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*Roll up!* It's 2013 MBA season: Show us a realistic spec that would make YOU buy it!

aldocg said:
Here's my take, which I believe to be very Apple-like:

Consolidate the MBA to a single product, a 13" redesign:
Same size as 11" MBA, but 13.0" screen (the 13.3" rMBP is barely bigger)
13" screen at a smaller form-factor and lighter weight (900 grams, so even lighter than 11").
Keep the price at $999, and rMBP at $1299

Now you have a fantastic entry level Mac (13" like the old ones) at $999 and a higher grade Pro one for those who need better specs, at the cost of weight.

As for the redesign it'd be pretty much the same except IPS screen, smaller bezel(maybe like the rMBP) and little changes here and there(iPad mini like slate colour?).

Obviously the $999 version would be pretty limited hardware wise (64GB SSD, 4GB ram, lower clocked processor). There'd be an intermediate version at $1299 with double the SSD, RAM and a better processor(i7) for those who want great specs and great portability.
Click to expand...

I wish it were true, but that sounds way too optimistic. It's very unlikely for Apple to push through these major changes right now. I think all that will happen is Haswell in the air; possibly remove the entry 13''MBP so that people can only choose 13rMBP or MBA. And then another long wait begins for an actual substantial upgrade.
That, to me, sounds very "Apple-like" nowadays.
 
I own a 2010 11" MBA. It's not fast, but because of the size and weight it is extremely functional as a secondary mobile computer.

I understand that newer models are far better in almost every measurable way, but because of what I use it for I'm just not that interested in spec bumps.

The thing that would make me purchase a new model is a MBA-iPad hybrid, ala many of the Windows 8 machines. I would absolutely love to have both in one device. Judging by what I've read, however, I may be waiting a while.
 
It sounds like everything people want is in the 13" rMBP already it is only a few hundred dollars more than the mba 13" now may as well get that having used one in person it is very light and thin for everything it offers.
 
auhagen said:
My dream is following:

11" air with a resolution something like 1400 x 900
i7 dual is enough for me. But quad would be welcome if it still runs cool.
16gb ram - just to have enough for cad and other software / parallels.
512gb ssd - 256 is just not enough
7 hours of battery life

Thats all I want for my mobile needs.
Click to expand...

Whose Kool-Aid did you chuck? 256 is plenty, 512 gb ssd is way overkill, if you need that much storage, it's pretty sick.
 
PraisiX-windows said:
Whose Kool-Aid did you chuck? 256 is plenty, 512 gb ssd is way overkill, if you need that much storage, it's pretty sick.
Click to expand...

No, some people need that space if they are editing video or photos all from their computer. But, since it is "just" the smallest laptop Apple makes and is not supposed to be used for video editing all the time, 256 is plenty for pretty much everyone who will buy the 11" MacBook Air.
 
Scottsdale said:
I have been a long time MacBook Air fan. I have owned every version. I briefly switched to a 15.4" Retina MacBook Pro. However, I switched back to the MBA. I am currently using a 13" MBA 2012 model. I love all the specs, but I need three things to make me happy with the 2013 model.
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Welcome back Dave!!! I've missed your perspective.

Like Scottsdale, I have owned every version since I started (unlike Scotsdale... I started at "C", not "A"). I think the MBA is "THE PREMIUM" of all laptop computers.

I currently use the 512GB model... and it is a bit overkill... but I have gotten close to filling it on certain trips.

I never really thought about integral HDMI. Given that it still would require a cable... is the TB dongle really that much of an inconvenience?

I would love cellular radio built in if I could use it like I do with our iPads ($10/month) on the AT&T mobile share plan. I would be able to ditch the mobile hotspot... which I really only use for the laptop.

/Jim
 
PraisiX-windows said:
Whose Kool-Aid did you chuck? 256 is plenty, 512 gb ssd is way overkill, if you need that much storage, it's pretty sick.
Click to expand...

Apple already offers the option to upgrade to 512gb of storage. I see no harm, if you don't need it, then don't select that option when ordering online?
 
PraisiX-windows said:
Whose Kool-Aid did you chuck? 256 is plenty, 512 gb ssd is way overkill, if you need that much storage, it's pretty sick.
Click to expand...

Let me say it like this.

OSX + programs = 50gb
Win7 + programs = 60gb
Music (lossless) = 130gb
Documents = 2gb
Images = 3gb
Raw files = 40gb
Work folder = 30gb

As you can see I need the space. Right now I'm not able to have all my files on my 250 gb ssd in my MBP..

But I guess I must be pretty sick, my server have 4TB of space, and is almost full..
 
auhagen said:
Let me say it like this.

OSX + programs = 50gb
Win7 + programs = 60gb
Music (lossless) = 130gb
Documents = 2gb
Images = 3gb
Raw files = 40gb
Work folder = 30gb

As you can see I need the space. Right now I'm not able to have all my files on my 250 gb ssd in my MBP..

But I guess I must be pretty sick, my server have 4TB of space, and is almost full..
Click to expand...

Get an external USB3 or TB drive,an SSD of 1TB would cost a price of a MacBook Air alone,even a 512GB SSD is around 500$ so for a device thats supposed to cost 999$/1299$ a 512GB is way too expensive to put in it as a standard configuration.
 
DMH3006 said:
Get an external USB3 or TB drive,an SSD of 1TB would cost a price of a MacBook Air alone,even a 512GB SSD is around 500$ so for a device thats supposed to cost 999$/1299$ a 512GB is way too expensive to put in it as a standard configuration.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but being able to have all your stuff right there with you without carrying extra stuff? Priceless... :D
 
Longer battery, 8 to 10 hours.

AC wifi is worthless right now. Retina would be a battery drain.

SD card on the 11 would be good, but not a deal breaker.
 
auhagen said:
My dream is following:

11" air with a resolution something like 1400 x 900
i7 dual is enough for me. But quad would be welcome if it still runs cool.
16gb ram - just to have enough for cad and other software / parallels.
512gb ssd - 256 is just not enough
7 hours of battery life

Thats all I want for my mobile needs.
Click to expand...

The lowest tdp quad core cpu is currently 35W. I think it's just an underclocked version of one of the 45W variants. I would not expect quad cores to make it to the ULV line just yet, although it will eventually happen. i7 vs i5 means very little with dual core. The benchmarks are further apart with quad core i5s and i7s due to hyperthreading being disabled on quad i5s. I kind of doubt there will be a 16GB option too. 8 was the initial max specified by intel for ULVs initially, and it was a long time before that appeared in an Air. They seem to be satisfied that you must buy into the macbook pro line to meet some of these requirements. The new ones are ridiculously light, so I don't see a major difference in that aspect anyway.
 
DMH3006 said:
Get an external USB3 or TB drive,an SSD of 1TB would cost a price of a MacBook Air alone,even a 512GB SSD is around 500$ so for a device thats supposed to cost 999$/1299$ a 512GB is way too expensive to put in it as a standard configuration.
Click to expand...

This is a wish thread about what "you" want.
Yes it would be expensive, but If I had to carry around an external drive everytime I needed to use a file thats not on the main drive, I would go insane.

I hate cables, and since I use my MBP everywhere, as most people would do with a iPad, it would be a real pain in the arse, to sit there with an attached drive.

----------
thekev said:
The lowest tdp quad core cpu is currently 35W. I think it's just an underclocked version of one of the 45W variants. I would not expect quad cores to make it to the ULV line just yet, although it will eventually happen. i7 vs i5 means very little with dual core. The benchmarks are further apart with quad core i5s and i7s due to hyperthreading being disabled on quad i5s. I kind of doubt there will be a 16GB option too. 8 was the initial max specified by intel for ULVs initially, and it was a long time before that appeared in an Air. They seem to be satisfied that you must buy into the macbook pro line to meet some of these requirements. The new ones are ridiculously light, so I don't see a major difference in that aspect anyway.
Click to expand...

Yep thats some of the problems, but specs that would make me buy a 11' air, would be the spec list i posted. Anything else would make me buy a new MBP instead :)
 
Retina and same battery life I would consider it. Retina + 8-10 hours, and I press the buy now button before even selling the current one.
 
What I want for the 2014 model(Going to wait until then to get one.)

13" is fine
faster Cpu
512gb storage
8gb Ram
Intel 5000 graphics
Longer battery

All for $1500, but it will probably be more expensive. I'm saving $1500 by summer 2014 and I'm going to get whatever air fits that price.
 
My wish list for an updated MacBook Air (13-inch)

-Haswell quad-core CPU clocked at a minimum of 1.6GHz
-256 SSD standard
-RAM expandable up to 16GB
-Better battery life (an additional hour is fine)
-802.11ac

Lower the price slightly, about $100 or so, or at the very least keep the same price points and I'm sold. I could live without a retina display or a redesign. I think my expectations aren't too unrealistic and I'm definitely hoping it happens because I'm looking to replace my dated 20-inch 2007 iMac.
 
I'm not picky. There are things I want improved, but I'm not expecting Retina or a redesign. Haswell (with superior battery life) is enough for me, but 768GB of storage would be awesome too.
 
dlimes13 said:
A Quad Core CPU, that is all.

16 GB RAM option would be nice, but a Quad would be priority 1.
Click to expand...

Maybe this with Broadwell in 2014.
Quad are for Pro right now.
13" inch retina Pro is the step between Air 11-13 and Mb Pro 15-15 Retina,
but for me its just an overpriced Air.
I rather hope to see a dual Air i7 with Iris 5100 or 5200 insted of 4600.
 
Che Castro said:
How about a retina air ?

If they can manage to put a retina in the ipad mini maybe they could do it on the MacBook Air
Click to expand...

"Real"Air will gain retina when the Pro 13 (the overpriced Unofficial Air)
will gain the Quad core,
maybe next year,
there's a chance this year if all the notebook line will go to retina.
If this happens you'll have
Air 11 Retina dual (4600 Iris)
Air 13 Retina dual (5100 Iris) (5200 BTO?)

M.Book Pro 13 Retina Quad (Iris 5200)
M.Book Pro 15 Retina Quad (Iris 5200 + Nvidia 750M 1 GB )

Then next year you could see Quad everywhere...i hope.:eek:

But realistically i think we will see just a mere spec bump,
Haswell instead of Ivy ,Air dual not Retina with 4600 and Pro 13 with 5100 dual core.
 
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