Right. It's likely going to be the 3nm M3. The confluence is there.
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Production of 15-Inch MacBook Air Components Underway, WWDC Launch Looking Likely
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I can believe they would do so, as it helps differentiate the MacBook Air line from the MacBook Pro line and keeps pricing lower since the M2 will be (fairly) cheaper than the M3.
An M2 8/256GB 15" MacBook Air at $1499 USD would be $500 cheaper than the 14" MacBook Pro and $700 cheaper than the 16" model. For content consumption, it should be a very popular model and for an extra $200, you can "future proof" it with 16GB of RAM and still come in much cheaper than a 14"/16" MacBook Pro.
If the 15" launches with M3, that would likely add at least $200 to the base price and if you want 16GB, then you are closing in on the 2022 MacBook Pro pricing (which will offer better performance and features than the MBA), to say nothing of deals on discounted M1 MacBook Pro 14/16" which would likely be as much (16") or cheaper (14").
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I hope they don't go M2, but knowing them, they will claim its optimized, because they want to save M3 for next years MacBook Pro's. Also, timing is a factor, are the 3NM chips ready? Could this affect chip availability for the iPhone 15 Pro/Max?
One analyst reported today that Mac sales are down 40% in the January-March quarter 2023 vs last year. Nobody I know is in the market for a $3k laptop just to get a 15+inch screen so they can see and manipulate their spreadsheets. Apple needs to get real on pricing and produce products that are relevant to the majority of their users. Quality yes. At a premium ok. But when the entry price for a > 14 inch laptop is $2,500 something has to give.
A 15.5 inch MBA with last year's processor and the year before last's display technology at $1,500 would sell so fast their heads would spin.
A 15.5 inch MBA with last year's processor and the year before last's display technology at $1,500 would sell so fast their heads would spin.
I'm confused as to why there is anymore a distinction between MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, rather than say different grades of MacBook Pro.
I think when the MacBook Air first came out, it was intended as a super compact and lightweight laptop. If I recall, it removed things like optical drive which at that time was still part of the MacBook Pro line up? Hard for me to recall that long ago even though I did buy one of the earlier versions of the MacBook Air back in 2008 or 2009.
The point is, back then there was a legitimate distinction between the heftier and more feature MacBook Pro vs. the more compact MacBook Air. But these days with the already pretty lightweight and compact MacBook Pro, I don't understand what the MacBook Air lineup is about anymore unless it has an even more lightweight/compact feature.
I think when the MacBook Air first came out, it was intended as a super compact and lightweight laptop. If I recall, it removed things like optical drive which at that time was still part of the MacBook Pro line up? Hard for me to recall that long ago even though I did buy one of the earlier versions of the MacBook Air back in 2008 or 2009.
The point is, back then there was a legitimate distinction between the heftier and more feature MacBook Pro vs. the more compact MacBook Air. But these days with the already pretty lightweight and compact MacBook Pro, I don't understand what the MacBook Air lineup is about anymore unless it has an even more lightweight/compact feature.
It's really become just a cute name, "Air".
The 14 inch Pro is so light and thin anyways, plus more powerful.
We don't know that. Speculatively you can argue based on pricing but it's more probable that Apple unfurls the larger MacBook with the M3. That makes the most sense given what they've previously done.
In 2008, Apple introduced the 13" MacBook Air. It didn't introduce the 11" MacBook Air until 2010 when Intel had a new Core 2 Duo chipset ready. And they lowered the prices during that 2010 announcement.
As an aside that was the presentation with several memorable Steve Jobs moments talking about why they won't make touchscreen Macs and asking what would happen if an iPad & a MacBook hooked up.
I think Apple set themselves up for this mess by creating separate Pro and non-Pro laptops that are essentially the same from a visual appearance perspective. It actually hurts the reputation of the non-Pro laptops by making people think they are underpowered. I think they should have a drastic design difference, much like the original iBooks looked nothing like the PowerBooks of the day.
The current Airs are powerhouses in their own right. I still have a 10-year old 2013 MacBook Air that runs like a champ for everyday tasks.
They've now got colourful iMacs. Bring that to the MacBook Air lineup ... more fun colours. Make them appeal to students and the younger crowd, while the Pro laptops are targeting professionals.
I agree — introducing the MacBook Air at WWDC is confusing. Keep WWDC for professionals, and the September event for consumers.
I was really skeptical of the Air losing its wedge shape, but the wife just got a new Air and wow, is it ever slick! I have the 2021 Air and she has the 2022 Air. I want hers! 🤣
Yes. It's not like the M2 is old or outdated. It's still the current-generation processor that packs a real punch.
Some people value portability over raw screen size, especially if they have a desk setup with a large external display they can plug into. If I were constantly flying, for example, I would rather have something in the 12-13" range that's now crowding the tray table. As it is when I'm flying I tend to use my 11" iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard over my 14" MBP.
It is good but.... https://9to5mac.com/2023/04/10/15-i...portedly-ramping-up-ahead-of-upcoming-launch/
We'll see what happens. It seems more likely that Apple goes M3.
Absolutely. I have a 2018 Intel 15” MBP and the display and performance is totally fine for me, but it’s about to become vintage. I had a 14” Pro for work and the screen was too small, yet it was thicker than my old 15”. And the 16” is just a monster in all dimensions. A 15” screen is perfect. Hell, I’d be happy with a 15” Air with an M1. I know people are excited for 3nm but first generation Apple silicon already has more than enough power for my needs.
I think so too. It seems unlikely they'll release another M2 device after M2 Pro/Max has already been released. With M1, they released the MBP and Mac Studio with Pro/Max/Ultra and that was the last we saw of M1. The next device released had M2.
I'd take a 15" M1 MBA
As I understand it, the "Air" moniker has significant penetration in consumer consciousness where it is now considered to be the "less expensive" Mac instead of being the "light" Mac. So that is why the MacBook Air now anchors the "entry level" laptop and why Apple continues to keep the name around.
There is some speculation the 15" model will just be called "MacBook"...
TSMC announced a 25% increase in price for 3nm wafers compared to their 5nm wafer line. There are reports they may have to walk that back somewhat due to push-back from other customers outside of Apple, but there are also reports that Apple has accepted higher prices for the 3nm wafers to secure the bulk (if not the entirety) of early production for the iPhone, at least.
I do believe the next MacBook Air 13" refresh will move to M3, but not until wafer prices are low enough to allow them to keep the price at $1199 (and production capacity is high-enough that TSMC can make a lot of M3s without impacting A17 production). And for me, that is likely 1H 2024.
I bought a 16" MBP last year, and it's WAY more power than I will ever needed. I simply wanted the larger screen.
And yes, it's a beast to carry around. What's funny is I owned a 2013 15" MBP for many years, and the 2021 MBP is barely heavier than the 2013 one...but the 2021 feels heavier in very way.
Anyways, I'm contemplating on getting the 15" MPA based on better portability.
And yes, it's a beast to carry around. What's funny is I owned a 2013 15" MBP for many years, and the 2021 MBP is barely heavier than the 2013 one...but the 2021 feels heavier in very way.
Anyways, I'm contemplating on getting the 15" MPA based on better portability.
I agree — makes more sense that they would want to focus on one category of hardware at WWDC. But introducing the Air with M3 and Mac Pro makes sense at an event — so could this event take place before WWDC?
Don’t need the power or fan of MBP, and certainly don’t want its heft or thickness…
…but do want SD Card (that MBA used have) and HDMI to make the laptop more interoperable. Standard port variety is not a pro feature. Port count, arguably, but not standard port variety to make the machine every-day-useful.
Both refreshed and the new MBA sizes should come with MagSafe, high-impedance headphone jack, two USB-4, latest SD Card and latest HDMI right out of the box.
MBP then can have four USB-4 and, fan, super-power, pro display, 16 TB SSD and 96 GB RAM… and the 13” MBP can die 1,000 deaths.
…but do want SD Card (that MBA used have) and HDMI to make the laptop more interoperable. Standard port variety is not a pro feature. Port count, arguably, but not standard port variety to make the machine every-day-useful.
Both refreshed and the new MBA sizes should come with MagSafe, high-impedance headphone jack, two USB-4, latest SD Card and latest HDMI right out of the box.
MBP then can have four USB-4 and, fan, super-power, pro display, 16 TB SSD and 96 GB RAM… and the 13” MBP can die 1,000 deaths.
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What might be ideal - a thermally-cooled, updated 13" Pro with an M3 chip - a new low end 'Pro'.
Kill the touch bar?
Kill the notch?
Weight is all relative. My Apple PowerBook G3 (Wallstreet) was 7.8 pounds...and I was thrilled to be able to fit it into a backpack...along with school books, notebooks, etc.
When the Powerbooks dropped below 5 pounds, we all thought they had hit 'peak' engineering.
My first Mac was a 15" PowerBook and it was fantastic - even if it was heavy on international business trips. I would be looking at 16/512 for the long haul - even if the long haul at my age is wishful thinking.
That'll give them pressure to keep prices favorable to entice more buyers.