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Can we also expect, ?

-Backlit keys
-Brighter display, colors, and IPS
-HD Facetime

All would be greatly appreciated along with the Sandy Bridge

fingers crossed for no Over-heating issues, you know how those turbo speeds can get and how they've treated the 13'' Pros

I might not expect IPS, doesn’t it draw more power than TN LCDs?
 
Since you have no clue how the sandy bridge airs will perform, I'll take your statement as FUD.

Ehhh...youre missing his point (and being a bit rude). The IGP on SB is NOT as capable as nVidia's 320M. Certainly the SB architecture will yield great processing improvements to the MBA (over the C2D)...but graphics will most likely take a hit. That was his concern.
 
I am shocked that anyone finds this as a positive.

So you all want a drop from 1.86/2.13 to 1.4GHz CPUs in your 13" MBA? That is a 30% drop.

Then you want another drop of approaching 50% in graphics performance? Remember these IGPs clock in much lower than the STD voltage SB used in 13" MBP.

I find this completely backwards from Apple's current position on both CPU and graphics, and I don't think anyone would end up with a faster or better 13" MBA than the current generation. Apple would certainly have to bring back the backlit keyboard and introduce Thunderbolt to sucker anyone into buying such inferior junk! I would recommend people buy the current generation on clearance rather than lose performance everywhere like this. If this is the chip Apple uses in the 13" MBA, prepare for a big drop in capabilities!

I am still in shock anyone finds this a positive? Have you all read the clock speed? The facts about the chip and IGP in ultra low voltage variants?
 
It's ****ing great option while working at night in bed.

eh, I don't see how it's significant for anything other than aesthetic purposes. If you're working in the dark the display itself is going to provide enough illumination as it is. Just seems like a waste.
 
Can we also expect, ?

-Backlit keys
-Brighter display, colors, and IPS

i wonder if apple could get samsung's PLS display actually. those look better than IPS

I LOL'd. I owned iPad 1 for a year, and while it's nice, it's a FAR, FAR cry from the productivity capabilities of the current gen MBA.

Like it or not, iPad is SEVERELY CRIPPLED for content creation (i.e. real work), but excels at content CONSUMPTION. That's factual and completely undebatable. Everyone knows this.

So, no, it's not "something better". It's a more viable choice for entertainment and consumption. That's it.

don't tell that to the kids who hang out at the ipad forum section.. they'll stone you =)

What is the obsession with back-lit keys?

Do you actually look at the keyboard when you're typing?

well speaking only for myself.. i suck at typing, so having this feature at night helps. and being an owner of 2 MB Pros, i've been spoiled by the backlit keys
 
So are the current MacBook airs using a dedicated gpu? Or is it integrated? I'm confused. :)

99.99999999999999999999999999999999% sure it will be integrated. Akin to the base MBP. :( Id LOVE it if the 13inch had a discrete GPU (with optimus switching it could perform rather well, battery wise). I just hope they redesign the thermal exhaust on the MBA...if read about mobos warping due to exposed hi temps (maybe thats BS, but a fan that small cant cool well)
 
So are the current MacBook airs using a dedicated gpu? Or is it integrated? I'm confused. :)

They use an IGP (Integrated Graphics Processor) manufactured by nVidia and incorporated to the "chipset" (south bridge) that is the 320m.

SB ships an IGP integrated on the CPU die itself, manufactured by Intel.

The nVidia solution is better for graphics performance.
 
I might not expect IPS, doesn’t it draw more power than TN LCDs?

I don't think you'll see IPS screens in MacBook Pro's or Air in the future.
Apple is working on the mass market now and mass market don't care about quality of the screens specially on the portables.
If you need colors and better screen then Apple will sale you "****ing glossy amazing" 27" display. :)
 
I don't think you'll see IPS screens in MacBook Pro's or Air in the future.
Apple is working on the mass market now and mass market don't care about quality of the screens specially on the portables.
If you need colors and better screen then Apple will sale you "****ing glossy amazing" 27" display. :)

Shame really, because the Pro in me would like a more color accurate screen, even for a little extra Apple Tax. C'mon Apple! You can release a $3000 laptop, you know you can!
 
I am shocked that anyone finds this as a positive.

So you all want a drop from 1.86/2.13 to 1.4GHz CPUs in your 13" MBA? That is a 30% drop.

Then you want another drop of approaching 50% in graphics performance? Remember these IGPs clock in much lower than the STD voltage SB used in 13" MBP.

I find this completely backwards from Apple's current position on both CPU and graphics, and I don't think anyone would end up with a faster or better 13" MBA than the current generation. Apple would certainly have to bring back the backlit keyboard and introduce Thunderbolt to sucker anyone into buying such inferior junk! I would recommend people buy the current generation on clearance rather than lose performance everywhere like this. If this is the chip Apple uses in the 13" MBA, prepare for a big drop in capabilities!

I am still in shock anyone finds this a positive? Have you all read the clock speed? The facts about the chip and IGP in ultra low voltage variants?

Umm... You do realise clock speed is not everything don't you?
I hope you don't think a C2D is better then a SB Core i5

You definitely dont know what your talking about.
 
Forget i7.. Hellhammer seriously? Didnt expect that from you. (or where you just speaking what tehnical could be possible)
Marketingwise this would just make no sense at all. It would actually be a Conflict of interest for the MBP.

i5 seems logic. And then just mhz bump bto.

IMHO i would love to see an 11.6 MBA with an i3. So that there could still be enough power for backlit.
And please, do make the screen better for the 11.6

GMA3000 is ok for an Air. Even if it is just DX10.

Tod

PS: @Scottsdale: Did you buy this Generation MBA. Or did you wait, because the backlit thing? (just wondering, because to an i5 you cant say no can you ;-) Oh yes, to replay to your text. The bus is higher, and so is the turboboost option up to 2.X GhZ. It IS better than actuall CD2. The power you use if you need it (if not, much more battery life). But on the GPU part im with you. It is still freaking me out, crp Intel Graphics. But i can swallow it on a MBA.
 
I am shocked that anyone finds this as a positive.

So you all want a drop from 1.86/2.13 to 1.4GHz CPUs in your 13" MBA? That is a 30% drop.

Then you want another drop of approaching 50% in graphics performance? Remember these IGPs clock in much lower than the STD voltage SB used in 13" MBP.

I find this completely backwards from Apple's current position on both CPU and graphics, and I don't think anyone would end up with a faster or better 13" MBA than the current generation. Apple would certainly have to bring back the backlit keyboard and introduce Thunderbolt to sucker anyone into buying such inferior junk! I would recommend people buy the current generation on clearance rather than lose performance everywhere like this. If this is the chip Apple uses in the 13" MBA, prepare for a big drop in capabilities!

I am still in shock anyone finds this a positive? Have you all read the clock speed? The facts about the chip and IGP in ultra low voltage variants?

agreed completely.
 
eh, I don't see how it's significant for anything other than aesthetic purposes. If you're working in the dark the display itself is going to provide enough illumination as it is. Just seems like a waste.
Well, I work on my MacBook Pro now in bed and it's a pleasure to type on the back light keyboard. You reduce brightness of the display when you work in the dark conditions, I do. So, it's not enough to see the keys, but I don't much care about it, because I could type without looking on the keys, but most of the Apple customers who buys Air's can't type blind.
 
Umm... You do realise clock speed is not everything don't you?
I hope you don't think a C2D is better then a SB Core i5

True.

Clock for clock the Arrandales are faster than C2D and Sandy Bridge is clock for clock faster than the Arrandales.

So a 1.4 Sandy Bridge will be quite a bit faster than than a 1.4 C2D within the same power envelope.
 
Shame really, because the Pro in me would like a more color accurate screen, even for a little extra Apple Tax. C'mon Apple! You can release a $3000 laptop, you know you can!

They do:D Speced out 17'' MBP.

Youre totally right though, their notebook displays have been taking backseat to the iOS train. Hell, the iPad3 is gonna have a 2048x1536 display for heavens sake...and they couldnt even give the refreshed 13'' MBP the same res as the months old 13'' MBA. FAIL.
 
I still don't think this means new MacBook Airs in June. Can anyone really see Apple releasing new hardware before Lion is released?
 
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