Before I buy - Some Rev B MBA questions.

[NYU02]

Ok so I sold my MBP and I'm looking at either a MB or MBA rev b. - I sold the MBP bc I didn't need all the power and wanted more portability and an SSD drive. Now that the MB dropped to 4.5 pounds, i'm torn. I really want the MBA but I have a couple concerns.

1) did they not solve the heat issue and is it much hotter still even with an SSD then the MB?

2) I hear some complaints about videos (youtube or vidoes from itunes) jumping or freezing. Has this been resolved? the most intense video software I will use is iMovie. Will this be an issue with the rev. B?

3) Is 2gigs enough? I don't plan on using fusion but if I do will this be enough. Also, I want this to last at least 2 years. Can 2gigs survive?

4) any other issues I should be concerned about over the MB?

5) AND do you recommend an SSD air or MB with 4gigs and me upgrading to SSD for my needs? (itunes, basic use, iMovie, iphoto)


Thank you very much,
NYU02

 

[wetrix]

I'd say that upgrading to SSD is the best thing you can do. Processor speed and memory can't make up for the awesomeness of having photoshop and word open in less than a few seconds.

 

[Kan-O-Z]

Ok so I sold my MBP and I'm looking at either a MB or MBA rev b. - I sold the MBP bc I didn't need all the power and wanted more portability and an SSD drive. Now that the MB dropped to 4.5 pounds, i'm torn. I really want the MBA but I have a couple concerns.

First I would like to state that yes while everyone feels that the MB is great now that its 4.5 pounds, it's no Air! I spent some good time at the Apple store and there is a significant difference in size and weight! Let's put it this way. There is a much bigger difference between the Air and MB (1.5lbs) than there is between the MB and MBP (1 lbs). On top of that the Air is like 1/4 the thickness of the MB...at least it feels that way. The MB while more portable than MBP just seems flat out heavy and bulky next to the Air. If you're looking for portability and can afford the Air then go for it. Just read the reviews of the Air from owners. Many claim it's the best computer and best Mac they have ever owned.

I would also like to point out that the screen on the Air is MUCH better than MB. The Air has a Pro quality screen and the MB seems to be somewhat inferior.

1) did they not solve the heat issue and is it much hotter still even with an SSD then the MB?

From what I hear they did resolve these issues. The Air is now a great machine offering MB type performance and full keyboard and screen but the size and weight of a magazine (it almost feels like it)

2) I hear some complaints about videos (youtube or vidoes from itunes) jumping or freezing. Has this been resolved? the most intense video software I will use is iMovie. Will this be an issue with the rev. B?

I think you'll be fine with iMovie. The SSD will probably actually load up applications like iMovie faster than the MB.

3) Is 2gigs enough? I don't plan on using fusion but if I do will this be enough. Also, I want this to last at least 2 years. Can 2gigs survive?

Yes it's enough. Remember the standard configuration of even the MBP is 2GB so even Apple thinks it's enough for most of us. Snow Leopard once again will be leaner and will possibly require less resources than Leopard...so you're good for the future as well.

4) any other issues I should be concerned about over the MB?

I think you're already aware of the shortcomings of the Air like no optical drive, etc. Aside from that I don't think there are any real issues. Rev B is a fantastic machine.

5) AND do you recommend an SSD air or MB with 4gigs and me upgrading to SSD for my needs? (itunes, basic use, iMovie, iphoto)

For what you want to do, I would recommend Air if you can afford it. It's an awesome machine and it's thinness and lightness will make you want to take it everywhere with you....not to mention that it'll draw looks as it's thinness and sexiness almost seem unreal

Kan-O-Z

 

[Ironic]

The SSD drive is a very nice touch to the MBA.

 

[burdendds]

1) & 2) The heat issue is solved in that the core shutdown issue is gone, but you still have to deal with the fan running at 6200 RPM if running anything CPU intensive for more than a couple of minutes (like youtube, etc.).

3) 2GB is probably enough for you if you're not sure if it is ;-). It's a perfect amount for most users at this point. Note that the actual usable memory is less than 2GB though because the system RAM is shared with the video processor. 4GB is nice if you plan on running Pro Apps, or Parallels, etc. It's hard to predict if 2GBs will be enough for 2 years as that is a long time span when it comes to technology and you usage patterns may change.

4) I have a MB (fortunate enough to get a perfect one with a great screen). I'd say the Macbook wins hands down in the speed department for obvious reasons. You can definitely tell when editing photos, working with videos and by little things like the smoothness of animations (dock, scolling, etc.). But for just web browsing, etc. they feel almost identical.

5) The SSD in the Air definitely feels fast! The only problem I have with that is the lack of upgrade potential. The intel SSD drives that are out now are definitely better performers than anything Apple offers and it looks like these new drives will no be compatible with the connectors Apple chose to use in the Air.

My screen issue: I had to return my Air because of my issue with the screen lines and weird texture that gives me a headache after about 20 mins of use. This does not effect everyone, you may not even notice it, but just beware that it may be an issue for you.

 

[NYU02]

Thanks everyone,

a couple more quick questions:

1) I'm confused/worried about the screen. Some say it's better then the MB and others say they have problems with the screen with some line issues. What are those issues and what % of MBAs have this issues?

2) If the fan is fan running at 6200 RPM is that faster then normal? Will that make a lot of noise? What does the MB run at?

Thanks,
NYU02

 

[Ironic]

My fans never kick up to 6200 even watching a UTUBE maybe if you watch a as I have a 50" plasma and will not watch DVDs on a 13" screen.

Mine have gone to 4300 RPM when it was loaded, really almost dead silent.

 

[Kan-O-Z]

4) I have a MB (fortunate enough to get a perfect one with a great screen). I'd say the Macbook wins hands down in the speed department for obvious reasons. You can definitely tell when editing photos, working with videos and by little things like the smoothness of animations (dock, scolling, etc.). But for just web browsing, etc. they feel almost identical.

The smoothness of animations has also been resolved with the new nVidia 9400 in the Air. Also with the SSD option, I would actually say that it feels quicker than my 2.2 MBP.

Kan-O-Z

 

[h1d]

2nd 1) We have no idea what % that the problem exists on. We just know that some posted the problems of either their own or the ones in stores and an on going discussion is on another thread. But personally I'm hesitating (or rather almost gave up) getting this revision..., but that's just my opinion. There is certainly a chance you can get a flawless one but it's almost pure luck, unless you can grab one at a store displayed flawlessly but it's all speculation about what chance you have, so I'm not going to emphasize either chance.

2nd 2) 6.2k is the fastest spinning speed of MBA fan and it's kind of noisy. (At least once you get used to the silent moment (at some 2k), when fan is on the lowest speed with silent SSD and that you have no constant noise source around your environment like at home.) But in my opinion, I got used to fan noise on a computer for over a decade, so it's not a big issue, and seems like rev B does better on this department than rev A and does less of 6.2k.

1st 2) Don't know, I've watched HD video on youtube and it worked fine at CPU on 150% and it was on rev A HDD, so normally, rev B is supposed to do better.

1st 4) Not much I think, except the obvious ones like no disc drive by default, means no reinstall without one unless doing some remote disc thing. No wired ethernet by default. And you probably want a USB port replicator.

 

[MH01]

Hey there.

1. As for heat issues, I have a MBA 1.86 SSD and a 2.53 MBP. I have no had any major issues with the Air. Very happy with it. I have more problems with the MBP, the 9600 GT is crashing under stress. My friend has the MB, and that is also fine with the 9400.

2. Have not had any issues with videos.

3. I think 2 gigs is fine right now, but in 2 years....well, to be honest I do not think any system from this year will be looking good in 2 years, and that is mainly due to i7 architecture rolling out and that has a very nice performance boost. If you could wait till next year you will get tech that will be "more" futureproof.

4. One USB....and that is all u get. U can imagine the restrictions around this.

5. SSD is very nice, things seem so fast. Basically if you need something small and portable, the AIR is great. Though i would never choose it as my only solution. I have a MBP and an AIR, if I could only have one, then the best solution would be a 2.4 MB which i would upgrade in the future to SSD.

I hope this helps