Next MacBook Air Could Come in Colors Similar to iMac and M2.

[TheReal1980]

Summary

Rumors out there are saying that the new Macbook Air will come in same colors as the new iMac AND with a M2 chip.

 

Quotes

Quote

According to Apple leaker Jon Prosser, Apple's upcoming release of the MacBook Air will feature various colors, similar to the colors in the newly released 24-inch iMac.

Quote

In the latest video of his YouTube channel Front Page Tech, Prosser says the same source who accurately provided him information on the first Apple silicon ‌iMac‌ coming in colors has told him that he recently saw a prototype of a blue MacBook. However, Prosser says his source has been "very cryptic" and that he assumes it's the upcoming ‌MacBook Air‌ powered by the M2 chip.

Quote

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that a future model of the low-end portable Mac will feature a mini-LED display; however, that shouldn't be in the near future.

 

 

My thoughts

It is nice with new colors but the main thing I am interested in is the possibility of having a M2 SoC in a Macbook Air. We have seen how good the M1 has been, if the M2 gives us even better battery life and power then that will very interesting, at least for me. If it gets mini-LED screen as well... then I see this laptop selling insanely well.

I am waiting for the new 14" and 16" first though, just to see what they are doing.

 

 

Sources

 

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/05/07/prosser-macbook-air-colors-similar-to-imac/

 

[ki8aras]

i'd like a pink macbook air that can actually do more than watching the desktop ngl

[SupaKomputa]

Yeah, i like pink macbook just to annoy people around me. haha.

[Guest willies leg]

Sounds like Apple is officially out of ideas.

 

Here's some for you, Apple, free of charge:

- Touch screen/Touch screen OS/X

- LTE/5G modem built into laptops

- Better tools for internet content creation

- Better innovative cameras, not just a camera slapped on a laptop with a few pinhole mics

- How about a real filesystem? And while you're at it, real object versioning/snapshots and backup?

 

I can go on and on, but hey, what the hell, Tim Apple, colorful Macs? That and locked down, non-up-gradable systems?

[PhilAstisxh]

In my knowledge, there will be I think instead of 4 8 high performance cores, which will cause on the battery life, but also be a lot faster...

And, yes, I guess there will me the seven colors, I just hope that you are still able to get a space grey one...

But I am also very excited about what they are doing next.

 

And I think it will not be a chip called M2, but M1X

[Spindel]

1 hour ago, willies leg said:

 

- How about a real filesystem?

???

 

I need elaboration.

[Guest]

5 hours ago, willies leg said:

Sounds like Apple is officially out of ideas.

 

Here's some for you, Apple, free of charge:

- Touch screen/Touch screen OS/X

- LTE/5G modem built into laptops

- Better tools for internet content creation

- Better innovative cameras, not just a camera slapped on a laptop with a few pinhole mics

- How about a real filesystem? And while you're at it, real object versioning/snapshots and backup?

 

I can go on and on, but hey, what the hell, Tim Apple, colorful Macs? That and locked down, non-up-gradable systems?

This is just an argument grab. There is no touch screen because there is no need. Apple want people to buy the iPad for on the go, which has 5G as well (which is also stupid since tethering is one click away - why pay for two plans?).

 

MacOS has excellent internet content creation tools, awesome cameras and mics and a robust file system. Backups are great through the iCloud and time machine. 

[suicidalfranco]

not that it makes a difference, cool for those who will care i guess.

frankly i'll stand on the i'm impress with how good the M1 line of macs are performance wise, but i'll steer away as far as possible because of Apple psychotic nature. At this point it's only a matter of time before they decide to lock down MacOS to a point where you can only install programs from the Mac App Store in the name of security.

[Spindel]

2 hours ago, suicidalfranco said:

not that it makes a difference, cool for those who will care i guess.

frankly i'll stand on the i'm impress with how good the M1 line of macs are performance wise, but i'll steer away as far as possible because of Apple psychotic nature. At this point it's only a matter of time before they decide to lock down MacOS to a point where you can only install programs from the Mac App Store in the name of security.

On the flip side you have users like me that get irritated when an app I want/need isn’t available in AppStore. Unless a specific compability is needed I will always pick an AppStore available alternative. It’s too convinient to pass up on.

[thechinchinsong]

Interesting rumors, but does Apple usually refresh their Air lineup or Pro lineup first? Or does Apple refresh them completely independently of each other? I'm just curious cause I would imagine if they are going to release new silicon into their products, it would make sense to start with the Pro lineups.

[captain_to_fire]

12 hours ago, willies leg said:

Touch screen/Touch screen OS/X

They're not gonna do it due to ergonomics. Why do you think Apple spend R&D money just to make their multi-touch trackpad gestures near perfect such as two finger inertial scrolling. Also, even for 2-in-1 Wintel laptops, people will use the touchscreen rarely as most of them will still use the trackpad. I mean, a touchscreen display on a laptop can be nice for the occasional use but it's not something like an absolute necessity considering that Windows 10's UI elements are still better suited for mice input, not touch. Why do you think that Microsoft is selling Surface tablets with the type cover separately?

12 hours ago, willies leg said:

Better tools for internet content creation

They already have it for decades already

• iMovie (free)
• Final Cut Pro ($300)
• Garage Band (free)
• Logic Pro ($200)
• Quick Time screen recording which existed since 2009, and is so much better than Xbox recorder in Windows 10

12 hours ago, willies leg said:

How about a real filesystem?

Err, have you ever used a Mac before? Ever heard of Finder? You can do so many things that File Explorer can't. For instance it has Quick Look which can preview files without opening them, even if you don't have the program installed.

 

12 hours ago, willies leg said:

real object versioning/snapshots and backup?

Funny you say that because Macs have built in backups since 2007 (Mac OS X Leopard) with Time Machine. Windows 10 has two but they're nowhere as good as Time Machine.

12 hours ago, willies leg said:

LTE/5G modem built into laptops

Fair enough

[Guest willies leg]

13 hours ago, captain_to_fire said:

They're not gonna do it due to ergonomics. Why do you think Apple spend R&D money just to make their multi-touch trackpad gestures near perfect such as two finger inertial scrolling. Also, even for 2-in-1 Wintel laptops, people will use the touchscreen rarely as most of them will still use the trackpad. I mean, a touchscreen display on a laptop can be nice for the occasional use but it's not something like an absolute necessity considering that Windows 10's UI elements are still better suited for mice input, not touch. Why do you think that Microsoft is selling Surface tablets with the type cover separately?

They already have it for decades already

• iMovie (free)
• Final Cut Pro ($300)
• Garage Band (free)
• Logic Pro ($200)
• Quick Time screen recording which existed since 2009, and is so much better than Xbox recorder in Windows 10

Err, have you ever used a Mac before? Ever heard of Finder? You can do so many things that File Explorer can't. For instance it has Quick Look which can preview files without opening them, even if you don't have the program installed.

 

Funny you say that because Macs have built in backups since 2007 (Mac OS X Leopard) with Time Machine. Windows 10 has two but they're nowhere as good as Time Machine.

Fair enough

 

I've used Macs since they were invented in 1985. Their software and applications are stagnant and have been for at least 10 years. GPU's and CPU's far outpaced Apple software. Ask anybody between 10-21 if they use those iTools things anymore, 99% will probably have never heard of them.

Filesystems are passe, object stores are where things are today. Versioned object store.

 

[AMD A10-9600P]

On 5/8/2021 at 1:43 PM, willies leg said:

Sounds like Apple is officially out of ideas.

 

Here's some for you, Apple, free of charge:

- Touch screen/Touch screen OS/X

- LTE/5G modem built into laptops

- Better tools for internet content creation

- Better innovative cameras, not just a camera slapped on a laptop with a few pinhole mics

- How about a real filesystem? And while you're at it, real object versioning/snapshots and backup?

 

I can go on and on, but hey, what the hell, Tim Apple, colorful Macs? That and locked down, non-up-gradable systems?

Apple look like they're doing well at the moment, they handily spanked Intel last year and my guess is that they'll happily do it again this year. I'm not sure they need your ideas, your critiques tell me that you're not really their target audience for a device like this anyway.

 

So:

• iPad exists, they're essentially two different user bases. Why would they needlessly jeopardise the iPad line anyway
• That isn't actually that useful to many people, most of us use our laptops on readily available WiFi, rather than paying for an additional data plan. Besides, the people who that is useful to aren't Mac customers, they're professionals using whatever rugged Windows device and software their company gives them, like a Panasonic Toughbook with 20 year old specialist software running on Windows 7
• Apple has a huge suite of tools already; Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iMovie, Garageband, Clips, Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro, and probably some more I can't remember
• Post processing pushes their webcams wayyyy ahead of anything most other laptops have, besides, webcams don't need to be innovative anyway, they're not the main selling point of a laptop, they just need to work
• Finder has worked for them for a long time, so I think I'd call it real, even if it doesn't suit my workflow. Files on the iPad isn't real though. Backup is covered by either Time Machine or iCloud, so yeah, they exist

The majority of laptop users aren't actually opening up and upgrading their systems, especially Apple customers. Besides, the chips they're manufacturing mean that you really don't actually need to get in there and upgrade it, or replace the battery. Locked down is Apples thing, and clearly its working, unifying all the components can have some insane performance benefits, as I'm sure you've seen. There's nothing wrong with extra colours anyway, just means more choice.

[sof006]

I had a MacBook air 2011 which I liked, hardly got used though. Could see myself using a MacBook Air with a M1/M2 chip in with the fanless design, could use it to replace my aging iPad. Not super bothered by touch screens, would rather have something with a touchpad and keyboard.

[WolframaticAlpha]

16 hours ago, captain_to_fire said:

They're not gonna do it due to ergonomics.

Paraphrasing Phil Schiller: " Due to Ergonomics,  My Ass"

 

Surface has created cool laptops and as someone who has used them for quite some time(I was loaned one when my old lappy broke), they are quite nice. The only downside was fewer ports and very little expandability, but that is the norm for idevices.

 

Apple wants people to buy an iPad and that is okay, because for normie stuff that I do on my ipad, I don't think the surface can come close. But many people, especially those on the go would appreciate such a computer

[IDontKnowLiterallyAnything]

Not really a Mac guy, but it's very nice to see a competitor to Microsoft's operating system and new tech evolving, and it's completely out of this world what the M1 can do and i'm exited to see whats going to improve with the new M2 chip if it releases. 

[mecarry30]

I'm fine with colors, but please no white bezel. Just no.

[Commodus]

Colours would be smart from a business perspective.

 

What perpetually frustrates Apple critics is that it treats tech as a lifestyle product rather than a machine... but that's also how you reach real, everyday customers. They don't care that you're using a Ryzen 5000-series chip or that the RAM isn't user-upgradeable; they want a system that's fast enough, lasts a long time on battery and looks good while doing it. And while a number of companies nail those first two reasonably well, a lot of them fall flat on that last part.

 

Think about how much PC design has stagnated lately. You do get slick designs like the XPS 13, but even that is just... well, kinda boring. Even Apple and Microsoft are fairly subdued.  The option to get your MacBook Air in green or purple would really stand out and might draw people who've otherwise resigned themselves to buying endless shades of grey.

[captain_to_fire]

8 hours ago, willies leg said:

Ask anybody between 10-21 if they use those iTools things anymore, 99% will probably have never heard of them.

I'm pretty sure that age group who has owned a Mac know the existence of those especially iMovie. Let's not forget that there is nothing like the M1 chip in Windows land at the moment.

[NotTheFirstDaniel]

13 hours ago, willies leg said:

I've used Macs since they were invented in 1985. Their software and applications are stagnant and have been for at least 10 years. GPU's and CPU's far outpaced Apple software. Ask anybody between 10-21 if they use those iTools things anymore, 99% will probably have never heard of them.

I feel like Garageband and iMovie (two apps that are preinstalled on new Macs and are recommended on both the iOS and macOS App Stores) are a bit less "stagnant" and more well known than that canceled audio sequencer Microsoft was making, Windows Movie Maker, and the Photos app. I know iMovie supports HEVC as of 2017, and  it probably also supports Intel QuickSync like its bigger brother Final Cut Pro.

 

Just because something doesn't change every second doesn't mean it's bad. Is this not the same forum that gets mad whenever Windows adds some "unnecessary" feature? 

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

On 5/8/2021 at 5:43 AM, willies leg said:

 

- Better innovative cameras, not just a camera slapped on a laptop with a few pinhole mics

 

Tell that to Microsoft and their OEM partners. They'll slap a camera from a 2005 feature phone on a $1000+ laptop and say "good enough". 

[Laborant]

As being someone having such an "innovative" 2-in-1 Windows Laptop, it is safe for me to say that a 2-in-1 does not double as a tablet. Okay, my unit has a really bad digitizer-stylus-combo and for the (expensive) Wacom Stylus to work it is a pure mess. For general "Touchscreen stuff" like reading PDFs, the whole thing is way too heavy and bulky. In addition, Windows 10 sometimes misses the "hinge"-Action so switching from Tablet mode to Desktop mode has to be toggled separately.

 

I only use the touchscreen in situations  where I would have to travel huge distances on the (tiny) track-pad. Sure, it's a personal preference but I would not mind just having a better track-pad and no touchscreen at all. 

 

Within the whole PC-Laptop market, there is no offering that checks all the boxes, a MacBook Air M1 checks. On the "thin and lights", the performance and battery life are lacking, on the gaming laptops, the portability lacks. So to say, that Apple run out of ideas is a bit of a stretch, when in the "PC world" no competitive offering exists.

[suicidalfranco]

On 5/8/2021 at 10:36 PM, Spindel said:

On the flip side you have users like me that get irritated when an app I want/need isn’t available in AppStore. Unless a specific compability is needed I will always pick an AppStore available alternative. It’s too convinient to pass up on.

on all three OSs i completely avoid them. 

Was about to completely give up on OneNote on the Mac at one point since it looked like you could only get it from the Store, but thankfully i managed to find a site that has every link to MS's CDN for Mac.

[Video Beagle]

I wouldn't be into colors, I don't think...I'm all old now.. But I could see college age and 20somethings being all into them.

[Kisai]

On 5/8/2021 at 5:43 AM, willies leg said:

Sounds like Apple is officially out of ideas.

 

Here's some for you, Apple, free of charge:

- Touch screen/Touch screen OS/X

Buy an iPad

On 5/8/2021 at 5:43 AM, willies leg said:

- LTE/5G modem built into laptops

Buy an iPad

On 5/8/2021 at 5:43 AM, willies leg said:

- Better tools for internet content creation

Buy a Mac Pro

On 5/8/2021 at 5:43 AM, willies leg said:

- Better innovative cameras, not just a camera slapped on a laptop with a few pinhole mics

Not a core competency. They should put the entire ARKit-capable front-facing camera on all mac's but that will limit the size of the screen since a camera that is too high or too low is absolutely useless.

On 5/8/2021 at 5:43 AM, willies leg said:

- How about a real filesystem? And while you're at it, real object versioning/snapshots and backup?

Time Capsule has been a thing since 2008.

On 5/8/2021 at 5:43 AM, willies leg said:

I can go on and on, but hey, what the hell, Tim Apple, colorful Macs? That and locked down, non-up-gradable systems?

 

What you're asking for are things that Apple already does.

 

There's really only three things I want from Apple:

- Stereoscopic/ARKit/FaceID camera standard on all devices. This is literately holding back all kinds of uses. Sure the iPad and iPhone can do this, but a $2000 iPhone instead of a $300-500 camera module, (another one) starts looking rather ridiculous. Especially when I'm sure the iPhone's cameras almost certainly aren't even half the build cost. Like not even Windows "Windows Hello" has taken off, and that can be pointed directly to how no computer is doing this.

- A high-end consumer desktop that slots in between the iMac and the Mac Pro. Like what used to exist with the G4. It isn't so much I don't want the iMac, is that the iMac has always been under-spec'd that Apple seems to take strange stance that it's computers either must be under-spec and useless, or over-spec for the business case. I can see the business case for buying a $10,000-$100,000 Mac Pro if the project I'm working on is $100,000,000, but if I'm working on a project that is only worth $10,000, I'm not buying a Mac Pro for it, I'd rather use whatever I already have. 

- A convertible laptop/tablet.

 

Now let me point something out. Touch-interfaces universally suck. They are too inaccurate to be used for anything you would use a mouse on, and they are too "it just works" to be used for anything without large UI elements. So a lot of software that involves things like layers or timelines (such as all Adobe, Microsoft, and text/terminal software) is functionally unusable with a touch screen.

 

This is why Apple is correct for not putting touch interfaces on their non-tablet/phone devices. The existing OS X software will simply not be usable at all on a device that has a touch interface. On the flip side of that, Touch-only devices are too hamstrung by their UI to have their software work on a desktop or laptop. So it's up to the application developers to support both UI modes, and that's just a lot of extra work in many cases, for rarely used mode.

 

That said.

 

There have been various times where laptops that can "convert" from laptop to tablet, operate in "two monitor mode, and gain an additional level of functionality where two people are effectively using the computer. An example of this was POS (Point of Sales) systems, where the touch-screen facing part of the laptop (the lid) faces the customer, while the POS operator has the actual input in front of them. I've seen actual retail kiosks operate this way (Both KFC and Wendys here use tablet screens like this, and occasionally the operator doesn't know how to get them out of mirror mode, so you see all the software buttons they are pressing.)