11" MBA and Netflix

[dtokes]

After much thought, I am on the verge purchasing a new 11" MBA ultimate. However I have heard some talk around the web, and on these forums, that there may be some performance issues when using Netflix Instant.

Owners of these devices, have you experienced any issues when streaming HD content, Netflix or otherwise? The issues I've heard seem to be centered around the 11" 1.4Ghz 2GB RAM MBA. I was hoping to avoid these issues by upgrading to ultimate. Has anyone with a 11" ultimate experienced choppy video when streaming Netflix which was attributable to hardware limitations? Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[dmelgar]

11

After much thought, I am on the verge purchasing a new 11" MBA ultimate. However I have heard some talk around the web, and on these forums, that there may be some performance issues when using Netflix Instant.

Owners of these devices, have you experienced any issues when streaming HD content, Netflix or otherwise? The issues I've heard seem to be centered around the 11" 1.4Ghz 2GB RAM MBA. I was hoping to avoid these issues by upgrading to ultimate. Has anyone with a 11" ultimate experienced choppy video when streaming Netflix which was attributable to hardware limitations? Any insight would be appreciated.

11" ultimate, still sometimes choppy playing netflix HD best case.

For some reason, playing in Chrome is very choppy. Not watchable. In safari HD still choppy sometimes but maybe watchable. Heck my 2.16ghz MBP is choppy playing netflix HD in Chrome.

 

[jksu]

no problems with netflix, hulu, youtube, etc. with my 11.6/1.6/4/128. fan doesn't spin up, works great... does drain battery quicker than general web surfing though.

After much thought, I am on the verge purchasing a new 11" MBA ultimate. However I have heard some talk around the web, and on these forums, that there may be some performance issues when using Netflix Instant.

Owners of these devices, have you experienced any issues when streaming HD content, Netflix or otherwise? The issues I've heard seem to be centered around the 11" 1.4Ghz 2GB RAM MBA. I was hoping to avoid these issues by upgrading to ultimate. Has anyone with a 11" ultimate experienced choppy video when streaming Netflix which was attributable to hardware limitations? Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[Over Achiever]

11

11" ultimate, still sometimes choppy playing netflix HD best case.

For some reason, playing in Chrome is very choppy. Not watchable. In safari HD still choppy sometimes but maybe watchable. Heck my 2.16ghz MBP is choppy playing netflix HD in Chrome.

Hey, I finally watched a movie that while streaming in HD (in Safari) full screen chops a bit with fast changing scenes. 11" 1.6/4/128. But it was still watchable and only lasted a few seconds, and in general I have not had a bad experience yet with Netflix. Was able to watch a 2 hr movie with battery to spare, and the fans didn't kick on loudly (I was in a chillier room though, which may have helped matters). Never got hot on my lap.

 

[vespoli]

11.6" 1.4/4GB here

Netflix instant is choppy on both Chrome and Safari (more so on Chrome) when playing HD. SD plays with no issues.

 

[bcaslis]

Netflix requires Silverlight doesn't it? Does this extension have the same performance issues as Flash?

 

[Meric]

Any issues with 13 MBA?

 

[dmelgar]

Any issues with 13 MBA?

I also tried a 13" MBA, 1.83/4/128.
Still very choppy in Chrome. Even less choppy than the 11 in Safari. Quite watchable, still stutters during some high motion scenes. but folks may not even notice if they're not looking for it.
So... its better, but still will stutter sometimes.