Potential MacBook Air Update Delayed Due to Chip Shortage?

[ericinboston]

That's nice.. But please show me a $500 netbook that comes with with 2.13Ghz C2D processor, 1200x800 screen, discrete Nvidia 9400M graphics, and 128MB SSD. You can't, because it doesn't exist.

I never said such a $500 device existed. Oh, and by the way, the model Air you just described is the $1799 model...not the $1499.

My Rev C MBA can easily handle PhotoShop, H.264 encoding, video editing.. compile code, and bunch of other things your Windows Atom-based craptop will choke on. Rev C MBA can easily act as the only computer for most people. With NetBook, most people will still need another "real" computer.

Enough with the craptop terminology. Again, I never said any netbook would handle that type of USAGE that you just described. I clearly stated HOW netbooks are DESIGNED TO BE USED...go back and read that if you missed it. But you should know that...since you are the one that ridiculed me stating I have no clue what the differences are between netbooks and laptops.

And you are correct, netbooks make fantastic 2nd machines...not primary machines for client-side, non-web-browser type work. Personally I wouldn't want such a low powered machine for my primary and only computer. In fact, my netbook is not used very often compared to my 2 desktops and 1 laptop. My netbook is a great travel pc that I use on vacations or weekend getaways...and if it's stolen or lost or dropped in the pool, I'm out $275...not $700 or $1000 or $1500...it's also an awesome little iTunes player that streams iTunes from my desktop and outputs via the heaphone jack into my stereo...and controlled by my iPhone...pretty sweet.

However, I am certain there are plenty of people who could get by with owning only a netbook...or...<gasp>...a "portable computer" under $1000 (which yes, includes the $999 MB).

-Eric

 

[ericinboston]

Historically, Apple targets the premium price category, not the entry level.

Since I have mostly seen MacBook Airs being used in airports by business travelers, this makes sense. Apple is not trying to market it as a low-price, low-margin volume commodity product to students and Joe Consumer. The MacBook Air is a secondary mobile device for the business traveler who relies on a desktop computer when in the office. These are people who are willing to pay a premium for portability (and maybe a little style), in exchange for reduced price/performance valuation. The battery life constraints are probably the most niggling issue, but many airlines offer in-seat power in their business class cabin.

1)I have never seen a MBA anywhere...and I travel a few times a year via plane.

2)My point is that I believe Apple is NOT correctly targeting the MBA...otherwise there would be more of the MBAs floating around in public.

3)I agree that the MBA might have some specs that make it want to try to be an extremely light yet powerful computer, but I just don't see it at the end of the day. RAM and hard drive specs in accordance with a $1500 or $1800 just doesn't jive in my book.

4)Yes, I've met plenty of CEOs (and their buddies) that want these super light yet powerful machines and you know what happens 99% of the time?...they use the machine for 3 months when they figure out that there just isn't enough bang for the buck (13" screen is too small or drive space is too small or battery stinks, etc). Seriously. I've seen this time and time again for the past 15 years. So then they go back to IT and ask for a more normal MBP or Windows laptop that gets a lot more bang for the buck. Sure, it weighs 2.1 pounds more but people are not balancing these machines on their pinky...they're carrying them around in a business class, leather, stuffed-with-other-stuff laptop bag.

In terms of profitability, Apple posts great results and presumably, the MacBook Air contributes to a very high profit margin for their notebook line (Apple does not break out sales by individual models).

Based on increases in shareholder value (I'm an AAPL stockholder), I am satisfied with Apple's execution of its current business model. I don't want Apple to release a low-cost, low-margin netbook competitor since it would erode profit margins.

If you have a suggestion how they could do this without eroding margins, I (and they) would be very curious to hear what you have to say.

The profitability/margin/revenue topic has been talked to death on this board over the years. We all agree Apple makes its hefty profits which keeps the employees and stockholders happy. Yah. I really don't want to regurgitate this topic and take the thread off course.

 

[PeterQVenkman]

The Air is still too expensive, even for that weight. Apple will again be competing with themselves by introducing their tablet.

 

[NT1440]

The Air is still too expensive, even for that weight. Apple will again be competing with themselves by introducing their tablet.

You seriously think everyone that wants a laptop form factor will choose a tablet instead?

 

[Stregone]

I've said it before: It depends on where you live and your transportation circumstances. For a person who lives in New York and doesn't own car, but carries their computer to work every day, 1.5lbs is a huge difference. It's not just your computer your walking two miles with every day.
However, if you have a car and live in a Kansas City suburb, where the farthest you walk with your laptop is to the garage, 1.5lbs doesn't much matter.

I will agree with this.

I recently bought a New MBAir 2 weekends ago, of course it goes without saying I should of held off just a little longer because I think it will be something that will update with the announcement.

To be exact, I did in fact give a MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.5 Ghz with 4 Gig Ram and 500 Gig Drive. and bought this MBAir.

True it only has 2 Gig none upgradable ram and that does sting knowing that. However, I too wanted something much lighter. I have always been a bit envious of all those Viao's, Sharp thin laptops that were small but yet useable. I wanted Apple to make one and they finally did, the MBAir.

I was very close to buying just a dumb Netbook which would have saved me more then $1000. But I get much better graphics, and a much better processor on the MBAir. Was it worth the higher price not really but all in all the MacBook Pro was in fact an over kill for what I do and like others mentioned here. The weight different while traveling was a big issue. I commute anywhere from 2 - 3 hours one way daily (no Lie) and let me tell you standing around waiting for the bus and train a MacBook Pro plus any extra stuff becomes a shoulder pain.

This is perfect. I just wished the memory was more (4 Gig) or at least replaceable. other then that I love IT

 

[Ubik1981]

The Air is the perfect machine for professional writers.

I don't see any writer switching to a machine without a keyboard.

C.

Ditto. I absolutely love my SSD MBAir. It is incredibly fast and lightweight.

And, unlike the iPhone and iPad (?), it has a 13 inches display. I do not want to loose what remains of my eyesight on a 10 inches screen.

 

[RawBert]

Goddamn, I can't freakin' wait for the 27th! Does Steve Jobs RULE, or what???

 

[podiki]

4GB RAM, 256GB SSD and a glass trackpad.

I'm fine with it remaining glossy too.

That and 1440x900 and they have a customer.

 

[Macintox]

Like most of the people who "own" and "use" a MBair/SSd and not the ones who only "talk" about it. I love my MBair..
I have had almost ALL the notebooks that came out of Apple since the first 1100, all shapes and sizes . Sometime 2 a year . Some have been real workhorses ( Titanium 867 -powerbook G4 1.67 high res) but none what-so-ever came close to the joy of using this computer. All the ones before felt like carrying a brick of some sort, all of them where in a way sluggish ( hard drive) .
The "real" clients of a MBair are not even thinking about a tablet... where is my keyboard ?
Are we all waiting for 4GB Ram ..yes, even now a 300$ option and many of us would have upgraded. A faster processor ? OK but not desperately needed . a faster larger SSD ? yes, if Apple finally hear that there is something called TRIM, out there in the far away PC planet.
See you in April for MBair II

 

[JCT]

Like most of the people who "own" and "use" a MBair/SSd and not the ones who only "talk" about it. I love my MBair..

This has been true since the MBA was first announced and almost immediately denounced as a niche failure or the new Cube -- before anyone had even touched one. It was hilarious.

While there are certainly people who have tried them and not found them to their liking (like any of Apple's laptops), for many of us who own them and use them daily they are excellent and fulfill a specific need for a full featured and profoundly portable Mac laptop.

And like many of the other MBA owners, I'll buy the next one once it has 4GB ram and a slightly larger SSD. Immediately.

JT

 

[hitekalex]

And you are correct, netbooks make fantastic 2nd machines...not primary machines for client-side, non-web-browser type work. Personally I wouldn't want such a low powered machine for my primary and only computer. In fact, my netbook is not used very often compared to my 2 desktops and 1 laptop.

Precisely. And my Air can and does act as my primary and only computer. And it is used ALL THE TIME. When I am at home - I hook it up to my 24" LED display with BT keyboard/mouse. It becomes a terrific desktop. When I am on the go - I drop it in my messenger bag and I barely even recognize it's there because it's so light and portable.

That extra $$$ I spend on the Air over an Atom netbook is well justified by not having to own and maintain additional computers. In the end, I save money over not keeping 2 or 3 computers plus the headaches of moving files/programs around.

So hopefully this answers your question "who Apple targets Air for" - the answer is people like me who want ultralight laptop that can also act as a full-on system for content creation.

As someone else said in this thread - there are people who complain about the Air, and then there are people who use it. And I really don't understand all the hostility towards the Air, and the whole flawed logic of "you don't see a lot of them around therefore it's a failure". You don't see a lot of Porsche 911GTS's around either, that doesn't make it a failure!

 

[flynz4]

I see plenty of MBAs around... and yes I travel a lot (I am a million miler).

The interesting thing... I have never talked with a single person who was actually using their MBA who did not love it. I personally have owned about 20 laptops in my life (I replace or waterfall them about once/year)... and my MBA (w/SSD) is my favorite laptop by far. I like it (and use it) 10X more than my 15" MBP. Both have an SSD... MBA is 128GB and MBP is 160GB.

Those who say it is not a big deal to carry a few extra pounds are missing the entire point. The weight savings has nothing to do with how much your computer bag weighs. It has to do with using it while laying in bed, flopping from your right side to left... it has to do with sitting on the couch... moving to the easy chair, placing it on an end table. Each of those is a simple, nearly effortless act of grabbing it by the lower right corner (with just a few fingers) and moving it as simple as moving a magazine. Yes... you can also do that with a netbook... the difference being that unlike a netbook... the MBA is actually usable as a computer.

I did buy a netbook as a supplement to my 15" MBP. My thought was I would use the MBP for "real work" and the netbook for casual surfing. I ended up returning the netbook, and buying the MBA instead. Now the 15" MBP sits dormant most of the time. I also have a 27" i7 iMac... and I find the combination of that with the MBA to be the perfect combination for me. That along with MobileMe and dropbox... I alway have my files with me irrespective of which computer I am using. The i7 is perfect for "full screen" jobs such as photo editing, or "high performance" jobs such as video transcoding, etc. The MBA is perfect for everyday continual (and comfortable) use.

I too will likely buy the new model MBA and waterfall my current one to my wife. She loves my MBA... and the only reason that she has not bought one yet is because she knows she will inherit mine as soon as a newer model arrives. I too would like a larger memory footprint and a larger SSD. It would be nice to have a longer battery life (I'm not holding my breath) or biometric finger reader to log in and to open my 1Password vault.

/Jim

 

[MacModMachine]

I did say it was just a hunch. Make sure you read my entire post before accusing me of posting misinformation.

my post was not directed at you,

regardless, in canada i see a ton of macbook airs in public, macbook pro's are few around here,

its all macbook's and macbook air's

 

[Maserati7200]

Can someone explain how a notebook that runs OS X, with a full-sized keyboard and 13" display is going to be replaced by a purported device that runs a hybrid OS, has a smaller display and no physical keyboard?

People have been saying that the Mac Mini and AppleTV will be merged to a singular device since the AppleTV was introduced.

They serve two fundamentally different purposes as I believe that a tablet and Macbook Air do.

I agree

Sounds like me MacBook Pro refresh hopes are being dashed.

Not really, they don't use the ULV's...

Once again, I think you are not looking outside the paradigm of the current mouse based app with keyboard input requirements. I remember hearing people screaming when Apple dropped the floppy disk from its line of computers before anyone else. Anyone miss that? I also recall people saying that switching to Intel processors was a bad idea.
Think about how Apple was able to transition everyone from 680x0 processors, to PPC, to Intel and all while still moving through OS8, OS9 and now 6 releases of OS X. Along every step of the way they have allowed for migration and a way to move ahead. If you want to stay in a world of mice and keyboards, fine, stick with what you have. But as the UI morphs to meet the needs of a touch based input, we will see more and more touch based apps and systems. Personally, I wouldn't doubt it if Apple's next OS release is full multitouch input based and the entire iLife Suite moves that way too. We have 10 fingers. We use them for typing. Why not for navigation throughout the compete OS. Single point and click is so dated.

Because using those methods are more efficient at this point than touch.

 

[iNikorn]

It's cool for a new MBA, I will bring it one when it released

So simple sleek

 

[rowr]

I've said it before: It depends on where you live and your transportation circumstances. For a person who lives in New York and doesn't own car, but carries their computer to work every day, 1.5lbs is a huge difference. It's not just your computer your walking two miles with every day.
However, if you have a car and live in a Kansas City suburb, where the farthest you walk with your laptop is to the garage, 1.5lbs doesn't much matter.

I couldn't say it better - packing a Macbook is still too heavy. As much as i'd like to have a 15" screen the weight is just too much.

I am waiting for the updated Macbook Air refresh and plan to buy one then.