Perhaps I am shallow, but even though the speed will suffice for most of what I do and the size/weight/display are ideal, the absence of the glowing Apple logo is a deal breaker for me. I'd have been willing to sacrifice a bit of battery life for it.
Perhaps Apple could have thrown it in as a choice in System Prefs. Especially considering that the 2nd gen will probably have it....
i doubt its about battery, as i believe the white apple logo is lit by the same light source as the display itself. i believe its more likely a matter of structural integrity with such a slim case design.
Another note for geeks: the phrase "a miniscule figure" should read "a minuscule figure". There is no word "miniscule".
From the American English Dictionary on your Mac:
usage: Thestandard spelling is minuscule rather than miniscule. The latter form is a very common one (accounting for almosthalfofcitations for the term in the Oxford English Corpus), andhas beenrecordedsincethelate 19th century. It arosebyanalogywithotherwordsbeginningwithmini-, wherethemeaningissimilarly ‘very small.’ It is now so widely used thatitcanbeconsideredasanacceptablevariant, althoughitshouldbeavoidedinformalcontexts.
So unless you charmingly believe that the AppleInsider forums are a "formal context" miniscule is perfectly acceptable.
i doubt its about battery, as i believe the white apple logo is lit by the same light source as the display itself. i believe its more likely a matter of structural integrity with such a slim case design.
Yeah, it's definitely not about the cost of another light as Macs use the backlighting for that glow. In fact, if you put a brighter light through the backside you can then cast shadows on your display.
My guess is it simply isn't possible from a structural standpoint or not yet possible to have that plastic insert fit in such a thin display casing.
Thin in mobile and portable devices is as pointless as those tail fins on early 1960s cars. Once a device is too big for a shirt or coat pocket, we need to carry it around in a bag. And when that's true, being 0.5" thick or 1.5" matters not. What matters is what it can do.
wrong. let me enlighten you... thinner = lighter. when you're in the market for a portable (say you're a traveling consultant or sales person, weight matters, a lot. heavy IBM laptops were a major pain on the shoulder.
so thin is not akin to pointless car fins. as if.
further, and amazingly, todays thinner laptops still get better battery life than the fat laptops of yesteryear.
dont quit your day job, and leave building computers to the company that does it best.
I think the same thing a lot. We call computers "slow".. despite them being faster than the top of the line model from a few years earlier. Perspective.
I haven't bought a new Mac laptop in ages, but if I were to get a new one, this is probably what I would choose.
Some people just don't get it and are totally clueless.
And I love the people who talk about needing power as if they were rocket scientists, needing a 12 core machine to carry out their basic tasks." src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" />
Then guess what, this machine isn't for you, and luckily Apple offers more powerful Macbook Pro models for these people, and even MacPros for those who really need max power. You'd figure that these rocket scientists would be intelligent enough to realize that.
And some people even have multiple Macs and MacBooks, for different uses.
And for anybody who suggests that Apple should have made a Surface like tablet instead............No, just no..........What a stupid and disgusting idea............
The fact is, many people have extremely overpowered rMBPs that overserve their needs; they'll never use that power on an ECON 101 paper or an iMessage to Granny.
This is a great point that goes overlooked by so many people. Too many people are saying that you have to have the most powerful machine, without even knowing what your needs are. To tell someone that they are stupid to want the "underpowered" Macbook, without even knowing whether the benefits of lighter weight and better screen are far more important to them than that extra power... is absurd. Every person has different needs.
I stand corrected, there are way better comparisons out there the one you state,
It's supposed to be better than the last generation Core i5, that said, I'd still prefer the latest i5 in the Macbook Pro Retina, which is cheaper than the new Retina Air will be
What a good comment! Rather interesting when you follow you look, and after seeing that Core M is clearly NOT "aka atom" its so much faster, impressive benchmarks against cinebench, but then compare Core M to I5, and the differences are much smaller. Core M is positioned by Intel to sit between Atom and I5 etc, but its a lot closer, performance wise to I5.
For those other people on this forum, complaining about the new MacBooks lack of performance, ports etc, please just stop and select a more appropriate machine from Apples wide portfolio, i.e. a machine that better matches your needs and wants.
I use a maxed out rMBP all day, but I have an 11 inch Air I take on the road, and carry around the labs and office when i need to. I can't wait to unload the 11 inch to someone else, and upgrade myself to this 12 inch machine.
I completely agree with you - and in fact did the same thing with my 2011 13" Air and the 256gb Jet drive. But I switched to traveling with my iPad Air and a keyboard a little more than a year ago, just to save a few pounds in my bag. That being said, the iPad Air is not ideal for size, for my aging eyes, so moving up to a MacBook 12" will help considerably. Of course, if Apple would figure out how to slim down the 15" rMBP, which is what I'm currently running for work (early 2013, 2.7, 16, 500) , I would love the extra size.
Like you (and the guy you were responding to), i'm also on the 2011 13" Air. I've never had any complaints about it performance wise... my only issue has been that i have 128gb and am always near full. I've been considering a driver upgrade, like you did... but the new Macbook looks so tempting. I'd love to get down and take a look at that new screen next month. My current machine has a couple small white spots that annoy but don't really impede anything i guess.
One of the few things that I didn't like about the new Macbook was the inclusion of the isight camera that was only 480p. That's a bit too old fashioned for 2015, and I expect better than that.
The Core M isn't designed to match any Intel Core Series processing power. If a user needs processing power and lightweight their best bet may be to wait on next year's MacBook Air models. Those will have Intel's Skylake processors which will allow the Air to have a core 5 processor, run a retina display and maintain or exceed its 12 hour battery life.
I stand corrected, there are way better comparisons out there the one you state,
It's supposed to be better than the last generation Core i5, that said, I'd still prefer the latest i5 in the Macbook Pro Retina, which is cheaper than the new Retina Air will be
There IS no Retina Air coming. The Air is going to die, just like the polycarbonate MacBooks.
I think the same thing a lot. We call computers "slow".. despite them being faster than the top of the line model from a few years earlier. Perspective.
Yes, perspective and 'context'. To drag up the old car metaphor - in many countries the most common car used for taxis is the e-class Mercedes because it offers a degree of comfort and a high level of reliability. In that sense it qualifies as a 'professional' car. But the model chosen as a taxi ain't no SLS-AMG. A race driver would never consider an e-class a suitable choice for his job, but that doesn't make the e-class any less of a professional vehicle. And so with computers. Occasionally I need to do some 'heavy lifting' but 90% of my day is spent using less demanding apps and as a matter of fact, I spend at least 90% of my time on a 2009 MB, all in a professional capacity. I can afford to replace it but I have a hard time justifying it. By now I kinda enjoy the fact that the thing works as well as it does. The only thing I did was replace the HD and optical drive with a couple of SSD's.
Core M is positioned by Intel to sit between Atom and I5 etc, but its a lot closer, performance wise to I5.
And I think that's great. I think w've gotten to a point where the performance of these chips for the average person is simply more than they need. Let's give the average user a better experience they can perceive. That faster SSD, RAM, and Retina display are much more important than a faster processor for the average user who may be using their iPhone or iPad for most of their computing.
If I have one grievance, it's that there isn't a second USB-C port (even at the expense of the 3.5mm jack) on the other side which can also be used for powering the device, like in the new Chromebook Pixel.
I can't wait to unload the 11 inch to someone else, and upgrade myself to this 12 inch machine.
I have a netbook I in a tool box I use on site for re-imaging drives and making various bootable USB flash drives. I almost always bring my 2014 15" MBP, but I can't really use it because a VM with an external HDD just seems to never connect reliably, hence the netbook (but the network was originally for my Cisco/Juniper network lab as a simple node for testing purposes).
Anyway, I've been wanting to get a replacement for my toolbox and this new MacBook (running Windows as the default OS) would be great for that. I could even build in a USB passthrough so I can plug it into the toolbox and then plug it into my work vehicle so it charges whilst driving. Despite the price it puts it in the lead. Plus, I might be able to then keep my 15" MBP at home (or replace with a Mac Pro or iMac). I do want to wait a couple months to see if other WinPC vendors will follow the USB-C lead by Apple and Google.
Some of the details rather escape me, but what I do see is a line of options, configurations, technologies for a wide range of customers. I really like my 13" MBA but fairly I'm not in need of huge processing power of even battery life. I use late 2009 iMacs at home, and really like them. When the time comes, I will likely look at a thunderbolt display and a mac mini. Options to connect, devices to solve issues with workflow - there are many, many choices. And all of the choices all work together, no fragmentation or incompatibilities. Really spiffy work, Apple.
Like the Apple Watch, this shows the new trend of Apple post-Jobs that is more willing to put its 'No' products in front of the public as well as its 'Yes' products. It's a similar strategy to Google, and certainly helps to keep the street talking, if not exactly buzzing, in the absence of the mega hits to which Apple has become accustomed. The danger, of course, is implosion Google Glass-style.
It'll be interesting to see the reviews.
As noted above, the MBA was Jobs' baby. This new MB ships with 8GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD standard. That is 4X the RAM and 4X the SSD storage of the original 2008 MBA (with a Retina screen!) at almost a third of the price. This is clearly in line with Jobs' prior product development strategy.
It’s no good comparing the advent of the Air to the advent of this MacBook.
Comments
Perhaps I am shallow, but even though the speed will suffice for most of what I do and the size/weight/display are ideal, the absence of the glowing Apple logo is a deal breaker for me. I'd have been willing to sacrifice a bit of battery life for it.
Perhaps Apple could have thrown it in as a choice in System Prefs. Especially considering that the 2nd gen will probably have it....
i doubt its about battery, as i believe the white apple logo is lit by the same light source as the display itself. i believe its more likely a matter of structural integrity with such a slim case design.
Another note for geeks: the phrase "a miniscule figure" should read "a minuscule figure". There is no word "miniscule".
From the American English Dictionary on your Mac:
usage: The standard spelling is minuscule rather than miniscule. The latter form is a very common one (accounting for almost half of citations for the term in the Oxford English Corpus), and has been recorded since the late 19th century. It arose by analogy with other words beginning with mini-, where the meaning is similarly ‘very small.’ It is now so widely used that it can be considered as an acceptable variant, although it should be avoided in formal contexts.
So unless you charmingly believe that the AppleInsider forums are a "formal context" miniscule is perfectly acceptable.
—ciao
Yeah, it's definitely not about the cost of another light as Macs use the backlighting for that glow. In fact, if you put a brighter light through the backside you can then cast shadows on your display.
My guess is it simply isn't possible from a structural standpoint or not yet possible to have that plastic insert fit in such a thin display casing.
Thin in mobile and portable devices is as pointless as those tail fins on early 1960s cars. Once a device is too big for a shirt or coat pocket, we need to carry it around in a bag. And when that's true, being 0.5" thick or 1.5" matters not. What matters is what it can do.
wrong. let me enlighten you... thinner = lighter. when you're in the market for a portable (say you're a traveling consultant or sales person, weight matters, a lot. heavy IBM laptops were a major pain on the shoulder.
so thin is not akin to pointless car fins. as if.
further, and amazingly, todays thinner laptops still get better battery life than the fat laptops of yesteryear.
dont quit your day job, and leave building computers to the company that does it best.
I think the same thing a lot. We call computers "slow".. despite them being faster than the top of the line model from a few years earlier. Perspective.
This new Macbook looks really nice.
I haven't bought a new Mac laptop in ages, but if I were to get a new one, this is probably what I would choose.
Some people just don't get it and are totally clueless.
And I love the people who talk about needing power as if they were rocket scientists, needing a 12 core machine to carry out their basic tasks.
" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" />
Then guess what, this machine isn't for you, and luckily Apple offers more powerful Macbook Pro models for these people, and even MacPros for those who really need max power. You'd figure that these rocket scientists would be intelligent enough to realize that.
And some people even have multiple Macs and MacBooks, for different uses.
And for anybody who suggests that Apple should have made a Surface like tablet instead............No, just no..........What a stupid and disgusting idea............
The fact is, many people have extremely overpowered rMBPs that overserve their needs; they'll never use that power on an ECON 101 paper or an iMessage to Granny.
This is a great point that goes overlooked by so many people. Too many people are saying that you have to have the most powerful machine, without even knowing what your needs are. To tell someone that they are stupid to want the "underpowered" Macbook, without even knowing whether the benefits of lighter weight and better screen are far more important to them than that extra power... is absurd. Every person has different needs.
Where are these fuckwad comments coming from?
I stand corrected, there are way better comparisons out there the one you state,
It's supposed to be better than the last generation Core i5, that said, I'd still prefer the latest i5 in the Macbook Pro Retina, which is cheaper than the new Retina Air will be
Where are these fuckwad comments coming from?
What a good comment! Rather interesting when you follow you look, and after seeing that Core M is clearly NOT "aka atom" its so much faster, impressive benchmarks against cinebench, but then compare Core M to I5, and the differences are much smaller. Core M is positioned by Intel to sit between Atom and I5 etc, but its a lot closer, performance wise to I5.
For those other people on this forum, complaining about the new MacBooks lack of performance, ports etc, please just stop and select a more appropriate machine from Apples wide portfolio, i.e. a machine that better matches your needs and wants.
I use a maxed out rMBP all day, but I have an 11 inch Air I take on the road, and carry around the labs and office when i need to. I can't wait to unload the 11 inch to someone else, and upgrade myself to this 12 inch machine.
I completely agree with you - and in fact did the same thing with my 2011 13" Air and the 256gb Jet drive. But I switched to traveling with my iPad Air and a keyboard a little more than a year ago, just to save a few pounds in my bag. That being said, the iPad Air is not ideal for size, for my aging eyes, so moving up to a MacBook 12" will help considerably. Of course, if Apple would figure out how to slim down the 15" rMBP, which is what I'm currently running for work (early 2013, 2.7, 16, 500) , I would love the extra size.
Like you (and the guy you were responding to), i'm also on the 2011 13" Air. I've never had any complaints about it performance wise... my only issue has been that i have 128gb and am always near full. I've been considering a driver upgrade, like you did... but the new Macbook looks so tempting. I'd love to get down and take a look at that new screen next month. My current machine has a couple small white spots that annoy but don't really impede anything i guess.
One of the few things that I didn't like about the new Macbook was the inclusion of the isight camera that was only 480p. That's a bit too old fashioned for 2015, and I expect better than that.
Is a higher res camera thicker or something?
There IS no Retina Air coming. The Air is going to die, just like the polycarbonate MacBooks.
And I think that's great. I think w've gotten to a point where the performance of these chips for the average person is simply more than they need. Let's give the average user a better experience they can perceive. That faster SSD, RAM, and Retina display are much more important than a faster processor for the average user who may be using their iPhone or iPad for most of their computing.
If I have one grievance, it's that there isn't a second USB-C port (even at the expense of the 3.5mm jack) on the other side which can also be used for powering the device, like in the new Chromebook Pixel.
I have a netbook I in a tool box I use on site for re-imaging drives and making various bootable USB flash drives. I almost always bring my 2014 15" MBP, but I can't really use it because a VM with an external HDD just seems to never connect reliably, hence the netbook (but the network was originally for my Cisco/Juniper network lab as a simple node for testing purposes).
Anyway, I've been wanting to get a replacement for my toolbox and this new MacBook (running Windows as the default OS) would be great for that. I could even build in a USB passthrough so I can plug it into the toolbox and then plug it into my work vehicle so it charges whilst driving. Despite the price it puts it in the lead. Plus, I might be able to then keep my 15" MBP at home (or replace with a Mac Pro or iMac). I do want to wait a couple months to see if other WinPC vendors will follow the USB-C lead by Apple and Google.
Source?
Some of the details rather escape me, but what I do see is a line of options, configurations, technologies for a wide range of customers. I really like my 13" MBA but fairly I'm not in need of huge processing power of even battery life. I use late 2009 iMacs at home, and really like them. When the time comes, I will likely look at a thunderbolt display and a mac mini. Options to connect, devices to solve issues with workflow - there are many, many choices. And all of the choices all work together, no fragmentation or incompatibilities. Really spiffy work, Apple.
I'd personally make no decision until there is a 5K external display from Apple. If that doesn't come to pass I'd look into a 5K iMac.
This laptop appears to be a proof of concept.
Like the Apple Watch, this shows the new trend of Apple post-Jobs that is more willing to put its 'No' products in front of the public as well as its 'Yes' products. It's a similar strategy to Google, and certainly helps to keep the street talking, if not exactly buzzing, in the absence of the mega hits to which Apple has become accustomed. The danger, of course, is implosion Google Glass-style.
It'll be interesting to see the reviews.
As noted above, the MBA was Jobs' baby. This new MB ships with 8GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD standard. That is 4X the RAM and 4X the SSD storage of the original 2008 MBA (with a Retina screen!) at almost a third of the price. This is clearly in line with Jobs' prior product development strategy.
It’s no good comparing the advent of the Air to the advent of this MacBook.
It’s a different world now.
This is the laptop for everyone buying iPads and putting external keyboards on them.
For two to three times the price.