Finally a retina MacBook Air replacement on the way?

The_Abyss · 12 Mar 2018 at 21:39

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/03/12/new-entry-level-mac-notebook-retina/

I sincerely hope there’s some truth in this one. I love the Air form factor, and would take one over the ‘new’ Pro.

Somnambulist · 12 Mar 2018 at 22:48

MacBook around the (obsolete) Air price point = yes.

New Air = no. They dropped the 11" one and they'll drop the 13" one eventually. No point making a new one when the regular MB's are lighter, thinner, have a better display and have gotten rid of ports Apple deem legacy and aren't going to bring back.

The_Abyss · 13 Mar 2018 at 09:04

I think I'd still go for that - an effective merging of the two with a larger screen as a result. I'm still really frustrated by Apple's drive to remove all ports and consolidate with USB-C. I use my SD port constantly on my MacBook Pro, and the lack of one on the replacement model was a key factor in deciding not to upgrade. I can't see them doing anything differently for any new model though.

JamesM · 13 Mar 2018 at 12:35

Watched a video where they believe the Macbook will replace the air and it's price point, the non touch bar Pro will become the new Macbook.

Hades · 13 Mar 2018 at 13:21

Please bring back the old keyboard. I hate the current one and it breaks too easily when it sees a bit of dust. Bring back the old keyboard and I can put a new Macbook on my possible list of next laptops. Until then... no.

Somnambulist · 13 Mar 2018 at 17:43

Hades said:
Please bring back the old keyboard. I hate the current one and it breaks too easily when it sees a bit of dust. Bring back the old keyboard and I can put a new Macbook on my possible list of next laptops. Until then... no.

They just filed a patent for a dust/crumb proof keyboard/keys as it goes, although it's based around the current design.

glenimp617 · 14 Mar 2018 at 08:58

I've always had a soft spot for the air. IMHO still the best looking laptop on the market.

I'd seriously consider a new air with retina screen....so long as it is an air with a retina screen.

Ollie83 · 17 Mar 2018 at 02:59

TheOracle said:
I've always had a soft spot for the air. IMHO still the best looking laptop on the market.

I'd seriously consider a new air with retina screen....so long as it is an air with a retina screen.

Couldn't agree more. This is what I am hoping for and will be a day 1 purchase.

C-Roy · 17 Mar 2018 at 07:59

Oh a new Air, possibly. Nice.

ddoubleep · 21 Mar 2018 at 11:27

Looking forward to this. Wanting something portable when away from the iMac. Hopefully not crippled too heavily.

Feek · 21 Mar 2018 at 12:46

How is this going to work? Isn't the Air more powerful than the MacBook but with a lower spec screen and therefore cheaper? If the screen is upgraded, doesn't it just become a more powerful MacBook with a bigger screen and the price goes up?

What am I missing?

The_Abyss · 21 Mar 2018 at 14:11

I imagine it will be slightly higher spec CPUs, incrementally improving on the MacBook, in a MacBook Air chassis with a retina screen at a price point below the MacBook Pro. THat's my utopia anyway!

Feek · 21 Mar 2018 at 15:10

But that article linked suggests a price of $799 or $899. That's well below MacBook prices but with a retina screen and a higher spec than the MacBook, it should be higher priced.

Which is why I'm confused, it doesn't make sense.

Somnambulist · 21 Mar 2018 at 15:32

It doesn't. The most realistic scenario is that they simply cut the price of the existing Air to keep it on it's last legs a little longer. The non Touch-Bar MBP is already essentially the 'new Air', it just doesn't need the moniker because like when they dropped the name from the iPad line-up, it's got to the point where everything is thin/light.