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

[willgreene99]

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?

I think you might be on to something. There are more than enough coincidences to arrive at the same conclusions. The differences between the 13" Air and the 13" rMBP have shrunk considerably and at the rate it's heading, it's conceivable to forego the Air for the Pro. What will be the difference then? Both will have 5th gen Core I-5/7, both have retina, both have 1tb ssd, both have 16gb ram, etc. What will motivate a person to choose one over the other?

 

[skaertus]

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.

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

*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.

I hope you are not right. ARM processors are not yet powerful enough to replace Intel processors. How would Apple do with legacy apps?

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?

I guess Apple will introduce some US$ 999 12-inch MacBook Air, or something similar. I don't think it will iPhonize or iPadize the Mac. Not yet, at least.

----------

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.

If rumors are to be believed, then we can expect a 12-inch 16:10 screen with a resolution of 2304x1440 (which is the same pixel density as the 13-inch MacBook Pro with retina display.

 

[fedecape]

Noo bro I just got my 2013 MBA

 

[skaertus]

Noo bro I just got my 2013 MBA

It's still a great laptop. And you still have nearly one year before the next version is released.

 

[Minhimalism]

It's still a great laptop. And you still have nearly one year before the next version is released.

I managed to get the 2013 MBA when it was $900 while it was on sale at Best Buy for $1000 coupled with my additional $100 student discount during the summer.. good deal but now I have super MacBook Pro retina envy. I try to rationalize it as "it's $400 more than what you paid, not $200 less since you did not pay retail." I think I will sell this around when the Air is due for an update, and pony up the extra dollars to get the 2013 retina MacBook pro or a nicely refreshed Air

 

[MacRazySwe]

If Apple would choose to add a Retina-display, while maintaining the great battery life of the 2013 model, and possibly give it a bit more ooomph - I will definitely be upgrading from my 13" MBA (2011). However, I'm not sure I could live with a 12" model. Coming from a 15" MBP, the 13" already felt a bit cramped to begin with.

2014 will be an interesting Apple-year for sure.

I'm thinking:

Redesigned MBA
iPhone 6
iWatch? Possibly? Although I'm not interested, a lot of people are.
Apple TV-set? Has been rumored for a long time, but I guess we may finally see it next year.

 

[Steve121178]

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.

That's not going to happen.

iOS and OS X will merge codebase in 2015 and all devices will end up running the same OS. 2014 is just too soon for this.

Plus there's a reason why the 'i' devices are now shipping with 64 bit CPU's. It's so they are 'ready'

 

[skaertus]

That's not going to happen.

iOS and OS X will merge codebase in 2015 and all devices will end up running the same OS. 2014 is just too soon for this.

Plus there's a reason why the 'i' devices are now shipping with 64 bit CPU's. It's so they are 'ready'

Why do you think that? Is it just a guess or do you have any elements to support an educated guess here?

I'm just curious...

 

[iRun26.2]

That's not going to happen.

iOS and OS X will merge codebase in 2015 and all devices will end up running the same OS. 2014 is just too soon for this.

Plus there's a reason why the 'i' devices are now shipping with 64 bit CPU's. It's so they are 'ready'

I think that Apple might sell fewer devices if iOS and OSX merged: I'm sure there are people who buy both the large iPad and the 11" MBA because they use the different OSs and they are they can be used in very different ways. (Not everybody uses the 11" MBA just for surfing the web and checking email)

Microsoft wants the 'all in one' desktop OS and tablet OS because that's the only way they can get into the tablet market. I don't think that combining them is all that logical at this point.

 

[Acorn]

I would like to see the 11.6 dropped for a 12.1. leave the 13 as is. Unless its a igzo display i dont want current retina on mac air. I want more battery life not less. The whole reason I dont have a retina already is because i want more battery life that the air offers.

I dont know why people want a thinner mac air. its at the point now where its diminishing returns. Your basically giving up battery life and body strength at this point. I dont want a flimsy pos.

apple has the best battery life in the industry i want more!

 

[skaertus]

I think that Apple might sell fewer devices if iOS and OSX merged: I'm sure there are people who buy both the large iPad and the 11" MBA because they use the different OSs and they are they can be used in very different ways. (Not everybody uses the 11" MBA just for surfing the web and checking email)

Microsoft wants the 'all in one' desktop OS and tablet OS because that's the only way they can get into the tablet market. I don't think that combining them is all that logical at this point.

I'm not so sure about it. If they merge, perhaps people would depend more on the resulting OS.

Anyway, it seems like Apple will drop the 11-inch MacBook Air next year in favor of a 12-inch version. And the iPad Air being now so much lighter, I don't think there would be too much cannibalization between them.

----------

I would like to see the 11.6 dropped for a 12.1. leave the 13 as is. Unless its a igzo display i dont want current retina on mac air. I want more battery life not less. The whole reason I dont have a retina already is because i want more battery life that the air offers.

I dont know why people want a thinner mac air. its at the point now where its diminishing returns. Your basically giving up battery life and body strength at this point. I dont want a flimsy pos.

apple has the best battery life in the industry i want more!

Apple will likely keep the good battery life of the Air. After all the "wow" about the "all-day battery life" of the 2013 Air during WWDC, I don't think there will be such a step back in the next generation. And I would bet on IGZO displays, or a similar technology.

 

[gwsat]

Apple will likely keep the good battery life of the Air. After all the "wow" about the "all-day battery life" of the 2013 Air during WWDC, I don't think there will be such a step back in the next generation. And I would bet on IGZO displays, or a similar technology.

I agree. To me the current MBA's most appealing feature is its remarkably long battery life. Thus, I can't see Apple making a modification in the next refresh of the line that would shorten battery life. Like everybody else, I would love to see a super high resolution display, especially if it could be included without shortening battery life.

 

[m98custom1212]

I would like to see the 11.6 dropped for a 12.1. leave the 13 as is. Unless its a igzo display i dont want current retina on mac air. I want more battery life not less. The whole reason I dont have a retina already is because i want more battery life that the air offers.

I dont know why people want a thinner mac air. its at the point now where its diminishing returns. Your basically giving up battery life and body strength at this point. I dont want a flimsy pos.

apple has the best battery life in the industry i want more!

Thats only because apple is used the same screen on the air for three years


Most Ultrabooks are 1080p or 1440p with ips panels

 

[Acorn]

Thats only because apple is used the same screen on the air for three years


Most Ultrabooks are 1080p or 1440p with ips panels

it has a lot more to do with just the screen. apples battery technology is top of the line. apples os is also designed around battery life. no windows machine can compete with apples battery life without a slice battery. if apple used a slice battery to compete we would see 20 hour battery life. windows was designed with battery life as an after thought. even after much tweaking to the services its just no comparison.

its not apple fanboyism its the way it is. they just have awesome batteries.

 

[skaertus]

Thats only because apple is used the same screen on the air for three years


Most Ultrabooks are 1080p or 1440p with ips panels

Depends on the ultrabook. Low-end ultrabooks are still 1366x768, which is a poor resolution, and worse than the Air. Most high-end ultrabooks come at 1920x1080 these days, and some of them come with 2560x1440 or even 3200x1800.

 

[TyPod]

Touch screen?

I sure hope not.

 

[skaertus]

it has a lot more to do with just the screen. apples battery technology is top of the line. apples os is also designed around battery life. no windows machine can compete with apples battery life without a slice battery. if apple used a slice battery to compete we would see 20 hour battery life. windows was designed with battery life as an after thought. even after much tweaking to the services its just no comparison.

its not apple fanboyism its the way it is. they just have awesome batteries.

Not really, I guess.

In fact, I think the software, and not the hardware, saves battery.

 

[iRun26.2]

Not really, I guess.

In fact, I think the software, and not the hardware, saves battery.

Actually, I think it's a combination of both. More precisely, it is something that Windows computers do not have, both components (software and hardware) designed for each other. MS may have gotten better but Apple is far better off because they can tweak both.

 

[iRun26.2]

I agree. To me the current MBA's most appealing feature is its remarkably long battery life. Thus, I can't see Apple making a modification in the next refresh of the line that would shorten battery life. Like everybody else, I would love to see a super high resolution display, especially if it could be included without shortening battery life.

There are several important factors that could all influence the battery life of the rumored (redesigned) MBA:

1) Broadwell - This would save power. Word from Intel is that a power reduction of 30% may be possible.

2) IGZO - This would also save power. The new iPad Air demonstrates this well. What do they quote (something like 40% less power)?

3) Retina - Driving more pixels requires more power. I'm not sure if the savings from IGZO cancel the additional power consumption of the retina display GPU power.

4) Thinner / Lighter - The rumors of the new MBA have hinted at possibly a thinner and lighter model. This makes sense since Apple is typically always pushing the envelope.. This, I assume would take away from the available battery power (thinner = less space for battery, lighter almost certainly means less battery capacity since batteries are usually the heaviest component). Could Apple be ready with their first 'liquid metal' case to make the chassis lighter? Probably not...but who knows.

Maybe they can make it retina with a thinner/lighter form factor and still keep the long battery life. That ought to be awesome!

All I want, really, is a retina display (I don't care about battery life...I'd rather have it thinner, but I know I'm in the minority).

 

[washburn]

Liquid metal chassis

 

[iRun26.2]

Liquid metal chassis

If wonder why we haven't heard or seen anything about that rumor in a long time.

 

[skaertus]

Actually, I think it's a combination of both. More precisely, it is something that Windows computers do not have, both components (software and hardware) designed for each other. MS may have gotten better but Apple is far better off because they can tweak both.

... and that means software!!!

(not hardware)

----------

There are several important factors that could all influence the battery life of the rumored (redesigned) MBA:

1) Broadwell - This would save power. Word from Intel is that a power reduction of 30% may be possible.

I've read that too. That's a lot. But let's see.

2) IGZO - This would also save power. The new iPad Air demonstrates this well. What do they quote (something like 40% less power)?

3) Retina - Driving more pixels requires more power. I'm not sure if the savings from IGZO cancel the additional power consumption of the retina display GPU power.

Sharp has just released a tablet in Japan with IGZO display and a 2560x1440 display resolution, and stellar battery life.

4) Thinner / Lighter - The rumors of the new MBA have hinted at possibly a thinner and lighter model. This makes sense since Apple is typically always pushing the envelope.. This, I assume would take away from the available battery power (thinner = less space for battery, lighter almost certainly means less battery capacity since batteries are usually the heaviest component). Could Apple be ready with their first 'liquid metal' case to make the chassis lighter? Probably not...but who knows.

Perhaps a little thinner and lighter than the 11-inch MacBook Air, but not too much.

Maybe they can make it retina with a thinner/lighter form factor and still keep the long battery life. That ought to be awesome!

All I want, really, is a retina display (I don't care about battery life...I'd rather have it thinner, but I know I'm in the minority).

I can bet it will get a retina display!

 

[iRun26.2]

When do people expect the new MBA to be released?

(I'm guessing Fall of 2014)

 

[stayley]

When do people expect the new MBA to be released?

(I'm guessing Fall of 2014)

I'd be guessing fall as well. The MBA in its current form is pretty much perfect, apart from the awful screen. I think they can easily juice it for another year and people will be happy to buy it. Then again, refurb rMBPs will start showing up before then undercutting the MBA in price substantially...

 

[skaertus]

When do people expect the new MBA to be released?

(I'm guessing Fall of 2014)

Second half of 2014, soon after Broadwell is released (Broadwell has been delayed, as you all should know at this point).

----------

I'd be guessing fall as well. The MBA in its current form is pretty much perfect, apart from the awful screen. I think they can easily juice it for another year and people will be happy to buy it. Then again, refurb rMBPs will start showing up before then undercutting the MBA in price substantially...

The MacBook Air is good, but certainly not perfect. And new laptops from other manufacturers are becoming thinner, lighter and more beautiful, and with a better screen than the Air.

The MacBook Air was unprecedented in 2010; the best in its class in 2011; good in 2012; in 2013, it's still OK, but there are more compelling alternatives showing up. In 2014, it will certainly lag behind other models, if Apple doesn't release something new. And it will certainly do that.