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Out of Curiosity, why?

Intel didnt' change their product roadmap here. In fact, they have more offerings of different levels then ever before, including even lower scale (core M, and the new Atom)

Uh....Intel didn't change their roadmap? Broadwell was delayed almost an entire year....


:rolleyes:
 
Out of Curiosity, why?

Intel didnt' change their product roadmap here. In fact, they have more offerings of different levels then ever before, including even lower scale (core M, and the new Atom)

it was Apple that makes the decision which CPU choice to make in their products, and then build their product around it.

Intel's chips now are better than they ever have been in the past for power consumption and heat.

it isn't Intel's fault if Apple chose a product that doesn't best suit your needs.

Until there is a top end "HQ" quad-core processor for the pro line - upgrading all but the highest end of the pro line is not really worth it. There is never going to be a release of that processor on Broadwell (which has been SIGNIFICANTLY delayed). The full refresh of the pro line now has been delayed by 18 months (until Skylake in 2H this year).

It is likely that the Air line and Pro line will eventually become the same line and thus the delay of the Broadwell has likely delayed the full refresh. Of course none of us are privy to the internal workings at Apple.... but the delay of Broadwell by almost a year and Skylake coming so soon after.... it likely does not make sense in doing a full refresh to Broadwell, then tinkering it 6 months later with Skylake.... so best just to delay it all and do it at once. At least that is my theory.
 
I use an ethernet cable in my work, and this is for more than 8 hours every day. This means that I need to have the charging cable on, as well. I also hook the iPhone on it, plus external usb drives/sticks that occasionally need connect. This is not an extreme usage scenario, it's a typical computer usage, and still renders rMB useless.

People still use ethernet cables as a "typical" usage scenario? That's interesting, I only use Ethernet if I want lagless gaming and/or reliable gigabit speeds.

It sounds like you don't need a laptop. You should get a retina iMac.

If you really want a laptop, get a retina Macbook Pro 15" and pair it with a thunderbolt dock. The MacBook obviously doesn't suit your specific needs. Why do you think Apple maintained the Macbook Pro line?

There is no laptop on the market now that satisfies your "typical usage scenario" without compromising on something (weight / portability, battery life, processing power, display resolution etc.)
 
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Out of Curiosity, why?

Intel didnt' change their product roadmap here. In fact, they have more offerings of different levels then ever before, including even lower scale (core M, and the new Atom)

it was Apple that makes the decision which CPU choice to make in their products, and then build their product around it.

Intel's chips now are better than they ever have been in the past for power consumption and heat.

it isn't Intel's fault if Apple chose a product that doesn't best suit your needs.

So they met their road map goals between '12-'14?
 
But isn't that exactly what the new Macbook is - with the excision of a couple of rarely used USB ports? Who needed them? I've plugged a hard drive or USB stick into mine about every month or so. And it could easily have kept powering on with no power source while I did. So what's really lost here?

So this is really the new "Air", but by not calling it "Air", Apple are also saying that this isn't an especially light, small thing, this is just what an Apple computer is like now.

Seems you're not happy, but I don't understand why. I think it's a perfect evolution myself.

You know what? You are right. Had they brought this out as the new Air (replacing the old line), I think I would have been better with it. I would have preferred 2 USB-C ports (or one with a magsafe would be ideal) because they combined everything, including charging, into one port (single point of failure), and then charge $80 for an adapter to do two things at once (sleazy business). I would still have wanted more power from the processor, but maybe that comes with time. However, I would understand its role in the lineup.
 
You know what? You are right. Had they brought this out as the new Air (replacing the old line), I think I would have been better with it. I would have preferred 2 USB-C ports (or one with a magsafe would be ideal) because they combined everything, including charging, into one port (single point of failure), and then charge $80 for an adapter to do two things at once (sleazy business). I would still have wanted more power from the processor, but maybe that comes with time. However, I would understand its role in the lineup.


USB-C cables/dongles are standards based..... I expect to see lots of 3rd party cables and dongles. There are already the first cables showing up in places like monoprice. It is not like lightning connectors which were more proprietary.
 
USB-C cables/dongles are standards based..... I expect to see lots of 3rd party cables and dongles. There are already the first cables showing up in places like monoprice. It is not like lightning connectors which were more proprietary.

Yeah I know. Still would prefer the 2nd port or a dedicated power port.
 
Nope

Can someone please explain to me the Geekbench tests?
Does it really mean that iPad Air 2's hardware can run the same software(OS X, Office, Photoshop) as the new macbook 2015?

because the numbers are very similar

No, it does not.

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So is Apple officially giving up on the Thunderbolt port idea? That didn't last long.

The MacBook Air was touted as being an incredibly thin 0.68-inch unibody design that weighs only 2.38 pounds.

And now we have the new MacBook that is Height: 0.14–0.52 inch and a weight of 2.03 pounds.

Because everybody knows that .68 inch was just too freakin' huge and 2.38 pounds was so darned heavy that it was weighing us down so badly and breaking our backs.

So why even bother buying this new behemoth when we know that in just a few short months Apple will come out with something that is only .48 inches thick and 1.98 pounds. Oh yeah, and don't forget that this newer laptop (the one that will be released in a few months) will introduce another new and different type of plug that you'll just have to have right away or die from sadness.

I used to like Apple, but their hipster mentality is just old and predictable. Apple is the company now that Microsoft was in 1980. And just like MS, this Apple will fall off the tree.

Please do enjoy your Surface 3 and Android phone.

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My only complaint about the MB, but since I'm not likely to buy one it doesn't really matter, is the lack of MagSafe.

I really, really enjoy the ease of magsafe with me, my dog, and my wife in a small apartment.
 
actually, yes.

Actually, no.

My post was not a question, it was an answer to your presumptuous and ridiculous question asking "Can we all agree it's just a Facebook-book or Writer'sBook? They specifically targeted cool and hip kids for this one. That's what 90% of people do. Facebook and tweet. Oh, and watch youtube videos.". :rolleyes:

This is an undisputable fact, as we do not all agree as my original post previously and succinctly noted, with just two letters.

No.
 
Can't wait til these $1300 netbooks are so light they float in the air

hit the enter key..... wooooosh where'd my netbook go??? :eek:

oh there it is on the ceiling :D:D:D
 
I think people are missing the point of this MacBook - it's not for the likes of us who patrol Mac forums (ie, the geeks).

This is the sort of laptop for the sorts of people who just want a thin/light laptop for surfing the web, listening to music or writing etc.

Expect to see a LOT of these in coffee shops the world over...

I agree with you except for saying that the Mac forums crowd wouldn't be interested.

The activities you named are exactly what I use an iPad for. I have a 15" rMBP for heavy lifting. I want something light to take to class, use in car rides, around the house, in waiting areas.

There are times when the tablet form factor would be better, but Apple burned me with the pitiful iPad 3 performance so I'm thinking of getting something like this. The reviews mentioned little lag when doing day to day things.
 
Yeah I know. Still would prefer the 2nd port or a dedicated power port.

Dollars to donuts that that happens in v2 or v3. People forget that the original Air was very controversial when it was introduced. Apple pulled...the market pushed back...over 2-4 years the MBA line became what it is today. The rMB line will gain some features, shrink some pricing and move into the space that the MBA line occupies today. Or at least that is how I think it should play out. Whether current Apple management can actually pull that off remains to be demonstrated.
 
Must be annoying for all those that want the new Macbook to fail..... that the initial supply (in the 100's of thousands) is already on it's way to being sold out and countries other than the US Macbook are showing 3 - 4 weeks for delivery for all models (while the silver is still available in the US apparently). (Surface Pro 3 sales estimates for one year are a million units). Which means the estimate of 450,000 units in the first supply constrained quarter are likely accurate.

It is also why the full line of Macbooks were not released at the same time.... (i.e. the 4GB/128GB version for $999).
 
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People still use ethernet cables as a "typical" usage scenario? That's interesting, I only use Ethernet if I want lagless gaming and/or reliable gigabit speeds.

It sounds like you don't need a laptop. You should get a retina iMac.

If you really want a laptop, get a retina Macbook Pro 15" and pair it with a thunderbolt dock. The MacBook obviously doesn't suit your specific needs. Why do you think Apple maintained the Macbook Pro line?

There is no laptop on the market now that satisfies your "typical usage scenario" without compromising on something (weight / portability, battery life, processing power, display resolution etc.)

That's what I'm talking about. It is funny how Apple lately tries to convince everyone that having 2 usb ports and a thunderbolt (which they promoted themselves at first place), while also keeping an individual charging port is a "pro" usage.

I do need laptop as I use it in various client's data center sites, I need it to be ultra light (for the same reasons, hence MBP is not the best choice here) and having the obvious; usb and charging. Since I do work a lot with command line and text in general, retina display would be great. But the rMB fails to deliver even the basic. I'm currently using an MBA and - obviously - sticking to it for now.

I am not surprised they don't allow wireless direct access to the internal network, BUT I am also surprised they have not worked out a compromise while maintaining security. One "compromise" that works well is to allow wireless access to an access point "outside" the internal network (treated like the same security as the internet). Allow only specific MAC addresses to connect to this wireless point, then requiring a VPN connection in (similar to what is allowed from home at my place of work).

Yes, this is possible, but I cannot expect to find such thing in every client's site. Ethernet wiring is still the mainstream in most situations.

This is an example where you'd be better off not using the new Retina MBA. Did you consider MBA or Macbook Pro? MBA doesn't have ethernet either (usb to ethernet is possible though).

Yes, I'm currently using an MBA (light weight is important in my case as well). I'm using ethernet with TB adaptor, and still having 2 usb3 ports available for anything that comes up (e.g. a colleague that needs to exchange some large files etc). While charging it at the same time. I just hoped for a real retina MBA, since retina has became really important especially after some hours of constant work with the laptop.
 
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Review Participants

It seems like all of the reviewers are professional writers/technocrats, etc. They have a special need for powerful computers with a lot of ports. It might have been better to also include average schlubs. These are the target people for this product, not the tech writers.

Based on the fact that I am one of those average schlubs, I ordered a space gray basic model.
 
Yes, this is possible, but I cannot expect to find such thing in every client's site. Ethernet wiring is still the mainstream in most situations.

Oh, client site.... I would never allow you to connect to an internal network in that case.... surprised many places allow it. If anyone were caught doing that they would be escorted from the building and never allowed to return.
 
Dollars to donuts that that happens in v2 or v3. People forget that the original Air was very controversial when it was introduced. Apple pulled...the market pushed back...over 2-4 years the MBA line became what it is today. The rMB line will gain some features, shrink some pricing and move into the space that the MBA line occupies today. Or at least that is how I think it should play out. Whether current Apple management can actually pull that off remains to be demonstrated.

i dont think anybody is forgetting it rather disappointed that apple either dosent learn from recent history or an even worse case scenario is that they are even more adamant this time.
 
Lets wrap all the reasons why it will fail....

- No ethernet port
- No separate power port
- Limited to USB
- No Thunderbolt port
- Not enough CPU power for video editing....

Hmmmm.... lets see.... they do have a machine that has all that does it not? Oh yes it is larger, but many people said sacrificing size for form should not be done.....

Why would Apple build two computers to do the same thing.... If you NEED those, then by the computer that meets your needs.

The iPad, which has no thunderbolt, has no separate power port, just enough CPU power, but not an excess of it, that aims itself as the lightest of devices, is even handicapped by being designed as a consumption device..... has sold 200 million units (60 million in a down year last year).

This device brings the same ultra-portable lightweight design that need to run ordinary work applications and not just as a consumption device....

Will Apple never learn that you cannot sacrifice ports, expandability, excess CPU for an ultralight design???? :rolleyes:
 
I agree with you except for saying that the Mac forums crowd wouldn't be interested.

The activities you named are exactly what I use an iPad for. I have a 15" rMBP for heavy lifting. I want something light to take to class, use in car rides, around the house, in waiting areas.

There are times when the tablet form factor would be better, but Apple burned me with the pitiful iPad 3 performance so I'm thinking of getting something like this. The reviews mentioned little lag when doing day to day things.

I don't want you talk out of it, but what makes you think that you won't be burned with that one? If your a sensible to lag and performance issues, than it would be wise to wait for the second generation or reconsider a 13'' MBA or 13'' rMBP. According to the reviews the Core M GPU performance is just enough to handle Yosemite and a few light tasks. In the next years with the next 2-3 OSX versions you could end up in the iPad 3 situation. The first 13'' rMBP with HD 4000 had also to little gpu power to properly handle the retina screen and it only got worse with next OSX updates.

(...)

The iPad, which has no thunderbolt, has no separate power port, just enough CPU power, but not an excess of it, that aims itself as the lightest of devices, is even handicapped by being designed as a consumption device..... has sold 200 million units (60 million in a down year last year).

This device brings the same ultra-portable lightweight design that need to run ordinary work applications and not just as a consumption device....

Will Apple never learn that you cannot sacrifice ports, expandability, excess CPU for an ultralight design???? :rolleyes:

It is easier to sell a limited device, when it's starting at 249$ than 1299$....
 
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I don't want you talk out of it, but what makes you think that you won't be burned with that one? If your a sensible to lag and performance issues, than it would be wise to wait for the second generation or reconsider a 13'' MBA or 13'' rMBP. According to the reviews the Core M GPU performance is just enough to handle Yosemite and a few light tasks. In the next years with the next 2-3 OSX versions you could end up in the iPad 3 situation. The first 13'' rMBP with HD 4000 had also to little gpu power to properly handle the retina screen and it only got worse with next OSX updates.

My 2009 Mac Mini still runs Yosemite.... and it is HALF the CPU power and HALF the memory, and 35% the GPU power of the Macbook..... Hardware performance increases are much more stagnant in the mature market of OS X (and Windows) market than the tablet market has been because it is a mature market. Operating Systems have not changed much in decades. The core operating system in OS X is basically 40 year old technology, Aqua type technology is 15+ year old technology..... There is nothing that is going to happen in the next 3 years that is going to obsolete the Macbook.... and if it did I would buy something newer..... I have been using PC technology since 1981 and up until this century it was basically a given that your hardware would be replaced every 3 years.

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It is easier to sell a limited device, when it's starting at 249$ than 1299$....

iPad was NEVER $249 -- in fact the lowest price is right now $499 (and that is with only 16GB storage and no keyboard) - I would bet the majority of buyers went for the $599 model with a bit more storage. The Macbook will eventually settle in at around $999 once the rest of the line is out (at least until there is 10TB SSD technology driving down the consumer SSD price market). The price difference is likely why the Macbook will settle in the 10 - 15 million unit mark per year after the complete line is out.
 
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I thought the 2010 Macbook Air came with ONLY 2GB standard and 4GB maximum? I upgraded my Mac Pro 2008 with 10GB of memory at the beginning and I rarely use all of it. 8GB is more than enough for almost everyone's needs (with the exception of a few video professionals and they probably would not be running video editing on the new Macbook anyway).

What is unreasonable about 8GB (and yes I run the latest OS and software).
Yes, my late 2010 Macbook Air has 4GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD. I admit that one of the reasons why it's still very fast today is because I keep it at SnowLeopard (it boots in less than 10 seconds-- if I had updated it to new OS X releases, it would be slower).

I insist that 8GB is unreasonably low if you want to keep using your Macbook for the next 5 years. Note that I still use my late 2010 MBA everyday, mainly because I bought the top configuration.

8GB shouldn't be low if OS X was designed with the same concepts as Tiger or Snow Leopard. But with the design change introduced in Lion and the current trend converging towards iOS interoperatibility, as well as tons of eye candy, I wouldn't buy a 8GB Mac today. At least I'd request 16GB, as a really bare minimum so that it's a usable machine for the next 3 years. And better 32 GB, to be better protected against the current OS X design trends.

Anyway, yes, I'd prefer OS X to be designed with other concepts, so that 8GB would be a safe bet for the next 5 years.

Btw, I didn't mention Safari... the current version consumes even more RAM than OS X. I'm glad I didn't update my Macbook Air from SnowLeopard, because its 4GB would be insufficient even for just Safari
 
My 2009 Mac Mini still runs Yosemite.... and it is HALF the CPU power and HALF the memory, and 35% the GPU power of the Macbook..... Hardware performance increases are much more stagnant in the mature market of OS X (and Windows) market than the tablet market has been because it is a mature market. Operating Systems have not changed much in decades. The core operating system in OS X is basically 40 year old technology, Aqua type technology is 15+ year old technology..... There is nothing that is going to happen in the next 3 years that is going to obsolete the Macbook.... and if it did I would buy something newer..... I have been using PC technology since 1981 and up until this century it was basically a given that your hardware would be replaced every 3 years.

I didn't say obsolete, but there is a noticeable performance decrease when you are using the first generation 13 rMBP with Yosemite. It happened just two years after the release of this product. Your mini is working fine, because it doesn't have to drive a retina screen. Apple's way of scaling uses a lot of GPU performance: Look at http://www.anandtech.com/show/5996/how-the-retina-display-macbook-pro-handles-scaling. Most people are thankful that the times of throwing away hardware every 3 years are over. But you can continue doing so if you miss the old times.

I pad was NEVER $249. The Macbook will eventually settle in at around $999 once the rest of the line is out (at least until there is 10TB SSD technology driving down the consumer SSD price market). The price difference is likely why the Macbook will settle in the 10 - 15 million unit mark per year after the complete line is out.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/
 

Forgot about the mini's.... so lets take 2012 the year before the mini came out.... I believe they sold between 50 - 60 million units before the mini was a factor....

Did not realize it was that long ago I bought my iPad, I bought it just before the mini was released -- and still use it..... probably why the sales have peaked..... no compelling reason to upgrade to a newer model yet.

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I didn't say obsolete, but there is a noticeable performance decrease when you are using the first generation 13 rMBP with Yosemite. It happened just two years after the release of this product. Your mini is working fine, because it doesn't have to drive a retina screen. Apple's way of scaling uses a lot of GPU performance: Look at http://www.anandtech.com/show/5996/how-the-retina-display-macbook-pro-handles-scaling. Most people are thankful that the times of throwing away hardware every 3 years are over. But you can continue doing so if you miss the old times.

The GPU performance will be fine for what is in the Macbook..... It is not meant to be a video editing powerhouse. It even allows a pretty good sized second monitor to be used.... as well as the built in one.

Won't be throwing away my 2008 Mac Pro anytime soon..... would not even be thinking of buying a new one if the 4K monitors had not arrived on the scene.... it has served me well and still performs amazingly well for a 7 year old computer (with 2 x ATI 5770 cards @ which only support 4K @ 30hz).
 
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