of people are going to buy these things.....as long as the keyboard isn’t an unreliable hot mess.

 

[curmudgeonette]

I don't see a purpose of an ARM Mac when more and more Apple seems to be positioning the iPad Pro as their answer to the "ARM Laptop"

Instead of paying nearly $300 to Intel, Apple could pay $75 to TSMC, and then pass along the savings. Actually, the savings would be even higher - with an Apple designed SOC, the T2 functionality would be included in the SOC and wouldn't need an extra chip.

 

[Mainsail]

BTW - I am sitting here at my favorite coffee shop. There are lots of students and remote office workers. Conservatively, half of the laptops (probably more) are MBAs. My guess is that most of these folks will just automatically update to the new MBA when they are ready to replace their computers. Apple would have been crazy if they had thrown away the MBA brand.

 

[baryon]

What's the point of the current MacBook, now? (Though to be fair, what was the point of it when it was released?) It's a little bit thinner, but it costs more, and performs worse.
Though to be fair, the Air performs poorly too, and costs a lot too.

Either make it affordable, or make it perform well, but a computer that costs a lot and performs poorly just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[tromboneaholic]

prior incarnation of the MBA was released in 2010, these were some of the particulars:

• 2 GB RAM on base model
• 7 hours of Battery Life
• No Backlit Keyboard
• Mini Display Port rather than Thunderbolt 2
• TN display
• Entry price $1299

The new MBA:

• Retina Display
• Touch ID
• 12 hours battery life
• 8GB RAM
• Backlight Keyboard
• Premium Speakers
• Entry price $1199

When Apple releases a new or redesigned model, the price typically increases compared to the existing model. So, while the MBA went from $999 to $1,199.....that’s really comparing Apples and Oranges. You can’t compare pricing to a model that has been in production for 8 years. It is more reasonable to compare entry price on release: $1,299 (2010) vs $1,199 (2018). My guess is that as production ramps up and the model ages, the entry price for the new MBA will drift back down to $999. But, either way, that’s a $100 lower entry price for a much better device after 8 years of inflation.

Look, I understand that technology moves rapidly, and we should expect better tech for the same price. In this case, you are getting a much better device for a lower entry price point. I think a ton of people are going to buy these things.....as long as the keyboard isn’t an unreliable hot mess.

The original Macbook Air was introduced in 2008 for $1799.

I remember thinking that was crazy.
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What's the point of the current MacBook, now?

It's 3/4 of a pound lighter and a little smaller. Some people value portability and won't tax the processor for what they use it.

 

[Mainsail]

When Steve introduced the Air, it was an expensive, underpowered, extremely portable laptop. Over time, Apple just gave it minor refreshes until it was an aging computer that was affordable and "beloved."

Apple really should have introduced the 12" MacBook as the MacBook Air replacement (underpowered and lightweight).

This year's 13" MacBook Air would be the new MacBook (mid range specs).

And then you have 13" and 15" MacBook Pros (top of the line).

In the end, it seems like for some reason the naming of the machines is inconsistent, but the lineup makes sense.

The problem is that the customer for the rMB is not the same person as the customer for the MBA. The rMB is for the person that travels a lot and wants an ultra ultra portable. The MBA is the everyday computer for the typical consumer: student, office worker, home business, etc.. Forget about the “Air” part of the name....it’s irrelevant. This is not about which computer is the lightest and deserves the name “Air”. This is about customer and brand loyalty. There is a huge base of loyal MBA customers that want a reliable everyday computer with a 13 inch screen and killer battery life. The MBA model is associated with this customer base.....so, Apple is just aligning the product with the customer......Apple spent years building this model/customer association and they would be crazy to throw it away or start associating with a more niche product like the rMB just to be more precise about naming conventions.

 

[tks900]

BTW - I am sitting here at my favorite coffee shop. There are lots of students and remote office workers. Conservatively, half of the laptops (probably more) are MBAs. My guess is that most of these folks will just automatically update to the new MBA when they are ready to replace their computers. Apple would have been crazy if they had thrown away the MBA brand.

Right on. The name doesn’t make sense, except it will help them sell a ton of them. Which is what Apple does: They sell computers.

Naming the 2016 MacBook the MacBookAir would not have been a good idea, because it was too expensive and too specific with just one port. The way they did it now, they got some customers to buy the MacBook, others to buy the old Air, and when that stopped selling, and people got used to the idea of USB-C only, they created a new machine for everybody, which of course must be called the Air again.

 

[tromboneaholic]

The problem is that the customer for the rMB is not the same person as the customer for the MBA. The rMB is for the person that travels a lot and wants an ultra ultra portable. The MBA is the everyday computer for the typical consumer: student, office worker, home business, etc.. Forget about the “Air” part of the name....it’s irrelevant. This is not about which computer is the lightest and deserves the name “Air”. This is about customer and brand loyalty. There is a huge base of loyal MBA customers that want a reliable everyday computer with a 13 inch screen and killer battery life. The MBA model is associated with this customer base.....so, Apple is just aligning the product with the customer......Apple spent years building this model/customer association and they would be crazy to throw it away or start associating with a more niche product like the rMB just to be more precise about naming conventions.

Yes. I agree the "Air" brand has shifted, so to speak. And that's fine if it works, which I'm sure Apple has the data to know if it will.

It's just as someone who has been following Apple, the current laptop line naming scheme strikes me like Honda swapping the Civic and Accord badges on their cars.

Again, Apple has more data than I do. The fact Tim touted that 51% (i think) Mac buyers are new to Mac means (I think) that they are focusing on these new customers who don't have hangups about was "was."

 

[Mainsail]

The original Macbook Air was introduced in 2008 for $1799.

I remember thinking that was crazy.
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It's 3/4 of a pound lighter and a little smaller. Some people value portability and won't tax the processor for what they use it.

I was refer to the one that was released in 2010, which was a very different body and style. The 2008 model was a niche product.....like the rMB. The 2010 model was Apple’s attempt to redefine the ultra portable laptop into a popular everyday computer for the average user. There are substantial differences between the 2008 and the 2010 models. The body style of the 2010 is the same one that was used for 8 years until this recent October release.

 

[tks900]

Maybe to add: I have a MBP at home and a Macbook 12 inch in the office because I travel a lot for the job and needed the ultra portability. That’s the kind of customer I am. The kind to spend time in tech forums. You know who will get the Air? My wife. Told her they’re released, she wants the upgrade, Air brand name rings a bell. Sold. No questions asked.