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Two new MBA's for Sept, this rumor seems more credible? What's your guess?
- Thread starter entatlrg
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You may correct on the initial shipments, hard to know what to believe.
IMHO they could have already released an updated Air with specs listed above. I have been waiting a while to buy an air for my biz. I am fine waiting a little longer to get something special in an upgrade/redesign.
I saw this and thought it was interesting and on point:
Where Sandy Bridge will be very interesting is in the mobile segment, which is where Intel is apparently planning to launch these chips first. This makes a lot of sense as Clarkdale in its mobile incarnation called Arrandale has so far failed to replace Intel's CULV lineup, with UM processors nowhere to be found and laptops based on it being delayed with no ETA. There have been hints from industry insiders that Intel couldnt get Arrandale power consumption low enough, not at reasonable yields at least, and has told its customers to wait for a couple of months. It might just skip the ultra low voltage Arrandales and go for Sandy Bridge instead.
Since most of the chipset has been shrunk to 32nm and integrated onto the CPU die, it should offer better dynamic power control and consume much less power overall and especially in idle compared to the 45nm GMCH on Clarkdale processors. While Arrandale processors come in three different TDP groups - M (35W), LM (25W), and UM (18W) - Sandy Bridge processors might knock that down a couple of watts and offer additional power savings that can't be expressed as TDP, such as idle power consumption and video playback power consumption, etc. Sandy Bridge has potential to enter Atom TDP territory while offering much better performance, something many people have been dreaming about ever since they bought a netbook.
In general there has been a trend of people getting netbooks, then realizing that they were too slow and looking for an alternative that just doesn't exist so far. CULV offers better performance but is still rather slow and consumes more power than Atom, so batteries don't last that long either. Sandy Bridge should fit perfectly here and should be fast enough. Equipped with the right battery, it might finally make the dream of a full working day long battery life come true.
IMHO they could have already released an updated Air with specs listed above. I have been waiting a while to buy an air for my biz. I am fine waiting a little longer to get something special in an upgrade/redesign.
I saw this and thought it was interesting and on point:
Where Sandy Bridge will be very interesting is in the mobile segment, which is where Intel is apparently planning to launch these chips first. This makes a lot of sense as Clarkdale in its mobile incarnation called Arrandale has so far failed to replace Intel's CULV lineup, with UM processors nowhere to be found and laptops based on it being delayed with no ETA. There have been hints from industry insiders that Intel couldnt get Arrandale power consumption low enough, not at reasonable yields at least, and has told its customers to wait for a couple of months. It might just skip the ultra low voltage Arrandales and go for Sandy Bridge instead.
Since most of the chipset has been shrunk to 32nm and integrated onto the CPU die, it should offer better dynamic power control and consume much less power overall and especially in idle compared to the 45nm GMCH on Clarkdale processors. While Arrandale processors come in three different TDP groups - M (35W), LM (25W), and UM (18W) - Sandy Bridge processors might knock that down a couple of watts and offer additional power savings that can't be expressed as TDP, such as idle power consumption and video playback power consumption, etc. Sandy Bridge has potential to enter Atom TDP territory while offering much better performance, something many people have been dreaming about ever since they bought a netbook.
In general there has been a trend of people getting netbooks, then realizing that they were too slow and looking for an alternative that just doesn't exist so far. CULV offers better performance but is still rather slow and consumes more power than Atom, so batteries don't last that long either. Sandy Bridge should fit perfectly here and should be fast enough. Equipped with the right battery, it might finally make the dream of a full working day long battery life come true.
Are you forgetting our past?... Small doesn't mean crappy anymore
I know some are saying smaller is not very functional and trade off on functionality.
Are you folks forgetting the original mac was only 8-10inches wide? The powerbook duos with their great following was 9-10inches? A lot of the 12inch powerbook? How about ipod nanos versus ipod touch? Sure a touch is bigger but then why sell a nano?! Hell, the iPad is only 8inches and look how people responded. We've had products that were small and still found them all useful. Resolution is so good nowadays, that small doesn't mean crappy, look wise.
This is the category of ultra portables. This isn't raw power at best. This isn't everything under the hood (just thinner). We can all hope they will and they probably would if they can (for the price they believe is worth doing). This is a kick-ass netbook (cause it sure isn't a kickass Macbook Pro nor a cheap student alternative yet).
This is for the Sales Presenters that use powerpoint. The Finance executive that uses excel, the university Prof travelling room to room, and, maybe the student that isn't living the poor life of a student. People that are on the go and travel light.
I see the need for some that are satisfied with a 13 inch. I see the need to be more portable like an 11 inch (cause despite being thin, it currently is still a bulky footprint). Have you tried using an Air on a plane versus a netbook? Finally I understand those that want a bigger screen but not the weight and think that they are the most unfortunate of all our hopes (cause their numbers are probably very small and thus Apple may not pay attention to).
The ultimate question is will Apple give the Air another round of innovation? Did they make money off of this R&D investment. We all are waiting but is the Air gonna keep being a prestige product or will it be a forever speedbump and dropped like a cube. I hope the Air once again becomes the testing ground for new features that'll later get added to the others (should it work). It'll mean that the AIR is the game changer and remains the ultimate prototype.
I know some are saying smaller is not very functional and trade off on functionality.
Are you folks forgetting the original mac was only 8-10inches wide? The powerbook duos with their great following was 9-10inches? A lot of the 12inch powerbook? How about ipod nanos versus ipod touch? Sure a touch is bigger but then why sell a nano?! Hell, the iPad is only 8inches and look how people responded. We've had products that were small and still found them all useful. Resolution is so good nowadays, that small doesn't mean crappy, look wise.
This is the category of ultra portables. This isn't raw power at best. This isn't everything under the hood (just thinner). We can all hope they will and they probably would if they can (for the price they believe is worth doing). This is a kick-ass netbook (cause it sure isn't a kickass Macbook Pro nor a cheap student alternative yet).
This is for the Sales Presenters that use powerpoint. The Finance executive that uses excel, the university Prof travelling room to room, and, maybe the student that isn't living the poor life of a student. People that are on the go and travel light.
I see the need for some that are satisfied with a 13 inch. I see the need to be more portable like an 11 inch (cause despite being thin, it currently is still a bulky footprint). Have you tried using an Air on a plane versus a netbook? Finally I understand those that want a bigger screen but not the weight and think that they are the most unfortunate of all our hopes (cause their numbers are probably very small and thus Apple may not pay attention to).
The ultimate question is will Apple give the Air another round of innovation? Did they make money off of this R&D investment. We all are waiting but is the Air gonna keep being a prestige product or will it be a forever speedbump and dropped like a cube. I hope the Air once again becomes the testing ground for new features that'll later get added to the others (should it work). It'll mean that the AIR is the game changer and remains the ultimate prototype.
Your post isn't very clear. Are you implying the Air is a failure in its current form? You have to take into consideration the targeted market for the product. The Air is not a netbook, we must not lose sight of this fact. If you want a netbook, go get a dell mini. The Air is a lightweight NOTEbook, capable of being highly portable without sacrificing on keyboard and screen size. This may not fit the needs of those living the poor life of a student, and that's just fine. Not every machine needs to cater to every possible group of users.
As for computers with smaller screens, the first computer I used had an 8" green screen. At the time this was amazing and highly useable. In today's world, not so much. Just because smaller screens were used back in the day doesn't mean that they are acceptable today. It all depends on the intended function of the device! The iPad was created to compete with netbooks, the Air serves a different purpose. And I hope it stays that way.
Apple will focus on new ipods and ios for ipad in September so there would be no macbook air update again,
this's my guess
this's my guess
Exactly, that's why a new MacBook Air BEFORE Labor Day ... wooo hooooo .... I hope
They starting pushing the Air into the fall and 2011 a LOT of people's ultraportable dollars are going to go to other brands whether they're good or not, imo.
NOW is the time Stevie boy!!
I think that the Air is a 'top of the line' netbook cause it isn't a "PRO" and the cost isn't appealing to many (thus not a mere Macbook). I know you can argue this and yes it isn't like the PC netbooks cause of it's features but it does fall into this category cause it is the ONLY Apple subcompact portable available. So despite it really isn't spec for spec a netbook, it's as close as you can come (not counting the iPAD as it isn't Mac OS).
Obviously we do have better technology and just the same as a 15inch isn't a 17inch, a small screen would be used by people that wouldn't need a bigger screen.
I'm saying that quality and development should be in the resolution (not bigger means better). We've had smaller screens before and should have them again (obviously with modern day improvements). I do love the size of a iPad screen but it's not a mac OS as stated before. Actually, I'd love to see screens all become 16:9 to match TVs (in 11-17inch diagonal) and programs and finally standardize Televisions and Computers.
Like those that want a 17inch Air, I'm on the other side of spectrum wanting a smaller Air than current. Less is more.
Obviously we do have better technology and just the same as a 15inch isn't a 17inch, a small screen would be used by people that wouldn't need a bigger screen.
I'm saying that quality and development should be in the resolution (not bigger means better). We've had smaller screens before and should have them again (obviously with modern day improvements). I do love the size of a iPad screen but it's not a mac OS as stated before. Actually, I'd love to see screens all become 16:9 to match TVs (in 11-17inch diagonal) and programs and finally standardize Televisions and Computers.
Like those that want a 17inch Air, I'm on the other side of spectrum wanting a smaller Air than current. Less is more.
I think if Apple released the two new MacBook Airs, it would be an 11.6" model and a 13.3" model. I see them refreshing them a little bit, perhaps with a larger trackpad found on the MacBook and MacBook Pro? I see the 11.6" model starting at at least $999 - $1099 sporting some kind of Intel CULV processor, at least 2GB RAM, 160-250GB hard drive, Intel HD graphics, and a better quality iSight cam. The new 13.3" MacBook Air will probably have an updated Intel Core 2 Duo or Core i3 processor with the base model running at 2.13GHz and the top model running at a higher speed, 2GB-4GB RAM since the MacBook Air has always had 2GB RAM and it's time for 4 gigs, Nvidia 320M
grpahics, better iSight camera, and a 250GB hard drive.
grpahics, better iSight camera, and a 250GB hard drive.
Currently it has an 8x256Mb RAM setup I think, so it is likely they would move to an 8x512Mb setup for 4Gb.
What I think they will do:
- Remain 13"
- Cheaper
- Replace polycarbonate white macbook (possible)
What I would like most:
- 4Gb RAM
- 15" model
because ppl are retarded they don't understand the Macbook Air is not for heavy use like the Macbook Pro.i'll be glad if Apple introduced the 11.6' model.
I don't think anyone is suggesting that a 15 inch MBA should have a footprint anywhere near as large as that of the 15 inch MBP. By reducing the width of the bezel and reducing the currently wasted space around the keyboard of the current MBA, Apple could almost get a 15" display in the current 13" MBA case. If that could really be done, then a 15 inch MBA would make a lot of sense, certainly more sense than an 11 inch MBA. I am still rooting for a significantly improved 13 inch MBA, though.
I disagree. The size isn't what'll separate them. It's the OS.
I'm saying 11.6".