121–130 of 1001 posts
1.2Ghz processor seems like a dealbreaker for professional applications (Coding, Video editing) but for applications the Air was used before it actually seems okay.
Further, both processors are dual cores with hyperthreading. It'll be about 5% less performant than the previous Macbook Air while using vastly less energy (4.5 watts vs 15 watts).
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Apple's role here is often to be more opinionated, or braver, than others. They were the first to adopt USB, first to stop shipping floppy drives, first to ditch optical drives, first to make high-DPI ('retina') displays a standard feature... they are willing to be the one who goes out there and says 'we all know this is where things are going - so let's quit pussy-footing around and just do it'. This new MacBook ann…
Plenty of laptop manufacturers had laptops without optical drives before Apple, so I'm guessing you mean across the whole line?
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Thunderbolt runs over USB-C, as well as DisplayPort. USB 3.1 features re-configurable lines that can negotiate almost any protocol. [1] [2] [1] http://www.anandtech.com/show/8558/displayport-alternate-mod... [2] http://www.anandtech.com/show/8539/usb-power-delivery-v20-an...
Displayport != Thunderbolt. Displayport is a protocol that can run over a thunderbolt port, but the thunderbolt spec includes much more than that. I don' believe we'll be seeing the 40Gbps PCI extension that is today's thunderbolt over USB 3.1.
And the USB 3.1 "SuperSpeed+" PHY is a 10Gbps thing that is very comparable to Thunderbolt electrically and would be expected to evolve similarly.
You're right that USB lacks the PCI framework (which many of us view as a feature). But DP/Thunderbolt similarly lacks a cabling standard with the sophistication of USB: no charging, not reversible connectors, no OTG-style switching of host/guest mode.
Apple had a choice of supporting both connectors, or giving up "PCI madness" or "nice cables" to get just one. They picked USB.
I didn't even know there was a show today. From a long time Apple fanboy, I think that says a lot about what this company has left in free marketing from the internet channels. I would say the free ride is over for Apple and they're now just another company doing things in the mosh pit.
USB-C as the "one connector to rule them all" is the big news. That's the end of MagSafe and the exploding era of USB-C docking stations that work for multiple devices. I think we'll start to see an era of expandable computing coming up soon: USB-C is a perfect connector to push your data and state into a larger desktop experience. Why not carry around your laptop in tablet form when you are mobile? [1] [1] https://g…
I am not too happy about that. HP already has USB charger for laptop, and it had bunch of problems, including fire hazard. That was just ARM chromebook, not sure how it will on 'full' mac. EDIT: there are physical limitations how electric current is transferred. USB contacts do not have good shape and will probably deteriorate more quickly.
But I've never had electrical contacts on a charger wear out in the first place, so even if it goes faster it might never matter.
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I'd hate to have to worry that I'll cut myself on my laptop. Is there anyone that's super-excited about a thinner Air? My preference is always for greater battery life. I'm curious if there are people that wish their already thin laptop were even thinner, and if so, why?
Airs are for people who need a full keyboard but don't need a lot of power, and do a lot of commuting/running around (possibly with a bag already packed with other stuff). Come to think, it's probably great for most students. Plenty fast enough to browse and write papers, and it doesn't add to the volume or burden of your already-overstuffed bookbag. It doesn't fit my needs, but that's okay.
I have a early 2014 Air with a Core i7 (4650U), and it can certainly hold its own.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7113/2013-macbook-air-core-i5-...
USB-C as the "one connector to rule them all" is the big news. That's the end of MagSafe and the exploding era of USB-C docking stations that work for multiple devices. I think we'll start to see an era of expandable computing coming up soon: USB-C is a perfect connector to push your data and state into a larger desktop experience. Why not carry around your laptop in tablet form when you are mobile? [1] [1] https://g…
My only regret is that MagSafe is actually really cool. I think I'd have to say it's worth it for full standards-compliance, though.
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"But 1 port is sad, because now you have to choose between a lot of things (charging, using hdmi, whatever)" No, USB Type-C allows multiple concurrent uses, such as: charging and using HDMI at the same time. See http://www.anandtech.com/show/8518/hands-on-with-usb-type-c-... : "This opens up the possibility for a dock scenario where a single cable to the monitor can charge a laptop and also mirror the laptop's displa…
Theoretically, yes. But I'm not obsoleting my new 4K 60" screen to add a port. So if I want to output display to a monitor/projector and I'm low on battery, I better have a powered USB hub handy... It may come with a 1-port USB plus power adapter in place of the standard power cable though?
edit: vocabulary
Man, there's something about a gold laptop that just makes me want to never give money to a company again.
It seems Apple has settled on the same corporate colour scheme for everything except watch straps and budget iPhones - champagne, space gray, and white. From a design POV, I'd have loved to see this in more cheerful colours. I don't think it would have disappointed the target market, either.
Here's your gold bicycle.
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The combo of thinner/lighter/no fan is pretty awesome in my opinion. These aren't for peopled doing hardcore computing, they're for people doing hardcore commuting really.
Do you have a source for the "no fan" bit? If the Core M processor can deliver the same performance as a Haswell ultrabook processor (i.e. the previous Air) without requiring a fan or getting unreasonably hot, I think that's a pretty nice feature.