Apple Finally Updates MacBook Air with Retina Display, Touch ID • Hacker News Board

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

#301

Post by toasterlovin » Tue, Oct 30, 2018, 7:57 PM UTC

mmcconnell1618 wrote: post #243

toasterlovin wrote: post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

Apple has switched chips several times. Around 1996 they moved from Motorola 68K chips to IBM PowerPC chips for the G1-G5 series of machines. PowerPC innovation fell behind Intel and around 2006, Apple decided to move to Intel chips to keep up with PC technology. The move to Intel chips allowed dual boot Macs which I believe brought a whole new set of customers. Developers loved the ability to run Windows, Mac and Li…

> But, they also have the risk of falling behind Intel again down the road.

I think Apple’s got this one.

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

#302

Post by pinewurst » Tue, Oct 30, 2018, 7:57 PM UTC

SyneRyder wrote: post #282

pinewurst wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They are different chips in the sense of being different generations. It's interesting that the Air is a "Y" part which is the same low-power/lower performance family as the Macbook. No updates for the Macbook yet otherwise they probably would be the same. Macbook 12" 2017 = i7-7Y75 (top spec, cheaper ones are lower clocked i3/i5 Y) Macbook Air 2018 = i7-8510Y (617 graphics supposedly faster)

I'm not sure it's an i7-8510Y - note that the MacBook Air specs [1] say it's an i5 chip. (And you can't upgrade it to an i7 either.) I'm not sure we know what chip it actually is yet. [1] https://www.apple.com/au/shop/buy-mac/macbook-air/silver-1.6...

The i7-8510Y is the only one with the specified 617 graphics, but thanks for pointing out that difference. Maybe they have a slightly lower-spec custom i5 SKU from Intel? I'd be surprised though if it wasn't a Y-device nevertheless.

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

#303

Post by wlesieutre » Tue, Oct 30, 2018, 7:58 PM UTC

dragonwriter wrote: post #284

wlesieutre wrote: post #277

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is a USB-C enclosure actually faster than USB 3.1 was with the old conenctors? As far as I know you can use all the same devices and just swap out the cable on a computer that wants a USB-C connector. On the device end (for hard drives and hubs) you'd generally have a type-B connector (don't think I've ever seen one with USB-A, but I haven't had that many external drives). Type-B got got a bulkier version for supersp…

> Is a USB-C enclosure actually faster than USB 3.1 was with the old conenctors? As I understand it, USB-C-to-USB-C (with USB 3.2) is the only connector combination supporting Gen 2×2, 20Gb/s mode (since it leverages the pins included to support flipping the connector; it's also the only combination to support Gen 1×2, but that's the same speed as Gen 2×1, so it's unclear why you'd do that.) USB A (w/USB 3.1+) can su…

Ah you're right. First I've heard of USB 3.2, but here's news from 2017: https://www.anandtech.com/show/11667/usb32-update

I have a USB-C drive enclosure, but looking at the specs it's only USB 3.1. Newegg doesn't even have 3.2 as an option when searching by external interface in their hard drive enclosures section. The day when you're actually losing anything by not having USB-C devices seems a ways off still.

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

#304

Post by cptskippy » Tue, Oct 30, 2018, 7:58 PM UTC

cseelus wrote: post #220

finchisko wrote: post #184

Am I the only one, who is excited and considering buying this thing? I'm still on 2012 Air. It's good device, but showing it's age (slow CPU and only 4GB of Ram, the screen resolution is joke). But new Air seems very compelling to me. I'll miss the magsafe though. Also I would like to know if the SSD can be upgraded later (unofficially of course). 2012 Air SSD can be replaced, using cheap reduction (from proprietary…

The loss of MagSafe for me wasn‘t as bad as expeced, especially given that magnetic USB-C cables(1) are a thing now. 1) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Looyat-Magnetic-Cable-Macbook-Black...

Honestly I'm afraid to use uncertified cables and running an uncertified cable at 20v 4a just sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

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

#305

Post by kentosi » Tue, Oct 30, 2018, 8:00 PM UTC

erikstarck wrote: post #33

There's also, finally, a new Mac Mini! "The most specced-out Mac mini can feature 64 GB RAM, 4.6GHz 6-core Core i7 CPUs, a 2 TB SDD and 10 Gigabit ethernet."

It's the addition of RAM that kills the price though. A jump from 32GB to 64GB is $800USD!

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

#306

Post by greedo » Tue, Oct 30, 2018, 8:01 PM UTC

lostgame wrote: post #297

I'm a little upset we are now without a $1000 ($999) introductory-level Apple notebook. Even though it was gloriously underpowered, it still presented an entry-level device for students and those generally with less cash. The extra $200 also makes the differential between the 'Air' and the standard 'MacBook'...well, um...can anyone specifically tell me the differences, even?

Expect to see the 12" Macbook canned pretty soon.

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

#307

Post by 51lver » Tue, Oct 30, 2018, 8:02 PM UTC

dwighttk wrote: post #242

51lver wrote: post #133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I gotchu fam! AT > PS/2 > usb A > usb C If I were you, I'd stick all that crap inside the massive schoolbus sized AT keyboard where you can't see it. There is probably plenty of room. Hell, go ahead an integrate a USB hub too, then you can use the keyboard itself to adapt other legacy devices to usb C.

why didn't they include an ADB port?

Because svideo is a terrible serial protocol.

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

#308

Post by wilsonnb3 » Tue, Oct 30, 2018, 8:08 PM UTC

wlesieutre wrote: post #151

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.

That makes sense, although it’s a little unfortunate. I would have preferred they update the Pro instead of releasing the new Air with a weaker processor and graphics.

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

#309

Post by rayiner » Tue, Oct 30, 2018, 8:16 PM UTC

IkmoIkmo wrote: post #150

Love the device but I can't get over how expensive it has gotten. A 20% price bump... Sure, there's still the old Macbook Air around, but it wasn't updated and is based on a decade old model with a CPU/GPU that's a 3 years old (5th gen i5 from 2015), and a 128 PPI screen, that's a bit ridiculous. If you want a modern machine you're looking at $1200 for the cheapest model. That isn't even too bad but when you go abroa…

The lowest-priced Macbook was $1099 in 2006, which is $1370 accounting for inflation. The $999 model was actually the exception, probably priced that low on account of being long-in-the-tooth.

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

#310

Post by simplify » Tue, Oct 30, 2018, 8:16 PM UTC

finchisko wrote: post #184

Am I the only one, who is excited and considering buying this thing? I'm still on 2012 Air. It's good device, but showing it's age (slow CPU and only 4GB of Ram, the screen resolution is joke). But new Air seems very compelling to me. I'll miss the magsafe though. Also I would like to know if the SSD can be upgraded later (unofficially of course). 2012 Air SSD can be replaced, using cheap reduction (from proprietary…

I have an old macbook air too. My biggest fear is the new keyboard will be a downgrade.