Katie Marsal
Citing an anonymous source, Cult of Mac reported Monday that the base model will sport 2GB of RAM, but that number can be upgraded. The current MacBook Air does not offer the option to upgrade RAM.
The source also indicated that the notebook will be smaller, but will still offer a battery 50 percent larger. This will increase operating time on battery to between 8 and 10 hours, up from the current model's 5-hour battery life.
The report also corroborated details reported Saturday by AppleInsider that the new MacBook Air will be offered in two sizes: an 11.6-inch screen, and a 13.3-inch display. The source also indicated that the 13-inch model could be priced as low as $1,100, while the 11-inch model could be just $999.
Contradicting the claim of upgradeable RAM is a recent photo of a purported prototype of the new notebook, which showed the device with memory soldered on to the motherboard.
The report also indicate that the solid state drive on the device will be upgradeable. Sources have told AppleInsider that the new device will feature an "SSD Card" that lacks a traditional drive enclosure, and will instead more closely resemble NAND flash. However, it was said the storage will not be easily user replaceable and will be based off of an SATA connection.
Cult of Mac also reported that the new MacBook Air could come in two different configurations: a 2.1GHz processor with 2GB of RAM, and a 2.4GHz processor with 4GB of RAM. It also said that the notebook will sport Nvidia GeForce 320M integrated graphics, a GPU first introduced this April in the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
The report also included a mockup of the device, which is said to be "thinner, lighter and boxier than the current model," according to author Leander Kahney.
Other details from the site's source:
- The quick boot time on the new MacBook Air is said to be "unbelievable" and "amazing."
- The new model has an aluminum unibody design, but is "not as curvy" as the current model. The source indicated it is "boxier" like the iPhone 4.
- For inputs, the source indicated the device has two USB ports, an SD card slot on the right side, and a Mini DisplayPort adapter on the left side.
Apple's Back to the Mac event will be held this Wednesday at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, 1 p.m. Eastern, and AppleInsider will have full live coverage. For more, see earlier reports:
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59 Comments
Overall I think this will be an exciting new take on the Air !
Cannot wait for Wednesday
New alleged details of Apple's anticipated MacBook Air ...
That mockup looks more like fantasy than reality. According to the rumours it *doesn't* have the black glass bezel but instead has the same bezel as the original Air, and according to the picture from yesterday it has a curved bottom like the old one too.
What a piece o'work are those AppleOutsider's editors!
However, it was said the storage will not be easily user replaceable and will be based off of an SATA connection.
Washington State University
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``Similarly, you can build something off of a starting point, but you can’t base anything off of anything. Something is always based on something else.' '
...and will instead more closely resemble a stick of RAM
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Citing an anonymous source, Cult of Mac reported Monday that the base model will sport 2GB of RAM, but that number can be upgraded. The current MacBook Air does not offer the option to upgrade RAM.
[...]
However, the report also indicates that the solid state drive on the device will be upgradeable. This contradicts with a recent photo of a purported prototype of the new notebook, which showed the device with memory soldered on to the motherboard.
Sources have told AppleInsider that the new device will feature an "SSD Card that lacks a traditional drive enclosure, and will instead more closely resemble a stick of RAM. However, it was said the storage will not be easily user replaceable and will be based off of an SATA connection.
Cult of Mac also reported that the new MacBook Air could come in two different configurations: a 2.1GHz processor with 2GB of RAM, and a 2.4GHz processor with 4GB of RAM.
Has AI mixed up RAM and NAND in the article? From the presumed prototype MoBo this new MBA will have non-upgradable RAM.
Also, is there a reason why a proprietary SATA connection would be used over a proprietary mini-PCIe connection for storage.
From the presumed image it looks like the SD card and mDP are both on the right side, along with one USB port, with the left side containing the MagSafe, USB and what I assume is a 3.5mm audio in/out jack under come circuitry.
That mockup looks more like fantasy than reality. According to the rumours it *doesn't* have the black glass bezel but instead has the same bezel as the original Air, and according to the picture from yesterday it has a curved bottom like the old one too.
That is how I would expect it, though I'd personally be more interested in more battery.
That mockup looks more like fantasy than reality. According to the rumours it *doesn't* have the black glass bezel but instead has the same bezel as the original Air, and according to the picture from yesterday it has a curved bottom like the old one too.
Much as I love the look the trackpad area of the machine as depicted looks impossibly thin. Even thinner than the normal alu keyboard. Can't wait to see what'll be.