Gurman: Apple to Announce 15-Inch MacBook Air at WWDC

[robertandrews]

If I recall correctly (https://www.theverge.com/laptop-review/23207440/apple-macbook-air-m2-2022-review), the problem/s with the new-style Air's base model are...

• Storage is split across two NAND chips, making access slower.
• 8Gb RAM seems insufficient, when compared with the MacBook Pro.

Is that right?

How likely are we to find the same issues with the 15-inch?

 

[Falhófnir]

If I recall correctly (https://www.theverge.com/laptop-review/23207440/apple-macbook-air-m2-2022-review), the problem/s with the new-style Air's base model are...

• Storage is split across two NAND chips, making access slower.
• 8Gb RAM seems insufficient, when compared with the MacBook Pro.

Is that right?

How likely are we to find the same issues with the 15-inch?

The opposite, they use 1x 256GB chip rather than 2x 128GB chips for storage, which virtually halves the speeds. 8GB RAM is certainly not generous at this point, especially not at the price point the M2 is occupying, and given it lacks a lot of the other pricey features of the Pros. I would assume these will both carry over to the 15", the 512GB storage option will hopefully but not necessarily use two chips, and there may be a 3rd high end stock configuration with 16GB RAM, but you're going to pay for it either way.

Whether this is an actual problem is a slightly different story, especially for a basic use computer. It's not particularly good value but the 8, 256 configuration will suffice for a lot of people.

 

[HK-Dragon]

Apple when you finally tuck your shirt in the pants and bring a new 24"'/27" iMach with the m3 chip? We all waiting for!!

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

Apple when you finally tuck your shirt in the pants and bring a new 24"'/27" iMach with the m3 chip? We all waiting for!!

They would if TSMC could supply the chips. Looks like production issues are the hold up. There’s an article just above your post about it. I think we’d be seeing M3 this summer or fall of Apple could get them.

 

[Elohim369]

Let’s hope the GPU configurations allow for two external monitors….pretty big blunder in the current Air. Less functionality than the hardware it replaced…

Having more than 2 external monitors is definitely a pro feature.

 

[Elohim369]

Mostly waiting for this to replace my 16" MacBook Pro. I want my 16 hour battery life please, the MBP screwed that up thanks to the pro level display, which is very bright, super color accurate, super contrasty, is thick AF and uses a ******** of battery & also gets hot.

A nice OLED screen would do just fine for my needs, and I'd get the battery life I want.

Also it's just too big. In part due to the display being extra thick, but I guess also other parts - this thing is humongous. It appeared humongous the first time I took it out of its box, and it still feels too large for 2023.

 

[bmustaf]

Having more than 2 external monitors is definitely a pro feature.

Well, first, the current Air cannot even do two. It can do one. That is all. I'm not even asking for more than 2, sure, that's MBP/beefier machine territory. But driving 2 4K displays, is that really too much to ask? Hell, the Raspberry Pi can drive three displays if you really want it to.

Second, before you assume this is the area/aegis of the MacBook Pro: have you been to Apple's marketing page for the MacBook Air? They're marketing it squarely at people using After Effects (literally the hero image is After Effects video editing). They tout it's ProRes encoding prowess. They say "supercharged" in huge letters. And say "don't take it lightly" after that.

So, is the MacBook Air *really* the low end machine it was introduced as over 10 years ago? I think Apple's basically answered that question without a doubt.

MacBook Air 13-inch and MacBook Air 15-inch

MacBook Air 13- and 15-inch laptops, now with the superfast M3 chip, perfect for AI. Lightweight, with all-day battery life and Liquid Retina display.

www.apple.com

 

[TobiasLeRoy]

You're thinking too deeply. Simplify for "average Joe:"

• The skinnier/lighter/cheaper ones come in 13" and 15" screen sizes.
• The thicker/heavier/more expensive pro ones come in 14" and 16" screen sizes.

Average Joe will have no trouble with that. Most buyers are "Average Joe."

Average Joe may not even be aware of M2 vs. M1 (and M3), SSD in one slot or two, etc. He'll simply be shopping for "an Apple laptop," more likely than not attracted to the cheaper ones (because price rules most of the consideration) and may only really be debating 13" vs. 15" because "I'm no pro user."

Pro/Power Joe will probably ignore the Air options because they need POWER, so they will only be considering the 14" and 16" options, loaded of course, because they need BTO maximization for "more power." Whether they actually use that full power much or not is beside the point. They'll see the Airs as relative toys.

Not so many will be thinking every model vs. every other model. Buyers will just split on price vs. "pro" and then have only 2 real choices (I'm mostly just dismissing MBpro 13" here).

As to all "would you pay just a little more for..." logic, that can get you all the way to a fully loaded MBpro. Apple hopes people are concerned with paying "only a little more" for a "bit more" Mac. There's lots of profit in pulling the purchase up for "a little more."

I am one of those "Average Joes" of which you speak. I currently have a 13" MBP (late 2016). I don't need nor do I want all of the super high rev go fast power, what I DO want is a bigger screen for these old and tired eyes and less weight. The 15" M2 MBA may just fill that bill, depending on the final product specs and price. My first Apple laptop was a 15" MBP, I lugged it all over the US and Europe and it got to be a real PITA, so weight is a big deal to me as I do a fair amount of traveling.