When to expect new MBA models

[fjs08]

Is there a "usual" upgrade time for the Mac products, such as the MBA.
I'm looking, but would hate to buy something now only to miss something new and updated coming out in the near future.
I know none of this is written in stone, but I'm sure there is a "usual" upgrade time of the year.....
Thx.
Frank

 

[maflynn]

People are waiting for Ivy Bridge from intel, and that's not due out until April/May. Add a month or two for apple to release it, so you're looking at the summer of 2012 to see a refresh of the MBA

 

[Macman45]

That would work out perfectly for me...But only if they bring out an MBA with a 15" screen and at least a 1TB ssd option+8GB of RAM (Prefer 16) Not asking for much am I?

 

[maflynn]

I think the 1TB SSD may be pushing things. I think that wold be outrageously expensive

 

[PBG4 Dude]

That would work out perfectly for me...But only if they bring out an MBA with a 15" screen and at least a 1TB ssd option+8GB of RAM (Prefer 16) Not asking for much am I?

2 years from now? Definitely not. Today? I think you're pushing the price envelope beyond even Apple's comfort. The 1TB SSD is $1,100 retail today.

 

[MacBH928]

I was wondering if the new models are going to be an ALL NEW models . The current aluminum design has been around for a long time. I had my macbook that is late 2008 model , we are in 2012 and they still basically the same looks. I got no idea when the current aluminum design was released.

A friend of mine mentioned that they will have all new laptops, but I thought Apple wont change it. If its not broken, dont fix it

 

[maflynn]

The current aluminum design has been around for a long time.

The MBA is only three years old, I doubt very much if apple is going to make any changes to the enclosure. As to the use of the aluminum in of itself, I doubt they'll change that any time as well.

What are the alternatives, plastic - carbon fiber? The Alu looks sleek and is part of apple's signature design philosophy

 

[fjs08]

What will Ivy Bridge do that Sandy Bridge isn't doing now??
Will a "normal every day user" like me notice any difference??
Frank

 

[Boe11]

What will Ivy Bridge do that Sandy Bridge isn't doing now??
Will a "normal every day user" like me notice any difference??
Frank

Probably not. It's estimated to be about 20% faster which isn't going to blow your cap off. Another factor to consider is that when Ivy Bridge is released, it's very unlikely that the Macbook Pro and Macbook Air updates will be released side by side. If history is any indication, it's likely that the MBP will be released first, which could push back the new MBA release by 3-4 months, putting it into late summer or even fall.

Keep in mind these are just the speculative ramblings of a deranged man, but I'd say buy now.

 

[maflynn]

What will Ivy Bridge do that Sandy Bridge isn't doing now??
Will a "normal every day user" like me notice any difference??
Frank

For your reading pleasure
Wikipedia

 

[No-Me]

The current aluminum design has been around for a long time.

ehh, nope, the current design was introduced in october 2010, the first generation of MacBook Airs had a different, rounder design.
Can't imagine a whole different design will be introduced in 2012 or maybe even in 2013.

I hope an update will be introduced in April/May,.. would be a great timing to trade in 11" (first gen 11")

 

[gentlefury]

That would work out perfectly for me...But only if they bring out an MBA with a 15" screen and at least a 1TB ssd option+8GB of RAM (Prefer 16) Not asking for much am I?

If that does exist, expect to pay upwards of $4000 for it! You should add that it needs to have a retina display, a 20 hour battery, and fairy dust dispenser that lets you fly!

 

[fjs08]

I'd love to get a 15" model.
Hate to wait till summer though.
Hopefully something comes out earlier than later.
Frank

 

[maflynn]

I'd love to get a 15" model.
Hate to wait till summer though.
Hopefully something comes out earlier than later.
Frank

Not likely why would apple release new laptop or a refresh when Ivy Bridge is being prepped.

 

[fyrefly]

What will Ivy Bridge do that Sandy Bridge isn't doing now??
Will a "normal every day user" like me notice any difference??
Frank

On top of the ~20% performance boost, Ivy Bridge will also include the Intel GMA 4000 graphics card. This will allow the MBA to power two external displays (with the main display on as well). The current MBA is limited to one external display.

The GMA4000 will also be better at games, flash video, etc...

Ivy Bridge should also be better at battery life - so add on 30 mins+ (hopefully maybe another hour even) to the MBA's battery life.

 

[Cheffy Dave]

That would work out perfectly for me...But only if they bring out an MBA with a 15" screen and at least a 1TB ssd option+8GB of RAM (Prefer 16) Not asking for much am I?

And then I woke up

 

[MacBH928]

ehh, nope, the current design was introduced in october 2010, the first generation of MacBook Airs had a different, rounder design.
Can't imagine a whole different design will be introduced in 2012 or maybe even in 2013.

I hope an update will be introduced in April/May,.. would be a great timing to trade in 11" (first gen 11")

Actually the Unibody design has been around since 2008, and its 2012. that will make it about 3 years in october 2008 .

Apple used to released new designs much faster, I believe from 99-2006, which is 7 years, they released: Clamshell iBooks, Powerbook Titanium, white ibooks, macbooks, powerbook G4 aluminum, and Macbook Pro. So thats 6 models in 7 years.

 

[KPOM]

Actually the Unibody design has been around since 2008, and its 2012. that will make it about 3 years in october 2008 .

Apple used to released new designs much faster, I believe from 99-2006, which is 7 years, they released: Clamshell iBooks, Powerbook Titanium, white ibooks, macbooks, powerbook G4 aluminum, and Macbook Pro. So thats 6 models in 7 years.

I see them sticking with unibody for quite a while. The 2010 revision was pretty significant. They redesigned the hinge, added a 2nd USB port, and the SD slot in the 13" model. They also redesigned the cooling system.

I think we're more likely to see a radical redesign of the MacBook Pro than the MacBook Air. The latter will likely get a processor boost and USB 3.0.

 

[fjs08]

Thoughts on how likely a 15" MBA is??
13" is tough on my "eyes."<g>
I need a 14-15" screen.
My 15" MBP is perfect screen size for me. It's just OLD.
Thx.
Frank

 

[Sjhonny]

On top of the ~20% performance boost, Ivy Bridge will also include the Intel GMA 4000 graphics card. This will allow the MBA to power two external displays (with the main display on as well). The current MBA is limited to one external display.

The GMA4000 will also be better at games, flash video, etc...

Ivy Bridge should also be better at battery life - so add on 30 mins+ (hopefully maybe another hour even) to the MBA's battery life.

The HD 4000 (GMA is an extra chipset on the motherbord), an IGP on the same die as the CPU, offers 30% better performance then the HD 3000 in the Sandy Bridge. It's not because it'll be able to render 4096x4096 pixels, it'll be able to drive two external displays, without an external GPU. That'll depend on which Thunderbolt chipset will be used. If the same (Eagle ridge) is used as in current gen MBA, you wouldn't be able to daisy chain an extra display.

 

[No-Me]

Actually the Unibody design has been around since 2008, and its 2012. that will make it about 3 years in october 2008

Yeah, but it's not "the same unibody design" They have changed it between the first 2 generations of MacBook air's and the last 2 generations.

I really hope they will stick with it for some time, the old titaniums and first generation macbook pro's all had problems, the current design doesn't have a lot of flaw area's, so I really hope they will not change it anytime soon. An improvement every now and than is nice, but not really necessary

 

[mariocapo]

The other benefit to waiting for Ivy is that it will natively support USB 3.0. That's a little bit of an incentive for me when waiting to upgrade my 2010 13" Air. It's why I skipped the '11 update. My '10 is no slouch either, so no need to hurry the upgrade.

 

[cragmr]

What will Ivy Bridge do that Sandy Bridge isn't doing now??
Will a "normal every day user" like me notice any difference??
Frank

Ivy Bridge adds native USB 3.0 support, something normal every day users will certainly benefit from, unlike Thunderbolt.