Here's what I think the future will be like for the MacBook family:
1. The Retina MBP will follow the MBA's footsteps: crazy expensive at debut, but price will fall significantly over the next 1-2 years. Once it falls to $1,800 or below, the rMBP will become much more mainstream and eventually reign as the king for professionals.
Reasoning: Nothing much to explain here. The rMBP is just pure awesome. Everyone and their mother will buy one when the price drops.
2. The non-Retina MBPs will continue to receive minor spec bumps for another 1-2 years, but no significant changes. After the rMBP drops to around $1,800, Apple will discontinue the non-rMBPs.
Reasoning: The MagSafe 2 was created out of necessity for the rMBP. The MBA, however, was doing just fine with the old MagSafe but received the MagSafe 2 update as well. Maybe as future-proof for an even slimmer profile in the future, or maybe just to keep everything the same across the board. Whatever the reason, the fact that Apple only gave it to the MBA and not the non-rMBP when neither currently requires a MagSafe 2 is a clear indication that Apple will kill off the non-retina MBPs soon.
3. In the meantime, Apple will roll out a 13" rMBP that's mainly geared for prosumers, people who are willing to buy a slightly heavier computer than the Air to enjoy the Retina display.
Reasoning: 13" is Apple's best-selling size, and they love to give customers a choice for the 13"s. Back in 2009, you could buy the white MacBook or pay a little bit extra for the same computer in an aluminum unibody and a few extra minor features. Not quite professional, just prosumer. Likewise, in about 2014, you can buy the MBA for a true everyday laptop or shell out a little more for a 13" rMBP with enhanced features.
Beyond that, it's too hard to say what will happen. I'm sure Apple will eventually figure out a way to squeeze a Retina display into an Air, but by then it'll be nothing to write home about. They might drop the Air and just call it a MacBook because the Air will no longer be super thin once rMBPs and ultrabooks become mainstream. Or maybe tablets will prove to be the future everyone claims them to be and take over the world. Who knows.
1. The Retina MBP will follow the MBA's footsteps: crazy expensive at debut, but price will fall significantly over the next 1-2 years. Once it falls to $1,800 or below, the rMBP will become much more mainstream and eventually reign as the king for professionals.
Reasoning: Nothing much to explain here. The rMBP is just pure awesome. Everyone and their mother will buy one when the price drops.
2. The non-Retina MBPs will continue to receive minor spec bumps for another 1-2 years, but no significant changes. After the rMBP drops to around $1,800, Apple will discontinue the non-rMBPs.
Reasoning: The MagSafe 2 was created out of necessity for the rMBP. The MBA, however, was doing just fine with the old MagSafe but received the MagSafe 2 update as well. Maybe as future-proof for an even slimmer profile in the future, or maybe just to keep everything the same across the board. Whatever the reason, the fact that Apple only gave it to the MBA and not the non-rMBP when neither currently requires a MagSafe 2 is a clear indication that Apple will kill off the non-retina MBPs soon.
3. In the meantime, Apple will roll out a 13" rMBP that's mainly geared for prosumers, people who are willing to buy a slightly heavier computer than the Air to enjoy the Retina display.
Reasoning: 13" is Apple's best-selling size, and they love to give customers a choice for the 13"s. Back in 2009, you could buy the white MacBook or pay a little bit extra for the same computer in an aluminum unibody and a few extra minor features. Not quite professional, just prosumer. Likewise, in about 2014, you can buy the MBA for a true everyday laptop or shell out a little more for a 13" rMBP with enhanced features.
Beyond that, it's too hard to say what will happen. I'm sure Apple will eventually figure out a way to squeeze a Retina display into an Air, but by then it'll be nothing to write home about. They might drop the Air and just call it a MacBook because the Air will no longer be super thin once rMBPs and ultrabooks become mainstream. Or maybe tablets will prove to be the future everyone claims them to be and take over the world. Who knows.
