1 month owners are you still impressed?

[w00tini]

Hey There Thanxs that is one of my favorite reviews! Anyway still love my MBA. The only problem is I also got a new 2.5 MBP and I find myself spending most of my time on the MBA. Very Happy!

thanks Steve...I would also like to add that every time I pull out the MBA in sales presentations, it steals the show! we end up talking about the Air for five minutes before I can start my presentation.

I still love the attention

 

[seedster2]

Prior to this my recent ultra/moreportable history has been the Sony SZ / G11 / TZ / UX and Dell D430. I currently have 4 UX's (3 390's, 1 490), 2 SZ's (71VN's - Penryn 2.5Ghz in a 1.8Kg frame), 3 TZ's (180, 21, 22) as well as a remaining G11 and D430. These are spread around various places I live and work in. I had planned to do the same with the Air and bought two to start with, but rethought the situation given the specs and decided to start with one.

Since I got the Air I've been carrying it around on a regular basis, largely foregoing use of my other ultraportables.

It's a beautiful machine, but curiously half-assed in almost every way and seriously compromised in others. I like it on a superficial level, but I can't say I'm impressed by any aspect of it apart from the image and the feel of the device. The build quality has gone up over the MBP, but then I was never impressed by the MBP's build.

While Leopard needs a decent processor to be snappy (especially for media use) and it was clearly the reason why Apple opted for a shrunk C2D over a ULV, I think shoehorning the 1.8 into the size was a bit of a flawed compromise. Performance is nominally very decent but it can become unstable once heat issues comes into the fray, and once a certain threshold is reached the Air is actually noisier than many ultraportables. Perhaps the 1.6 is a slightly better compromise, I'm not sure as I don't have it. Either way, similar basic Office-type app performance compared to a 1.33 C2D ULV running Vista on an SSD is not as earth-shatteringly superior in everyday usage as things might seem, especially for an ultraportable - i.e. a second travelling PC sense - the faster processor, especially with the compromises it comes with, is of debatable benefit.

The other functional compromises compared to the other more genuinely cutting-edge-engineered ultraportables from Lenovo, Sony and Toshiba et al are obvious and evident, so I'll not go into them here. The relatively short battery life wouldn't be a huge issue if charging was as quick as Dell slim&lights for example, but it isn't - and neither is the battery removable to compensate for that.

The screen is fine, LED is what I've been used to on ultraportables since my Sony G11 of early '07. However given the screen size, I'd like better use made of it in terms of resolution for mobile use. I know Spaces can alleviate this problem, but 1440 x 900 wouldn't be a huge stretch on a screen of this size - and indeed, Lenovo offers it. To be fair to Apple though I have the same problem with the Sony SZ, although the TZ offers a slightly higher 1366 x 768 resolution in a more baggable size.

I like the look and pitch of the backlit keyboard especially with the Air's key colour combination, which is IMO a far more practical colour for backlighting than the MBP. But I don't like the 'straight down and thump' feel of the keys. I can get used to using it fine, but I'm accustomed to more refinement in the key action, even on ultraportables.

Ultimately though, as pretty as it is the Air is yet another piece of marketing brilliance from Apple for the credulous that has failed to impress me on a fundamental level. It will continue to be fished out for public engagements (until something better looking comes along) but as it stands, I have to conclude even at this stage that it's inadequate and unfocused as a working ultraportable for me, no matter how nice it feels to hold.

I suspect I'll be back more or less exclusively to the Sony TZ's and my recently refreshed SZ's for ultraportables for the foreseeable future, although the Toshiba R500 and the Lenovo X300 arriving soon may be in with a chance.

Thank you for your honest and comprehensive review!

 

[AreanFSL]

Thank you for your honest and comprehensive review!

Yeah - Great review!

 

[BWhaler]

My MBA has earned over 20,000 frequent flier miles with me, and I love it.

I used to travel with a MBP17, and while I loved that computer, the MBA is amazing.

Sure, the first time I edited a spreadsheet I missed the bigger screen. But the portability is wonderful.

I am a big fan of the MBA, and I can't wait for the next generation. A bigger hard drive, faster GPU, and perhaps 4 gigs of memory, along with the rev. a bugs worked out.

Count me one happy customer. (And one already looking forward to rev. b)

 

[rom]

From http://weblog.infoworld.com/venezia/archives/016338.html

It's been just over a month since I first unboxed my MacBook Air. I wrote a review for InfoWorld that garnered some attention, and a sidebar that far too many people seemed to think was the actual review -- a statement on their own preconceived notions and lack of reading comprehension more than anything else, perhaps.

In any event, I've subjected my MacBook Air to daily use, dropped it once, had it sat upon by a careless individual not once, but twice, and have travelled with it via plane, train, and automobile. I've used it for email, Web browsing, and Linux, Windows, and FreeBSD server administration. I've written thousands of lines of code and thousands of words on it. I've used it on a plane, on a desk, in a chair -- and I still dig my Air.

I've used it on WiFi hotspots, with 802.11b, g, and n networks. I've used it with my Nokia N95 acting as a Bluetooth modem. I've plugged into a wired Ethernet network using the USB adapter. I've done photo editing and some audio processing with the Air, watched movies and listened to music. I've used it with a USB serial adaptor to configure Cisco switches. I've done everything that I normally do on any computer, laptop or not, except use CDs or DVDs -- I haven't needed that function even once. I only used the Remote CD function to install XCode from the Leopard CD the first day. I used Apple's Migration Assistant to move over all my settings, email, and applications from my MacBook Pro (running Tiger at the time) and haven't had any issues with those apps either, except for having to reinstall Microsoft Office.

As with any piece of technology, your mileage may vary, but the miles I've put on my MacBook Air have been straight and true so far. I've only rebooted it once in that month, after installing some drivers, yet I use it every day. That's the key to usability for me. I loathe waiting for laptops or workstations to boot or dealing with OS issues. I have work to do. Open it up, log in, and launch another xterm, all within five seconds.

To be honest, I've grown somewhat disillusioned with the attention it receives in public settings. I can't take it to a coffee shop without at least two or three people interrupting me to talk about it. But if that's the biggest problem I have with the Air, I'm in good shape.

Frankly, I am amazed by this guy's braveness -- doing code on the MBA. I think, with this account, I will start putting back XCode and start coding again.

 

[mac jones]

It's a great machine.


Thee fan can get a little loud. It has only one USB port, and the headphone
port is a tight fit.

Other than these things it's perfect. (the killer would be the loud fan, but this doesn't bother me at all; after all it's a very small fan and the noise isn't exactly deafening)

 

[johnharrischef]

I also Had my for 30 days

I must say I brought the Mac Book Air 1.8GHz 80GB

This is the best computer I ever had

 

[Scott6666]

From http://weblog.infoworld.com/venezia/archives/016338.html



Frankly, I am amazed by this guy's braveness -- doing code on the MBA. I think, with this account, I will start putting back XCode and start coding again.

It's a good little coder. May send the fans going but it handled coding OK for me.

 

[Les Kern]

Only 3 weeks into mine, but many thousands of miles traveled and loving every minute of it. Here's my hands on review if you're interested in my full accounting of the unit.

That was one fine write up. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[Alkiera]

It's a good little coder. May send the fans going but it handled coding OK for me.

XCode is quite happy on my 1.6. Coding is not really a cpu-intensive activity; compilation can be, but not that bad. Yesterday I install clisp and some AIMA lisp code so I can work on my Intro to AI coursework on it... sure, it paused a bit during big loops when testing the compiled code, but it didn't take long. Took a heck of a lot less time than it did on old Lisp machines, I can assure you. 8)

I've also done some minor java dev (brushing up for another class) on it.

As far as battery, Using it to take notes or lookup sites the prof is discussing during class, look at a copy of the slides, etc lets me go through 4 hours of class without much time charging in between(usually while I'm using it, too, so it only gets so much juice).

As a long time Windows user, I'm loving OSX as a development platform, and my MBA has been a great piece of hardware.

 

[spyz88]

get it fixed, or replaced

I went on Tuesday to the Apple store for a "Mac Genius" appointment. He explained to me that my MBA was fine and is SUPPOSE to run hot like that. This guy was a complete butthead who didnt want to hear anything. I told him that I wanted it exchanged for another one and he stated that he wouldnt. Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[Alkiera]

I went on Tuesday to the Apple store for a "Mac Genius" appointment. He explained to me that my MBA was fine and is SUPPOSE to run hot like that. This guy was a complete butthead who didnt want to hear anything. I told him that I wanted it exchanged for another one and he stated that he wouldnt. Anyone have any other suggestions?

At that point you ask for a manager, if they are the manager, ask for a phone # for the regional manager. At least in the US, it's not too difficult to get that information.

 

[Sesshi]

Thank you for your honest and comprehensive review!

I've edited it since then

 

[AreanFSL]

At that point you ask for a manager, if they are the manager, ask for a phone # for the regional manager. At least in the US, it's not too difficult to get that information.

Yes - once you ask for the regional manager explain to them that you've been loyal customer to Apple for many years and this is the first time you've been dissatisfied with a product. The fact that this product is running and sounding different than the model you have in the store with comparison test done. (Video choppiness, Fans that strike once CPU is in intensive use, etc.) Essentially, it's up to him whether or not he will exchange it for another unit.. If not, try another Apple store. Worse comes to worse, the regional manager will ask you if you'd like a full refund? At that time take it, and wait for another week built MBA then purchase another.

 

[AlexanderTgreat]

XCode is quite happy on my 1.6. Coding is not really a cpu-intensive activity; compilation can be, but not that bad. Yesterday I install clisp and some AIMA lisp code so I can work on my Intro to AI coursework on it... sure, it paused a bit during big loops when testing the compiled code, but it didn't take long. Took a heck of a lot less time than it did on old Lisp machines, I can assure you. 8)

I've also done some minor java dev (brushing up for another class) on it.

As far as battery, Using it to take notes or lookup sites the prof is discussing during class, look at a copy of the slides, etc lets me go through 4 hours of class without much time charging in between(usually while I'm using it, too, so it only gets so much juice).

As a long time Windows user, I'm loving OSX as a development platform, and my MBA has been a great piece of hardware.

a student needs a macbook air like he needs a hole in the head. The foot print is very comparable to the macbook and the macbook is a fair bit cheaper and can do everything that you need... and can do everything better. On top of that it's battery life is better.

 

[grimslade]

I needed a laptop with a full-ish size screen and a full keyboard for writing. I wanted something small and light enough that I wouldn't think twice carrying it back and forth everyday on my hour-long commute. For what I wanted (basically, a machine to run Word so I could write), it's been perfect. Very happy.

 

[Scott6666]

At that point you ask for a manager, if they are the manager, ask for a phone # for the regional manager. At least in the US, it's not too difficult to get that information.

If you are lucky enough to live close to multiple stores try another store.

If not, most stores have multiple managers. Ask about schedules and come back when the other manager is on duty.

 

[desenso]

a student needs a macbook air like he needs a hole in the head. The foot print is very comparable to the macbook and the macbook is a fair bit cheaper and can do everything that you need... and can do everything better. On top of that it's battery life is better.

Yawn.

 

[bcaslis]

a student needs a macbook air like he needs a hole in the head. The foot print is very comparable to the macbook and the macbook is a fair bit cheaper and can do everything that you need... and can do everything better. On top of that it's battery life is better.

Wow, glad you feel you can judge others. Might not be fun when the table gets turned on you.

 

[SunshinegotaMac]

Sharp edge still bothers me but otherwise I'm in love.

 

[AreanFSL]

Sharp edge still bothers me but otherwise I'm in love.

I hope that's not too much of an issue.. I know of MacBooks that are horribly sharp.

 

[matthewHUB]

1.8 SSD

All my media is on an external attached to an AEBS. i have 40 gbs free. I use it as my only computer. used the superdrive once. had it 5 weeks. no regrets. This thing is amazing.

 

[thehuhman]

Five weeks now. Still love everything about my MBA.

 

[SFStateStudent]

I love my MBA, but I miss my BlackBook 2.4 Penryn...

and the fan issue is frustrating to witness, I thought it was going to take-off and begin hovering earlier today while watching "Michael Clayton!" The lack of USB ports, the creaking while opening and closing the MBA, the odd match of the MBA and the Superdrive, and the 39GB free space, are my only concerns. The ultraportability, the sleekness, the keyboard, the LED screen, and the strong WiFi connection are my favs.

And as a "student," the MBA is a dream come true! Running Office:Mac 2008, Pages and Keynote has been the highlight of my MBA experience; especially during the classroom presentations!

I'm indeed sorry to say "I'm returning to my BlackBook 2.4 Penryn 250GB on Monday morning, and my MBA is headed to my brother's house in SoCal!"

 

[arcanic]

Grossly In Love!

I totally dig my new Air. I was carrying a 17" Macbook Pro with me back and forth to work and on trips...killing my back. Now I take this Air EVERYWHERE with me with no worries....so much that I feel like the NCase I sport it in seems like a damned pocket book! ha!

Hi, my name is Travis...and I carry a purse.

Arc