Apple's MacBook Air supply dries up as rumors of new 11.6-inch model persist - Page 2

wait, that's another thing, I wouldn't replace my pbook 12" which already has about a cm more vertical real estate than the 13" air with an even smaller v. screen size model, no way.

I'm reading that the Apple Wireless Keyboard is only 11" wide. If we assume Apple switches to a 16:9 aspect ratio (say what you will about it, they did switch on the iMacs), an 11.6" screen would feature a 10.1" width. Add half an inch to each side for the bezel and the keyboard fits. It's just within the realm of possibility.

Fair enough. I guess you'll have to keep waiting

Unless you're a waif model, at this point there is absolutely no reason to get the Air instead of the MBP 13. Speaking of which, what I'm really interested in is a refresh of the MBP 13, and with the iPad around, I'm not sure there's a future at all for the Air.

For many of us that reason is the glare from the mbp 13" glass, had there been an anti glare option i would have been the perfect replacement for the old pbook, a proper pbook 12" replacemnt for people who want to work instead of kids who want to watch dark blacks in movies...

It's one of those few things about apple that is incomprehensible to me, why they are not offering a matte option, and they are letting their market erode to the sony's and the lenovo's just for a friggin screen. And I don't think it's in order to push people to buy the 15" model...

A monumental fail this choice to me.

Steve, eventually, please take note of that, at last, damn it.

It is a possibility, i just think there is a greater possibility that there is no change in screen size... but as always with Apple we will have to wait and see.

I for one would not buy a computer that small, if they refresh it as a 13.3 i would definitely consider it, but as i am seeing in this an other forums there seems to be a good amount of people interested on a 11.6 so maybe if the numbers are right for Apple they will go ahead and do it.

It's all about mobility and less weight to carry around. I'd rather be sitting in a restaurant updating my website or a report on an MBA than having to sit at home in my den working...I don't want to carry around the heavy MBP 13" even though it's a very powerful laptop.

Yes, I would prefer sitting in a restaurant and NOT updating my website/reports but that's life!

Best!

PS. As wonderful as my den is, it's starting to feel like a a cubicle. For all those who wish they could work at home, it's not that great. I really miss the human interaction. Don't miss having a boss or a commute, though. So doing my work sitting at a restaurant by the lake is very fine...I do have a tendency to drink too much beer, though. Oh well, there are worse things, I guess.

PSS. My GF's cats like me being home!

I wouldn't be surprised to see it remain the same this iteration. I just don't think it has a future in the 13" segment if the macbook continues to shrink. It will eventually have to merge with the macbook or get smaller.

That i completely agree with

this is really a long time Macbook AIr not update , hope apple will redesign the air!!! don't let us down!!

This info plus the previous weeks patent on a multi-touchbased Mac OS X makes me wonder if they will make a hybrid tablet/notebook. At 11.6 this might be feasible. Having a CocoaTouch overlay UI in the way Apple introduced the 10 foot UI BackRow for the AppleTV by first creating the 10 foot UI FrontRow for Mac OS X.



QFT

The aspect ratio difference means that the 12 PB is actually taller than the 13 MB/MBA/MBP.



Id love that across all Mac notebooks, but even without a cellular option Id love a GPS chip for Find My Mac that could be incorporated to the lowest levels of the system so unless a thief changes the digital representation of the BiAs then devices could still be found even after a reinstall of Mac OS X.

I know the feeling. I had a wife like that once....

As one of those that carry a macbook and iPad (and iPhone) everywhere (occupational hazard, I suppose), I am very much interested in a more powerful MBA with the 13" screen. 4GB of RAM would be nice. Upgradeable to 8GB would be nicer.

I am not a waif model (the thought makes me laugh) but the less that I have to carry, the easier life is is - especially with a suit jacket on as i found out the other day.

It was Oppenheimer who kept saying that at a different meeting... and I agree with him.

I tried a "high-end" netbook back in late '08 to as a hackintosh. Driver issues aside (I even beefed up the RAM and got a broadcom wifi miniPCI), I got OSX running fine on it as well as Ubuntu Netbook Remix.

The netbook (Atom-based) was quite decent in performance for it's price, but the hardware just SUCKED. The input device kept registering false clicks, the keyboard was too small, and it was loud compared to my macbook unibody.

All in all, I just gave it to a friend who just wanted a cheapo desktop (she already had a monitor/mouse)... it was good for that. It failed at it's original goal to be portable and usable.

Input device quality matters, and Apple has cornered the market there.

That is exactly my problem. I'm looking for a small notebook that will serve as my coach potato/travel computer. I love the MBA but it's about 2.5x the cost of what i'm willing to spend, and I don't need a full OSX based computer. I can't seem to justify the cost, when all i'd use one for is internet, email and the occasional Netflix/Hulu viewing. The iPad won't due because it has no physical keyboard to type on (i.e. emailing and blogs and forums). Problem is a netbook won't work because of what everyone (including SJ) as already mentioned, slow slow slow. If they made the iPad with a fold-out keyboard, like a laptop, I'd be 100% satisfied. Edit: now i'm not exactly sure how Airplay works, but if you could run it on a laptop and stream music from your primary iTunes server to the iPad or another MBA...that would be all I would need.

I see the rumored MBA (as rumored) as filling the gaping void between iPad and MBP. I've thought of plenty of reasons I won't buy an iPad... and the MBA-as-rumored would fix them, were it a box at a reasonable price.

Of course, SJ and his band could well muck up the design or the running environment...\

I look forward to this little wonder.

As long as peoples see this new AIR as a notebook it won't have sales problems. The trick here is for Apple to get the port allotment right, along with storage so that the device is seen as a notebook and not a netbook.

Demand is there still for small Laptops. Especially if we are talking about a small Laptop with a truly powerful CPU. In other words an ATOM free Laptop. I'm still thinking the unit will have a Bobcat based AMD Fusion processor. It just seems like the ideal solution for a device of this type.

More importantly this could give Apple the opportunity to produce a high quality sub $800 laptop. Maybe well below that number. In effect close to netbook prices but with far better performance and run time.

Now this might not be the computer for me or you but it could be ideal for many users. As I've said the demand is there. The idea that the whole platform might only use 20 to 25 watts is very inviting especially if paired with a decently sized battery.

@fjpoblam: yes, with the iPad topping out at $829, a $799 11.6" MBA or even call it an "iBook" and let it bridge the gap between the iPad and the MBP. Let it run iOS and OSX, either combined or some hybrid version. That's what I'd like to see.

Edit: I can just see the commercials now: "all the Apps you know and love, combined with enough power to run OSX...wrapped up in the thinest, lightest Mac EVER...the all new, Revolutionary iBook." This could be the ideal Student PC, and I'm not talking about College, but K-12...however I could see this as a college device as well.

Price it around $1000 and I will be first in line.

1) That price point seems low to me if we assume at least Core-i7 SFF CULV ($300+?), 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD. I don't see Apple porting Mac OS X to ARM.

2) As I noted earlier in this thread having a 11.6" that could run a CocoaTouch overlay app, like Apple does with FrontRow, might work, but I think only iPad apps would be useful. Who uses iPgone/Touch apps on their iPad. It's just a horrid experience.

PS: A 9.7" 4:3 display is what length on the short side? How much different is this from an 11.6" 16:10 display on the short side?

Edit: 11.6" at 16:10 is 6.15" on short side. 9.7" at 4:3 is 5.83" on short side. That's a difference of 0.32" or 0.16" on each side so I doubt they would stretch iPad apps to fill that extra space. That leaves pixel density as a potential issue as Mac OS X is not yet RI.

Edit 2: if they use 1280x800 on an 11.6" display this will only be a difference of 3 ppi or about 10 total pixels per square inch off the iPad's display. Many iPad apps will still need to be adjusted if they didn't follow SDK guidelines and this will a bit constrained for Mac OS X UI elements, but no more than Apple's higher density display options for the 15" and 17" MBPs, and will have the added benefit of likely being closer to the eyes thus negating the issue for many. I just hope RI comes in 10.7 so this is no longer an issue and we start seeing some real display resolution density changes on Macs.

Why not, my MacBook Pro 13" has a keyboard that is 11" wide and could be trimmed by trimming some of the wide keys, tab, shift, return. Also my 13" diag screen fits in a 13" wide top, so the MacBook Air could be 11.6" wide with an 11" wide keyboard.

Yeah, $799 seemed low as I typed it. The post after mine that calls $999 would probably be more reasonable, given what I dreamed up in my last post. But you have to take into account that a hybrid OSX/iOS ("iBook" as I call it) would probably not need such hefty specs to run smoothly.

There are many Apps that are written for both Touch and iPad (i.e. Netflix App. and iBooks to name a few). Many App Devs are writing them for both now. So I don't see compatibility with screen size as that big of an issue. And take into account, what I'm speculating doesn't necessarily have to be a 16x10 or 4x3 screen. The ipad and Touch have different ratios too (i think the iPad is a 3x2 screen).

But Steve Jobs actually compared the iPhone 3G to a netbook.

The iPad doesn't even come close to replacing a netbook though, it's a different category altogether. I hardly even use my iPad anymore, because it can't do most of the things I need from a portable device.

Personally, I'd like to see Apple drop both the MBA and the plastic MB and replace them with a 10-11" Mac netbook with similar feature specs to HPs netbooks (built-in 3G, 3 USB ports, SD card slot, HDMI out, etc). I'd be first in line for one of those!

Check again .

The thing about the Air's screen that makes it tolerable for me is that it doesn't have the layer of glass in front of it. Glossy is somewhat doable for me if its only the panel, but then Apple had to add the layer of glass in front of its Macbook Pro line and Cinema Display, as well as the iMac that just put the reflectiveness over the top for me.

You can easily see the huge decrease in reflectiveness if you pop the glass off of an iMac for example using a pair of good suction cups (be careful!). The difference is astonishing and makes you wonder why Apple continues to place a sheet of glass in front of their glossy displays?

Funny enough, it doesn't bother me on my iPhone. (But it does bother me on the iPad).

Pfft. I'd have held out for 24GB of RAM and twin 30" displays. You settled.

Want iPad with physical keyboard? Try this:
http://www.9to5mac.com/26887/ipad-ke...ble-in-the-u-s

This comment is full of win.

I guess it depends on which netbook. My HP netbook is a lot faster at most tasks than my iPad.

Juuuust to remind you guys, the 12 inch iBook and Powerbook had full sized keyboards, and their displays were not widescreen. Infact, Apple went out of their way to market the 12 inch Powerbook keyboard as identical to the ones in the 15 inch and 17 inch Powerbooks. Sure, we would lose 0.4 inches, but you gotta remember this screen would almost certainly now be wide aspect ratio. It'll fit, if they really wanted it to.

I don't see Apple doing anything but a full sized keyboard on this one, given Apple's nature to insist on a great user experience. Its the same reason Apple withholds features. If a feature is not up to Apple's standard of ease of use and quality, they don't include it rather than include it sub-par. Just look at the iPhone 3G video recording. Cycorder can do it, but its not included as a standard feature because video recording on the iPhone 3G is very low resolution and 10-15fps. When Apple finally DID include it in their 3GS, it was a respectable 640x480 and rivaled my point and shoot Casio digital camera in quality. Do you guys remember how horrible voicemail used to be prior to the iPhone? One of the big features Apple touted with the iPhone was a feature called visual voicemail. Before visual voicemail, standard voicemail was the MOST AWEFUL THING EVER and thats almost not exaggerating. Apple would have none of that, as it would provide a poor user experience.

Small keyboards IMHO are the same. They provide an inferior user experience. I personally find them so uncomfortable that it is a deal-breaker to buying ultra portables back in the day (Sony X505 anyone?)

Apple tends to do things on Tuesdays, right? Probably we'll see it this upcoming Tuesday.

The width of a 11.6" 16:10 display is 9.84" across and the width of the 12.1" 4:3 display is 9.67", or 0.17" wider than the 12" PB. The only issue may be the death of the multi-touch trackpad.

PS: After doing all these calculations based on this 11.6" display size and assuming a 16:10 aspect ratio it seems to me there is enough circumstantial evidence at makes this an ideal for all hinges discussed. Therefore I'm heavily leaning toward this being likely. Now, what do you think is likely for the other HW?

The N450 is a hot little chip. The machines I've used with one were about as snappy as a well-performing laptop of 5 years ago.

Why is it incomprehensible? Have you seen the quarterly results for sales of MacBook pros with shiny screens? Fabulous numbers.

As a user of a 12inch PowerBook G4, I would love to see a 11.6 inch MBA. The Powerbook has got a 320GB drive, and 1.25 GB of RAM, and it's still uslessly slow, but I love the small form factor, a 13 inch MacBook Pro seems HUGE beside it

Maybe they are going to discontinue the MacBook Air.

I used to want a MacBook Air. A light weight laptop that I could easily carry with me. But not anymore. The iPad - at least for me - has filled that hole. I still have a MacBook Pro for when I do need the full laptop experience but I find that most of the time all I need is the iPad which is lighter, easier to carry and a lot cheaper than an Air.

If you want power I'd recommend a MacBook Pro. If you want portability I'd recommend the iPad. Even better - buy both. I no longer see the need for the MacBook Air.

I think it makes sense, actually. The MacBook Air was always about one thing, and one thing only: To make as light and as compact an ultraportable laptop as the laws of physics would allow. The first MacBook Air pioneered Apple's new UniBody manufacturing process, and since then they've accquired even more experience with (cost-effective) UniBody design with the iPad, and pushing the boundaries of compacting with the iPhone 4.

While most people were enarmoured with the sleek design of the MacBook Air it had two major things against it: Overpriced and underpowered. I think Apple can improve on both accounts with todays technology. For power the new Intel Core i3's are a much better match for an ultraportable than any of the Intel CoreDuos back in its day. Even from a price perspective. The UniBody manufacturing proces which used to be something exotic that came at a premium with the first two models of the MacBook Air, has now become standard procedure for Apple's manufacturing partner. That brings the production costs down, and allows for a lower retail price while keeping Apple's (high) profit margin on the MacBook Air.

The MacBook Air's claim to fame was always its extreme lightness and small size. It's only logical for Apple to take that hallmark one step further and shrink its ultraportable to 11,6" to differentiate it further from the (standard) 13" MacBook Pro.

Next time Steve won't pull the MacBook Air out of a Manila envelope, but a standard size white C4 envelope! Just you wait and see.

Having actually measured with a measuring tape, I have no doubt that Apple can put the current keyboard into an 11.6" MBA.


I replaced my 12" PowerBook with a MBA that had 32 pixels more vertical real estate. 1280x800 trumps 1024x768 and will continue to do so when the former is 11.6". Unfortunately, I had to give up my MBA because 2GB of ram made it nearly unusable for me.


Rubbish! Many of us fight the 8kg weight limit for airline carry-on bags several times per week. A reduction in weight is worth about $1000 per 100g to me.


ROTFLMAO! I cannot imagine a MBA priced below $1199.


I'm expecting the new MBA to include:
- 1280x800 at a pixel density similar to that of the 17" and new 15" MBPs
- exactly the same keyboard used in current Apple laptops
- multitouch trackpad
- 4GB of ram directly on the motherboard
- 128GB (low-end model) and 256GB (high end model) SSD directly on the motherboard (no HD possibility)
- the above would give us the same upgradability that the iPad has, meaning lower weight, cost, thickness, and greater reliability

Could you please name a few?