Tightening MacBook Air Supplies at Resellers Hint at Upcoming Refresh

[shaunp]

cMBP

I'm hoping that Apple don't merge product lines so we just end up with three laptops. 11, 13 and 15" all with retina displays. I have a 2011 15" MBP, and and while I appreciate the lightness of the MBA I wouldn't want glossy screen.

Personally I'd like the cMBP to be developed further. I would never buy a laptop for work with a glossy screen and while some people don't want legacy ports such as ethernet, which was the whole point of the MBA, I don't see how these things can be removed from a 'pro' laptop when all the rival 'pro' laptops have more ports than you can shake a stick at. I wouldn't mind a lighter laptop, but I'm willing to accept that isn't possible if I have to sacrifice flexibility.

This in my opinion is why Apple need to keep the cMBP and give it a refresh.

 

[Icaras]

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 dont know. I read it and i felt like i addressed your post. I don't know if you read mine. Im talking about Apple's non-upgradeable philosophy, started by SJ, still persists even today. Yes....and those are all desktop models that you listed, which is what I mentioned. Upgradeability is common on Apple's desktop models, but not notebooks.

The rMBP cant be upgradeable unless Apple redesigned it again of course? Not sure what you're trying to get at there....

 

[SmoMo]

Checked!

Check out our game Tank Maze

I did check it and its got too many arrows in it.
can you make it again but without all the arrows please?

also I don't like tanks.
If you can put a Panda in there and get rid of the tank then that it will be great App.

 

[smiddlehurst]

iOS developers do. As much as Apple wants us to think they care about the Mac, it is VERY evident that they simply don't.

The standard MacBook Pro hasn't been updated since last WWDC 2012! The new iMac is a horrible design and has no upgradability. The Mac mini hasn't seen love in a while, and the Mac Pro is a dead chicken.

Uh, nothing you say indicates Apple don't care about Mac. In fact the facts support the exact opposite conclusion. Last year they redesigned the iMac line, introduced two brand new designs in the shape of the retina MacBook Pro 15 and 13" models and updated the internals of the rest of the line. The only thing they haven't done is push the Mac Pro model forward but have said, publicly, that they have something coming this year that'll be of interest to those customers.

Now let's look at that "Macbook Pro hasn't been updated since WWDC 2012" line. Pray tell, what would you have them update it *to*? It's running Ivy Bridge processors, has USB3, Thunderbolt, dedicated graphics from the current range of Nvidia chips... what's come out in the last twelve months that it's missing? Apple are tied to Intel, AMD and Nvidia when it comes to the big updates which have to be either CPU or GPU based. They've split the lines so a Retina display is clearly not an option for the older design of MBP. They've provided SSD's as an option too so even that's available. So, really, what's missing?

 

[Icaras]

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.

But the machine was not meant to be user-upgradeable, right? I think this steps outside of Apple's warranty as well.

 

[pgiguere1]

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.

Upgradable RAM slots barely add any thickness to laptops yet you'd be surprised by the proportion of users who don't ever upgrade their RAM even though they could easily and cheaply. The average user simply has little interest in upgradability.

Adding a discrete GPU to the 13" rMBP, and making it upgradeable on top of it, would make the machine a lot thicker (thicker than a cMBP), and I bet most people (95%) wouldn't ever upgrade it either. Not only that, but the higher price and thickness caused by this move would render the laptop not popular at all.

On one hand you have people complaining that the 13" rMBP couldn't be considered a 13" rMBA equivalent because it's too thick and heavy, on the other hand, you have people asking for crazy stuff like an upgradable dGPU that would make the laptop a lot bulkier.

Some people will complain either way. I bet Apple could offer all possibilities (13" MBA, 13" rMBA, 13" rMBP with iGPU, 13" rMBP with dGPU) and people would still complain that Apple has lost their vision and they have started adopting the "Throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" approach Windows OEMs use, and therefore are doomed.

They really can't win either way.

I don't know if I just didn't pay attention back then but I've been reading MR since 2008 and it seems a large proportion of comments are very negative now, and reasons people have to complain often contradict each other in a way that Apple can never win.

It's like people are all angry that Apple does not make precisely the ideal computer they would like, even though their preferences are very subjective and no other companies are even close to make laptops that meet those precise criteras.

What about some positivity once in a while, and accepting the fact that no computer will ever satisfy everybody so you just have to pick the one you prefer rather than the "perfect" one?

(this is targeted at every negative comments, usually the ones in top comments, not to Ryth in particular)

 

[James_C]

I can't see Apple putting a retina display in the MBA line, as it is currently Apple's low cost notebook line. Unfortunately a retina display would push the price up. I can see it happening in the future when the cost of the panels come down, but not this year.

 

[dampfnudel]

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.

Here's another possibility by 2015 or 2016:

8", 12" and 15" iMB-R (iPad/MacBook hybrid, detachable keyboard with iOS/OSX hybrid OS)

 

[ifij775]

I think LTE is more likely than the retina display, but it seems like every tablet has a retina display for $199. It can't be that expensive.

 

[ouimetnick]

I shudder imagining the text size on a 13" notebook with 1080p resolution... (which I know are already out there)

Apple wouldn't make the text size smaller. It would just me made with more pixels. Look at the retina display on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, 13", and 15" MBP. Same size, but more pixels to make things clearer.

 

[nunomoreira10]

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.

Better is, as always subjective, but as someone mentioned the asus zenbook, samsuns serie9, dell xps13, lenovo ... offer better displays and some have discrete graphics.
Apple is known to have on their products something unique that differentiate them from the others, and the air has had it´s phase, a redesign would be very welcome.

 

[lars666]

Apple wouldn't make the text size smaller. It would just me made with more pixels. Look at the retina display on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, 13", and 15" MBP. Same size, but more pixels to make things clearer.

Yes, they would do so and double the resolution like on the mentioned devices. However, the OP talked about a 1920x1080 resolution which would not work that way. (At least, if you want to use the crispiest, native resolution.) Also see the high-res option on the "normal" MacBook Pro 15" (if still available.)

 

[yeah]

Again, what would be the difference besides the GPU?

rMBP = Mobile processor

rMBA = Ultra low voltage processor

 

[lars666]

rMBP = Mobile processor

rMBA = Ultra low voltage processor

Bingo.

 

[sfraseruk]

Refreshes are good!
Progress is good!
A lot of negative people on here just seem to bitch and moan about every post.
Get a life please.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

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.

It will be my main machine for at least 2 years, so I like the storage. I am looking on the 13" MBP retina as well but found it doesn't have a huge speed advantage, at least not according to Geekbench

 

[B...]

It will be my main machine for at least 2 years, so I like the storage. I am looking on the 13" MBP retina as well but found it doesn't have a huge speed advantage, at least not according to Geekbench

Right, but Geekbench doesn't include the high res screen, HDMI port, two thunderbolt ports, more VRAM, an IPS display, or the fact that you can edit your HD videos with a full 1080p video in the corner of the screen (also, 8 GB standard RAM).

 

[Rogifan]

Better is, as always subjective, but as someone mentioned the asus zenbook, samsuns serie9, dell xps13, lenovo ... offer better displays and some have discrete graphics.
Apple is known to have on their products something unique that differentiate them from the others, and the air has had it´s phase, a redesign would be very welcome.

The new Tohiba Kirabook 13" which looks like a MBA but with a rMBP screen is $1799. The touchscreen model is even more. I would assume Apple won't release retina MBA's if prices are that high.

 

[Macboy Pro]

Less upgradable or not at all is the future at Apple. In other words, Apple's solution for you is to get the highest specs when you order, and to upgrade to new hardware when you begin to feel restricted with what you currently have. That could change in the future, but at the moment that's the path Apple has chosen.

I believe you might be right. Being a die-hard Apple user, fan, and marketer to my friends, this would be a HORRIBLE move and prove all the critics correct. It may push me to look harder at Windows 8 options.

I can't afford a $2000 notebook that I can't upgrade and make useful for a longer period of time.

I also believe the new Applecare might be another money grab towards forcing folks to buy this kind of stuff at the original purchase.

 

[xVeinx]

Is this a mere coincidence? It's happened before...

On the "upgradeability debate": Apple isn't anti-upgradeability. They purposely designed the macbook with easy access to the HD/Ram in the later models. They added a door for ram upgradability in the 27 in iMac. It mostly comes down to priority. If the upgradability of the device gets in the way of the design goals, it gets chopped. If it doesn't detract anything, leave it there--even design it in. The miniaturization of notebooks means upgradability will be sacrificed; it's the way all designs are going (PC/Mac). SOC, even on-die DRAM. Unless you really are determined to break out your soldering iron to express your "rights" to upgrade and do whatever to your laptop (which you still can, just not on Apple's dime), can we just let this rest in peace?

 

[xionxiox]

The MBP has a more powerful (= more power-hungry which takes battery space) processor ...

It NEEDS the power. The rMBP already struggles to stay fluid even with the powerful processors.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

Right, but Geekbench doesn't include the high res screen, HDMI port, two thunderbolt ports, more VRAM, an IPS display, or the fact that you can edit your HD videos with a full 1080p video in the corner of the screen (also, 8 GB standard RAM).

So, I am undecided wether the Air or Pro 13" is the better option

I would like 16GB RAM.

 

[Thinkman12345]

Apple misses again!

Holidays 2012 - couldn't make enough iMacs because of manufacturing glitches - Record quarter, but this was the start of Apples nose dive. Today, more than a month from WWDC, they have run out or MBAs. And they say Cook is the master of the supply chain. I've been a Mac user in a big way since 1993, but I am feeling that the end is near. Cook isn't up to the job - I'm starting to think that no one at Apple is now that Jobs is gone. SO SAD!

 

[azentropy]

Uh, notice where he said rMBA and not rMBP?

I still don't think people seem to realize that by the time you add a retina screen probably with glass and the extra battery capacity to be able to keep the same battery life to a MBA that it would end up being about the same size/weight as the rMBP...

I think that is the point he was making. There would be very little difference between a 13" rMBA and rMBP so why not just get a rMBP now.

Maybe Apple will surprise, but I don't think the tech is there yet to add a retina display to the MBA without making it bigger/heavier. Just like the iPad 3 was bigger/heavier than the iPad 2.

 

[thermodynamic]

a Retina MBA would probably not be good. Since there were reports of the Retina MBP getting sluggish under load because of the underpowered discrete GPU, the integrated Intel 4000 GPU (which is far slower than a dedicated GPU) will certainly not make the situation any better...

The next-gen Retina MBP is one I will be eyeing closely. As long as Adobe CS6 has patches to allow the larger-density screen with proper-sized icons, I'm in.

----------

I believe you might be right. Being a die-hard Apple user, fan, and marketer to my friends, this would be a HORRIBLE move and prove all the critics correct. It may push me to look harder at Windows 8 options.

I can't afford a $2000 notebook that I can't upgrade and make useful for a longer period of time.

I also believe the new Applecare might be another money grab towards forcing folks to buy this kind of stuff at the original purchase.

AppleCare is A-OK by me - everything I've read has Apple honoring it in good faith.

I do agree, though, that removing upgrade-ability is a problem - it is less expensive for the customer (like we're important to the company bottom line or anything) to upgrade, and Samsung and other thin form factor notebooks DO allow for some user-replaceable parts. Knowing that, your claim of Apple doing a money grab has more weight than those who say expandability is being sacrificed.

Is this a mere coincidence? It's happened before...

On the "upgradeability debate": Apple isn't anti-upgradeability. They purposely designed the macbook with easy access to the HD/Ram in the later models. They added a door for ram upgradability in the 27 in iMac. It mostly comes down to priority. If the upgradability of the device gets in the way of the design goals, it gets chopped. If it doesn't detract anything, leave it there--even design it in. The miniaturization of notebooks means upgradability will be sacrificed; it's the way all designs are going (PC/Mac). SOC, even on-die DRAM. Unless you really are determined to break out your soldering iron to express your "rights" to upgrade and do whatever to your laptop (which you still can, just not on Apple's dime), can we just let this rest in peace?

Many laptops are using smaller form factors.

Not all.

My Asus G75 remains nice and cool under load - you will NEVER get that from a MBP, Samsung, Dell, or anyone else using thin form factors.