ok, unless Apple gets early sandy bridge CPUs MBA refresh going to be evolutionary than revolutionary
$1099 price point is always welcome
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Both 13-Inch and 11-Inch MacBook Air Models Next Week?
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ok, unless Apple gets early sandy bridge CPUs MBA refresh going to be evolutionary than revolutionary
$1099 price point is always welcome
You forgot the single most significant factor: Netbooks are cheap. Very little over $600 is considered a netbook generally, but it's not just price. They use cheap plastic components to get the price down, so the overall netbook is cheap, not just inexpensive, but low build quality.
The MBA is a premium ultraportable computer. There's a separate market there, and it's not just Apple. High build quality, much better performance than the ARM processors often found in netbooks, and thin and light without being cramped. That's a market that a significant number of people buy into, and which the MBA is well-placed in (though of course a bit outdated now). Just because it's not as fast and has fewer ports doesn't make it a netbook.
jW
Well, there you go. Comparing an MAC to ACER is comparing Apples to lemons.
Your entire reasoning of how pricing occurs depends on the two machines being exactly alike in all ways except for a logo/casing. They aren't alike, and the development and marketing are completely different.
$999 IF LUCKY.
$1099 probable, for the lowest end Air.
UNLESS-they chop the design, make a pad, and rip out a bit of the hardware/ports.
We'll see Wednesday, but historically Apple has never said "price reduction" and then slashed more than 33% off their computers/devices, if ever that much. Usually Apple says something about price reducing and you get a $100 token discount.
"Rip Off" is an incorrect term. Rip-off would assume you are getting something that doesn't function as sold. "Over-priced" would be better, but it is very subjective. Objectively you would describe it as expensive or excessive compared to the average market for machines with similar function.
I think we're likely to see an 11" MBA weigh in at about $1399, with the 13" MBA at $1599, to keep Apple's pricing structure all in line. That's reasonable, I think, if they're going to all SSD (even if it's built-in, that doesn't mean they'll drop the price compared to having a standard HDD). Best case scenario, maybe $1299 for the 11". That said, I was way off on the iPad pricing, and Apple's surprised me in other ways recently too, so I'm not going to rule out the possibility of a $999 11" MBA. I don't think it's likely though.
jW
jW
So you think profit is the difference between end user sales price and bill of parts?
based on the sales, i am guessing iPad line will become 4 or 3 sku(s) from 6 different sku(s) and max out at $800 - this will happen when 7" iPad or next gen iPad is relased.
MBA will be at $1099 and $1299 anything over $1299 not going sell in MBA form. (price is one of the factor MBA not selling well even with C2D CPUs in them)
i don't think the price iwll be lower than $1200. the actuall price of the air with ssd is $1800, and i don't see why it should be $600 cheaper. perhaps if apple has a cheaper modeel with only 64GB ssd and 2GB memory, but i don't think that apple will sell such "light" product.
But that 33% would be off the existing 13.3" model. My guess would be a $1,299 tag on the new 13.3", and $999 on the 11.6".
Compared to similar devices the MBA is overpriced, and if the main specs remain the same a more significant price reduction is in order.
They are called opinions. Unless you work for Apple's marketing agencies I don't know how any of us can be right or wrong in positing what decisions/tradeoffs Apple used when deciding what goes into new products. The speculation is part of the fun.
That could just as easy describe most PC full featured notebooks -- inexpensive, cheap components, low build quality. All Macs have better build quality than 99% of PC laptops of whatever variety. MBA is not excluded. But performance-wise the MBA is on par w/ a netbook not a full feature notebook, Apple's marketing terminology notwithstanding. Just look at the bench marks between a MBA and MB.
There is nothing in the "netbook" definition that requires a netbook to be inexpensive (I'd say the Dell Mini 12 is not inexpensive for what it is), or cramped (there are netbooks w/ decent keyboards), or low build quality (some of the Lenovo's are actually quite good considering).
The 2.13 / 1.86 ghz processors are weak? Since when? There was a point in the not so recent past where that was top of the line. You seem to be ignorant to the face that the i3/i5/i7 are the new kids on the block.
There's another reason you didn't even consider. When I think netbook, I certainly think of a price near 4 figures. I would never put the netbook segment, targeted to those that are willing to trade off power for price, near 1,000 bills. Then again, because you never mentioned that, we'll throw that consideration right out.
You can't give me any real reasons besides the incorrect ones you've listed. So it's lightweight... So is the MacBook. So it has limited inputs... That alone makes it a netbook? Useful for the web and Office apps? So are all other computers. I fail to see your point. Probably because there isn't one, and you're just turned on by the fax that you think you're right.
Love that you tell me to look in the mirror, and then proceed to list reasons why you're right. There is no debate with you. You're here to argue, and I could care less what you post after this.
Fire away, kiddo.
They are called opinions. Unless you work for Apple's marketing agencies I don't know how any of us can be right or wrong in positing what decisions/tradeoffs Apple used when deciding what goes into new products. The speculation is part of the fun.
While I do find debate here very fun, there are a number of egos that turn things into arguments. Debating here is a ton of good fun. It's when it turns into a heated argument online behind computer screens that it gets absurd.
you probably already know about this...
But you can hook up to ethernet with even the current MacBook Air. It's a usb dongle so maybe that doesn't cut it for your network diagnosing needs... but yeah, it's an option.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB442Z/A
But you can hook up to ethernet with even the current MacBook Air. It's a usb dongle so maybe that doesn't cut it for your network diagnosing needs... but yeah, it's an option.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB442Z/A
This is just wishful thinking.
You apparently have no experience with business class laptops like the Thinkpads or Latitudes - and haven't looked at the reports of broken hinges, cracking cases, yellowing plastic, failing graphics, and other problems with Apples.
Of course, you are right if you're comparing $700 laptops with $2500 Apples - but compare a $2500 Dell laptop to the Apple and you'll find that the Dell (or Lenovo) is just as well made as the Apple. Sometimes better made - since "thin" is not the prime objective.
because component prices getting cheaper
SSD is definitely getting cheaper - when the newer SSD comes from Intel - it is getting cheaper at 80GB - apple might get better price than the retail price
4GB RAM one stick also getting cheaper
Unibody design - cost spread between few different models MB, MBA, MBP
$1099 is doable but anything below requires to forgo Intel CPUs and get some form ARM CPU or AMD CPU. Also from Anandtech review of sandy bridge, the Intel IGP does look good for machines like MBA.
no, the white macbook is there for those who want a mac under 1K. We don't know the price of the new Air yet, but most likely it will be a bit cheaper than the current models. I don't think either one will fall under 1K though.
MBA always going to be your second computer/laptop, many of us use Macbook as primary computer with an external monitor.
Also if Steve blesses it MB might even get cheaper - how? i am not sure.
hey, apple has all the money in the world, let them do something bring down the cost for all of us. not dead cheap but more affordable -does not hurt.
Wrong, I use an MBA as my main computer for home & work- it's just as reliable as my 13" MBP was.
how many wires running through your MBA?
one usb, no ethernet, no super drive, no SD card slot ...
sorry, but this is no option. i want ethernet becouse of the speed, the usb-ethernet-dongle isn't fast enough.
i don't know why apple can't build in an ethernet-mechanism like in the sony vaio x11/x13 -but this is apple... only becouse of the air...
sorry, but this is no option. i want ethernet becouse of the speed, the usb-ethernet-dongle isn't fast enough.
i don't know why apple can't build in an ethernet-mechanism like in the sony vaio x11/x13 -but this is apple... only becouse of the air...
usb 3 would solve this
@shanmugam 1099 ist possible, but not for apple (or i don't think so). 700 cheaper? amd cpus are possible, but not until the fusion apus. arm cpus are not possible, becouse apple had to give the developers time to compile / rewrite their software for arms.
So if Sony came out with a 'netbook' with a killer processor and a really high price it would be in the same category?
I, personally, would never buy another computer with less than a 13" screen. The screen just isn't usable when you get any smaller. Most websites are now setup for wide screen monitors and having to scroll around to see the sides of a page really blows, not to mention setting a word processing program to show you WYSIWYG-like resolution and then having old eyes that can't see what you are typing.
Apple can make an 11" Air. They can try to sell an 11" Air. I ain't gonna buy no 11" Air. Netbooks are (hopefully) a fad that has worn out its time in the sun. Good riddance...
But being Apple, they will probably once again snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and win with it... Maybe...
Wait and see...
And the not a USB slot being eSATA? Interesting idea. It looks too shallow but possibly it's being blocked by something. It looks very narrow. Like a Mini Displayport connector? Hmmm... Some new port from Apple? (Hooks to the Apple iCoffemaker?
Hey, maybe it's an Ethernet port?