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Rumor of a 15-inch MacBook Air: Take it lightly

by Robert Palmer Jan 19th 2009 at 4:00PM

On Friday, AppleInsider noted that Apple.pro, a hit-and-miss Chinese rumor blog, claims a 15-inch MacBook Air is on the way. The post in Chinese (and a copy run through Google Translate) is available.

The site claims the new Air will use low-voltage Intel Core 2 processors, and will be geared for "the older [with] poor eyesight."

AppleInsider includes a history of Apple.pro's predictions, and so far, they're batting .500. I'm not saying I'm any better (fact is, I haven't been to the batting cages in months), so take all this with a proverbial grain of salt.

If the rumors are true, it's unclear how utile a larger MacBook Air will be, especially if the key differentiating factor of the current Air is its size and weight. While it will have to be less hefty than, say, the 15-inch MacBook Pro, a larger MacBook Air seems like it's trying to fill a gap that doesn't exist: at the highest end of Apple's notebook pricing spectrum.

As for pricing (for the US, at least), perhaps we can speculate with an analogy: If a 2.4GHz MacBook is to a 2.4GHz 15-inch MacBook Pro, then a 1.86GHz MacBook Air is to a theoretical 1.86GHz 15-inch MacBook Air. Thus, $1,600 : $2,000 :: $2,500 : $3,125. Yikes: Even more expensive than the new 17-inch model ($2,800). Maybe the analogy isn't perfect, but that's still a pricey proposition to help those with "poor eyesight."

What do you think? Is there a market for a big, ultra-premium MacBook Air? Would you buy one? Sound off in comments.

[Via Engadget.]



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On Friday, AppleInsider noted that Apple.pro, a hit-and-miss Chinese rumor blog, claims a 15-inch MacBook Air is on the way. The post in...
 

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rob

I find it interesting how so many apple fanboys insist that "Anyone with a real need for a large screen also needs pro-level performance, which the Air will never deliver" and "If you need 15", you buy a MacBook Pro" - I use my laptop for making presentations, and weight is an issue - I would not only be interested in a 15" MBA, I would buy a 17" MBA if it was available. The portability factor isnt the footprint, it is the weight (or lack thereof) and quite frankly my MBA is just too small, screen-wise. Optical drive? Useless, at least for me. As long as the MBA can smoothly run my keynote presentation and surf the net, I'm on it. I guarantee millions of other people would be as well.

January 20 2009 at 7:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brian Puccio

No, but I'd like a macbook that is the size of my 12" powerbook.

January 20 2009 at 2:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TriangleJuice

When I look to this in an "egotastic" way, then I love the idea:
the power of a MBP in an ultra-thin, ultra-light and robust casing like the one of the MBA. It would only suit my needs on stage (I play keyboards and use MainStage with my MIDI keyboard for live gigs), so: Go Apple!

January 20 2009 at 7:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
junkie

I really wanted an Air, for less weight but I need a bigger screen. In the end I did get the MBP 15 but I still feel like there is a place for a lighter machine.

Clearly its a small segment, but it might in fact exist. A 13" screen is a bit small.

I never use my expressport, I have yet to use FW800, but I do haul this thing around with me everywhere I go and would rather have 2 lbs less if I could.

January 20 2009 at 2:46 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sam

Maybe it'll come with a magnified screen instead. One that facilitates reading without glasses. The anti-Viao P if you will.


Sam
http://pixelatedgeek.com

January 19 2009 at 7:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Arnan de Gans

i'd rather expect a smaller, say 10", MBA... Not bigger.

January 19 2009 at 6:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
vandil

I'll believe it when I see it. I don't care how many overseas components manufacturers get big orders from Apple in recent time.

Anyone disappointed about the lack of a new Mac Mini at MacWorld should have learned his/her lesson by now.

January 19 2009 at 5:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Trahere

Look at the proliferation of sites showing how to put OSX on non-native Mac Netbooks to see the way the market is wanting to go.

January 19 2009 at 5:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Matt Kern

To me, this would be the stupidest thing Apple could ever do. The 15" Macbook Pro isn't bulky, nor heavy. The point of an Air is to be ultra portable, going to the 15" form-factor, no matter how thin, would be defeating the purpose. If you have problems with vision press either + (command plus), or option8 (command, option, 8) followed by option+ (command option plus). I would even go as far as to say that it would be nice to see a 13" Macbook Air with an option for a higher resolution display. For me, a larger display is not about being able to see things more easily, but about having higher resolution, and in turn more workspace. Imagine a 13" Air with 1680x1050! Even just going from the 1280x800 to 1440x900 would be nice.

January 19 2009 at 5:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
michaelgrothaus

I've been waiting for a thin 15" Air. I'll be the first to buy one

January 19 2009 at 5:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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