Updated 11-Inch and 13-Inch MacBook Airs Reportedly Coming Next Week

[LordVic]

Macbook Pros especially received mid-cycle spec bumps. Go to Everymac and take a look. This happened all the time. Even the Mini received slight spec bumps a few times.

Apple can't control Intel's processor release schedule. Either they do a minor spec bump (sing Haswell 2) or they don't release a new Air until "winter" (Dec-Feb).

Not to mention that in the computer industry, which is extremely competitive, which Apple, believe it or not is a relatively small player in, updates their products in a much faster more up to date matter.

it is very VERY hard for Apple to justify a one year cycle, that maintains the exact same price throughout the course of the year, when all the other competitions cycles their products more offering previous versions for far reduced prices.

Sure, when Dell and Apple release their Haswell laptop, at roughly the same time, they're roughly the same price.

6 months later, Dell updates their CPU's. Their current "top end" costs the same, but now features that much (or little) more "oomph". That apple, which is now 'old' tech, is still that 'new' price.

this is 2014, not 1996. product updates are far more numerous from the tech companies than once a year. in Some cases, like the Mac Mini, it's almost 2 full years. I believe the current Mini is only available with the Sandy Bridge based CPU's. Since then we've had Ivy Bridge (die shrink) and haswell (new architecture) released from intel, that brought insane amounts of power saving, energy efficiency, and in some cases incredible performance boosts.
yet, the Mac Mini, using 2 generation old CPU is still 599

 

[AppleInLVX]

I might finally jump on a Macbook Air after this update. I'm ready to sell my 27" iMac... if anyone is interested.

In the same boat. Although while the majority of my use cases are perfect for the MBA, I will still keep the iMac around for photo processing, audio mixing and movie editing. That 27" screen is sooooo pretty when you need the real estate. But for writing, surfing, email, research and facetime I'm all over the Air. Just please give me a retina screen.

 

[Sandstorm]

Finally a real "Mac Rumor."

Yeah. As much as I like my iOS devices, the only thing I really care for are Mac news & rumors. Sadly, we all know what are the priorities for Apple. Mac feels almost neglected.

 

[2457282]

Fanless sounds awesome. I wonder if this would mark the first fanless mac ever, or at least in recent history?

Without the fan, and with the same resolution as the ipad air, there is becoming little difference, other than the OS, between the two. buy a keyboard cover for the ipad and you essentially have the Mac Air. Obviously, need to work on the OS before the ipad can replace the mac, but we are within the realm of it being possible.

And I would so want this!

 

[Thunderhawks]

The Mini seems to be fading away.

It's the poor man's Pro.

We need it!

 

[Haswell]

If these new MacBook Airs don't have a retina screen or the 12" MacBook Air with retina screen doesn't come out this year, then I am gong to SCREAM.

Come on Apple!!!!

Heck, I would be even happy with a MacBook Air with an IPS screen. TFT screens are just too washed out for me.

 

[dvoros]

updates

I hear NO word about updates to iMacs. Are these being discontinued by Apple?

 

[KohPhiPhi]

The MBA family is close to perfection as it is: ultra mobile, plenty of power and long battery life. There's not much else Apple can do to improve it other than small CPU bumps.

In order to push the MBA family to a new level, it seems like the new 12" Retina version with small bezel is the only way to go, but that means that there will be only 1 single MBA size (nothing wrong with that).

 

[The Mercurian]

What can't it do? What are you throwing at it?

I'm guessing 2011 would make it a Sandy Bridge based machine with an i5 or i7 CPU? An Ivy Bridge or Haswell based i5/i7 isn't a giant leap in terms of raw CPU performance.

But huge jump in battery life!

 

[bpcookson]

Good I didn't order my MBPr yet, but WHERE THE HELL is the new Mini?!

Exactly this, I NEED A NEW MINI!

The Mini seems to be fading away.

Maybe it's just busy getting the Mac Pro Uberification treatment?

 

[iRun26.2]

It's 2014. All mobile screens should be Retina.

Amen!

 

[supremedesigner]

I hear NO word about updates to iMacs. Are these being discontinued by Apple?

Yes, unfortunately.

/s

 

[Mal67]

I thought current mini was ivy bridge?
Would like to see memory bumped up on the airs for off the shelf models or at the very least make upgrading memory easier.
And Updated usb 3 to 3.1.

 

[azentropy]

Just a speed/spec bump, nothing much to see here.

 

[Steve121178]

But huge jump in battery life!

I don't see that benefitting his Mac Mini that I was talking about...

----------

I hear NO word about updates to iMacs. Are these being discontinued by Apple?

They were updated Q4 2013. Perhaps they will receive a minor CPU update soon.

 

[brianvictor7]

This really doesn't sound likely. Why introduce an update now when it can be done in 5-6 weeks at the WWDC? We've waited six months already since the last product announcement. Why not a handful of weeks more?

 

[bpcookson]

I have ever only used Macbook and iMac and I was wondering why is mini such a desirable update? I'm curious because I have seen many comments about it around here.

The mini is great because you can do so many different things with it:

1. Home Theater PC
2. Web Server
3. Easy upgrades and repairs
4. Resell at a high value

It's also a perfect fit for anyone who already has (or wants) a monitor, keyboard, or mouse of their own choosing. And on top of all that, it's cheap!

 

[CausticSoda]

Many LOLs to this.... sinking with that $150bn in the bank....

Steve WOULD and often DID allow many small spec bumps... early iPhones maybe? Mac Minis?

Even if Apple's year absolutely tanked, they would still more than likely have more cash than most companies will ever see in their lifetime... if it makes it easier to comprehend, I've put US dollars into Vietnamese dong to make it an even bigger number so you get the picture...

150,000,000,000.00 USD = 3,163,889,474,794,347.00 VND

Have you also missed the 64-bit processor in the iPad Air/iPhone 5S? I'd say thats something pretty good they released recently...

Luda

That currency conversion is absolutely pointless in demonstrating how large $150 billion is. I could define a currency tomorrow, where $100 billion = 1 Ding. Now Apple's reserves are only to equivalent 1.5 Dings. Hey - that's just nothing!

 

[brianvictor7]

I hear NO word about updates to iMacs. Are these being discontinued by Apple?

No. They get updated annually on average in the fall, with occassional exceptions. The buyer's guide shows the pattern. If anything, they'll give them a retina display sometime in the next year or two and they'll be more popular than before

 

[majkom]

I understand about IPS. It's great having IPS than TN but it's not so great if it isn't retina. I can't picture myself going back to non-retina Macs...

What is the reason for not wanting retina? $$? Apple already slashed the price for 13" & 15" rMBPs...

Only reason I see is power of integrated GPU (they do use weak HD5000 instead of Iris in airs) and battery life - many of air users buy air because of battery life, which is much longer than MB Pros.

 

[brianvictor7]

Not to mention that in the computer industry, which is extremely competitive, which Apple, believe it or not is a relatively small player in, updates their products in a much faster more up to date matter.

it is very VERY hard for Apple to justify a one year cycle, that maintains the exact same price throughout the course of the year, when all the other competitions cycles their products more offering previous versions for far reduced prices.

Sure, when Dell and Apple release their Haswell laptop, at roughly the same time, they're roughly the same price.

6 months later, Dell updates their CPU's. Their current "top end" costs the same, but now features that much (or little) more "oomph". That apple, which is now 'old' tech, is still that 'new' price.

this is 2014, not 1996. product updates are far more numerous from the tech companies than once a year. in Some cases, like the Mac Mini, it's almost 2 full years. I believe the current Mini is only available with the Sandy Bridge based CPU's. Since then we've had Ivy Bridge (die shrink) and haswell (new architecture) released from intel, that brought insane amounts of power saving, energy efficiency, and in some cases incredible performance boosts.
yet, the Mac Mini, using 2 generation old CPU is still 599

I hear ya! Wish they had spec bumped the MPBr I bought last month. But I saw that a spec bump didn't seem likely until fall and since I needed to get one for work (and didn't want to live with Windows as my primary OS), I paid up.

 

[iDave]

This really doesn't sound likely. Why introduce an update now when it can be done in 5-6 weeks at the WWDC? We've waited six months already since the last product announcement. Why not a handful of weeks more?

Because a minor spec bump would be so ho-hum. No point waiting any longer.

 

[chrisrosemusic1]

I still love my rMBP which I chose over the Air last time. Next year though, if Apple finally make the Air retina I would probably chose it instead when I upgrade.

Same as everyone else though, where is the mini?? I want one as a media hub and desktop for my family..

----------

Not to mention that in the computer industry, which is extremely competitive, which Apple, believe it or not is a relatively small player in, updates their products in a much faster more up to date matter.

it is very VERY hard for Apple to justify a one year cycle, that maintains the exact same price throughout the course of the year, when all the other competitions cycles their products more offering previous versions for far reduced prices.

Sure, when Dell and Apple release their Haswell laptop, at roughly the same time, they're roughly the same price.

6 months later, Dell updates their CPU's. Their current "top end" costs the same, but now features that much (or little) more "oomph". That apple, which is now 'old' tech, is still that 'new' price.

this is 2014, not 1996. product updates are far more numerous from the tech companies than once a year. in Some cases, like the Mac Mini, it's almost 2 full years. I believe the current Mini is only available with the Sandy Bridge based CPU's. Since then we've had Ivy Bridge (die shrink) and haswell (new architecture) released from intel, that brought insane amounts of power saving, energy efficiency, and in some cases incredible performance boosts.
yet, the Mac Mini, using 2 generation old CPU is still 599

I hear you on this - should be dramatically reduced on price to reflect it's components, but they never do!

 

[MacLC]

Exactly this, I NEED A NEW MINI!

In the hopes of Apple execs reading this if only by chance... YES, where's the MINI!?!?!

 

[iPadCary]

Baulderdash!

I care not for these MacBook Airs as the wonderfully performing iPad has been
my main machine for lo these four years past.