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Is Apple really thinking of ditching the MBA?
- Thread starter auzzuro
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I wonder if anyone has manufactured a USB-C to MagSafe cable allowing those new USB-C chargers to be used?
I was really hoping that Apple was going to add USB-C to all of their MacBooks, to bring them all forward. They could have easily replaced the MagSafe with USB-C ports if for nothing else but charging, or at a minimum USB 3, and start unifying the entire product line.
Something like this would have been great:
Over the next couple of years, I think Apple is heading toward the following line-up, without the MBA:
rMB 12in $999: entry laptop
new MBP 13in without touch bar $1299: mid-range laptop
new MBP 13 in with touch bar $1499: high-end laptop
Of course, it will take time for the prices to work down for the new configurations. I think the rMB will be the first to get a price drop, since it has been out for over a year. In fact this year, some of the big box stores have offered the rMB on special sales for close to the $999 entry level price point.
Anyway, with this future line-up, there really isn't much place for the MBA, which is too bad....I really like my MBA.
rMB 12in $999: entry laptop
new MBP 13in without touch bar $1299: mid-range laptop
new MBP 13 in with touch bar $1499: high-end laptop
Of course, it will take time for the prices to work down for the new configurations. I think the rMB will be the first to get a price drop, since it has been out for over a year. In fact this year, some of the big box stores have offered the rMB on special sales for close to the $999 entry level price point.
Anyway, with this future line-up, there really isn't much place for the MBA, which is too bad....I really like my MBA.
Apple has not created the USB-C connector because the voltages on the adapters are a tad bit different.I wonder if anyone has manufactured a USB-C to MagSafe cable allowing those new USB-C chargers to be used?
I was really hoping that Apple was going to add USB-C to all of their MacBooks, to bring them all forward. They could have easily replaced the MagSafe with USB-C ports if for nothing else but charging, or at a minimum USB 3, and start unifying the entire product line.
Something like this would have been great:
[doublepost=1478617111][/doublepost]
There, fixed that for ya.
BTW, many/most of the refurbs are not returns. Keep in mind, Apple uses it's own products, they have their own products on display in their stores, etc. where do you think those products go? They are not "new" and cannot be sold as such.
Doesn't bother me in the slightest. They get a full check-over and I believe a new external case (?battery also ?) - and come with the same warranty with the option for AppleCare as normal. Nothing to lose as I see it.
Yes, many appreciate Apple refurbs. But I'm not one of them since with a little poking around I can find new units for LESS than Apple sells refurbed.
Not where I live ye can't!
And having once bought from a re-seller and experiencing truly mind-blowingly god-awful service, I would only buy direct from Apple in future
I wonder if anyone has manufactured a USB-C to MagSafe cable allowing those new USB-C chargers to be used?
I was really hoping that Apple was going to add USB-C to all of their MacBooks, to bring them all forward. They could have easily replaced the MagSafe with USB-C ports if for nothing else but charging, or at a minimum USB 3, and start unifying the entire product line.
Something like this would have been great:
https://griffintechnology.com/us/breaksafe-magnetic-usb-c-power-cable
any tips? currently thinking of getting a 2015 MBA but can't find anywhere cheaper than apple with education pricing. tried amazon, ebay etc (canadian btw)
This from Best Buy: https://www.macrumors.com/2016/11/10/best-buy-black-friday-deals/
At $800, the base MBA is still a pretty nice computer.
So, next year... still standing by my predictions.... the 11" just got killed off, the 13" won't be far behind as retina screen cost comes down.
At my local Apple Store yesterday they were still selling 11" MBAs. I did not expect that.
Old stock, won't last long.
The air is definitely going to be retired, it's just a matter of time. The screen has been pretty garbage for the price for a long time now. A macbook pro screen from 2008 is much better in terms of contrast, viewing angle, colour reproduction, etc.
Don't get me wrong, other than the screen the air is a great machine. But that screen is just unacceptable these days and the new 13" Pro is essentially the same size/weight as the 13" air or better and the 12" retina is lighter than the 11" with a way better screen.
If it is replaced I just hope they improve on the features or at least match the current features and don't go the Mac Mini route.
I was out of town with my early 2015 MBA and forgot my charger. I used it on and off for three days on a single charge. Battery life is amazing.
I was out of town with my early 2015 MBA and forgot my charger. I used it on and off for three days on a single charge. Battery life is amazing.
I can see it happening. I see the $999 MacBook Air becoming the non retina MacBook pro that was just discontinued. They will keep it around for a while and not update it, that's it.
I think its clear they are positioning the ipad pro to take the spot once occupied by the 11" MBA
Unacceptable to you, but many people find it very useable. The screen displays everything I need. When I bought mine there was no such thing as retina. If I ever decide to replace my current MBA I'm unlikely to decide to pay the retina tax.
My mother prefers to watch widescreen movies cropped or stretched, and 4:3 SD programs stretched. It doesn't make any difference to her. I can't watch some TV with her because of it.
I have a standard display on my iMac at work, as well as my personal 2012 MBP. But make no mistake, the difference between them and my Retina iPad and iPhone is night and day.
Given the choice of all the factors needed to support my use, I would chose Retina display hands down. One major consideration is that it offers greater display area, since the the smaller text and details can be presented much more legibly than with a standard display. It's also much easier on the eyes, and makes extended reading much more tolerable, so much so that I have threatened to buy my own iMac and bring it in for work. My MBP isn't used as intensively for reading so I'm not as anxious to upgrade it. But I will never buy another Mac, or any device really, without a Retina quality display.
I have been looking at the MBA 11 inch for a while. Love the size. The newer mb are nice and just as light, but I absolutely hate the keyboard. Typing on it was a pain. I also like the lighted apple on the air ( sound crazy). I have seen the 13 in airs on Black Friday ads but not the 11 inch. I found one at BB that's an open box for $800. I may try it for a couple of weeks and see if I really like it. If not I will return it. I have a MacBook Pro retina that I use for most of the time. I wanted the smaller air for travel and lighter use , like for meetings.
The Grand Central Terminal's Apple store in NYC sells the 11" MBA. I was just there this afternoon. I inquired about it.
[doublepost=1479161637][/doublepost]I'm at a loss as I have a 2010 MBP and it is slow and is on its last legs. I do a few keynote presentations and use pages on occasion. Otherwise, my usage is for email, news reading, and social media like LinkedIn and Facebook. I spoke with 2 salespeople at the Apple Store at Grand Central in NYC. I told them that I'm not editing film or music but I want a product that is future-proofed. My concern was that the 13" MBA with 256GB flash storage (that's what I'm looking for) wouldn't be able to upgrade to future operating systems in 4-5 years. Both said that the MBA's adaptability to new op systems should be fine. The $1199 price is far better than the 13" MBP's $1399 ticket price; I'm not made of money. I don't care one way or the other about retina. I wish my current mag safe plug would work but oh well. What are people's thoughts here?
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I always felt that "future proofing" was like chasing smoke. I just buy what meets my needs today and let the future take care of itself. 5 years from now, it will still be the same computer. If new versions of the operating system no longer work, then just don't upgrade to them. With very few exceptions, I keep the original operating system on my computers until I upgrade…. and I have been using Macs since 1985. 
Still running 10.8.5 on my 2013 MBA with no problems for example. But I have a lot of expensive legacy software, and each upgrade breaks something else. So life is just easier this way...
Still running 10.8.5 on my 2013 MBA with no problems for example. But I have a lot of expensive legacy software, and each upgrade breaks something else. So life is just easier this way...