KGI: Apple to Launch Cheaper MacBook Air in 2Q 2018

[Abazigal]

That’s typical “my usage is the norm for others”-reasoning to ratify the dongle economy
Really, nobody ever complained that unused ports hampered/ impacted their workflow. Sue Apple if you think so.

And how many people complained about the presence of a CD-drive in their laptops either? It took its removal from the MBA to make people re-evaluate their workflows and realise that they really didn't need it all that much either.

Actually, here in MR forums I saw one person saying that they welcomed the removal of ports, because ports were heavy, and the person didn't want to carry them around.

Sounds like an argument I might make, but as always, context is everything.

The thunderbolt port in the MBA allowed for the removal of the 3 display ports - VGA, HDMI and DVI. Instead of having to second-guess which one the consumer wanted, it was simply easier to let them device via the purchase of the appropriate adaptor. This allowed for a thinner device, and if you didn't need any of those ports to begin, all the better.

The point here is that if I didn't need those ports, I can easily leave my adaptors behind, and all I have left is an exceedingly thin and light device which I can easily bring around with me. And all other things equal, a thinner and lighter device is a more useable device (for me). But with a thicker device, I can't decide to suddenly rip those ports out; I am stuck with them regardless of whether I want them or not.

At the end of the day, it's a judgement call, just like everything else. And it just so happens that Apple's design decisions of late have actually been more or less in line with my needs. It's kinda funny in a way. I find myself loving the Apple's pencil charging method, the design of the AirPods, the battery case's hump, even the notch, even as the rest of the world piles criticism after criticism upon them.

To each their own, I guess.

 

[Mainsail]

And how many people complained about the presence of a CD-drive in their laptops either? It took its removal from the MBA to make people re-evaluate their workflows and realise that they really didn't need it all that much either.


Sounds like an argument I might make, but as always, context is everything.

The thunderbolt port in the MBA allowed for the removal of the 3 display ports - VGA, HDMI and DVI. Instead of having to second-guess which one the consumer wanted, it was simply easier to let them device via the purchase of the appropriate adaptor. This allowed for a thinner device, and if you didn't need any of those ports to begin, all the better.

The point here is that if I didn't need those ports, I can easily leave my adaptors behind, and all I have left is an exceedingly thin and light device which I can easily bring around with me. And all other things equal, a thinner and lighter device is a more useable device (for me). But with a thicker device, I can't decide to suddenly rip those ports out; I am stuck with them regardless of whether I want them or not.

At the end of the day, it's a judgement call, just like everything else. And it just so happens that Apple's design decisions of late have actually been more or less in line with my needs. It's kinda funny in a way. I find myself loving the Apple's pencil charging method, the design of the AirPods, the battery case's hump, even the notch, even as the rest of the world piles criticism after criticism upon them.

To each their own, I guess.

You make a lot of good points, and I might be able to live with only one port, reduced battery life, no MagSafe, and other functional compromises for marginal improvements in portability and esthetic appeal. However, a laptop keyboard that regularly fails because of a faulty design that compromised basic functionality and reliability for thinness is an absolute showstopper for me.

 

[Bacillus]

And how many people complained about the presence of a CD-drive in their laptops either? It took its removal from the MBA to make people re-evaluate their workflows and realise that they really didn't need it all that much either.

Again, typical “my usage is the norm for others”-reasoning.
You're too much endongled in Applesauce to realize that many don't

 

[Abazigal]

Typical “my usage is the norm for others”-reasoning again. Many don't.

Except I am not the one responsible for Apple removing these features. The engineers and designers at Apple are, based on their own vision of how they want to push technology forward and make it more personal for the end user.

I won’t say that every change made by Apple has been entirely to my advantage, but for most part, I have been able to adapt and move on and sometimes even come out ahead. This is the price you pay for living within the Apple ecosystem. It will always be someone else’s vision that you subscribe to. Never your own.

My point isn’t so much that my needs somehow matter more than others, or that their needs aren’t relevant. My point is that these changes can (and often do) sting in the short run, but they will (likely) be worth it in the long run.

 

[Bacillus]

Except I am not the one responsible for Apple removing these features. The engineers and designers at Apple are, based on their own vision of how they want to push technology forward and make it more personal for the end user.
I won’t say that every change made by Apple has been entirely to my advantage, but for most part, I have been able to adapt and move on and sometimes even come out ahead. This is the price you pay for living within the Apple ecosystem. It will always be someone else’s vision that you subscribe to. Never your own.
My point isn’t so much that my needs somehow matter more than others, or that their needs aren’t relevant. My point is that these changes can (and often do) sting in the short run, but they will (likely) be worth it in the long run.

No, but your unconditional Apployalty doesn't help either.
Many people ditched their MacBooks for flimsy keyboards and lack of DVDdrive/ports/MagSafe - they won't come back until normal tenure returns.
Whatever "forward pushing" / "personalisation" may apply - along breadcrump-free keyboards and similar courageous fluff...
Happy hiking

 

[CWallace]

Plenty of PC OEMs offer high-end laptops without optical drives. The forum-darling Dell XPS line, for example. And they all did so in the face of how popular the MacBook Air became. And the MacBook Pro's sales increased as they made it thinner and lighter (it is now the most popular Mac family in terms of sales) in part by dropping the optical drive.

That being said, the PC OEMs also continue to offer "thick and heavy" models that include an optical drive where Apple does not. So perhaps if Apple kept the Late 2011 15" model in the lineup (call it the "MacBook Slab") with current spec internals and both a Retina Display and a Super Drive they could keep everyone happy.

 

[mgauss7]

If Apple added a retina screen and updated the specs I would buy one of these, I doubt that will happen tho since the headline reads “cheaper model”

That would be great

 

[pankajdoharey]

"Yeah, I want a Macbook that can only run a fraction of programs, will have no pro apps for years, and is basically a bad clone of Windows 10S which Microsoft has all ready written off."

I really don't get it.

Microsoft isnt a very smart company, what i am saying can be done and will have all apps the tech exists.

 

[Biggey]

I believe the Y series has 12 PCIe's. That's enough for four to the SSD, four to Thunderbolt, and enough left for WiFi and Bluetooth.

Per Intel’s website, the 7th Gen Y-Series chips used in the current MacBooks have 10 PCIe’s. Likely not enough to fit Thunderbolt 3 into the mix.

 

[toke lahti]

Per Intel’s website, the 7th Gen Y-Series chips used in the current MacBooks have 10 PCIe’s. Likely not enough to fit Thunderbolt 3 into the mix.

PCIe v5 is 32Gbit/s per channel...

 

[oyabroch!]

Ahem: cheapER != CHEAP.

 

[LordVic]

I'll be buying so long as they don't make any drastic changes to ports or power cord. Any upgrades in speed/display would be nice. My 2012 is still cruising along.

if it still comes in < $1,000, has a reasonable screen upgrade (Don't even need retina, 1080p would be fine for that price point), and keep a USB-A port (only care if there's 1), than I'm pretty much sold.

OH yeah..

chicklet keyboard or it's a dead deal. I absolutely despise their new scissor keys and will NEVER buy a computer with a keyboard with such an absolutely trash feel with constant reported technical issues.
[doublepost=1521675422][/doublepost]

And the MacBook Pro's sales increased as they made it thinner and lighter

point of contention, although I don't have last quarters results, the MacBook sales volumes haven't dramatically increased for Apple. In fact, they lost sales from a volume standpoint more quarters recently than gains

They did increase revenues drastically though (the quarter they released the new Mac Pros' was the highest mac revenue ever).

this was done by increasing sale prices. Not improving actual sales. the new Mac Pros, and the MacBook raised prices by significant margins accross the board. Remember, the new MacBook Pro 13" is starting at $2,400 now. the previous 15" 2013 model was only 1,999. that's a $400 price jump, or approximately 20% price increase which does lineup with estimations of the lower volumes, but higher revenues.

 

[chucker23n1]

Microsoft isnt a very smart company, what i am saying can be done and will have all apps the tech exists.

You haven't made a good case on why this would benefit anyone.
[doublepost=1521675883][/doublepost]

chicklet keyboard or it's a dead deal. I absolutely despise their new scissor keys

Their current keyboard is butterfly. The predecessor was scissor. Both are chiclet.

 

[LordVic]

You haven't made a good case on why this would benefit anyone.
[doublepost=1521675883][/doublepost]

Their current keyboard is butterfly. The predecessor was scissor. Both are chiclet.

I shouldn't be allowed to post when i'm really tired.

yes, I believe you're right on the branding / name and the terminology.

I love the old scissor chicklets. the keyboard on my MacBook air is easily my favourite mobile keyboard I've ever had.

I've had to setup a couple MacBook Pros for work reasons and the keyboard was absolutely the worst typing experience I have ever had on ANY keyboard. including those ridiculously terrible bubble keyboard dell ships with their computers that costs them 50c to produce.

I will never buy a computer that features Apple's new keyboard.

 

[Biggey]

PCIe v5 is 32Gbit/s per channel...

Given that Thunderbolt 3 only supports up to PCIe 3.0 speeds, that is irrelevant. Plus, Intel's brand new Coffee Lake CPU's don't even support PCIe 4.0, let alone PCIe 5.0!

 

[CWallace]

point of contention, although I don't have last quarters results, the MacBook sales volumes haven't dramatically increased for Apple. In fact, they lost sales from a volume standpoint more quarters recently than gains

It is very true that total Mac sales have fluctuated per quarter over the years, but the MacBook Pro is now the best-selling laptop within the range (replacing the MacBook Air) and laptops themselves now make up 80% of annual Mac sales.

 

[toke lahti]

Given that Thunderbolt 3 only supports up to PCIe 3.0 speeds, that is irrelevant. Plus, Intel's brand new Coffee Lake CPU's don't even support PCIe 4.0, let alone PCIe 5.0!

PCIe v3 is 8 Gbit/s, 10 lanes is 80G bit/s.

 

[toke lahti]

I will never buy a computer that features Apple's new keyboard.

Apple used to make mice that most mac users hated. Now they have expanded to keyboards. And the worst thing is that they try to sell you a wireless keyboard to desktop and stopped selling the old wired version.
It’s hard to find old models in smaller areas, like scandinavian keymap. Just sad. Apple, set macs free of you!

 

[Biggey]

PCIe v3 is 8 Gbit/s, 10 lanes is 80G bit/s.

You are acting as if Thunderbolt 3 is the only component that needs PCIe lanes. And even if that CPU had more than 10 lanes, it wouldn’t solve the heat and power problem. Which would make the current MacBook design unrealistic.

 

[Dave245]

Looks like they are going to live stream the event, i didn't think they would for an education only event. I've also seen this on my Apple TV as well, as part of the Events App.

EDIT: no livestream it will be available to watch after the event concludes according to Apple.

 

[toke lahti]

You are acting as if Thunderbolt 3 is the only component that needs PCIe lanes. And even if that CPU had more than 10 lanes, it wouldn’t solve the heat and power problem. Which would make the current MacBook design unrealistic.

Well, Apple has released "half speed" tb-ports before (JHL6240). And it was you, who mentioned the number of lanes. The important thing here is, that the connector is compatible to products already on the market.
I don't think fanless solution is important for next Air.
But you do know that these tb-controllers use something like 1-2 watts?

It is of course totally possible that Apple will release "a new mac" in 2018 with tb2 port (from 2013 with dp1.2 from 2009) and Apple's engineers, on the way to the bank, laugh for the waiting line to buy these new miracles...
At the same time "Titan Ridge" has already been released with dp1.4. Maybe iMacPro will get it in 2020 (if they speed up their mac uprgade cycle enough) and others will follow...

 

[chucker23n1]

But you do know that these tb-controllers use something like 1-2 watts?

Which is a lot, given that the CPU, GPU, chipset, etc. on the MacBook altogether take up only 4.5 Watts.

 

[Biggey]

Well, Apple has released "half speed" tb-ports before (JHL6240). And it was you, who mentioned the number of lanes. The important thing here is, that the connector is compatible to products already on the market.
I don't think fanless solution is important for next Air.
But you do know that these tb-controllers use something like 1-2 watts?

It is of course totally possible that Apple will release "a new mac" in 2018 with tb2 port (from 2013 with dp1.2 from 2009) and Apple's engineers, on the way to the bank, laugh for the waiting line to buy these new miracles...
At the same time "Titan Ridge" has already been released with dp1.4. Maybe iMacPro will get it in 2020 (if they speed up their mac uprgade cycle enough) and others will follow...

This conversation started with a complaint about the MacBook not supporting Thunderbolt, not the MacBook Air. So yes, a fanless solution is important for the current design of the MacBook.

It is possible but extremely unlikely that Apple would update the MacBook with TB2 because it uses the DisplayPort form factor. Thus, requiring a design change, defeating the purpose.

Again, the MacBook is not and will never be aimed at the Pro market so long as there is a MacBook Pro line.

Speaking of that... no need to wait until 2020 for Titan Ridge. It’s coming to the MacBook Pro lineup this year with Coffee Lake.

 

[Zarniwoop]

Well, Apple has released "half speed" tb-ports before (JHL6240). And it was you, who mentioned the number of lanes. The important thing here is, that the connector is compatible to products already on the market.
I don't think fanless solution is important for next Air.
But you do know that these tb-controllers use something like 1-2 watts?

I'm sure the future Apple security enclave has TB3 controller built-in. TB3 is already open and not Intel only feature anymore so Apple could use it in iPad's as well. T3 and A12 with TB3? Apple could use their own GPU in some Mac models.

There really isn't many reasons why Apple wouldn't create AMD custom APU with their security enclave and GPU on SoC, pay AMD a lump sum for the design, and copy it as much as they could to have a better cut.

 

[bluecoast]

I find this ‘new/cheap’ MacBook Air tumour to be really puzzling.

The screen, ports and design are all legacy and it surely only still exists to meet the sub $1k price point.

I find it way more likely that they’re going to find a way to make the MacBook cheaper.

Incidentally, does anyone know why the MacBook is relatively expensive? Is it the intel processor, primarily?