MacBook air speculation about future...

[theSeb]

...which may well happen soon.

You are correct. Nothing definitive was said. But just because Jobs said "we think" doesn't mean they don't have plans. I think it's logical that it means Apple notebooks will take a sleeker form and that they will be lighter. What else might the statement mean? That notebooks will all be named MacBook Air? That they will all have 11" and 13" screens? Not likely.

I agree with you that Apple isn't going to be able to put a processor like the quad core i7 into the current MacBook Air case. But I bet in the next couple of years, they're going to try. And that by the end of 2012 all MacBooks including the high end models will be much thinner and lighter. And that they'll all lose the optical drive and spinning hard drive. After all, isn't the company called Apple Thin, Inc? 🙂

The apple MBA site says, "The next generation of MacBooks". I don't think you can read too much into that.

 

[42streetsdown]

-- and we certainly won't see back lit keyboards.

That's too bad. Lack of a backlit keyboard is one of the only things that turns me off to the air.

 

[42streetsdown]

The only reason Apple may bump up the base RAM from 2GB to 4GB is perhaps to accomodate to Lion? I don't know if it might require it, or maybe Apple wants it to run just as smooth on the Airs? Maybe it can already on 2GB?

Pure speculation.

It's wishful thinking, but I'm hoping to see bump ups for the base SSD storage space and RAM, but I predict both will remain the same. Also would love to see an increase in battery life. Time will tell this Summer...

You don't need 4 gigs of RAM to run the OS. I was running Tiger, Leopard, and Snow Leopard just fine on just 1 GB of RAM for a long time.

 

[parestailor]

hell no, Apple stated that the new Macbook Air is gonna be the future of all MacBooks. so i think the next MBP will follow the shape of Macbook air but a little bit thicker than the current Air.

totally agree...

but i bet... the air gets a tiny bit thinner, it would not surprise me! not much but maybe a few millimeters (mm).


🙂

 

[parestailor]

Please no! Apple has sensibly made a half step away from glassy screens with the Air.

it will add to the weight, its all about making the air feel like they float on the end of a balloon

 

[vingochr]

Thread on CPU speculation for MBA

If you want to check out some of the CPU speculation on the MBA, check out https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1103979/

 

[Cheffy Dave]

I'd agree, but for different reasons. Apple doesn't care if you buy an Air or a Pro if the margins are the same, and they likely are. Apple makes a bundle of money selling the extra 2GB of memory to those who need it. And I don't think most people really need it. If they're "power users," they'll get the Pro or up the memory for $100. I get along just fine with 2GB of memory in my Air, since I usually only have a few lightweight programs running. I'm glad I didn't waste $100 on more memory.

$100 is not a bundle

 

[KylePowers]

$100 is not a bundle

When it probably costs Apple ~$10* to use 2x2GB RAM vs 2x1GB RAM, that's quite a large profit... especially after millions** of orders ($90x$1,000,000 = $90,000,000). I'd call that a bundle.

*Not sure how much they get RAM for, but I mean, the average consumer can get 2x2GB RAM online for in the $30s... surely Apple gets some nice wholesale prices (and 1/3rd isn't exactly unimaginable)
**No idea how many MBAs have been sold

 

[Undo Redo]

Apple plays the upgrade game all the time, and quite successfully. People are convinced they must have x feature and will pay much more than it's worth to "future proof" their Macs.

Since before the days Apple put combo drives in their low end Macs, when Superdrives were the industry standard, and cheap, Apple has been doing it time and time again.

I just won't bite, unless a feature is absolutely necessary. I nearly always buy the low end Mac and sell it at a small loss in a year or two. Then I buy the low end again, which is much better than last year's high end. I save a "bundle." 🙂

 

[Patrick946]

I just won't bite, unless a feature is absolutely necessary. I nearly always buy the low end Mac and sell it at a small loss in a year or two. Then I buy the low end again, which is much better than last year's high end. I save a "bundle." 🙂

I feel the same way mostly, but I'm considering upgrading the memory from 2GB to 4GB. Having to buy a new computer more and more frequently would end up costing a lot too. Paying an extra $100 now isn't going to future proof my mac, but maybe it will keep it relevant for an extra year. The question isn't whether I want to spend money or not, it's whether spending a little more now will save me a little more down the road. Here's a generalized example:

I can spend $1,000 every three years on a new base macbook, or spend $1,100 every four years. After 12 years, the first option will cost me $4,000, while the second option will only cost me $3,300.

Now of course some upgrades will be more expensive and will do less for the life of a computer, but doubling the RAM for $100 seems like a good investment (or as good as we're going to get from Apple).

 

[Undo Redo]

I feel the same way mostly, but I'm considering upgrading the memory from 2GB to 4GB. Having to buy a new computer more and more frequently would end up costing a lot too. Paying an extra $100 now isn't going to future proof my mac, but maybe it will keep it relevant for an extra year. The question isn't whether I want to spend money or not, it's whether spending a little more now will save me a little more down the road. Here's a generalized example:

I can spend $1,000 every three years on a new base macbook, or spend $1,100 every four years. After 12 years, the first option will cost me $4,000, while the second option will only cost me $3,300.

Don't forget resale value which after four years would likely be much less than after three years. But your point is a good one. Generally I find I can't, or don't want to wait four or even three years for a new computer. So trying to future proof usually seems a waste of my money (although resale value might come into that too).

Now of course some upgrades will be more expensive and will do less for the life of a computer, but doubling the RAM for $100 seems like a good investment (or as good as we're going to get from Apple).

Absolutely, if you need the memory or if you think you might before you replace the computer, go for it. If you don't, then it might just be a waste of money. I take issue with those who think upping the price of a MacBook Air by 10% is always a good idea for everyone, explaining that it's only a little bit of money.

 

[Mobius 1]

Ivy Bridge up to 2.4 GHz turbo boost to 3.0

4GB 1333MHz off-board (up to 8GB)

nVidia 330GT w/512MB shared

ability to upgrade processor on base 13" (apple you cheated in the 2010MBA)

Overclocking Safe

BACKLIT KEYBOARD

 

[striker33]

Ivy Bridge up to 2.4 GHz turbo boost to 3.0

4GB 1333MHz off-board (up to 8GB)

nVidia 330GT w/512MB shared

ability to upgrade processor on base 13" (apple you cheated in the 2010MBA)

Overclocking Safe

BACKLIT KEYBOARD

No chance of a dedicated gfx card anytime soon. Better integrated graphics for ivy bridge though.

 

[Cheffy Dave]

When it probably costs Apple ~$10* to use 2x2GB RAM vs 2x1GB RAM, that's quite a large profit... especially after millions** of orders ($90x$1,000,000 = $90,000,000). I'd call that a bundle.

*Not sure how much they get RAM for, but I mean, the average consumer can get 2x2GB RAM online for in the $30s... surely Apple gets some nice wholesale prices (and 1/3rd isn't exactly unimaginable)
**No idea how many MBAs have been sold

That's why you never buy RAM, case in point 16 GB RAM at OWC is $207 for an iMac, wants $600, if you don't know any better you buy it.
The $100 wants additional for 4GB is reasonable, sure it adds up, but that's called business and profits, you can't hold the fact that that fact is multiplied by all MBA sold, fact of life, profits add up🙄

 

[Cheffy Dave]

ANY Question about Apple's future models, is IMPOSSIBLE to answer, period.

Especially during this transitional period.

Apple is working feverishly to reshape personal computing to their liking, and shoving it down everyone elses throat.

They are super obsessed about forcing their "Post PC" kool-aid on everyone.

Furthermore, they're hell bent on accelerating this to completion, before anyone outside of their "Walled Garden" realizes what hit them.

Apple... What a group

I assume then you have no apple products, and exist here just to troll🙄