[KPOM]

 jescott418, on 28 June 2012 - 02:36 AM, said:

Just as I argue the retina display is not for most of us. The ideal of Apple soldering RAM and SSD's into the motherboards as well as the battery not only means bowing to Apple upgrade prices. But makes it more difficult to repair. I went back to a Macbook Pro for this reason alone. If they become expensive throw aways because of their designs. I may have to rethink Apple.

The RAM is soldered in but the SSD is not. For the 2010 and 2011, OWC had available replacements, and they are planning to make replacements available for the 2012.

Also note that the MacBook Pro with Retina Display also has soldered RAM and a proprietary SSD like the Air, so that is definitely the direction that Apple is headed in the future. In general, the concept of "future proofing" is giving way to planned obsolescence, and it isn't just Apple headed in that direction. Microsoft is clearly headed there with their emphasis on the Surface and Surface Pro (which are definitely not user upgradable). Granted, because of their significant enterprise background, they probably won't become as completely closed as Apple, but they may get close. Desktop exists in Windows 8 (but not Windows RT) solely for support for legacy applications, and it is losing some of the UI features it gained in Vista and 7. They want people to code for Metro.

This post has been edited by KPOM: 30 June 2012 - 10:10 AM

[danrhiggins]

 JoeBuild, on 27 June 2012 - 03:03 PM, said:

 HalanR, on 26 June 2012 - 06:15 AM, said:

 padinc, on 26 June 2012 - 05:39 AM, said:

Thank you for putting this up so quickly!

I have a question if you don't mind. I have been using a 13-inch MacBook Air (late 2010), and I really want a retina display. I don't travel often, so weight isn't much of an issue. Should I wait for a retina MacBook Air, or should I buy a MacBook Pro? I don't want to wait longer then November, but I am not sure if Apple will release a retina display MacBook Air by that time.

I'm certainly no expert, nor can I see in the future, but I'd be surprised to see Airs with retina displays that early. I think the Air will remain as the entry level notebook computer, and I can't see, in this short of time, where these displays will get cheap enough to not affect the Air's pricing. Unless, like the new Pro, they offer a higher end Air w/ retina display. I think the retina displays will trickle down to the other MacBook Pros before they'll be seen on other models. Just my opinion.

The bigger issue is the battery. Yes it will be a very long while before there are Retina Airs because the displays bandwidth and power needs are just too great. There is just not enough room in the Airs with current battery technology to get any sort of lasting life in an Air. Even the 13inch Pro might be too small and generate too much heat to get the retina display right now.....Besides the Retina is a different line and I see that for cost reasons being that way for a least a couple of years.

Yes, battery is the bigger issue. People often think it is cost or something else. But a big part of the reason the MBAs don't have the additional graphics power, quad-core or a Retina display is most likely the battery power budget they have to deal with. Especially when you consider that the MBA is a favorite for those who want portability and along with that plenty of battery life. If it was going to be sitting on my desk 80% of the time I would go for the Pro. But I am constantly on the move. I will sacrifice some performance and connectivity and the Retina display for portability and long battery life. That said, the MBA is not shabby when it comes to performance. I like the display. (I actually like the somewhat whiter display on the MBA over the Retina display on the MBP for what I do - lots of MS Office, some surfing, Win7 on Parallels for corporate stuff, presentations, webex, etc.). BTW, I went to the Apple store the other day with my 2012 MBA and put it alongside the MBP Retina. Then I did some scrolling and swiping between virtual desktops. The MBA was much smoother. I may get a Retina MBP for my photography hobby work once they work out these issues. But for now that jerkiness of the scrolling, etc. would drive me nuts after the experience I have on my MBA.

[kt297]

Hi,

I noticed that the 13 in BTO MacBook air 2012 is 17% faster than the MacBook pro 2.9ghz 2012 using the speedmark benchmark. When looking at the geekbench scores the same pro was 12% faster than the air? Why such a difference between the benchmarks for the same machines tested?

[citizenbfk]

To contribute to the unconfirmed rumor speculations, I read that Apple's next step for Retina displays
would be to introduce it to the 13" MacBook Pro line...and that makes sense to me.

I'm in the market for a laptop and I'm keen on trying to discern the best deals on what I buy -- but in this case I repeatedly find myself banging my head against the wall.

I was glad to find out, at least, (from another comment) that if I pronounce Retina as ri-teen-uh I will be held in high esteem.

[MikeMoyes]

I Love MacBook Air

[samantha385]

cool