More Claimed MacBook Air Specs: 8-10 Hour Battery, NVIDIA 320M, Upgradeable RAM and SSD

[SamTheeGeek]

Awesome

Its gonna be great i bet!

Can't wait to see the hardware spec's and how its gonna look like

I've been always thinkin of owning the MBA so yea i can't wait!


Thank you for the rumor

 

[deconstruct60]

Other companies can fit iX + discrete GPU in 13" just fine.

Not with the very similar cooling and space constraints. Sure add another .3 inches. Repack the components and change the cooling ( put some slots in the case and bigger (or more) fan(s). ) It is doable.

Cost? Well, the NVidia IGP ain't free either. Low-end discrete GPU is only pennies for Apple.

It isn't pennies because now have to buy more RAM. Once shift away from IGP you have now added RAM costs, power/heat, and space requirements into the system that were not there before. You loose on all three points. That is exactly why the Nvidia 9400M solution became so popular.

Heat? The NVidia IGP needs power as well. Apple could have put GF GT 320M in it or ATI 5450M for example. 9400M has TDP of 12W, I guess 320M has similar. ATI 5450M is 11W, would fit there perfectly.

No it won't because consumes far more space. Also needs a more complicated heatpump since now three major heat sources ( CPU , chipset and discrete GPU ) as opposed to two.

In fact, mobile C2Ds are being EOLed soon (Q1 2011 I think). Sooner than later Apple has to do something

1. even if true, that is likely end for new sales contracts.
2. they will still sell just under different name. Apple was using a Pentium chip in the Apple TV up until very recently. There is Dell stuff on the market that had Core Solo stuff referenced in this thread.

Intel doesn't drop prices or products no where near as fast an the masses make them out to one these forums.

yeah apple has to move eventually but the notion that all C2D are going to wink out of existence on Q1 2011 .... not. There is another 12 month design cycle left in the C2D lineup. The low end stuff will dry up but the stuff that was at the highest priced end will stick around for another year. Those are exactly the C2D parts that Apple is currently using.

the more dubious assertions are where Intel is going to drop a new custom C2D ... that's whacked. New C2D parts. No. Shipping subset of stuff currently in catalog, yes.

 

[Eidorian]

RAM was cheap back then. Not that long ago, 2x2GB of DDR3 SODIMMs were all +100$. Now it's 80-90$ (still quite a lot). FYI, even DDR2 is 70 bucks for 2x2GB (both, DIMMs and SODIMMs). IIRC all RAM prices went up at some point. 2x2GB of DDR2 was +100€ like year ago

2x4GB is going down all the time, I've seen some deals for around 130 bucks. Few months ago, you weren't able to get that for less than 200$.

DDR3 is heading back down again for 2 x 2 GB density after a year of higher prices. It's next to impossible to find a DDR2 system outside of Atom based ones.

True, but it's getting there: http://www.datamemorysystems.com/_memory-information/DM50_223-1_x_2.asp

I draw the line at $100 like I did 10 years ago.

 

[tigres]

Au contrary, many customers will now have to ask the question: iPad or 11" Air?

Ironically the first serious competitor that might hurt iPad sales, is going to be launched by Apple itself...

How anyone/why anyone continues to compare the MBA to the iPad in ANY way just astounds me...

Not even in the same category... MBA=Computer iPad=iOS device---

 

[Mattsasa]

That mock up looks disgusting, I really hope it doesn't look like that!

Maybe that's just my opinion, but that looks like a mbp, thinned down near the trackpad

 

[chrmjenkins]

But with GPU switching, only one GPU is in use so it's either 10W discrete GPU OR the Intel IGP (not sure about its TDP, I would guess it's around 7W) So in real world usage, the power consumption should be around the same.

Of course there is still the issue that that combo requires three chips (CPU + GPU + Southbridge) instead of two but it can't be that hard to solve. Others have done it

I'm not saying it's not technically possible, I'm merely referring to the line that Apple has seemingly drawn in the sand.

 

[losta]

I'd love an 11.6" with 4GB of RAM! Road Warrior machine.

 

[cult hero]

Other companies can fit iX + discrete GPU in 13" just fine.

Cost? Well, the NVidia IGP ain't free either. Low-end discrete GPU is only pennies for Apple.

Heat? The NVidia IGP needs power as well. Apple could have put GF GT 320M in it or ATI 5450M for example. 9400M has TDP of 12W, I guess 320M has similar. ATI 5450M is 11W, would fit there perfectly.

Battery life? There is GPU switching for that.

Intel licensing system is not an issue, no matter how many people keep saying it. Apple can't keep using C2Ds for ages. In fact, mobile C2Ds are being EOLed soon (Q1 2011 I think). Sooner than later Apple has to do something

The point you seem to miss is that the 9400M isn't JUST video. 12W is for video AND chipset. So, unless your chipset is only 1W the 5450 is still going to draw more power and produce more overall heat.

Furthermore, in addition to discreet video requiring more power from the chip itself (since the power used is in addition to the chipset), it requires dedicated memory and can't share the system memory. These chips increase cost, produce heat and require power.

GPU switching would be fine if I wasn't being switched to Intel's substandard video. Thanks, but I'll take the 320M in my current system.

 

[hachre]

I definitely think that some kind of iOS ability is coming to the Macs, maybe as some kind of simulator app, maybe as a dashboard replacement, maybe as a hybrid boot kind of thing - I don't know. But I am very sure it will arrive with 10.7 at the latest.

It will probably require hardware support, so it will only run on "new" MacBooks etc when it is released...

On this MacBook Air already? I don't think so...

 

[pesc]

Have you recently seen a 12" powerbook? I have. It's bulky and heavy compared to my MacBook. Better not suffer too much from nostalgia. But yes, please do bring back the 12" form factor.

I have a 12" PB and a late 2009 Macbook.

12": 4.6 lbs, 1.18"H x 10.9"W x 8.6"D
MB: 4.7 lbs, 1.08"H x 13"W x 9.12"D

So the MB is heavier and have a much larger footprint.
The MB is slightly thinner though. Who cares?

I much prefer the 12" form factor. It had a nice full size keyboard. Plus it was the latest portable Apple laptop that came with a matte screen. All later portables (15" is clumsy) have glossy screens (including the Air).

 

[Eric-PTEK]

I don't see what the massive need for this i5/i7 is from most people.

Is it CPU envy?

I use 3 machines, a Hackintosh Core i7 2.93Ghz, a MB Pro late 2010, and a Core i5 iMac.

For 90 percent of what I do the MB Pro is more than fast enough. There are things that I use the i7 for but thats why I built an i7, so I didn't have to carry around a 6lb brick that is nothing but compromises.

A lightweight laptop needs to be, lightweight.

I'd take even a 2.0ghz C2D if it came with an SSD. Putting a SSD in my MB Pro, or my MB for that matter made all the difference in the world.

My only preferences are 4gb ram, similar MB Pro battery life, and at least a 1280x800 screen on the 11".

CPU/Nvidia/Intel graphics, who cares? I hear all this moaning and whining about Intel graphics, what exactly do you do that requires high end graphics on a laptop, at the entry level?

2D graphics maxed out in speed about 10 years ago, and if your serious about 3D your not buying an entry level MB Pro and you have a reason to lug around a 8lb piece of equipment.

The MBA is the perfect carry around business laptop for the traveller. My big issue is the SSD version is too much $ for teh value it returns. I will say the hard drive version is useless, it is too slow but the SSD makes it perfectly useable.

I'd take the 11.6 if it was 1280x800 but like others would prefer a 13" 1440x900.

 

[ApeEscapee]

Confirmed

• Macbook ceases to exist
• Macbook Air 11" @ $999
• Macbook Air 13" @ $1299
• iLife '11 Released
• SSD Boots OSX in under 5 seconds

 

[robincard]

Soo expensive. Sure it doesn't have a 320m in it, but the Dell Vostro v13 starts at 1/2 the rumored price of the 11" Air.

Apple computers are generally more expensive than Dell computers. You must be new here.

 

[cleric]

Mid-2010 MBP owners need not worry about a refresh if it's using a 320M.

320M GT not the 320M no core i7 with nvidia chipset. So yes you can still worry! :-D

 

[einmusiker]

So for all of you out there who have been waiting for a new Air for the past year+, is this what you wanted? Worth the wait?

yes. when the MBA first came out it was a joke to me. This though, will be the future of laptop design and perfect for the road warrior like me

 

[deconstruct60]

I have a 12" PB and a late 2009 Macbook.

12": 4.6 lbs, 1.18"H x 10.9"W x 8.6"D
MB: 4.7 lbs, 1.08"H x 13"W x 9.12"D

The MBP 13" is the current era PB 12" . Apple adds bulk to the MB to differentiate from the MBP class machines so of course it looses.

MPB 13" 4.5 lbs , 0.95"H x 12.78" x 8.94" D

So modern equivalent is lighter and thinner/shorter, than PB 12".
Since it is shorter, when you flip open the slightly more depth the screen
raises to only slightly higher than it was before (roughly, (9.12 - 8.6) - ( 1.18 - 0.98) => 0.52 - 0.2 = 032" ) It is not an inch taller with screen up, with there is a inch increase in diagonal measurement. In other words the hinge on the PB 12" is placed higher in the air ( same with many other WinPC 11.6-12" models floating around out there. Slightly higher hinges than MBP 13". )

Second, Apple is on the big trackpad path. No way you can get a modern size Apple trackpad in the old PB 12" framework. The PB 12" did away with all of the borders around the keyboard possible and relative to current trackpads had a small palmrest/trackpad area.

The major upside that the PB 12" has is a smaller 2 dimensional footprint. That's about it. If it was a 2D product that would be a clear winner. The PB 12" didn't have graphics parity and always had internals that were closer to high end iBook than low end PB. With 16:9 (or 16:10 ) aspect ratio 12" is going to run the trackpad out the outer edge of case (unless extend the depth a bit. )

 

[Hisdem]

• Macbook ceases to exist
• Macbook Air 11" @ $999
• Macbook Air 13" @ $1299
• iLife '11 Released
• SSD Boots OSX in under 5 seconds

Source or it didn't happen. Though I'm sure it didn't happen.

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

Not if claw back space some some of the other components. For example, chuck the relatively large metal box of the 2.5' drive for a card. Or get rid of the gratuitous narrowing of the lower part of the MBA. It can be a more squared off shape if not purely going for some silly "world's thinnest at some extreme edge of the device" record. In other words stop wasting space elsewhere in the device. (either by omission or commission. )

You can also just simply used less power consuming components and take slight hit on overall battery size but keep same "power allotment" assigned to the battery system. ( e.g., lower CPU/GPU ... Zacate ... or same CPU and lower power drawing 320m )

You don't "have to" shrink the battery at the exactly same proportions at the battery.

Is it me, or did you just contradict yourself. If you square off the design for a larger screen, then you can incorporate a larger battery to power it. Similar if one were to reduce the screen size. Trying to understand your logic.

• Macbook ceases to exist
• Macbook Air 11" @ $999
• Macbook Air 13" @ $1299
• iLife '11 Released
• SSD Boots OSX in under 5 seconds

I hope they just drop the whole "Air" moniker and just stick with MacBook.

The "Air" moniker is supposed to fit into the Air -> MB -> MBP scheme of things.

Problem is has 3 in its line-up, and I am not sure what will happen to the MB at this point. Interesting to see what develops.

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

Source or it didn't happen. Though I'm sure it didn't happen.

Anything is possible in ones dreams.

 

[FuNGi]

I definitely think that some kind of iOS ability is coming to the Macs, maybe as some kind of simulator app, maybe as a dashboard replacement, maybe as a hybrid boot kind of thing - I don't know. But I am very sure it will arrive with 10.7 at the latest.

It will probably require hardware support, so it will only run on "new" MacBooks etc when it is released...

On this MacBook Air already? I don't think so...

I keep hearing people on this forum wish for iOS capability in the Air. Why would Apple do this? Do people want to play their iPad or iPhone Apps on their computer? Assuming the Air would even be the right computer to first put in such capability (I don't think it would be the right market BTW), would increased App Store sales justify the customer no longer needing their iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad? Probably not.

 

[pvbwerjr]

college

I need a laptop for college fall 2011. Is buying this newest MBA now and getting an updated iMac for the dorm right before school a good idea? Or would you wait

 

[hachre]

I keep hearing people on this forum wish for iOS capability in the Air. Why would Apple do this? Do people want to play their iPad or iPhone Apps on their computer? Assuming the Air would even be the right computer to first put in such capability (I don't think it would be the right market BTW), would increased App Store sales justify the customer no longer needing their iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad? Probably not.

It would be a very convenient option for people who have become accustomed to certain iOS apps that they really miss on the Mac. I'm not saying this Air will have or introduce it. But it will come definitely sooner or later, in my opinion.

 

[hachre]

I need a laptop for college fall 2011. Is buying this newest MBA now and getting an updated iMac for the dorm right before school a good idea? Or would you wait

Wait until at least 2 weeks after the first people have gotten theirs and check http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=239
regularily to check if there are obvious problems with them. If nothing serious shows up there within the first 2 weeks it will probably be a good buy.

 

[deconstruct60]

Is it me, or did you just contradict yourself. If you square off the design for a larger screen, then you can incorporate a larger battery to power it. Similar if one were to reduce the screen size. Trying to understand your logic.

the last line is screwed up. [I'll fix you.] You don't have to shrink the battery in exact portion as the screen.

Otherwise not contradictory. The MBA could have more battery capacity if didn't try to make it wedge shape as opposed to a full rectangle. Because the device is so thin it is really not buying you anything substantial in having an inclined keyboard. All it is meant to do is have it so the one side of the device acchieves an impractical width that can't really do for who system. It is aiming at a "thinnest" award rather than achieving some practical end user use. The 0.16" end of the MBA doesn't do anything useful for the user other than the "ooooo look how thin" effect. If the whole MBA was 0.6" high it wouldn't be "too thick to use" .

Too thin and the screen hinge doesn't work in the back but that doesn't have to impact the front.

If going to shrink the screen and go with smaller case then that it is even less rational to incorporate this "wedge thinning" gimmick. Get rid of the gimmick and you get some volume back you can put to use.

I hope they just drop the whole "Air" moniker and just stick with MacBook.

The "Air" moniker is supposed to fit into the Air -> MB -> MBP scheme of things.

No. the "Air" moniker was suppose to be "this device intended to be used without usage of any sockets or wired external devices". All I/O though the "Air". (or at least a much as they could practically get away with. ) Audio I/O ? do it with bluetooth. Internet .. Wifi. External data ... Wifi .. remote boot to run diagnostics ... Wifi . Could a Mac be limited to the same class of physical ports than an iPod had and people still buy it? That in part what Apple was shooting for. Part of their "war" on cables and wires. If the new system goes after absolute port minimization objective then it can keep the "Air" moniker.

 

[deconstruct60]

• Macbook ceases to exist
• Macbook Air 11" @ $999

so want to strip from potential Mackbook customers.
13" screen ( smaller screen )
Multiple USB ports. ( less ports )
An easy way to do TimeMachine recovery, OS installs, or diagnostics but tossing the Optical drive. ( less hardware )
Either less CPU/GPU horsepower or less battery life.

So a whole bunch less equipment and value for exactly the same price.
They are going to buy into that? Seriously?

The MBA at $999 is a product life line land grab. The MBA would get far more buyers if there was no choice but it was the lowest price portable mac. Then large number of buyers would have no choice to buy it despite serious compromises.

• Macbook Air 13" @ $1299
• iLife '11 Released
• SSD Boots OSX in under 5 seconds

The MBA is already the smaller niche. It is the lowest volume Mac product line. splitting that user base over two products will only make it smaller. You will get grow is make people buy the product ( e.g., above killing of MB just to give lower one unfettered market share. ). However, not really meeting user goals and value objectives... just herding users into catagories they themselves didn't set.

How about iLife 11 in 2011 ? ccould be released later. Really shouldn't be sucking up tons of t in a 10.7 announcement window with a yearly update.

Chuckle.... XServes have been booting off SSD drives for over a year. The point is???? So have upper end MBA's. It isn't even new. Apple is going to make that major talking point in one of their dog and pony shows... please. Have to be drunk on Cupertino kool-aid to spin that as 'remarkable'. Besides my mac laptop hasn't been booted in 48 days. boot time.... who boots every day? That is a goofy value metric.