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Given Apple's track record when it comes to entry-level models, they might just keep the existing rMB but cut the price to make it the new MBA, and an improved rMB (more ports, a better CPU, who knows) will close the gap between the entry-level rMB and notbMBP.
Wouldn’t that turn the rMB into the 13” rMBP sans TouchBar?
 
I just hope they switch from Intel ??

I mean ryzen / vega combo is the best out there now....for mobile / all in one chip...
 
Macbook Air's display is low quality compared to the 12'' Macbook and the MBP. I understand some people would rather have USB-A ports instead of USB-C, but it is time to move to the retina display.
Either they cut the MBA price and sell it below $700 or they put a decent display in it. I think many people would agree that keeping the current chassis and improving the display would be the best option, but it would be a direct competitor to the escape mabook pro at a lower price, not a smart move.
 
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If this kills the MacBook Air, the MacBook, and the MacBook Escape (13-inch Pro without Touch Bar), this is good. If this introduces yet another confusing alternative, it’s horrible. Apple needs to figure out their low-end MacBook story.
Their laptop line is incredibly confusing right now. The Air naming convention should not exist, period. Just bring to market an entry level MacBook that has a better screen than the current Air but maybe not as good as the current retina MacBook and price it aggressively. Yes it would probably would cannibalize more expensive retina MacBook but who cares.
 
They're definitely getting rid of all the ports like the MacBook. Time to get that MBA you been holding out on for a discount.
 
How many ports are you using anno 2018 on your laptop. I mean apart from a usb-stick every now and then and charching I'm really not using any ports.

If you want more ports than you should just buy a mac book pro. Physical ports are destined to be gone and I for one am glad Apple's taking a front role in killing off ports and forcing companies to go wireless. If it was for people like you we'd still be using cd-roms and floppy disks.
So basically, "If I find no use in something then nobody else needs it either." Interesting philosophy. o_O
 
I really am surprised and interested in a cheaper iPad. I personally think that $329 is a damn good price for the current iPad from a price/performance standpoint.
 
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I still have my 2012 Macbook Air(i7,256 GB SSD, 8 GB Ram). Such a good laptop and I am really glad i speced it out when i bought it. Though it is starting to show it's age a bit as multitasking lots of internet browser tabs can really peg the cpu or memory.

I tried the Macbook in a store and I hate the keyboard. It could be a learning curve. The 2017 Airs are a bit underpowered for future proofing it....If im going to drop a lot of money on a laptop in 2018 It has to have 16GB ram as I don't want to be mad I didn't upgrade this a few years from now.
 
Wouldn’t that turn the rMB into the 13” rMBP sans TouchBar?
Yeah, it's slippery - unless, out of inspiration, Apple goes:
Kill the MBA
Cut the price of the rMB (the new entry-level model)
The 13-inch notbMBP is the new in-between (which wasn't much of a pro model to begin with)
Then 13- and 15-inch tbMBP models
 
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Yeah, it's slippery - unless, out of inspiration, Apple goes:
Kill the MBA
Cut the price of the rMB (the new entry-level model)
The 13-inch notbMBP is the new in-between (which wasn't much of a pro model to begin with)
Then 13- and 15-inch tbMBP models
That makes too much sense for this Apple.
 
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So your a casual user editing home made videos for social sites.

You could do that on an iPad.

No, i do some video's for Youtube but i much prefer to use a Mac, while i do own an iPad Pro and like using it for certain tasks the Mac is much better as an editing tool. For more serious editing (when helping out friends on more serious projects) we use Airdrop and Dropbox. My bread and butter is as a writer so while editing is more of a hobby in some respects and certainly isn't my profession it can be done without needing to use a lot of ports, whether people choose to or not is a different matter.
 
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TLDR: product with atrocious keyboard to be released.

I sincerely don't understand the keyboard hate!

I use it daily and I have found zero issues with it! I guess it's just like the iPhone 7 button, the first time you use it it's kinda weird, but them after a week max you forget that it's not a button.
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Still wondering if we see an A11X based MacBook of some sort this year.

Not this year I guess, maybe next year!
 
Yea I always heard that, but I had one for a year and I liked it. Got used to it in a couple hours.

Good for you?

For some of us, that keyboard is the number one reason we are considering switching to Windows or Linux.
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I sincerely don't understand the keyboard hate!

I use it daily and I have found zero issues with it! I guess it's just like the iPhone 7 button, the first time you use it it's kinda weird, but them after a week max you forget that it's not a button.
[doublepost=1521813083][/doublepost]

Not this year I guess, maybe next year!


Glad you like it, but unless it changes, or there is a second option, I am switching to Windows or Linux because of that keyboard.
 
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Given Apple's track record when it comes to entry-level models, they might just keep the existing rMB but cut the price to make it the new MBA, and an improved rMB (more ports, a better CPU, who knows) will close the gap between the entry-level rMB and notbMBP.
The 12" MB uses a 4.5 W TDP processor (Y series). The Air and the MBP escape use a 15 W TDP processor (U series). If you don't need ultimate thinness and low weight, using the U series processor is the better choice and will provide you with better performance for a lower price (the cheapest, ie, lowest-clocked, U series processor is faster than the most expensive, ie, highest-clocked, Y series processor).

This speaks against using the 12" MB as the cheapest entry-level Mac laptop as it won't provide the best value for money. The current "retina MBA", aka the MBP escape, starts at the same price as the 12" MB. It comes with only a 128 GB SSD vs a 256 GB SSD in the 12" MB, but it comes with a larger, wider-gamut screen, more powerful CPU and GPU, TB3 instead of USB-C-only ports (and two instead of one port) and a 32% larger battery.

A new, entry-level 'Macbook', could be based on the MBP escape but possibly with a smaller battery, smaller gamut monitor and only USB-C instead of USB-C/TB 3 ports and a slightly slimmer body. And could be combined with the MBP escape going away.
 
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Good for you?

For some of us, that keyboard is the number one reason we are considering switching to Windows or Linux.
[doublepost=1521813434][/doublepost]


Glad you like it, but unless it changes, or there is a second option, I am switching to Windows or Linux because of that keyboard.

Really no reason for you to jump in just to say "good for you." I was responding to a post that had nothing to do with you. You act like I can't have an opinion. The people on this site make me sick sometimes.
 
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