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'MacBook Air' Design Considerations
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SSD, doubt it.
I think you'd be more likely to see a device with Flash chips as part of the logic board than a 2.5" SSD. The device would be treated like an iPhone, replaced entirely should something go wrong.
The benefit to Apple is two-fold. First, you'll have a much smaller profile. Second, you can purchase NAND chips much cheaper then pre-packaged SSDs (plus Apple has a bunker full of them).
As for the connectors. I think you're likely to have nothing but an HDMI (or mini-DVI) port, 2 USB ports, and a new proprietary dock connector. The logic being that you'll bring your dock with you on the road for a long-trip.
I think you'd be more likely to see a device with Flash chips as part of the logic board than a 2.5" SSD. The device would be treated like an iPhone, replaced entirely should something go wrong.
The benefit to Apple is two-fold. First, you'll have a much smaller profile. Second, you can purchase NAND chips much cheaper then pre-packaged SSDs (plus Apple has a bunker full of them).
As for the connectors. I think you're likely to have nothing but an HDMI (or mini-DVI) port, 2 USB ports, and a new proprietary dock connector. The logic being that you'll bring your dock with you on the road for a long-trip.
No tablet but I can see room for this Macbook Air to exist if a tablet does ever ship. Intel is probably happy. HP/Dell/Gateway just are not up to the task to show Intel's vision of how their processors can be used.
Maybe to solve the port issue. The actual notebook will only have a few USB2 ports on it and an iPod connector on the back. This will allow the notebook to attach to a Dock which in turn will have a full set of ports, including the Ethernet. Afterall the only use for ethernet will be when your in an office or at a desk, hence then, you would have a Dock ready.
As far as FW400, couldn't one use the smaller format plug, a la FW400/iLink camcorders? Include such a cable, or an adapter for use with standard FW400 cabling?
The smaller 4-pin FW only carries data not power as well, so you wouldn't be able to use with a host-powered external hard drive, which is what you are going to have if your using a sub-notebook isn't it?
Put the ethernet port through the side of the LCD's hinge. On one side, there's a power button (as shown in the drawing above). On the other side, there could be an ethernet port. It'll be the only other place on the laptop "fat" enough to have one.
The other alternative is a tray. If you make a laptop too thin for FW and ethernet, make a small tray that pops out from the side of the laptop, and allow for an ethernet cable and/or FW cable to plug into it vertically downwards. It'll look like you were plugging it into the top of the table itself, except it'll be into a little pop-out tray from the laptop.
It would look fugly, but may work.
Here: http://www.9to5mac.com/macbook-air-2453564654
Here: http://www.macpredictions.com/2008/01/macbook-air-sub-notebook-with-no-cables.html
What would you suggest the Air refers to. Most are insinuating it'll be induction charging. I'm saying 'no way.'
I believe the issue here is that Apple is very likely to use flash memory rather than a hard disk for the Macbook Air. It will therefore only come with say 32 or 64GB of disk space. Hence the requirement to use wireless networking to stream music and video and files from a server, and this is why i think it is called MacBook 'Air' . It is not meant to be a pro machine , but something very light and portable with extended battery life. Also there were rumors of a iMac like docking station where the notebook could fit into that uses the screen of the notebook. This could mean a clever hinge or even a Mac tablet with a touch screen interface. I really don't think it is simply just a thinner notebook.
however who knows - we will find out tomorrow.
however who knows - we will find out tomorrow.
I'm also going to be pissed if it gets so thin that they have a non user replaceable battery
You do realise Firewire isn't just for old iPods, right? I loved the idea of this new MacBook, because before all this stuff came out it was wishful thinking about a more portable Pro, with decent graphics and all. Mmmm, I thought - FCP, Motion, Shake, whatever on a tiny machine. I need Firewire. USB2 is just too freaking slow. Same goes for lots of people who buy the Pro lines for their grunt, not because 'they look pretty in the shop'. Ask pro photographers, anyone who deals with DV, HDV upwards towards pro video formats, and further, loads of audio people, etc etc and they'll all swear by Firewire.
You do realise Firewire isn't just for old iPods, right? I loved the idea of this new MacBook, because before all this stuff came out it was wishful thinking about a more portable Pro, with decent graphics and all. Mmmm, I thought - FCP, Motion, Shake, whatever on a tiny machine. I need Firewire. USB2 is just too freaking slow. Same goes for lots of people who buy the Pro lines for their grunt, not because 'they look pretty in the shop'. Ask pro photographers, anyone who deals with DV, HDV upwards towards pro video formats, and further, loads of audio people, etc etc and they'll all swear by Firewire.
Maybe it has no ethernet port and to avoid pissing people off they make it sound like a good thing by calling it 'Air' i.e. "theres no ports so use wireless, its built in."
Personally I dont use my ethernet port even though it is easily in reach of my cables and is technically faster than Airport.
With whiffs of an AirDrive too I wonder if this is the way of getting optical stuff onto your MacBookAir? Maybe its a wireless HD with an optical drive? Just a thought. It would work well for both wireless macs and the ATV. Stick your DVD in and it mounts on your MacBookAir? Maybe you could also watch DVDs on the ATV too?
I'll stop now, I'm dribbling!
No they wouldn't. Several ultraportables (e.g. Dell Latitude X1) are thinner than a MacBook and have a normal Ethernet jack.
The 'disbelief' involved here is trying to fathom why Apple would choose such a terrible, terrible name.
"MacBook Air" is a horrible name. Someone needs to take the peyote away from Schiller.
No worse than the "iPod photo" that didn't, you know, take photos. Sure it was the first iPod to display photos, but it's still a confusing name.
The most ridiculous aspect of all this is the talk about induction charging -- there's just no reason to even speculate on such a feature.
I'm also going to be pissed if it gets so thin that they have a non user replaceable battery
You do realise Firewire isn't just for old iPods, right? I loved the idea of this new MacBook, because before all this stuff came out it was wishful thinking about a more portable Pro, with decent graphics and all. Mmmm, I thought - FCP, Motion, Shake, whatever on a tiny machine. I need Firewire. USB2 is just too freaking slow. Same goes for lots of people who buy the Pro lines for their grunt, not because 'they look pretty in the shop'. Ask pro photographers, anyone who deals with DV, HDV upwards towards pro video formats, and further, loads of audio people, etc etc and they'll all swear by Firewire.
You have valid points about FW. However you wouldn't run the likes of FCP, Motion, Shake, Aperture etc on the this new sub-notebook. I am sure Apple are not trying to target the Pro market with this new notebook. Thats what the MacBook Pro is for.
Indeed, but since when do they care? MACBOOK is a stupid name. It's been a couple years and while I've gotten used to it, I still can't understand the choice.The 'disbelief' involved here is trying to fathom why Apple would choose such a terrible, terrible name.
"MacBook Air" is a horrible name. Someone needs to take the peyote away from Schiller.
The 'disbelief' involved here is trying to fathom why Apple would choose such a terrible, terrible name.
"MacBook Air" is a horrible name. Someone needs to take the peyote away from Schiller.
Yeah, lol. Sounds like some kind of Nike shoe lol.
Those many companies should hire IT people with a clue, then. I work in the medical industry, and believe me, it doesn't get a whole lot more regulated than we are (extreme HIPAA compliance, trade secretes, etc). We have wireless in all of our buildings all over the world that behaves just like you've plugged into an ethernet jack.
It can certainly be done, and in this day and age, more and more companies are doing it. We simply cannot afford to have to fly employees between offices in Europe and America, and not have them be able to access the network when they get there.
Wireless dock DVD drive approach
Plug the ultra thin DVD unit into wireless dock and watch the DVD anywhere in the home from the laptop WITHOUT WIRES.
All peripherals will (if you want) plug into a Wireless docking station, communication from the laptop with dock / all peripherals will be wireless.
This show is about media where you want it when you want it without wires
Ports will still be on the machine but include mini style adapters. The Air machine is very very thin!
Plug the ultra thin DVD unit into wireless dock and watch the DVD anywhere in the home from the laptop WITHOUT WIRES.
All peripherals will (if you want) plug into a Wireless docking station, communication from the laptop with dock / all peripherals will be wireless.
This show is about media where you want it when you want it without wires
Ports will still be on the machine but include mini style adapters. The Air machine is very very thin!
The smaller 4-pin FW only carries data not power as well, so you wouldn't be able to use with a host-powered external hard drive, which is what you are going to have if your using a sub-notebook isn't it?
160GB HD size)
I'd love a small cool portable as this, but I must say I have HD size issues.
It's the first time in all these "Macbook Air" rumors that i read of a 160GB size.
Do you think it's really possible this ultra portable could have this size HD?
Or am I only dreaming?!
I'd love a small cool portable as this, but I must say I have HD size issues.
It's the first time in all these "Macbook Air" rumors that i read of a 160GB size.
Do you think it's really possible this ultra portable could have this size HD?
Or am I only dreaming?!