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The 2018 MacBook Air is the iPhone X’s ASP strategy all over again

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Re: The 2018 MacBook Air is the iPhone X’s ASP strategy all over again

#31

Post by arnvald »

akshayB wrote: post #14

Apple have created a mess by providing multiple options between Airs and Pros. If you upgrade the RAM to 16GB on Air it surpasses the base model of Pro and similarly other storage options. At that point you should rather buy a Pro over Air because the only major difference is size. Lot of this is totally confusing for non-technical folks and they might just end-up making a wrong purchase.

I completely agree. I've been using MacBook Air mid 2013 for the last 5 years and it's a great laptop. Now I'm considering buying a new one, and Airs just don't make sense for me anymore.

In Singapore the difference in price between cheapest Air and cheapest Pro is less than SG$100 (US$70). The only advantage of Air is longer battery life, but that's it.

I think at this point the Air series should be merged with MacBooks. Make it small (12"), give it one more USB-C port, upgrade processor, add TouchID and it's good to go.

Re: The 2018 MacBook Air is the iPhone X’s ASP strategy all over again

#32

Post by geodel »

rectang wrote: post #16
pier25 wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> and keyboard I'm also waiting for new keyboards but I fear it will take a couple of years. I imagine a new keyboard means a complete redesign, and considering the new MBPs were released in late 2016 I doubt we will see new models before 2020. Apple used to release new Mac models ever 2-3 years but the Mac line is not a priority anymore (it's only 10% of Apple's revenue).

Weren't the keyboard reliability issues largely addressed with the addition of membranes which keep out debris? Or is it a change of feel that you're hoping for?

I think MBP 2018 and new MBA have different keyboards. MBP just added improvements but MBA one is called 3rd gen keyboards.

Re: The 2018 MacBook Air is the iPhone X’s ASP strategy all over again

#33

Post by [deleted] »

rconti wrote: post #26

Interesting theory about the iPhone X being "obviously different" than the lower end iPhones last year, and how it would immediately signal if you had the 'latest' device or not. I suppose that's somewhat inarguable in terms of the iPhone ecosystem, particularly when powered on, but my favorite thing about my X last year (and especially now) is how anonymous it is. With a generic black quad lock case on a black phone…

[deleted]

Re: The 2018 MacBook Air is the iPhone X’s ASP strategy all over again

#36

Post by stetrain »

akshayB wrote: post #25
gok wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Note that the Pros have meaningfully faster CPUs/GPUs than the Airs at every configuration.

plus ports and peripherals too

The base 13" Macbook Pro has the same 2x USB-C/TB3 ports as the new Air. That one also didn't get a processor update this year, leaving it on the 2017 dual core CPU.

Re: The 2018 MacBook Air is the iPhone X’s ASP strategy all over again

#38

Post by logicallee »

drb91 wrote: post #35
utopcell wrote: post #13

Not sure I agree that the Macbook is "an inferior machine at a higher price". At 12", it is the only <13" offering currently.

Seriously. I just bought one for travel and loaded it with ram and I couldn’t be happier.

>and I couldn’t be happier.

Even with the keyboard? May I ask how fast you type (roughly) and whether you use it much for text input (such as emails) or programming?

Re: The 2018 MacBook Air is the iPhone X’s ASP strategy all over again

#39

Post by athenot »

gumby wrote: post #27
Hamuko wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What do you gain with picking a 12-inch display over a 13.3-inch display?

It’s so tiny it’s practically the size of an iPad. If you travel a lot this can be a huge deal. I did a ton of development on one and it was great, but I had a beefier machine for visualizations and big compiles. Still, the tiny 12” is my go-to computer, small disk notwithstanding. It also appears anecdotally that the smaller screen is more popular in Asia than in US/EU (for both Mac and Windows).

I used to have the 13" MacBook Air but am now on a 15" MBP. What I found is that whereas I'm reluctant to pull out my MBP on the couch or bed; I used to do that without hesitation with the MBA. There seems to be some threshold of weight/size that produces friction and makes me keep the MBP on a desk instead of using it like a (more) mobile device.

This is bizarre since the 2 machines are not immensely different in sizing, but it's something about the feel. Obviously this is highly subjective but this is making me consider a 12" MacBook to have as my personal, non-workhorse machine.

Re: The 2018 MacBook Air is the iPhone X’s ASP strategy all over again

#40

Post by anschwa »

logicallee wrote: post #38
drb91 wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seriously. I just bought one for travel and loaded it with ram and I couldn’t be happier.

>and I couldn’t be happier. Even with the keyboard? May I ask how fast you type (roughly) and whether you use it much for text input (such as emails) or programming?

I use an ergodox at work with mx-clears, it’s the most comfortable keyboard I’ve ever had.

The 12” macbook is the greatest laptop I’ve ever had. In fact, I actually prefer the v2 “paper thin” keyboard to the traditional one.

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