Background - Fashion Photographer. Uses the MBA as my on-location backup for images, portable HD backup, and light editing (LR3, Bridge and CS5)
I was using a base for 3 days but I ended up switching to an Ultimate 11.6" MBA today (128GB SSD, 1.6Ghz, 4Gb RAM).
From the last couple days, I can tell you guys that the base was more than enough to handle everyday computing tasks. In fact, it was so much easier and nicer to use than my 2010 base 13" MBP. The base MBP was stronger for editing but not by much - only because it's got a bigger screen - everything else the MBA breezed through, except for the screen size I feel that the MBA was even faster at CS5 as weird as it sounds since it's got a slower processor.
The Ultimate was also noticeably faster at editing than the base Air. However, every day computing there is almost no difference unless I was running multiple apps - and editing at the same time.
Why Ultimate? The 128GB SSD is a life saver! By the time I finished installing CS5 and office on the 64GB there was only 40gig left. Even though I don't store music on here, 40GIG is only about 2 shoots worth of images. The 4Gig of RAM is helpful but unless you're editing like me or want to future proof your Air, then you *might* be able to get away with the 2gig. The 1.6Ghz processor I'm not sure if there is much improvement over the 1.4ghz. I just got it to future proof my machine.
The Air to me is not an editing powerhouse, but for now while I'm waiting for the MBP refresh I have to use it for that in the next two weeks (planning on the ultimate 17" MBP). For some reason I think I'll be just fine
The Air should be just as good if not better than the base 2010 13" MBP I sold.
I was using a base for 3 days but I ended up switching to an Ultimate 11.6" MBA today (128GB SSD, 1.6Ghz, 4Gb RAM).
From the last couple days, I can tell you guys that the base was more than enough to handle everyday computing tasks. In fact, it was so much easier and nicer to use than my 2010 base 13" MBP. The base MBP was stronger for editing but not by much - only because it's got a bigger screen - everything else the MBA breezed through, except for the screen size I feel that the MBA was even faster at CS5 as weird as it sounds since it's got a slower processor.
The Ultimate was also noticeably faster at editing than the base Air. However, every day computing there is almost no difference unless I was running multiple apps - and editing at the same time.
Why Ultimate? The 128GB SSD is a life saver! By the time I finished installing CS5 and office on the 64GB there was only 40gig left. Even though I don't store music on here, 40GIG is only about 2 shoots worth of images. The 4Gig of RAM is helpful but unless you're editing like me or want to future proof your Air, then you *might* be able to get away with the 2gig. The 1.6Ghz processor I'm not sure if there is much improvement over the 1.4ghz. I just got it to future proof my machine.
The Air to me is not an editing powerhouse, but for now while I'm waiting for the MBP refresh I have to use it for that in the next two weeks (planning on the ultimate 17" MBP). For some reason I think I'll be just fine
The Air should be just as good if not better than the base 2010 13" MBP I sold.
