[Macworld]

Post your comments for Apple's hardware announcements here

[Tipadoo]

Another user posted this link in another forum regarding the new Mac Pro. I would love to hear what you think about this opinion:

http://brookwillard....fessional-line/

[KPOM]

While these were nice updates, there should be more commentary on the device that really needs one now, which is the MacBook Air. While there are rumors, nothing is confirmed and the speculation is in two directions (slower, smaller vs. Core i3 and bigger SSD).

Either way, hopefully Apple announces something soon. This is a device that hasn't changed much since November 2008 and not at all since July 2009.

[MartiNZ]

It certainly did start out sounding like it would be a pundit showdown this podcast, just the right cast for it, but no music . Hope they are all available for a postponed showdown, they are such fun to listen to!

[MartiNZ]

Never mind after listening it was just as good. Battery recharger ... removal batteries, classic MacWorld podcast !

[Jason Snell]

Hi KPOM, we did mention the Air in the podcast and it's definitely the odd man out right now.

[Martian]

Jason Snell, on 29 July 2010 - 09:01 AM, said:

Hi KPOM, we did mention the Air in the podcast and it's definitely the odd man out right now.

Is there really a large enough market to support the R&D and tooling needed to warm over the Air? Most people wanting more power probably want a LOT more power and can buy a MUCH more powerful, versatile and connective MacBook or MBPro that has the same footprint and is only a bit heavier.

Meanwhile, the Air's niche market is being eroded on all sides: it's concept (obsessively thin at the expense of function) is no longer new; iPad is now available; a more powerful iPhone is now available; better competition from the Windows side.

Perhaps there will be an upcoming "REAL" MacBook without an optical drive that retains the full power, connectivity and versatility of the MacBook. It could split the weight and thickness difference between current MB's and today's Air. Of course at Job's marketing whim, it could possibly be called "Air".

[KPOM]

Martian, on 29 July 2010 - 10:32 AM, said:

Is there really a large enough market to support the R&D and tooling needed to warm over the Air? Most people wanting more power probably want a LOT more power and can buy a MUCH more powerful, versatile and connective MacBook or MBPro that has the same footprint and is only a bit heavier.

Meanwhile, the Air's niche market is being eroded on all sides: it's concept (obsessively thin at the expense of function) is no longer new; iPad is now available; a more powerful iPhone is now available; better competition from the Windows side.

Given that there is a lot more Windows competition, it stands to reason that it should be pretty easy to develop a more powerful MacBook Air. There is the issue of the difficulty in adding a discrete GPU to a Core i3, but if they can figure that out, they would indeed have a much more powerful machine. Adding ports ought to be relatively simple, too. All of its Windows competitors manage to put 2 or 3 USB ports, and some have added HDMI and/or Firewire.

There is a huge difference between 3 lbs and 4.5 lbs. Plus, until the iPhone or iPad can run a desktop OS and desktop applications, they aren't useful as primary machines.