M1 MacBook Air Gets No Price Drop, 8-Core GPU No Longer an Option

[MacRumors]

Apple today introduced the 2022 MacBook Air, which features a redesign and an updated chip. The new machine includes a MacBook Pro-like chassis, a larger display, support for more memory, and the M2 chip.

Those features bring an increased price tag, with Apple selling the updated M2 MacBook Air at $1199 for the low-end version. Typically new devices bring price cuts for older devices that stay in the lineup, but that's not the case for the MacBook Air.

Apple is continuing to sell the prior-generation M1 MacBook Air for $999, which is the same price as before. There have been no price cuts for the M1 MacBook Air, and the lineup starts at $999.

The M1 MacBook Air is Apple's cheapest notebook, and it has not been updated in any way. It continues to feature an 8-core M1 CPU and a 7-core GPU, with no 8-core GPU option available anymore.

Apple's new entry-level M2 machine that's priced at $1199 features an 8-core CPU, an 8-core GPU, and a 256GB SSD with the upgraded version with an 8-core GPU, 10-core GPU, and 512GB SSD priced at $1499.

Apple is also selling the 13-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 chip and that machine is priced starting at $1299, $100 more expensive than the base M2 MacBook Air.

Article Link: M1 MacBook Air Gets No Price Drop, 8-Core GPU No Longer an Option

 

[developer13245]

Epic Fail!
The so called M2 is NOT the M2 chip Apple wanted to ship. It's really just an M1.5, or worse.

Some proof: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/03/10/m2-macs-with-tsmc-4nm-process/

Excerpt:
"oft-accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Tuesday tweeted that a 2022 version of the MacBook Air will still use the M1 chip, although he suggested it could be a modified version of the chip without elaborating further"

Nailed it: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/03/08/kuo-macbook-air-2022-m1/

Explains everything because Apple did indeed just update the MacBook Air just as Kuo predicted (8-core CPU and 10-core GPU). The new M chip should be called the "M1 SE"

This is nothing short of an epic Failure for Apple.

 

[ignatius345]

I'd just watch their Refurbished page if I was after one of these.

 

[Eidorian]

This is why I bought a refurbished Macbook Air after last year's Pro letdown.

 

[TinyMito]

Inflation and supply issues.

 

[TinyMito]

Epic Fail!
The so called M2 is NOT the M2 chip Apple wanted to ship. It's really just an M1.5, or worse.

Some proof: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/03/10/m2-macs-with-tsmc-4nm-process/

Excerpt:
"oft-accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Tuesday tweeted that a 2022 version of the MacBook Air will still use the M1 chip, although he suggested it could be a modified version of the chip without elaborating further"

Nailed it: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/03/08/kuo-macbook-air-2022-m1/

Explains everything because Apple did indeed just update the MacBook Air just as Kuo predicted (8-core CPU and 10-core GPU). The new M chip should be called the "M1 SE"

This is nothing short of an epic Failure for Apple.

Have you heard of Tick Tock refresh cycle?

 

[Tagbert]

Epic Fail!
The so called M2 is NOT the M2 chip Apple wanted to ship. It's really just an M1.5, or worse.

Some proof: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/03/10/m2-macs-with-tsmc-4nm-process/

Excerpt:
"oft-accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Tuesday tweeted that a 2022 version of the MacBook Air will still use the M1 chip, although he suggested it could be a modified version of the chip without elaborating further"

Nailed it: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/03/08/kuo-macbook-air-2022-m1/

Explains everything because Apple did indeed just update the MacBook Air just as Kuo predicted (8-core CPU and 10-core GPU). The new M chip should be called the "M1 SE"

This is nothing short of an epic Failure for Apple.

How so? It sounds like the CPU OS 18% faster and the GPU is 40% faster that is beyond the M1. That sounds like they used the A15 cores which is what we expected for the M2. What would an M1.5 be anyway other than rumor fodder?

 

[R3k]

Epic Fail!
The so called M2 is NOT the M2 chip Apple wanted to ship. It's really just an M1.5, or worse.

Some proof: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/03/10/m2-macs-with-tsmc-4nm-process/

Excerpt:
"oft-accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Tuesday tweeted that a 2022 version of the MacBook Air will still use the M1 chip, although he suggested it could be a modified version of the chip without elaborating further"

Nailed it: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/03/08/kuo-macbook-air-2022-m1/

Explains everything because Apple did indeed just update the MacBook Air just as Kuo predicted (8-core CPU and 10-core GPU). The new M chip should be called the "M1 SE"

This is nothing short of an epic Failure for Apple.

Think beyond the chip. Plenty of other upgrades to the computer.
Epic Fail? Unless I see their stock price diving I'd have to disagree.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Epic Fail!
The so called M2 is NOT the M2 chip Apple wanted to ship. It's really just an M1.5, or worse.

Some proof: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/03/10/m2-macs-with-tsmc-4nm-process/

Excerpt:
"oft-accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Tuesday tweeted that a 2022 version of the MacBook Air will still use the M1 chip, although he suggested it could be a modified version of the chip without elaborating further"

Nailed it: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/03/08/kuo-macbook-air-2022-m1/

Explains everything because Apple did indeed just update the MacBook Air just as Kuo predicted (8-core CPU and 10-core GPU). The new M chip should be called the "M1 SE"

This is nothing short of an epic Failure for Apple.

You have no proof as to what Apple has intended. And as to the new MBA, I don't see failure on Apple's part barring some kind of manufacturing defect glitch. I see a Mac that should sell very well.

The only people obsessing over the chip are people like yourself on MR and elsewhere. Your average consumer doesn't care nor should they.

What is a failure is your rant.

 

[developer13245]

Have you heard of Tick Tock refresh cycle?

Intel invented the Tick Tock refresh cycle. Should Apple copy Intel's strategies as they develop Apple Silicon?

 

[TinyMito]

Intel invented the Tick Tock refresh cycle. Should Apple copy Intel's strategies as they develop Apple Silicon?

Could be a good approach, Intel is going back to that cycle now. It wasn't working out before.

 

[citysnaps]

Epic Fail!
The so called M2 is NOT the M2 chip Apple wanted to ship. It's really just an M1.5, or worse.

Shiver me timbers. Not just a Fail, but an EPIC Fail.

Wondering if the Sun will be shining tomorrow morning?

 

[developer13245]

You have no proof as to what Apple has intended. And as to the new MBA, I don't see failure on Apple's part barring some kind of manufacturing defect glitch. I see a Mac that should sell very well.

The only people obsessing over the chip are people like yourself on MR and elsewhere. Your average consumer doesn't care nor should they.

What is a failure is your rant.

Ummm... your "average consumer" will see lower performance tier MacBooks (Air and 13" PRO) with a higher M chip number. That never goes well. In fact that amounts to what is known as a "rookie mistake". Apple will pay a high price for this screw up.

...think.... think... whir... whir...

"OH S**T"!!!

 

[developer13245]

Could be a good approach, Intel is going back to that cycle now. It wasn't working out before.

So go ahead and buy an Intel Mac Mini. You'll be ahead of the game!

 

[Macative]

This is why I bought a refurbished Macbook Air after last year's Pro letdown.

Lolol at Pro letdown. Literally nothing about them was a letdown.

 

[developer13245]

How so? It sounds like the CPU OS 18% faster and the GPU is 40% faster that is beyond the M1. That sounds like they used the A15 cores which is what we expected for the M2. What would an M1.5 be anyway other than rumor fodder?

Imagine Tim Cook standing on stage in front of a "Single core performance" comparison graphic that shows ZERO percent improvement. Think about that for a while and maybe you'll all begin to understand.
Marketing can call it whatever they want, but in reality it's an M1 chip with more GPUs and memory.

 

[azentropy]

Inflation and supply issues.

Yep. Probably lucky Apple didn’t raise the price on it!

 

[Howard2k]

Epic Fail!
The so called M2 is NOT the M2 chip Apple wanted to ship. It's really just an M1.5, or worse.

Some proof: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/03/10/m2-macs-with-tsmc-4nm-process/

Excerpt:
"oft-accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Tuesday tweeted that a 2022 version of the MacBook Air will still use the M1 chip, although he suggested it could be a modified version of the chip without elaborating further"

Nailed it: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/03/08/kuo-macbook-air-2022-m1/

Explains everything because Apple did indeed just update the MacBook Air just as Kuo predicted (8-core CPU and 10-core GPU). The new M chip should be called the "M1 SE"

This is nothing short of an epic Failure for Apple.

I’m glad you posted this. I hope Apple‘s marketing teams and manufacturing teams get to see this post as they’re anticipating selling 7 million of these. That’s going to be a super full warehouse.

As a shareholder, thanks for looking out for Apple. I’m glad they have you to guide them.

 

[developer13245]

Shiver me timbers. Not just a Fail, but an EPIC Fail.

Wondering if the Sun will be shining tomorrow morning?

The sun will be shining very brightly on all the S spread around from the SHTF moments after they realized the mistake they just made (see my above responses).

 

[AppleTO]

Oh wow, wasn’t expecting a price increase. That makes the M2 MacBook Air start at $1499 CAD. Yikes. At least the M1 version is still available.

 

[developer13245]

I’m glad you posted this. I hope Apple‘s marketing teams and manufacturing teams get to see this post as they’re anticipating selling 7 million of these. That’s going to be a super full warehouse.

As a shareholder, thanks for looking out for Apple. I’m glad they have you to guide them.

Don't thank me, thank Kuo. He called it perfectly. Apple should have seen this and accepted reality: The real M2 is delayed.
Now Apple gets to muddle through an (assumed but obvious) "Osborne Effect" period while customers wait for the M3.
Apple not only bet the farm on China, they built the farm IN China. The chickens have come home to roost, and marketing can't spin it away.

 

[Mr. Dee]

What this also means for the iPhone is we are not gonna see any major performance boost for the A16. Hence why they are keeping the standard 14 on A15. The chip shortage and supply chain issues are definitely giving Apple a warm time. The 4 NM SoC is likely not to show up until mid 2024.

 

[Larabee119]

Edit: Sorry misread!
I'm really interested in the M2 to replace my single thread machine

 

[paradox00]

Imagine Tim Cook standing on stage in front of a "Single core performance" comparison graphic that shows ZERO percent improvement. Think about that for a while and maybe you'll all begin to understand.
Marketing can call it whatever they want, but in reality it's an M1 chip with more GPUs and memory.

Imagine being unable to count. The number of CPU cores is the same, but the CPU is 18% faster. So each core is 18% faster. The GPU gains 2 cores (25%) and adds 35% performance, so the GPU cores are also faster.

Epic Fail!

At least you titled your posts correctly.

 

[developer13245]

What this also means for the iPhone is we are not gonna see any major performance boost for the A16. Hence why they are keeping the standard 14 on A15. The chip shortage and supply chain issues are definitely giving Apple a warm time. The 4 NM SoC is likely not to show up until mid 2024.

Maybe but could be the exact opposite. The iPhone is Apple's life blood, so I can see them muffing the Mac product line terribly (wouldn't be the first time, see: 2013 Mac Pro) to conserve resources for upcoming iPhone models.