Do not flame me. MBA, not impressed.

[robrose20]

Well, I finally checked out the MBA. I am not that impressed with it. First off it is the same size as the MB, thinner yes, but this the same size. Too be honest I didn't even notice that much of a difference in the weight when I carried it in a bag.

Now for what I liked. Sexy as hell, nice display, actually not that slow, like the trackpad.

It really isn't as advertised as an ultraportable, it is not worth the money, the blackbook (which sat beside it) had the same profile and occupied the same amount of desk space.

I would buy a blackbook any day over this thing. Its not worth the money ..

Just my 2 cents.

 

[mr.light]

It really isn't as advertised as an ultraportable, it is not worth the money, the blackbook (which sat beside it) had the same profile and occupied the same amount of desk space.

Does Apple bill this as an Ultra portable? I thought they just said ultra thin.

 

[robrose20]

Does Apple bill this as an Ultra portable? I thought they just said ultra thin.

ummmm..... unless I've had a massive stroke, it has been advertised as apple's answer to ultraportable computers...... I better get to the ER.

 

[Theatrics]

I agree. I think it is too expensive for what it is. I always thought of it as the pros equal out with the cons: Getting less, but in a thinner more portable package with better battery life, and so I figured the price would be the same as the macbooks.

 

[mr.light]

ummmm..... unless I've had a massive stroke, it has been advertised as apple's answer to ultraportable computers...... I better get to the ER.

Yup. Guess you are right. I Think I would get this though over a machine with a smaller screen. The black book is a full 2 pounds heavier than the Air. I do agree that it is priced a wee bit on the high side. But then again most Apple products are.

 

[cedar]

Well, I finally checked out the MBA. I am not that impressed with it. First off it is the same size as the MB, thinner yes, but this the same size. Too be honest I didn't even notice that much of a difference in the weight when I carried it in a bag.

Now for what I liked. Sexy as hell, nice display, actually not that slow, like the trackpad.

It really isn't as advertised as an ultraportable, it is not worth the money, the blackbook (which sat beside it) had the same profile and occupied the same amount of desk space.

I would buy a blackbook any day over this thing. Its not worth the money ..

Just my 2 cents.

They let you put it in a bag? Your Apple store is a lot more lax than mine, which had an alarm attached. Sorry you didn't like it, but it would be a boring world........ Being not worth the money?....that's all relative. It was worth the money to me.

 

[cohibadad]

the weight difference is dramatic when carried as I carry both. I guess if you carry it in your bag you probably would notice less, but I carry mine bare as I use it frequently on the go.

 

[robrose20]

They let you put it in a bag? Your Apple store is a lot more lax than mine, which had an alarm attached. Sorry you didn't like it, but it would be a boring world........ Being not worth the money?....that's all relative. It was worth the money to me.

Wasn't at an apple store, a friend of mine is an authorized apple reseller ...

 

[cedar]

Wasn't at an apple store, a friend of mine is an authorized apple reseller ...

That's good. Most places bracket their computers down so you can't even lift them to see how they feel. Footprint is not important to me but weight is.

 

[chickenninja]

well as far as processing and graphical power goes, its nearly the same as a macbook, the only thing its missing is storage potential and I/O but you gotta remember the macbook was the ultalight portable of yesteryear, now that the air is out the whole mobile linup is going to shift. the macbooks will probably move into a category similar to the 15" imac. of course there are 2 other market qweks of the air and the name is the most revealing of the 2 and that is that its the super-wireless product designed to test the waters for a computer yet to come that wont have any ports and will be entirely wireless, and the second market qwerk is to bridge the gap between ipods and macs
so bolth ipods and mac are slowly moving closer together. cause really the ipod touch is the ultra portable, whatever comes out to bridge the ipods with macbooks is going to hathe to be and will be absolutely stellar. how do i know this, its obvious. and i would expect a macbook update sooner than a macbook pro update because the air didnt replace the macbook. but i think bolth are fairly immenent.

 

[ks-man]

I think from a purely value point of view there is no question about it, you can do better. This is true of many Apple products. Granted here we are comparing one Apple laptop to another.

However for people who are willing to pay a little extra for the sexiness of it (and it is sexy), it is very useful for what it has. My wife and I have been using it for a week (I bought an ethernet adapter and will get the superdrive when it comes in stock) and we really love what it offers.

It is lightning quick for normal use and the battery has been great (often 4 hours). We knew we were going to pay more over the Macbook but we have been more than happy with the decision. If you are looking for the best value, this computer isn't for you. If you can afford and don't mind spending a little more money, you won't be disappointed.

Just my $.02

 

[tMac85]

you are paying for the "first" and the Design. Its the FIRST VERY thin computer. ( not just thin, there are others) and the design, as apple always does well, allows them to charge what they want. Its over priced, but overpriced for a reason.

 

[Cybergypsy]

Its not for everyone , but its sure for me.........

 

[NC MacGuy]

Have both. Giving the MB Black to someone else in the company. The Air is a much more sophisticated laptop. The Air is cool enough to actually sit in my lap unlike the MB. And no fingerprints. And nice keyboard w. backlighting. And non-greasy looking trackpad. And multitouch. And no creaky hinge or cheap looking plastic. And very bright display.. They are really two different animals and appeal to different demographics. My kids LOVE the MB. I need a professional looking computer for corp. meetings and the MBP was too large for travel and the MB always looked cheap and dirty. After three weeks with the Air I'm extremely pleased w. my purchase and hopefully you'd be as pleased w. a MB black. The Air's build quality is best Apple product I've seen in years hands down. I was never this happy w. the MB ever, and I went through a few of them. Overpriced? I don't think so. You absolutely do notice the difference in weight if you run through a lot of airports.

 

[Munich]

MacBook Air - Impressions from a Windows guy

Hi fellas, I am very new to the Mac World, but I have more than 10 years of experience with Windows. I currently have a Dell XPS 1210, a T60P and a company's issued HP 14" that I not even recall the model.

I like the Air much more than the other 3 that I have, I used to love the XPS 1210 and now I could care less about it. And keep in mind that I still don't know how to use Leopard...But I will make the investment in learning it. I thought that I would sell it, and now I am hooked to it.

 

[cedar]

Hi fellas, I am very new to the Mac World, but I have more than 10 years of experience with Windows. I currently have a Dell XPS 1210, a T60P and a company's issued HP 14" that I not even recall the model.

I like the Air much more than the other 3 that I have, I used to love the XPS 1210 and now I could care less about it. And keep in mind that I still don't know how to use Leopard...But I will make the investment in learning it. I thought that I would sell it, and now I am hooked to it.

The Air is my first Apple computer also. Love it. I have two almost new PC's, a Toshiba and an HP. Makes me wonder how many Air buyers are also first time Apple computer buyers.

 

[QCassidy352]

I too just got to check one out for the first time, and I was very, very impressed. I cannot buy one because I need the greater number of ports on my macbook, but the air was amazingly light, yet felt extremely solid. It also feels very fast (very subjective, just from playing with it in the store). Also, great display, and the instant-on is pretty cool.

 

[xparaparafreakx]

I would buy a blackbook any day over this thing. Its not worth the money ..

Ill never buy a blackbook any day.

Macbook Air and Macbook Pro 17"

Air is light but since you don't care about weight, why don't you go 17"? Its only 2 pounds more, that like nothing right?

 

[sushi]

To the OP, to each his own.

For those who need a lightweight capable laptop, the MBA fits the bill. Most business folks that I know carry papers so the MBA is the perfect size footprint wise, and the thinness is nice.

 

[instant hit]

It really isn't as advertised as an ultraportable, it is not worth the money, the blackbook (which sat beside it) had the same profile and occupied the same amount of desk space.

I would buy a blackbook any day over this thing. Its not worth the money ..

Just my 2 cents.

strong words, my friend. taking the mba out of the context of its market. we could debate all day about what market the mba is for, but the fact of the matter is that the mb is for mainstream users, whereas the mbp is for the on-the-go professional or for those who simply "want to have it all." a simple google search for "ultraportable" yields notebooks in excess of $2000; not worth the money? in its context, the mba is certainly worth the money. you could argue for the eeepc, which also classifies as an ultraportable. but show me an ultraportable that doesn't sacrifice the keyboard, that doesn't generate heat in the worst of places, and that doesn't sacrifice productivity; and i'll show you an mba.

to beat a dead horse, it's all relative. it cost me an extra $600 to have something that puts the lap back in laptop. a macbook (or even the 12" pb) certainly could not step up to that challenge.

just my two cents

 

[n8kwx]

One other advantage of the MBA over a "blackbook" is the display. It is easily worth a couple hundred dollar premium.

The display in the MBA is much brighter (LED backlighting) and has a much better viewing angle.

In this world you get what you pay for. And there are things not obvious in simple "spec" analysis - like the display quality.

If we bought everything according to "specs" we'd all be driving Kia minivans. Best space per dollar ratio. And no one would buy a Ferrari. Poor space per dollar ratio...

 

[mac jones]

I think if sales are a bit slow they will drop the price about $200 to $300

The recent past being a guide, Apple has no aversion to this kind of pricing strangeness (iPhone)

Hence a reduction of negative threads in forums and actually a few "good deal" comments.

I do think the price needs to drop.

 

[Thi]

I'm surprise that the op doesn't feel a difference in weight. I played with one for the first time and it is much lighter. As far as purchasing it for my own personal use, I cannot justify paying the premium just to save weight & be slim. On the other hand I think its perfect for the ladies my GF is planning to get one and I think its perfect for her. Light, thin profile, and easy to carry around school. I'm a man, I don't mind carrying an extra pound or two especially if it packs more power. And yes I do think you might be a sissy for buying a MBA instead of a MBP.

 

[steffi]

Yeah I also wasn't impressed with the MBA. Since it had a keyboard and a screen and it ran stuff.

Well, I finally checked out the MBA. I am not that impressed with it. First off it is the same size as the MB, thinner yes, but this the same size. Too be honest I didn't even notice that much of a difference in the weight when I carried it in a bag.

Now for what I liked. Sexy as hell, nice display, actually not that slow, like the trackpad.

It really isn't as advertised as an ultraportable, it is not worth the money, the blackbook (which sat beside it) had the same profile and occupied the same amount of desk space.

I would buy a blackbook any day over this thing. Its not worth the money ..

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Mikebuzzsaw]

Well, I finally checked out the MBA. I am not that impressed with it. First off it is the same size as the MB, thinner yes, but this the same size. Too be honest I didn't even notice that much of a difference in the weight when I carried it in a bag.

Now for what I liked. Sexy as hell, nice display, actually not that slow, like the trackpad.

It really isn't as advertised as an ultraportable, it is not worth the money, the blackbook (which sat beside it) had the same profile and occupied the same amount of desk space.

I would buy a blackbook any day over this thing. Its not worth the money ..

Just my 2 cents.

Did anyone ask you for your opinion? Not to be an ass, but isn't it kinda arrogant of you to come in and state your opinion by creating a brand new unnecessary thread? There's a zillion threads with people ranting about the MBA... couldn't you post there? I mean come on, this is getting ridiculous. I might as well go start new threads posting about how the shuffle sucks because it doesn't have a screen, or the mac pro takes too much desk space, or how my coffee is too hot for my tongue.

Everyone has their preferences. Some like macs some like windows. Some like the air some like the macbook. I just don't understand the need to create a zillion threads about this. Don't like the MBA? Don't buy it. No one is forcing you to fork over cash for a laptop. I don't like Saabs.. that's why I will never buy one. What I'll never do is go to a Saab forum and post about my opinion about it. /rant


The Macbook Air is fantastic if you can live within its limitations. That's it. End of thread!