There's also the issue of, y'know, performance. The fact that the MacBook can be used for most computing tasks at $1000 and the fact that the 11" MacBook Air can't.
128GB of storage isn't sold on the $1000 Air model. If you show most consumers the difference between the two, customers will gravitate toward the white MacBook. Though more importantly, screw your Apple Stores, the education market covets the white MacBook; they won't want the 11" Air in its place, I'm sorry.
Spec-wise, on paper, it is "slower", but I don't feel it slower at all. The flash drive actually makes it feel faster than my 13" MBP.
So no, it's completely logical. Because it loads faster than a computer thats $200 more expensive.
Edit: and before you say that the comparison is unfair because you can still add an SSD to a MBP, don't forget that's an additional $200 on top of the MBP.![]()
How much does flash storage cost?
If in fact they are going to flash storage for all their MacBook Pro line, do you think the iOS devices will get more flash set inside them?
So a mid to late feb refresh seems likely now. It also matches with Apple's avg. 8-9 month gap between MBP updates.
As far as design is concerned, I would love if Apple drops the glass screen and black bezel in favour of MacBook air-esque display. It looks way better and there's much less glare. It also might help MBPs lose some weight, I think.
Really? It has a slower CPU, the same GPU and the only performance gain should be from that fact is has an SSD? Other than that unless they tweaked drivers or the EFI, the Air should be slower.
Makes absolute sense to me, and this is actually what I would like to believe will eventually happen.
Now if you want to argue specs between the two, number by number, then it's pointless to debate about it.
Average consumers are not tech savvy, nor do they spend their hours on forums such as MR, quibbling over rumors and random speculation of core iX processor this, or SSD that.
Given that benchmarks on the Air models have proven to be suprsingly close to that of the 13" MBP (thanks in part due to the flash drive), the average consumer won't have a care in the world that his/her machine is using an age old processor thats 1000 Mhz less than it was before, as long as the machine functions perfectly and adequately.
I also have first hand experience on the whole ordeal. I own a new 11.6" Air, which replaced a 13" MBP with 8GB RAM before it, and performance flies, thanks again to the flash drive. I honestly don't feel any performance hit at all. Not enough at least to care about it. It does what I need it to do and for average consumers, that's going to be the only thing they need to care about.
Why convolute the lineup with machines at the same price point? This is the only two Mac products that conflict with each other in terms of pricing, so one of these has to go. Apple may just combine the two, axe the "Air" suffix, but retain the specs of the Air in a new era in the Macbook line. But who knows?![]()
So you admit paid $999 for a slower computer? instead of paying maybe $100 to make your 13in faster?
To me that screams illogical, and if you way its a "weight thing" you better be over 80years old or have a medical condition. With how many pople I see even complaining about the sub-6lb 15in MBP I'm starting to fear for the health of America.
Spec-wise, on paper, it is "slower", but I don't feel it slower at all. The flash drive actually makes it feel faster than my 13" MBP.
So no, it's completely logical. Because it loads faster than a computer thats $200 more expensive.
Edit: and before you say that the comparison is unfair because you can still add an SSD to a MBP, don't forget that's an additional $200 on top of the MBP.![]()
No redesign for any of the MacBooks.
MacBook White will be around for at least another year. Little to no change from now except maybe a speed bump. Re: education buyers still flock to this. So until the Air makes it's case, it stays.
MBPs - gets Sandy Bridge and copper Lightpeak which replaces FireWire or minidisplayport or both. Makes most sense as adapters will be easy to implement on copper over light. Most likely to get BTO options for the 15" and 17". I.e. - replace standard HDD with 32/128/512gb SSD and additional HDD to replace OD slot.
No blade SSDs until Apple can gauge demand and preferences from the BTO options and to give Air some breathing room.
I am at a college prep now and everyone has MacBook pros specifically the 13". One kid out of 1000 I have seen has a MacBook plastic unibody. I have seen a few kids with 15" and one with a 17". I think the MacBook could go and have the mabp 13 be the entry but at the same price.
Hey MacRumours, implement some sort of Specs Fantasy League. All registered users get to select their predictions from a list of possible updates. Points will be assigned to each item. + if u get it right, - if u get it wrong. See who gets top billing when the refresh is actually announced. It'll be fun. Call it the MacBook Fantasy Refresh League 2011. Lol
Over my university's winter break my desktop died and my laptop is dying (barely able to be charged). I've been anxious to switch to Mac ever since my parents switched and now it's becoming more and more of a pressing issue for me...I really hope this means a February refresh since the April rumors really weren't making me happy.
You also loose $200 in functionality: optical drive, more storage, firewire SD card slot, 5hrs more battery, 2GB or RAM backlit KB. Don't forget you can get the 13in MBP for $999 at Microcenter.
Or you can look at the 13in MB, and say you lost: Optical, 5hrs of battery and storage. You can get the MB for $949 on Amazon.
So for $949(MB) + $129(cheapest SandForce I could find) You can get a Faster SSD, faster CPU, batter battery and an optical drive for $1,078 total. Or get a MBP and spend $1,128 total.
Or $999 + $79(optical drive) you can get a lower CPU, and 5hrs less battery.
Hmm same price for less of a machine + a 2nd piece you have to carry around, or $50 more for an aluminum casing and a firewire port, 2GB RAM and SD card reader and backlit KB.
No matter how you look at it. I see no way to justify the 11in Air for the cost. At maybe $899 I could, but at $999, even Apples other 13in laptops kick it's ass.
So a mid to late feb refresh seems likely now. It also matches with Apple's avg. 8-9 month gap between MBP updates.
As far as design is concerned, I would love if Apple drops the glass screen and black bezel in favour of MacBook air-esque display. It looks way better and there's much less glare. It also might help MBPs lose some weight, I think.
They do that I'll either be buying from refurb or looking else where for a new laptop.
agreed, finally something not related to carrier companies or anything ios, ipod, ipad, iphone!! this is nice to read
So a mid to late feb refresh seems likely now. It also matches with Apple's avg. 8-9 month gap between MBP updates.
As far as design is concerned, I would love if Apple drops the glass screen and black bezel in favour of MacBook air-esque display. It looks way better and there's much less glare. It also might help MBPs lose some weight, I think.
They do that I'll either be buying from refurb or looking else where for a new laptop.
Amen to that. It's so nice to hear about actual computer-related stuff (even OS/program stuff is nice). Anything that isn't iPhone/iOS related.
You also loose $200 in functionality: optical drive, more storage, firewire SD card slot, 5hrs more battery, 2GB or RAM backlit KB. Don't forget you can get the 13in MBP for $999 at Microcenter.
Or you can look at the 13in MB, and say you lost: Optical, 5hrs of battery and storage. You can get the MB for $949 on Amazon.
So for $949(MB) + $129(cheapest SandForce I could find) You can get a Faster SSD, faster CPU, batter battery and an optical drive for $1,078 total. Or get a MBP and spend $1,128 total.
Or $999 + $79(optical drive) you can get a lower CPU, and 5hrs less battery.
Hmm same price for less of a machine + a 2nd piece you have to carry around, or $50 more for an aluminum casing and a firewire port, 2GB RAM and SD card reader and backlit KB.
No matter how you look at it. I see no way to justify the 11in Air for the cost. At maybe $899 I could, but at $999, even Apples other 13in laptops kick it's ass.
The problem is that how are you going to listen to a CD, watch a DVD or even store movies and your iTunes on a 64GB SSD? ...
Like I said, I'm not here to argue specs. Based on my experience, my 11.6" Air is faster than my 13" MBP.
But if you put these two machines side by side, both priced at $999, do you honestly think consumers are going to go through that entire thought process you just laid out for me in comparing the two? I mean seriously, please try explaining all that to a walk-in customer. I think by the time you get to what a Sandforce SSD is, you will have completely lost them by then.
There's a few things that many customers will care most about about: internet, email, photos, and music. Without even getting into specs, the Air can do all these things, easily.
Good for you though, for seeing value in specs. I see value in smaller size and portability with just the right balance of performance, and I honestly don't need more than the specs of the Air. Why would I care so much about more CPU speed if I'm not going to push it? So that's a win-win for me.
Likewise, consumers not in the know are going to have a tough time deciding between two products when they are priced exactly the same, and Apple is all about simplicity, even in the eco system of their pricing structure of their Mac line. The way the Mac line up is structured, everything is laid out nicely in their own price point, so I just expect changes.
My wants for the New Macbook Pro
1- BLU-RAY w/ HMDI out. (w/ option to upgrade to BD-R to burn the discs it is professional, and it needs a HD Superdrive)
2- Better speakers, audio is pitiful on the 15" Make it compete with HP Beats. better audio D/A converter and speakers with maybe even a mini sub.
3- USB 3, this is hitting the market so its time.
4- Matte screen
5- newer dedicated Graphics chip - 1 GB ddr ram for it.
well... had to do a wish list.
That's lower TDP than they usually use. However, they could use those if they end up including quad cores, which have a 10W higher TDP than their previous high-end CPU offerings.
BD: not gunna happen, Steve Seems to have a problem with it (But I'd like to see it)
HDMI: REALLY not gunna happen, Apple loves their display port so go buy an adaptor (plus HDMI is apparently a licensing nightmare)
Speakers: use headphones, there is not enough room for good speakers unless you want a laptop that's the thickness of a Mac Pro
USB3: I hope not, it'll be dead before it's out the door
Screen: that's personal preference so hopefully there'll be an option
GFX: amen
Lower or not for the TDP, considering the Geforce 5XXM are very new I just can't see them putting in the new MBPs...
Though I have heard the newer i7 mobile quads don't play too friendly with the 4XXM series![]()
USB3: I hope not, it'll be dead before it's out the door
If there's a GeForce GT 5XXM series chip that is cool (thermally speaking) enough for a MacBook Pro and is available, then there's no reason why we might not see it in the next MacBook Pro.
The Mac mini already has an HDMI port, so it wouldn't be far fetched to see it on another Mac line. Also the reason we don't have USB 3 yet (or rather the reason why Steve Jobs thinks it's silly to have it now) is because Intel isn't natively supporting it in its chipsets, meaning that to add USB 3.0 on anything, currently, you need a separate USB 3.0 controller chip. Since space is limited, I highly doubt we'll see USB 3.0 on anything until Intel starts integrating it into their chipsets. Otherwise, I agree with everything else.
If there's a GeForce GT 5 series chip that is cool (thermally speaking) enough for a MacBook Pro and is available, then there's no reason why we might not see it in the next MacBook Pro.
If your 13" MacBook Pro predates the Mid 2010 refresh, that is why. The 320M is a way better chipset, let alone IGP, than the 9400M. Specs is science.
You don't need to explain SSDs to the average customer. All you have to do is say "this one has a larger screen and is faster and does more" and the consumer, unless a complete idiot (as you are describing the average walk-in customer to be) or already owning a regular MacBook or MacBook Pro, will gravitate toward the white MacBook.
Most customers, in this economy, will care about the longevity of their purchase, and with the specs of the white MacBook, it'll last longer before failing to meet a minimum system requirement for something basic than the 11" Air will, which is why paying the same for less makes no sense even to the average consumer.
Because it'll last you longer and because it costs the same amount of money? Though you also have a 13" Pro, so I guess there's not much point to owning a second 13" computer.
Then explain why there are three 13" computers under each line that perform similarly? One of them will getting axed in either this refresh or the next, and it's neither the white MacBook nor the 13" Air.