11 inch macbook air as primary computer

[macnerd123]

Do you think I could use the 11 inch macbook air as my primary computer. With the 1.4 GHz Core 2 Duo 4GB of RAM and the 128GB flash storage.
I will mainly use office, iWork, iTunes, Safari, and rarely iLife. I need it to last me 3-4 years. I like the small screen and don't want to wait for the next gen.

 

[gb1631]

Do you think I could use the 11 inch macbook air as my primary computer. With the 1.4 GHz Core 2 Duo 4GB of RAM and the 128GB flash storage.
I will mainly use office, iWork, iTunes, Safari, and rarely iLife. I need it to last me 3-4 years. I like the small screen and don't want to wait for the next gen.

IMO, only you can answer that question.

That said, I would hate to have to have my Maxed out Macbook Air 11" be my primary computer, although I'm sure I could make do if I needed to.

I have grown fond of my iMac i7's 27" screen and its speed and viewing, etc.

Recently, I had to use my old G-4 12" Notebook for over two weeks, on a vacation on the Oregon coast. I was mostly doing work in iPhoto, e-mail and 'surfing the net,' with it. I noticed a few problems with being hunched over reading stuff which caused a few neck & back strain problems, etc.

Of course, I'm still using OS 10.4.x as well as OS 9.x on that Notebook as well.

I really purchased the Macbook Air to use on trips where I have to fly, usually to catch a cruise ship and on the ship using the ships WiFi. (I was using an 2nd Gen. iPod for this in the recent past.) The Macbook Air will also become my primary Notebook when the G-4 12" goes down.

I had considered buying an iPad; however, when this 11" Macbook Air came out and I read the specs and reviews on it I decided it was a better deal for me then any iPads, etc. To me it's what the iPad should have been.

 

[hcho3]

The speaker quality on MacBook air is not good enough to fit my needs. MBA is a secondary machine.

 

[wirelessmacuser]

Do you think I could use the 11 inch macbook air as my primary computer. With the 1.4 GHz Core 2 Duo 4GB of RAM and the 128GB flash storage.
I will mainly use office, iWork, iTunes, Safari, and rarely iLife. I need it to last me 3-4 years. I like the small screen and don't want to wait for the next gen.

Yes it's possible,
No I cannot in good faith, endorse it.

For the usage you've outlined and the length of time you plan to own it, an 11" MBA is too risky. I have both the 11 & 13. They are defective, if you scan or search both this forum, and search the web, you will discover the many owners with serious display issues. Being early on, many Apple users are in denial & will claim it's a very minute number. They will tell you to ignore it.

I'm speaking from first hand experience. All three of mine, the two originals & one replacement are affected.

So... Why not buy a proven, reliable, more capable 13" MacBook Pro! I have one and it is excellent.

 

[bcaslis]

There's a whole thread on this already.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1039985/

 

[jimboutilier]

I plan on using a new MBA 11. 1.6/4/128 as my primary computer. My past experience with a revA MBA 1.6/2/80 and a revC 2.13/2/128 leaves me confident in every aspect but the screen size and resolution that it will work. I've evaluated the screen as best I could in a store but only a couple of weeks of real world travel use will tell me for sure.

Note that I say primary computer and not only computer though. A MBA can meet my travel computing needs but just doesn't have the capacity in storage or memory to meet all my needs all the time.

Also my needs and yours may differ. I do routine business tasks with office, drawing and graphics tools, database tools, and communications tools with a bit of virtual machine use thrown in. Litterally hundreds of programs but not too many at once and except for the VM use, none of it terribly taxing.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[potentpotable]

I find the MBA waaay more suitable for use as a primary computer, if you don't normally use very demanding programs like Photoshop or something.

I can finally bring a notebook wherever I go, to use on the go - on the bus/subway to do homework, on my stomach to watch some TV before I sleep, whatever. I can pull it out with three fingers and it instantly turns on, and instantly sleeps when I close it and toss it back in my bag, knowing that the battery won't drain much when it's off.

My previous notebook is an "ultra-portable" VAIO that's only 4lbs, and I was never able to do (comfortably) what I can do now with my MBA.

Also, you won't find any problems with the screen size unless your eyes are shot.

 

[southnc]

Technically, the MBA IS a full-fledged computer. That said, you should definitely have a separate, large monitor for use at home; assuming this is your main computer.

For me, the MBA is an ideal secondary computer. My plan is to have the iMac Quad-Core as the main home-based computer for more intensive ops, with the MBA handling basic ops anywhere in the home and for travel.

 

[MacManTexas56]

Do you think I could use the 11 inch macbook air as my primary computer. With the 1.4 GHz Core 2 Duo 4GB of RAM and the 128GB flash storage.
I will mainly use office, iWork, iTunes, Safari, and rarely iLife. I need it to last me 3-4 years. I like the small screen and don't want to wait for the next gen.

sure, why not!

i have always been a fan of smaller laptops and haven't used a desktop or external screen in many years. i am currently on a 13inch MBP but that is being sold this week and getting an 11inch MBA to replace it and also getting one for my wife as well.

we are very basic users and only use office, iTunes, surf the internet, and do very basic iphoto etc.

we have tons of music (60gb) but have everything on an external drive we have hooked up to our Airport Extreme so no need for huge internal drives in the computer. We also never burn cd's but about once a year so the MBA is definitely a great option.

if you are like us, why not ya know?

 

[BENJMNS]

i couldn't do it.

drive is too small. lack of screen real estate. battery life not quite there.

 

[macnerd123]

sure, why not!

i have always been a fan of smaller laptops and haven't used a desktop or external screen in many years. i am currently on a 13inch MBP but that is being sold this week and getting an 11inch MBA to replace it and also getting one for my wife as well.

we are very basic users and only use office, iTunes, surf the internet, and do very basic iphoto etc.

we have tons of music (60gb) but have everything on an external drive we have hooked up to our Airport Extreme so no need for huge internal drives in the computer. We also never burn cd's but about once a year so the MBA is definitely a great option.

if you are like us, why not ya know?

Thanks.. That is very similar usage to mine. May I ask what specifications you are going to get?

 

[Poochi]

I would only use such a machine as my primary computer IF and ONLY IF the following are true:
- I will upgrade every year, or every other revision
- I keep redundant backup of my files on external drive / drives
- I don't mind shoving all media files that not current in use on externals
- My needs, with extremely high probability, will not change in the next little while (or at least until I am itchy to get the newest gadget again).

Most importantly...
- I don't mind the 11" screen for extended use.


I have been operating on a 13" MBP, and 13" MBA now as my primary machine. I did have an external apple monitor but I don't find it necessary as for what I do 13" is plenty.

 

[MacManTexas56]

Thanks.. That is very similar usage to mine. May I ask what specifications you are going to get?

just the base 11inch at $999.

we have this at home for our storage that is hooked up to airport extreme base station

http://www.amazon.com/Iomega-MiniMa...LY/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1289189896&sr=8-16

also have printer plugged into it all as well for wireless printing.

then we have a portable WD 500gb we can take on the road if we need to.

looking at my MBP hard drive, we have 210gb free out of 249gb since all our stuff is on external drive.

hope this helps

 

[Poochi]

Thanks.. That is very similar usage to mine. May I ask what specifications you are going to get?

Personally I think for what you do, save yourself some bucks and get the base model, with a good external drive, and upgrade yearly (sell old one to finance).

If you are seriously considering using it for a good 3 years and you are able to resist temptation of upgrading when you see the next great MB next year, and the year after... max it out.

 

[SkyBell]

I know lots of people who use netbooks as their main machines, and are perfectly happy with them,. It's certainly no abstract concept these days.

 

[macnerd123]

I would only use such a machine as my primary computer IF and ONLY IF the following are true:
- I will upgrade every year, or every other revision
- I keep redundant backup of my files on external drive / drives
- I don't mind shoving all media files that not current in use on externals
- My needs, with extremely high probability, will not change in the next little while (or at least until I am itchy to get the newest gadget again).

Most importantly...
- I don't mind the 11" screen for extended use.


I have been operating on a 13" MBP, and 13" MBA now as my primary machine. I did have an external apple monitor but I don't find it necessary as for what I do 13" is plenty.

This is just supposed to hold me over until college in 2013. I currently have a late 2007 macbook and have only used half the hard drive which is 160GB. I can handle not getting the latest and greatest thing as there will always be a new one. Once in college I do plan on getting the best mac Apple has to offer though.

 

[Durious]

It can be easily used as a primary computer especially in a school environment. I used the previous MBA in school BsC (Information Technology) and I'll continue to use this one in the same capacity. I know my signature has an iMac but I never use it for school work I have it just as a central computer in my house that multiple people use for various needs (i.e. me gaming) !

Cheers!

 

[coochiekuta]

just to repeat what others have said, yes its possible but i wouldnt recommend it. its a nice toy but not a workhorse. we dont all need workhorses so again its up to you.

 

[Poochi]

I guess another way to look at it... what can you possible NEED to do while on mobile computing? As long as you don't do crazy stuff like hardcore gaming or video encoding, MBA 11" can probably last you even longer than 5 years on the activities you stated. (assume battery doesn't die first )

AND, if your needs changes, you can always
1. buy a new desktop (eg. iMac)
2. sell your existing machine and buy a more powerful one

If you are keeping your 2007 mac, MBA 11" is a very good complement for your mobility needs.

If you are selling 2007 mac, I don't see any reason why MBA 11" wouldn't do what you need it to do, as long as you are okay with an external HDD.

So as long as you know what you are doing with it NOW, go ahead and buy one

I have the 13" MBA and I LOVE IT!

 

[Mactrillionaire]

It's possible, but I would recommend buying an external CD/DVD player/burner as well as a BlacX Duet (and some hard disks) if you decide to go this route. You will have to use your discretion in only storing the most important files on the MBA and store the other files on regular hard disks via the BlacX Duet.

 

[macnerd123]

It's possible, but I would recommend buying an external CD/DVD player/burner as well as a BlacX Duet (and some hard disks) if you decide to go this route. You will have to use your discretion in only storing the most important files on the MBA and store the other files on regular hard disks via the BlacX Duet.

I think that I will just wait until after the holidays and save up some babysitting money (I'm in high school) and then I will go with the 13 inch with the 1.86 GHz processor and 4GB or RAM.
I know with this, I will not look back and regret my decision, but it better be the best 1,400 dollars ever spent.

 

[wirelessmacuser]

I have the 13" MBA and I LOVE IT!

My 13" MBA was terrific till it puked & quit. Same for the replacement Apple supplied. Now it's hurry up & wait till Apple devises a fix.

These are great machines that simply need to be sorted out. Much like the defective iPhone 4's, Apple needs to return to being a socially responsible company like they were just a few years back. Take testing and QC seriously & deliver a better quality from the start. They've drifted away resting on fat profits. I'd welcome the responsible Apple back in a heartbeat.

 

[Mactrillionaire]

Well, to be fair, wirelessmacuser, Apple's margins have been slipping on the MBA. Apple is a very profit minded company. If a product cannot deliver the kind of margins Apple is hoping for, its QC is going to get less attention than those products which do deliver the margins Apple is aiming for.

 

[Poochi]

This is just supposed to hold me over until college in 2013. I currently have a late 2007 macbook and have only used half the hard drive which is 160GB. I can handle not getting the latest and greatest thing as there will always be a new one. Once in college I do plan on getting the best mac Apple has to offer though.

Oh, just to share with you.. I have been upgrading every revision or every OTHER revision...

Here's my average cost PER YEAR... (buy new, sell upon getting a new machine)
- getting a base model, about $350 loss PER YEAR on average (after 2 years)
- getting an upgraded model, lost $800 after a year and half ($540 per year)

Higher model depreciates more as soon as the next revision comes out.

And I figured I can keep the same computer budget and get the next "Best" thing every year, as long as the next best thing is not the fully loaded "ultimate" edition

 

[Durious]

Well, to be fair, wirelessmacuser, Apple's margins have been slipping on the MBA. Apple is a very profit minded company. If a product cannot deliver the kind of margins Apple is hoping for, its QC is going to get less attention than those products which do deliver the margins Apple is aiming for.

Not to sound accusing but you should state "imo"... unless you have specific data to back that up.