How likely is the rumoured 2018 refresh of the Macbook Air?

[Dodgeman]

I am saying that you should read the article in my link and draw your own conclusions. Personally, I don't think there will be any introduction or even mention of new laptops on the 4th.

I get it, you say they are not planning hardware announcements, so when should we expect the new apple computers?
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I am saying that you should read the article in my link and draw your own conclusions. Personally, I don't think there will be any introduction or even mention of new laptops on the 4th.

I just read the front page of this site. It is ok if they do not update it. I was hoping for a cheaper version of the MacBook.
Either way I might get a refurb model. Not 100% sure. My only worry is that a lot of people seem to be having trouble with the keyboards.

 

[Fravin]

The Windows systems you have cited are fairly new.

Yes they are brand new machines. Running top notch hardware. You can't be disappointed with it.

Bu I've choosed to cite them because of their terrific design. All of them are made with high quality standarts and materials, one could say it looked better than MBA. Certainly for screen.

My point is that Apple has lost the pace, and it no longer leads the way about computer designs. It's my opinion that MBA was the last truely jaw-dropping computer design made by Apple. It's almost ten years ago, and today, Apple is struggling to fit hardware in the same farm factors (or thinner-old-form-factor).
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... but the bottom line is, Apple makes products that are known to last a very long time...

Could you please repeat this louder?

What can we say about the recent issues involving the large numbers of MBPs, since keyboard fails to poping screens.

Your experience as returning machines is releated how Apple does it after-sell service. Apple users are intended to look for Apple for repleacements or fixes. Dell, Lenovo and other brands offer third party services to help consumers like you guys at Best Buy.

 

[crzdcolombian]

I dont care how thin a computer is..... my 2013 Mac Air is insanely thin. I know the MacBook is even thinner. I dont care

I rather it be bigger with all day battery life or more ports. The Air needs a better screen. If not then kill it. A 2018 laptop without 4k screen or Retina is laughable especially for $800+

I also don't care about touch screens but Windows computers have had that for 3+ years now. The fact Apple has the same screen from 10 years ago and won't drop the price is crazy.

 

[jmoore5196]

I sold my 11" MBA because I could not go from my 5K iMac or 15" MBP back to that display without wondering why I was keeping the bloody thing. That said, it was probably the best laptop I've ever owned, and I've owned one of every generation since the PowerBook 100.

If Apple would just update the 13" MBA with USB-3 and TB3 ports, I'd buy an 'ultimate', display quality be damned. When you need a sturdy take-with-you machine, the MBA continues to deliver.

 

[thewap]

I sold my 11" MBA because I could not go from my 5K iMac or 15" MBP back to that display without wondering why I was keeping the bloody thing. That said, it was probably the best laptop I've ever owned, and I've owned one of every generation since the PowerBook 100.

If Apple would just update the 13" MBA with USB-3 and TB3 ports, I'd buy an 'ultimate', display quality be damned. When you need a sturdy take-with-you machine, the MBA continues to deliver.

The 2015 and 2017 MBA has two USB 3 ports. The thunderbolt 2 port could use an upgrade to thunderbolt 3.

 

[jmoore5196]

The 2015 and 2017 MBA has two USB 3 ports. The thunderbolt 2 port could use an upgrade to thunderbolt 3.

My apologies: USB-C.

 

[deepen03]

If one looks at the here-and-now, you are correct, the MBA isn't a factor.

The Windows systems you have cited are fairly new. There is no data as to how well they will hold up 4 or more years from now. Raw hardware specs and performance benchmarks tell a story, but not always the whole story. For example: With the forced updates of Windows 10, that buttery smooth performance of those new systems won't be so buttery 4 years from now... if the device is even still usable.

(caution: automobile metaphor ahead) The MBA is that old, reliable work truck. It isn't the nicest looking thing on the road. It doesn't out-pace newer cars from a standing start, but it doesn't require a lot of maintenance. Turn the key, and it goes. And when you have to go to the local home improvement store to pick up some lumber, it'll do it.

I can easily afford any computer that I want. At this point in time, I'd take a topped-out MBA (I will never again buy an MBP) over anything else on the Windows side because I know that it is a rock-solid design and built to last and can do the heavy-lifting that I need in a desktop computer (at least the heavy-lifting that I'd do with those Windows systems) for a long time. If I want to play games, I have a few game consoles. If I want a rich multimedia experience, I have carefully curated home entertainment system.

But that's me. Hopefully that helps give you some insight as to why someone might choose an MBA.

Those all run on PCI based SSDs. They'll hold up fine. I have an ASUS Zenbook from 2014 working fine, except for my screen breaking from a drop recently. It has a 4510u, 12gb ram and SSD.

My custom desktop is from 2007, running a Core 2 Quad.

 

[Dodgeman]

So, no refresh announcement....
Guess it safe for me to go purchase the MacBook that I want then.

 

[gitresethard]

But I can't understand how MBA can stand against competition. You have the HP Spectre X360 as I told before, with an i7 8550 and 16Gb of Ram. Dell's XPS with the same rig. Lenovo's Yoga

MacOS. For my own needs, software development, I'm never going back to Windows. I'd even prefer to use a less powerful 13" MBA with 8gb RAM as a main dev machine (as a desktop), vs my liquid cooled i7 4790k gtx1080ti 32gb ddr3-2400 gaming machine. I will never buy a windows laptop again, as I only use and trust windows for gaming since I stopped using it for work back in 2011.

I'm using a 2017 MBPro 15" 512gb ssd and 2017 rMB i7 16gb right now, but I'm still avidly waiting for an MBA update. If they do end up updating the MBA with a better screen, and a new body, I'll definitely buy one.

And if they do update the MBA 13" or whatever replaces it, I hope there's an option to select a Y cpu. I'm loving the i7-7y75 at the moment, I'm dreaming for a 4.5w cpu combined with the MBA 13"s battery size, that'd be very useful to me. But that's just wishful thinking.

 

[sgtaylor5]

MacOS is the reason I'm sticking with Mac hardware. Period. After 30 years of living with DOS and Windows, I'm looking, no, I'm demanding, an operating system that delivers a near-frictionless experience for my daily use. No unavoidable advertisements, no demanding that I migrate from my own paid-for tools to a more expensive total Microsoft experience, no force-installed games I simply must try (yeah, right), no automatic repair loops that demand a total clean install of the OS with no real recourse (and yes, I've tried everything that I can think of and can search for on Google, to no avail).

I may want to work on Windows machines for my living, but, when I'm home and/or needing to get work done, it's native MacOS for me. No Hackintoshes, either - don't want to mess with my system (too much) anymore. And after 30 years, I know what I need and my next Mac is going to be a MacBook Air.

So there! <grin>

 

[Boyd01]

I know what I need and my next Mac is going to be a MacBook Air.<grin>

But does Apple know what you need? Some of the rumors suggest that the "new MacBook Air" will in fact be a completely different kind of computer, built from Apple's custom chips instead of Intel. That might raise a lot of compatibility issues, unless you only use Apple's standard apps.

 

[sgtaylor5]

But does Apple know what you need? Some of the rumors suggest that the "new MacBook Air" will in fact be a completely different kind of computer, built from Apple's custom chips instead of Intel. That might raise a lot of compatibility issues, unless you only use Apple's standard apps.

I understand; I have to be flexible. I’ll buy used rather than new if what you posit comes to pass. Upscaling is out of the question; I can’t afford it.

 

[bluecoast]

I would fully expect Apple to retain and update the MacBook Air.

To reduce cost, Apple can use the cheaper Kaby Lake Y-series processors. These processors are not only less expensive, but they also use less power. This means smaller batteries. The MagSafe port and card reader are gone for sure.

It's important to understand why the "Air" was dropped from iPad Air. Consumers were unwilling to pay $499 for a media consumption device and we saw that with tanking iPad sales. Nobody was buying the iPad Air 2. In fact, it's not even available on the Education Price List.

Due to price, the MacBook Air remains a popular choice for many, especially in education. In fact, the 11-inch Air is still available to order for $749. Clearly, there's demand for this old, but cheap notebook. So it makes sense for Apple to launch a $799 or $899 refreshed Air.

Really agree. People love their MBAs.

I’d expect just one more update to this line.

Apple needs a reasonably cheap modern laptop (students, journos... anyone...!)

I expect that we’ll see the body of the MBA refined & made a little thinner, but still keeping its wedge profile.

[And the processor updated to the KL Y series added as you say.]

EDIT: I don’t really know my intel processors and they have so many, it’s confusing! Actually my best guess is they’ll use the 8th gen U series for the new Air.

Oh yeah and an updated keyboard design.

A Retina display of course. Likely the same one from the MacBook. Good but not great.

And the trackpad from the MBP. Probably not with force touch (who uses this?).

I’d be really surprised if we see MagSafe and USB 2.0 retained though. Ditto the other ports. I think that we’ll see x2 USB 3.x ports [EDIT: oops I meant USB-C]

Since the original iMac, this is what Apple does - it’s always been ruthless about removing what it sees as outdated ports.

So what I’m describing is essentially an entry level MBP (minus TB) & this is what the AIR will replace, but likely doing what it can with using cheaper mid-range components wherever possible.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we see the MacBook retired for the moment, in readiness for a relaunch with ARM chips.

The Y series chip that powers this model is still very very expensive for its performance.

And I think that a new AIR will help Apple differentiate further the MBP range which I expect will lose its cheap entry level 13 inch model - because that’s what the new Air will be.

 

[Boyd01]

I’d be really surprised if we see MagSafe and USB 2.0 retained though. Ditto the other ports. I think that we’ll see x2 USB 3.x ports.

The MBA has had two USB3 ports since 2012. Of course, your guess is as good as anyone's, but what you describe makes no sense to me....

 

[bluecoast]

The MBA has had two USB3 ports since 2012. Of course, your guess is as good as anyone's, but what you describe makes no sense to me....

Sorreee... I meant USB-C.