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

[Alphabetize]

I'm really impressed with how capable the MacBook Air really is. I tried one out in the Apple Store and I threw just about everything I could at it and it handled very well. The only thing that I wish it could have is way-way better graphics performance.

 

[skaertus]

I'm really impressed with how capable the MacBook Air really is. I tried one out in the Apple Store and I threw just about everything I could at it and it handled very well. The only thing that I wish it could have is way-way better graphics performance.

Yes, it is a very capable laptop. You don't need a more powerful laptop unless you need raw performance. For web browsing, office suites, and the stuff people usually do on their computers, the Air is just fine.

But then, again, most ultrabooks at this point are as well.

 

[stayley]

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.

Oh I know all about it. I've been going crazy about the purchase of a new laptop this year and it took me a half a year to finally settle for the MBA.

I was eagerly waiting for the refreshed Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus. Only to see a heavier version of the last years model with a ridiculous screen resolution not supported by most programs, stupid 4GB of RAM (they still haven't released the 8GB version), 128GB SSD and inferior battery life. The Acer S7 has a pathetic keyboard. The upcoming Zenbook Infinity is likely to be ludicrously overpriced (well not overpriced, out of my budget more like). What I wanted to see was a refreshed Asus UX31, throw Haswell and 8GB RAM in it and you have the perfect machine including the build quality.

I was really disappointed when Intel made all "ultrabook" manufacturers to fit them with these stupid touch screens. To me it only means increase in girth and worse battery life.

I do agree with you that the competition is strong and to a large extent has surpassed the MBA. To be honest my primary inclination to get an MBA was trying out the Apple ecosystem. So far so good... Saying that, I'd have been happier to get the said Asus Zenbook Prime with 8GB, Haswell, nice FHD IPS screen (that they already have) and 10h battery life. Didn't happen :/

Also, when I said perfect... I did really mean it. I mean, how much do you need from an ultra portable that the MBA doesn't deliver? Lightweight? Check. Ridiculous battery life? Check. Performance to carry out everyday tasks and a little more with some "future proofing" (I mean the 8GB ram)? Check. Relatively affordable? Check. Decent screen? Terrible fail.

I also love the form factor and build quality. Having said that, I have to repeat myself and say that I'd prefer an Asus Zenbook Prime UX31 (or the previous generation Samsung Ativ Book 9 - the n900x3e) with MBA's specs.


Coming back to our predictions on the new Air's release date and the competition catching up... well the competition will have destroyed the Air (and the lower specced retinas for that matter) by the end of this year. The magic of the Apple's brand will still come to play, but less and less so... (I imagine this might be a little different in the US) so maybe, we will see the new Air around mid-2014 indeed.


(oh my this is so much fun)

 

[skaertus]

Oh I know all about it. I've been going crazy about the purchase of a new laptop this year and it took me a half a year to finally settle for the MBA.

I was eagerly waiting for the refreshed Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus. Only to see a heavier version of last years model with a ridiculous screen resolution not supported by most programs, stupid 4GB of RAM (they still haven't released the 8GB version) and inferior battery life. The Acer S7 has a pathetic keyboard. The upcoming Zenbook Infinity is likely to be ludicrously overpriced (well not overpriced, out of my budget more like). What I wanted to see was a refreshed Asus UX31, throw Haswell and 8GB RAM in it and you have the perfect machine including the build quality.

I was really disappointed when Intel made all "ultrabook" manufacturers to fit them with these stupid touch screens. To me it only means increase in girth and worse battery life.

I do agree with you that the competition is strong and to a large extent has surpassed the MBA. To be honest my primary inclination to get an MBA was trying out the Apple ecosystem. So far so good... Saying that, I'd have been happier to get the said Asus Zenbook Prime with 8GB, Haswell, nice FHD IPS screen (that they already have) and 10h battery life. Didn't happen :/

Also, when I said perfect... I did really mean it. I mean, how much do you need from an ultra portable that the MBA doesn't deliver? Lightweight? Check. Ridiculous battery life? Check. Performance to carry out everyday tasks and a little more with some "future proofing" (I mean the 8GB ram)? Check. Relatively affordable? Check. Decent screen? Terrible fail.

I also love the form factor and build quality. Having said that, I have to repeat myself and say that I'd prefer an Asus Zenbook Prime UX31 (or the previous generation Samsung Ativ Book 9 - the n900x3e) with MBA's specs.


Coming back to our predictions on the new Air's release date and the competition catching up... well the competition will have destroyed the Air (and the lower specced retinas for that matter) by the end of this year. The magic of the Apple's brand will still come to play, but less and less so... (I imagine this might be a little different in the US) so maybe, we will see the new Air around mid-2014 indeed.


(oh my this is so much fun)

I agree with you.

I have not yet seen most of these new laptops... the refreshes of the Zenbook, the Ativ Book 9 and the S7, all of them with Haswell. I've not yet seen a single refresh of PC ultrabooks with Haswell. As I live in Brazil, most of these products are not yet available for sale here.

But I've seen some Ivy Bridge ultrabooks and they looked fine. And the Haswell ones are probably even better. The Samsung and the Asus looked promising to me. I don't know if they will meet the expectations in real life usage, but they looked great. The Sony Vaio Pro too looks a nice laptop. And the Dell XPS 11. And what about the second generation of the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga? Or of the Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon? They all look great.

 

[stayley]

I was in the US when the new MBA got released and I could compare it to the Acer. The Acer is simply an inferior machine in every aspect (don't start me on the touch screen).

The Samsung was a tragic disappointment to me, I was really holding off for it and then they release a stupid 4GB/128GB and keep it as the only config on the market for 2 months. Wtf... A 2012 Samsung 9 with haswell, 8GB ram, configurable SSD (i.e. 256/512) and same old screen would effectively kill the MBA on all aspects.

I strongly considered the Vaio Pro. I hated the flex that's indispensable with a carbon fiber build, you either hate it or love it. Fans get noisy, the laptop gets hot, flex on the keyboard... etc. The screen is beautiful though. I also had nasty experiences with Vaio in the past (on a mid-level one though).

The Zenbook Infinity will undoubtedly be a better machine than the MBA, but it's likely to cost much more, especially for the higher-end version (that should pose a serious threat to the 13" retinas as well).

When I said that the MBA will have been killed by the end of this year I did have in mind the upcoming Dell XPS 13", it may turn out to be a great piece of hardware at a comparable price. Lenovo is too expensive for me, they only offer small storage options. Those are truly business ultrabooks, not all rounders I think. Doesn't change the fact that they may very well be superior to the MBA.

So overall, I think we are in for some exciting new releases. First from the competition then from Apple.

I am enjoying my new MBA immensely though. I have done my research (as you can see from my lengthy posts) and I settled for what I believed was best for me and my needs (well and cravings ). I just hope Apple doesn't drop the 13" MBA, I would make a switch next year if they supplied it with a retina display next year.

 

[iRun26.2]

I'm really impressed with how capable the MacBook Air really is. I tried one out in the Apple Store and I threw just about everything I could at it and it handled very well. The only thing that I wish it could have is way-way better graphics performance.

The funny thing is that I still feel that way about my 2010 11" model. It really is a very good little computer. Back then, it was stunningly fast just due to the SSD (groundbreaking technology for a laptop back then). It's behind the times for sure, now, but I'm mostly jealous of the nicer displays out there (and larger SSDs). I do not own or want an iPad but I have seen them in the stores and sure wish that I could have a similar display on my MBA. I would upgrade in a heartbeat (almost irregardless of cost) if Apple upgraded the MBA screen.

The rumors are not only for a retina screen, but also a thinner and lighter version. I can't wait!

(It really is dangerous, though, to get too hopeful about what might be in store for the next MBA. I was so disappointed this past summer when the highlight was much improved battery life. I would certainly like that, for sure, but I was hoping for a better display. I would be absolutely crushed if in 2014 they turned the MBA into a ARM based' iPad with a keyboard' POS. That would be absolutely useless for me).

EDIT: I have got to stop commenting on the MBA becoming ARM based (even though that thought is always on my mind when I think about the MBA possibilities). I've already gotten in trouble for repeating things in the same thread ...

 

[iRun26.2]

I was in the US when the new MBA got released and I could compare it to the Acer. The Acer is simply an inferior machine in every aspect (don't start me on the touch screen).

The Samsung was a tragic disappointment to me, I was really holding off for it and then they release a stupid 4GB/128GB and keep it as the only config on the market for 2 months. Wtf... A 2012 Samsung 9 with haswell, 8GB ram, configurable SSD (i.e. 256/512) and same old screen would effectively kill the MBA on all aspects.

I strongly considered the Vaio Pro. I hated the flex that's indispensable with a carbon fiber build, you either hate it or love it. Fans get noisy, the laptop gets hot, flex on the keyboard... etc. The screen is beautiful though. I also had nasty experiences with Vaio in the past (on a mid-level one though).

The Zenbook Infinity will undoubtedly be a better machine than the MBA, but it's likely to cost much more, especially for the higher-end version (that should pose a serious threat to the 13" retinas as well).

When I said that the MBA will have been killed by the end of this year I did have in mind the upcoming Dell XPS 13", it may turn out to be a great piece of hardware at a comparable price. Lenovo is too expensive for me, they only offer small storage options. Those are truly business ultrabooks, not all rounders I think. Doesn't change the fact that they may very well be superior to the MBA.

So overall, I think we are in for some exciting new releases. First from the competition then from Apple.

I am enjoying my new MBA immensely though. I have done my research (as you can see from my lengthy posts) and I settled for what I believed was best for me and my needs (well and cravings ). I just hope Apple doesn't drop the 13" MBA, I would make a switch next year if they supplied it with a retina display next year.

Is there any data on how these other laptops hold up with time? I use my 2010 MBA all of the time (work and home) and its never had a serious problem that I've had to get repaired. That alone has sold me on the Apple brand.

I still think the MBA is the best value for a Windows laptop (via BootCamp) simply because of the build quality.

 

[Alphabetize]

The funny thing is that I still feel that way about my 2010 11" model. It really is a very good little computer. Back then, it was stunningly fast just due to the SSD (groundbreaking technology for a laptop back then). It's behind the times for sure, now, but I'm mostly jealous of the nicer displays out there (and larger SSDs). I do not own or want an iPad but I have seen them in the stores and sure wish that I could have a similar display on my MBA. I would upgrade in a heartbeat (almost irregardless of cost) if Apple upgraded the MBA screen.

The rumors are not only for a retina screen, but also a thinner and lighter version. I can't wait!

(It really is dangerous, though, to get too hopeful about what might be in store for the next MBA. I was so disappointed this past summer when the highlight was much improved battery life. I would certainly like that, for sure, but I was hoping for a better display. I would be absolutely crushed if in 2014 they turned the MBA into a ARM based' iPad with a keyboard' POS. That would be absolutely useless for me).

I generally sit far away enough from my laptop screen that I cannot see the pixels very well. Actually, when I tested out the retina MacBook Pro, unless I got much closer to the screen, I hardly noticed how sharp everything was. From my normal working distance, the retina and non-retina look pretty similar. I think it's somewhat overkill, especially as it puts more strain on the graphics performance. I think the 1440 x 900 of the 13-inch MacBook Air is actually a sweet spot... I'm probably wrong though, but I'm happy with it. Now as for color accuracy and off-axis viewing, the retina MacBook Pro's have much higher quality displays.

I don't think Apple is going to take the route of making the MacBook Air into an iOS device in the near future, especially after the executives say in the keynotes how there should be a separation between desktop and mobile operating systems, but nobody knows what they're planning, so who knows!

I would be completely happy if all Apple did was boost the graphics performance.

 

[skaertus]

I was in the US when the new MBA got released and I could compare it to the Acer. The Acer is simply an inferior machine in every aspect (don't start me on the touch screen).

The Samsung was a tragic disappointment to me, I was really holding off for it and then they release a stupid 4GB/128GB and keep it as the only config on the market for 2 months. Wtf... A 2012 Samsung 9 with haswell, 8GB ram, configurable SSD (i.e. 256/512) and same old screen would effectively kill the MBA on all aspects.

I strongly considered the Vaio Pro. I hated the flex that's indispensable with a carbon fiber build, you either hate it or love it. Fans get noisy, the laptop gets hot, flex on the keyboard... etc. The screen is beautiful though. I also had nasty experiences with Vaio in the past (on a mid-level one though).

The Zenbook Infinity will undoubtedly be a better machine than the MBA, but it's likely to cost much more, especially for the higher-end version (that should pose a serious threat to the 13" retinas as well).

When I said that the MBA will have been killed by the end of this year I did have in mind the upcoming Dell XPS 13", it may turn out to be a great piece of hardware at a comparable price. Lenovo is too expensive for me, they only offer small storage options. Those are truly business ultrabooks, not all rounders I think. Doesn't change the fact that they may very well be superior to the MBA.

So overall, I think we are in for some exciting new releases. First from the competition then from Apple.

I am enjoying my new MBA immensely though. I have done my research (as you can see from my lengthy posts) and I settled for what I believed was best for me and my needs (well and cravings ). I just hope Apple doesn't drop the 13" MBA, I would make a switch next year if they supplied it with a retina display next year.

You said you were in the US... where are you from?

The Samsung Ativ Book 9 with its insane 3200x1800 screen is finally available with better specs. The version with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD is available at Amazon.com for US$ 1,800. http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-NP940...6345&sr=8-3&keywords=samsung+ativ+book+9+plus

The Zenbook Infinity is definitely beautiful. It has great specs too. I found it at Amazon.com for US$ 1,800 with 8 GB and a 256 GB SSD, which is very expensive. http://www.amazon.com/Zenbook-UX301...4086261&sr=8-2&keywords=asus+zenbook+infinity

The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 Pro also has 8 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD, and is US$ 1,550 at Amazon.com, although it probably doesn't look as beautiful as the Samsung and Asus models. http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-IdeaPa...=1384086416&sr=8-2&keywords=lenovo+yoga+2+pro

A MacBook Air with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD costs US$ 1,400 at Apple. If you upgrade the processor to get a better i7 running at 1.7 GHz, then it costs US$ 1,550. So, while it may be cheaper than the PC models, it's not much cheaper. And it has a screen which is not on par with those models.

Now, I don't know how Apple will price a 2014 MacBook Air with retina display. Perhaps it will make it more expensive, on par with these Windows models. Or perhaps it will keep it cheaper, as a worthy competitor to all these hybrid tablets/laptops running full Windows that are coming out these days for as low as US$ 500.

----------

Is there any data on how these other laptops hold up with time? I use my 2010 MBA all of the time (work and home) and its never had a serious problem that I've had to get repaired. That alone has sold me on the Apple brand.

I still think the MBA is the best value for a Windows laptop (via BootCamp) simply because of the build quality.

I think there is no data on that. These are new models, and there has not been enough time to gather data on this.

I don't think there is any relevant data on the reliability of MacBook Airs either. All I see are individual reports from customers, praising Apple's reliability. But these comments are usually by Apple fanboys or people on an Apple forum, so they probably do not represent a relevant universe of consumers that should be taken into consideration.

The only relevant data I've ever found is a research by Consumer Reports, in which Apple is ranked #1. That may tell a story about the Macs, but it doesn't mean the Zenbook or the Ativ 9 are less reliable. That's because the Zenbook and the Ativ 9 are the top-of-line products of Asus and Samsung, and these manufacturers also produce lots of cheaper models which bring their ranks down. Apple, on the other hand, only has products at the high-end, which takes it score up. So, take these with a grain of salt.

 

[stayley]

Is there any data on how these other laptops hold up with time? I use my 2010 MBA all of the time (work and home) and its never had a serious problem that I've had to get repaired. That alone has sold me on the Apple brand.

I still think the MBA is the best value for a Windows laptop (via BootCamp) simply because of the build quality.

The thing you will never hear on an Apple forum is that Windows laptop OEM manufacturers actually can pull off a good job too. My 4 year old Asus has not acted up on me a single time since I bought it and I've been putting it to extensive use. The MBA on the other hand has already given me a headache after it started freezing and giving me black screens of death after a recent and unfortunate EFI update (I had to restore it with Time Machine to pre-update state).

The issue with Windows laptops is that there are so many of them and in so many price ranges, so you are bound to see a lot of crap out there. It doesn't change the fact that manufacturers like Asus or Samsung do manage to deliver premium products of very high build quality and reliability.

I am pretty sure that the top of the line Zenbook Infinity and Ativ Book 9 are on par with the build quality of the MBA. The 2012 Ativ Book 9 already was anyway.

To be honest, I think the new Ativ Book 9 Plus and the Infinity are more premium machines than the MBA. In fact they seem better than the 13" retinas and the price is justified. What I would see Apple do is keep the MBA as an entry level machine and do something really cool about the 13" rMBPs. Like dGPU, Quad core and as much juice as possible, so that it actually is competitive. I think the $1800 is very reasonable for these machines, just as 1400 is for the MBA which simply is an inferior machine at the moment and will potentially remain so.

skaertus, thanks for the update, I didn't realise they were available. If they had similar pricing in the UK I guess I'd be tempted to return the MBA.

You said you were in the US... where are you from?

I'm Polish, I was visiting my girlfriend who is American.

 

[skaertus]

The thing you will never hear on an Apple forum is that Windows laptop OEM manufacturers actually can pull off a good job too. My 4 year old Asus has not acted up on me a single time since I bought it and I've been putting it to extensive use. The MBA on the other hand has already given me a headache after it started freezing and giving me black screens of death after a recent and unfortunate EFI update (I had to restore it with Time Machine to pre-update state).

That's true. I bought a cheap Compaq Presario back in 2004 and it lasted me about 7 years. A white MacBook that I bought in 2008, though, is still working, but I had to replace the battery and the A/C adapter.

The issue with Windows laptops is that there are so many of them and in so many price ranges, so you are bound to see a lot of crap out there. It doesn't change the fact that manufacturers like Asus or Samsung do manage to deliver premium products of very high build quality and reliability.

Yes. There are several ranges of products for each manufacturer. Not only Asus and Samsung, but other manufacturers such as Lenovo or Dell are delivering good products.

I am pretty sure that the top of the line Zenbook Infinity and Ativ Book 9 are on par with the build quality of the MBA. The 2012 Ativ Book 9 already was anyway.

Me too. The Zenbook Infinity looks beautiful on the photos. My sister has a 1st-gen Zenbook and it is solid.

To be honest, I think the new Ativ Book 9 Plus and the Infinity are more premium machines than the MBA. In fact they seem better than the 13" retinas and the price is justified. What I would see Apple do is keep the MBA as an entry level machine and do something really cool about the 13" rMBPs. Like dGPU, Quad core and as much juice as possible, so that it actually is competitive. I think the $1800 is very reasonable for these machines, just as 1400 is for the MBA which simply is an inferior machine at the moment and will potentially remain so.

Perhaps. The fact is that these machines are really pushing Apple prices down. Look at this comparison of 13" machines with Haswell processors:

• MacBook Air: 1.7 GHz Core i7, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 1440x900 resolution, 2.96 lbs, 12-hour battery, US$ 1,549

• MacBook Pro: 2.4 GHz Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 2560x1600 resolution, 3.46 lbs, 9-hour battery, US$ 1,499

• Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus: 1.8 GHz Core i7, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 3200x1800 resolution, 3.06 lbs, 7.5-hour battery, US$ 1,799

• Asus Zenbook UX301LA (Infinity): 1.6 GHz Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 2560x1440 resolution, 2.6 lbs, 8-hour battery, US$ 1,799

• Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 Pro: 1.8 GHz Core i7, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 3200x1800 resolution, 3.06 lbs, 9-hour battery life, US$ 1,499

• Acer Aspire S7: 1.8 GHz Core i7, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 2560x1440 resolution, 2.87 lbs, 7-hour battery life, US$ 1,519

• Sony Vaio Pro 13: 1.8 GHz Core i7, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 1920x1080 resolution, 2.34 lbs, 6.5-hour battery life, US$ 1,799

Battery life as announced by each manufacturer. All of the models have touch screen, except for the Macs. Prices are the ones announced by each manufacturer (some of the models may be found much cheaper, such as the Vaio Pro, which sells for US$ 1,334 at Amazon.com).

As you can see, you may have better choice than the Macs these days, unless (i) you have to use OS X; or (ii) you must have best-in-class battery life. Even if you want to save money, you are able to find something more compelling (even if it comes with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD).

We must have in mind that Windows is a good and capable operating system these days. You can't just compare a Windows laptop to a Mac like you compare an Android smartphone to an iPhone.

skaertus, thanks for the update, I didn't realise they were available. If they had similar pricing in the UK I guess I'd be tempted to return the MBA.

I've taken a look and here's what I found:

Asus Zenbook Infinity, 1.8 GHz core i7, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, £1,699. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zenbook-UX3...4095740&sr=8-1&keywords=asus+zenbook+infinity

Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus, 1.6 GHz Core i5, 4 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, £1,349. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-NP9...5864&sr=8-4&keywords=samsung+ativ+book+9+plus

So, there is availability in the UK and in other countries in the European Union. I guess you may find some in Germany too.

Prices are not on par with the US, but they're not too off either (at least not like here in Brazil, where the cheapest retina MacBook Pro will cost you almost US$ 3,000 (yes, the US$ 1,299 model).

I'm Polish, I was visiting my girlfriend who is American.

Nice.

 

[stayley]

Yes. There are several ranges of products for each manufacturer. Not only Asus and Samsung, but other manufacturers such as Lenovo or Dell are delivering good products.

Oh absolutely, I just gave the two examples I am most familiar with and from personal experience can say that their quality is on par with Apple products.

I am really looking forward to putting my hands on the Haswell XPS13. I hope I won't regret getting the MBA... too much.

Perhaps. The fact is that these machines are really pushing Apple prices down. Look at this comparison of 13" machines with Haswell processors:

• MacBook Air: 1.7 GHz Core i7, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 1440x900 resolution, 2.96 lbs, 12-hour battery, US$ 1,549

• MacBook Pro: 2.4 GHz Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 2560x1600 resolution, 3.46 lbs, 9-hour battery, US$ 1,499

• Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus: 1.8 GHz Core i7, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 3200x1800 resolution, 3.06 lbs, 7.5-hour battery, US$ 1,799

• Asus Zenbook UX301LA (Infinity): 1.6 GHz Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 2560x1440 resolution, 2.6 lbs, 8-hour battery, US$ 1,799

• Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 Pro: 1.8 GHz Core i7, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 3200x1800 resolution, 3.06 lbs, 9-hour battery life, US$ 1,499

• Acer Aspire S7: 1.8 GHz Core i7, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 2560x1440 resolution, 2.87 lbs, 7-hour battery life, US$ 1,519

• Sony Vaio Pro 13: 1.8 GHz Core i7, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 1920x1080 resolution, 2.34 lbs, 6.5-hour battery life, US$ 1,799

Battery life as announced by each manufacturer. All of the models have touch screen, except for the Macs. Prices are the ones announced by each manufacturer (some of the models may be found much cheaper, such as the Vaio Pro, which sells for US$ 1,334 at Amazon.com).

As you can see, you may have better choice than the Macs these days, unless (i) you have to use OS X; or (ii) you must have best-in-class battery life. Even if you want to save money, you are able to find something more compelling (even if it comes with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD).

We must have in mind that Windows is a good and capable operating system these days. You can't just compare a Windows laptop to a Mac like you compare an Android smartphone to an iPhone.

Good research. I do believe it should be so... I mean driving Apple's prices down, because they no longer are as premium as they used to be. It is sad that the Apple brand craze is still strong in some parts of the world (like my home country) and the Apple tax on these machines is just ridiculous (you seem to be having the same experience in Brazil).

I've taken a look and here's what I found:

Asus Zenbook Infinity, 1.8 GHz core i7, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, £1,699. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zenbook-UX3...4095740&sr=8-1&keywords=asus+zenbook+infinity

Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus, 1.6 GHz Core i5, 4 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, £1,349. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-NP9...5864&sr=8-4&keywords=samsung+ativ+book+9+plus

So, there is availability in the UK and in other countries in the European Union. I guess you may find some in Germany too.

Prices are not on par with the US, but they're not too off either (at least not like here in Brazil, where the cheapest retina MacBook Pro will cost you almost US$ 3,000 (yes, the US$ 1,299 model).

When I was getting a new laptop this year to replace my Asus I was prepared to spend a lot of money. The laptop (apart from my guitar-related gear) is the only expensive tangible possession that I really use intensively and is indispensable to my work.

Still, I wanted to keep it within reason and I think that spending anything in excess of 1200 pounds on a non-prosumer laptop (i.e. not a powerful mobile workstation) is just a complete overkill and a waste of money. I got the MBA for 1040 with complimentary Apple Care (that I got through some deal with the London School of Economics), so the Infinity would absolutely be out of the question. I would have considered the Samsung if it was selling for around 1200, but I do like the comfort of 3 years international warranty, especially that I travel a lot. And I really couldn't care less about the touch screen, especially considering the battery life trade-off.

The MBA is indeed everything I looked for in an ultraportable - light, great build quality, excellent keyboard, enough power to push some audio software in my spare time, fantastic battery life (I started working today at 8:30AM, it's 6PM here and I'm at 50%... no comments). The only thing missing from the equation is the screen.

I'm going to NY end of December, so if for whatever reason I get fed up with the MBA I might consider one of the Windows laptops (XPS13?).


Actually, coming back on topic (although discussing the competition seems extremely relevant in this case), I really find it hard to imagine what Apple will do with the MBA next year. As I said before, all I can think of is positioning it at the low-end. Slimming it down and throwing in a retina screen won't cut it to get back on top of the game. I'm starting to think it might be dropped altogether in favour of the rMBP that would be fitted with more powerful specs in the 13" range and possibly slimmed down even more. Maybe the 12", super-slim, ultra light, mediocre specs would become a sort of a powerful facebook/non-tech college/basic business machine.

This could go on and on and on and on...

 

[skaertus]

Oh absolutely, I just gave the two examples I am most familiar with and from personal experience can say that their quality is on par with Apple products.

I am really looking forward to putting my hands on the Haswell XPS13. I hope I won't regret getting the MBA... too much.

I don't know, but the XPS 13 didn't call my attention. It feels heavy. And the Haswell version will have a 1920x1080 resolution, which is not as good as the competitors (I haven't heard of a higher resolution version).

Good research. I do believe it should be so... I mean driving Apple's prices down, because they no longer are as premium as they used to be. It is sad that the Apple brand craze is still strong in some parts of the world (like my home country) and the Apple tax on these machines is just ridiculous (you seem to be having the same experience in Brazil).

The problem is not the Apple tax. The problem is governmental taxes. Taxes are incredibly high here in Brazil, and we have the most expensive consumer electronics in the world. In fact, the price of Macs is reasonable compared to other products. The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga (the original Ivy Bridge version) costed US$ 4,500 at launch here (although it sold for US$ 999 in the US). And a Playstation 4 will cost about US$ 1,800 here in Brazil, although it will sell for US$ 400 in the US. Crazy.

When I was getting a new laptop this year to replace my Asus I was prepared to spend a lot of money. The laptop (apart from my guitar-related gear) is the only expensive tangible possession that I really use intensively and is indispensable to my work.

Still, I wanted to keep it within reason and I think that spending anything in excess of 1200 pounds on a non-prosumer laptop (i.e. not a powerful mobile workstation) is just a complete overkill and a waste of money. I got the MBA for 1040 with complimentary Apple Care (that I got through some deal with the London School of Economics), so the Infinity would absolutely be out of the question. I would have considered the Samsung if it was selling for around 1200, but I do like the comfort of 3 years international warranty, especially that I travel a lot. And I really couldn't care less about the touch screen, especially considering the battery life trade-off.

The MBA is indeed everything I looked for in an ultraportable - light, great build quality, excellent keyboard, enough power to push some audio software in my spare time, fantastic battery life (I started working today at 8:30AM, it's 6PM here and I'm at 50%... no comments). The only thing missing from the equation is the screen.

I'm going to NY end of December, so if for whatever reason I get fed up with the MBA I might consider one of the Windows laptops (XPS13?).

You're really looking into the XPS 13, right?

Actually, coming back on topic (although discussing the competition seems extremely relevant in this case), I really find it hard to imagine what Apple will do with the MBA next year. As I said before, all I can think of is positioning it at the low-end. Slimming it down and throwing in a retina screen won't cut it to get back on top of the game. I'm starting to think it might be dropped altogether in favour of the rMBP that would be fitted with more powerful specs in the 13" range and possibly slimmed down even more. Maybe the 12", super-slim, ultra light, mediocre specs would become a sort of a powerful facebook/non-tech college/basic business machine.

This could go on and on and on and on...

It's hard to predict the future. However, I guess the 12" MacBook Air will have a retina display and will be thinner and lighter. And I think it will be positioned at the low-end of Mac laptops. It has to be because:

• The MacBook Air is late to the "retina display" game.

• It will likely have a 2304x1440 resolution (according to rumors), which is already lower than the premium ultrabooks in the market.

• The premium ultrabooks are selling for very high prices, even the 4 GB RAM/128 GB SSD versions. But prices will drop and, in one year, these laptops will be much more affordable.

• The premium ultrabooks are already lighter than the MacBook Air. The Sony Vaio Pro is much lighter; and the Zenbook Infinity is lighter even though it sports a 2560x1440 resolution.

My guess is that, if Apple really wants to surprise everyone, it has to come with something really impressive. The premium ultrabooks by other manufacturers are already impressive in 2013, so, in a year from now, Apple will have to show something really much better. And not so expensive. Let's see.

 

[stayley]

I don't know, but the XPS 13 didn't call my attention. It feels heavy. And the Haswell version will have a 1920x1080 resolution, which is not as good as the competitors (I haven't heard of a higher resolution version).

1920x1080 on a 13" would be the perfect resolution (well unless they come up with some ultimate scaling option that would make those ridiculous resolutions intelligible on 13" displays no matter the app/program)

The problem is not the Apple tax. The problem is governmental taxes. Taxes are incredibly high here in Brazil, and we have the most expensive consumer electronics in the world. In fact, the price of Macs is reasonable compared to other products. The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga (the original Ivy Bridge version) costed US$ 4,500 at launch here (although it sold for US$ 999 in the US). And a Playstation 4 will cost about US$ 1,800 here in Brazil, although it will sell for US$ 400 in the US. Crazy.

That I of course know about and in fact had a flaming discussion about this issue in one of the topics here. I'm not sure if this is the right place to discuss it if you know what I mean. The European welfare states need their monies Still, controlling for value added tax, tariffs and trade agreements, there is a clear premium on Apple products in Poland. That's what I meant by Apple tax.

You're really looking into the XPS 13, right?

I might, just for the heck of it. I haven't tried this laptop hands-on yet.

It's hard to predict the future. However, I guess the 12" MacBook Air will have a retina display and will be thinner and lighter. And I think it will be positioned at the low-end of Mac laptops. It has to be because:

• The MacBook Air is late to the "retina display" game.

• It will likely have a 2304x1440 resolution (according to rumors), which is already lower than the premium ultrabooks in the market.

• The premium ultrabooks are selling for very high prices, even the 4 GB RAM/128 GB SSD versions. But prices will drop and, in one year, these laptops will be much more affordable.

• The premium ultrabooks are already lighter than the MacBook Air. The Sony Vaio Pro is much lighter; and the Zenbook Infinity is lighter even though it sports a 2560x1440 resolution.

My guess is that, if Apple really wants to surprise everyone, it has to come with something really impressive. The premium ultrabooks by other manufacturers are already impressive in 2013, so, in a year from now, Apple will have to show something really much better. And not so expensive. Let's see.

I agree. The only thing I've gotta say is that I really don't care about the resolution on a 13" display as long as it is >=FHD. I don't want to see competition on spec sheets. There's more important stuff to attend to. For example, rather than sporting a ridiculous screen resolution, the Ativ Book 9 Plus would be a much more compelling alternative if it offered 12h battery life.

And them touch screens :/

 

[yliu]

My guess is that, if Apple really wants to surprise everyone, it has to come with something really impressive. The premium ultrabooks by other manufacturers are already impressive in 2013, so, in a year from now, Apple will have to show something really much better. And not so expensive. Let's see.

I doubt that Apple is making a convertible laptop/tablet. I feel that most Windows convertibles feel 'unpolished' or 'incoherent'. I still feel that the best convertible is the Dell XPS 12, is one of the best as in tablet mode it really feels like a tablet (unlike the Lenovo Yoga with a keyboard on the back) and in laptop mode it feels like a laptop (unlike the Vaio Duo). The ASUS transformer is almost perfect other than a bulky hinge and vents on the back of the screen (body). The Vaio Flip also looks like a strong contender and i'm looking forward to try it.

I think Apple really needs to find a way to make a convertible feel like a laptop in laptop mode with and a tablet in tablet mode with no remains of the other mode.

 

[skaertus]

1920x1080 on a 13" would be the perfect resolution (well unless they come up with some ultimate scaling option that would make those ridiculous resolutions intelligible on 13" displays no matter the app/program)

Yes, there is scaling. Windows 8.1 supports scaling better than Windows 8, and this is going to get better and better.

That I of course know about and in fact had a flaming discussion about this issue in one of the topics here. I'm not sure if this is the right place to discuss it if you know what I mean. The European welfare states need their monies Still, controlling for value added tax, tariffs and trade agreements, there is a clear premium on Apple products in Poland. That's what I meant by Apple tax.

Yes, I know the meaning of Apple tax. We don't suffer so much from it here in Brazil. Apple products are priced very competitively compared to other laptops.

I might, just for the heck of it. I haven't tried this laptop hands-on yet.

I've done it, and, while it feels solid, I was not impressed.

I agree. The only thing I've gotta say is that I really don't care about the resolution on a 13" display as long as it is >=FHD. I don't want to see competition on spec sheets. There's more important stuff to attend to. For example, rather than sporting a ridiculous screen resolution, the Ativ Book 9 Plus would be a much more compelling alternative if it offered 12h battery life.

And them touch screens :/

Battery life is going to get better every year. Next year, Broadwell is supposed to be 30% more effective than Haswell in terms of battery consumption. And IGZO displays consume less battery. So, next year, we should expect perhaps another bump in battery life for laptops, no matter the screen resolution.

 

[skaertus]

I doubt that Apple is making a convertible laptop/tablet. I feel that most Windows convertibles feel 'unpolished' or 'incoherent'. I still feel that the best convertible is the Dell XPS 12, is one of the best as in tablet mode it really feels like a tablet (unlike the Lenovo Yoga with a keyboard on the back) and in laptop mode it feels like a laptop (unlike the Vaio Duo). The ASUS transformer is almost perfect other than a bulky hinge and vents on the back of the screen (body). The Vaio Flip also looks like a strong contender and i'm looking forward to try it.

I think Apple really needs to find a way to make a convertible feel like a laptop in laptop mode with and a tablet in tablet mode with no remains of the other mode.

I don't think Apple will come up with a convertible either. It's just not Apple. No Apple product has a double personality. All of them are very defined in what they do and what they don't.

Most convertibles are indeed unpolished, but that's because the tech was not ready to get them to be good enough. The Dell XPS 11 should be even better than the XPS 12.

But I'm getting really impressed by the new tablets with the Bay Trail platform. Look at the Dell Venue 11 Pro. It's a 10.8" tablet with a 1920x1080 IPS display. Runs Windows 8.1. Weighs just 1.57 lbs (not quite an iPad Air, but slighly heavier than the 4th gen iPad). Battery life is said to be up to 10 hours. It has an Intel Atom inside (a quad-core Atom processor, which should perform well, not the joke inside the netbooks), 2 GB RAM and a 64 GB SSD. Not really a performer here, but it should handle web browsing and office tasks well. And it will cost only US$ 500. Dell also sells a keyboard (that weighs 1.75 lbs) that can be attached to it, and it comes with an additional battery (which should double battery life, according to Dell). The weight goes up to 3.32 lbs with the keyboard. It has its trade-offs, but it looks a very good start for a convertible laptop.

You can also opt for putting a beefier processor on it, and more memory, and more storage, but then price will be up, and so will be the weight.

 

[3lite]

So is IGZO retina or no?

 

[skaertus]

So is IGZO retina or no?

Hard to tell. But if I had to guess, I would bet it's a 12-inch IGZO display with a 2304x1440 resolution (i.e., retina).

 

[iRun26.2]

So is IGZO retina or no?

Not necessarily, but it makes the most sense:

1) IGZO uses less power, which helps cancel the additional power requirements of the GPU required to drive s retina display.

2) IGZO is capable of supporting higher densities of pixels (which is also necessary in a retina display).

If the MBA goes retina, you can almost guarantee that it will have an IGZO display.

 

[m98custom1212]

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.

as you said low end ultrabooks Under what $600?

 

[skaertus]

as you said low end ultrabooks Under what $600?

Yes. Somewhere from US$ 500 to US$ 1,000. Low-end and also most of the mid-range.

 

[iRun26.2]

Does anyone expect to try and use the new rumored 12" retina MBA at the native/maximum resolution setting (to get more workspace rather than get crisper text)?

If the brightness and contrast are high enough, that is what I expect to do. (Note, though, that I have very good up-close vision...I can see the pixels on my iPhone 5 if I want to).

 

[skaertus]

Does anyone expect to try and use the new rumored 12" retina MBA at the native/maximum resolution setting (to get more workspace rather than get crisper text)?

If the brightness and contrast are high enough, that is what I expect to do. (Note, though, that I have very good up-close vision...I can see the pixels on my iPhone 5 if I want to).

Well, if rumors are to be believed, then you would be using a 12" screen at 2304x1440 resolution. That would be a similar pixel density to the current 13" retina MacBook Pro (226 ppi). If you don't consider that to be too small, then you could use it.

 

[thundersteele]

I'm not sure whether a retina screen is really desirable for the MBA. Possible drawbacks:
- reduced battery life
- screen lag issues
- price

The retina MBPs still have issues with screen lag etc, and the Air tends to have a weaker CPU/GPU. Furthermore the retina screen might drive a cost increase, at which point it could be difficult to price the machine below the 13'' rMBP.

On the other hand, it seems very likely that Apple will add retina screens to all of its products, eventually. But maybe they will opt for a hybrid between the 13'' rMBP and the iPad Air:

12''
touch screen
thinner bezel
some smart way to switch from tablet to laptop use

Other companies have tried and mostly failed with laptop/tablet hybrids. But maybe Apple found out how to pull it off properly. If you look at where we are performance wise, the time is right!