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MacBook Supplier Ramping Up Production as 15-Inch MacBook Air Rumored to Launch at WWDC
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I'm afraid you are just making this up.
If its M2 in my opinion it is more about Apple removing inventory for what for me was a disappointing M2, mainly because the M1 iMac in particular was a decent little computer for non business use.
Indeed it brings home what I believe is a problem at Apple, where its no longer consumer led, but marketing lead(excuse pun) by virtue of Tim Cook, but where the wheels do seem to be slipping off that approach.
Need to get back to more innovation, better base specifications even with unified memory 8Gb these days is too low, as is the idea of stepping back with regards to certain SSD implementations.
Perhaps its time for Apple to split into two companies: Apple iPhone, Apple Computer/tablet as everything seems to revolve about chips for the iPhone then working out an implementation for the other devices based on that, so on the computer side its no longer consumer led, but iPhone led
Indeed it brings home what I believe is a problem at Apple, where its no longer consumer led, but marketing lead(excuse pun) by virtue of Tim Cook, but where the wheels do seem to be slipping off that approach.
Need to get back to more innovation, better base specifications even with unified memory 8Gb these days is too low, as is the idea of stepping back with regards to certain SSD implementations.
Perhaps its time for Apple to split into two companies: Apple iPhone, Apple Computer/tablet as everything seems to revolve about chips for the iPhone then working out an implementation for the other devices based on that, so on the computer side its no longer consumer led, but iPhone led
Probably not unfortunately. It seems like they only put the ProMotion display on devices with Pro in the name.
C'mon Apple it's time to release the 15 inch Macbook Air. Stop stalling! My wallet is so ready for this...
I don’t think the 15” MBA will cost more than $100-$200 more than the 13” MBA spec per spec. I mean the 16” MBP doesn’t come in a base model with a lesser CPU. So I think the 15” MBA probably is priced at $1499 only if it has the full M2 SoC and isn’t missing any cores. Otherwise, it will be priced probably just $100 or at max $200 more than the 13” MBA.
As to say, if one specs out the exact same SoC, RAM, SSD the price will be no more than $200 difference and probably only $100 difference. I just don’t see the price of an LED display being worth that much more. And they’re not going to give it 120Hz as that’s a “Pro” feature. I also don’t think Apple is ready to give 16GB RAM for free unless it comes with a higher price like $1499.
What ticks me off the most is the prices of Apple’s SSD upgrades. I mean they’re absolutely insane. And I even end up using Velcro to put an external 4TB SSD on my 8TB MBP. Hate the pains of the price but editing video in 4K and 8K requires it.
As to say, if one specs out the exact same SoC, RAM, SSD the price will be no more than $200 difference and probably only $100 difference. I just don’t see the price of an LED display being worth that much more. And they’re not going to give it 120Hz as that’s a “Pro” feature. I also don’t think Apple is ready to give 16GB RAM for free unless it comes with a higher price like $1499.
What ticks me off the most is the prices of Apple’s SSD upgrades. I mean they’re absolutely insane. And I even end up using Velcro to put an external 4TB SSD on my 8TB MBP. Hate the pains of the price but editing video in 4K and 8K requires it.
If it's the same old display IMHO I'd pass. Which it more than likely will be. Can't give competition to the MBP line.
M3 will come to the MBP 14 & 16 later this year.
M3 will come to the MBP 14 & 16 later this year.
1. The 15” laptop is the most popular in the windows world. It’s perfect for office and students. Therefore, one can expect the 15” Air to be Apple’s most popular laptop in the future. So it’s not a low end laptop. It’s actually Apple’s most important Mac.
2. The magic is that the value of your M2 MacBook decreases the instant an M3 comes out. Usually, this is a yearly magical devaluation. But it’ll be only a few months.
I can see it selling really well, I for one want a bigger display than my current 13" 2019 MacBook Pro. I'm also interested in trying an Apple M chip laptop for the first time. Battery life will probably be better than the 13" also. Sounds like a great addition to the MacBook Air lineup.
I doubt it will have 120hz considering no other air has that…
I think it would be fine for PS work, but you would want to upgrade the RAM, and get a decent monitor for color-critical work. If the 15" comes with an M2, you might consider a discounted 14" MBP which is a great PS laptop.
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Definitely get a Mac.
iPad is great but I’ve found it infuriating for anything productive.
I can’t wait to own my first laptop 🥹.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
While I'll hope with your guesses at pricing, I feel very different. My suspicions is Apple notices what seems to be accumulated, high(?) demand for this 15" Air and price it for (p)added profit gains. I won't be a bit surprised if the pricing results in a lot of "might as well get the pro" comments, much as we can see the same in select configs of latest Mini vs. Studio.
Later, when refreshed Pros are rolled out, Apple can "fix" the pricing mess by "improving" that pricing too, restoring the norm of Air models being generally priced lower than Pro models. For the summer though, I bet 15" Air looks too expensive relative to current Pro pricing... triggering lots of "might as well get the pro" angst.
My guess on pricing of MBair 15" is "starting at $1799" and even that may be too conservative on my part.
Just because history has Air priced lower than Pro doesn't force Apple to keep doing that. This is- in essence- an entirely new product. Apple could price it at whatever price they think the market will bare. Since the Apple market seems able to bare ANY price (even rationalizing, and then evangelizing ANY price to each other), it could launch at any price. Cheerleaders will simply spin "inflation", "supply chain", etc as they have last few years, as part of helping the Corp convince others to pay up.
The drivers in this thinking:
- Apple just succeeded in kicking the computer, keyboard and mouse OUT of the iMac 27" but still got the same, full "starting at..." price range for that one. Why wouldn't that same Corp seek to "maximize" with this seemingly-high-demand Mac too?
- Consider high Mac Mini config pricing vs. low Mac Studio config pricing, illustrating that the Corp is not afraid to offer seemingly illogical pricing clashes... presumably to be "fixed" with the "improved" pricing in the next-gen Studio release. Why not that same (lucrative) "problem" here? 💰💰
But again, I'll hope with you at only $100-$200 more than 13" Air. Your logic makes sense through our consumer lenses but I'm not sure it looks the same through sell side eyes (and spreadsheets).
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I’m not quite sure where the M-chip will land.
On one hand, the screen size alone will see it fly off the shelves. It would be quite Tim of them to offer the first 15” MBA with an M2 because he knows many (most?) want a larger screen without the Pro benefits and price rage. Maximize M2 production.
On the other hand, including the M3 would mark the start of the M3 cycle which would make the 15” MBA w/ M3 an even more irresistible purchase as well as get the Pro users excited for a pending MacPro announcement.
Either way, I feel a 15” MBA will end up as Apple’s best selling computer to date. My only wish for the 15” MBA is for dual external monitor support. That’s the lone, and most glaring, shortcoming of the M2 MBA. Otherwise, an incredibly impressive offering top to bottom. As far as pricing is concerned… with the M2 starting at $1,199, is it possible M3 starts at $1,499? If so, look the F out.
Regardless, looking forward to a larger-screened MBA and WWDC in general. Shaping up to be a doozie.
On one hand, the screen size alone will see it fly off the shelves. It would be quite Tim of them to offer the first 15” MBA with an M2 because he knows many (most?) want a larger screen without the Pro benefits and price rage. Maximize M2 production.
On the other hand, including the M3 would mark the start of the M3 cycle which would make the 15” MBA w/ M3 an even more irresistible purchase as well as get the Pro users excited for a pending MacPro announcement.
Either way, I feel a 15” MBA will end up as Apple’s best selling computer to date. My only wish for the 15” MBA is for dual external monitor support. That’s the lone, and most glaring, shortcoming of the M2 MBA. Otherwise, an incredibly impressive offering top to bottom. As far as pricing is concerned… with the M2 starting at $1,199, is it possible M3 starts at $1,499? If so, look the F out.
Regardless, looking forward to a larger-screened MBA and WWDC in general. Shaping up to be a doozie.
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Can someone please explain what you can do with an M3 (base chip) that you can't do with an M2 (base chip)?
I mean, I get the potential battery life improvements, but the MacBook Air already has insane battery life. And if you really "need" ray tracing...then you likely need more than the base model of chip anyway. The MacBook Air isn't EVER going to be the tool of choice for gamers or 3D developers...regardless of the generation (M4, M5, M6 will all have professional variants for demanding applications...at a higher cost that I gladly pay).
I'd conservatively estimate that 80% of people will never notice the difference between the M2 and M3 (or M5, for that matter). And most of those who do notice will require a Pro/Max variant to do their work, which means the Air isn't for them.
The big leap was Intel to M1...any future leaps will probably require a generation of new software to begin to tap the true potential. Think about it...video editors just went ******* over Final Cut Pro coming to the iPad...with a base M2. So again, the base M2 will work just fine for most needs. Every time I get on my kids' base model M1 Air, I'm still impressed with the overall speed and value.
...and those calling for Apple to fire their "B players"? C'mon...exactly how easy do you think chip development and fabrication are? Intel owned this industry just a few years ago and they kept ******** the bed...with very, very smart and motivated people. Go back through recent history and find how many generations of the A chip had to be manufactured by Samsung because TMSC couldn't keep up. It looks to me like Apple financed TMSC's rise to prominence because they didn't want to rely on a competitor to fabricate its "secret sauce". And it still took years...
My point -- enjoy the M2. It will be VERY capable for the vast majority for MANY years to come.
And if you simply want a larger screen (without pro speeds and price)...what a treat that the 15" model will be!
I mean, I get the potential battery life improvements, but the MacBook Air already has insane battery life. And if you really "need" ray tracing...then you likely need more than the base model of chip anyway. The MacBook Air isn't EVER going to be the tool of choice for gamers or 3D developers...regardless of the generation (M4, M5, M6 will all have professional variants for demanding applications...at a higher cost that I gladly pay).
I'd conservatively estimate that 80% of people will never notice the difference between the M2 and M3 (or M5, for that matter). And most of those who do notice will require a Pro/Max variant to do their work, which means the Air isn't for them.
The big leap was Intel to M1...any future leaps will probably require a generation of new software to begin to tap the true potential. Think about it...video editors just went ******* over Final Cut Pro coming to the iPad...with a base M2. So again, the base M2 will work just fine for most needs. Every time I get on my kids' base model M1 Air, I'm still impressed with the overall speed and value.
...and those calling for Apple to fire their "B players"? C'mon...exactly how easy do you think chip development and fabrication are? Intel owned this industry just a few years ago and they kept ******** the bed...with very, very smart and motivated people. Go back through recent history and find how many generations of the A chip had to be manufactured by Samsung because TMSC couldn't keep up. It looks to me like Apple financed TMSC's rise to prominence because they didn't want to rely on a competitor to fabricate its "secret sauce". And it still took years...
My point -- enjoy the M2. It will be VERY capable for the vast majority for MANY years to come.
And if you simply want a larger screen (without pro speeds and price)...what a treat that the 15" model will be!
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It's amazing that people ignore what is a logical product progression for Apple in favor of just rushing towards whatever they hope is real.
Apple hasn't even moved their entire portfolio to M2 and people are expecting an M3? A 120hz display on something that is supposed to slot below the MBP?
Why don't we look for stuff that makes more sense? M2 iMacs, M2 Max/Ultra Studios, a 15" M2 MBA (and cancellation of 13" touchbar MBP) and maybe their AR headset.
Apple's SOCs aren't competing with anyone but themselves and it makes zero sense to try and rush the next generation when they have a ton of people still on Intel macs and they have excess production capability of M2.
Apple hasn't even moved their entire portfolio to M2 and people are expecting an M3? A 120hz display on something that is supposed to slot below the MBP?
Why don't we look for stuff that makes more sense? M2 iMacs, M2 Max/Ultra Studios, a 15" M2 MBA (and cancellation of 13" touchbar MBP) and maybe their AR headset.
Apple's SOCs aren't competing with anyone but themselves and it makes zero sense to try and rush the next generation when they have a ton of people still on Intel macs and they have excess production capability of M2.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
You're fighting a current that has existed for the entirety of tech time: generally, when we buy, we want "latest & greatest." Else, slug in M2 where you reference M3, replace M2 with M1 and your entire post has the exact same punch... conclusion: save much more money and buy refurb/used M1 and enjoy it for many years to come.
One can probably do the same with latter generation Intels vs. M1 too, since an Intel Mac is still for sale, support for them will likely continue for many years to come.
People want what they want. Those who "settle" with M2 here only to potentially see M3s roll out in 3 months may not be so thrilled with that timing. Some may see M2 as "last years" chip being reused vs. "tech moves fast."
Your main point though- buy what can do the job for you and enjoy it for many years- applies to any of them, even the M1s still available. People too hung up on waiting for latest & greatest can never actually enjoy anything: 4 will be rumored on route with 3, 5 on route with 4. OMG must wait for 4. But 5 is so much better than 4. And 6...
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I don’t think it’ll look silly at all. They still sell the M1 MBA, which is an old chip and an old design next to the redesigned M2 MBA.
If you need the incremental gains the M3 offers over the M2, especially in the MBA, then you should just just spring for a 14” MBP to get even more performance.
If it has support for at least TWO EXTERNAL DISPLAYS I’ll be all over it.
Alas I’m sure to be disappointed.
Alas I’m sure to be disappointed.
No changes mean a new screen size with a comically large notch, which means they still are or were planning to bring FaceID to the Mac at the time this laptop was designed.