anybody in the same boat?

[pieseller]

hello,

i am about to purchase a mac laptop but dont know which one to buy?

my options are the updated macbook 2.4ghz 160gb ,2gb RAM or a 1.8Ghz 80Gb macbook Air.

the reason for my dilema is money and computer performance. i can afford the MBA but would rather not pay more if i dont have to. Also i guess some where along the line i am going to need to buy a superdrive and time capsule for the MBA ( 80Gb- not enough!)

i only really surf the net, watch movie trailers, i-tunes and occasionally watch a DVD. will the MBA be able to cope with multi tasking net surffing, i-tunes and some MINOR video editing. im just lurred by that slim sexy MBA.....

is anybody else in the same boat or have any advice they might offer?

 

[NC MacGuy]

hello,

i am about to purchase a mac laptop but dont know which one to buy?

is anybody else in the same boat or have any advice they might offer?

Lots of people! I think you should read through the MBA past threads and make sure you have a feel for +/-'s. I have one of each and can say that the MBA will handle the tasks you've described. I can also say that the MB is quite attractive at the price. Since I travel extensively, the Air is my weapon of choice. It has more than competent speed and cpu for most tasks.

I think the defining issues are how much you travel vs. how fat your wallet is. A few posters have gotten them and returned them for MB/MBP's. I love my Air but do realize its shortcomings and accept them nonetheless.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Oh, one more thing - make sure you get hands on with both systems at your local store be it Best Buy, Circuit City or Apple.

 

[IC3D]

If I got one, I'd get the top of the line one. If you can't afford it. Save. It will be better all around. But then again I'm a hardcore techy. heh

 

[CalMin]

If it's going to be your only computer, forget it. You'll ultimately feel constrained by its limitations at some point.

If you have a desktop as your main computer and your laptop is just for when you need something mobile, then get the Air. It's the best of the current line when it comes to needing a portable.

 

[pieseller]

thanks for the advice. it is going to be my only computer. i have worried that its limitations would constrain me at some point.

im just so tempted by that LED screen and slim look of the MBA. With a superdrive and timecapsule my problems would be solved. but i cant really afford those at the moment!!!

the problem is i know deep down the macbook is the wisest option to choose, but i will always look at the MBA and wish i had that one.

 

[twynne]

If it's going to be your only computer, forget it. You'll ultimately feel constrained by its limitations at some point.

If you have a desktop as your main computer and your laptop is just for when you need something mobile, then get the Air. It's the best of the current line when it comes to needing a portable.

I disagree, slightly.

I have a 17" MBP that's only about 6 month's old, and I bought the Air for use primarily when travelling. Since bringing it home (3 weeks ago) I've only touched the MBP twice, and that was only because it still contains my music library. I would say storage capacity is the only thing currently standing in the way of it being my primary machine, and I plan to overcome that with a compact external drive to hold my music (which I don't need to have with me on the MBA all the time anyway).

In terms of power/performance I've found it better than expected at all of the tasks I routinely perform - mail/web primarily, and I always leave a Parallels (XP) VM running in the background.

On occasion the single USB is limiting, but only *very* occasionally and you can get very lightweight hubs for the rare moments when you need one.

In summary, I wouldn't rule it out as your primary machine... just depends on your usage.

 

[ddd269]

If it's going to be your only computer... Get the MB.
Go with your instinct and get the MB (the low end one). The object now is to get yourself a computer and the MB ($1099 - student discount?) is your ticket. If you get the MBA + superdrive, you're going to spend almost double.

You'll have another opportunity to get a better equipped, sexier MBA in the future and it would be a great addition to your MB.

Tethering the superdrive is a nuisance. I have 7 computers at home (5 macs), so I can fall back to a "well equipped" mac. I wouldn't have bought the MBA if this was going to be the only one... Well, I would have, but with regrets.

 

[pieseller]

wow thanks very much. good advice.

cheers guys and gals.

 

[NC MacGuy]

And the winner is.....?????

 

[tMac85]

yeah we want to know!

air? macbook? splurge on the MBP? won the lottery and got a macPro with cinema display?!

 

[nbmoose]

i was in the same boat.
i went with the MBA 1.8/80
THought i would regret it if i didn't. left china today!!

 

[sparkstack]

My 2c

I have a 2.33 MBP and I ordered an 1.8/80 Air as I have a 3Ghz MP and don't really need the power / size / weight of the MBP anymore. I loved the Air, had zero problems with it usage wise, but had to send it back because of a manufacturing defect (mentioned elsewhere in the forum).

While waiting for the replacement to come from Apple I started second guessing myself about the air and if i should have got a Black MB. So i went down to the local Apple store to play with them side by side and get some advice.

Here are my observations.

The screen on the MB is Poor compared to the Air. You would think, as they are the same size, that they would be the same, bar the obvious difference in backlight, but they are worlds apart.

The MB, though having a faster processor & Hard drive, was actually slower to open apps, especially Garage Band. the 1.6 /80 Air was a lot quicker at this than the 2.4 Blackbook, and the 1.8 /64 blew them both away. But then it's $1k more, so you would hope it did.

Add in the fact that i love the aluminum look, and the backlit keys, i came away happy that i had bought the Air and I can't wait till the replacement arrives on Thursday.

Again, just my 2c

 

[Argon4k]

I'm in the same position. Here are my thoughts:

The MacBook Air is a new and unique product. I love the way it looks (haven't seen one in person yet) and I completely understand the use for it. I have a 24" iMac and I think this would be the perfect complement for it.

On the other hand, however, I took a look at some math and features of both products. If you went to the grocery store and they had something on sale that said "2 for $4 or 1 for $3", which one would you get? Most likely you'd get the 2 for $4. This isn't true in all cases but I think people will understand where I'm going with this. I'm not sure I can justify spending the extra money on less features. Though like I've said, I certainly understand what the Air is for and it would most likely be perfect for me.

Money is another issue. I could certainly get the Air but I'm not sure I want to spend the money on it. I could get the new Microsoft Office and Apple Care for less than a MacBook Air.

This is why I'm undecided. I'll be using it for note taking, papers, e-mail, surfing the web, Adium/iChat and programming (mostly PHP, so nothing too heavy). I have a feeling that either computer will be able to handle these tasks without a problem which still doesn't help me decide.

Any thoughts from anyone?

 

[trip1ex]

Much nicer screen on the MBA. Also doesn't seem as hot or noisy. More portable. Performance is quite good actually.

 

[bananas]

is anybody else in the same boat or have any advice they might offer?

I bought a MacBook, but had to send it back since the display turned out to be broken. When I ordered the MB I thought MBA would be too expensive and not powerfull enough for me.

But then I saw a MacBook Air and realised how wonderful it was. I started thinking that it has everything that I think is missing from a MacBook: Lightness, aluminium case and LED backlight.

Now I'm pretty certain that I will get a Macbook Air, even though it's quite expensive. I have plenty of (Linux) computers, so it's not about storage or computing power for me.

 

[pieseller]

thanks for the interest

ive thought about it and its going to be the MBA. ive succumb to its looks!!

sometimes you just have to spend that little bit extra....

 

[NC MacGuy]

Hope you get a good one. Mine has been near flawless and I love it! Don't freak w. the battery until you've used it a while.

Welcome and good luck

 

[ayeying]

If it's going to be your only computer, forget it. You'll ultimately feel constrained by its limitations at some point.

If you have a desktop as your main computer and your laptop is just for when you need something mobile, then get the Air. It's the best of the current line when it comes to needing a portable.

i use my macbook air as a primary machine. i connect a 20 inch monitor at home along with approx. 4tb worth of network storage, it makes a geeat machine. even game a bit on the system.

 

[ddd269]

thanks for the interest

ive thought about it and its going to be the MBA. ive succumb to its looks!!

sometimes you just have to spend that little bit extra....

You sure?

Just kidding... Hope you enjoy the MBA. I know that I advised you to get the MB, but it was purely based on the fact that it was going to be your only computer and the money issue. If you're ok with the money issue, the "primary computer" issue is not a big deal. If you don't mind having instant access to a cd/dvd drive, then just go over to a friends house and use his/her computer's drive.

Good luck!

btw don't let all the negative comments/problems with the MBA affect you. Most owners are loving their MBAs!

 

[steve31]

I like the blk MB but the screen was the real deal breaker for me. I love the led screen!! It just blows away the MB screen! I also love the backlit keyboard...but the MBA should not be an only computer. I also have a MBP for my "power" needs.

 

[w00tini]

thanks for the interest

ive thought about it and its going to be the MBA. ive succumb to its looks!!

sometimes you just have to spend that little bit extra....

good for you! ive been ecstatic with my choice of the MBA...been my main rig since getting it friday.

/and its my first MAC too :d