MacBook Air with Penryn launch imminent?

File this rumor under the "sure, that makes sense" category. Granted, PhoneNews may not be the go-to source for Apple rumors, still, the site's reputable enough to at least give this one a listen. It claims that national retailers have been alerted to an imminent announcement of a new revision to the MacBook Air. More specifically, PhoneNews claims that the MBA will move away from the stop-gap, 65-nm Intel processor dusted-off special for Apple (and now Voodoo's Envy 133) in favor of Intel's latest "standard" 45-nm Penryn processor. If true, then we're talking about possible clocks ranging from 2.26GHz to 3.06GHz (up from 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz), a 1,066MHz FSB (up from 800MHz), and appreciable increase in CPU power draw to 29W (up from 20W). We can also expect better GMA X4500 integrated graphics assuming Apple adopts the Centrino 2 chipset. To offset the potential degradation in mobility, PhoneNews asserts that Apple will beef-up the battery and replace the 45W MagSafe adapter with a 60W version like those found with existing MacBooks. With this rumor and all the others related to Apple's lineup of MacBooks, we wouldn't be surprised to see Apple announce some kind of special media event sometime soon.

Update: It's worth noting that Intel also plans to release a few low and ultra-low voltage Penryns in a 22-mm package (same as now) around the September timeframe. Though these would decrease, not increase, the power draw as described by PhoneNews.

[PeteC @ Aug 14th 2008 4:46AM]

Darn it, am I the only one waiting for a mac mini refresh? They're so long over due an update it's silly, I need a new computer but I'm not paying the current price they're at for technology that cost the same a year ago.

[JohnnyBoy @ Aug 14th 2008 5:50AM]

No, you're not the only one. http://www.123macmini.com is plagued with people who regularly ask if anyone knows when the next Mini is coming out. "Gimme a couple of minutes, I've got Steve Jobs' number around here somewhere...."

[Gojulas @ Aug 14th 2008 9:33AM]

Not in the least, I really wish they would release an update. It serves as a great Media Center PC and the form factor is very flexible. I honestly don't see why they don't update it, it feels like Apple is abandoning the platform...

[JohnPQ @ Aug 14th 2008 11:04AM]

I would love to see Apple update the Mac mini, but I'm afarid they have gone back to their iMac or the road attitude. That's really a shame because it's an awesome sytem that most of us can afford. As for updating the MacBook Air. Who really cares? I would rather have an MSI, Asus, Lenovo or Dell Netbook.

[kccboy2004 @ Aug 14th 2008 11:50AM]

Does that bloke look like a right poser holding what is supposedly a Macbook.

I think that Engadget is portraying Mac owners unfairly as superficial posers. That is quite unkind.

Shame on you Engadget.

[Mikeweezer @ Aug 14th 2008 12:03PM]

Michael 'Air' Jordan. Get it?

[alberto @ Aug 19th 2008 9:04AM]

I agree Apple should be paying more attention to their products that don;t completely suck. Who f'ing cares about the MBA. It's a waste of tech for all am concern. seriously folks, who wants to waste $2k on a piece of crap that can only surf the web and read emails. Oh wait you can buy the additional CDR drive. Yeah I thought the idea was to minimize, not add additional crap.

Give me a break Apple, invest in developing something everyone can enjoy.

And the iphone isn't something everyone can enjoy.

[alberto @ Aug 19th 2008 9:13AM]

Towards Gojulas comment.

I believe at one point Steve jobs said that they were going to turn away from the mini and focus more of the AppleTV. Which is a mini in itself. So your hunch about a media PC may not be so far fetch.

But to be honest, Apple seriously needs to make an upgradeable affordable consumer box. Mini or something else. But something the majority can afford and upgrade at they leisure.

[gad get @ Aug 14th 2008 4:47AM]

"Granted, Phonenews may not be your first-source for Apple rumors..."

No, that honor goes to Engadget, seeing as they seem to never be lacking in that department. Engadget dispenses Apple rumors like a pie machine churns out the apple pie. Except pie machines are usually more accurate. (???)

[Thomas Ricker @ Aug 14th 2008 4:57AM]

Gad get, We are actually quite selective with the Apple rumors we publish compared to other tech sites. Also, you are mistaken about our accuracy. With regard to Apple's most recent launch as an example, go back and look at our iPhone 3G rumors. We were dead on, especially with the rumors we sourced ourselves.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/25/the-second-gen-iphone-3g-gps-only-slightly-thicker/

Thomas Ricker

[Saad Rabia @ Aug 14th 2008 4:48AM]

Is that Ballmer holding the mac??!

[Dante @ Aug 14th 2008 4:51AM]

Have you ever seen Steve Ballmer?

[Saad Rabia @ Aug 14th 2008 4:55AM]

Yes. A couple of days ago he asked me and a bunch of my friends for money to kill Batman.

[Richard Lai @ Aug 14th 2008 5:12AM]

No, that's Ryan Block surely.

[Dante @ Aug 14th 2008 5:41AM]

@ Saad:

Touché, sir, touché.

[happy_penguin @ Aug 14th 2008 11:13AM]

HA HA saad!! :D :D

[Mikeo @ Aug 14th 2008 4:55AM]

Why don't they actually try to get rid/refresh the defective nVidia 8600M GTs in the Macbook Pro first. The Air doesn't need a refresh such as urgent as the Pro.


(Plus, since Snow Leopard supports and endorses OpenCL, now would be a good time to switch back to Radeons to take advantage of completely commited support.)

[MICHAELSD @ Aug 14th 2008 4:56AM]

Engadget, Montevina is Intel's latest mobile processor that's also known as Centrino 2 and is the only one to have those speeds and the X4500. Engadget's biggest failure of the year...!

That would be really sweet for the MacBook Air. If they did that, would make room for some kind of netbook?

[Thomas Ricker @ Aug 14th 2008 4:59AM]

Er, Montevina / Centrino 2 is the chipset, Penryn is the CPU.

Thomas

[Colin Potter @ Aug 14th 2008 5:13AM]

speaking of failures....

[Bender Bending Rodriguez @ Aug 14th 2008 5:39AM]

That isn't even Engadget's biggest failure of this blogging, much less of the year.

1) Apple is using the current chipset because of it's small 22mm^2 die size that Apple needed for the MBA. Luckily, Intel had it sitting on a shelf collecting dust. The new Montivena (Centrino2) use the 22mm^2 die size for their LV chips.


2) The processor speeds that Engadget lists are incorrect. The max speed as listed by Intel for the chip-over-chip comparison at that die size is 2.40GHz, not 3.06GHz.

Also, the wattage of the MBA's current processor is 20W so unless Apple introduces a new battery tech or find other ways to limit the power usage on the MBA they will *not* be using the 2.26 or 2.40GHz chips in those machines are they use 25% more wattage than the current chips.

What they will most likely do is use these newer chipsets that don't increase the CPU speed but offer more power by being more modern and efficient.

Montevina/Penryn LV chips with 6MB L2 and 1066MHz FSB
— SP9400 - 2.4GHz, 25W, $316
— SP9300 - 2.26GHz, 25W, $284
— SL9400 - 1.86GHz, 17W, $316
— SL9300 - 1.6GHz, 17W, $284
(note the prices)


3) Besides that, Penryn is obviously 'imminent' as Nehelam, the replacement for Penryn, is slated to be released for mobile processors until about this time next year, and it would be unfathomable to think that Apple won't update the MBA within an 20 month period (or 18 months if Apple consider this lower produced machine might help Apple and Intel with free marketing by offering the chips sooner).

[Bender Bending Rodriguez @ Aug 14th 2008 5:59AM]

Oops, I didn't mean to imply that the LV versions were the only ones with the 22mm^2 die. The following should read, "1) Apple is using the current chipset because of it's small 22mm^2 die size that Apple needed for the MBA. Luckily, Intel had it sitting on a shelf collecting dust. The new Montivena (Centrino2) use the 22mm^2 die size."

[A.C.E.R. @ Aug 14th 2008 5:08AM]

Montevina is the platform, Penryn is the CPU used in that platform. So where's the fucking fail?

[A.C.E.R. @ Aug 14th 2008 5:09AM]

Bah, I can't even blame the comment system for this one.

[MICHAELSD @ Aug 14th 2008 5:09AM]

Oh, sorry about that. From what I've read, I've always heard of Montevina being the chipset and the CPU.

[Homeboy @ Aug 14th 2008 5:19AM]

This upgrade will still not change the fact that it's a severally overpriced laptop. With a gazzilion netbooks on the market and attractive options from Voodoo and Lenovo this is pretty much a lost case.

[Kelmon @ Aug 14th 2008 7:09AM]

Of all the issues that the MacBook Air has, price isn't really one of them. Clearly the MacBook Air is a better computer than any netbook and it's cheaper than the Voodoo and X300. Where the Air has problems is in the compromises that it made (e.g. no built-in ethernet). If you are going to complain about something, complain about that but the "Macs are overpriced" argument doesn't really apply here when compared to the direct competitors. Heck, pretty much every laptop is overpriced when compared to a netbook but then you are paying for more features and higher quality components.

[Patriks7 @ Aug 14th 2008 1:49PM]

hmm as far as i know, most people buy Apple products because of the OS.. so unless Apple makes a version of OS X to work on other hardware (which won't happen) people will still be buying this laptop.

[Erik @ Aug 14th 2008 5:27AM]

This doesn't feel right. The current Air already has trouble radiating 20W, I can't see it doing 29W very easily. I thought the Penryn most likely slated for the refresh was the SL9300, which has a TDP of 17W? This (possible) discrepancy makes me skeptical about the whole rumor, despite it being a virtual wishlist of the changes I desire for the Air.

[Bender Bending Rodriguez @ Aug 14th 2008 5:55AM]

You beat me to the punch, but in my defence I did start my post prior to your posting.

[Erik @ Aug 14th 2008 5:30AM]

Ah, Engadget updated the post with the low voltage Penryn info as I was posting. Good catch. This feels more in line with what I was thinking.

[nikster @ Aug 14th 2008 5:42AM]

Yah... 29W and a "bigger battery" in the MBA ain't gonna happen. It's either new, fast, ULV Penryns, or a special Penryn version, clocked down and in a smaller package, a modernized version of what's in there now.

[Christian P @ Aug 14th 2008 5:34AM]

so I believe engadet has it right here. I work at a major retailer and asked the apple rep " what's up with the CLEARANCE MacBook air power supplies". And apple being apple he said "oh they weren't selling so we're pulling them. But me being the supervisor of computers know they sell. Everywhere. Plus the eol(end of life) date is 9-27-08. Same with the whole MacBook lineups. Relates with all the other rumors out there of a refresh around the end of September. Just waiting to see what apple is going to throw out next!

[nikster @ Aug 14th 2008 5:44AM]

Thanks for the info.

I hope that's not your real name.

[SteveyJay @ Aug 14th 2008 7:22AM]

End of life on a saturday...don't think so....

[mvo @ Aug 14th 2008 6:07AM]

Macbook Air now has serious heat problems, many people returning their system, if you look at the Apple support forums they are full with heat problem issues. My system has similar issues, after 5 min video ichat and the system shutsdown. The problems seems to be random, some people have a MacBook air that works other have all the time heat issue, guessing maybe some production issues, too much glue between cooler and cpu. I gonna bring mine back to Apple Store and try to get it replaced.

[Kelmon @ Aug 14th 2008 7:13AM]

MacWorld even demonstrated the problem on a recent video podcast. Seems to be an issue with the computer detecting an overly hot processor and shutting down a core to reduce the temperature, during which time your applications run like treacle. That, as they say, sucks. You can try to relieve the problem by running an application like smcFanControl to increase the speed of your fans and keep things cool to begin with but that doesn't address the fundamental flaw in the product's design. Taking it back sounds like a good idea.

[happy_penguin @ Aug 14th 2008 11:21AM]

What the fuck is a treacle?

[happy_penguin @ Aug 14th 2008 11:28AM]

Nevermind. I looked it up.

[Kelmon @ Aug 15th 2008 8:35AM]

Americans call it "molasses", which just goes to show that they shouldn't be allowed to muck about with a language.

[Kurian @ Aug 14th 2008 8:17AM]

Anyone else feel like hitting that silhouette in the nuts, with the edge of the MacBook ?

[Chups @ Aug 14th 2008 10:09PM]

No

[Kelmon @ Aug 15th 2008 8:37AM]

Have you considered therapy?

[Paul Dullford @ Aug 14th 2008 8:51AM]

If there's a refresh of the MacBook Air with a price drop to $1299, my close friend who bought a MacBook at that price will be seriously mad.
Because, besides the extreme thinness, the MacBook Air *is* a run-of-the-mill MacBook sans optical drive and a few other odd tools that I can't think of right now.
Actually, if there was a significant price drop with a relaunch for the Air in September, everyone with anything less than a MacBook Pro will be mad!

[IowaSuby @ Aug 14th 2008 10:41AM]

Umm...please show me a run of the mill macbook that is 3lbs and less than 1 inch thick. You pay for lightweight and thin with ANY computer you buy. You also take a performance hit with this model. I have an MBA and believe me, it's not a macbook.

[Jon Doe. @ Aug 14th 2008 9:38AM]

so it will still be useless, just faster? Got it.

[kal326 @ Aug 14th 2008 9:40AM]

Macbook Air with a 3.06 C2D me thinks not. Not unless you want a really overpriced hot plate or have a large collection of flame retardant clothing.

[athousandleaves @ Aug 14th 2008 11:11AM]

22-mm?! thats HUGE!!! ;P

[mailbox01 @ Aug 14th 2008 11:42AM]

After the initial release of the MBA, you don't hear that much about it anymore....Although a nice looking laptop, did it bomb like the Apple TV? Because if it was successful, Jobs would be touting that info around. Hmm

[Bill @ Aug 14th 2008 11:50AM]

"Imminent" = end of September