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I was really hoping to get a new laptop this year to replace my Air...if these rumors are true, I will probably get a Retina instead...
 
Alright guys but what is this?

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I think that there are actually internals in the screen, much like an iPad. Seems like the most logical explanation for the Apple logo not being back lit.

Looking at some of the images you can get better looks at the edges and you can see that the screen is very thin. The shadowing must be deceiving us on some of those shots.

Will this be the return of the normal MacBook maybe?
 
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Would it have killed them to take photos of the ports??????

Yeah, as others note, this is just the display section.

As for the lack of glowing Apple logo, it could simply indicate an intentional design change in their notebook line or...

Theory ahead - The part looks quite fat, perhaps the motherboard is behind the screen and the battery is in the base, so the device can be ridiculously thin. Would explain a technical reason for no backlit logo.

Baseless theory - It's not a Macbook but an iBook and wants to tie in with other iDevices, so shares that design feature of the iPad.

Further baseless theory - It's running iOS and is in fact the fabled ARM laptop!

Totally random theory - This random ARM iBook is running dual screens so the one below can have an on screen keyboard.

*Drops the mic, walks off stage*


Also, I upvoted your post because your sig says "SEGA forever".
From now on, whenever I see a post of yours I will upvote it regardless of the content.
 
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Really doubt the part about losing the iconic backlit Apple icon. The only reason it isn't on an iPad or iPhone is there's a battery, and other assemblies between the back cover and the display. The current displays are very thin already (about as thin as can be done, unless there's some tech difference in the display panel). As for cost savings, I can't see anything significant there. They already have the manufacturing setup to do the metal work, and the light is essentially free (well, there's a diffuser piece mated with the cutout).

Besides, they'd lose the ironic free advertising they get during Microsoft press conferences, not to mention the instant recognition everywhere else they're used.
 
Aspect ratio

To me the display aspect ratio seems more like 4:3 iPad screen than Macbook's 16:9. It could mean several things. This could be the iPad Pro or it could be some combo device or just regular Mac with different AR or it is just my eyes that are playing tricks on me. :)
 
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What I'd like to know is what are they hiding by blurring/pixelizing the heck out of the bottom areas?
 
Which it probably will. Few people use SD cards regularly. This isn't targeted for those that do. Those that use them occasionally can get a USB connector.

Same can be said for multiple ports. Really, when does the normal consumer plug multiple things into their laptop? I can't remember the last time I plugged something into my MBP, let alone multiple things. Everything is moving to connectionless data transfer.

The cynic in me says that selling it without an SD reader takes away another option to add extra memory, hence pushing people to buy bigger SSDs for top dollar from Apple....
 
Based on what i'm seeing in the photos, and what i've learned about the potential design for this model thus far, i'll make a few observations.

1. No Apple logo light = no lcd panel backlight bleed through to the logo possible.
-there might be something that is going to obstruct the light, could be either the battery or the internals of the computer.

2. The thinness of the design and the rumoured fanless design leads me to believe they won't be able to house the logic board/processor and battery in the same piece, due to the space required for fanless cooling. I'm suspecting logic board behind the screen, battery and i/o board, wireless/bluetooth under the keyboard.

3. The harness and cabling attached to the clamshell - will still be housed in the top case probably including battery connector that will use induction technology as a connection to reduce height, and your typical keyboard/trackpad and i/o ribbon connectors.

4. This clamshell design seems like a laptop only design (hinge / mounts) but maybe with touchscreen iOS functionality as well as the standard OSX.

5. Processors 50/50 Broadwell or A9X . If they don't do A processors this time, they will definitely hit with the next revision.

Just a few ideas. I'm hoping this is the most practical and refined portable Apple has ever designed.
 
Why do Apple insist on thick bevels on their macbooks? Surely the benefit in a laptop is to open up a lid, and that lid to have as much screen real-estate as possible...

I just can't figure out what they are thinking on this one.
 
Why do Apple insist on thick bevels on their macbooks? Surely the benefit in a laptop is to open up a lid, and that lid to have as much screen real-estate as possible...

I just can't figure out what they are thinking on this one.

Perhaps having fond memories of their youth?

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Wow! No Ports, that's so innovative! Cross this one off my shopping list. I have been in the market for a new Apple notebook, but nothing exciting going on, so I'm waiting. If they are going to get rid of the ports, at least leave the thunderbolt and come out with a dock we can buy that has all the ports. Guess I'm going for the MacBook Pro Retina when it's refreshed.
 
Yeah...

Basically an iPad Air 2...

... except in all functional aspects: screen, keyboard, trackpad, ports, operating system, speed, ports, etc...

Nice...

:rolleyes:

It's going to underpowered and with little to no I/O. An ultra book. Hence my criticism
 
Make a 12" rMBA with all-glass screen and illuminated keyboard, and my checkbook is ready in 2015. No questions asked.


You still have a checkbook in 2015?!? :eek:

J/K

Unrelated:
I personally think the lack of the lit Apple logo is a sign of a leap in screen tech for the macbook range. They can't do the lit apple logo on the ipads because of the screens they use and the way the layers are all glued together. I am guessing that the same thing is going on here.
This is a good thing. Retina. Thin. Bright and evenly lit.


I also have been thinking the 12" ipad pro and 12" MBA might be the same rumors. I am interested to see how they play this thing out. Ultrabooks are pretty great, I had a Sony TX650p back in 2005 and I think about it from time to time when I have my 13" MBP in my bag.

I am looking to upgrade and I haven't decided the route I am going to take. riMac + MBA or 15" rMBP with external monitor (I have a 24" ips monitor already)
 
I don't care too much about losing the illuminated apple. It may be iconic, but it's advertising for other people. Personally I don't care if other people know what kind of computer I have from a distance.

Amen. That illuminated apple logo is so cringeworthy to me, it begs for attention. "Look at me! Look at me! I have a premium Apple product! I'm part of the clique!"

It looks desperate. The polished metal apple is much classier.

As for all the weeping over ports: this isn't a pro machine, this is a nightstand/coffeeshop portable notebook. If you're wanting to lug around all your gadgets to plug in, this isn't the machine for you.
 
The lid looks rather thick which is a slight dissapointment ( along with a disappeared glowing apple logo ). I hope it covers either batteries or the processor

Opening a current MBA lid is very effortless and can be done with a one hand. No need to hold the keyboard down. I wonder if that is still the case...
 
Why do Apple insist on thick bevels on their macbooks? Surely the benefit in a laptop is to open up a lid, and that lid to have as much screen real-estate as possible...

I just can't figure out what they are thinking on this one.

Bezels house the Wi-Fi antennas, FaceTime Camera, magnets for the latch, and even make the sides of the laptop thinner and easier to grip by not locating the display right at the edge. So there definitely is need for some bezels.

As for making the bezels as small as possible without sacrificing any of these things, that's exactly what they're trying to do here with this MBA.

Wonder if there is no backlight .... Could be the first Mac with a OLED display !

That's one of the things that came to my mind as well. I highly doubt we'll be seeing OLED on Macs before the iPhone gets it, but this could definitely be a way for Apple to prepare for the not so distant backlight-less future.
 
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