13 Mbp

[entatlrg]

I really like my 13" MBP, it's a 2010 2.66, 8gb RAM, 256ssd ... a fill in until a new MBA is released.

Yes, it's 1.5 lbs heavier but took me only a day or two before I didn't notice the extra weight ... I have to admit even though I didn't think I'd used the extra usb port, sd card slot and the dvd I have, so I've really got no complaints. As far as size goes it's only a little thicker.... there is a difference yes but not so bad.

I'm mobile often with a laptop, mostly by car and probably should use my 15" MBP or even a 17" for the extra resolution and screen real estate .... they say the more screen real estate you have the more productive you are .... regardless 9 times out of 10 I reach for the 13", whether at my home office, den or couch or on the run, just more comfortable to use on the go or on your lap ...

To me it's like the camera theory, it's great to have a powerful DSLR camera but not so convenient to 'always' bring along ... they say the camera you'll use is the one you'll enjoy handling and the one that's always convenient to bring along....

The MBA suits that perfectly in the laptop world, it just needs a boost in power -but- if nothing happens soon or ever I have to admit the 13" MBP is an excellent second choice.

As far as the battery is concerned, the next update needs an increase in battery life, the majority including myself would like to see that happen, if it adds 4 to 8 ounces to the weight so be it.

 

[Scottsdale]

4.30 just word processing screen barely visible no internet connection.

3.30 word processing some browsing with flash blocked some email brightness at an average setting

I disagree. I can get 4.25 hours when using MBA with WiFi and half brightness (BT off). I get up to 4.5 hours. Of course when watching HD movies for three hours, that's about the most I can expect. I don't ever wish I had a larger battery or an MBA that was less capable so the battery would last more than it currently does.

I believe Apple went wrong when it gave its MBPs the 7/8 now 10-hour batteries. I believe that is weight wasted and thickness wasted. I don't believe the average MB or MBP user needs their Mac to last 10 hours. Why not reduce thickness and weight of these MBPs? Or better yet, why not give them the components they need like a 13" MBP with discrete GPU? Why not take out the optical drive and make them thinner? Why not be happy with a 5-hour battery and make them weigh a lot less? I don't get the 10-hour "problem" Apple has created for itself. Nobody expected MBPs to last 10 hours between charges until Apple did it to itself. Why not focus on the user's experience for five hours rather than waste the weight and thickness of this 10-hour battery? I just don't see the need. Nobody should expect to keep their Mac away from power for more than five hours at a time. I think the person that truly needs more than five hours away from a charger should buy a battery kit that can be carried in bag. That way we all don't have to carry around all the weight and thickness required of these MBPs that last a ridiculous 10 hours between charges.

Now everyone is expecting this out of the MBA, when the MBA only weighs 3 lb because the battery isn't a 10-hour 1.4 lb MBP battery that's thicker than the MBA itself and weighs half the weight of the MBA. The MBA will have to be thicker and heavier to get a 10-hour performance between charges. I don't want Apple to waste the weight and thickness on my luxury MBA. I have the luxury of getting to a power outlet within every five hours, meaning it's a waste to force me to carry around an MBA that lasts 10 hours. We're going to add weight and thickness or lose performance to get this 10-hour battery in an MBA... this is something that people should add to carry around with their Mac notebooks if they want not be forced on us.

I don't think people are being realistic to expect more than 4/5 hours from any computers battery. What a waste. Surely they realize they're going to carry around an extra 1/2 to 3/4 lb every day when it might be once per year that they would actually need their Mac to last more than 4 hours between charges. Apple would be better off adding a bay to allow people to use a discrete GPU, or plug an extra battery, or plug an optical drive. This wouldn't force people to carry around something they're honestly never going to use. I wouldn't ever use a battery that lasted 10 hours between charges... to me it's a waste.

 

[tim100]

seems like everyone here views the mba as a premium ultra portable machine. also the 13 mbp does not seem to have the premium status in this forum compared to the air. the air is an amazing machine but needs updated.

i have owned 13, 15, and 17 mbps. i like the 13 size but to me the 15 and 17 just seem better.

if the air was updated by getting rid of the buttons on the touch pad and capable of more ram i would buy one. it does not make any sense to buy an air now thats why i posted here. what will you do if the air is EOL? Worse yet what if it becomes the mac mini?

 

[gwsat]

I really like my 13" MBP, it's a 2010 2.66, 8gb RAM, 256ssd ... a fill in until a new MBA is released.

Yes, it's 1.5 lbs heavier but took me only a day or two before I didn't notice the extra weight ... I have to admit even though I didn't think I'd used the extra usb port, sd card slot and the dvd I have, so I've really got no complaints. As far as size goes it's only a little thicker.... there is a difference yes but not so bad.

entatrig -- You may recall from my earlier posts that I nearly did what you have done. I came within a whisker of abandoning my long wait for an upgraded MBA and getting one of the new 13 inch MBPs with 8Gb of RAM and a 256Gb SSD. I may still go that route if the updated MBA's features turn out to be disappointing. For the time being, though, I will continue to make do with my MBP and iPad.

 

[flynz4]

On observation:

This forum is filled with people who own an MBA... and love them. Generally satisfied if the machine evolves in an evolutionary manner (ex: 4GB Ram)

The forum is also filled with people who do not own an MBA, complain about the design constantly... and generally want to redesign it to basically become a 13" MBP.

Then there is the remain 10% (who will now become what appears to be the vocal majority)... who do not fit either of the two scenarios above.

/Jim

 

[tim100]

On observation:

This forum is filled with people who own an MBA... and love them. Generally satisfied if the machine evolves in an evolutionary manner (ex: 4GB Ram)

The forum is also filled with people who do not own an MBA, complain about the design constantly... and generally want to redesign it to basically become a 13" MBP.

Then there is the remain 10% (who will now become what appears to be the vocal majority)... who do not fit either of the two scenarios above.

/Jim

I owned one in the past but dont now. I have a 17 inch i7 antiglare now and would like to add a MBA. I dont want to redesign it to be a 13. I want:
1) no optical drive
2) thinner than mbp
3 glass track pad
4) more ram

I dont think its going to get a redesign anytime soon. people can keep hoping but if they need a notebook anytime soon i would look to mbp. I dont think even any of you would buy or recomend the current mba air to anyone.

 

[flynz4]

I owned one in the past but dont now. I have a 17 inch i7 antiglare now and would like to add a MBA. I dont want to redesign it to be a 13. I want:
1) no optical drive
2) thinner than mbp
3 glass track pad
4) more ram

I dont think its going to get a redesign anytime soon. people can keep hoping but if they need a notebook anytime soon i would look to mbp. I dont think even any of you would buy or recomend the current mba air to anyone.

The ONLY reason that I would not buy one today, is because I think it is due for a refresh. It is still the best laptop I have ever owned.

I would not recommend a non-SSD model (MBA or any other laptop) to anyone period.

/Jim

 

[halledise]

I am currently using a MBA rev C w/SSD and honestly, I am content the way it is configured right now. I have 100% of the data on the machine synced to the cloud (MM, Dropbox, IMAP, Evernote, etc)... so everything works without any explicit syncing. I just pick up any machine and start using it and all of my data is there. The heaviest use is probably Aperture 3, which appears to work fine. I only use A3 while in the field, as my primary library is at home on my iMac.

Over time, I almost stopped using my 15" MBP completely. I still do use the 27" i7 iMac a fair amount. It contains my main libraries (iTunes, Aperture, etc), and it is the single computer that gets automatically double backed up to TM, and to the cloud (CP+). Since my computers all sync... anything I do on any laptop is also backed up through the iMac with the rest of my data.

My wife really wants to take over my MBA (replacing her 15" MBP), but she is content to wait until I replace this machine with the next version of the MBA. Personally, I do not care if they do it next month, or if they wait till Q1 since I am already using my current MBA which fits my needs nicely. If something happened to my current MBA, then I would replace it almost immediately (at this point I would wait for WDC in 2 weeks).

In order of personal use, I would estimate that I use:

60% - MBA
20% - iPad
15% - iMac
05% - MBP

I predict the MBP will reduce to 0% in the not too distant future. The other three machines all do one thing exceptionally well, and I am fortunate to have all 3 at my disposal. By contrast, the MBP does several things reasonably well, and is an exceptional choice for people who only plan to have a single machine. My analogy would be a carpenter that has a set of excellent specific tools... vs a single swiss army knife (albeit a really nice one).

/Jim

+1. great post. thoroughly agree with your sentiments. +1
(I just don't have the iPad)

 

[jdechko]

I believe Apple went wrong when it gave its MBPs the 7/8 now 10-hour batteries. I believe that is weight wasted and thickness wasted. I don't believe the average MB or MBP user needs their Mac to last 10 hours. Why not reduce thickness and weight of these MBPs? Or better yet, why not give them the components they need like a 13" MBP with discrete GPU? Why not take out the optical drive and make them thinner? Why not be happy with a 5-hour battery and make them weigh a lot less? I don't get the 10-hour "problem" Apple has created for itself. Nobody expected MBPs to last 10 hours between charges until Apple did it to itself. Why not focus on the user's experience for five hours rather than waste the weight and thickness of this 10-hour battery? I just don't see the need.

I have to disagree with your analysis. Apple already makes the thinnest, lightest laptops in the world. Just look at Dell, HP, Toshiba and Asus. They all have 13/14/15/16/17/18" monsters. Some of them have 14" computers that weigh more than Apple's 17". And they're all thick and bulky and ugly as sin. In fact, Sony is really the only major manufacturer I can think of (off the top of my head) that attempts what Apple does on a large scale.

Apple doesn't need to make their computers thinner or lighter, they already have issues with components given their size. We're using a MiniDisplay port (and Mini-DVI before that) instead of a full size port, and fewer ports in general. Internal components suffer as well. Remember that the original 15" MBP didn't have a dual-layer superdrive because it needed a 9.5mm high drive as opposed to the 12.5mm drive used previously (and in the 17").

The Air is an ultraportable, I understand. And as such, certain sacrifices must be made (battery, performance) in order to save weight and size. But to say that all Apple laptops have to make the same sacrifices is to kill whatever product differentiation Apple may have. The MBP, despite the Pro designation, is Apple's mainstream laptop, and should remain as such. I've already said why I think it can't (or shouldn't) be made any thinner or smaller, but that doesn't mean that Apple shouldn't try to improve it in any way possible. Keeping the weight and adding a longer lasting battery is a significant improvement, and one that a lot of people (especially college students and, I'm sure, travellers) are happy to have.

 

[Scottsdale]

I have to disagree with your analysis. Apple already makes the thinnest, lightest laptops in the world. Just look at Dell, HP, Toshiba and Asus. They all have 13/14/15/16/17/18" monsters. Some of them have 14" computers that weigh more than Apple's 17". And they're all thick and bulky and ugly as sin. In fact, Sony is really the only major manufacturer I can think of (off the top of my head) that attempts what Apple does on a large scale.

Apple doesn't need to make their computers thinner or lighter, they already have issues with components given their size. We're using a MiniDisplay port (and Mini-DVI before that) instead of a full size port, and fewer ports in general. Internal components suffer as well. Remember that the original 15" MBP didn't have a dual-layer superdrive because it needed a 9.5mm high drive as opposed to the 12.5mm drive used previously (and in the 17").

The Air is an ultraportable, I understand. And as such, certain sacrifices must be made (battery, performance) in order to save weight and size. But to say that all Apple laptops have to make the same sacrifices is to kill whatever product differentiation Apple may have. The MBP, despite the Pro designation, is Apple's mainstream laptop, and should remain as such. I've already said why I think it can't (or shouldn't) be made any thinner or smaller, but that doesn't mean that Apple shouldn't try to improve it in any way possible. Keeping the weight and adding a longer lasting battery is a significant improvement, and one that a lot of people (especially college students and, I'm sure, travellers) are happy to have.

Fortunately for us, this isn't really a debate... it's preference of what we like about current Mac computers. I like thin, lightweight, less capable 13" Macs... others like thicker 17" Macs. I think the smaller the display, the more relevant the lightweight and thinness. Someone carrying a 17" MBP is less likely to need it while traveling and more likely to need it when they get to point B. The MBA is definitely meant for either purpose while the 17" MBP can be opened only in first class on airplanes. I do agree others are mostly thicker than Apple's Mac notebooks except in the ultraportable MBA.

The MBA competes in a category just as the other Macs do. In the ultraportable category of PCs, RAPIDLY GROWING IN FACT, Apple doesn't compete as well. There is a reason every PC notebook manufacturer competes in the ultraportable market... it's growing rapidly. They all want to make money on the greater and greater capabilities from thinner and lighter notebooks that do everything users want in less weight.

 

[jdechko]

Fortunately for us, this isn't really a debate... it's preference of what we like about current Mac computers. I like thin, lightweight, less capable 13" Macs... others like thicker 17" Macs. I think the smaller the display, the more relevant the lightweight and thinness. Someone carrying a 17" MBP is less likely to need it while traveling and more likely to need it when they get to point B. The MBA is definitely meant for either purpose while the 17" MBP can be opened only in first class on airplanes. I do agree others are mostly thicker than Apple's Mac notebooks except in the ultraportable MBA.

The MBA competes in a category just as the other Macs do. In the ultraportable category of PCs, RAPIDLY GROWING IN FACT, Apple doesn't compete as well. There is a reason every PC notebook manufacturer competes in the ultraportable market... it's growing rapidly. They all want to make money on the greater and greater capabilities from thinner and lighter notebooks that do everything users want in less weight.

I agree. As with everything, there are tradeoffs, as I'm sure you are well aware. Apple decided a long time ago that it was going to focus on design: to be thinner and lighter than the competition (again, generally speaking). Everything we are dealing with now is a direct result of that decision.

 

[gwsat]

Fortunately for us, this isn't really a debate... it's preference of what we like about current Mac computers. I like thin, lightweight, less capable 13" Macs... others like thicker 17" Macs. I think the smaller the display, the more relevant the lightweight and thinness. Someone carrying a 17" MBP is less likely to need it while traveling and more likely to need it when they get to point B. The MBA is definitely meant for either purpose while the 17" MBP can be opened only in first class on airplanes. I do agree others are mostly thicker than Apple's Mac notebooks except in the ultraportable MBA.

The MBA competes in a category just as the other Macs do. In the ultraportable category of PCs, RAPIDLY GROWING IN FACT, Apple doesn't compete as well. There is a reason every PC notebook manufacturer competes in the ultraportable market... it's growing rapidly. They all want to make money on the greater and greater capabilities from thinner and lighter notebooks that do everything users want in less weight.

As a longtime user of 17 inch Mac laptops, I agree the portability of such a computer is secondary to its power and ease of use in a home or office environment. I have used mine in coach seats on airplanes from time to time but doing so makes for pretty cramped working conditions.

I am intrigued, though, by the possibilities of a 13 inch MBP without an optical drive and with a somewhat smaller battery. Such a machine, while no doubt still thicker than the MBA, wouldn't weigh much more and would be able to accept RAM modules and 2.5 inch SSDs. That's something the current MBA can't do and is unlikely to be able to do for the foreseeable future. I am not ready to say that I would be willing to make the tradeoff but the notion interests me nonetheless.

 

[Scottsdale]

As a longtime user of 17 inch Mac laptops, I agree the portability of such a computer is secondary to its power and ease of use in a home or office environment. I have used mine in coach seats on airplanes from time to time but doing so makes for pretty cramped working conditions.

I am intrigued, though, by the possibilities of a 13 inch MBP without an optical drive and with a somewhat smaller battery. Such a machine, while no doubt still thicker than the MBA, wouldn't weigh much more and would be able to accept RAM modules and 2.5 inch SSDs. That's something the current MBA can't do and is unlikely to be able to do for the foreseeable future. I am not ready to say that I would be willing to make the tradeoff but the notion interests me nonetheless.

I mentioned breaking the 13" Mac notebooks into four models somewhere else... MBP(g) for discrete GPU w/o optical drive same thickness as MBP(o). MBP(o) for optical drive w/o discrete GPU, w/10-hr battery, both MBPs at 1" thick. MB w/o optical drive at 3/4" thick and 7.5 hr battery. MBA at 1/2" thick or tapered with 5 hr battery. I believe a system like this could allow the user that cares more for performance or more for a lightweight system to get a computer tailored to their personal needs. A lot of people want ultraportable, and the 13" MB and 13" MBP offer the same basic experiences.

Why not give MBP users a choice between optical drive or discrete GPU. Could have same chipset and just add a discrete GPU in the space where currently an optical drive is a wasted component. For those that just need a computer, a 3/4" thick MB would do the job with 75% of the weight of the battery in the MBP.

The current system forces a thicker 10-hour battery in the MB and MBPs. In addition, the vast majority of users find the so called superdrive a waste of space and disgrace. If Apple doesn't offer BluRay then completely remove it for everyone except those that need it. The system I propose allows us that want ultraportability the same basic performance just less battery weight and thickness required by a battery and a worthless optical drive.

I personally think Apple could do better than its current system of 13" Mac notebooks. I think it could sell more 13" Macs and maybe make more money by providing a true "Pro" 13" MacBook Pro... a discrete GPU is definitely a must in a Pro machine. I just feel that Apple is missing the mark and it's the forced 10-hour battery and optical drives that are a waste in the system. Most people would never use a 10-hour battery and most people don't use the optical drive except once in a blue moon. Apple seems to make its Macs focusing on providing the least possible to make max returns. I believe buyers want ability to spend more money to get the Mac that they truly want and need for their uses. I believe many would benefit from being able to buy a 13" MBP with discrete GPU or with optical drive if they need it and a larger thicker heavier battery. For those that don't need that 10-hour battery, let them carry a MB that weighs less but performs similarly. For those that want ultraportability provide an even thinner 13" Mac that still performs the same but eliminates the wasted parts and weight/size required by to us a ridiculously large and heavy battery.

 

[raccoontail]

Apple already makes the thinnest, lightest laptops in the world. Just look at Dell, HP, Toshiba and Asus. They all have 13/14/15/16/17/18" monsters. Some of them have 14" computers that weigh more than Apple's 17". And they're all thick and bulky and ugly as sin. In fact, Sony is really the only major manufacturer I can think of (off the top of my head) that attempts what Apple does on a large scale.

Not sure if it qualifies as large-scale (at least in USA), but Fujitsu has long made very functional thin/light laptops. It's not pretty to look at, but the 3.1lb P770 packs more features into less space/weight than any laptop I've ever seen. i7, up to 8GB ram, an optical drive, and a choice of anti-glare or glossy screens. would love to have those options on the MBA!

 

[theappleguy]

Not sure if it qualifies as large-scale (at least in USA), but Fujitsu has long made very functional thin/light laptops. It's not pretty to look at, but the 3.1lb P770 packs more features into less space/weight than any laptop I've ever seen. i7, up to 8GB ram, an optical drive, and a choice of anti-glare or glossy screens. would love to have those options on the MBA!

It looks like its 50% thicker than the thickest point of the MacBook Air.

 

[roxygal9]

Well after a 6 month wait, I finally pulled the trigger on a 13 MBP w/ 256 SSD. As much as I would love to have a MBA, I think that there may be times I will need the optical drive, and can be upgraded with ram. Also, I do plan on doing some virtualization with Win7, and currently the MBA cant do that. I will be interested to see if Jobs introduces a new MBA on June 7th, but I think I am going to love my first Mac! As a soon to be law student, a 10 hour battery life could certainly come in handy when a plug is not available. The MBA is a great machine the little i have used it, and maybe I would consider it after a year if I like the update. I suppose I will be able to sell my new mac pretty easily.

Can't wait to own OSX!!

 

[pharmx]

Well after a 6 month wait, I finally pulled the trigger on a 13 MBP w/ 256 SSD. As much as I would love to have a MBA, I think that there may be times I will need the optical drive, and can be upgraded with ram. Also, I do plan on doing some virtualization with Win7, and currently the MBA cant do that. I will be interested to see if Jobs introduces a new MBA on June 7th, but I think I am going to love my first Mac! As a soon to be law student, a 10 hour battery life could certainly come in handy when a plug is not available. The MBA is a great machine the little i have used it, and maybe I would consider it after a year if I like the update. I suppose I will be able to sell my new mac pretty easily.

Can't wait to own OSX!!

Congrats! I'm not sure about the optical drive (I can count the number of times I've used mine on one hand....I only bought it because I thought I would need it...turns out I was wrong), but agree with you completely about the RAM.

You'll love your new Mac

 

[Scottsdale]

Well after a 6 month wait, I finally pulled the trigger on a 13 MBP w/ 256 SSD. As much as I would love to have a MBA, I think that there may be times I will need the optical drive, and can be upgraded with ram. Also, I do plan on doing some virtualization with Win7, and currently the MBA cant do that. I will be interested to see if Jobs introduces a new MBA on June 7th, but I think I am going to love my first Mac! As a soon to be law student, a 10 hour battery life could certainly come in handy when a plug is not available. The MBA is a great machine the little i have used it, and maybe I would consider it after a year if I like the update. I suppose I will be able to sell my new mac pretty easily.

Can't wait to own OSX!!

And this is the problem with the MacBook Air update. If Apple knows that not updating the MBA will result in its buyers just buying a MacBook Pro instead, then updating the MBA is of little concern... especially when Apple has its whole workforce working on iPhone OS and iPads.

I can see this as a reason not to "waste" time on an MBA right now. If the potential MBA buyer will just buy a 13" MBP there's no huge loss of sale just a little loss in revenue for the cost differences. There is little incentive for Apple to "rush" a MacBook Air right now when potential buyers will not leave Apple's own product lines. If potential MBA buyers were willing to go buy another brand, then Apple might actually give a damn.

What I see more and more of though is people actually seeing OS X as less of a reason to stick with Apple. In the long-run, I believe Apple needs to keep every product relevant and updates twice annually would be sufficient. The current system of updating whenever it gets around to it (ie 11 months for MBP updates, 17+ months for Mac Pro updates, 12+ months for MBA updates). Apple's holding OS X hostage is working less and less as Windows is comparable to OS X. Apple has supposedly stopped all work on OS X 10.7 so it can focus everyone possible on iPhone OS.

I believe Apple's long-term strategy, with updating products less often and not working on innovation in OS X 10.7, will eventually bite it in the ass. I believe fewer and fewer people will be willing to stick with Apple and wait out annual updates and switch to the Windows platform more frequently if Apple cannot update its Macs and innovate with OS X. So while some are buying MBPs instead of an MBA since there's no MBA updates, many more would be willing to switch to a PC ultraportable if there were products that competed well with the MBA.

I personally am still waiting for Apple to update the MBA. There is hope as Apple has made big updates at WWDC before. In addition, Apple says it's a mobility company, so why not update its most mobile Mac with its biggest advantage over Windows, OS X. There is information for new MBAs, and there's a lot of new technology that could be used to advance the MBA's relevance in the ultraportable market.

 

[tim100]

And this is the problem with the MacBook Air update. If Apple knows that not updating the MBA will result in its buyers just buying a MacBook Pro instead, then updating the MBA is of little concern... especially when Apple has its whole workforce working on iPhone OS and iPads.

I can see this as a reason not to "waste" time on an MBA right now. If the potential MBA buyer will just buy a 13" MBP there's no huge loss of sale just a little loss in revenue for the cost differences. There is little incentive for Apple to "rush" a MacBook Air right now when potential buyers will not leave Apple's own product lines. If potential MBA buyers were willing to go buy another brand, then Apple might actually give a damn.

What I see more and more of though is people actually seeing OS X as less of a reason to stick with Apple. In the long-run, I believe Apple needs to keep every product relevant and updates twice annually would be sufficient. The current system of updating whenever it gets around to it (ie 11 months for MBP updates, 17+ months for Mac Pro updates, 12+ months for MBA updates). Apple's holding OS X hostage is working less and less as Windows is comparable to OS X. Apple has supposedly stopped all work on OS X 10.7 so it can focus everyone possible on iPhone OS.

I believe Apple's long-term strategy, with updating products less often and not working on innovation in OS X 10.7, will eventually bite it in the ass. I believe fewer and fewer people will be willing to stick with Apple and wait out annual updates and switch to the Windows platform more frequently if Apple cannot update its Macs and innovate with OS X. So while some are buying MBPs instead of an MBA since there's no MBA updates, many more would be willing to switch to a PC ultraportable if there were products that competed well with the MBA.

I personally am still waiting for Apple to update the MBA. There is hope as Apple has made big updates at WWDC before. In addition, Apple says it's a mobility company, so why not update its most mobile Mac with its biggest advantage over Windows, OS X. There is information for new MBAs, and there's a lot of new technology that could be used to advance the MBA's relevance in the ultraportable market.

1) I have a 17 inch MBP and a new air would be perfect to go with it. if a new air is not announced I will get a 13

2) I dont think that many would go to windows. I use windows at work and it is really bad

3) This was not an issue in powerpc g4 days because there was no direct comparison

 

[Jukesy]

My 2pence worth...

I also have a MBA Rev.A which was the first Mac I'd bought for 10yrs and I bought is almost straight after launch at MacWorld.

I've had it since release and run an XP VMware for all my work stuff and then use the OSX for personal. It's worked well for me as a mobile user and whilst the 2GB ram and slow 80GB Pata are starting to get me down I just can't imagine going back to the large heavy MBP style laptops.

I have been considering a 128GB runcore to speed things up but given the iPad and my brain telling me there might be a super superior nextGen MBA that's worth waiting for I haven't done anything yet.

I have had a handful of moans about the single USB (If using ethernet and wanting to charge/sync iphone) and bought the superdrive which I also have used only a handful of times but overall I wouldn't change the old girl for anything else!

If you're unsure on MBP Vs. MBA then just ask yourself do you want a nice laptop with great performance to sit in your bag and do pretty much everything well (inc VM, Flash, Office..etc) or do you want something more substantial for your desk that can do advanced games and coding.... that's really how i see the MPA Vs. MBP...

 

[Scottsdale]

I also have a MBA Rev.A which was the first Mac I'd bought for 10yrs and I bought is almost straight after launch at MacWorld.

I've had it since release and run an XP VMware for all my work stuff and then use the OSX for personal. It's worked well for me as a mobile user and whilst the 2GB ram and slow 80GB Pata are starting to get me down I just can't imagine going back to the large heavy MBP style laptops.

I have been considering a 128GB runcore to speed things up but given the iPad and my brain telling me there might be a super superior nextGen MBA that's worth waiting for I haven't done anything yet.

I have had a handful of moans about the single USB (If using ethernet and wanting to charge/sync iphone) and bought the superdrive which I also have used only a handful of times but overall I wouldn't change the old girl for anything else!

If you're unsure on MBP Vs. MBA then just ask yourself do you want a nice laptop with great performance to sit in your bag and do pretty much everything well (inc VM, Flash, Office..etc) or do you want something more substantial for your desk that can do advanced games and coding.... that's really how i see the MPA Vs. MBP...

I would advise you to ignore the thoughts of a RuncoreSSD at this time for an original MBA. The problem is the PATA drive controller is a bottleneck for the SSD.

I think you're much better off waiting for a revised MBA yourself too. If anyone had to buy a Mac notebook right now, I would tell them to buy a MB or MBP and avoid the MBA at all costs.

I realize you were pretty much giving advice, but I just wanted to chime in on the drive upgrade bit and waiting for a new MBA. A new MBA will provide the first new technology since October 2008. In October 2008, the v 2,1 MBA dominated every ultraportable available. When Apple updates the MBA, there's a much better chance that it will again dominate the ultraportable market.

I still have faith in Apple even though it makes us wait ridiculously long periods of time for ALL product updates.

 

[coast1ja]

1) I have a 17 inch MBP and a new air would be perfect to go with it. if a new air is not announced I will get a 13

2) I dont think that many would go to windows. I use windows at work and it is really bad

3) This was not an issue in powerpc g4 days because there was no direct comparison

Which version of Windows do you use at work? My guess is that it's not Windows 7.

I currently have a 15" MBP with SSD, and I yearn for another ultraportable... notice I didn't say MacBook Air. Windows 7 is just as good in terms of user experience and features as OSX. I decided to set up my home network/desktop/HTPC/media center extenders under Windows 7 instead of OSX and running Apple TVs because it is MUCH easier to share files and media across computers in Windows 7 using the HomeGroup feature. I now have every drive in my house accessible to any other computer in the house, except for my MBP when running OSX... I am finding more and more that I am switching to the boot camp Windows 7 in order to access the media content that is shared amongst my other systems.

With this in mind... I actually don't think I would miss OSX much if I had a capable Windows 7 ultraportable. If the MacBook Air isn't updated within the next month or so, I will be shopping for a Sony Vaio Z-series or similar.

To all of those that still think OSX is superior to Windows... try windows 7. Oh and for all of those that think OSX doesn't get viruses and can't be hacked... my MBP was hacked last week while at a hotel... so even that aspect of OSX doesn't hold up well anymore.

 

[Scottsdale]

Which version of Windows do you use at work? My guess is that it's not Windows 7.

I currently have a 15" MBP with SSD, and I yearn for another ultraportable... notice I didn't say MacBook Air. Windows 7 is just as good in terms of user experience and features as OSX. I decided to set up my home network/desktop/HTPC/media center extenders under Windows 7 instead of OSX and running Apple TVs because it is MUCH easier to share files and media across computers in Windows 7 using the HomeGroup feature. I now have every drive in my house accessible to any other computer in the house, except for my MBP when running OSX... I am finding more and more that I am switching to the boot camp Windows 7 in order to access the media content that is shared amongst my other systems.

With this in mind... I actually don't think I would miss OSX much if I had a capable Windows 7 ultraportable. If the MacBook Air isn't updated within the next month or so, I will be shopping for a Sony Vaio Z-series or similar.

To all of those that still think OSX is superior to Windows... try windows 7. Oh and for all of those that think OSX doesn't get viruses and can't be hacked... my MBP was hacked last week while at a hotel... so even that aspect of OSX doesn't hold up well anymore.

Right there with you... whoever says "I use Windows... and it's really bad," doesn't really get computers and the CURRENT RELEVANT differences between OS platforms. Windows 7 has made up all ground on OS X. There is almost no reason to love one over the other platform right now other than support... except those who love entertainment and graphics superiority in Windows 7.

Windows 7 brings much superior graphics performance to OS X. Anyone that wants to watch a Flash video, or play an HD video, or game or whatever with graphics will use 1/4 of the CPU as running the same apps and tasks in OS X. For entertainment and graphics, Windows is so superior in every way that people that say it's bad just become irrelevant as the truth is Windows 7 is amazingly good. Go test out Flash or HD app playback in Windows vs. OS X. One will find that the same tasks use 1/4 the CPU in Windows 7 as OS X. One can go read the recent articles studying OpenGL performance differences in Windows over OS X and Linux.

I am right there with you Coast1ja, one that says Windows is really bad just doesn't get it. They had certainly better qualify their statement to say what really bad means... really bad equals 1/4 the CPU usage? really bad equals amazingly better OpenGL performance? Really bad equals better graphics drivers? What is really bad and how would one justify such a statement? About the only thing OS X actually beats Windows at right now is no virus issues.

 

[soph]

If the MacBook Air isn't updated within the next month or so, I will be shopping for a Sony Vaio Z-series or similar.

+1 though I'll not be happy about it.

 

[roxygal9]

Congrats! I'm not sure about the optical drive (I can count the number of times I've used mine on one hand....I only bought it because I thought I would need it...turns out I was wrong), but agree with you completely about the RAM.

You'll love your new Mac

Thanks pharmx! Yea i know I wont use the optical drive much, but its nice to have to watch movies i suppose and load win 7 or other software.

Scottsdale: You are right I think that is exactly why the MBA has not been updated recently because Apple knows that if a consumer wants a macbook and they dont like the outdated technology of the MBA (assuming they are somewhat computer savvy) they will reach for the MBP. However, I have not given up on the Air, just yet. I could always sell my mom the 13 in mbp as she has never owned one and she thinks they are awesome!