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Apple Finally Updates MacBook Air with Retina Display, Touch ID

arstechnica.com

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Re: Apple Finally Updates MacBook Air with Retina Display, Touch ID

#151

Post by wlesieutre »

wilsonnb3 wrote: post #119

I’m a bit confused as to where the base model MacBook Pro without the TouchBar fits into the lineup now. It was always pretty clear to me that the 12 inch MacBook replaced the 11 inch air, and the 13 inch MacBook Pro without TouchBar replaced the 13 inch air. There’s barely any difference between the Pro without TouchBar and the new Air. The extra hundred dollars for the Pro gets you a slightly older but faster proce…

They didn't update it with the 2018 Macbook Pro refresh, presumably because this new Air was coming. I'd expect it to quietly disappear.

Re: Apple Finally Updates MacBook Air with Retina Display, Touch ID

#152

Post by ksec »

I wonder if a lot of people are leaving the Mac ecosystem.

Apple has been selling roughly ~19M Mac per year since 2012, and its new user to Mac has also been steady at ~50%. Apple has had 60M Mac user in 2012 announced in WWDC, and they has been nearing 100M since early 2017. I assume that actual number is larger than 90M at the time, so after nearly 20 Months, ~20M New Mac Users on board, it manage to add a total ~10M Active Install Base.

That is surprising for me, as I was expecting ~110M+ Mac User already, others analysts like Benedict Evans and Asymco put those number past ~120M. So for every 2 new Mac Users, there is one leaving.

I hardly call that good news by Apple Standard. And this high churn rate happens after early 2017. From 2012 to 2016-17, there is 4 / 5 New users for every 1 leaving the Mac Ecosystem.

The timing actually align with their sudden Interviews with Apple journalist on Mac, Mac Pro, and the release of iMac Pro.

And judging from these numbers, I would bet the release of MacBook Pro, iMac Pro and MacBook didn't restore the faith of its Mac users. Apple didn't care about its Mac lineup, this new MacBook Air as well as Mac mini were likely reaction to this churn, much like the iMac Pro.

Or may be, the timing has something to do with their New Keyboard Design, which they introduce to MacBook in 2015 and Pro in 2016, and they managed to fit that in this New MacBook Air.

Re: Apple Finally Updates MacBook Air with Retina Display, Touch ID

#153

Post by toasterlovin »

minhazm423 wrote: post #107
andr wrote: post #15

Given that 15 minutes later, in the iPad part of the event, they claimed the new iPad is faster than 92% of all notebooks sold in the last year, the writing is on the wall. For me, the next Macbook to be excited about, would be one with an ARM processor. Still, really disappointing that for the new Air they do not allow you to go to 1TB SSD, but they won't allow you upgrade from a dual-core i5. Feels like a political…

>Given that 15 minutes later, in the iPad part of the event, they claimed the new iPad is faster than 92% of all notebooks sold in the last year, the writing is on the wall. For me, the next Macbook to be excited about, would be one with an ARM processor. hey not a huge technocrat when it comes to pc parts, but could u explain that part to me? what is the writing on the wall? what is arm exactly? and what makes u thi…

> what makes u think its better than whats being offered currently and that it will be in a macbook soon?

Not the person you're replying to, but: 1) Apple hates being dependent on Intel's ability (or lack thereof) to execute on their processor roadmap, and 2) Apple will be able to use processors better suited to their needs.

Re: Apple Finally Updates MacBook Air with Retina Display, Touch ID

#154

Post by toasterlovin »

slantyyz wrote: post #141
ummonk wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's getting better every year, as peripherals and other devices switch over to USB-C. Apple's imposition of USB-C as the one cable has been very frustrating, but we're starting to see the fruits of it.

>> It's getting better every year, as peripherals and other devices switch over to USB-C. Speaking for normal people, though, how often do they turn over their devices and peripherals? When I bought my laptop over a year ago, I made sure it had USB-C/TB3 from a future-proofing perspective, but I have yet to actually buy any device that connects to it via USB-C, and I don't foresee myself buying many either. On the ot…

Normal people don't plug shit into their computers. Neither do I, for that matter.

Re: Apple Finally Updates MacBook Air with Retina Display, Touch ID

#155

Post by djrogers »

dogma1138 wrote: post #18
koolba wrote: post #2

Summarizing a bit: * Starting price of $1,199 * 13" display with trimmed bezels * 2.75 lbs * Higher resolution screen ("Over 4M pixels") * HD front facing camera * No Touch Bar (Yay!) * No USB ports (Boo!) Assuming it doesn't have any odd dust or logic board issues cropping up in the next couple months, I can see myself getting one of these.

And a Dual Core CPU for $1200, app compatibility aside the CPU in the new MBA might be arguably slower than the A12 bionic. It's literally going to be the same CPU as in the current 12" Macbooks with a slightly relaxed power envelope which now begs the question why is the Macbook Air even a separate product? at this point it brings nothing to the table other than being slightly larger and slightly cheaper version of…

It’s not ‘arguably’ slower - it absolutely is. That CPU was already slower than last year’s A11 Fusion CPU, the A12X will blow it away.

Re: Apple Finally Updates MacBook Air with Retina Display, Touch ID

#157

Post by reubenmorais »

prolikewh0a wrote: post #126
tptacek wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Magsafe is done. The writing was on the wall when the rMBP switched to USBC. If you want a magnetic breakaway USBC cable, just buy one.

Are there any breakaway USB-C's that work with 45-65W? Serious question.

Last time I looked into it they all sucked, every single product full of negative reviews, common theme being they stop working after a month or so of use.

Re: Apple Finally Updates MacBook Air with Retina Display, Touch ID

#158

Post by johnchristopher »

> Apple says the new Air takes up 17-percent less volume than the past model.

Do anyone really care at this point ? I'd rather have those 17% filled with batteries or storage.

Do people really choose a laptop based on its dimensions ? (I don't mean the transportable laptop vs ultrabook).

> Apple says the display now has a 2560×1600 resolution and 48-percent more color than the prior model.

Just goes to show how terrible the previous screen was I suppose. /s

> It will start at $1,199, which is a jump from the $999 starting price of the older MacBook Air.

So, no more $1000 usable laptop in the apple ecosystem ? That kinda sucks. I though the brand was declining and that would open up Apple to lower its prices.

If technology is going forward then why does it get more expensive ?

Re: Apple Finally Updates MacBook Air with Retina Display, Touch ID

#159

Post by Wildgoose »

Too late.

I was an Apple user for years but I recently purchased an AMD Ryzen based development box which I am extremely happy with.

My iPhone SE will be my last iPhone as well - I won't purchase an expensive mobile 'phone that lacks something as basic as a headphone jack.

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