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Apple is rumored to release updated MacBook Pros at the September event. I would wait for that before making a decision.

I would definitely also say wait for September. We at least know new CPUs are coming in, but there are also other nice rumors. Especially since you practically want a MBA again, just more updated (I myself am also waiting for the updates in September and have been for a while).

Razerblade Stealth? http://www.theultimateultrabook.com/

This looks interesting. I'll have to check out battery life.

Terrible suggestion. Razer's products do not remotely meet the fit and finish of Apple's products.

I'm typing on a Razer Blade Stealth right now that I've had since February and it is already falling apart, with most of the screws on the bottom plate falling off and a trackpad that constantly sticks. The fans buzz and brush against their metal grills often enough that you have to gently slap the side of the laptop to make it stop. I've also had its USB-C charger literally fall apart when the USB-C connector came off, which then had to be replaced in its entirety. The 2015 MacBook charger at least let you swap the cable, which was a lot more sane since it appears USB-C is fragile.

After 10~ years of owning Apple laptops, this was a rude awakening of how bad it can be not buying one. I'm hoping moving to a Thinkpad next will not be a similar disaster.

This is all ignoring the insanely bad support from the Razer Web store, which was probably the worst ordering experience I've ever had. Their support is so infamously bad, that even the fans on /r/razer usually defending the company beyond any sense of proportion will admit it is bad.

If it suffers from the the problems you mentioned, then consider getting it replaced. I've had a razer blade for 3 years now and never had issues related to build quality. The only problems I faced was getting the drivers for certain Linux distros.

Have you ever spoken to Razer's 'support'? Good luck with that!

Not to mention, you don't have to look very far to see others with the same issues. Here's a sample from /r/razer.

USB-C issues: https://www.reddit.com/r/razer/comments/4b6gj5/razer_blade_s...

Screws falling out: https://www.reddit.com/r/razer/comments/3vq4pu/do_not_buy_a_...

Fans buzzing: https://www.reddit.com/r/razer/comments/4eoh15/razer_blade_s...

Sticking trackpad: https://www.reddit.com/r/razer/comments/4l1v00/razer_blade_s...

Various threads complaining about their support: https://www.reddit.com/r/razer/search?q=support&restrict_sr=...

Hope your Razer laptop never has a problem.

The whole Thinkpad rootkit debacle has ruined all prospects for Lenovo in my home.

Why are you looking for a MB Air-replacement when you want a MB Air?

Not everyone like osx

Having Apple hardware doesn't mean that you need to run OS X.

Because I have an Air, albeit an older model and I want to get a new laptop. Buying a new Air doesn't make sense since it's outdated a bit and doesn't fit most of what I want.

>Buying a new Air doesn't make sense since it's outdated a bit and doesn't fit most of what I want.

Um, this is what _you_ said -- "Currently, only Air fits the bill, but it's getting old."

Sorry, I still have no idea why are you're looking for a MB air replacement instead of upgrading to a newer model.

'Newer model' was last updated year and a half ago.

and still... you can't find something better than it in its category ;)

Build quality and weight is phenomenal. It seems to be mostly immune to dust too. If there were only a new model with updated specs and a better screen, maybe a bit more juiced-up battery too! I'll wait until Autumn to see if Apple has anything new regarding MBA. I'm eyeing that Surface Book. Pen, if anything like Wacom, would be a godsend for Photoshop sketching. Wacom has Companion 2, which on paper is a good thing, but it gets real hot (like real cintiq) and is real noisy when you push it.

Ah okay, that makes sense now! You're on a much shorter upgrade cycle than what I imagined.

Nah, I tend to upgrade every two or three cycles. It seems this last one is unusually long though.

The Air has not been refreshed in quite some time - that is his point. He cannot buy a new MacBook Air, because they have not made one in a while.

Imagine using a <1080p screen in 2016.

I have a 2015 Razer Blade that I really like. I use it as a my daily Linux work computer and it runs Ubuntu great (with the caveat that I don't use sleep, hibernate, or the nvidia card; and the webcam doesn't work).

Pros:

- Almost unbeatable specs for the chassis size

- 14" display, which seems to be getting rarer now, but I really appreciate the extra inch of screen space

- High quality display, if you get a good IGZO panel. Some panels have color issues, but this seems to be common to all IGZO type panels--my Nexus 6 has the same issue. You can return it until you get a satisfactory panel.

- Can dual boot to Windows and play modern games at high quality if that's your thing

- Clean and simple chassis (excluding the silly bright green logo)

- Excellent Linux compatibility

- You can purchase an aftermarket SSD and upgrade it yourself if you're OK with voiding your warranty

- Very nice trackpad with multitouch that even works in Linux. It has physical buttons which I personally prefer, and that's also getting harder to find

Cons:

- Absurdly expensive

- Parts are proprietary so you have to mail the unit in for even the most basic repairs (changing the battery for example), and repairs are expensive

- Matrix-green keyboard and logo color scheme is a little silly and might not look professional. I put a matte black round sticker over the lid logo which helps

- A poster below mentioned screws falling out; I've noticed this with mine too. I think since the chassis is aluminum and is itself part of the system's heat sink, the heating and cooling expands it and gradually pushes the screws out. But pulling out your Torx screwdriver once every few months is enough to fix the issue

Overall I very much like the machine and even moreso since it supports Linux without headaches.

Wait, If sleep/hibernate, nvidia, and webcam don't work, how does it have good linux compatibility?

Yes, well, that's basically the story of laptop Linux unfortunately. I wish it were otherwise! In my experience "Linux compatible" always carries the "except for..." rider, and outside of old Thinkpads you're going to have a hard time finding otherwise.

In this case the machine is excellent and compatibility could be much worse. Wifi, Bluetooth, multitouch trackpad, touchscreen, etc., all work out of the box. The Nvidia card might also, I just don't use it at all so I don't know.

I have little to now issues with my laptop and linux. Hibernate, Wifi, Bluetooth and graphics card - all work.

Isn't a huge part of paying so much for the thing the video card?

> But pulling out your Torx screwdriver once every few months is enough to fix the issue

God, I wish that was true. I cannot keep screws in my Razer Blade Stealth at all, not for lack of trying.

Only three of the eight screws remain on my back plate: The two in the back by the hinge vent and the left-hand middle screw. Possibly these areas suffers less thermal stress? Who knows.

Also: Good luck finding replacements when one pops off and you lose it.

Surface Book perhaps? If you want similar build quality to Apple in a laptop, I can't think of much else comparable. I bought one a few months ago, been pretty happy with it so far. With two batteries in it (tablet and base) the battery life is outstanding (6 to 8 hours depending on what I'm doing). When connected, both batteries are used to power the laptop.

I would seriously recommend the Dell Xps 13. It is the size of a 12 inch laptop because of zero bezels. Comes with easily replaceable nvme ssd (soldered 16 GB RAM though) and the integrated Intel 540 graphics helps me play Dota, Bioshock,etc easily...

Superb Linux compatibility...and can be charged using the Dell companion battery pack !!

And if I might add - excellent swag appeal.

I've had the XPS 13 for a year and can't agree more. There is no other laptop out there other than maybe the MacBook that has its size, weight, and power profile. You won't be disappointed.

Is a high powered CPU, and the fastest, most dense storage really that high of a priority for a mobile device? Your target should be portability, and battery life. Not something easily achieved with your list of requirements. Nothing you listed sounds particularly resource intensive.

I work on film and television. My work consist of writing a lot (A LOT) of text and emails and spending a lot of time in Photoshop and Premiere. Sometimes even After Effects. Also, I'm mostly not around power outlets and am carrying the damn thing in my hands around. Air is really where it's the sweet spot for me - considering build and weight. I had several HP pro ones before (two different models), but they didn't really fit the bill. Too heavy and get hot and noisy real fast. Battery life was crap too. I really hate when laptops get noisy and hot due to dust (which I can't avoid and can't bother to clean often/at all). Air, for some weird reason seems to be mostly immune to dust. It's wonderful. Sure, it gets hot and a bit noisy after you push it, but it reverts to normal ops soon enough when you lay off the gas pedal. Not sure if it makes sense, but I presume anyone that manhandles laptop around a lot can relate those being important.

I'd get a new MBA if there were a new one with updated specs and a better screen.

You're just expecting too much out of an ultra lightweight form factor. You can't get the power you request, out of a laptop designed for maximum portability.

But I did with MBA. I can write for a whole day, almost, edit videos and do fast compositing works on it all on the go. I would like an updated model, and there isn't one. If there isn't one by the end of the Autumn, I will get another manufacturer. Just looking for which. Surface Book seems to be the likely candidate.

Your criteria appear to be "I want the best possible for every component." The issue here is that there are trade-offs involved: e.g. a high-powered CPU will drain your battery life.

With your criteria, only the Lenovo X Carbon series comes to mind. (Maybe the Dell XPS series?)

I'm pretty sure the new MPB fits the criteria.

Your criteria appear to be "I want the best possible for every component."

That and that it's compact (13") and lightweight and that it makes coffee! I know, but that's what I want. As for high-powered CPU, I would be OK with some super-duper i5 mobile or something. i7 is not a must. Also, I was under the impression that CPUs, these days, do not drain battery more than low-powered one if you're not hitting the gas pedal?

I have met several former Macbook owners who swear by their MS Surface Pro units. Usually the Pro 3, not a lot of talk with people with 2s or 4s yet.

Definitely considering one, but I have yet to see one in person :/

They're great. The keycover leaves some to be desired, but if you're doing any serious typing just connect a bluetooth keyboard and mouse.