Penryn processors - more energy efficient, faster FSB, SSE4.1
GMA X4500 - better integrated graphics
DDR3 RAM - faster and more energy efficient
WiMAX - 802.16 wireless
There are three upgrades I want to see in Rev B, and their addition would definitely make me pull the trigger on buying an MBA.
1. The Montevina platform upgrade, as enumerated above, with a 2.0 GHz Penryn (faster processor with less heat and power drain).
2. A 128 GB SSD for the $999 upgrade price that the 64 GB SSD currently commands. The 4200 RPM HD is a real bottleneck (I have one in my Fujitsu P1610, so I know), but 64 GB is just too small, and I am not going to pay $1,000 for only 64 GB. When the 128 GB SSDs drop in price enough to be the $999 upgrade, that will lure me in.
3. A designed-for-MBA syncing utility. Half the complaining about the MBA is about missing features that would help push the MBA into being a desktop replacement or main computer. I think that anyone who wants the MBA to be their sole computer would have to be a super light-weight computer user. If you FOCUS on the idea of the MBA being a secondary computer to a Mac Pro, iMac, or Mackbook Pro, you can easily live without the Firewire, etc., for the benefits of having a light-weight slim secondary computer with no comprimise in screen size or keyboard to carry with you. But such a secondary computer screams for a well-designed and basically automatic syncing utility to keep the MBA and your main Mac's files coordinated.
A last thing I wouldn't mind in Rev B would be the option of 4 GB of ram, but that wouldn't be a deal-breaker, but something I would jump on (and with the 128 GB SSD, the 2.0 Penryn, and 4 GB of ram, the Rev B MBA would be wonderful for multitasking with Parallels).
So bring on the Montevina/Penryn update, and a $999 (or less) 128 GB SSD, and I'm buying a MBA.
- option for larger hard drive. Jobs said these were the same hard drives they had in the iPod Classics. If the iPod Classis goes up to 160GB, why isn't that possible in the MBA?
Because if you actually did some research the 160gb hard drive has an extra physical platter meaning that the actual hard drive is thicker hence it wouldn't fit inside the MBA. And this is also why the 160gb iPod is thicker then the 80gb iPod.
There are three upgrades I want to see in Rev B, and their addition would definitely make me pull the trigger on buying an MBA.
1. The Montevina platform upgrade, as enumerated above, with a 2.0 GHz Penryn (faster processor with less heat and power drain).
2. A 128 GB SSD for the $999 upgrade price that the 64 GB SSD currently commands. The 4200 RPM HD is a real bottleneck (I have one in my Fujitsu P1610, so I know), but 64 GB is just too small, and I am not going to pay $1,000 for only 64 GB. When the 128 GB SSDs drop in price enough to be the $999 upgrade, that will lure me in.
3. A designed-for-MBA syncing utility. Half the complaining about the MBA is about missing features that would help push the MBA into being a desktop replacement or main computer. I think that anyone who wants the MBA to be their sole computer would have to be a super light-weight computer user. If you FOCUS on the idea of the MBA being a secondary computer to a Mac Pro, iMac, or Mackbook Pro, you can easily live without the Firewire, etc., for the benefits of having a light-weight slim secondary computer with no comprimise in screen size or keyboard to carry with you. But such a secondary computer screams for a well-designed and basically automatic syncing utility to keep the MBA and your main Mac's files coordinated.
A last thing I wouldn't mind in Rev B would be the option of 4 GB of ram, but that wouldn't be a deal-breaker, but something I would jump on (and with the 128 GB SSD, the 2.0 Penryn, and 4 GB of ram, the Rev B MBA would be wonderful for multitasking with Parallels).
So bring on the Montevina/Penryn update, and a $999 (or less) 128 GB SSD, and I'm buying a MBA.
I basically agree with everything you said. The only thing here, is that there is no lower power penryn (under 20W) that will clock at 2.0GHz. You'll have to go up 25W for that (but you'll get a 2.26GHz). While LV will be stuck at 1.86GHz, it will have 6MB of cache and up to a 1066FSB, along with the other improvements of the chipset, it should be enough for a snappier MB Air.
Core 2 Duo SP9400 - 6MB of L2, 2.40GHz, FSB 1066MHz, TDP 25W
Core 2 Duo SP9300 - 6MB of L2, 2.26GHz, FSB 1066MHz, TDP 25W
Core 2 Duo SL9400 - 6MB of L2, 1.86GHz, FSB 1066MHz, TDP 17W
Core 2 Duo SL9300 - 6MB of L2, 1.60GHz, FSB 1066MHz, TDP 17W
S is for small package
P is for power reduction (vs the standard T models at 35W)
128Gb SSDs at a lower cost will also arrive at the same time.
The syncing utily is an interesting idea, but maybe a new display that acts as a docking docking station might be a good thing too.
Whatever those good people at Apple do, I'm sorry, but the MBA 2 has just gotta have an Ethernet port and a second USB port. Just redesign the flip down panel and make it longer to accommodate the extra ports. If this is just too expensive to re-engineer, then at least offer some kind of dedicated port hub for it so we don't need to carry around endless dongles.
It reminds me of the Sony VAIO when they first came out. So small and thin they were amazing - but they too needed endless add-on components to work effectively when on the road.
BTW, I absolutley love the MBA's thinness combined with a full-size keyboard and large 13.3 inch screen. The dimensions are perfect. This was definitely the right compromise to make.
- SSD will probably become affordable quite quickly now, in the meantime the 160GB HDD will hopefully hit single platter, so Rev B will be 128GB or 160GB choices by early 2009 when it gets released.
What Rev C/D may get:
- Stereo Audio onboard.
- Optical Audio In/Out.
- GSM EDGE (and monthly contract with AT&T for it) or more likely 3G CDMA/UMTS. I believe the "Air" name really leads to this. After all SJ made a big deal about the amazing wireless capabilities of MBA when actually it's just bog-standard Bluetooth and draft 802.11n. The Air would be networked anywhere. Actually EDGE would probably be unbearably slow on a laptop but I do believe 3G wireless is the future for this device.
What I'd like them to get (but which won't happen due to Apple's stubbornness):
- HDMI rather than "MicroDVI" and could be converted to audio-out and DVI easy
- ExpressCard/34 to allow user's choice of card reader/FW800/eSATA to be added.
- Security Slot
- Right click button (yes I know about gestures but lets make this easy. The Mac is a mouse driven OS so multi-buttons are a must).
. Plus, it has more CPU, which may or may not be worthwhile: I have no idea, but some apps like iPhoto, Flash, and the viewing of complex PDFs can tax processors in the 1.2GHz range.
.
Plus try running vista on that cpu (the ULV cpus in the windows ultra light machines). Those ultra light machines are only going to feel 'teh snappy' if they've got XP as their os.
That might be a good thing now but if sp1 of vista makes vista now more appealing than xp then that will be a disadvantage.
So, I realize this may be a bit premature, but I figure with all the back-and-forth I've been seeing throughout the day, why not start thinking about the next version of the MacBook Air.
What do you want to see?
What do you think we will see?
When do you think we'll see it?
Who gives a crap? I'm with Dave for the most part on this, it is just way too pricey for the features. I disagree that there is nothing in the way of innovation, they MBA is very innovative, but it lacks almost every feature I could ever want in a notebook.
An Apple-ized Eee PC would have been pretty cool IMO. As it is, I may have to pick up one when the larger screen versions (8.9") are available.
Whats with all this freakin Eee PC nonesense. I just looked the specs up. 4GB SSD??? Pfffbt, my iphone does 2x that and its a Phone too, and its even smaller than that crap! \
While we are comparing the Air to Eee PC, we might as well compare the Eee PC to the iPhone. Honestly iPhone comparisons seem more in line with the Eee PC, pricewise and everything. iPhone 2 however will blow the next generation of Eee PC out of the water.
As soon as SDK comes out, and iPhone 2 with more powerful chips and 3G comes out, people will forget about the UMPCs smaller than 12" and this talk about garbage like the Eee PC. The MBA will then gobble up whats left of the UMPC market with the rest of the "me-too" clones for buyers looking for something a little more than an iPhone or iPod Touch.
Actually I'd like to see two models. One designed for the absolute lowest power usage, perhaps with a Silverhtorne and one that trades off battery times for speed which would be a 2GHz laptop processor.
Quote:
128Gb SSDs at a lower cost will also arrive at the same time.
Frankly it burns my ass that we are being charged so much for SSD now. I expect a quick drop in price at least on the secondary market. Apple will likely continue to screw people over until next year.
Even better would be for Apple to provide for a small SSD and the rotating disk. Partition the system so that system code and applications end up on the SSD.
Quote:
The syncing utily is an interesting idea, but maybe a new display that acts as a docking docking station might be a good thing too.
Whatever those good people at Apple do, I'm sorry, but the MBA 2 has just gotta have an Ethernet port and a second USB port.
The lack of these port is a big deal breaker for many people. I'm trying to convince my self that I don't need them but deep down I know that that I'll run into a need and be kicking myself.
Quote:
Just redesign the flip down panel and make it longer to accommodate the extra ports. If this is just too expensive to re-engineer, then at least offer some kind of dedicated port hub for it so we don't need to carry around endless dongles.
Or have a port array on both the left and right sides. Frankly I'm not even sure if they really need the door. By the way you missed one connector that would be an audio in and out connector. Ideally the same connector used on iPhone. The lack of audio in to go with audio out is a real bummer on this machine. Your only other choice is Bluetooth and frankly I don't care for transmitters so close to my ear.
Quote:
It reminds me of the Sony VAIO when they first came out. So small and thin they were amazing - but they too needed endless add-on components to work effectively when on the road.
Which of course isn't really acceptable to many of us. I mean what is the point of a thing notebook if you have to carry a bunch of dongles and hubs around with it.
Quote:
BTW, I absolutley love the MBA's thinness combined with a full-size keyboard and large 13.3 inch screen. The dimensions are perfect. This was definitely the right compromise to make.
I was at the Apple store a few hours ago looking AIR over for the first time. I'm not persuaded that the thinnest is required but given that Apple went this route I'm impressed at the units mechanical quality. The whole unit is much stiffer than a Sony that I was looking at recently. Beyond that the screen is excellent.
In a way it is a frustrating machine to look at. Deep down in your heart you know the limitations are tough and not easily overcomed. Then you have the very high price to deal with. It is sort of like walking up to the prettiest gal in the joint, starting a conversation and quickly realizing that nobody is home.
I mentioned this in another thread but to repeat if I fell into money (won the lottery, big bonus or whatever) I'd buy it in a second. On the other hand the money I work for has to be better spent than it would be on this device. It is to bad uncle Sam wasn't planning on $3000 dollar rebates.
It is amazing to me that so many people can't seem to see through the Steve Jobs Reality Distortion Field! Everytime he gets up at one of his sissy-boy "conventions" he performs cheap magic tricks for the faithful, sometimes he even drags well meaning journalist along with him!
The platter he is serving on in this picture is a "Macbook" (even though it's thinner than a magazine) Hot Air.
Think about it, you are getting less for more! Skinny for plenty! Scrawney for money! Slim for uh, um, I can't think of a rhyme but if I could it would be something bad.
PEOPLE, PEOPLE, PEOPLE!
Big is better! They have the iPhone, we have a CoffeeTable!
Comments
Montevina platform
There are three upgrades I want to see in Rev B, and their addition would definitely make me pull the trigger on buying an MBA.
1. The Montevina platform upgrade, as enumerated above, with a 2.0 GHz Penryn (faster processor with less heat and power drain).
2. A 128 GB SSD for the $999 upgrade price that the 64 GB SSD currently commands. The 4200 RPM HD is a real bottleneck (I have one in my Fujitsu P1610, so I know), but 64 GB is just too small, and I am not going to pay $1,000 for only 64 GB. When the 128 GB SSDs drop in price enough to be the $999 upgrade, that will lure me in.
3. A designed-for-MBA syncing utility. Half the complaining about the MBA is about missing features that would help push the MBA into being a desktop replacement or main computer. I think that anyone who wants the MBA to be their sole computer would have to be a super light-weight computer user. If you FOCUS on the idea of the MBA being a secondary computer to a Mac Pro, iMac, or Mackbook Pro, you can easily live without the Firewire, etc., for the benefits of having a light-weight slim secondary computer with no comprimise in screen size or keyboard to carry with you. But such a secondary computer screams for a well-designed and basically automatic syncing utility to keep the MBA and your main Mac's files coordinated.
A last thing I wouldn't mind in Rev B would be the option of 4 GB of ram, but that wouldn't be a deal-breaker, but something I would jump on (and with the 128 GB SSD, the 2.0 Penryn, and 4 GB of ram, the Rev B MBA would be wonderful for multitasking with Parallels).
So bring on the Montevina/Penryn update, and a $999 (or less) 128 GB SSD, and I'm buying a MBA.
- Firewire (400)
- option for larger hard drive. Jobs said these were the same hard drives they had in the iPod Classics. If the iPod Classis goes up to 160GB, why isn't that possible in the MBA?
Because if you actually did some research the 160gb hard drive has an extra physical platter meaning that the actual hard drive is thicker hence it wouldn't fit inside the MBA. And this is also why the 160gb iPod is thicker then the 80gb iPod.
There are three upgrades I want to see in Rev B, and their addition would definitely make me pull the trigger on buying an MBA.
1. The Montevina platform upgrade, as enumerated above, with a 2.0 GHz Penryn (faster processor with less heat and power drain).
2. A 128 GB SSD for the $999 upgrade price that the 64 GB SSD currently commands. The 4200 RPM HD is a real bottleneck (I have one in my Fujitsu P1610, so I know), but 64 GB is just too small, and I am not going to pay $1,000 for only 64 GB. When the 128 GB SSDs drop in price enough to be the $999 upgrade, that will lure me in.
3. A designed-for-MBA syncing utility. Half the complaining about the MBA is about missing features that would help push the MBA into being a desktop replacement or main computer. I think that anyone who wants the MBA to be their sole computer would have to be a super light-weight computer user. If you FOCUS on the idea of the MBA being a secondary computer to a Mac Pro, iMac, or Mackbook Pro, you can easily live without the Firewire, etc., for the benefits of having a light-weight slim secondary computer with no comprimise in screen size or keyboard to carry with you. But such a secondary computer screams for a well-designed and basically automatic syncing utility to keep the MBA and your main Mac's files coordinated.
A last thing I wouldn't mind in Rev B would be the option of 4 GB of ram, but that wouldn't be a deal-breaker, but something I would jump on (and with the 128 GB SSD, the 2.0 Penryn, and 4 GB of ram, the Rev B MBA would be wonderful for multitasking with Parallels).
So bring on the Montevina/Penryn update, and a $999 (or less) 128 GB SSD, and I'm buying a MBA.
I basically agree with everything you said. The only thing here, is that there is no lower power penryn (under 20W) that will clock at 2.0GHz. You'll have to go up 25W for that (but you'll get a 2.26GHz). While LV will be stuck at 1.86GHz, it will have 6MB of cache and up to a 1066FSB, along with the other improvements of the chipset, it should be enough for a snappier MB Air.
Core 2 Duo SP9400 - 6MB of L2, 2.40GHz, FSB 1066MHz, TDP 25W
Core 2 Duo SP9300 - 6MB of L2, 2.26GHz, FSB 1066MHz, TDP 25W
Core 2 Duo SL9400 - 6MB of L2, 1.86GHz, FSB 1066MHz, TDP 17W
Core 2 Duo SL9300 - 6MB of L2, 1.60GHz, FSB 1066MHz, TDP 17W
S is for small package
P is for power reduction (vs the standard T models at 35W)
L is for low voltage
128Gb SSDs at a lower cost will also arrive at the same time.
The syncing utily is an interesting idea, but maybe a new display that acts as a docking docking station might be a good thing too.
Whatever those good people at Apple do, I'm sorry, but the MBA 2 has just gotta have an Ethernet port and a second USB port. Just redesign the flip down panel and make it longer to accommodate the extra ports. If this is just too expensive to re-engineer, then at least offer some kind of dedicated port hub for it so we don't need to carry around endless dongles.
It reminds me of the Sony VAIO when they first came out. So small and thin they were amazing - but they too needed endless add-on components to work effectively when on the road.
BTW, I absolutley love the MBA's thinness combined with a full-size keyboard and large 13.3 inch screen. The dimensions are perfect. This was definitely the right compromise to make.
- SSD will probably become affordable quite quickly now, in the meantime the 160GB HDD will hopefully hit single platter, so Rev B will be 128GB or 160GB choices by early 2009 when it gets released.
What Rev C/D may get:
- Stereo Audio onboard.
- Optical Audio In/Out.
- GSM EDGE (and monthly contract with AT&T for it) or more likely 3G CDMA/UMTS. I believe the "Air" name really leads to this. After all SJ made a big deal about the amazing wireless capabilities of MBA when actually it's just bog-standard Bluetooth and draft 802.11n. The Air would be networked anywhere. Actually EDGE would probably be unbearably slow on a laptop but I do believe 3G wireless is the future for this device.
What I'd like them to get (but which won't happen due to Apple's stubbornness):
- HDMI rather than "MicroDVI" and could be converted to audio-out and DVI easy
- ExpressCard/34 to allow user's choice of card reader/FW800/eSATA to be added.
- Security Slot
- Right click button (yes I know about gestures but lets make this easy. The Mac is a mouse driven OS so multi-buttons are a must).
. Plus, it has more CPU, which may or may not be worthwhile: I have no idea, but some apps like iPhoto, Flash, and the viewing of complex PDFs can tax processors in the 1.2GHz range.
.
Plus try running vista on that cpu (the ULV cpus in the windows ultra light machines). Those ultra light machines are only going to feel 'teh snappy' if they've got XP as their os.
That might be a good thing now but if sp1 of vista makes vista now more appealing than xp then that will be a disadvantage.
So, I realize this may be a bit premature, but I figure with all the back-and-forth I've been seeing throughout the day, why not start thinking about the next version of the MacBook Air.
What do you want to see?
What do you think we will see?
When do you think we'll see it?
Who gives a crap? I'm with Dave for the most part on this, it is just way too pricey for the features. I disagree that there is nothing in the way of innovation, they MBA is very innovative, but it lacks almost every feature I could ever want in a notebook.
An Apple-ized Eee PC would have been pretty cool IMO. As it is, I may have to pick up one when the larger screen versions (8.9") are available.
Whats with all this freakin Eee PC nonesense. I just looked the specs up. 4GB SSD??? Pfffbt, my iphone does 2x that and its a Phone too, and its even smaller than that crap!
While we are comparing the Air to Eee PC, we might as well compare the Eee PC to the iPhone. Honestly iPhone comparisons seem more in line with the Eee PC, pricewise and everything. iPhone 2 however will blow the next generation of Eee PC out of the water.
As soon as SDK comes out, and iPhone 2 with more powerful chips and 3G comes out, people will forget about the UMPCs smaller than 12" and this talk about garbage like the Eee PC. The MBA will then gobble up whats left of the UMPC market with the rest of the "me-too" clones for buyers looking for something a little more than an iPhone or iPod Touch.
Mark My Words.
Faster chip will obviously come in 6 months time.
Actually I'd like to see two models. One designed for the absolute lowest power usage, perhaps with a Silverhtorne and one that trades off battery times for speed which would be a 2GHz laptop processor.
128Gb SSDs at a lower cost will also arrive at the same time.
Frankly it burns my ass that we are being charged so much for SSD now. I expect a quick drop in price at least on the secondary market. Apple will likely continue to screw people over until next year.
Even better would be for Apple to provide for a small SSD and the rotating disk. Partition the system so that system code and applications end up on the SSD.
The syncing utily is an interesting idea, but maybe a new display that acts as a docking docking station might be a good thing too.
Whatever those good people at Apple do, I'm sorry, but the MBA 2 has just gotta have an Ethernet port and a second USB port.
The lack of these port is a big deal breaker for many people. I'm trying to convince my self that I don't need them but deep down I know that that I'll run into a need and be kicking myself.
Just redesign the flip down panel and make it longer to accommodate the extra ports. If this is just too expensive to re-engineer, then at least offer some kind of dedicated port hub for it so we don't need to carry around endless dongles.
Or have a port array on both the left and right sides. Frankly I'm not even sure if they really need the door. By the way you missed one connector that would be an audio in and out connector. Ideally the same connector used on iPhone. The lack of audio in to go with audio out is a real bummer on this machine. Your only other choice is Bluetooth and frankly I don't care for transmitters so close to my ear.
It reminds me of the Sony VAIO when they first came out. So small and thin they were amazing - but they too needed endless add-on components to work effectively when on the road.
Which of course isn't really acceptable to many of us. I mean what is the point of a thing notebook if you have to carry a bunch of dongles and hubs around with it.
BTW, I absolutley love the MBA's thinness combined with a full-size keyboard and large 13.3 inch screen. The dimensions are perfect. This was definitely the right compromise to make.
I was at the Apple store a few hours ago looking AIR over for the first time. I'm not persuaded that the thinnest is required but given that Apple went this route I'm impressed at the units mechanical quality. The whole unit is much stiffer than a Sony that I was looking at recently. Beyond that the screen is excellent.
In a way it is a frustrating machine to look at. Deep down in your heart you know the limitations are tough and not easily overcomed. Then you have the very high price to deal with. It is sort of like walking up to the prettiest gal in the joint, starting a conversation and quickly realizing that nobody is home.
I mentioned this in another thread but to repeat if I fell into money (won the lottery, big bonus or whatever) I'd buy it in a second. On the other hand the money I work for has to be better spent than it would be on this device. It is to bad uncle Sam wasn't planning on $3000 dollar rebates.
Dave
It is amazing to me that so many people can't seem to see through the Steve Jobs Reality Distortion Field! Everytime he gets up at one of his sissy-boy "conventions" he performs cheap magic tricks for the faithful, sometimes he even drags well meaning journalist along with him!
The platter he is serving on in this picture is a "Macbook" (even though it's thinner than a magazine) Hot Air.
Think about it, you are getting less for more! Skinny for plenty! Scrawney for money! Slim for uh, um, I can't think of a rhyme but if I could it would be something bad.
PEOPLE, PEOPLE, PEOPLE!
Big is better! They have the iPhone, we have a CoffeeTable!
C'mon!
http://www.up2u.in/