RAM has never been an issue for me with Lightroom, Photoshop & FCP X. It’s the MacBook Air after all. Apple bring people in to the Mac System through this little powerhouse for users that simply don’t need (to pay for) the extra RAM. It’s still cost effective to upgrade to 16GB if you don’t want to shell out for the MacBook Pro.
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What to Expect If Apple Debuts a New MacBook Air at WWDC Next Week
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Fair point, but why add in an extra port ($$) when it’s not needed for this device? Genuine question.
I'm currently using an older Air and waiting for the new one to order. I generally don't care about color and notch doesn't bother me. Features predicted sound fine with me - hopefully wait time to get won't be too long.
As a networks guy I would love to see the inclusion of WiFi 6E and support for faster 160Mhz or greater wireless channels!
My guess: the new MacBook Air will use a "tweaked" M1 with faster CPU and GPU cores, and with up to 10 GPU cores. Still wished they didn't use MagSafe 3, since the new MacBook Air could easily by charged through the current USB Type C port at 45 to 61 watts using Power Delivery 3.0 specs.
MagSafe charging is better. Safer and faster.
That would be M2.
M1 maxes out at 8 GPU cores. They're not going to build a M1+ just for this.
Literally why?
The current MBA at its thickest point is thicker than the low-end MacBook Pro, and the entire thing is only 0.2lb lighter.
When I moved from my 2016 mbp to the M1 mba I was shocked how the “Air” in its name isn’t really accurate.
Sure it’s not heavy or thick by any means, but it definitely felt straight out of 2010.
If ditching the wedge let’s the entire thing get thinner and lighter, I’m all for it.
If it can get this thing closer to the 12 inch MacBook then the 13 inch MacBook Pro then it’s a win win for me
You realize that even with MagSafe, the USB-C ports still charge just fine?
This white notch nonsense needs to stop. The reason its black on the MBP is so it can disappear when you go in full screen mode.
Making it white would eliminate this.
It makes no sense.
Making it white would eliminate this.
It makes no sense.
I just want the notch to go all the way across the top of the screen
That being said, only thing I am missing from my MB Air M1 is support for multiple external monitors.
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I find the taper a lot more comfortable to type on. I used an older MacBook Pro for a while with a squared-off front, and it always felt like that sharp edge was digging into my palm a bit more than I'd like.
The old 11" Air was, for me, just about the most comfortable typing machine I've ever used because of the size, the taper and of course the great travel on those keys.
Disagree. It's not a "premium" feature -- it's a basic cord safeguard and convenience that was standard in every MacBook for many years. The reintroduction of Magsafe in Mac laptops is just a needed course correction from Jony Ive running amok and removing every useful port in the name of laptop anorexia.
Once the screen lights up, the backlight very much outshines the white bezel in apparent brightness to the eye. In actual use (not studio photos of shut-off computers) it fades away to a neutral gray.
I do hope the actual redesign looks better than the mock-ups. The mock-ups look really cheap and just kind of plain bad.
I suppose it makes sense since the new iMac also looks less classy and less premium than the outgoing aluminum model with the black glass panel. It used to be that all Apple products looked classy, but it looks like nowadays the minimalistic classy looking designs are saved for the Pro/Studio lineup of (very expensive) products, and all the lower priced more accessible products get quirky colorful designs. I guess that’s an effective way of being able to sell Apple products to more people and yet still maintain that sense of exclusivity for the people with the actually good looking Pro/Studio products.
I suppose it makes sense since the new iMac also looks less classy and less premium than the outgoing aluminum model with the black glass panel. It used to be that all Apple products looked classy, but it looks like nowadays the minimalistic classy looking designs are saved for the Pro/Studio lineup of (very expensive) products, and all the lower priced more accessible products get quirky colorful designs. I guess that’s an effective way of being able to sell Apple products to more people and yet still maintain that sense of exclusivity for the people with the actually good looking Pro/Studio products.
The slightly tapered wedge of the current Air is one of the best shapes in Apple design history, and the notch is one of the worst. What a shame if this is all true.
I think MBA will get minimal (cheapest for Apple) improvement to avoid cannibalism with other Macbooks. So, my guess they’re only MagSafe and 16gb for base model, plus maybe more color options. MBA‘s strength is its price point, also intended for new Mac users (migrated from window). I think Apple will make MBA differentiation become much clearer to these new users.
With the chances of Apple revealing its mixed reality headset at WWDC 2022 looking decidedly less likely as its developer conference creeps nearer, rumors of Apple's new-look MacBook Air have once again come to the fore. Here's everything we expect to see if Apple chooses to announce a new version of its slimmest notebook next week.
Redesigned Chassis
The design of the current MacBook Air has been synonymous with the company's thinnest notebook since October 2010. The existing tapered design goes from thicker at the back to thinner at the front.
Tapered design of current MacBook Air
By contrast, the new MacBook Air is expected to look much more like a slimmed-down version of the MacBook Pro, with rounded edges on the bottom and squared-off edges on the top. Rumors have also suggested the new MacBook Air is thinner and lighter, with slimmer borders around the display than the current model.
White Bezels and Keyboard
The MacBook Air is rumored to be modeled after the 24-inch iMac, with off-white bezels around the display and a matching off-white keyboard. Given that Apple adopted full-size function keys on its latest MacBook Pro models, Apple may well bring this look to the MacBook Air as well.
Apple also adopted an all-black well for the MacBook Pro's keyboard, so an all-white variation for the MacBook Air is expected.
Notch
Last year's MacBook Pro surprised us all with a notch for the camera, and all the rumors suggest the MacBook Air will have the same notch, but this time in white, in order to match the bezels and keyboard.
Most MacBook Pro owners will tell you the notch isn't an issue as its ingression into the menu bar allows for more screen real estate below, and it effectively disappears from view when in fullscreen mode, which turns the menu bar black. However, the new MacBook Air is likely to stoke another round of "notch controversy," with the divisive factor this time being its color rather than its mere existence.
Multiple Colors
Continuing with the iMac theme, the new MacBook Air is expected to be made available in several color options. The colors could be similar to the 24-inch iMac, which comes in blue, green, pink, silver, yellow, orange, and purple. (There is also unfettered speculation online that Apple's WWDC artwork hints at several new MacBook Air colors.)
Apple has a history of using bright colors for its non Pro machines (the iBook G3, for example) and different color options would clearly distinguish the MacBook Air from its Pro sibling.
Slightly Larger LCD Display
The 2022 MacBook Air will feature a display size of 13.6-inches, according to Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) analyst Ross Young. This would make it 0.3-inches larger than the current MacBook Air, but still 0.6-inches smaller than the current 14.2-inch MacBook Pro.
Young told MacRumors that the 2022 MacBook Air will not feature a mini-LED display or ProMotion technology. This runs counter to claims from DigiTimes that the this year's MacBook Air will get a mini-LED display, but Young maintains that it will use an LCD display to maintain a lower price point compared to the high-end MacBook Pros.
M1 or M2 Processor
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said earlier this year that the 2022 MacBook Air would retain the M1 chip rather than feature the M2 processor. Meanwhile, ShrimpApplePro has claimed that Apple is working on the "final SoC of M1 series," featuring updated cores, so it's possible that this relates to a new version of the entry-level M1.
Releasing a MacBook Air with a mid-generation iteration of the standard M1 chip could help Apple buy time before releasing Macs with the M2 chip next year, when TSMC's more advanced N3 fabrication process becomes available.
Apple could well call the chip in the new MacBook Air the "M2" to boost sales, but it may opt to save the "M2" name for a much more substantial upgrade over the previous generation in 2023 to further enhance Apple silicon's brand image.
1080p Webcam
As part of their redesign, the latest MacBook Pro models got a 1080p webcam for the first time. With the 27-inch iMac, 24-inch iMac, and the high-end MacBook Pro now featuring a 1080p webcam, the likelihood is that the MacBook Air will also benefit from one.
MagSafe and 2x Thunderbolt/USB4
For the redesigned MacBook Pro models, Apple brought back its much-loved MagSafe charging connector. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has claimed MagSafe is also coming to the MacBook Air.
Other connectivity options will be more modest, however. Gurman clams MagSafe will feature in addition to a pair of Thunderbolt/USB4 ports for connecting external devices.
MacBook Air Debut at WWDC?
A new MacBook Air announcement at WWDC certainly isn't a certainty. Apple could well decide to hold back the notebook in favor of a release later in the year when the ongoing supply chain issues are less impactful on its business.
That said, Apple's existing MacBook Air models are the only M1 Macs on its online store that are currently experiencing shipping delays, which could always be a hint that Apple is preparing to launch a new model.
Article Link: What to Expect If Apple Debuts a New MacBook Air at WWDC Next Week
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Stop editorializing. It's an issue. It routinely forces the Help menu option toward the right side, where it's harder to find.
Worse, it causes some 3rd party app menu bar widgets to disappear until I relaunch/awaken their apps, like Dropbox, Pastebot, Time Machine, iStat Menus, VPN, Amphetamine. It's a major productivity stopper.
Wow!...Maybe white keyboards and bezels are not that bad...LOLI've told this story before, and I'll tell it again.
When I first got my 12" G3 iBook way back in 2001, all of a sudden young women came out of the woodwork to ask me about it. I'd be sitting at a bench outside or else in a coffee shop, and these pretty young ladies would randomly strike up conversations with me. As a straight guy who isn't much to look at, I must say I was quite pleased.
Then in 2002 I got a G4 PowerBook Titanium, and all of a sudden all of the interest stopped.
It's obvious that they were just interested in the iBook, but nonetheless I appreciated the attention. Suffice it to say I have very fond memories of my white iBook.
I’m looking to replace my 2019 13” MacBook Pro with an Apple silicon Mac, this may be it if it’s announced at WWDC.
[sarcasm]
I want a notch even if there is no Face ID (because I believe Apple can do no wrong), rounded edges on the top of the display but 90-degree edges on the bottom of the display (because asymmetrical screens look so professional), and no headphone jack (because it shows courage).
[/sarcasm]
I want a notch even if there is no Face ID (because I believe Apple can do no wrong), rounded edges on the top of the display but 90-degree edges on the bottom of the display (because asymmetrical screens look so professional), and no headphone jack (because it shows courage).
[/sarcasm]
Yeah this is my real concern with the notch, and the concern grows with the smaller screen. I mean if they could make the notch much narrower so close to the webcam shape it wouldn't be as huge of an issue, but right now it is awkwardly wide for something that doesn't even include FaceID.