Why buy 13 i5 MacBook Pro with new MacBook Air coming out

[Ma2k5]

With the MacBook being basically a better Air, and the MacBook Pro starting at a similar price, the Air only really exists to have a sub $1000 PC in their lineup. I think once they can get the component cost down, the Air will be dropped and 'replaced' by the MacBook.

They could release a new Air, and I am hoping they do. But seeing as the whole sales point was a small, light, portable computer - the MacBook really is a better fit. If they released an Air with better internals, and a retina screen, it would literally just be the MacBook. So I'm not sure realistically what they can do with it.

Either way, I'd expect to have an end to this saga by the years end. The Air is the last device using MagSafe and they're going to want to streamline all their machines. So the Air might get some updates and lack the Retina display (Which would be stupid in 2018) or they might drop it and replace with a cheaper MacBook.

Who knows really? But the Air and the MBP are targeted at completely different audiences. If you need portability over everything, then the Air is king. If you need power, then you need the MBP.

The Air was updated/replaced as the Non-Touchbar (according to Apple). Later this year, we will see an update for the 12" and the non-touch bar model. I do think however they should re-brand the non-touch without Pro, maybe Air again even.

I disagree with the amalgamation of the 12" and the "Air" (non-touch bar at the moment) models though.

Firstly, I see 12" as a more luxury item and as a result not that cheap due to the portability. It suits people who really love the compact/silent experience and will use it very much for content consumption (although it does have the ability to do some work). It is still on the smaller side of scale for screen size but it's still as big as most comparable tablets, with the added benefit of having a dedicated keyboard and a desktop OS. It's all about portability and silence.

For those who don't want or need a MacBook Pro, to have to settle for the MacBook 12" however doesn't make sense. Most users who need an average laptop will probably be looking for at least a 13", just without all the extra power of the Pro line and at a cheaper price. That is where the nTB/Air come in. They use a 15w CPU compared to a 5w CPU of the MacBook 12", which means it is not silent but is also capable to do a lot more as a result. A lot of people who do dev or design can comfortably work on the MacBook Air, may not be as fast as a Pro but people are happy with that for the cost drop (and battery jump). At the same time, many won't be comfortable with their workflow on a 5w CPU (some may, most won't in my opinion).

The MacBook is just not powerful enough to take the role of the Air/non-touch bar model and also has a screen size that may be too small for many.

I think we have a good balance of:

5w silent CPU - MacBook
15w CPU - Macbook non-touchbar (aka Air replacement)
28w CPU + - 13" MacBook Pro
45w CPU - 15" MacBook Pro

I just think the naming convention is off.

 

[automan98]

Will the new MB(A) 's have dual core or quad core ?

Because if only dual core then theres your reason

Looks like it’s four cores, from the reports.
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Do you really think that Apple will release a new macbook air or whatever which will have almost the same performance, display and lighter form factor, but also will selled for half of the MBP price? Good luck.

I think this is a great point. Though I think during this period of not knowing exactly what the MBA will be, yet knowing the CPU they are using, for those looking at a low end MBP vs waiting for the new MBA have a tough decision and should probably wait it out.