Apple's MacBook Air supply dries up as rumors of new 11.6-inch model persist
Exclusive: Supplies of Apple's MacBook Air have dried up throughout the company's indirect sales channels, fueling rumors that a significant makeover to the lightweight notebooks is fast approaching.
For example, all but one of the Apple Authorized Resellers that AppleInsider tracks as part of its Mac Price Guide have run out of low-end 1.83GHz MacBook Air, including Amazon.com, MacConnection, MacMall and J&R. In addition, at least two of those resellers are also reflecting no stock of the high-end 2.13GHz configuration.
This marks the first time that AppleInsider has witnessed this abnormal trend in regards to the Air since it began tracking availability of Apple's Mac line on a daily basis over two years ago. Still, the drought didn't manifest over night. For weeks now, the websites of certain resellers have indicated that inventory of the low-end MacBook Air was on the verge of depletion, urging shoppers to "order soon," as only a handful of units remained in stock.
What's more, people familiar with the buy side of operations for big box retailers like Best Buy and Amazon.com say that Apple has indicted to them that it will not replenish supply of the notebooks until Oct. 12 through Oct. 16 at the earliest. Such expansive delays on low volume products like the MacBook Air are common only when Mac maker is preparing to overhaul the product line, these people say.
Mid-October hardware updates have become something of an annual tradition for Apple, who last year unveiled a redesigned line of iMacs and unibody MacBook on Oct. 20, 2009. Though last year's products were introduced without a formal event, in 2008 the company held a special gathering for the media on Oct. 14 to introduce new MacBooks. And in 2005, the company similarly held two events in mid-October to introduce a new iPod, iMac, and a lineup of PowerBooks.
All these signs seem to support persistent rumors out of the Far East that Apple is gearing up to overhaul the MacBook Air line with a newly designed 11.6-inch display this fall, creating a more aggressively priced notebook for students and the business traveler. It's reported that Apple plans to ship around a half-million units before the end of the 2010 calendar year. The current MacBook Air sports a larger 13.3-inch display.
Rumors of a MacBook Air with an 11.6-inch display first cropped up in July. It was said the redesigned hardware will be even slimmer and lighter, and will be powered by an Intel Core i-series ultra-low voltage processor.
There's also been a mixture of chatter regarding a much cheaper, thinner 11.6-inch Apple notebook that would weigh as little as 2.7 pounds due to the possibility of new carbon fiber unibody construction, though AppleInsider cannot confirm any of those reports with any degree of certainty, nor can it confirm somewhat related rumors that such a model would coincide with Apple's reported plans to adopt the latest microprocessors from AMD into some of its Mac models. Instead, those reports are highlighted here simply for the sake of completeness.
As it stands, Apple's thinnest and lightest notebook is overdue for an update, as the currently available models were introduced over a year ago, back in June 2009. The machines retail at $1,499 for the 1.86GHz model, and $1,799 for a model with a 2.13GHz processor.
The introduction of a new MacBook Air would likely come alongside an update to Apple's iLife suite, a product that has also become long in the tooth. The last update, iLife '09, was launched in January of 2009.
Recent rumors have suggested that a presumed iLife '11 refresh will be written entirely in 64-bit code, will include a rewritten iWeb, and will drop the iDVD application. It has also been suggested that the software will be available for iOS devices, like the iPhone and iPad.
For example, all but one of the Apple Authorized Resellers that AppleInsider tracks as part of its Mac Price Guide have run out of low-end 1.83GHz MacBook Air, including Amazon.com, MacConnection, MacMall and J&R. In addition, at least two of those resellers are also reflecting no stock of the high-end 2.13GHz configuration.
This marks the first time that AppleInsider has witnessed this abnormal trend in regards to the Air since it began tracking availability of Apple's Mac line on a daily basis over two years ago. Still, the drought didn't manifest over night. For weeks now, the websites of certain resellers have indicated that inventory of the low-end MacBook Air was on the verge of depletion, urging shoppers to "order soon," as only a handful of units remained in stock.
What's more, people familiar with the buy side of operations for big box retailers like Best Buy and Amazon.com say that Apple has indicted to them that it will not replenish supply of the notebooks until Oct. 12 through Oct. 16 at the earliest. Such expansive delays on low volume products like the MacBook Air are common only when Mac maker is preparing to overhaul the product line, these people say.
Mid-October hardware updates have become something of an annual tradition for Apple, who last year unveiled a redesigned line of iMacs and unibody MacBook on Oct. 20, 2009. Though last year's products were introduced without a formal event, in 2008 the company held a special gathering for the media on Oct. 14 to introduce new MacBooks. And in 2005, the company similarly held two events in mid-October to introduce a new iPod, iMac, and a lineup of PowerBooks.
All these signs seem to support persistent rumors out of the Far East that Apple is gearing up to overhaul the MacBook Air line with a newly designed 11.6-inch display this fall, creating a more aggressively priced notebook for students and the business traveler. It's reported that Apple plans to ship around a half-million units before the end of the 2010 calendar year. The current MacBook Air sports a larger 13.3-inch display.
Rumors of a MacBook Air with an 11.6-inch display first cropped up in July. It was said the redesigned hardware will be even slimmer and lighter, and will be powered by an Intel Core i-series ultra-low voltage processor.
There's also been a mixture of chatter regarding a much cheaper, thinner 11.6-inch Apple notebook that would weigh as little as 2.7 pounds due to the possibility of new carbon fiber unibody construction, though AppleInsider cannot confirm any of those reports with any degree of certainty, nor can it confirm somewhat related rumors that such a model would coincide with Apple's reported plans to adopt the latest microprocessors from AMD into some of its Mac models. Instead, those reports are highlighted here simply for the sake of completeness.
As it stands, Apple's thinnest and lightest notebook is overdue for an update, as the currently available models were introduced over a year ago, back in June 2009. The machines retail at $1,499 for the 1.86GHz model, and $1,799 for a model with a 2.13GHz processor.
The introduction of a new MacBook Air would likely come alongside an update to Apple's iLife suite, a product that has also become long in the tooth. The last update, iLife '09, was launched in January of 2009.
Recent rumors have suggested that a presumed iLife '11 refresh will be written entirely in 64-bit code, will include a rewritten iWeb, and will drop the iDVD application. It has also been suggested that the software will be available for iOS devices, like the iPhone and iPad.
Comments
I can't imagine why Apple would think a 11.6" screen is something consumers would want... 13.3" is pretty small as it is.
My guess - they already have a 13" MBP which is very powerful yet small and light. Their users (us) are telling them that they want a very small nimble laptop for travel. The smaller the better, and performance is less important than weight, mobility. 13" is pretty small for a main computer but for travel and portability its on the big side.
I am guessing super light and thin with optional 3g connectivity. (I am also guessing that in the long run the Air will become the pioneer in the merging of OSX and IOS, though it won't happen now)
I can't imagine why Apple would think a 11.6" screen is something consumers would want... 13.3" is pretty small as it is.
Did you miss the years of people asking for a replacement for their 12" Aluminum PowerBook G4s?
They are going against the netbook market with the iPad, i just don´t see them making basically a netbook when they introduced the iPad as a netbook killer.
Did you miss the years of people asking for a replacement for their 12" Aluminum PowerBook G4s?
Yeah, I wish those 12" G4's were still useable. I can't find it in me to throw mine out because there's nothing wrong with it hardware wise, but it just isn't useable in today's world. At it's fastest, with the memory maxed out it still makes the MacBook Air look like a rocket in comparison and it feels like a brick weight-wise.
Did you miss the years of people asking for a replacement for their 12" Aluminum PowerBook G4s?
13.3" is the replace for the 12" Powerbook. 13.3" is widescreen, the 12" isn't.
Recent rumors have suggested that a presumed iLife '11 refresh will be written entirely in 64 bits
Now that's efficiency! A entire suite of applications in only 64 bits of code.
They are going against the netbook market with the iPad, i just don´t see them making basically a netbook when they introduced the iPad as a netbook killer.
I don't remember any Apple marketing touting the iPad as a netbook killer.
I can't imagine why Apple would think a 11.6" screen is something consumers would want... 13.3" is pretty small as it is.
The MBA has a pretty low pixel density compared to several small laptops on the market, and even when compared to the upgraded 15" MBPs. They should be able to put the same resolution into a 11.6" device without problems.
The problem with the current MBA is that it really has only one selling point: weight (the footprint is almost identical to the much cheaper 13" MBP). And you pay far too much for this weight saving. No FW, lame HDD in the base model, stuck at 2GB RAM (the bare minimum for running 10.6 decently), too few ports, pathetic speaker, poor iSight... most people won't see a point in buying the MBA. A smaller footprint is a good point for people who commute a lot. I had the MBA for a while and using it in some trains or in economy class on flights was inconvenient. It was simply too big.
Still, I have not carried a laptop with me since my iPad has arrived some months ago, and I have no intentions of buying a MBA again.
I am guessing super light and thin with optional 3g connectivity.
This was one of the 2 reasons why I did not buy current MacBook Air - no integrated 3G.
(Second was - that it has only glossy screen option).
Otherwise I would have made it my travel laptop.
I can't imagine why Apple would think a 11.6" screen is something consumers would want... 13.3" is pretty small as it is.
+1
totally looking forward to the macbook pro refresh though
I don't remember any Apple marketing touting the iPad as a netbook killer.
Steve Jobs´keynote trashing them, calling netbooks cheap laptops, and saying iPad is better at the same tasks.
This was one of the 2 reasons why I did not buy current MacBook Air - no integrated 3G.
(Second was - that it has only glossy screen option).
Otherwise I would have made it my travel laptop.
I own an MBA. Last time I checked it has a matte screen.
If this rumor about the MBA going even smaller is true, I may have to relinquish my hopes of buying a replacement MBA to replace my 1st gen unit. Anything less than the 13" screen it already has is far too small.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my MBA. If it had an SSD drive with decent storage space and the more powerful Nvidia graphics solution, I'd still keep it. I'm patiently waiting to see what MBA replacement they come out with. Best laptop I've owned yet, and I do most of my commuting between clients on my motorcycle that the weight advantages alone warranted my initial purchase.
Steve Jobs´keynote trashing them, calling netbooks cheap laptops, and saying iPad is better at the same tasks.
Sorry... I just had another look at the iPad intro and Steve keeps saying that the iPad is wonderful for certain tasks but not once did I ever hear him connect the dots to his trash talk about netbooks to the iPad as a replacement.
My opinion... an 11" MBA would be a perfect replacement for netbooks even if it costs twice as much.
The MBA has a pretty low pixel density compared to several small laptops on the market, and even when compared to the upgraded 15" MBPs. They should be able to put the same resolution into a 11.6" device without problems.
The problem with the current MBA is that it really has only one selling point: weight (the footprint is almost identical to the much cheaper 13" MBP). And you pay far too much for this weight saving. No FW, lame HDD in the base model, stuck at 2GB RAM (the bare minimum for running 10.6 decently), too few ports, pathetic speaker, poor iSight... most people won't see a point in buying the MBA. A smaller footprint is a good point for people who commute a lot. I had the MBA for a while and using it in some trains or in economy class on flights was inconvenient. It was simply too big.
Still, I have not carried a laptop with me since my iPad has arrived some months ago, and I have no intentions of buying a MBA again.
Good points. Is there a chance the MBA will be discontinued?
My guess - they already have a 13" MBP which is very powerful yet small and light. Their users (us) are telling them that they want a very small nimble laptop for travel. The smaller the better, and performance is less important than weight, mobility. 13" is pretty small for a main computer but for travel and portability its on the big side.
I am guessing super light and thin with optional 3g connectivity. (I am also guessing that in the long run the Air will become the pioneer in the merging of OSX and IOS, though it won't happen now)
Not sure iOS as it is will merge into laptops & desktops, people still need powerful machines that are more flexible than a mobile device like an iPad. I do however think some features of iOS streamlining will make their way into 10.7 or that a more powerful version of iOS for desktops will emerge. Being able to run Windows is still critical for a large number of Mac users and a switch from i586 architecture would prevent this.
The next MBAir will be more in line with current NetBooks and will be very attractive to Systems Admins and Execs. Personally though I don't think it will get much traction if they don't switch to SSD drives & offer a lower price point.
Sorry... I just had another look at the iPad intro and Steve keeps saying that the iPad is wonderful for certain tasks but not once did I ever hear him connect the dots to his trash talk about netbooks to the iPad as a replacement.
My opinion... an 11" MBA would be a perfect replacement for netbooks even if it costs twice as much.
"Some people think that´s a netbook (3rd category between smartphone and laptop)....netbooks are not better at anything....slow, low quality displays and run clunky old PC software...they are just cheap laptops....we don´t think they are a 3rd category of device....we think we have something that is....iPad..." BOOM! (boom part was just me)
"Some people think that´s a netbook (3rd category between smartphone and laptop)....netbooks are not better at anything....slow, low quality displays and run clunky old PC software...they are just cheap laptops....we don´t think they are a 3rd category of device....we think we have something that is....iPad..." BOOM! (boom part was just me)
... and you read that Steve is calling the iPad a "netbook killer" from that statement...
Okay... whatever.
They are going against the netbook market with the iPad, i just don´t see them making basically a netbook when they introduced the iPad as a netbook killer.
I am now of the opinion that the iPad doesn't take up NetBook market space, it has its own space.
I have an iPad and I wouldn't think of trying to do actual work with it. I need MacOS to do that, because my work revolves around supporting specific MacOS applications.
A smaller (more affordable?) MacBook Air with an antiglare (matte) screen so it can be used outdoors would be welcomed.