Benchmarks Rev A vs Rev B

[mrrippey]

Can anyone post side by side comparisons between the two. Been searching and can't find a good one.

Thanks

 

[darngooddesign]

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/02/12/review_laptop_apple_macbook_white/page3.html

http://www.macworld.com/article/136634/2008/11/macbook_air_tests.html

 

[mrrippey]

thanks

This was the link I was looking for

 

[Scottsdale]

here's my take...

There is a thread here in the MBA section, where people listed their MBA xBench Marks.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/638574/

Quickly... the best rev A with 1.8 and SSD is lower rated than the rev B 1.6 with HDD.

Quick explanation of differences...
rev A >>> rev B
Merom 65 NM CPU 4 MB L2 Cache >>> Penryn 45 NM CPU 6 MB L2 Cache
PATA Drive Controller >>> SATA-II Drive Controller
2 GB 667 MHz RAM >>> 2 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 RAM
Intel Graphics >>> Nvidia 9400m GPU
Mini DVI >>> Mini Display Port

Basically, every major internal component was upgraded in the rev B to make the system work without overheating, experiencing core shutdown, and locking up. The original MBA had a 20W CPU and the new one has a much nicer CPU that is 17W which keeps heat down. The Penryn CPU paried with the better GPU, the rev B MBA is not plagued with the problems experienced by the early version.

I owned a rev A, and it was a nightmare. I own a rev B with 1.86 and SSD which is much faster than my unibody MB and v2,2 MBP. I would advise you buy any rev B over the best rev A. The rev B costs more money, but I believe now and years down the road, the investment will prove very worth it.

Some think that the rev A is ok now with software updates to the original MBA. Cool Book has helped many people undervolt their MBAs which leads to less overheating, core shutdown, and lockups. It is very cheap now as Apple is dumping them as refurbished computers.

I think the rev B MBA is an incredible Mac that is extremely portable, yet with the SSD is very fast too for common computing tasks. The SSD makes my rev B MBA boot in 25 seconds, makes apps open instantly, and opens huge files without wasting my time. In addition, the Mini Display Port with better graphics, will let you connect up to a 30" Apple Cinema Display. I connect mine to the 24" LED Backlit ACD, and it makes the super portable MBA into an instant desktop.

Good luck.

 

[929406]

There is a thread here in the MBA section, where people listed their MBA xBench Marks.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/638574/

Quickly... the best rev A with 1.8 and SSD is lower rated than the rev B 1.6 with HDD.

Quick explanation of differences...
rev A >>> rev B
Merom 65 NM CPU 4 MB L2 Cache >>> Penryn 45 NM CPU 6 MB L2 Cache
PATA Drive Controller >>> SATA-II Drive Controller
2 GB 667 MHz RAM >>> 2 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 RAM
Intel Graphics >>> Nvidia 9400m GPU
Mini DVI >>> Mini Display Port



Basically, every major internal component was upgraded in the rev B to make the system work without overheating, experiencing core shutdown, and locking up. The original MBA had a 20W CPU and the new one has a much nicer CPU that is 17W which keeps heat down. The Penryn CPU paried with the better GPU, the rev B MBA is not plagued with the problems experienced by the early version.

I owned a rev A, and it was a nightmare. I own a rev B with 1.86 and SSD which is much faster than my unibody MB and v2,2 MBP. I would advise you buy any rev B over the best rev A. The rev B costs more money, but I believe now and years down the road, the investment will prove very worth it.

Some think that the rev A is ok now with software updates to the original MBA. Cool Book has helped many people undervolt their MBAs which leads to less overheating, core shutdown, and lockups. It is very cheap now as Apple is dumping them as refurbished computers.

I think the rev B MBA is an incredible Mac that is extremely portable, yet with the SSD is very fast too for common computing tasks. The SSD makes my rev B MBA boot in 25 seconds, makes apps open instantly, and opens huge files without wasting my time. In addition, the Mini Display Port with better graphics, will let you connect up to a 30" Apple Cinema Display. I connect mine to the 24" LED Backlit ACD, and it makes the super portable MBA into an instant desktop.

Good luck.

Thanks Scotsdale, invaluable information. I think I will get one of these machine this year but waiting for a slightly bigger SSD and I want to see how the MBA handles Snow Leopard before pulling the trigger. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Scottsdale]

Thanks Scotsdale, invaluable information. I think I will get one of these machine this year but waiting for a slightly bigger SSD and I want to see how the MBA handles Snow Leopard before pulling the trigger. Any thoughts on this?

There is another thread mentioning the new SL9600 CPU, which is the same class CPU used in the rev B MBA. In that thread, a bunch of members discuss the possible rev C MBA. Snow Leopard may make the MBA even better. Most think a rev C MBA is a ways off, like September. If you are willing to wait until September, you may get a rev C MBA running Snow Leopard on it. Anything is possible. Anyways, check that thread out here in the MBA section.

 

[mrrippey]

Thanks!

There is a thread here in the MBA section, where people listed their MBA xBench Marks.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/638574/

Quickly... the best rev A with 1.8 and SSD is lower rated than the rev B 1.6 with HDD.

Quick explanation of differences...
rev A >>> rev B
Merom 65 NM CPU 4 MB L2 Cache >>> Penryn 45 NM CPU 6 MB L2 Cache
PATA Drive Controller >>> SATA-II Drive Controller
2 GB 667 MHz RAM >>> 2 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 RAM
Intel Graphics >>> Nvidia 9400m GPU
Mini DVI >>> Mini Display Port

Basically, every major internal component was upgraded in the rev B to make the system work without overheating, experiencing core shutdown, and locking up. The original MBA had a 20W CPU and the new one has a much nicer CPU that is 17W which keeps heat down. The Penryn CPU paried with the better GPU, the rev B MBA is not plagued with the problems experienced by the early version.

I owned a rev A, and it was a nightmare. I own a rev B with 1.86 and SSD which is much faster than my unibody MB and v2,2 MBP. I would advise you buy any rev B over the best rev A. The rev B costs more money, but I believe now and years down the road, the investment will prove very worth it.

Some think that the rev A is ok now with software updates to the original MBA. Cool Book has helped many people undervolt their MBAs which leads to less overheating, core shutdown, and lockups. It is very cheap now as Apple is dumping them as refurbished computers.

I think the rev B MBA is an incredible Mac that is extremely portable, yet with the SSD is very fast too for common computing tasks. The SSD makes my rev B MBA boot in 25 seconds, makes apps open instantly, and opens huge files without wasting my time. In addition, the Mini Display Port with better graphics, will let you connect up to a 30" Apple Cinema Display. I connect mine to the 24" LED Backlit ACD, and it makes the super portable MBA into an instant desktop.

Good luck.

I was thinking of getting a Rev A for 7-800 bucks (bunch available at that price) but I am beginning to think that maybe I should just spring to for a 1.6/120 for 1700. I do not do alot of heavy lifting outside of file copies (over network) and I will be doing iPhone development as a hobby. I just do not have the cash for a new one right now and for $700 I have something (I have nothing now). I need to run XP/Windows7 but I can do that using Bootcamp/VMWare/Parallels with either one.

Ugh!

Thanks for the post however as you are sheding more light on what I can / need to do.

 

[SeanU]

I was thinking of getting a Rev A for 7-800 bucks (bunch available at that price) but I am beginning to think that maybe I should just spring to for a 1.6/120 for 1700. I do not do alot of heavy lifting outside of file copies (over network) and I will be doing iPhone development as a hobby. I just do not have the cash for a new one right now and for $700 I have something (I have nothing now). I need to run XP/Windows7 but I can do that using Bootcamp/VMWare/Parallels with either one.

Ugh!

Thanks for the post however as you are sheding more light on what I can / need to do.

I'm using the MBA rev. A for Xcode/Iphone dev. No problems at all. I don't run Windows on the machine so i can't comment there. Moving files will not strain your cpu, the network will be the bottleneck there.

Sean

 

[aaquib]

I was thinking of getting a Rev A for 7-800 bucks (bunch available at that price) but I am beginning to think that maybe I should just spring to for a 1.6/120 for 1700. I do not do alot of heavy lifting outside of file copies (over network) and I will be doing iPhone development as a hobby. I just do not have the cash for a new one right now and for $700 I have something (I have nothing now). I need to run XP/Windows7 but I can do that using Bootcamp/VMWare/Parallels with either one.

Ugh!

Thanks for the post however as you are sheding more light on what I can / need to do.

I'd go with the Rev. A. There may be a a difference between them, but not one that justifies an additional $1000 for you!

 

[Rondue]

for the love of GOD please stay away from REV A macbook AIRs I am currently in the process of getting mine replaced by apple.