After 6 months of OS X, I can't imagine going back.
OS X can be installed on the Dell Mini 9 ^_^ .
But I'd never do that, because it's against the Apple conditions.
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Can I justify buying a netbook?
- Thread starter NewGenAdam
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After 6 months of OS X, I can't imagine going back.
OS X can be installed on the Dell Mini 9 ^_^ .
But I'd never do that, because it's against the Apple conditions.
OSX runs amazing on the Dell Mini 9.
With number of Apple computers and software I own (including more OSX licenses than I have computers), I have no problem putting it on the Dell regardless of what Apple or any lawyer is going to tell me.
Personally, I think it would be great if Apple, not wanting to produce a netbook right now would partner with someone like Dell and OEM their Mini 9 offering out of the box support.
Well, MBA isn't really a netbook- wikipedia says "Netbooks are light, compact, highly portable, inexpensive, and energy efficient laptops."
MBA is highly portable, but it is not as compact or light as actual netbooks and it definitely isn't inexpensive
It's just a thin, light notebook. Like the Thinkpad X200 series, only WAY prettier. (albeit, slower and more expensive)
MBA is highly portable, but it is not as compact or light as actual netbooks and it definitely isn't inexpensive
It's just a thin, light notebook. Like the Thinkpad X200 series, only WAY prettier. (albeit, slower and more expensive)Well, MBA isn't really a netbook- wikipedia says "Netbooks are light, compact, highly portable, inexpensive, and energy efficient laptops."
MBA is highly portable, but it is not as compact or light as actual netbooks and it definitely isn't inexpensive
It's the argument over defining netbooks - aren't they just UMPCs (ultra mobile PC)?. Consensus says the difference is price, but TBH the term UMPC is rarely used, and "netbook" is far catchier so I envisage the price distinction blurring, and everything becoming netbooks.
I'm looking at you, Sony Vaio P!
Yay AAOne! I'm holding mine in one hand right now. Now that is airy. Plus it almost gets lost in my bag. Although admittedly, it wouldnt fit in an envelope.
Thats kinda akin to saying all subcompacts are cheap econoboxes when you have Audi, BMW & Mercedes Benz having some form of entries in the segment.
I would expect netbooks these days are more about the size than the price.
Portables > Laptops > Notebooks > Netbooks > Smartphones
For those who are interest on the performance of a netbook running OS X.
http://www.appledifferent.com/?p=234
That been said, the performance is equal to G4 (4 years old machine)
And MBA takes the lead!
Thanks! But I'd keep my gen.1 MBA
http://www.appledifferent.com/?p=234
That been said, the performance is equal to G4 (4 years old machine)
And MBA takes the lead!
Thanks! But I'd keep my gen.1 MBA
That needs to be a sticky thread for all the naysayers who actually thought an Atom = C2D
That needs to be a sticky thread for all the naysayers who actually thought an Atom = C2D
Who EVER thought that needs to research.
That chart just gives us some solid numbers!
I hardly would call a MBA revB a netbook...
1.86 GHz 45 NM Penryn Intel Core 2 Duo / 6 MB L2 Cache
SATA-II 128 GB SSD
Nvidia GPU
2 GB 1066MHz RAM
13.3" Beautiful LED Backlit Display
Have not seen a "netbook" out there with specs anywhere near that!
1.86 GHz 45 NM Penryn Intel Core 2 Duo / 6 MB L2 Cache
SATA-II 128 GB SSD
Nvidia GPU
2 GB 1066MHz RAM
13.3" Beautiful LED Backlit Display
Have not seen a "netbook" out there with specs anywhere near that!
I love the idea of netbooks.
Uber-small, portable and usable.
But as I have an MBA, can I justify buying one - I mean, how much more would a netbook offer me than my Air??
Persuade me !!
Netbook is a different animal of Mac Air. It is small, light, pocketable and at very low cost comparing to Mac Air. Performance-wise, it is also acceptable. Surfing on the nets is convenient in particular you could use either a Wifi dongle or 3G dongle. You can also watch movies or TV series while you are waiting at any terminals. If I were you, I will buy a Netbook. Mac Air is just for "show off" while you are travelling on train, plane, subway.
I was just going to post that benchmark link but someone beat me to it.
This whole thread was started by someone who wants to feel better about his MBA purchase. He wants us to persuade him that he should not buy a netbook?
Why the hell bother to try to persuade him? He has already stated that after using OSX that he won't go back to Windows or Linux. He also is not interested in putting OSX on a netbook.
He's just trying to start trouble, and the netbook topic always brings out the worst in MBA owners. They are not comparable computers, but netbooks can serve some people well, especially for just net/office/schoolwork. Most Mac users considering netbooks are still going to do iphoto iMovie etc.. on their other Mac.
Looking at those benchmarks, while interesting for speed comparison, they are not representative of actual tasks a Mac user would perform on a netbook. People on this forum considering a netbook, most likely already have a Mac.
Benchmarks I would exclude:
Boot Time, probably only do that 1-3 times a day. No one is going to decide between 2 computers based on that.
H.264 and CD ripping / "track converting" Why would someone do that on their netbook but not on their main Mac?
How many people even use Gimp? and especially on a 9-10" screen with 1024x600 resolution.
Anyway this whole thread was kinda lame except the benchmarks and hackintosh links.
The rest of us including me, felt like responding to the Troll (OP)
And I don't own a netbook.
This whole thread was started by someone who wants to feel better about his MBA purchase. He wants us to persuade him that he should not buy a netbook?
Why the hell bother to try to persuade him? He has already stated that after using OSX that he won't go back to Windows or Linux. He also is not interested in putting OSX on a netbook.
He's just trying to start trouble, and the netbook topic always brings out the worst in MBA owners. They are not comparable computers, but netbooks can serve some people well, especially for just net/office/schoolwork. Most Mac users considering netbooks are still going to do iphoto iMovie etc.. on their other Mac.
Looking at those benchmarks, while interesting for speed comparison, they are not representative of actual tasks a Mac user would perform on a netbook. People on this forum considering a netbook, most likely already have a Mac.
Benchmarks I would exclude:
Boot Time, probably only do that 1-3 times a day. No one is going to decide between 2 computers based on that.
H.264 and CD ripping / "track converting" Why would someone do that on their netbook but not on their main Mac?
How many people even use Gimp? and especially on a 9-10" screen with 1024x600 resolution.
Anyway this whole thread was kinda lame except the benchmarks and hackintosh links.
The rest of us including me, felt like responding to the Troll (OP)
And I don't own a netbook.
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@spacepower7 The decision as to whether posts constitute trolling shall be determined by admins; whose judgement I trust!
Now I realise putting OS X on netbooks can be legal (?) I'm willing to admit I'd do it. Apparently it runs well on Dell Mini 9, which is going for a good price atm.
Now I realise putting OS X on netbooks can be legal (?) I'm willing to admit I'd do it. Apparently it runs well on Dell Mini 9, which is going for a good price atm.
I don't agree - it might be something YOU forget about. I've brought mine on a week's training course, and it's way more portable than my MacBook, and perfect for the simple web browsing that I need it for. And it's not laughably expensive like the Air.
I don't use it every day, any more than I use the MacBook every day, but if I need a small, rugged (more rugged than the MB, which has had two hard drive failures) machine, it's perfect.
I would say though that if you don't have a specific use for one, you probably don't need it.
Which netbook took your fancy?
Something more rugged than my Air would be ideal for schoo, etc, and at a lower price I'd feel better taking it around.
Well said. There are 2 types of posters on this thread - people who have some form of interest in a netbook and those who wish to insist how superior Office Apple laptops are over netbooks.
A brand new MBA costs approximately 4 times what a decent netbook costs and about 5 times what a low-mid netbook costs (oh and about 6 times what a Dell Mini costs), so its not a fair comparison at all (etc etc etc etc).
Also, comparing a G4 with a netbook is perhaps worthwhile, but my hacked netbook runs the Garageband 'play along' features whereas the G4 wont ;-) And when Snow Leopard comes out I think I will be in better shape too...
Anyway, this is all getting a bit petty and I am not helping. For everyone here who wants a MBA, its a better machine than a netbook hacked to run OSX though it costs more and is a different form factor. For others who like the idea of playing around with something and experimenting, a netbook is a great idea and a amazingly useful little OSX computer.
ps Just to re-iterate I own a unibody MBP and a iMac and I bought a retail copy of Leopard for my NC10, so when I talk about experimenting I mean exactly that and not 'stealing Leopard from Apple'.
A brand new MBA costs approximately 4 times what a decent netbook costs and about 5 times what a low-mid netbook costs (oh and about 6 times what a Dell Mini costs), so its not a fair comparison at all (etc etc etc etc).
Also, comparing a G4 with a netbook is perhaps worthwhile, but my hacked netbook runs the Garageband 'play along' features whereas the G4 wont ;-) And when Snow Leopard comes out I think I will be in better shape too...
Anyway, this is all getting a bit petty and I am not helping. For everyone here who wants a MBA, its a better machine than a netbook hacked to run OSX though it costs more and is a different form factor. For others who like the idea of playing around with something and experimenting, a netbook is a great idea and a amazingly useful little OSX computer.
ps Just to re-iterate I own a unibody MBP and a iMac and I bought a retail copy of Leopard for my NC10, so when I talk about experimenting I mean exactly that and not 'stealing Leopard from Apple'.
AFAIK, the MSI Wind has some support for 2 finger gestures via a custom kext file, but the NC10 does not currently. Someone has tried it (visit insanelymac for more info) and it didnt work too well. The shame is that in Windows the NC10 has a decent trackpad which does support a varierty of gestures so its just a software issue.
However, (for me anyway) the fun of running OSX on the NC10 is that you can either accept the limitations (and there are only a handful) or you follow the scene and before you know it, someone will resolve all the issues. Just today I installed a nice app which lets me switch from speakers to headphones via the menu-bar. I wrote a AppleScript (activated via Quicksilver) to do the same which I can now retire.
If people are interested I can post a list of the issues with the NC10 for all to judge if they could live with them or not.
However, (for me anyway) the fun of running OSX on the NC10 is that you can either accept the limitations (and there are only a handful) or you follow the scene and before you know it, someone will resolve all the issues. Just today I installed a nice app which lets me switch from speakers to headphones via the menu-bar. I wrote a AppleScript (activated via Quicksilver) to do the same which I can now retire.
If people are interested I can post a list of the issues with the NC10 for all to judge if they could live with them or not.
I'm an MBA owner and I will be buying a netbook in the next few months.
Mostly because my fiance keeps on wanting to use my mba, and I need to get another computer asap. I want something very small, but cannot afford another mac.
I'll get something with 10" screen, and one with a decent size keyboard (since I have big hands). I hope to add osx to it (or snow leapord), but even if I can't, supposedly windows 7 is working well with all of these.
Mostly because my fiance keeps on wanting to use my mba, and I need to get another computer asap. I want something very small, but cannot afford another mac.
I'll get something with 10" screen, and one with a decent size keyboard (since I have big hands). I hope to add osx to it (or snow leapord), but even if I can't, supposedly windows 7 is working well with all of these.
Not sure about convincing you, but if it makes you feel better I have a rev A MBA and just got an MSI Wind. Why? Because I wanted one.
If I had to search for a reason I guess it would be that the netbook fits on an airplane table better. The MBA on my last flight was surprisingly a tight fit to open all the way, especially when the person in front decided to lean all the way back.
If I had to search for a reason I guess it would be that the netbook fits on an airplane table better. The MBA on my last flight was surprisingly a tight fit to open all the way, especially when the person in front decided to lean all the way back.
Haha. "Wanting one" is often scoffed at as a reason for buying something. Unfair, really. Anyway, I think it'll be my motive.
And the Air's squeeze onto the airplane table is annoying; I could look fondly on a netbook remedying that, and I'd feel more comfortable travelling with a less valuable machine.
OK so here we go:
After the install (which essentially involved downloading a customized ISO which was a slightly modified version of Leopard with the 10.5.6 update included, burning it to a disk/bootable USB stick and installing it as per Leopard) the following issues exist:
1. Screen Brightness is controlled via a Quicksilver 'trigger' for up and down. It makes no difference except you dont get the Apple Brightness screen overlays, you get a slightly ugly image for up and down.
2. After a Sleep, the brightness will reset back to a default value. Sometimes (normally never) the brightness up/down wont work until you reboot.
3. When you plug in headphones the output does not auto switch to them, so you need to toggle a option in the menu bar.
4. The LAN (cat 5) port does not work, and most likely will not ever work. I ordered a £18 Apple USB-LAN adaptor designed for the Macbook Air
5. The internal wifi card does not work. You need to buy a Dell 1490 (a/b/g) or Dell 1505 (a/b/g/n) card. I bought a 1505 from Ebay for £20 (its the same Broadcom card Apple use in the MBP anyway).
6. The internal mic does not work, and a external mic (i think) sort of works. This is probably why Skype crashes when you start a video call.
7. Intel speedstep doesnt seem to work, so it always runs at full CPU speed. Mind you, with full brightness I get 5 hours battery life (I am not kidding) and with half backlight I get about 6:30, maybe 7.
8. It wont sleep when plugged in to a power supply, only when on battery power. No idea why!
Note that for the audio issues (headphone switching, internal mic) a team called 'Voodoo' are working on a driver which will fix it all. By all accounts this is not bogus - they have a semi working solution now. The good news is, the MSI Wind has the same issues so the driver will get made as its not just for the NC-10.
Although above I mentioned that Skype crashes, the text chat works etc. I have not had any software issues at all (apart from Skype). I am currently running, Mail, iTunes, iPhoto 09, Safari and its as snappy as can be. MobileMe syncing all works. I guess I would like to stress that nearly everything does work - i.e. you dont have to worry that a certain app will not install or that a software update will break your laptop (I mean updates to apps - dont install a OSX update directly, wait for the community to try it first).
Phew.... finished!
After the install (which essentially involved downloading a customized ISO which was a slightly modified version of Leopard with the 10.5.6 update included, burning it to a disk/bootable USB stick and installing it as per Leopard) the following issues exist:
1. Screen Brightness is controlled via a Quicksilver 'trigger' for up and down. It makes no difference except you dont get the Apple Brightness screen overlays, you get a slightly ugly image for up and down.
2. After a Sleep, the brightness will reset back to a default value. Sometimes (normally never) the brightness up/down wont work until you reboot.
3. When you plug in headphones the output does not auto switch to them, so you need to toggle a option in the menu bar.
4. The LAN (cat 5) port does not work, and most likely will not ever work. I ordered a £18 Apple USB-LAN adaptor designed for the Macbook Air
5. The internal wifi card does not work. You need to buy a Dell 1490 (a/b/g) or Dell 1505 (a/b/g/n) card. I bought a 1505 from Ebay for £20 (its the same Broadcom card Apple use in the MBP anyway).
6. The internal mic does not work, and a external mic (i think) sort of works. This is probably why Skype crashes when you start a video call.
7. Intel speedstep doesnt seem to work, so it always runs at full CPU speed. Mind you, with full brightness I get 5 hours battery life (I am not kidding) and with half backlight I get about 6:30, maybe 7.
8. It wont sleep when plugged in to a power supply, only when on battery power. No idea why!
Note that for the audio issues (headphone switching, internal mic) a team called 'Voodoo' are working on a driver which will fix it all. By all accounts this is not bogus - they have a semi working solution now. The good news is, the MSI Wind has the same issues so the driver will get made as its not just for the NC-10.
Although above I mentioned that Skype crashes, the text chat works etc. I have not had any software issues at all (apart from Skype). I am currently running, Mail, iTunes, iPhoto 09, Safari and its as snappy as can be. MobileMe syncing all works. I guess I would like to stress that nearly everything does work - i.e. you dont have to worry that a certain app will not install or that a software update will break your laptop (I mean updates to apps - dont install a OSX update directly, wait for the community to try it first).
Phew.... finished!