Well hedging my bets here bought my wife a MBA basic config last night new at the Apple store. I have 14 days to see if a announcement is made than if a announcement is made within those 14 days they tack on another 14 days from that date to return it for the new model. I asked this question specifically on new because i was going for a refrub. otherwise. So March 9th would bring me out to March 23rd to announce a new one. Fingers crossed but have to say as a serious power user of a MBP maxed out with 2 SSD drives in it and 8gbs of ram this thing is actually pretty dang nice. I would never use it for my photography business to process my 40 mpx back images but for what it is , not bad.
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The Wait Continues - and is becoming exciting: Are your expectations for RevD rising?
- Thread starter Jobsian
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I'm still hanging in with an original Rev A + 80GB HDD -- but just barely, the performance difference between my MBA and my other Macs is finally becoming a bit frustrating. Have to say the Rev A has been rock-solid, though being used 3-5 hours a day for 2 years.
As a frequent traveler I am completely sold (read: spoiled by) the form factor -- so while I would love an upgrade (and would order immediately), if this drags on much longer I will consider a Rev C + SSD. Figure that will be enough of a performance kick to hold me for another couple of years....
JT
As a frequent traveler I am completely sold (read: spoiled by) the form factor -- so while I would love an upgrade (and would order immediately), if this drags on much longer I will consider a Rev C + SSD. Figure that will be enough of a performance kick to hold me for another couple of years....
JT
But that's like, outdoor stuff?! What'd you wanna go do something crazy like that for?
It might run your perfectly pasty white skin and hurt your indoor-adjusted eyesight.
It doesn't have to be exactly 3 weeks. And MBPs can be scheduled or "delayed" after the iPad launch date for multiple reasons, but the iPad launch itself may not be one of them.
Good point there. When was the last time Apple took down the store for a product only in certain countries and were all stores taken down at that time?
Probably updating some backend server stuff to bring all Apple stores up to the same version, even if they don't all get the iPad.
I have money also for the MBA but if the Z comes out first, Apple, I can't promise anything, especially since I have a perfectly fine 15" MBP at home serving as a desktop replacement. I need mobility but I want it soon. I don't see a MBA release before the iPad, though I could be wrong, and Windows 7 alongside OSX for me just may be the best of both worlds.
The Sony Z is already out. When I checked it out a few days ago, Sony said would be delivered by March 15, 2010. I would call that "out" or available.
With the update this morning, and the reason to take all sites down... the iPad got its own navigational link up with iPhone, iPod, and Mac. It had to take down the world to add the iPad's own section within the site. Before today, there was just a link to a page from the site's homepage. Now, it's in the directory of the site and it can be navigated to from anywhere on the site.
I am really disappointed with apple.
I am in the Market for an Air but the price and specs are hopeless.
Needs an i3/5 chip.
SSD as standard
4 GB RAM
PRICE DECREASE.
Then I'll buy. I can take 1 USB and no Ethernet.
I can take no physical drive.
I can't take being ripped off.
I am in the Market for an Air but the price and specs are hopeless.
Needs an i3/5 chip.
SSD as standard
4 GB RAM
PRICE DECREASE.
Then I'll buy. I can take 1 USB and no Ethernet.
I can take no physical drive.
I can't take being ripped off.
Why do people keep saying a Core i3 CPU? The Core i3 CPUs are all 35W TDP. In addition, the Core i5 doesn't have any low voltage chips as the current MBA has. Most relevant is the fact that the Intel replacement CPU for the SL9x00 Low Voltage CPUs are the Core i7-6x0LM.
I guess people just assume the MBA would get a low-end CPU? But that's senseless because the MBA has an incredibly expensive CPU. In fact, the SL9x00 is more expensive than the Core i7-6x0LM that replaces it.
Even if Apple goes to ULV, there are more choices in the Core i7 series CPUs. And the chip that's most like the current MBA's chip is the ULV Core i7-6x0UM.
A lot of people are clueless to the design and performance of the Intel Core i-series chips. It's all publicly available at Intel.com...
http://www.intel.com/products/processor/index.htm
I think you're WAY OUT OF LINE to expect the specs you listed and a "PRICE DECREASE."
No interest at all in the Ipad, not even remotely. And with me many many more.
I am extremely, extremely tempted to get an i7 Vaio Z and install Ubuntu on it. Having said that, I will impatiently wait for the MBA Rev D and then decide which one is more worth it.
I am extremely, extremely tempted to get an i7 Vaio Z and install Ubuntu on it. Having said that, I will impatiently wait for the MBA Rev D and then decide which one is more worth it.
+1
Considering how good the current MBP 13" with SSD is, the MBA is really being squeezed. Apple needs to hit a home run with the next MBA - and soon. In particular, much improved battery life.
do you think there's a possibility to change the usb2 for usb3 for my air? if they are the same size and everything 
that would be cool.. i remember that my dad changed usb1 for usb2 for my pc long time ago and it looked the same and everything.
and yes i know that it's bad thing to compare pc and mac on this thing
that would be cool.. i remember that my dad changed usb1 for usb2 for my pc long time ago and it looked the same and everything.and yes
i know that it's bad thing to compare pc and mac on this thing
From a technological and pricing point of view that would be the logical i7 option for a Rev D MBA.
From a marketing point of view I'd say: hmmmm...
They'd have to advert with a slower bus speed and similar processor speeds. That is two bonus points for reasons to buy less. And in Apple tradition marketing decisions often outweigh technical sense.
A much better battery could make the i7-6x0LM an option, but it would probably also make the MBA more expensive than it is now...
Juts thinking out loud...
Wait...edit. Just thinking about the heat the LM would produce compared to the UM...I am inclined to agree with you!
But you're still not factoring in that the Core i7-6x0LM is the Low Voltage CPU that REPLACES the Core 2 Duo Penryn SL9x00 CPUs that are already in the MBA. In addition, the Core i7-6x0LM is ACTUALLY LESS EXPENSIVE than the SL9x00 CPUs - by about $15 each. Again, the MBA uses an expensive CPU with double the cache of the MB and 13" MBP CPUs. Apple really hit a winner with the SL9x00 CPUs.
The thing is they throttle when are heated up... so like I said before the Core i7-6x0UM (ultra low voltage) provides a similar experience to the current SL9x00 CPUs since the SL9x00 is throttled. I wonder if Apple wouldn't just put "Boost to 2.13 and 2.26 GHz instead of marketing the lower clock speed." It was even a big deal when the 2.13 GHz was released and it was reported that the 2.13 performed at a lower percentage of clock speed. Remember that it was throttling down to 1.6 GHz just as the 1.86 GHz CPU, and that led to similar results when throttled.
Bottom line is Apple is going with either another C2D CPU or a Core i7 CPU (with very rare possibility of one Core i5 CPU that would work but not optimal). It is not going to use a Core i3 CPU, and people that say that simply have no clue about the Core i-series CPUs. Most people just assume that the Core i3 is low end, so that's what Apple would use... but Apple NEVER used an inexpensive CPU in the MBA. Where Apple has really spent money on the MBA has been the CPU. The Intel Core system really has people confused, and most people think Core i7 means quad core (because iMac uses a Core i7 that's quad core), but that's not true either. People just don't know about the CPUs, but in five minutes anyone can go figure it out - Intel's site shows exactly how the CPUs work.
Arrandale Mobile CPUs...
Core i3 doesn't boost to higher clock speed, and they're all 35W TDP CPUs - could be used in a WhiteBook or even 13" MBP. They are dual core, Hyper-Thread, and have 3 MB Cache.
Core i5 does boost to higher clock speed, and had both 35W TDP and 18W TDP (ultra low voltage) CPUs - could be used in mid range MBPs. Possible but doubtful for MBA. They are dual core, Hyper-Thread, and have 3 MB Cache.
Core i7 does boost to higher clock speed, offers faster clock speed variants than Core i5, and has (45W TDP not Arrandale), 35W TDP, 25W TDP, and 18W TDP CPUs - 35W TDP could be used in MBP and 25W TDP could be used in MBA (with possibility of 18W TDP ultra low voltage). The Core i7 has both dual core 32nm Arrandale CPUs (and two quad core not Arrandale 45nm CPUs). These Arrandale CPUs are dual core, Hyper-Thread, and have 4 MB L3 Cache. The advantages of Arrandale Core i7 over Core i5 are more L3 Cache and faster clock speeds from same TDP.
http://www.intel.com/products/processor/index.htm
So Core i7 doesn't mean quad core, which is confusing to many because the desktop Core i5/i7 used in the iMac is quad core. And the quad core i7 available isn't an Arrandale CPU and has significantly lower clock speeds than the Mac notebooks have. In addition, Apple uses 35W TDP in its MBs and MBP. A 45W TDP Core i7 quad core CPU would probably be too hot for an MBP.
indeed. If it's i7, no way it will be a quad core in an MBP, in addition to heat it eats too much batteries and adds to the price, a lot! Quad core seems more like destined to be for a high-end MBP, if they get the cooling improved!
Otherwise. Thanks for this very interesting analysis!
Well, that is why they have two 18W TDP ultra low voltage Core i7s and two 25W TDP low voltage Core i7 CPUs.
Core i7 has nothing to do with requiring more power, it's the high-end version of every range of Arrandale mobile CPU. All Core i-series do Hyper-Threading. The Core i7 does boost which the Core i3 doesn't (Core i5 also does). The Core i7 is the higher clock speed/performance CPUs that also have more L3 cache than the Core i5 CPUs.
No, a 45W TDP quad core CPU isn't going to fit in an MBA, JUST AS A 35W TDP Core i3 CPU isn't going to fit in the MBA. The only 45W TDP quad core Core i7 isn't an Arrandale CPU and is significantly lower clock speeds than even the current MBA's CPU.
Intel's system is confusing as it's no longer just Core 2 Duo means two cores (now how many cores isn't listed with name itself). Specifically, Arrandale provides 32nm CPU vs C2D 45nm CPU. Arrandale provides about a 20% gain for similar clock speed vs C2D. Arrandale provides the GMA IGP right on the CPU as a second 45nm Die. Arrandale also provides lower TDP for a complete solution than the current SL9x00 and Nvidia 9400m GPU/chipset combine together; while the Intel IGP is more energy efficient, it's probably at least a 50% loss in graphics performance from 9400m. Arrandale also means NO Nvidia GPU/Chipset combination unless Apple negotiates a truce between Nvidia and Intel. It is entirely possible that Apple will keep the C2D in the MBA and use the next generation Nvidia GPU/chipset, as there is nothing wrong or lacking with the current C2D CPUs used in the MBA.
That would be my main reason I'd settle for an MBA even if Apple use the ULV 18W TDP i7s, the fastest one (i7-640UM) only just about surpassing RevC's clock numerically when in turbo (2.266GHz), though the non-turbo speed is only 1.2GHz and I have to say that looks anemic. Turbo's functionality remains to be seen by myself, I'd love to see it scrutinized in real life tests.
However if there is to be a RevD, I really hope Apple go straight for the jugular with the LV i7-640LM (25TDP), clocking in at 2.13GHz, 2.933GHz Turbo. Even reading that gets the juices flowing I have to admit. I'd buy it in an absolute instant (assuming Apple do the sane thing and go discrete on graphics), even in the same chassis, I don't care about screen lines, hinges the lot (except if it was boiling hot).
I guess it's just me, but I'd *love* a 15" MacBook Air.
With the extra room the battery life could go up and maybe even add in a firewire port (or maybe a universal light peak port that could do a variety of things with dongles) and it could be one sweet and sexy MacBookPro Air.
I wish.
At this point I guess I should just hope there is a Rev D at all!
With the extra room the battery life could go up and maybe even add in a firewire port (or maybe a universal light peak port that could do a variety of things with dongles) and it could be one sweet and sexy MacBookPro Air.
I wish.
At this point I guess I should just hope there is a Rev D at all!
I don't believe Apple would use an Ultra Low Voltage, but if they did it would be to go with dedicated graphics. I feel that the 25W Low Voltage chip would allow hybrid graphics using Optimus. For me, Optimus just seems like it was built with the Mac notebooks in mind. Apple cannot go all the way back to Intel IGP given its marketing against Intel's IGP. If Apple only uses a dedicated graphics solution, it might have to go ULV. But if it uses Optimus/hybrid solution, it can save power the vast majority of the time. In addition, that chip will scream at boost speeds. Would almost make the MBA more capable than the MBs.
I guess it's just me, but I'd *love* a 15" MacBook Air.
With the extra room the battery life could go up and maybe even add in a firewire port (or maybe a universal light peak port that could do a variety of things with dongles) and it could be one sweet and sexy MacBookPro Air.
I wish.
At this point I guess I should just hope there is a Rev D at all!
Don't lose faith, the MBA is the heart of Apple's future of Mac notebook designs.
I would consider a 15" MBA or even 17" MBA for around the house. A 17" MBA might weigh in at 3.75 lb, be .5" thick, and have wireless display tech. Could be the perfect desktop when at the desk or couch laptop when away from the desktop. But, I still would want a 13" MBA for travel. We need an expandable display!
Didn't the Rev A have overheating problems that weren't entirely fixed until they changed out the 21W TDP chip for a 17W TDP chip? My memory is fuzzy, but I think that's the way it went down. If so, it makes me skeptical about being about to dissipate 25W of heat...
I am getting excited. I feel like if they were just going to swap the CPU out, the laptops would have been refreshed by now! I'm hoping that since they're taking longer, they have more significant changes for us!