Bring on rMBA!
Oh wait, its not #2014
Why do people keep going on with this idea of "rMBA" being a thing?
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Tightening MacBook Air Supplies at Resellers Hint at Upcoming Refresh
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Why do people keep going on with this idea of "rMBA" being a thing?
It's not about that. Clearly they made the rMBP as thin as they could by removing the disk drive.
Seems like a lot of overlap and I don't think they will keep the 15" non-Retina MBP on sale if they can afford to lower the 15" MBP-R prices to replace it. Why do we need 3 different 13" models?
I would much rather see:
11" & 13" MBA-R
15" & 17" MBP-R
2 consumer models, 2 pro models. That was Steve's original vision for the MB.
I don't think three models are necessary for their notebook line.
After just finishing Steve's bio, I now understand Apple's philosophies more than ever: 1.) Apple does not want you, the consumer, to upgrade your machine and 2.) Steve made it clear that both desktop and laptop lines should simply have 1 Consumer product and 1 Pro product for extreme simplicity. As an exception to this, I think the Mac mini was originally devised as a low cost entry for Mac switchers but has since stuck, thanks to HTPC enthusiasts and server usage.
Dropping the ODD from a non-retina MBP, whilst still keeping the machine open for upgradeability doesn't seem worth Apple's time if you ask me. Apple has been on a clear march towards completely closing off upgradeability on their entire notebook line. Seriously, the only model that exists today in 2013, that can be opened is the classic MBP, which is already one configuration short of what was available last year. Once retina hits that magical price point, there will be nothing for the user to upgrade on Apple's notebook line at all.
And honestly, I think it would confuse customers to have three models again. People may laugh at this, but this is the reason why Apple has been so successful. Keeping things down to a bare minimum of choices. Keeping it dead simple. Users only need to choose between Pro or non-pro, and that's it. The Air already sells for the same exact price as the Macbook did, so I see no company incentive to re-introduce an older model back under a new facelift.
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Maybe they "should" to please consumers, but being realistic, they want to maximize profits.
There's not point in stepping their game up and minimizing their margins just to compete with those ultrabooks that barely sell for various reasons, even if they may have certain specs that beat the MBA.
Whether competing products are threats or not should be based on their popularity, not on a subjective analysis of their specs and features.
High-end ultrabooks you're probably alluding to like the Asus Zenbook Prime, Samsung Series 9 etc. are no threat to the MBA.
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The MBP has a more powerful (= more power-hungry which takes battery space) processor ...
Editing on an Air
I use Final Cut Pro 7 and Motion on my 2012 13 in air and editing 1080p really isn't bad at all. It's actually just as good as my old dual core macbook pro that had a discrete GPU. If you get fancy, the rendering can take some processing time but the SSDs in these things are quick.
But if you're willing to pay 1700-2000 for an air with that storage option....i feel like you'd be better off with the rMBP? But then again, having that much storage in an air would be sick...using an external usb 3 drive isn't as fun on the road.
I use Final Cut Pro 7 and Motion on my 2012 13 in air and editing 1080p really isn't bad at all. It's actually just as good as my old dual core macbook pro that had a discrete GPU. If you get fancy, the rendering can take some processing time but the SSDs in these things are quick.
But if you're willing to pay 1700-2000 for an air with that storage option....i feel like you'd be better off with the rMBP? But then again, having that much storage in an air would be sick...using an external usb 3 drive isn't as fun on the road.
Go for it. No problems editing 1080P HD video on my base 2012 MBA 13 using FCPX
You got me really excited there. So which non-Apple product in the market is a better option than a MacBook Air? I'm looking forward to hearing your suggestions.
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Steve Jobs is not Apple. He is, in fact, dead. It's a shame, but he is.
Apple doesn't mind at all if you upgrade your machine. Plenty of machines that are upgradeable. However, it is not essential to Apple that _all_ computers are upgradeable. And if upgradeability is the price to pay for an overall better product like the Retina MacBooks, or the MBA, then so be it.
Still don't think there will be a retina MacBook Air this year and maybe not even next year.
There are battery consumption and weight issues as well as pricing and model differentiation issues that will keep this June's updates limited to processor bumps.
Of course I wouldn't mind being proven wrong...
There are battery consumption and weight issues as well as pricing and model differentiation issues that will keep this June's updates limited to processor bumps.
Of course I wouldn't mind being proven wrong...
Bring on rMBA!
Oh wait, its not #2014
You assume there will ever be one. Perhaps Apple has no plans to release a Retina MacBook Air because the Air will become the new MacBook when all the Pros are only retina.
Just like its possible that there's dwindling stock at resellers not because something new is coming out but because they assume something is and don't want scads of the old stuff to have to get rid of. When the truth could be different
Technology will lead to "Retina-ise" EVERY Apple notebook screen, even of the entry machine. If this will be 2013, 2014 or 2015, nobody here knows, but it will happen.
Agreed it is a shame, but I would say that some of his original company philosophies are pretty cemented in Apple's DNA. Lack of upgradeability is one persistent one. Just look at the retina Macbook Pro and the new iMac. These two machines are prime examples of post-Steve era: Dropped upgradeability in the 21.5" model iMac and absolutely no upgrading in the rMPB. It may seem at least Jony is continuing the legacy at least.
And yes, it appears that Apple doesn't mind you upgrading your machine, but this is only apparent for their desktops. All three models: iMac, Mac Mini, and Mac Pro are upgradeable. But the notebook line, according to trend here I'm afraid, seems to be getting cornered with every passing new redesigned model.
hmmm.... Will this be the day I bite and get a MBA to replace my late 2007 whitebook?? I've been, "I'm buying the next Macbook refresh" for just over 2 years... But the reality is that it gets the job done. Especially when I'm using my iPhone and iPad most of the time anyway... It's just hard to justify the need now.
If OS X 10.9 really impresses me that could be the differentiator, cause I'm stuck on lion with my machine
I also have a 2007 MacBook. I'm pretty sure the answer for me is yes, this is the time. MacBook's tab key is wonky, battery is drained (yes, just a $50 replacement cost), OS is outdated, and it is heavy, large and slow compared to a new Air. The only thing to hold me back will be that a refresh in the next month will probably not have Haswell chips, which is supposed to be huge for battery life. That and the issue about deciding to get a Retina screen or not. But MacBook is on last legs and a refresh could push it over the edge.
even if the upcoming Air is not Retina specs I would think they need to bump it up to atleast 1920x1080 to compete with other laptops.
Yawn....
While the rest of you fine folks quote days since the last update remember there are those of us who have been waiting numerous YEARS for a MacPro refresh. And, while you pine for a retina screen, we're still waiting for thunderbolt ports on a machine Apple is charging 2x, 3x or more than the cost of an MBA. Just a little perspective...
While the rest of you fine folks quote days since the last update remember there are those of us who have been waiting numerous YEARS for a MacPro refresh. And, while you pine for a retina screen, we're still waiting for thunderbolt ports on a machine Apple is charging 2x, 3x or more than the cost of an MBA. Just a little perspective...
The MBP is so small it might as well be a MBA. This coming from someone who switched from 11" MBA to 13" rMBP. Not too much a difference.
You didn't read what I posted, did you? How would you make the rMBP upgradeable? If you want upgradeable, there is MacBook Pro in all sizes. There is MacMini, there is 27". Plenty of upgradeable machines.
I shudder imagining the text size on a 13" notebook with 1080p resolution... (which I know are already out there)
You can upgrade the SSD in the rMBP. 1/2 as upgradeable as the regular one, not considering price of the rMBP SSD since it is new, but prices will drop drastically.
They could make a upgradable video card slot. That is the most important thing in all machines really...after years, that usually is the thing holding people back.
Storage can always be external. RAM...if you start with the most, then usually its good for 4-5 years. My last home PC was good for almost 8 years with 4 GB of RAM.