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I was waiting for the 13 inch to come out, but if this is the case then I might go for the older 13 inch model and take the minor discount. I really dont do much heavy stuff, so maybe the older model would be alright. Its just heavy as heck.
 
I speak Chinese, and I lurk on these forums often; I decided to register and pipe up today. Google translator is completely useless, sorry.

The OP says:
..... AIR这次会有很大的变动,大家期待吧!

There will be great changes for this AIR this time, please everyone wait!

13寸的PRO将有一款采用ivy 2.5G I5处理器,1600 DDR3的内存,依然是1280X800的分辨率,外观和目前的MD313完全一样!

The 13 inch PRO will use the IVY 2.5G I5 apparatus, 1600 DDR3 internal mem., and surprisingly is 1280x800 screen display, the outward appearance will be completely the same with the current MD313.

In summary: 13 inch MBP will receive an incremental improvement, the AIR will be overhauled. So: Buy an air.

Not only 13 inch MBP, but the whole lineup, including 15, and 17 inch.
 
Not only 13 inch MBP, but the whole lineup, including 15, and 17 inch.

True.. I was just thinking for the consumer interested in the 13.3 inch MBP he or she would most likely switch to the redesigned air if it has a respectable performance (and the same size profile).
 
No the Zenbook Prime UX32VD is closer to a MBP than an Air
Not even close:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5697/...es-keplers-and-fermis-and-die-shrinks-oh-my/2

It's at the very bottom of the GF 600M-series lineup, which means it's only marginally faster than HD4000. A max-specced GT 620M could be about as powerful as HD4000 times two, which doesn't say much about its potential improvement over the Ivy Bridge iGPU.

That makes the ZBP as good as half a 15" base model MBP. It might well outperform this year's MBA refresh, but is the additional non-money cost really worth it? My crystal ball says "doubtful".
 
As I predicted, the ODD is staying.
I'll also predict that it will stay for another generation.

I'm quite disappointed, however, at a lack of a quad-core 13" or a dGPU. 35W quad-cores are available now, Apple should be able to use them without removing the ODD! Very sad.

However, this box probably represents the low-end 13" so maybe the high-ends will have 4 cores.
 
I'm quite disappointed, however, at a lack of a quad-core 13" or a dGPU. 35W quad-cores are available now, Apple should be able to use them without removing the ODD! Very sad.

However, this box probably represents the low-end 13" so maybe the high-ends will have 4 cores.

The only quad core i7-3612QM with 35W TDP cost $380 from Intel, consider Apple BTO "tax", I don't belive it will happen, as the total price is push close to the 15" mbp.
 
I speak Chinese, and I lurk on these forums often; I decided to register and pipe up today. Google translator is completely useless, sorry.

The OP says:
..... AIR这次会有很大的变动,大家期待吧!

There will be great changes for this AIR this time, please everyone wait!

13寸的PRO将有一款采用ivy 2.5G I5处理器,1600 DDR3的内存,依然是1280X800的分辨率,外观和目前的MD313完全一样!

The 13 inch PRO will use the IVY 2.5G I5 apparatus, 1600 DDR3 internal mem., and surprisingly is 1280x800 screen display, the outward appearance will be completely the same with the current MD313.

In summary: 13 inch MBP will receive an incremental improvement, the AIR will be overhauled. So: Buy an air.

That's the same guy who afterwards stated the 15" would get Sandy Bridge CPUs (curiously the 13" would get Ivy Bridge), and who quickly went to say his "USA Apple friend" resigned after leaking the information because he didn't want to get caught.

Neither of that helps his credibility in my eyes: my judgement of what's to come or not doesn't take into account any of his info. In my opinion, reputable websites such as Bloomberg are much more trustworthy.
 
The only quad core i7-3612QM with 35 TDP cost $380 from intel, consider Apple BTO tax, i don't belive it will happen, as the total price is push close to the 15" mbp.

Apple's BTO tax only applies to the customers, and Apple gets a discount from Intel.
I'm sure they can make it work, since the dual-core version is not that far behind at $346.
 
I suggest you look at the new Sony Vaio Z instead of Zenbook, here are my reasons why:

•You can get quad core i7 instead of ultra low voltage i5, with is slower than the current CPU in 13" mbp, or full power dual core i5 if you don't need the quad core.
Too bad, because one of the biggest issues about the Vaio Z-series is noise and heat. Sony used a standard voltage Sandy Bridge in the Z2 as opposed to the ULV versions used on most other laptops. Its performance did speak for itself, not so much when it had to cool a 35W space heater in a sub-1" laptop case. Barring significant changes in its IB refresh, it's only going to get worse.
•Extended slice battery fit under the body with combined power of 95Wh (same as 17" mbp) with total weight less than 4lb.
Not very meaningful, and I'd be really concerned at the heat that laptop puts out onto the battery slice directly below it.
•Vaio Z have twin ssd setup in raid 0, so faster performance than standard ssd.
Until a few months ago, you cannot use TRIM on SSDs running under RAID 0, so a well-used Z2 is going to feel slower than those running just one physical SSD with TRIM. Never mind getting into the reliability issue of SSDs under RAID 0...
•More ports such as Ethernet, upto 8Gb of RAM, same 1080p resolution screen.
Discounted the memory card reader from that list. The ability to use a MS adapter filled with a pair of microSD cards, with less average performance than a cheapo USB2 flash drive... uh no.

8GB non-upgradeable RAM max... uh no.
•All the above in a carbon fibre/magnesium body weight less than the 13" mba.
With a base price that's worse than a base model 15" MBP, worse than a 11" Clevo gaming laptop in every single way except the screen... uh no.

Taking those gotchas on the Z-series into consideration, I'd wager you'd get a better deal with the ASUS laptop than a Sony Z flagship.
 
That's the same guy who afterwards stated the 15" would get Sandy Bridge CPUs (curiously the 13" would get Ivy Bridge), and who quickly went to say his "USA Apple friend" resigned after leaking the information because he didn't want to get caught.

Neither of that helps his credibility in my eyes: my judgement of what's to come or not doesn't take into account any of his info. In my opinion, reputable websites such as Bloomberg are much more trustworthy.

He later posted that the info about those procesors was misunderstanding. He said that they will get 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz Quad Core Ivy Bridge i7 Processors.

In fact thats the same guy who leaked the specs of last year update to MBP.
 
Too bad, because one of the biggest issues about the Vaio Z-series is noise and heat. Sony used a standard voltage Sandy Bridge in the Z2 as opposed to the ULV versions used on most other laptops. Its performance did speak for itself, not so much when it had to cool a 35W space heater in a sub-1" laptop case. Barring significant changes in its IB refresh, it's only going to get worse.

Not very meaningful, and I'd be really concerned at the heat that laptop puts out onto the battery slice directly below it.

As long as the laptop don't switch off when under heavy load, I'd not mind. Under normal usage, I'm sure it will not sound like a jet engine taking off. :eek:

As for the slice battery, there is a cut out space between it and the fan for air to be sucked in and blow out the side. I'd not think it is much worse the having the laptop sitting on a desk.

Until a few months ago, you cannot use TRIM on SSDs running under RAID 0, so a well-used Z2 is going to feel slower than those running just one physical SSD with TRIM. Never mind getting into the reliability issue of SSDs under RAID 0...

I don't keep laptop for more than a year. However, you point is valid for a long term user.

Discounted the memory card reader from that list. The ability to use a MS adapter filled with a pair of microSD cards, with less average performance than a cheapo USB2 flash drive... uh no.

I'll be using 2 64Gb micro sd card to store my iTune music, so read speed of the adaptor is not important. the memory card is out of the way unlike a usb stick that have to unplugged every time I put the machine away.

8GB non-upgradeable RAM max... uh no.

non-upgradeable RAM comes with all ultrabook and mba, most only have 4 to 6GB of RAM. 8GB seems plenty to me.

With a base price that's worse than a base model 15" MBP, worse than a 11" Clevo gaming laptop in every single way except the screen... uh no. Taking those gotchas on the Z-series into consideration, I'd wager you'd get a better deal with the ASUS laptop than a Sony Z flagship.

I order a Vaio Z yesterday for £1060 compared to 13" mbp at £999.
The Vaio comes with i7 quad core; 4Gb RAM, 128GB SSD, 1080p screen and extra slice battery. The price is low because Sony is currently offering free i7 upgrade on the pre-order of the Vaio Z in the UK. Also they stop including the stupidly expensive external GPU with optical bay.

I'll have portable machine with all day battery life and plenty CPU muscle on the tap. An ultra low voltage ultrabook/mba can not match both the processing power or the battery life.

Still each to their own, I just prefer having the power of a full mobile CPU.

P.S. Thanks for the link to AnadTech, forgot to check their site for Vaio Z review.
 
He later posted that the info about those procesors was misunderstanding. He said that they will get 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz Quad Core Ivy Bridge i7 Processors.

In fact thats the same guy who leaked the specs of last year update to MBP.

I saw it, you linked it to me ;) However, saying they'll get x GHz means nothing. Even getting the CPUs right means nothing, considering he can just check Wikipedia and copy paste. The fact is he wasn't able to even deliver that, so that hurts his credibility the way I see it.
 
I saw it, you linked it to me ;) However, saying they'll get x GHz means nothing. Even getting the CPUs right means nothing, considering he can just check Wikipedia and copy paste. The fact is he wasn't able to even deliver that, so that hurts his credibility the way I see it.

What counts for him:
-The Specs of MBP are quite in line with the Geekbench benchmarks inforrmations(2.7 GHz Proc, 8GB 1600 MHz RAM)
-The fact that the specs of MBP 15 were tooked "from memory" ;) in fact it looks like legit to me.
-The fact that the same guy, leaked the specs of Early 2011 Macbooks Pro, and they were legit,
-GT650M with 1 GB of Memory which in fact, looking at that MBP wont get the Retina-like display as standard, is really obvious(no retina, no more need for high amount of Graphic Memory).
So far, all ;P.

Do you have a link for this?

Unless we aren't talking about the same leak, I'm pretty sure it wasn't this guy but rather this site.
No. On first stage, we have seen the specs of slower 15 inch Macbook Pro(2.0 Ghz Quad Core i7, Radeon HD 6490M), which were leaked by that guy. I can't confirm this, cause this was written by people who talked about it on the chinese forum.

Edit: My Memory was good but not as good ;). It was leaked first but on the german language site. So probabbly, Chineese dont say truth ;).
 
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What counts for him:
-The Specs of MBP are quite in line with the Geekbench benchmarks inforrmations(2.7 GHz Proc, 8GB 1600 MHz RAM)

If it was faked he could've simply taken the info from the Geekbench benchmark. That's not saying much. Geekbench benchmarks are easily faked as well, btw.

-The fact that the specs of MBP 15 were tooked "from memory" ;) in fact it looks like legit to me.

Who'd take 15" specs by memory? o_O Specially with that level of detail (which ended up messing up and meaning Sandy Bridge on 15"s)

-The fact that the same guy, leaked the specs of Early 2011 Macbooks Pro, and they were legit,

This is false. The specs came from a german website first, and Macrumros then confirmed it.

EDIT: Just saw you too said this ;)

-GT650M with 1 GB of Memory which in fact, looking at that MBP wont get the Retina-like display as standard, is really obvious(no retina, no more need for high amount of Graphic Memory).

Even the Intel HD 4000 can power up Retina displays: http://www.slashgear.com/intel-vp-confirms-retina-support-in-ivy-bridge-12222668/


I'm not saying the guy is full of bull. I'm just saying there are other reputable websites as well (Bloomberg, ABC, possibly 9to5mac if you take into account they were the first ones to publicisize Siri and Unibody Macbook Pros) which all sing another song. And his story of "I had an Apple friend at USA who took the pictures and then resigned so he wouldn't get caught" doesn't really seem... you know, plausible.

The only thing he has going for him really is his word - which on the internet, tends not to be enough for me to take it as proof of anything. Unless you're John Gruber! ;)
 
If it was faked he could've simply taken the info from the Geekbench benchmark. That's not saying much. Geekbench benchmarks are easily faked as well, btw.



Who'd take 15" specs by memory? o_O Specially with that level of detail (which ended up messing up and meaning Sandy Bridge on 15"s)



This is false. The specs came from a german website first, and Macrumros then confirmed it.

EDIT: Just saw you too said this ;)



Even the Intel HD 4000 can power up Retina displays: http://www.slashgear.com/intel-vp-confirms-retina-support-in-ivy-bridge-12222668/


I'm not saying the guy is full of bull. I'm just saying there are other reputable websites as well (Bloomberg, ABC, possibly 9to5mac if you take into account they were the first ones to publicisize Siri and Unibody Macbook Pros) which all sing another song.

The only thing he has going for him really is his word - which on the internet, tends not to be enough for me to take it as proof of anything. Unless you're John Gruber! ;)
1. Agreed.
2. Agreed ;).
3. Agreed. I posted it in above post as a edit note ;).
4. Im not saying that Intel HD 400 can't power the Retina display. I'm Just saying that 1GB of Memory on graphic card is a bit low for games for example in high resolution.

Anyway. Everything we will see on monday. I hope that I will not see the redesign of MBP unibody, and just a spec bump. But, Its just me ;).

About that websites. IMO it turns to that people were hearing that Apple is going on a slimmer computer with 15 inch screen. And IMO its a totally new machine, or 15 inch Macbook Air. But that is only my opinion ;P.
 
4. Im not saying that Intel HD 400 can't power the Retina display. I'm Just saying that 1GB of Memory on graphic card is a bit low for games for example in high resolution.

That's a very valid point. I very much doubt the Intel HD 4000 could run 2560*1600 games (are there any that run on that? am not much of a gamer). However, it could probably play games on 1280*800 mode with 2x scaling horizontally and vertically.

Anyway. Everything we will see on monday. I hope that I will not see the redesign of MBP unibody, and just a spec bump. But, Its just me ;).

I'm fine with the design as is; I wouldn't mind it thinner but it's not a deal breaker. As for a retina display, it's time Apple puts decent resolutions on their computers. They've done it on their phone, tablet, and even the MBAs have superior resolutions to the MBPs. Even if not retina, a bump to 1440*900 on the 13" would be nice to have. ;)
 
Fake - Definitely

"Preinstalled Mac OS X"

There's no "Mac OS X" anymore. It's been called "OS X" for quite a while now.
 
Under normal usage, I'm sure it will not sound like a jet engine taking off.
It will for a 35W CPU on the Z-series.
As for the slice battery, there is a cut out space between it and the fan for air to be sucked in and blow out the side. I'd not think it is much worse the having the laptop sitting on a desk.
Considering that batteries and heat are not bedfellows, and that battery slice adds considerable cost to the laptop price, I'd rather not.
I'll be using 2 64Gb micro sd card to store my iTune music, so read speed of the adaptor is not important. the memory card is out of the way unlike a usb stick that have to unplugged every time I put the machine away.
Abysmal sequential reads and even worse random performance than a bog standard 5400rpm hard drive, uh no. I've already tried a similar setup as yours, and the actual performance is horrible.
non-upgradeable RAM comes with all ultrabook and mba, most only have 4 to 6GB of RAM. 8GB seems plenty to me.
The difference? It's the flagship of Sony's consumer mobile computer line. It's very expensive, and it's non-upgradeable. You can get away with this sort of logic with ultrabooks, but on a top-of-the-line laptop? No way in hell is this acceptable.
I order a Vaio Z yesterday for £1060 compared to 13" mbp at £999.
Oh dear, you overpaid for an inferior laptop.
 
"Preinstalled Mac OS X"

There's no "Mac OS X" anymore. It's been called "OS X" for quite a while now.

Read one of the other dozens of responses about this. They still call it Mac OS X Lion all over the place, including their website and current product boxes. It even still says it in the "About this Mac" section on machines running Lion.

It's proof of nothing.
 
It will for a 35W CPU on the Z-series.

Considering that batteries and heat are not bedfellows, and that battery slice adds considerable cost to the laptop price, I'd rather not.

35W is the maximum TDP, the Vaio Z have a twin CPU fan setup so is not that noisy with normal web browsing and office doc work. The extra slice battery cost £50 ($80) I don't consider it is that expensive.

Abysmal sequential reads and even worse random performance than a bog standard 5400rpm hard drive, uh no. I've already tried a similar setup as yours, and the actual performance is horrible.

It is a micro sd card, it will have maximum 10MB write and 30MB read speed, so it is going to perform worse than a 5400rpm hard drive. Again I'm using it to store iTunes music, not running programme off it, so the speed is more than fast enough for my need.

The difference? It's the flagship of Sony's consumer mobile computer line. It's very expensive, and it's non-upgradeable. You can get away with this sort of logic with ultrabooks, but on a top-of-the-line laptop? No way in hell is this acceptable.

Your point is academic, if 8GB of ram is not enough, buyer will buy a different product. I find 4GB is enough for my need, so don't care if Sony don't offer more than 8GB of ram on the Vaio Z.

Sony have other laptops with user upgradable ram and hard drive plus discrete GPU with bigger screen. Sony define their Flagship laptop by portability and not by performance. it is like Apple use the 13" Air as flagship device instead of the high end mbp.

Oh dear, you overpaid for an inferior laptop.

I'll find out in 3 to 4 weeks when the Vaio gets here, with 1080p screen and 1/3 more battery capacity I don't believe so. However, if Apple can give the 13" mbp a higher resolution screen and bigger battery, I'd have to consider cancel the Vaio Z for the mbp.
 
RE: Sony Viao Z.

I actually just bought one of the z2 / 2011 models in the UK having had a Macbook Air stolen. The reason being I needed a faster computer for work than the Air, a better screen and the ability to run windows...and I had some Amazon UK vouchers to go with my insurance from the Air. PLUS, if Apple do release a retina display Mac I can afford then I have time to return the Vaio to Amazon.

In comparison to the 2011 Air though:

1. The Vaio is much faster, the combo of the full power i5 and the Raid SSD IS faster (and the SSD's have garbage collection).
2. The screen on the 2011 Z2 is MUCH better than the Air. I have the 1600x900 screen on the Vaio, but whilst still TN so not great viewing angles (though slightly better than the Air) the colour gamut is much better, so too contrast. And it's not as glossy.
3. In some ways the Vaio is not as well built; I have a tiny flaw on the wrist wrest (a pinprick size dot unpainted) and it has more flex overall...
But, I'm not as worried about dents as I was with the Air
4. The Vaio keyboard is fine, no better or worse than the Air (though the Vaio back-lighting is nicer)
5. The trackpad is worse than the Air, but fine for windows, actually it's good as windows ones go.
6. It runs as cool or cooler than the Air and has as good a battery life (this is with an i5 2410m).
7. It's made in Japan not China.:)

So, overall, if I was buying a laptop today (as I had to last week) and I wanted the best overall package and you could live with Windows, then the Vaio Z, 2012 OR 2011 is a better option.

But, as I said, I'm half expected a very nice new Macbook Pro upgrade so I will consider returning the Vaio IF Apple up the screen resolutions in their laptops. I want a Mac, but not with the current low res screens.
 
The press release and product box specs that you linked were written before the switch to "OS X" in all the images I posted.

The only thing that they mysteriously kept to "Mac OS X" since then is the About this Mac page. I'm not sure why, but they will probably eventually switch to simply "OS X" even in Lion.

The switch to 'OS X' was made even before the launch of Lion and that press release.

June 8, 2011:
http://web.archive.org/web/20110608074531/http://www.apple.com/macosx/

Point I'm trying to make is that I'm not saying that the picture is real, but the label showing 'Mac OS X' is not a proof that the picture is definitely a fake.
 
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