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

[Hellhammer]

My flat mate has one of those new Fusion based Netbooks. Seems pretty good. Could see the next gen of them in an Air. Considering getting one myself when I find one not made by Acer.

AMD E-350's CPU is noticeably worse than the C2Ds in MBAs. It is better than Atom but can't fight against Intel's premium CPUs, especially if we take Sandy Bridge into consideration. The IGP is wonderful though.

Llano will hopefully change this since Zacate is meant for netbook and other cheap laptops. Llano will hopefully bring low-voltage chips meant for ultraportables like MBA. So far there are no news though.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4023/the-brazos-performance-preview-amd-e350-benchmarked

 

[cube]

AMD E-350's CPU is noticeably worse than the C2Ds in MBAs. It is better than Atom but can't fight against Intel's premium CPUs, especially if we take Sandy Bridge into consideration. The IGP is wonderful though.

Llano will hopefully change this since Zacate is meant for netbook and other cheap laptops. Llano will hopefully bring low-voltage chips meant for ultraportables like MBA. So far there are no news though.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4023/the-brazos-performance-preview-amd-e350-benchmarked

But one must not overhype Llano because it still uses a Stars+ core. Bulldozer Fusion is not coming until next year.

So, we'll see.

 

[MorphingDragon]

There are already AMD Fusion laptops from many vendors.

In America maybe.

AMD E-350's CPU is noticeably worse than the C2Ds in MBAs. It is better than Atom but can't fight against Intel's premium CPUs, especially if we take Sandy Bridge into consideration. The IGP is wonderful though.

Llano will hopefully change this since Zacate is meant for netbook and other cheap laptops. Llano will hopefully bring low-voltage chips meant for ultraportables like MBA. So far there are no news though.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4023/the-brazos-performance-preview-amd-e350-benchmarked

I did say next gen.

 

[cube]

I did say next gen.

I don't think Bobcat+. I would say Stars+ this year or Bulldozer+ next year.

 

[entropi]

I just hope they manage to keep it as cool and quiet as our current mba 11" (1,6 Ghz C2D)... I prefer quiet computing over ultraspeed in a mba, for shure!

 

[DocNYz]

I just hope they manage to keep it as cool and quiet as our current mba 11" (1,6 Ghz C2D)... I prefer quiet computing over ultraspeed in a mba, for shure!

Yeah it should be, there's no hard drive to make noise and unless you keep it on a stove or do insanely heavy processing you shouldn't hear the fan either.

 

[iRun26.2]

Yeah it should be, there's no hard drive to make noise and unless you keep it on a stove or do insanely heavy processing you shouldn't hear the fan either.

Sandy Bridge should also run more efficiently than the C2D. That will not only extend baterry life, but it will also keep the normal operation temperatures down.

(Oops! I replied twice. Is there a way to delete my own post?)

 

[iRun26.2]

Yeah it should be, there's no hard drive to make noise and unless you keep it on a stove or do insanely heavy processing you shouldn't hear the fan either.

Sandy Bridge should also run more efficiently than the C2D. That will not only extend baterry life, but it will also keep the normal operation temperatures down.

My only worry is how much I will notice the loss GPU compare to the 320M.

 

[Young Spade]

I just hope they manage to keep it as cool and quiet as our current mba 11" (1,6 Ghz C2D)... I prefer quiet computing over ultraspeed in a mba, for shure!

"Shure" Great company aren't they? Had the 535s for a while and loved them. (I'm assuming you know about high end audio? Lol)

 

[LightSpeed1]

Awesome.

 

[AppleScruff1]

The MBP 13" is not quite the bang up job. It got a GPU downgrade and the benchmarks show it. The MBA won't be any different. There's no doubt about it, if you're looking for a GPU upgrade, go look elsewhere.

It's just the reality Intel forced onto us, why does anyone want to live in denial ?

For 99% of the market, the integrated graphics are fine. The majority of consumers don't read tech sites and are happy with the performance. The typical pc buyer doesn't know what a benchmark is. In almost every Apple vs Winodws pc argument on this and every other Mac site, the Mac fans without fail say specs don't matter. If you're a gamer, you'll notice the performance hit. To the million plus people who will buy the next model it won't make any difference.

 

[entropi]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2 like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C134 Safari/6533.18.5)

I just hope they manage to keep it as cool and quiet as our current mba 11" (1,6 Ghz C2D)... I prefer quiet computing over ultraspeed in a mba, for shure!

"Shure" Great company aren't they? Had the 535s for a while and loved them. (I'm assuming you know about high end audio? Lol)

meh. "sure" ok? (I know all about high end audio, but I'm more of a apogee & genelec-fan...)

 

[KnightWRX]

For 99% of the market, the integrated graphics are fine. The majority of consumers don't read tech sites and are happy with the performance. The typical pc buyer doesn't know what a benchmark is. In almost every Apple vs Winodws pc argument on this and every other Mac site, the Mac fans without fail say specs don't matter. If you're a gamer, you'll notice the performance hit. To the million plus people who will buy the next model it won't make any difference.

Yes, that is the Apple mentality. No more is it about making the best machine, but about making it "good enough". That speech in 2008 with the intro of the Unibody MacBook with the then nVidia 9400m where Apple realises "graphics are important and boy did we pack this thing with graphics power!" is gone.

You're right. I should just eat my pill and accept the lesser GPU.

The only thing holding me back from a Mac before 2008 was the Intel GPU. The only thing that will hold me back from purchasing a new one after this is Air is... Intel graphics.

 

[joejacjaac]

Personally, I really would like to see all day battery life from the new MBA instead of cpu upgrade. That would make the air a must buy.

 

[Sunrunner]

Does this mean we will see a resolution downgrade to that of the 13 macbook pro's?

Im sure it will be a net plus

 

[kavika411]

You both think into it too much:
- FireWire was gone from Apple's "future of notebooks" since the beginning of time (2008)
- Thunderbolt is not replacing USBs, it's a supplement to DisplayPort (and can connect to both display and peripherals simultaneously)

Thanks.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Yes, that is the Apple mentality. No more is it about making the best machine, but about making it "good enough". That speech in 2008 with the intro of the Unibody MacBook with the then nVidia 9400m where Apple realises "graphics are important and boy did we pack this thing with graphics power!" is gone.

You're right. I should just eat my pill and accept the lesser GPU.

The only thing holding me back from a Mac before 2008 was the Intel GPU. The only thing that will hold me back from purchasing a new one after this is Air is... Intel graphics.

But you just know that it will sell in record numbers regardless. Even if it was an empty shell, people will buy them. That's the beauty of Apple marketing.

 

[xemino]

facetime HD camera,
backlit keyboard,
sandy bridge,
thunderbolt,
same price,
this and a MATTE screen, atl east as BTO.
then i'm so gonna sell my MBP 15" baby.
an integrated hspa+ modem would be cool too.

 

[ictiosapiens]

For 99% of the market, the integrated graphics are fine. The majority of consumers don't read tech sites and are happy with the performance. The typical pc buyer doesn't know what a benchmark is. In almost every Apple vs Winodws pc argument on this and every other Mac site, the Mac fans without fail say specs don't matter. If you're a gamer, you'll notice the performance hit. To the million plus people who will buy the next model it won't make any difference.

And a large portion of that 99% of the market will find integrated graphics fine, until they venture to the Apple App Store, and find that their spanking new MBA have a video card not supported by 99% of the games on sale... In fact, integrated graphics are not only not supported, but are specifically singled out in most game's system requirements.

 

[AppleScruff1]

And a large portion of that 99% of the market will find integrated graphics fine, until they venture to the Apple App Store, and find that their spanking new MBA have a video card not supported by 99% of the games on sale... In fact, integrated graphics are not only not supported, but are specifically singled out in most game's system requirements.

I don't question the gaming issue, I just wonder what percentage of MBP buyers would not buy because of the Intel graphics. My uneducated guess would be a very small percentage. Remember, Apple caters to the average consumer, not the geeks.

 

[iRun26.2]

I don't question the gaming issue, I just wonder what percentage of MBP buyers would not buy because of the Intel graphics. My uneducated guess would be a very small percentage. Remember, Apple caters to the average consumer, not the geeks.

That may be true but Apple does have the reputation of being 'a cut above the rest' when it comes to video and graphics.

 

[AppleScruff1]

That may be true but Apple does have the reputation of being 'a cut above the rest' when it comes to video and graphics.

A family member has the new MBP 13" and I think it has a nice display. I have no idea how it is for gaming, but pics and videos look quite nice, IMHO. I've been of the opinion that Apple uses a better quality display panel than the other manufacturers, not necessarily stronger graphics performance but overall better looking.

 

[iRun26.2]

Display Brightness

A family member has the new MBP 13" and I think it has a nice display. I have no idea how it is for gaming, but pics and videos look quite nice, IMHO. I've been of the opinion that Apple uses a better quality display panel than the other manufacturers, not necessarily stronger graphics performance but overall better looking.

I have always found that the Apple displays are a lot brighter than other brands. Tome, the quality of the display is one of the most important key points of a new model.

If they were to make any significant improvement in the 11.6" MBA display (higher resolution, brighter screen, higher contrast, move to IPS technology) I think I would consider upgrading immediately.

 

[bruceyeah]

backlit keyboard? where will the keys go?

I too am hanging out for a new MBA model before I jump in, and a backlit keyboard is the top of my list of must-have features. We have two unibody 2008 MacBooks in the house, only one of which has a backlit keyboard and not being a touch typist I really miss it when I use the other MacBook by mistake.

Anyway... has anyone else noticed that Apple will have a tricky design problem on their hands if they were to introduce a backlit keyboard into the new MBA design? Basically, they've got no room for the keyboard brightness keys!

When they brought out the 2010 MBA, they ditched the circular power button and added in a new 'power' key, to the right of the eject key. However this means that all the function keys have had their functions 'shifted' to the left, which was possible because there's no keyboard brightness up or down buttons needed in the function keys.

MacBook Pro
F1/F2 = brightness down/up
F3/F4 = expose/dashboard
F5/F6 = keyboard brightness down/up
F7/F8/F9 = rewind/play/forward
F10/F11/F12 = mute/volume down/up
EJECT

2010 MacBook Air
F1/F2 = brightness down/up
F3/F4 = expose/dashboard
F5 = (blank)
F6/F7/F8 = rewind/play/forward
F9/F10/F11 = mute/volume down/up
F12 = EJECT
POWER BUTTON

So my question is, if they DO add in a backlit keyboard where will they put the keyboard brightness up/down controls? Maybe they would ditch the eject key... which seems superfluous in a machine with no optical drive. This leaves two spare spaces, but it also means they would have to shift all the function keys to the right again to make space for two adjacent keys.

And why they didn't do that when they brought out the original 2010 models, rather than have two variations of MBA with differing keyboard layouts?

This may sound like madness, but I know Apple really sweat these sorts of details, so I can't wait to see how they solve it. (or if they're not putting in a backlit keyboard then it's not a problem... in which case I'll be sorely disappointed with the new update)

 

[madhatter61]

Are there any Thuderbolt devices yet?

Yes ... it is called MacBook Pro. If you climb outside of the typical PC mentality of just added peripherals with higher data rates (you'll eventually get that) ... the bigger issue is in using the light weight, very mobile, long battery life Airs to do the initial creative input on the road ... then link them back to the big, high power computers to finish up the heavy rendering and post production work. Look at the refresh on Final Cut Pro. Look at Adobe's latest offerings ... all with leaning toward iOS. You'll like see a 30 pin adapter for iPad2 and above with thunderbolt out so they can be used as well. Apple is planning on selling more of its offerings and are speeding up the data exchange rates on high performance operations.
As apple goes cloud backup the need for high data transfer rates goes way up.
The bottle neck right now is the carriers both in speed and cost.