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If Apple released a 15" MBA, would you buy it?

Macbook Air

Or how about a 11.5" Air with a Retina Display?????????
320Gig SSD
8 Gigs Ram
SD Card Slot
Backlit Keyboard
$999.99
 
No I wouldnt. MBAs are all about ultra-portability, and 15" is too large for that. Heck, the current 13.3" is borderline already!
 
Yes...but like many have others said, 15" is pushing the line of 'ultra-portable'. However, if Apple could make a 15" Air, I would hope for:

-High-Res Screen option / standard.
-Discrete GPU.
-More ports (e.g. Thunderbolt).
-3.5 pounds, give or take.
-HD Webcam.
-Backlit keyboard.

If Apple included all of that, I wouldn't mind dropping $2,000 on one.
 
It also just does not make sense from a value stand point either. Consider the following:

11" MBA Base model: $999
13" MBA Base model: $1299

15" MBA Base model: $1599??

13" MBP Base model: $1199
15" MBP Base model: $1799

Considering the difference b/w an 11" & 13" MBA is $300, and with any added specs/features aside, its safe to say a potential 15" MBA would cost around $1599.

And if you consider the current specs of the 11" & 13" MBA, the specs on the 15" MBA would be more or less the same, maybe a faster proc.

Therefore, if you add $200 more, you get a much more powerful (Core i7 Quad Core) 15" MPB. Or, subtract $100 and you get a more powerful (Core i7 Dual Core) 13" MBP (Highest end model).

I really do not see the point in spending $1599 (potentially) when a little more or even a little less can get you much more power, just in a heavier/thicker package (which is still a lot lighter and thinner than most windows laptops).
 
There are a LOT of things in the world that have been around for a very long time that are designed around holding office-sized sheets of paper, or holding things that hold them. Not just notebooks (in the paper sense of the term) & briefcases, but vehicle/aircraft pouches, mailing envelopes, post boxes, storage containers, etc. It is an approximate dimension that humans have been comfortable working with since the invention of the printing press.

The point of the Macbook Air is to be about the same size (& as close to the weight as possible) as these traditional objects that the world has used for doing business for centuries. The 13" Air pushes the limit of this definition but it does fit well enough, & the 11" Air fits it perfectly. The display size of the Air may eventually get bigger if thinner/stronger panels become available, but I strongly believe that the current 13" form factor (& price) is the limit.

BTW this is also part of the reason that Apple has shunned making a 7" tablet...
 
My realistic lineup prevision:

11": i5 1.4 GHZ, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD, HD3000, 768p, 999€
11": i7 1.5 GHZ, 4GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, HD3000, 768p, 1199€
13": i7 1.5 GHZ, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, HD3000, 900p, 1399€
13": i7 1.6 GHZ, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD, HD3000, 900p, 1599€
15": i7 2.1 GHZ, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD, HD3000, 1050p, 1799€
15": i7 2.3 GHZ, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD, HD3000, 1050p, 1999€

€/$ stays pretty much the same. 17W on 11"/13" for 6/10hrs battery life, 25W on 15", still 10hrs (12?) because of bigger battery allowing also 2 ram slots maxing out at 8gb on BTO and 512gb for more flash memory modules. Also, getting the base 15" air at the same price of the 15" pro with stock SSD and higher res screen must be important for apple, as they still make higher profit margins from Air.
 
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gpat said:
My realistic lineup prevision:

11": i5 1.4 GHZ, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD, HD3000, 768p, 999€
11": i7 1.5 GHZ, 4GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, HD3000, 768p, 1199€
13": i7 1.5 GHZ, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, HD3000, 900p, 1399€
13": i7 1.6 GHZ, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD, HD3000, 900p, 1599€
15": i7 2.1 GHZ, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD, HD3000, 1050p, 1799€
15": i7 2.3 GHZ, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD, HD3000, 1050p, 1999€

€/$ stays pretty much the same. 17W on 11"/13" for 6/10hrs battery life, 25W on 15", still 10hrs (12?) because of bigger battery allowing also 2 ram slots maxing out at 8gb on BTO and 512gb for more flash memory modules. Also, getting the base 15" air at the same price of the 15" pro with stock SSD and higher res screen must be important for apple, as they still make higher profit margins from Air.
Click to expand...

In my mind, if a 15" MBA was to be released soon, we would have heard it mentioned in the most recent rumor about the new MBA models shipping in May / June.
 
iRun26.2 said:
In my mind, if a 15" MBA was to be released soon, we would have heard it mentioned in the most recent rumor about the new MBA models shipping in May / June.
Click to expand...

Heck ya....i work on atleast 2 word documents, +/- a pdf file and papers.app...13 inch is kind of small with spaces, and 17 too big( plus my levenger bag is made for a 15 incher). Also it would be impossible to carry a 21 inch screen everywhere i go, and some of us do not have a luxury of office and at home there are those kids who wont let you do squat.....
so a thin light 15 incher ultraportable that does not weight 5 million pounds....

this is mrs Floyd calling mr Floyd. will u accept changes from the US of A....
beam me up Steve
 
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kholman128 said:
Or how about a 11.5" Air with a Retina Display?????????
320Gig SSD
8 Gigs Ram
SD Card Slot
Backlit Keyboard
$999.99
Click to expand...

Maybe in several years. A 300 GB SSD costs ~$560 right now so keep on dreaming. Not to mention processor, RAM, screen (retina display), other parts (etc.). Plus apple tax.

15 inches would kind of defeat the point of having an ultra portable computer. I've always found that in determining portability size > weight and 15 inches is quite big.
 
cirus said:
Maybe in several years. A 300 GB SSD costs ~$560 right now so keep on dreaming. Not to mention processor, RAM, screen (retina display), other parts (etc.). Plus apple tax.

15 inches would kind of defeat the point of having an ultra portable computer. I've always found that in determining portability size > weight and 15 inches is quite big.
Click to expand...

If you are going to carry your computer in a briefcase together with your other stuff, actual volume will be more important than footprint, and a 15" air will be more portable than a 13" pro. Factors like a longer battery life (no power brick to carry) and actually getting a 1050p screen estate in a <2kg machine matters a lot. Sure, it will be less portable than the 13" air, but then again, the 11" air is even more portable, but both are selling well, and the extra space in the case would allow for a bigger battery, more flash modules for RAM and SSD, etc. while having amazing resolution in a light package. These are exactly the selling points of the 13" over the 11", and there is a crowd out there asking for more.
 
No

I already have a 15" MBP, and I purchased the MBA for its portability so a 15" MBA would be far too large for my needs. I would, however, purchase a more powerful 11" if Apple ever releases one.
 
I personally think it ruins the purpose of a Macbook Air's portability just like the 13" is too big BUT...I am sure there is a big market for the 15" MBA though.

I would try it out at the Apple Store before buying though for sure.
 
I would purchase the thinner 15" MacBook Pro but they will not produce a third screen size in the Air lineup.
 
Hey Jude said:
I already have a 15" MBP, and I purchased the MBA for its portability so a 15" MBA would be far too large for my needs. I would, however, purchase a more powerful 11" if Apple ever releases one.
Click to expand...

Agreed!

If Apple could put together a 11.6" MBA with much better specs, I would purchase it immediately (cost not being an issue for me).
 
Nope, don’t think so. It would feel like a step backwards. When I need a large screen, I hop onto my desktop. When I want to portability, I use the my 11” Air.
 
MoodyMedStudent said:
I was just wondering what everyone's thoughts on a 15" MBA is (whether or not Apple may release it, and if you'd be interested in buying one).
Click to expand...

Guess I'd have to hold it and lift it. I'm all about the lightweight and portability. 15" is starting to get to the size where I'd just as soon go with a MPB.
 
Definitely I would buy a 15" MBA

I am working on a MBP 15" right now, even though I have an i7 11" MBA. Why? I am processing images (via firewire 800) and ripping a DVD at the same time.

As well, I have started developing user's group software for sites, so the 15" screen real estate is essential, as is the power (mine's a quad-core i7, max RAM, etc) for all the things you can do at the same time while writing/thinking/mind-mapping.

And I have been finding that running two computers (even with MobileMe, soon to end—galleries: RIP) and keeping them synced is a PITA, frankly. For the sites I administer, 20+ passwords, for one.

I need a MBA that has a 15" screen, quad cores, 8+ hours battery life, and connection technology; right now Thunderbolt is a concept, for a road warrior. I want super fast SSDs as storage (I edit video as well) and I have to be able to carry it all on board—this requires light weight.

Would I buy a 15" MBA (assuming enough power)? Definitely.
 
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