Macbook Air 2014 rumors

[Lane4]

Retina would require some sort of redesign, wouldn't it? The retina screen is thicker, and heavier. That would force a change to the top piece/cover/display section of the unit, and if that increases in size, we either have a larger unit, or the bottom piece has to be redesigned, and all the interior components.

Broadwell will also be smaller, and as with Haswell, the interior will be reconfigured---probably to give a larger battery.

Those would be 2 major redesigns. Don't see that happening year-over-year. Sort of see retina and Broadwell coming in a new, redesigned package. One efficient redesign.

 

[MacRazySwe]

In my personal opinion I think the 2014 MacBook Air will be a major update to the MacBook Air line.

What to expect
12.88 inch screen
14nm Broadwell Chip with 40% better GPU performance,and 30% battery more efficient.
Retina Display

What I would like
13 inch screen
14nm Broadwell Chip with 40% better GPU performance,and 30-40% battery more efficient.
New Graphics chip
Retina Display
Faster base processor speed (2.4GHz)

But we'll have to wait until Q3-Q4 to see it for ourselves.

Hmm, this is the first time I've heard anything about a 12.88" screen? Are you thinking of 11.88"? It'd be great if it was 12.88, as I wouldn't want to downgrade in screen size from my 13" MBA. Honestly, any smaller than 12.88" and I will most likely opt for the 13" rMBP or maybe even 15" rMBP instead of a new MBA.

I see you mention a Q3-Q4 release. I suppose this belief is based on the release-schedule for Broadwell. However, I wonder if the new MBA has to be dependent on Broadwell-chips. Honestly, Broadwell brings, what I understand, only modest improvements, and the MBA has great performance under Haswell already (perhaps too great, cannabalizing rMBP sales possibly?). I think there are many important aspects to consider and improve upon for a new MBA, but I don't think the processor chip is one of them, and I don't think a new modest processor-upgrade warrants a delay till Q4 or possibly even Q1 '15. What has to be improved on the other hand is the display. It simply isn't up to standard. I have a 13" MBA, and I actually much preferred my old white MB display and its warmer colors. I see people discussing the display, and how the MBA is not meant for photography/editing, and that the display doesn't matter for reading. Honestly I do not agree. I dislike reading on my MBA (absolutely perfect vision last time I checked) and from what I understand, sharper and more detailed text is one of the main benefits from the Retina Display. Secondly, Apple have to update the design of the MBA - sure, it is a great design, but I'm sure it can be improved. For example, the footprint should be reduced, and so should the bezel around the screen.

I'm hoping we see a new Retina MBA at WWDC in June, even if its "only" running Haswell.

 

[Pitusky]

Hmm, this is the first time I've heard anything about a 12.88" screen? Are you thinking of 11.88"? It'd be great if it was 12.88, as I wouldn't want to downgrade in screen size from my 13" MBA. Honestly, any smaller than 12.88" and I will most likely opt for the 13" rMBP or maybe even 15" rMBP instead of a new MBA.

I see you mention a Q3-Q4 release. I suppose this belief is based on the release-schedule for Broadwell. However, I wonder if the new MBA has to be dependent on Broadwell-chips. Honestly, Broadwell brings, what I understand, only modest improvements, and the MBA has great performance under Haswell already (perhaps too great, cannabalizing rMBP sales possibly?). I think there are many important aspects to consider and improve upon for a new MBA, but I don't think the processor chip is one of them, and I don't think a new modest processor-upgrade warrants a delay till Q4 or possibly even Q1 '15. What has to be improved on the other hand is the display. It simply isn't up to standard. I have a 13" MBA, and I actually much preferred my old white MB display and its warmer colors. I see people discussing the display, and how the MBA is not meant for photography/editing, and that the display doesn't matter for reading. Honestly I do not agree. I dislike reading on my MBA (absolutely perfect vision last time I checked) and from what I understand, sharper and more detailed text is one of the main benefits from the Retina Display. Secondly, Apple have to update the design of the MBA - sure, it is a great design, but I'm sure it can be improved. For example, the footprint should be reduced, and so should the bezel around the screen.

I'm hoping we see a new Retina MBA at WWDC in June, even if its "only" running Haswell.

You're right they would have to do a major redesign to fit a bigger battery inside and a Retina Display but I doubt they will release another Haswell Processor when Skylake and Broadwell are right around the corner.
If they release Broadwell on 2015 Q1-Q2 it will not be worth it because SkyLake will be like when the Intel Core I3,5,7 line was released,it will feature incredibly faster speed,and Broadwell would have to be left behind and let SkyLake take it's place.

 

[kristoffer4]

I hope the next version has touch ID.

 

[ipos]

when will it be launched?

 

[Aylan]

when will it be launched?

June 2014 if they do a Haswell refresh instead of going to Broadwell

 

[Aylan]

You're right they would have to do a major redesign to fit a bigger battery inside and a Retina Display but I doubt they will release another Haswell Processor when Skylake and Broadwell are right around the corner.
If they release Broadwell on 2015 Q1-Q2 it will not be worth it because SkyLake will be like when the Intel Core I3,5,7 line was released,it will feature incredibly faster speed,and Broadwell would have to be left behind and let SkyLake take it's place.

They will most definitely use Broadwell. The performance per watt gain would be more than enough reason for this, not to mention the rumored 40% increase in GPU power. Skylake is not necessarily around the corner, most recent rumors are pointing to a Q1/Q2 of 2015 release of Broadwell so we can reasonably expect Skylake in Q4 15 or Q1 16. Apple will not let the MBA line stagnate that long.

 

[theSeb]

12" IPS retina touch
360 degree hinge
Duel boot to OSX and iOS

Don't think, just want...

They should ditch the so-called iPad Pro and make this, which would be the ultimate portable business machine.

A pointless solution looking for a problem that does not exist.

 

[AaronM5670]

No pro customer is going to want a 360° rotating screen, it's just a cheap gimmick dreamt up by PC manufacturers that makes usability decrease whilst increasing price and weight. As the previous poster said, it's just a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

 

[cjgonzales1900]

Same 11" and 13" Model with spec bumps hopefully the ability to add 16GB Ram in the custom build. No great improvements. But I think there will be a new MBA 12" Retina model as the rumors suggest it makes since for those people who want a retina screen (Me) but don't want the heavier rMBP 13" (Me) lol Who knows if it will keep the same form factor as the current MBA or take the form factor of the current rMBP Just my 2 cents.

 

[iamthedudeman]

Thank you for clarifying that. I see no point in continuing this (or any other) discussion with you.

Hate to bring up a old thread. But we were spot on in our analysis. Well over a year ago. And yes. Apple still has a Macbook running on a A9 processor as we speak. I will not go over the details( can't jeopardize my business) but if you reread the thread there are clues in there.



The Macbook Air will be phased out ala old macbook pro over the next year or so.