I'm shocked at how thick the new MBP is. Apple needs to make a 15-inch MacBook Air

[subjonas]

In this instance, "should" as in it makes sense for the company AND for the consumer. People would be all over that. It's not like people are spending an extra $1400 just to get a bigger screen. I know a number of people that stick with windows laptops because they don't want a little 13 screen after many years accustomed to using 15" laptop screens.

Edit: Apple famously thought they knew better than the consumer regarding phone screen size, but they had to admit they ****ed that up. I really do believe a 15" Air as good as the current Air, would sell like hotcakes.

As individuals, our data sample size is much smaller than a large company’s. So what may be true and obvious in our own spheres may not be true (or not relevant enough) in the wider scope. And sure, no company has perfect vision and analytics, but from their track record, Apple seems to be right overwhelmingly more often than wrong, hence their success. Not to say that we can’t question and express our opinions. Just pointing out (as unpopular as this will be) that statistically speaking, it’s very unlikely that any of us can say with certainty that we know better than Apple (or any successful company) what is best for them on any particular point.
But I’m all for expressing wishes. It’s not nearly as influential as voting with one’s wallet, but the noise could feasibly help give meaning to low sales numbers.

 

[James Godfrey]

Ah, sorry. I scanned up and down the second page and couldn't see who you were responding to. I agree the Pro is chunky but with good reason.

So... do you agree or disagree with the title of the thread? Do you think we need a 15" MacBook Air on the market?

Yes I do 100%, at the end of the day non-pro users like a larger screen too, proof of that is the fact that the non-pro iPhones are coming in a max size this year rather than the mini (the mini didn’t do too well either which adds proof that non-pro users want larger screens).

Will apple do it though… I’m not so sure… so far with their Mac line up they haven’t gave a larger size option to the consumer level iMac, nor are they planning on increasing the MBA’s screen size either as far as I am aware… also the non-pro iPads max out at 10.9”… and I am sure there are people out there who would like to see a larger sized iPad Air.

I would defo like to see a larger MacBook Air and completely do away with the entry level Pro… it would also fill the huge $700 price gap between the rumoured $1299 of the new Air and the $1999 14” MBP.

The line up would be perfect with a larger sized MBA:

M1 MBA - $999
M2 MBA 13” - $1299
M2 MBA 15” - $1599 or $1699
MBP 14” - $1999
MBP 16” - $2499

 

[SW3029]

The line up would be perfect with a larger sized MBA:

M1 MBA - $999
M2 MBA 13” - $1299
M2 MBA 15” - $1599 or $1699
MBP 14” - $1999
MBP 16” - $2499

THIS.

You nailed it. The base price for Apple's laptop offerings jump from $1299 to $1999, which is a MASSIVE gap. It means someone who is willing to spend $1700 on a Mac laptop is forced to spend $400 less because Apple doesn't have a product in that price range.

I want a big-screen Mac laptop but don't need the bells and whistles of the MBP. I currently only buy the largest-screen MBP every 5-6 years because they are so expensive. A $1700 15-inch MBA, though? I'd upgrade every 3 years at most. That means Apple is losing out on at least $1000 from me with their current non-15-inch MBA lineup.

Considering ALL Apple users out there, that means Apple is leaving so much money on the table.

 

[James Godfrey]

THIS.

You nailed it. The base price for Apple's laptop offerings jump from $1299 to $1999, which is a MASSIVE gap. It means someone who is willing to spend $1700 on a Mac laptop is forced to spend $400 less because Apple doesn't have a product in that price range.

I want a big-screen Mac laptop but don't need the bells and whistles of the MBP. I currently only buy the largest-screen MBP every 5-6 years because they are so expensive. A $1700 15-inch MBA, though? I'd upgrade every 3 years at most. That means Apple is losing out on at least $1000 from me with their current non-15-inch MBA lineup.

Considering ALL Apple users out there, that means Apple is leaving so much money on the table.

The problem is Apple is probably thinking there are just as many people with a $1700 budget who would spend an additional $300 for the 14” Pro vs $400 less for the entry level 13” Pro.

I suppose time will tell but there is 100% a gap in the market for a 15” Air in my opinion, it’s just whether Apple think a 15” Air will hamper their 14” Pro sales or not. I very much doubt it though as both lines cater for a different demographic.

 

[Marty_Macfly]

Here is an idea.

…. apple’s history of recycling old good H/W designs for SE models…. (Awesome hardware designs…. MBA M1, Se2020)


How about putting a M1 chip into…. The old MBP 2015?! ?

 

[ric22]

Yes I do 100%, at the end of the day non-pro users like a larger screen too, proof of that is the fact that the non-pro iPhones are coming in a max size this year rather than the mini (the mini didn’t do too well either which adds proof that non-pro users want larger screens).

Will apple do it though… I’m not so sure… so far with their Mac line up they haven’t gave a larger size option to the consumer level iMac, nor are they planning on increasing the MBA’s screen size either as far as I am aware… also the non-pro iPads max out at 10.9”… and I am sure there are people out there who would like to see a larger sized iPad Air.

I would defo like to see a larger MacBook Air and completely do away with the entry level Pro… it would also fill the huge $700 price gap between the rumoured $1299 of the new Air and the $1999 14” MBP.

The line up would be perfect with a larger sized MBA:

M1 MBA - $999
M2 MBA 13” - $1299
M2 MBA 15” - $1599 or $1699
MBP 14” - $1999
MBP 16” - $2499

I like it, except the M1 lingering as the processor for the low end MacBook Air for years to come would be pretty horrible. It'll be less powerful than the iPad range at this rate.

 

[oldtime]

For years I have wondered why apple didn't go with a simple 12"/14"/16" laptop lineup.

12 is your ultralight thinner than kate moss superduper sleek and portable machine, something a lot of people still clamor for. 14" land is where both your new larger screen MBA (in the same footprint as the current 13") as well as the entry level and mid-level MBP, a thicker and more powerful alternative to the Air, can live together harmoniously, with a modest but not bank account breaking price difference between the air and base mba. And then 16" is your chad MBP top of the mountain macbook for those with cash to burn or professional needs that require a beastly laptop.

This would allow for a logical price ladder as well as enough weight and screen real estate options to suit almost everyone. As things are now, and have been for a while, there's confusion in the notebook lineup that need some sorting. Apple used to be great at phasing things in and out and keeping product lineups clean. Been a while since that was the case.

 

[ric22]

For years I have wondered why apple didn't go with a simple 12"/14"/16" laptop lineup.

12 is your ultralight thinner than kate moss superduper sleek and portable machine, something a lot of people still clamor for. 14" land is where both your new larger screen MBA (in the same footprint as the current 13") as well as the entry level and mid-level MBP, a thicker and more powerful alternative to the Air, can live together harmoniously, with a modest but not bank account breaking price difference between the air and base mba. And then 16" is your chad MBP top of the mountain macbook for those with cash to burn or professional needs that require a beastly laptop.

This would allow for a logical price ladder as well as enough weight and screen real estate options to suit almost everyone. As things are now, and have been for a while, there's confusion in the notebook lineup that need some sorting. Apple used to be great at phasing things in and out and keeping product lineups clean. Been a while since that was the case.

It's probably time to consign 12 and 13 inch laptops to the dustbin of history, now that we can squeeze a 14" laptop in such a small enclosure.

 

[Queru]

15-inch MacBook Air could be released in 2023 - 9to5Mac

Apple is reportedly developing a 15-inch MacBook Air that could be released as soon as next year. Here's what we know.

9to5mac.com

This will probably show up here as well. Report about possible MBA with around 15' screen from the man himself Ross Young.

I can't wait to see new design and then 15' model. I really want this size of fanless MacBook.

 

[oldtime]

It's probably time to consign 12 and 13 inch laptops to the dustbin of history, now that we can squeeze a 14" laptop in such a small enclosure.

Probably true, but a fullblown, powerful macbook that feels as portable as an iPad would be a dream for a lot of use cases. That it may take a bite out of the ipad market is why we surely won't see one at this point.

 

[cknlol]

For years I have wondered why apple didn't go with a simple 12"/14"/16" laptop lineup.

12 is your ultralight thinner than kate moss superduper sleek and portable machine, something a lot of people still clamor for. 14" land is where both your new larger screen MBA (in the same footprint as the current 13") as well as the entry level and mid-level MBP, a thicker and more powerful alternative to the Air, can live together harmoniously, with a modest but not bank account breaking price difference between the air and base mba. And then 16" is your chad MBP top of the mountain macbook for those with cash to burn or professional needs that require a beastly laptop.

This would allow for a logical price ladder as well as enough weight and screen real estate options to suit almost everyone. As things are now, and have been for a while, there's confusion in the notebook lineup that need some sorting. Apple used to be great at phasing things in and out and keeping product lineups clean. Been a while since that was the case.

Why do you correlate screen estate with performance requirements? The two are not necessarily connected.

 

[ric22]

Probably true, but a fullblown, powerful macbook that feels as portable as an iPad would be a dream for a lot of use cases. That it may take a bite out of the ipad market is why we surely won't see one at this point.

An iPad is smaller and lighter than a 13" MacBook Air, but I never found it more portable. They both fit in a little backpack and the weight didn't hinder me. I've travelled the world with both. A phone is "more portable", but I'm struggling to think of a use case where someone could bring an iPad but not a 13" MacBook Air? Maybe a lady putting an iPad mini in her handbag?

 

[ric22]

Why do you correlate screen estate with performance requirements? The two are not necessarily connected.

☝️ This ?

 

[IJBrekke]

Why do you correlate screen estate with performance requirements? The two are not necessarily connected.

We have been programmed to think this way by Apple. They haven’t made a large-screen laptop at a lower pricing tier in a long, long time.

 

[AmazingTechGeek]

Regardless of what Apple does someone will complain about it. There were so many people complaining because they kept trying to make the MacBook Pro thinner and lighter at the cost of performance. Now that a certain person has left Apple things are going the opposite direction. Of course other people are going to complain because they wanted thinner and lighter.

I agree Apple needs to make a non pro MacBook. The pro level machines have pro level power so they cannot be thin and light. I think a 14” MacBook Air is in the cards. When the redesign happens I don’t see them keeping those bezels so either it’s going to go 14” or it’s going to be smaller and 13” but I don’t think they’ll go that way. I really don’t see a non pro 15” or 16” MacBook coming out though

I'm glad Ive left; his design philosophy was overbearing and overshadowed the voices of creators and professionals who saw the potential in Apple products o be both elegant and performant.

I personally find the new design/weight of the Pro's to be satisfactory; if people want a thin 15in Air fine, but it promotes a different product philosophy than the Pro models.

 

[russell_314]

I'm glad Ive left; his design philosophy was overbearing and overshadowed the voices of creators and professionals who saw the potential in Apple products o be both elegant and performant.

I personally find the new design/weight of the Pro's to be satisfactory; if people want a thin 15in Air fine, but it promotes a different product philosophy than the Pro models.

Exactly! I think a larger MacBook Air could be awesome but it's not a Pro

 

[Fozziebear40]

I can't wait to see new design and then 15' model. I really want this size of fanless MacBook.

Got to be fanless for me too.