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Anyone Use MBA as a Primary Computer?
- Thread starter svalentine
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I'm using a Rev. A as a primary computer. However, I do have a Mac Pro secondary available for intensive tasks
Been using my since they first launched, does everything I need it to do and I take it everywhere. Email, surf the net, light movie watching, chatting, documents, etc
It does tend to hiccup if I watch too many videos but I'm guessing that's more of it overheating vs actual not having enough horsepower to handle the task. The only thing I can't do on it is high end gaming and I have a X-Box 360 and dekstop PC for that, oh and anything with sound now that my audio has failed but that's another story
It does tend to hiccup if I watch too many videos but I'm guessing that's more of it overheating vs actual not having enough horsepower to handle the task. The only thing I can't do on it is high end gaming and I have a X-Box 360 and dekstop PC for that, oh and anything with sound now that my audio has failed but that's another story
I use both my 24" imac and my Revision b hdd, for different uses!
My 24" iMac is for watching Blu-rays & TV (eyeTv), and editing and viewing photo's on Aperture.
Macbook Air is for blogging in the garden or in bed, reading online newspapers and checking emails. Portability and lite! iphoto's pretty good, itunes library now resides on the air.
I dont take it outside of the house, no point until 4G and wi-max arrives! (& batteries improve)!
Main computer? Probably for most people e.g none power users!
My 24" iMac is for watching Blu-rays & TV (eyeTv), and editing and viewing photo's on Aperture.
Macbook Air is for blogging in the garden or in bed, reading online newspapers and checking emails. Portability and lite! iphoto's pretty good, itunes library now resides on the air.
I dont take it outside of the house, no point until 4G and wi-max arrives! (& batteries improve)!
Main computer? Probably for most people e.g none power users!
My Rev A MacBook Air is my main computer, my MacBook Pro is only used when I have to do intensive tasks or a lot of downloading. My MacBook Air does everything else and quite well I might add.
Well, one year ago, I replaced my white Macbook for a HDD Rev. A and 24" iMac. The idea was to use the MBA as a secondary, mobile solution, and the iMac as the main computer.
I had to wait 3 months to get the iMac delivered by sea, and because of that, I've used the MBA as my sole computer for a long time.
When the iMac came, I was really happy about it, but after a couple of months, I've started to notice that I was only using it for leisure, specially because the MBA is so portable that I've started to use it at work, replacing the HP laptop my company gives to me.
So, I still have the iMac as a "main" computer (where I download and store media), but I rarely use it. And I'm hooked up to my MBA like 8 to 10 hrs a day.
I plan to sell them both and get the best MBA money can buy as soon as it refreshes.
I also think about buying a MBP with SSD, but I think the portability of the MBA is unmatched by the biggest screen on the 15" MBP.
CPU, Ram, HD size, it doesn't matter that much, since OS X is tidy and I don't mind using an external HDD for non vital media files.
I had to wait 3 months to get the iMac delivered by sea, and because of that, I've used the MBA as my sole computer for a long time.
When the iMac came, I was really happy about it, but after a couple of months, I've started to notice that I was only using it for leisure, specially because the MBA is so portable that I've started to use it at work, replacing the HP laptop my company gives to me.
So, I still have the iMac as a "main" computer (where I download and store media), but I rarely use it. And I'm hooked up to my MBA like 8 to 10 hrs a day.
I plan to sell them both and get the best MBA money can buy as soon as it refreshes.
I also think about buying a MBP with SSD, but I think the portability of the MBA is unmatched by the biggest screen on the 15" MBP.
CPU, Ram, HD size, it doesn't matter that much, since OS X is tidy and I don't mind using an external HDD for non vital media files.
Using it as my primary computer (but definitely not my only).
I used to have a 3.6O.C. quad core SLi 9800gx2 750w raid0 power machine and used to be all into folding and crysis benchmarking and photoshop/videoeditting/flashanimating, etc. Decided it was a waste of time and money after the corei7s came out, since i just had to keep buying and buying to stay ontop.
Needless to say, the transition for me has been of extreme opposites. Before I had 12 USB ports, now I have 1. lol. it takes some getting used to. I definitely do not recommend ONLY having the air, especially if you're a media kind of guy. I have a HTPC 1Terabyte pc set up at home networked so I can stream music/movies/dl/remote dvd. Having the MBA has reduced the amount of time I'm on the computer. Its slipstream and simplistic, yet more than plenty for daily use as a primary. Just have extra storage around and means to do extra stuff that comes to mind. Basically, if i can do it, anyone can lol.
I used to have a 3.6O.C. quad core SLi 9800gx2 750w raid0 power machine and used to be all into folding and crysis benchmarking and photoshop/videoeditting/flashanimating, etc. Decided it was a waste of time and money after the corei7s came out, since i just had to keep buying and buying to stay ontop.
Needless to say, the transition for me has been of extreme opposites. Before I had 12 USB ports, now I have 1. lol. it takes some getting used to. I definitely do not recommend ONLY having the air, especially if you're a media kind of guy. I have a HTPC 1Terabyte pc set up at home networked so I can stream music/movies/dl/remote dvd. Having the MBA has reduced the amount of time I'm on the computer. Its slipstream and simplistic, yet more than plenty for daily use as a primary. Just have extra storage around and means to do extra stuff that comes to mind. Basically, if i can do it, anyone can lol.
I've been using my MBA RevA 1.6/2/80 as my primary computer for almost a year and love it for general personal and business use. A few utilities and a little tuning make it a pretty good performer even.
But there are still some higher end things I do occasionally (like Movie Editing) that its less than ideal for. And it's limited ram and storage space prevent it from being my only computer. I gather I could get by with a revB performance wise for all my needs but the revB still has insufficient ram and storage for my only computer. I remain hopeful for a revC (come on 4gb ram and 256gb SSD)
The MBA is the best ultra mobile, pleasure to use all day long machine I've ever owned.
But there are still some higher end things I do occasionally (like Movie Editing) that its less than ideal for. And it's limited ram and storage space prevent it from being my only computer. I gather I could get by with a revB performance wise for all my needs but the revB still has insufficient ram and storage for my only computer. I remain hopeful for a revC (come on 4gb ram and 256gb SSD)
The MBA is the best ultra mobile, pleasure to use all day long machine I've ever owned.
Not everyone needs to do video editing and Mac Pro power.
Is your MBA a Rev. A? The MBA Rev. B. SSD is faster than my MBP on average.
What is the risk? Worst case he finds he needs a Mac Pro instead of a small laptop and sells it.
I plan to get an MBA as my primary computer when they update it to 4GB RAM.
It's sort of like asking what kind of vehicle to buy. A Honda Civic is fine for a lot of people, but a construction man might want a truck, and a farmer might appreciate a tractor.
I think these types of questions should start with what the user wants to do with the computer. If you just use Microsoft Office, browse the internet, send email, and use iTunes and iPhoto for general home use, anything more than a MacBook Air is almost overkill.
However, if you're like me and you use lots of Windows programs through VMWare Fusion at the same time you run lots of other programs and sometimes edit short videos, then you'll benefit from a MacBook, in part because of the RAM and hard drive limitations in the MBA.
If you create videos for a living and run complex rendering scenarios, then you probably want a Mac Pro.
I think these types of questions should start with what the user wants to do with the computer. If you just use Microsoft Office, browse the internet, send email, and use iTunes and iPhoto for general home use, anything more than a MacBook Air is almost overkill.
However, if you're like me and you use lots of Windows programs through VMWare Fusion at the same time you run lots of other programs and sometimes edit short videos, then you'll benefit from a MacBook, in part because of the RAM and hard drive limitations in the MBA.
If you create videos for a living and run complex rendering scenarios, then you probably want a Mac Pro.
I have a Mac Pro Octo (2008) with an ACD 30" and a Rev. B MBA SSD, and to be honest, I am on my MBA 98% of the time.
Except when rendering video or working on photos, I almost never turn to the Mac Pro. Of course, when I do, I am doing things that the MBA would struggle with (video editing) or where a 13" display is unsuitable (photo and video editing).
For the overwhelming bulk of my activity, however, which includes using Mail, Safari, Firefox, iTunes, Preview, VMWare Fusion, iWork, MS Office and MSN Messenger, the MBA is a dream.
Except when rendering video or working on photos, I almost never turn to the Mac Pro. Of course, when I do, I am doing things that the MBA would struggle with (video editing) or where a 13" display is unsuitable (photo and video editing).
For the overwhelming bulk of my activity, however, which includes using Mail, Safari, Firefox, iTunes, Preview, VMWare Fusion, iWork, MS Office and MSN Messenger, the MBA is a dream.
I suppose that for the uses that you have listed it would be suiting as a primary computer for you. However, I feel that it is a rather limited system for the price you pay, especially considering that you are coming from a 24" iMac that certainly had more flexibility in terms of the range and scope of apps that it was able to handle.
The portability is a great feature of the Air, but the Macbook has the same foot print as the Air and is more easily upgradeable by the user... Just a thought.
The portability is a great feature of the Air, but the Macbook has the same foot print as the Air and is more easily upgradeable by the user... Just a thought.
My Rev B MBA is my primary computer. I use it for code development, web surfing, 3D Modeling, and basic image editing. No complaints.
I love your post. Would you please back me up as every time I say something similar to you, I get death threats and worse by refurbished original MBA buyers who declare their MBA is absolutely perfect, is faster than a Nehalem Mac Pro, and plays 1080p natively without stuttering... LOL!
Hi,
I'm only using a MBA Rev. B 1.86GHz.
It's fast enough for everything I do (programming, e-amil, web, ...) and together with 24" display it's a great machine to work to whole day.
Go for a MBA
Peter
I'm only using a MBA Rev. B 1.86GHz.
It's fast enough for everything I do (programming, e-amil, web, ...) and together with 24" display it's a great machine to work to whole day.
Go for a MBA
Peter
I use a REV A as my only machine. It's got the 64gb SSD. It's great. I think i've only used the CD drive maybe 5 times since i got it and i would describe myself as a power user. I travel an insane amount and it's just been amazing.
this is interesting ... a lot of Air owners see no need for a MBP or iMac as a main computer.
i'm using mine 90% of the time too, the iMac isn't getting used near as much as I expected
i'm using mine 90% of the time too, the iMac isn't getting used near as much as I expected
once I get my Rev B, it will be my primary computer. I will leave the SuperDrive and freeagent 250 go drive at the office where I will use parallels (I need IE for my sharepoint stuff) and at home I have dual 500 Airdisks, one with media and another for Time machine.
I intend to give one of my managers my gateway tablet pc.
I intend to give one of my managers my gateway tablet pc.