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Holding off on purchasing MBA until refresh
- Thread starter boodyup
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Agreed. The very best thing about Apple products is that they hold their value extremely well. I'm about to sell the exact same laptop actually as I've just ordered a new MBP so hoping to get a good result
I'm hoping for a SB update over the summer as I want to pick up an 11", but equally I don't really want a C2D model. With Intel switching over to SB, it may be that the supplies of C2D aren't sufficient for Apple, forcing a move. The need to get Thunderbolt in all their computers relatively quickly is probably also a factor.
Plus, the transition wouldn't be a big one - a simple CPU swap and move from NVIDIA to Intel IGP. I doubt 512GB SSDs will be available in the Air, as they're not the same off-the-shelf models used in the MBPs.
Plus, the transition wouldn't be a big one - a simple CPU swap and move from NVIDIA to Intel IGP. I doubt 512GB SSDs will be available in the Air, as they're not the same off-the-shelf models used in the MBPs.
>thread
CNET says so...and they were pretty good with the macbook pro...
may be happening
Read your other thread. Good analysis. I recommend to all.
PS I love my 11 MBA even with C3D. My 15 MBP is untouched. Too heavy in comparison. And the SSD. You can never go back once you switch. I will get the SB 11"MBA as soon as it appears even if I have to work a second job at McDonald's to get the money.
Trusting anything coming from CNET would be a huge mistake. They are a bunch of amateurs who just say whatever sticks to the wall in order to get page views. The June date they just made up based on pure conjecture. Nobody from Apple has any interest in talking to these clowns I can assure you of that.
Personally I buy when I want the device not when I think there may be a refresh months in the future. Your mileage may vary. I buy a new Mac at least once a year and have since 1984 so unless I think a new models is weeks away I buy based on whats available now.
Apple has not announced a price for the Lion update yet. It may be $29 like SL was or may be higher.
I've read a number of reviews of the 3000 GPU and basically it is faster than the 320M in some cases and slower in others. I can't disagree with people wanting more.
I would be really surprised if the next Air doesn't have Thunderbolt. Its very much in Apple's interest to do this.
We've seen now what a nice increase the SB procs provide so that Thunderbolt, and Lion point to a MBA upgrade earlier than usual meaning sometime this summer.
An increase to 8GB of ram would be excellent too but I'm not expecting it to happen as much as the others.
So buy an Air now and have the use of it and sell it when the new one comes out if thats not an issue for you.
Oh and it's extremely unlikely you will see a 3G model. The only reason it is a minute possibility is Qualcomms GSM/CDMA chip which makes it alot easier.
Personally I buy when I want the device not when I think there may be a refresh months in the future. Your mileage may vary. I buy a new Mac at least once a year and have since 1984 so unless I think a new models is weeks away I buy based on whats available now.
Apple has not announced a price for the Lion update yet. It may be $29 like SL was or may be higher.
I've read a number of reviews of the 3000 GPU and basically it is faster than the 320M in some cases and slower in others. I can't disagree with people wanting more.
I would be really surprised if the next Air doesn't have Thunderbolt. Its very much in Apple's interest to do this.
We've seen now what a nice increase the SB procs provide so that Thunderbolt, and Lion point to a MBA upgrade earlier than usual meaning sometime this summer.
An increase to 8GB of ram would be excellent too but I'm not expecting it to happen as much as the others.
So buy an Air now and have the use of it and sell it when the new one comes out if thats not an issue for you.
Oh and it's extremely unlikely you will see a 3G model. The only reason it is a minute possibility is Qualcomms GSM/CDMA chip which makes it alot easier.
Hi,
After reading the rumor round-up on the MBP it seems like the trusted source was CNET. CNET rumored that there would be an MBA Update in June using the new Sandy Bridge processors. Not that I've been fully aware of CNET's track record with rumors but it seems they can't be throwing something like that out there without some certainty.
With that in mind, there is also a planned launch of Lion in the summer as well. Wouldn't it make sense to wait for the MBA refresh and get it with Lion installed so that you don't have to pay for both separately? I'm assuming that the price wouldn't go up for the newly updated MBA.
I've also been somewhat concerned by the options about the graphics capabilities with Sandy Bridge on the MBA. My understanding is that even if it were slightly less powerful video-wise, it may end up just being a wash or not a very noticeable difference. Also, if there is the slightest chance that it would have a thunderbolt port, that could be an even better deal.
Now, here's hoping for a 3G model
Absolutely. I odd that the new MBP are so freakin fast in other ways but so few SSD options. If I were to buy one thats the first thing I would do. But the Air spoils you in many ways and now the 15" seems huge in comparison. I only carried the 15" around when I had to whereas I think nothing of taking my 13" Air with me everywhere. I've stopped using my 27"iMac and iPad as well. My Verizon iPhone with tethering and the Air do everything I need. If need a bigger screen i bought a really nice NEC monitor to plug it into.
Intel is not "switching over" to SB. They will be making C2D for many years to come.
Not true, read my post. C2D in MBA 11" is up for order until April and delivered until October 2011.
Yes there are rumors of a very probable refreshed product later this year. But there are also rumors of another refresh making an even better product happening in 2012. So why not wait until then? ...
Unless, of course, you can can get worthwhile benefit or useful work done with the current product in the meantime.
Unless, of course, you can can get worthwhile benefit or useful work done with the current product in the meantime.
Graphics Performance on SB L/UL CPUs
I am interested in this Sandy Bridge CPU upgrade to the MBA also, but when i checked the Intel CPU specs for these Sandy Bridge variants, graphics frequency starts at 350Mzh compared to 650Mhz in the new MBPs and max out at 1.10GHz compared to 1.30Ghz in the new MBPs.
may be MBA would not be after all upgraded to Sandy Bridge because of the GPU performance?
We have to wait until Ivy Bridge in 2012 where Intel IGP performance will be on par with nVidia integrated Graphics performance.
On the CPU side Sandy bridge will be fast compared to Core 2 Duo because of the Turbo Frequency upto 2.0 Ghz.
I am interested in this Sandy Bridge CPU upgrade to the MBA also, but when i checked the Intel CPU specs for these Sandy Bridge variants, graphics frequency starts at 350Mzh compared to 650Mhz in the new MBPs and max out at 1.10GHz compared to 1.30Ghz in the new MBPs.
may be MBA would not be after all upgraded to Sandy Bridge because of the GPU performance?
We have to wait until Ivy Bridge in 2012 where Intel IGP performance will be on par with nVidia integrated Graphics performance.
On the CPU side Sandy bridge will be fast compared to Core 2 Duo because of the Turbo Frequency upto 2.0 Ghz.
Attachments
Given that Apple just upgraded the MacBook Pros to Sandy Bridge I suspect they will do the same with the MacBook Airs.
I dunno
The MBAs have been on a separate track from the MBPs as far as updates, and I waited a looooooong time before springing on the current model. Will Apple update after just launching these in the fall? Possible, but not a sure thing imho.
Frankly, if you need it now, get it now, you won't be dissapointed!
Just remember, 4 GB, no less for MBAs!
The MBAs have been on a separate track from the MBPs as far as updates, and I waited a looooooong time before springing on the current model. Will Apple update after just launching these in the fall? Possible, but not a sure thing imho.
Frankly, if you need it now, get it now, you won't be dissapointed!
Just remember, 4 GB, no less for MBAs!
The MBAs have been on a separate track from the MBPs as far as updates, and I waited a looooooong time before springing on the current model. Will Apple update after just launching these in the fall? Possible, but not a sure thing imho.
Frankly, if you need it now, get it now, you won't be dissapointed!
Just remember, 4 GB, no less for MBAs!
seems like you're just trying to make yourself feel better about your recent purchase....apple is not going to wait until 2012 to equip their premier notebook line with SB processors. ULV SB procs are due in june, along with the mba update
10/08
6/09
10/10 -> major update
6/11 -> spec bump
10/12 -> major update
6/13 -> spec bump
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I think before this latest MBA, Apple had doubts about keep producing MBA.
As far as I know (heard from an Apple store employee) MBA was not selling enough and of course Apple knew this. I am guessing they see now that there was a lot of people waiting for a new MBA. I think it will have an update like other Apple products.
As far as I know (heard from an Apple store employee) MBA was not selling enough and of course Apple knew this. I am guessing they see now that there was a lot of people waiting for a new MBA. I think it will have an update like other Apple products.
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I think a SB upgrade will be huge. The current C2D's were introduced in 2008. They don't even support hyperthreading.
The i7 2657M for example supports all the latest intel features such as AES-NI which should make filevault more efficient if Apple supports it in Lion. VT-d would be handy for VMWare. And all that on top of the much more efficient core. Judging from the current MBP upgrade SB is much better than even the last-gen iCores.
I'd say the next MBA will be much faster than just a minor speed bump. I have no idea when it's out though, I think it's extremely hard to predict Apple.
The i7 2657M for example supports all the latest intel features such as AES-NI which should make filevault more efficient if Apple supports it in Lion. VT-d would be handy for VMWare. And all that on top of the much more efficient core. Judging from the current MBP upgrade SB is much better than even the last-gen iCores.
I'd say the next MBA will be much faster than just a minor speed bump. I have no idea when it's out though, I think it's extremely hard to predict Apple.
It's funny to watch people on here... those who BOUGHT the MB Air present model all are in denial that their laptop will soon be outdated.... those who WANT to buy a macbook air are in denial that chances are Apple's going to follow standard refresh, which means late Q3 or early Q4 for the refresh this year.
It's a pointless argument, because the Air has always been a back-burner product for Apple, and they're still selling like hotcakes right now. No practical business updates a high-demand product, and right now there's still enough people buying the existing model (more people buying TODAY, 5 months after than right after initial launch of the first model!), so there certainly WONT be a refresh in June.
If you want one today, even if they introduce in June, it's still only half way through the lifecycle TODAY... so if you want one, buy one then sell\trade up in June... so many threads about this are so pointless.. if you want one TODAY you live with the specs. If you want one in June, then you may or may not be able to get higher specs, but most signs point to end of year refresh, which is almost 10 months away
It's a pointless argument, because the Air has always been a back-burner product for Apple, and they're still selling like hotcakes right now. No practical business updates a high-demand product, and right now there's still enough people buying the existing model (more people buying TODAY, 5 months after than right after initial launch of the first model!), so there certainly WONT be a refresh in June.
If you want one today, even if they introduce in June, it's still only half way through the lifecycle TODAY... so if you want one, buy one then sell\trade up in June... so many threads about this are so pointless.. if you want one TODAY you live with the specs. If you want one in June, then you may or may not be able to get higher specs, but most signs point to end of year refresh, which is almost 10 months away
Nope
I respectfully disagree; I am very happy with my purchase & have no need to justify it, to you or anyone else. I just feel that given the track record for the MBA, a summer refresh is less than likely. And like another poster has mentioned, with them selling so well right now, it would be unlikely from a biz standpoint to update them.
That said, neither of us has a way of knowing anything for certain; I may be right, you may be wrong, or vice versa or what not.
What is certain, is that they are great laptops, and if bought now with a minimum of 4 GB RAM, I think most users will be very pleased, as am I
seems like you're just trying to make yourself feel better about your recent purchase....apple is not going to wait until 2012 to equip their premier notebook line with SB processors. ULV SB procs are due in june, along with the mba update
10/08
6/09
10/10 -> major update
6/11 -> spec bump
10/12 -> major update
6/13 -> spec bump
I respectfully disagree; I am very happy with my purchase & have no need to justify it, to you or anyone else. I just feel that given the track record for the MBA, a summer refresh is less than likely. And like another poster has mentioned, with them selling so well right now, it would be unlikely from a biz standpoint to update them.
That said, neither of us has a way of knowing anything for certain; I may be right, you may be wrong, or vice versa or what not.
What is certain, is that they are great laptops, and if bought now with a minimum of 4 GB RAM, I think most users will be very pleased, as am I
I respectfully disagree; I am very happy with my purchase & have no need to justify it, to you or anyone else. I just feel that given the track record for the MBA, a summer refresh is less than likely. And like another poster has mentioned, with them selling so well right now, it would be unlikely from a biz standpoint to update them.
That said, neither of us has a way of knowing anything for certain; I may be right, you may be wrong, or vice versa or what not.
What is certain, is that they are great laptops, and if bought now with a minimum of 4 GB RAM, I think most users will be very pleased, as am I
i agree...people wait and wait so they can run benchmarks.
...while smart people use what they have to further careers and build business...this is what the MBA is about.
buy it if you need it or wait if you don't.
I thought the whole point of Apple not going with the i3/i5 chipsets in the initial MBA release was that Intel would not allow i3/i5 to be bundled with Nvidia, and that Intel graphics sucked? Why then the switch then to SB with integrated graphics, if nothing other than a cost-saving measure? Not sure I can see an upgrade until Ivy.
I wouldn't be shocked if it was sooner than June.
The MBA 11" is virtually the slowest Intel mac made. It's still better than my current rig (a Dell), but it's only barely capable of doing light-weight tasks. Snappy, yes, due the SSD, but it's just not capable of any heavy lifting.
The Sandy Bridge update, which they can do any time, will make it an absolute screamer. The graphics will suck, but it's not a game machine, and it's not like the 1.6 GHz C2D is able to drive modern games anyway.
Sandy Bridge will make the 11" MBA a perfect road-warrior laptop, and it will make the 13" a very reasonable Pro machine (minus discrete graphics).
Sandy Bridge. It's here. It's ready. It's a massive upgrade. And if they roll out now, they can sell Lion as an upgrade!
The MBA 11" is virtually the slowest Intel mac made. It's still better than my current rig (a Dell
), but it's only barely capable of doing light-weight tasks. Snappy, yes, due the SSD, but it's just not capable of any heavy lifting.The Sandy Bridge update, which they can do any time, will make it an absolute screamer. The graphics will suck, but it's not a game machine, and it's not like the 1.6 GHz C2D is able to drive modern games anyway.
Sandy Bridge will make the 11" MBA a perfect road-warrior laptop, and it will make the 13" a very reasonable Pro machine (minus discrete graphics).
Sandy Bridge. It's here. It's ready. It's a massive upgrade. And if they roll out now, they can sell Lion as an upgrade!