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Production of New Thunderbolt-Equipped MacBook Airs Set for Next Month?

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AppleInsider reports on a new research note from Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claiming that Apple is set to begin production on new Thunderbolt-equipped MacBook Air models late next month, setting the stage for an update to the company's popular ultra-thin notebooks.
Kuo tells AppleInsider that his latest round of checks with suppliers and system builders in the region reveals that MacBook Air shipments are set to rebound during the current calendar quarter, fueled by an upgrade to Intel's latest Sandy Bridge microprocessors, integrated Intel graphics, and the expected adoption of the new Thunderbolt high-speed I/O technology that made its debut on MacBook Pros earlier this year.

Specifically, he said the new models will "go to mass production in late May," which corroborates an earlier report that cited reliable sources as saying Apple would be ready to publicly announce and ship to consumers MacBook Airs with Sandy Bridge processors during following month of June.
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A production ramp in late May would set the stage for a June launch for the new MacBook Airs, a timeframe that had been rumored several months ago.

While Apple's current MacBook Airs launched in October 2010 with a new 11.6-inch model joining the redesigned 13.3-inch model, they still rely upon aging Intel Core 2 Duo processors as Apple has struggled to find a suitable pairing of CPU and graphics performance in the wake of a dispute between Intel and NVIDIA over chipset production. But with new Sandy Bridge processors from Intel sporting improved graphics performance now available, Apple now has better options for its small form factor machines utilizing integrated graphics.

Kuo notably revealed Apple's plans for an 11.6-inch MacBook Air a full three months before the product debuted last year.

Article Link: Production of New Thunderbolt-Equipped MacBook Airs Set for Next Month?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/04/22/production-of-new-thunderbolt-equipped-macbook-airs-set-for-next-month/
The crappy Intel IGP overshadows everything else (as far as what matters to me), but I'm sure people with more processor needs will benefit from this. It's a second computer to me, and I have zero need for anything faster, processor-wise.
 
It appears that Mr. Kuo has some reliable tipsters in the supply chain and that he might actually have a clue.

One cannot the same thing about Gene Munster, Shaw Wu, or Katy Huberty. Their track record is atrocious and I'm inclined to disbelieve any of their blatherings.

I'm planning on picking up one of these new MacBook Airs.
 
Ooh, I wonder what the other upgrades will be. Macbook Airs are becoming really awesome notebooks. Hopefully it someday takes over the macbook. iPad <Macbook (Air) < Macbook Pro < iMac < Mac Pro
 
As my first post to macrumors, I just purchased a 13" refurb 30 min ago. Oh well, still good technology. I can finally sell my 2007 macbook.
 
Not trying to force this mentality on anyone, but for ME: No Ivy Bridge, no care.

I'm sure it'll be a great machine though just like the current one. It's just not enough difference to make me upgrade. (Just like iPad 1 to iPad 2)
 
???

Does this mean we will see a resolution downgrade to that of the 13 macbook pro's?
 
Kilamite said:
Yeah, I'm still unconvinced the Intel IGP is on par with NVIDIA's 320M IGP.
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Me either. The argument that they're on par with each other under OSX....well, I just don't want to believe that. I've already got it in my head that it's a lesser graphics card. It can't really be as good.
 
Is this a true statement from the OP: "But with new Sandy Bridge processors from Intel sporting improved graphics performance"
 
iSpartan said:
As my first post to macrumors, I just purchased a 13" refurb 30 min ago. Oh well, still good technology. I can finally sell my 2007 macbook.
Click to expand...

Im running a 2007 MBP17'' with a nice SSD - Its a 2.33C2D and im happy its lasted soo long.. I had to replace the disk as it wasnt enough...
 
ZipZap said:
Is this a true statement from the OP: "But with new Sandy Bridge processors from Intel sporting improved graphics performance"
Click to expand...

Yes, this generation of Intel IGPs is improved compared to the earlier generation of Intel IGPs.

That doesn't put it on par with the nVidia 320M though. If Intel had only licensed nVidia to make chipsets, we'd have had something much better than even the 320M to put in the newer TB equipped Macbook Pros and these new Airs. Now we're stuck downgrading the graphics to upgrade the processor.

I'm glad I bought my 320M equipped model, I'll keep it around for a while it seems.
 
Intel IGP ruins it for me personally :( would love a i series cpu but my C2D isn't bad enough to drop the 320M.
 
Great news! I'm sure it will be a nice upgrade. You know that Apple will do a nice job with it.
 
I'll be pretty curious to see if this improves battery life significantly for the 11" model. Hoping it does.
 
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