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Why retain the MacBook Air name?
- Thread starter mectojic
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I also think that it's the branding. "MacBook Air" is an iconic name that is recognised and very popular. Apple must have done some research and decided that customers prefer the "Air".
It is the marketing. Now Apple is claiming that the MacBook Air is the world's best-selling laptop. I do not know which metrics they use to affirm that, but that is probably the reason why they stick to the name.
Absolutely.
The success of new consumer electronics is just as much about referencing previous products that were a hit just as music or movies sequels reference the original, hit-movie.
Tom Cruise could gather the exact same cast and promote his newest movie as the follow-up to Top Gun (1986) all damn day.
But if it doesn't say "Top Gun 2" somewhere on the movie poster and in the trailers in big bold letters, if he names the movie something else, then the movie would be nowhere near as successful.
I know it's offensively obvious. But block-buster, "hit"-products can't afford to appeal to just insiders and fans. It has to be recognisable to everyone and their mother. Literally.
I think the Air name is just so legendary, no one would recognize the “MacBook.” AirPods and AirTag ALSO use Air, so why take it away from Mac?
I always took it to be the name based on the weight.
Certainly no longer can be confused with lightness of price. What was once an easy, (comparatively) inexpensive MacBook for students and workers on the go, has had its price spike over last few years. Now the price jumped again - in Canada, the price for the base M2 will be $CDN200 more than the M1. $CDN1499 vs $CDN1299. Ever closer to the Pro (and even closer to the iMac) - until they next go up in price. And despite what Apple would love us to believe - remember the 'What's a computer?' ad series for iPads - they still aren't a viable alternative to a inexpensive 'real' computer, regardless of price.
Certainly no longer can be confused with lightness of price. What was once an easy, (comparatively) inexpensive MacBook for students and workers on the go, has had its price spike over last few years. Now the price jumped again - in Canada, the price for the base M2 will be $CDN200 more than the M1. $CDN1499 vs $CDN1299. Ever closer to the Pro (and even closer to the iMac) - until they next go up in price. And despite what Apple would love us to believe - remember the 'What's a computer?' ad series for iPads - they still aren't a viable alternative to a inexpensive 'real' computer, regardless of price.
Exactly. If you just say "Macbook" people would think it's a drink from Starbucks or a car made by Volvo. Then you add "Air" and suddenly everybody knows you're talking about a laptop all along.
Good point but the Air name is iconic. Come to think about it I haven't heard the phrase "ultrabook" in a while. At least they're not calling it "thin pro plus".
Branding and because it's light
If people are saying the Macbook Air name is dated, how come they aren't questioning why the iMac (name) still exists?
If people are saying the Macbook Air name is dated, how come they aren't questioning why the iMac (name) still exists?
It’s marketing. MBA is the best selling laptop. Taking out the “Air” branding is just silly at this point.
Also Apple could always refer to the day Steve Jobs took the first ever MBA out of the envelope, in promotional materials celebrating the anniversary of MBA or something in the future. The MBA has a decent heritage.
Also Apple could always refer to the day Steve Jobs took the first ever MBA out of the envelope, in promotional materials celebrating the anniversary of MBA or something in the future. The MBA has a decent heritage.
It's just a byproduct of the 2010 Air becoming the consumer laptop with the same design for 7+ years... the name has transcended it's original intention. It's like an acronym where the original meaning gets lost to time.
And they lost their chance to reshuffle with the anti-climatic MacBook returned.
And they lost their chance to reshuffle with the anti-climatic MacBook returned.
Apple tried to replace the Air when they brought out the 12” Macbook but with retina, it was too expensive and the performance and ports were terrible. People kept buying the older Air because it gave you more performance and features at a lower price. When Apple added retina to the Air, sales of the 12” tanked. People just wanted the Air.
They may do a 12” but it will probably be called the 12” MBA. There are also rumors of a 15” MBA next year. It is clear that Apple has finally settled on Air for their consumer priced laptops and Pro for the higher end models.
How so? This 13.3” MBA is lighter and more powerful than any previous 13” Air model.
who cares? if apple sees this as a new air (they're allowed to redesign it), then it's a new air. it's all speculation & opinions here, none of us were in on the meetings about naming conventions.
my guess (nothing more than that) is, if we do see a new 12" (and i'm praying for it), it will be a 'macbook'... as is the one i'm typing on now (2016 12").
my guess (nothing more than that) is, if we do see a new 12" (and i'm praying for it), it will be a 'macbook'... as is the one i'm typing on now (2016 12").
Not to the previous model, rather it is the lite version of the pro variant.
Pro has more power, better screen, better speakers, etc.
what? all of that is... absurd (the 'powerbook' theory especially).
white lasted... thru the ibooks, and that one first macbook. and what's wrong with 'macbook'?
To each their own. I seem to recall reading about the Powerbook name. Probably wrong. Most 'certainly' is wrong.
Macbook is ok but getting old, imho. These comments are highly subjective.