It's widely expected that we will receive updated Macbooks and Macbook Pro's in June with the new Intel processors... but what about the Air?

I'm trying to get a feel for the product, and where it will be at that time, as I'll finally be able to afford an Air around June/July.. so if something hasn't been released by then, I might have to play the revision waiting game.

Do you expect the Air to be updated or revised at the same time?

What issues does Apple need to address with the current Air in revision 2?

What can we expect in the next Air update? Prices?



Cheers.
Mark.

Built in 3G HSDPA capability. Actually I'd argue that possible feature is the whole point of the Air and why some of us found the 1st revision underwhelming.

I think the ability to use the iPhone as a modem would be a more realistic wish. Especially if the 3G rumours turn out to be true.

In any case the macbook air is brand spanking new. They're still flying off the shelves faster than they're being produced so it's unlikely there will be an update anytime soon.

Expect: no.
Possible: yes.

Why not have a look at the thread: MBA feedback by actual users.

Hold on. It's coming to me. Wait a second. Nope. Nothing. Can't help you.

The ability to use the 3G iPhone as a modem via bluetooth is a given, but not all of us want an iPhone, incredible as it may seem. Anyway how much is a 3G chip?

The Atom processor is also inevitable. 160GB hard drive?

Fixing the heat issues, and adding a ethernet port would be a good start....
I really don't like carrying additional cables and adaptor's, I have plenty already.
Then I might buy one

I'd say they should add stereo sound (another speaker on the left side) rather than only having one speaker/mono sound, as well as maybe increasing the storage space

(80GB to maybe 100/120GB) on the standard model

Most likely Apple won't update the MBA just yet, I'd say Apple will hold it back until the end of the year some time.

Atom is not a CPU for notebooks. Intel have a long way to go to make money on this CPU - they only have 2 vendors for it so until they sell a truck load of them they won't switch. You might see speed bumps - but due to heat output being limited due to size, I very much doubt it.

I don't think they will update / upgrade the MBA for at least 6/8 months.

An update will probably need a second USB slot - HDD needs to be faster with more space. Firewire would be brilliant just for the initial transfer of user data!

I'm not sure that Apple will let folks use the iPhone as a modem - the networks don't like that very much.

The reviews that the Lenovo X300 is getting (it's the one that uses the same CPU) may force Apple to change stuff... but then again, it's quite possible it wont.

Actually, the Atom processor is not appropriate for the MBA - it's slower than the current offerings. The successors will likely be the SL9300 (1.6GHz) and SL9400 (1.866GHz), which are Penryn based, not Merom based.

The 160GB HDD used in the iPod is too thick apparently. The most promising HDD update is this one: Storage: Toshiba Speeds 1.8-Inch Drives Up to 5400rpm

So my guess is that rev B, will have 1.6/1.86GHz Penryn CPUs, with a 120GB HDD. It should in theory be launchable at WWDC, but you never know with Apple.

Next year, Intel will have its much hyped next-gen SSD tech available - Intel based SSD should be able to dominate 1.8" HDDs in terms of performance, but they will still lag behind in both cost and storage capacity.

The new line of intel processors originally slated for the MBA where supposed to ship Q2-3. It was originally thought that the current custom intel processor inside the MBA would just be a stop gap until then, but now from information floating around the internet it would appear that Intel has pushed the expected release date back to Q4 ... so don't expect a refresh anytime soon.

They'll move to 45nm CPUs very soon and those Toshiba 1.8" 5400rpm drives Toshiba have are a given to go in the MBA.

Other than that, there's not much they can change or need to change, the MBA is selling like hotcakes! The Lenovo X300 looks very cool (from a specs point that is, it physically looks like just another Thinkpad ), I'd love to give one a test-drive for a week or two.

like i said, from reputable sources around the web, the specific series of 45nm processor that was destined for the MBA has had its release date pushed back to Q4.

Intel to deliver quad-core chips for notebooks
by Agam Shah, IDG News Service
Mar 15, 2008 7:24 am

Intel on Friday confirmed it will ship quad-core chips designed specifically for notebooks, most likely for desktop replacement laptops, later this year.

The quad-core chips will be based on the Core 2 Duo microarchitecture and will ship in the third quarter, Intel officials said.

Intel declined comment on chip details, though enthusiast Web sites reported the chip is Intel’s Core 2 Extreme QX9300. The chips will be manufactured using the new 45-nanometer process.

The chip will be released after Intel’s Centrino 2 platform, code-named Montevina, is launched in the second quarter.
Montevina is an upgrade to the current Centrino mobile platform that puts WiMax and Wi-Fi networking capabilities on a single chip.
Montevina will include processors based on the Core 2 microarchitecture and the quad-core notebook processor could be included in the platform.

The initial quad-core laptops will be desktop replacements, weighty laptops that will appeal to gamers and office workers requiring processing power, said Nathan Brookwood, principal analyst with Insight 64.
The chips won’t reach smaller notebooks like the MacBook Air anytime soon, Brookwood said.
A quad-core laptop with a separate graphics card could be a powerful desktop alternative, and it will be portable, he said.
Notebooks are still being driven by battery life, and the number of people who need huge performance is still small, he said.

The quad-core CPU (central processing unit) is going to require more power than a dual-core CPU even if the CPU clock is slowed down, he said.

Intel officials in the past have said that users expecting quad-core mobile processors may have to wait until issues surrounding power consumption are resolved.

The initial quad-core processors will strain battery life and may first make their way to the high-end gaming and workstation notebooks that require heavy processing power, said Mooly Eden, vice president and general manager, Intel Mobile Platforms Group, earlier this year.

(I should add that there is now a reasonable-ish chance of MB & MBPro revisions in June but it's looking more likely in '3Q' - i.e august - which will sync in nicely with Tax Refund time for most of us - yee haaa!)