Warming-up for the all-new redesigned retina 2014 (2015?) MacBook Air

[Elwe]

Maybe the 2014 Macbook Air is the move to ARM/iOS

It seems clear to me that Apple has plans to change the line-up in 2014. I think they intend to kill the Macbook Air as we know it, and re-introduce it as an iOS device.

*The decision to make few changes to the 2013 MacBook Air (no attempt at higher resolution or quality display, even if not "Retina"
*Continue with the physical chassis shrink of the 13" MacBook Pro with Retina
*The 15" "classic" MacBook Pro is gone. The 13" "classic" MacBook Pro is being left on the vine to die.
*Price decreases on the new 2014 MacBook Pro with Retina models (even though they are not quite a sizable depending on memory and GPU configurations). The 13" Air vs Pro is now only a $200 difference, right? For a much better screen, better cpu, better graphics . . . though admittedly at a thicker chassis.
*They made a big deal about the "desktop-class" SoC in the iphone 5s and now in the new iPads.
*They made a big deal about file format compatibility for their own Apps across OSX and iOS.
*Just using the name "iPad Air" . . . gets me thinking.

Perhaps next year the current Macbooks Air get no update; they use die on the vine. Perhaps the Macbook Pro line drops the moniker "with Retina display" as there will be no options left without it. And, perhaps next year they really will be ready (with iOS 8, A8 chips, 2GB of ram, and various storage and networking options) to introduce a laptop that is "in between". Something that is more functional than Google's Chrome platform so far. Something that could cost between $500-1000 for the various configurations. There are many, many people who could make do with the device if Apple would increase the capabilities in iOS somewhat more. Perhaps multi-application windowing being the most important. They really do not intend to allow local network file share access, but that would be nice. Continue to allow a good amount of function even while offline. For this price, you could do a nice chassis, good backlit keyboard, good trackpad . . .

Google did some things right with the Pixel. They knew it would have to be a "halo" device at that price, and Chrome OS still does not do enough. But isn't that what Apple is really good at (at least with the iPod, iPhone, and iPad)? Taking ideas already there in some form in the market, and really executing on the design, marketing, and (until perhaps very recently with some other tablet options) getting it done at an aggressive enough price?

 

[throAU]

But the 2014 model will probably represent a milestone in MacBook Air's history so far. And, contrary to the 2053 model, it will be released in a few months from now.

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This is a big assumption, based on what?


It is already more than small enough for this segment. Keeping the same size with better battery life and a retina screen would be plenty for 2014.

I predict same form factor for the 11", broadwell, whatever baseline GPU intel have in broadwell.

And yes, long term I see the MBA 13 being killed off, and both the MacBook Pro and 11" MBA simply being renamed "Macbook".

The 13" is largely duplicated between the air/pro and a single 11" machine isn't enough to justify an entire product like, IMHO.

But I could be wrong - maybe they'll ditch both the 11" and 13" MBA, put out a 12" MBA and keep the 13" and 15" MBP.

 

[iRun26.2]

It seems clear to me that Apple has plans to change the line-up in 2014. I think they intend to kill the Macbook Air as we know it, and re-introduce it as an iOS device.

I used to be quite concerned that Apple would reintroduce the new 12" MBA in 2014 using an A7 or A8 ARM based device. However, based on some recent rumors (Apple coming up with cover that has built in keyboard, like the Surface) and what Apple said yesterday, I am more convinced that the new MBA will still run OSX (and BootCamp).

*Continue with the physical chassis shrink of the 13" MacBook Pro with Retina

By continuing to reduce the size and weight of the 13" MacBook Pro, I think it means that a major MBA redisgn is even more likely in the near future. Having a 13" MBP as the smallest OSX device (capable of also running windows) doesn't make any sense. The MBP is lighter and thinner than it was years ago but that is not what it's competing against in the PC market.

*They made a big deal about the "desktop-class" SoC in the iphone 5s and now in the new iPads.

They make a big deal about that because it sells iOS devices. It is pretty awesome that we have that much power in a handheld device (it isn't 'fluff') but that doesn't mean it can replace Intel's latest low power offering. It certainly can not emulate x86 code.

*Just using the name "iPad Air" . . . gets me thinking.

That naming of the new iPad as an 'iPad Air' makes me think they would be less likely to add a keyboard and call it an iOS Air. Certainly they would not call it a MacBook Air because iOS is not 'Mac'.

And, perhaps next year they really will be ready (with iOS 8, A8 chips, 2GB of ram, and various storage and networking options) to introduce a laptop that is "in between".

During yesterday's presentation Apple slammed Microsoft's Surface as not being very good at being a laptop or a tablet. I don't think they will try to do both in one after that statement. Some people will still buy both anyway.

Something that is more functional than Google's Chrome platform so far.

I find it hard not to laugh at the statement


Finally, Apple did a lot improvements in Mavericks for power savings. That tells me that they may already be thinking about the next MBA in OSX form not iOS.

I'm now much less worried that the rumored new 12" MBA with a IGZO retina screen will be a downgrade to an iOS device.

 

[iRun26.2]

It is already more than small enough for this segment.

That is not very visionary...

The laptop computers of the future will definitely continue to become thinner and lighter. Apple has been one of the companies that has traditional been pushing the envelope. I think they take great pride in that, and I, as a happy customer, appreciate it.

Many updates for the MacBook Pro (since the last MBA size reduction in 2010) have taken place. The current 13" MBA model isn't dramatically thinner or lighter than the latest MBP in any way, The current 13" MBA is no longer special.

The last time the MBA body was reduced it also introduced another first in Apple's computer line up: The use of SSD as the only storage drive.

It is time for another major size/weight reduction and another advanced technology to be first seen in the MBA (and then go to the other lines): A low-power IGZO based retina display. The are brighter than the current displays and yet they also are lower power and capable of higher resolutions.

The rumors that we have been reading about make perfect sense.

 

[skaertus]

I NEED a BIGGER HD!! :d

Well, I guess that would hardly happen. Apple will likely use SSDs, and will never turn back to HDs. And SSD sizes will hardly improve. Just take a look at the SSD sizes of the new MacBook Pros. The low-end 13" still starts at 128 GB. No improvement at all. And I guess the MacBook Air will follow the same pattern.

 

[iRun26.2]

Well, I guess that would hardly happen. Apple will likely use SSDs, and will never turn back to HDs. And SSD sizes will hardly improve. Just take a look at the SSD sizes of the new MacBook Pros. The low-end 13" still starts at 128 GB. No improvement at all. And I guess the MacBook Air will follow the same pattern.

I also remember being surprised that that new 13" MBP entry level configuration only came with a 128G SSD. There is no question, then, that the new 12" MBA's will start (at maximum) with a 128G option. Could they possibly release the new 12" MBA with a starting SSD size of only 64G???

When the 11" debuted in 2010, the starting SSD size was 64G. I got the maximum available at the time of 128G. I sure hope the new 12" MBA allows at least the option of 256G. I'd buy a 1T SSD if that was an option... but I'm certain now that it won't.

 

[skaertus]

This is a big assumption, based on what?

Well, not so big an assumption, I guess.

I just said the 2014 version will probably be a milestone in MacBook Air's history. No big deal about that.

There are two events that were major in MacBook Air's history: (i) the launch of the product itself, when Steve Jobs famously took it out of an envelope; and (ii) the refresh of the MacBook Air in late 2010, when Apple reduced the price, redesigned the 13-inch model and introduced the 11-inch version.

If Apple indeed redesigns the MacBook Air to introduce a 12-inch version, it will represent the third milestone in MacBook Air's history. It sounds pretty obvious to me, and not a big assumption.

 

[iRun26.2]

Isn't it ironic that the new, top of the line (expensive) iPad, that is thinner and lighter than ever before, is titled 'iPad Air'? The MacBook Air is Apple's entry level computer. What's wrong with this picture?

I sure hope this is a sign that Apple may make a statement on the new 12" MBA, making it a premium device as it once was, I don't want an entry level 12" machine to replace the current 11" and 13" MBAs. I want something that lives up to 'Air' name like what we see in the new iPad Air.

(OK, I'll stop now. I'm sure everybody is tired of reading my very similar posts).

 

[skaertus]

Isn't it ironic that the new, top of the line (expensive) iPad, that is thinner and lighter than ever before, is titled 'iPad Air'? The MacBook Air is Apple's entry level computer. What's wrong with this picture?

I sure hope this is a sign that Apple may make a statement on the new 12" MBA, making it a premium device as it once was, I don't want an entry level 12" machine to replace the current 11" and 13" MBAs. I want something that lives up to 'Air' name like what we see in the new iPad Air.

(OK, I'll stop now. I'm sure everybody is tired of reading my very similar posts).

The MBA will likely be an entry-level machine. Everything seems to be pointing at that. MBAs are getting cheaper with every release. And the leaked screen sports a 2304x1440 resolution, which is lower than the current MBPs. It will have a smaller size too, and, among Apple's products, smaller usually means cheaper (the iPad míni is cheaper than the iPad; the 21.5-inch iMac is cheaper than the 27-inch iMac; and so on).

 

[Pborofski]

Hi there!
Just registered to share my thoughts about the redesigned Air of next year. First of all, I honestly think the time has come to replace the MBA shown three years ago. I own the MBA 11" Late-2010 with the biggest offered SSD (128GB). It was my first Apple device and now I'm using the iPhone 5 as well. I think it's the best phone on the market today.

I'll start with the screen on the 2014 (hopefully) MBA. Somebody in this thread suggested that the effective resolution of 1152x720 would actually be a downgrade from the current 13" MBA's 1440x900. And he's right, but in my opinion the computer will definetely not have a 1:2 ratio (effective:retina resolution), like the MBPs do. I would rather suggest 5:8 (making it 1440x900), 5:9 (1280x800) or maybe 7:12 (1344x840). The last option is the least probable due to a very unusual resolution.

What I'm expecting is at least 10-hour battery, thin and black (MBPr style) bezel round the screen, Broadwell processor with HD5000-equivalent graphics. What I defenetely will not accept is ARM architecture with iOS, I think it misses the purposes of having a proper notebook instead of just a tablet.

I hope I will be able to think about it as a perfect, ultra-portable computer for everything I need. Exactly as I did three years ago about my Macbook Air Late-2010.

 

[skaertus]

Hi there!
Just registered to share my thoughts about the redesigned Air of next year. First of all, I honestly think the time has come to replace the MBA shown three years ago. I own the MBA 11" Late-2010 with the biggest offered SSD (128GB). It was my first Apple device and now I'm using the iPhone 5 as well. I think it's the best phone on the market today.

I'll start with the screen on the 2014 (hopefully) MBA. Somebody in this thread suggested that the effective resolution of 1152x720 would actually be a downgrade from the current 13" MBA's 1440x900. And he's right, but in my opinion the computer will definetely not have a 1:2 ratio (effective:retina resolution), like the MBPs do. I would rather suggest 5:8 (making it 1440x900), 5:9 (1280x800) or maybe 7:12 (1344x840). The last option is the least probable due to a very unusual resolution.

If we go by the latest rumors, the screen will be 12" with a 2304x1440 resolution. That equals to 16:10, the same aspect ratio of the retina MacBook Pro.

What I'm expecting is at least 10-hour battery, thin and black (MBPr style) bezel round the screen, Broadwell processor with HD5000-equivalent graphics. What I defenetely will not accept is ARM architecture with iOS, I think it misses the purposes of having a proper notebook instead of just a tablet.

If the display uses IGZO technology, battery life may well be 12+ hours. In fact, I guess Apple will not reduce battery life from the current version of the MacBook Air. Battery life would be at least equal, otherwise users will be enraged.

I hope I will be able to think about it as a perfect, ultra-portable computer for everything I need. Exactly as I did three years ago about my Macbook Air Late-2010.

We all hope so.

 

[Pborofski]

If we go by the latest rumors, the screen will be 12" with a 2304x1440 resolution. That equals to 16:10, the same aspect ratio of the retina MacBook Pro.

Every resolution I did write about was 16:10 ratio, what I tried to say is that effective resolution (so, in fact, zoom of everything you see on the screen) might not be 1:2 as you can see in MBPs with retina (so, 13" MBP has a 2560x1600 resolution, however the effective is 1280x800 - that's how big things you see on a very dense screen).

I guess we misunderstood, so please, read my post again and I hope you'll easily get what I'm on about.

 

[skaertus]

Every resolution I did write about was 16:10 ratio, what I tried to say is that effective resolution (so, in fact, zoom of everything you see on the screen) might not be 1:2 as you can see in MBPs with retina (so, 13" MBP has a 2560x1600 resolution, however the effective is 1280x800 - that's how big things you see on a very dense screen).

I guess we misunderstood, so please, read my post again and I hope you'll easily get what I'm on about.

Oh, you're right. I had read it so quickly that I didn't notice it. My fault. I guess the MacBook Air would sport a 1280x800 or 1440x900 effective resolution. 1280x800 would be in line with the 13-inch retina MacBook Pro and the 11-inch MacBook Air; and the 1440x900 would be in line with the 13-inch MacBook Air.

My vote would go for 1280x800 as standard. And 1440x900 as an option. I don't know 1680x1050 would be a possibility.

 

[BreezyR]

This bloody rumor makes me hesitate to get the current MBP, because in half a year or so this beautiful machine can be a reality. Argh.

Now something constructive:
Maybe not quite Retina, but much improved resolution is probably to be expected. People complained about the resolution on the iPad mini and they got what they wanted.

Processor will probably be delayed, unless apple makes a deal with intel XD therefore constrained supplies/later release date?

Battery life should remain next to the same, maybe more or less with the better screen. Not that it's a huge deal breaker for most, haswell is amazing.

Not really helpful:
I hope they start at 8 GB ram but prob not. But maybe there'll be an option for 16 ram.

SSD might not increase at base model, but there's probably gonna be an option for more.

Maybe they'll keep 11 and 13 inch size screens. I personally hope for a 12.5-13-inch screen in a frame with smaller bezels. Even the 13 makes me hesitate a little, I have a 14.3 screen currently. (not MacBook obviously.) 13.5 would make me happy but yeah... That's me.

I kind of doubt it'll have a radically different shell/frame. Most of that space is needed because of USB and hdmi ports... And taking that away= noooo. Unless they make everything lightning and give us many of those and have tons of adapters to make that viable.

 

[Pborofski]

Maybe they'll keep 11 and 13 inch size screens. I personally hope for a 12.5-13-inch screen in a frame with smaller bezels. Even the 13 makes me hesitate a little, I have a 14.3 screen currently. (not MacBook obviously.) 13.5 would make me happy but yeah... That's me.

As far as I can remember, the 11" is actually 11,6", and the current 13" is in fact a 13,3".

 

[skaertus]

This bloody rumor makes me hesitate to get the current MBP, because in half a year or so this beautiful machine can be a reality. Argh.

Not really half an year. Broadwell has been delayed, and is now scheduled for the second half of 2014. So, you'll have to wait a little longer. Perhaps July 2014, or even later.

Now something constructive:
Maybe not quite Retina, but much improved resolution is probably to be expected. People complained about the resolution on the iPad mini and they got what they wanted.

Well, why do you think Apple will lose the chance to call it MacBook Air with retina display? In fact, I think the 2304x1440 resolution these rumors are talking about may be accurate. And that would qualify as retina, as it has the same pixel density of the 13-inch MacBook Pro.

Processor will probably be delayed, unless apple makes a deal with intel XD therefore constrained supplies/later release date?

We'll see.

Battery life should remain next to the same, maybe more or less with the better screen. Not that it's a huge deal breaker for most, haswell is amazing.

Yeah, but Apple will not want to reduce the amazing battery life of the Air. Apple has praised the long battery life in the keynote, it's not going to reduce it. The display will probably be IGZO or some other battery-saving technology.

The new MacBook Pros have not improved so much in battery life, so it's clear that the displays, and not the processors, are the huge battery killers. So, a retina display in the Air would reduce the current battery life, unless it is an IGZO display.

Not really helpful:
I hope they start at 8 GB ram but prob not. But maybe there'll be an option for 16 ram.

Probably starting at 4 GB, and 8 GB in the higher-end model. Perhaps an option to upgrade to 16 GB, but that will depend on Broadwell.

SSD might not increase at base model, but there's probably gonna be an option for more.

Probably it will remain with 128/256 GB in the standard models. SSDs are still too expensive.

Maybe they'll keep 11 and 13 inch size screens. I personally hope for a 12.5-13-inch screen in a frame with smaller bezels. Even the 13 makes me hesitate a little, I have a 14.3 screen currently. (not MacBook obviously.) 13.5 would make me happy but yeah... That's me.

I guess a 12-inch screen may be a good idea. 11.6-inch is too small, the chassis will have to be larger anyway to accomodate the keyboard and the trackpad. But 12-inch may be good.

If you want to go 13-inch, then you could opt for the MacBook Pro.

I kind of doubt it'll have a radically different shell/frame. Most of that space is needed because of USB and hdmi ports... And taking that away= noooo. Unless they make everything lightning and give us many of those and have tons of adapters to make that viable.

Perhaps a little smaller, but not too different.

 

[skaertus]

There are rumors now that the iPad Air display uses IGZO technology.

It is here, in case you haven't seen it: https://www.macrumors.com/2013/11/0...-technology-for-thinner-lower-power-displays/

Would that be true?

In that case, can we expect the all-new 2014 MacBook Air to have IGZO displays as well?

 

[tom vilsack]

Ill play along.

-thin as a piece of paper
-will use the earths magnetic field for "forever" battery life
-will use secret "Biogenetic" living cpu for 1 zillion times the cpu power of todays laptops
-the os will be called "Zap" and be run from a building that is being built on Mars
-the weight will be less then zero pounds,allowing for sup anti matter so that it will float along next to you

 

[kazmac]

What to expect?

12-inch IGZO display?
2304x1440 resolution?
Thinner and lighter?
Touch screen?
New materials?
Cheaper?
Better battery life?

Let's share our thoughts...

I'll take better battery life and a retina screen. If it's cheaper and slightly lighter, a complete win. I love the retina display on the rMBP, but if the 2014 Air gets it and maintains the great battery life/weight, I will jump.

 

[calvol]

But I could be wrong - maybe they'll ditch both the 11" and 13" MBA, put out a 12" MBA and keep the 13" and 15" MBP.

+1... this is what will happen. As Air goes retina, no sense in keep 11" and 13" versions of Air and MBP. We'll have 11/13" retinas, and 12" IGZO IMO entry level.

 

[iLuvMyMacToo]

I think it will have a touch screen with a detachable keyboard and it will run windows with all your favourite apps side by side including MS Office.... oh hang on that's already been done

 

[iZac]

We've often seen with Apples redesigned lines that the specs don’t receive a major increase, the excitement of the new design is enough to carry it forward. This happened for instance with the introduction of the unibody Macbook Pros.

I'm excited to see a 12" MBA because Apple have for the last 3 years had a tough time differentiating the 13" MBP and the increasingly capable 13" MBA. We all hoped that with the removal of the optical drive, that Apple would squeeze a dGPU into the 13" MBP but alas that has been a pipe dream. What I can see Apple doing now is trading off performance of the MBA (compared to today’s models) to squeeze it into some ridiculously thing form factor for the 12". I would expect it to be highly desirable, but not very powerful, to try and define the MBP as a workhorse.

Apple compromised power in a similar way with the original MBA in 2008, to achieve what was considered an unfeasibly slim notebook at the time. At that time it was a let-down because of the pathetic integrated GPU and painfully slow HDD but 6 years later, the technology is mature enough to have a stellar machine for your basic workload in what I hope will be an incredibly slim package.

I have a 2011 MBA and I’d be keen to upgrade to something like this.

As for the resolution, doesn’t everyone scale their retina screens anyway to get more real estate?

 

[skaertus]

I'll take better battery life and a retina screen. If it's cheaper and slightly lighter, a complete win. I love the retina display on the rMBP, but if the 2014 Air gets it and maintains the great battery life/weight, I will jump.

At this point, I think the Air is definitely getting a retina display next year. Quite likely IGZO or a similar battery-saving display technology. All Apple products seem to be heading this way.

 

[kazmac]

hope you're right

At this point, I think the Air is definitely getting a retina display next year. Quite likely IGZO or a similar battery-saving display technology. All Apple products seem to be heading this way.

It would be great if you are right.

I really liked the Air back when I tried one a couple of years ago, but the battery life and the screen were not good for me.

 

[prism1212]

"Portable" is a relative term. In my mind, however, "ultraportable" means you sacrifice almost everything for a reduction in size and weight (including the screen). Is the current 13" MBA really "ultraportable"? I think it is huge compared to my 11" MBA.

A 12" MBA will be a step up for me (in screen size). I just hope it is neither thicker nor heavier than the current 11" MBA.

13" was already at the low end of what I would personally tolerate on a laptop. I have a TBD, but I use my laptop screen a lot. The 11" was just too cramped, for ME.

12" at such high resolution would seems like unbearably small. I have no issues with the sharpness of the current display, so giving up screen real estate is a step backwards IMO. The current MBA has USB3, a 512GB SSD option and an 8GB RAM option. They are really going to need to pull a rabbit out of their hat to top that.

When Steve Jobs gave a keynote presentation to introduce the first generation 13" MBA in 2008, he tackled the ultraportable line of laptops and said that the 11" (1366x768 res, equal in resolution as the 11" MBA of today) Sony Vaio TZ and other similar ultraportables at the time sacrificed too much in terms of screen dimension in order to improve size and weight. Thus the ultraportables at the time compromised on productivity (by having a smaller screen dimension. Increasing the resolution in a smaller screen was one solution but that also had its own drawback in that the PPI is too high in order for most eyes to comfortably work with) in order to be small and light. In response, Apple's approach was to offer a thin and light ultraportable without having to sacrifice productivity by introducing the 13" MBA.

During the 2010 keynote, Jobs regarded the newly introduced 11" MBA as the "baby brother" of the 13" model.

Therefore, what I believe is that Apple will never eliminate the 13" MBA line since it was largely Apple that introduced the class of thin and light ultraportables into the market that do not compromise on productivity (then Intel's Ultrabook line followed suit). If the 13" MBA will be extinct by name, it will probably be continue to live as a revisioned rMBP 13" that has narrowed its weight down to < 3 lbs.