A netbook is NOT defined by the size of the screen. There has always been expensive ultraportables by every manufacturer. A netbook is a notebook too slow for a lot of apps and hence derives much of it's value from surfing the net (IE an atom processor). The MBA has never had an Atom and thus, will never be a netbook.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Did the Air just kill the iPad?
- Thread starter Gr80Likes2Boogi
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
A netbook is NOT defined by the size of the screen. There has always been expensive ultraportables by every manufacturer. A netbook is a notebook too slow for a lot of apps and hence derives much of it's value from surfing the net (IE an atom processor). The MBA has never had an Atom and thus, will never be a netbook.
I will admit I was caught off guard by the spec on the 11" with a 1.4 C2D. However I won't pass finAl judgement until I get some hands on time. The flash memory could make the over all system feel much faster than a typical 1.4Ghz chip. The GPU should help with some of the past video playback issues by sharing the load it could be a nice bump in performance from the previous 1.6 MBA's.
The hinge and glass trackpad have been my biggest issue with previous gen MBA's so this may find a spot in my line up gadgets.
The hinge and glass trackpad have been my biggest issue with previous gen MBA's so this may find a spot in my line up gadgets.
Call it a laptop? It has a standard keyboard according to Apple.com.
If it's functionally distinct then what difference does it make to say 'it's still a netbook'? To sneer at it? I don't care what it's called, I just care what it does.
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)
No, put the MBA might have killed the 13" MBP.
Gr80Likes2Boogi said:
No, put the MBA might have killed the 13" MBP.
Different audience. Laptop has different usability than iPad.
If you can't tell, you haven't really used an iPad.
If you can't tell, you haven't really used an iPad.
Perhaps that is the problem I have with iPad. I used to have a Macbook Pro which I sold for iPad - I wanted a device that could serve similar basic functions and go with me everywhere. While I like my iPad, there are limitations, especially for a lot of the work I do, like taking notes, managing files and emails, things like that. I've been disappointed that there still isn't a good way to manage files, whether local or online - DocumentsToGo comes close but doesn't do everything.
Basically what I wanted was a really good netbook...which is what I though Apple had made with iPad, but now it appears the 11.6" MBA is that product.
Basically what I wanted was a really good netbook...which is what I though Apple had made with iPad, but now it appears the 11.6" MBA is that product.
What tiny keyboard? It looks like the same keyboard used on all Apple laptops, just less bezel. The 11.6" screen has the same WXGA resolution as most 'standard' laptops in 13, 14 or 15 inch sizes. Not a netbook; it's what other manufacturers would call a "thin & light" notebook.
I ordered a 11.6" MBA to replace my iPad 64Gb, my iPad is nice and all, but I also have an iPhone, so for me an iPhone 4 + 11.6" MBA is better than as I do now with an iPhone + iPad + Macbook Pro, plus an iMac i7 at home. I just wanted an "iPad" with mac os x on it, and thats what the 11 MBA is for me.
iOS (iPhone) and Mac OS X (11" MBA) to carry everywhere I want
iOS (iPhone) and Mac OS X (11" MBA) to carry everywhere I want
You've got to be kidding. A C2D processor paired with an 11.6 inch in *2010* going into 2011 is essentially netbook level power at this point.
I am a fan of the screen resolution and instant on capability though.
I'm on the fence with this too.
Honestly, just like they say about the iPad in general, it depends on what you do.
Although, I will miss being able to not have to recharge all day with the iPad if I replace it.
I was pointing out that the smaller macbook air is netbook sized--when Steve Jobs ranted about netbooks when the iPad was released.
However, I didn't say the macbook air doesn't satisfy a niche of users. I would consider it if I had a very specific lifestyle.
sold my ipad 2 days ago and doing the same thing.
The instant on is the real big thing for me (over buying a 2nd hand air, which was the plan)
I'm on the fence about selling my iPad for a 11.6" MacBook Air....but the more I think about it, the more I think I'll just end up keeping my iPad and purchasing the MBA aswell......
Always best to sit on it for a while unless your totally comfortable with it.
these things are rather pricey
It didn't kill the iPad for me. I have a MBP for my high-powered computing needs, but I have been wanting something ultra portable for travel and book reading. For me, that's the iPad. It's got a longer battery life and it's got a better interface for reading books. I can definitely see why some people would opt for the new Air though.
My opinion:
Netbook = intel atom processor, traditional hdd, upgradable ram and no optical drive, card readers, cost effective
Good for email/web and video viewing, documents
Bad for anything to do with content creating, not as thin, boring trackpad
iPad = multi touch, one piece (it's a slab), single full screen apps, 'even a two year old and his lolcat can use it'.
Good for cumbersome free operations, content viewing and 'fun', exclusivity with the Appstore
Bad for anything to do with content creating and flash based websites
MBA 11" = netbook sized with some traditional laptop components such as SSD, keyboard size, nice screen, trackpad and up to 4GB ram.
Good for laptop based content creation on the go, may work out to be lighter than some netbooks without compromise to the build (plastic vs unibody aluminium construction? Guess who wins on durability and appearance?)
Bad for anything the MBP would otherwise be capable of, and is storage limited due to SSD
This is definately a MacBook killer, but that being said the MB hasn't been updated for quite some time. If anything, the iPhone 4 is the iPad killer.
Netbook = intel atom processor, traditional hdd, upgradable ram and no optical drive, card readers, cost effective
Good for email/web and video viewing, documents
Bad for anything to do with content creating, not as thin, boring trackpad
iPad = multi touch, one piece (it's a slab), single full screen apps, 'even a two year old and his lolcat can use it'.
Good for cumbersome free operations, content viewing and 'fun', exclusivity with the Appstore
Bad for anything to do with content creating and flash based websites
MBA 11" = netbook sized with some traditional laptop components such as SSD, keyboard size, nice screen, trackpad and up to 4GB ram.
Good for laptop based content creation on the go, may work out to be lighter than some netbooks without compromise to the build (plastic vs unibody aluminium construction? Guess who wins on durability and appearance?)
Bad for anything the MBP would otherwise be capable of, and is storage limited due to SSD
This is definately a MacBook killer, but that being said the MB hasn't been updated for quite some time. If anything, the iPhone 4 is the iPad killer.
iBooks
I'll answer your question with a question. Will iBooks be available on the Mac App Store? Will the Kindle App? Ebooks was a big part of why I was considering an iPad in the future, but if I buy the new MBA and download the ebook apps, I really won't have any more need for a tablet.
I'll answer your question with a question. Will iBooks be available on the Mac App Store? Will the Kindle App? Ebooks was a big part of why I was considering an iPad in the future, but if I buy the new MBA and download the ebook apps, I really won't have any more need for a tablet.