I understand you have issues with people who buy the Rev A. We get it, really. The OP asked a question (several times), and I answered with a summary of various ways other people have employed to help mitigate the "limitations" with this model off the top of my head. You tend to assume all people's uses, budgets and needs align with yours. I do think it's a shame that the Rev A units were overpriced and underperforming at the time of the their release. I am a bit annoyed with the price drop from the October 2008 models to the June 2009.
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First 12 hours as owner of a mac.. It ain't good!
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I understand you have issues with people who buy the Rev A. We get it, really. The OP asked a question (several times), and I answered with a summary of various ways other people have employed to help mitigate the "limitations" with this model off the top of my head. You tend to assume all people's uses, budgets and needs align with yours. I do think it's a shame that the Rev A units were overpriced and underperforming at the time of the their release. I am a bit annoyed with the price drop from the October 2008 models to the June 2009.
Its an upgrade
Hi
I understand there are a lot of people who don't like MBA Rev 1s.
I read all about it before my purchase.
But the limitations that come with it are minor for my uses:
I wanted a Mac OS X Machine that was light & portable, mainly for web browsing and getting to know the OS before a larger Apple purchase.
So far, it has checked every box.
There have been plenty of problems to sort out, but quite honestly, for £200, its just a crazy bargain! You can't make a single argument that would counter the price tag.
My MBA is taking a while to charge though, and while I am analysing some video in iMovie (Not a common task for it but just to check it out) it says NOT CHARGING in the top right of my screen. Before that it was an estimated 7 Hour charge time.
It was a very common problem at time of launch, anything done to solve it now? Are Apple doing anything about it?
thanks.
Joe.
Hi
I understand there are a lot of people who don't like MBA Rev 1s.
I read all about it before my purchase.
But the limitations that come with it are minor for my uses:
I wanted a Mac OS X Machine that was light & portable, mainly for web browsing and getting to know the OS before a larger Apple purchase.
So far, it has checked every box.
There have been plenty of problems to sort out, but quite honestly, for £200, its just a crazy bargain! You can't make a single argument that would counter the price tag.
My MBA is taking a while to charge though, and while I am analysing some video in iMovie (Not a common task for it but just to check it out) it says NOT CHARGING in the top right of my screen. Before that it was an estimated 7 Hour charge time.
It was a very common problem at time of launch, anything done to solve it now? Are Apple doing anything about it?
thanks.
Joe.
I have not seen this problem with my MacBook Air rev A. However, it sounds like an identical issue I had with a white MacBook that was out of warranty. I took it to an Apple Store, they fixed it the same day and only charged $12 for a charging-related part inside the laptop.
No one should have to do those things on any notebook, let alone a premium one. And I can't imagine anyone having to do many of these things would be very happy with their laptop. I know I wouldn't I know you weren't. I know many of the folks that has such issues on these forums weren't.
But you know what? The MBA RevA sold quite well (hundreds of thousands of units). And customer satisfaction surveys said the vast majority of users were very happy with their RevA (high 90's).
So while some units had problems, and the MBA (like many thin and light or ultra portables) was not suitable for everyone or every purpose, and while the MBA is the most specialized and limited MAC in many ways - it was and is a sales and satisfaction success.
As to some of the "technical arguments" mentioned
a) I played many videos on my MBA RevA in Quicktime and VLC without issue - as did many other folks. Some from iTunes and some ripped via Handbrake. Millions of laptops were sold with a mermon and intel 3100 combo and they could play video too. So your "can't play video" comment is rubbish.
b) The PATA interface did not limit the drive speed in the MBA whatsoever. Neither the 1.8" 4200rpm HD, nor the 64gb SSD shipped with the MBA RevA was capable of throughput even approaching the PATA interface limitation. No 1.8" HDD is even today (although some of the faster SLC SSD's are) could. Again millions of laptops all over the world were shipped with PATA interfaces so its not really a "design defect" for the AIR or anything else.
c) You got me on the limited disk space thing. Not a lot of room in the worlds thinest laptop at the time. Its the reason I went away from the AIR for a while. But for many folks 64gb or 80gb was NOT an issue.
d) Limited RAM speed? It was DDR2 RAM most common in mainstream laptops at the time. What was limited about it? Bus speed maybe? Again the 800mhz common to the millions or Mermon cpu'd laptops sold at the time. What was limited?
So enough with the gross exaggerations, generalizations, technical inaccuracies, and general irrationality with respect to the MBA RevA.
I understand you had a bad time of it and the RevA was not the machine for you. I understand it was not perfect. But your experience is not everyone's and you are doing yourself and the community a disservice when you make extreme posts like this.
Last time I will make this argument in this thread...
No, first and foremost I blame APPLE for releasing and selling the original MBA that wasn't ready and had a component makeup that would cause massive overheating and failure to perform even basic tasks. I also blame Steve Jobs for blatantly lying to all of us when he introduced the MBA. He failed to disclose that it wasn't a "Mac" in the sense of all previous Macs. It didn't "just work" and these lists people use to try to make it somewhat usable prove that. A lot of people lost faith in Jobs and Apple over this original MBA we are still discussing for all of the wrong reasons. I know people that bought the original MBA and would never give the MBA another chance and others that will never give Apple another chance. It was a massive failure to sell MBAs priced at $1799 to $3099 that didn't "just work." They didn't work like a Mac user expected and this led to widespread problems.
The "LIST" of what an original MBA buyer has to do isn't normal for a Mac product to become usable. The vast majority of MAC buyers don't want to have to follow a list to make their new Mac work. The point is it takes a special person to completely understand what they're getting for the substantially discounted price and what they have to do to HOPEFULLY make it usable knowing full well that it will only be usable in a limited sense more like a netbook; albeit it's not a netbook it certainly has far better components, design, and potential. The problem is the combined implementation of components ruins the performance and makes the user experience poor compared to what is possible.
The possibilities are instantly understood by someone who has used a v 2,1 MBA. The vast majority are probably honestly using the original MBA as a word processor and email console. Compare that to v 2,1 MBA owners who have a Intel Penryn SL9x00 Low Voltage CPU, Nvidia 9400m GPU, SATA-II Drive Controller and DOUBLE THE DRIVE SPACE SSD, DDR3 1066 MHz RAM, and etc. The 2,1 MBA owner can use their MBA to do nearly anything a MacBook can do, usually faster with the SSD. The difference is greater than night and day for someone who intends to use the MBA as they would any Mac. For someone using the original MBA as a word processor or to check basic email, there is no advantage to buying a v 2,1 MBA at a much higher cost. There are some buying the MBA that are fine with the MBA doing basic tasks as a secondary computer for traveling purposes. People should fully understand what they're buying in advance, so I believe it's fair to disclose this information.
In my eyes someone is probably uninformed if they want to buy a rev 1,1 MBA for $999 to $1199 rather than buying a refurbished rev 2,1 MBA for $1349 with 1.86 GHz Penryn, 9400m graphics with 5x the performance making the MBA usable as a Mac, 128 GB SSD, DDR3 RAM, and etc. THIS IS THE REAL PROBLEM. People simply don't understand, don't learn before buying, cannot get the value proposition, or don't want to pay an extra 35% for a truly amazing Mac. Another problem is people that still see the original MBA as a great value because it was $1799 to $3099 when it was introduced. What they should be comparing is the differences between v 1,1 and 2,1 and the tiny price difference now after Apple has slashed the pricing twice cutting the v 2,1 refurbished MBA with Penryn, Nvidia, and 128 GB SSD down to a mere $1349!
I would compare the potential for the original MBA versus the potential for the v 2,1 MBA. Also consider whether the MBA is to be a primary Mac or secondary Mac not needed but wanted for travel to the couch or on a plane. For anyone truly wanting to use their MBA, they need a v 2,1 MBA and should compare the prices between the two and the vast difference in capabilities.
Let's face it, a lot of people are buying the original MBA at a bargain price to be a member of the club. Some people want the look of an MBA owner and are willing to sacrifice greatly in performance to get the discount and ownership at around $999 USD. The problem is the savings are minor compared to buying a v 2,1 MBA that can truly perform like a Mac for only $350 more. But if they make an informed decision at least they know what they're getting for their money. It seemed this OP didn't realize the difference and just wanted a bargain. Did he even get a bargain? What does the price work out to compared to the USD?
Apple has already taken the hit and dropped the price of the MBA so far that the current price for a new MBA should already be seen as the discount and people shouldn't try to save even more money unless they truly only need the MBA for extremely light duty use as a secondary Mac.
I haven't replied to one of these types of threads for a long time, and some of you remember my take on the original MBA. Some completely disagree, and I fully respect that and have listened to all sides of the argument. At the same time, I think it's fair for a v 1,1 MBA buyer (myself) to fully disclose all of the problems of the original MBA now two years later. We shouldn't simply turn our heads the other way and ignore the truth just because some are okay with paying $999 for a computer that cannot do much,, and they have to follow a list of technical workaround solutions, to be a part of the club and save money over the original cost of the original MBA. They are forgetting that the majority of MBA buyers want their MBA to just work.
THOSE PEOPLE BUYING THE ORIGINAL MBA THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS OF THE ORIGINAL MBA NEED TO BE WARNED. THEY NEED TO BE WARNED THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO FOLLOW THIS "LIST" OF POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO MAKE THE MBA SOMEWHAT USABLE. THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE COMPARISON SHOULDN'T BE WHAT THE ORIGINAL MBA COST NEW TWO YEARS AGO VERSUS WHAT IT COSTS TODAY. THE ORIGINAL MBA SHOULD COMPARED BY VALUE OF NEEDS OF WHAT IT HAS TO DO FOR THE DISCOUNTED COSTS VERSUS WHAT A V 2,1 MBA COSTS AND WHAT IT IS CAPABLE OF FOR SLIGHTLY MORE MONEY.
Now I am done with this argument. I just wanted to make it available again for people that are now still considering an original MBA two years later. The original MBA is full of problems and the intended target market for the MBA should buy a v 2,1 MBA. The savings is built-in to the cost at already a hugely discounted price. Apple has taken the hit and the loss of potential pricing due to the economic collapse. Take advantage of Apple by taking them up on their hugely discounted prices on a v 2,1 MBA. For $1349 one can buy a refurbished (like new with full waranty) v 2,1 MBA with a 1.86 GHz CPU, Nvidia 9400m GPU, and a double data capacity 128 GB SATA-II SSD. Or for $1549 can buy a refurbished 2.13 GHz MBA. Or for $1799 can buy that MBA brand new in a sealed box.
Bottom line... if you're considering buying an MBA, read about all of the issues with the original MBA before you buy. Don't get trapped into thinking the original MBA will be anything like the v 2,1 MBA if you follow a list... it takes more than a list to overcome its problematic component makeup. Consider the value of what you're getting for the price. If you need/want to use the MBA as your primary computer, buy a v 2,1 for certain. If you just want a really cool looking MBA and you're a writer wanting to write books on it, the original MBA may be the absolute perfect solution for you!
Just don't get trapped by buying an original MBA thinking that it will perform like you hear/read from v 2,1 MBA owners; the component makeup changes the possibilities. Also consider the long-run or total cost of ownership. Some people buy the v 1,1 MBA at a $350 discount and say they'll just buy a new one in a year or two. Some even say they will be able to get a bigger discount on a v 2,1 MBA once the 3,1 MBA is released. Playing catch up with technology costs the most and you're always behind the curve ensuring you will lose even more money on resale sales prices. Consider that the original is already limited in its potential while the v 2,1 MBA will be running strong long past two years.
Good luck whichever MBA you end up buying! I truly wish everyone the best for their needs/wants/uses.
No, first and foremost I blame APPLE for releasing and selling the original MBA that wasn't ready and had a component makeup that would cause massive overheating and failure to perform even basic tasks. I also blame Steve Jobs for blatantly lying to all of us when he introduced the MBA. He failed to disclose that it wasn't a "Mac" in the sense of all previous Macs. It didn't "just work" and these lists people use to try to make it somewhat usable prove that. A lot of people lost faith in Jobs and Apple over this original MBA we are still discussing for all of the wrong reasons. I know people that bought the original MBA and would never give the MBA another chance and others that will never give Apple another chance. It was a massive failure to sell MBAs priced at $1799 to $3099 that didn't "just work." They didn't work like a Mac user expected and this led to widespread problems.
The "LIST" of what an original MBA buyer has to do isn't normal for a Mac product to become usable. The vast majority of MAC buyers don't want to have to follow a list to make their new Mac work. The point is it takes a special person to completely understand what they're getting for the substantially discounted price and what they have to do to HOPEFULLY make it usable knowing full well that it will only be usable in a limited sense more like a netbook; albeit it's not a netbook it certainly has far better components, design, and potential. The problem is the combined implementation of components ruins the performance and makes the user experience poor compared to what is possible.
The possibilities are instantly understood by someone who has used a v 2,1 MBA. The vast majority are probably honestly using the original MBA as a word processor and email console. Compare that to v 2,1 MBA owners who have a Intel Penryn SL9x00 Low Voltage CPU, Nvidia 9400m GPU, SATA-II Drive Controller and DOUBLE THE DRIVE SPACE SSD, DDR3 1066 MHz RAM, and etc. The 2,1 MBA owner can use their MBA to do nearly anything a MacBook can do, usually faster with the SSD. The difference is greater than night and day for someone who intends to use the MBA as they would any Mac. For someone using the original MBA as a word processor or to check basic email, there is no advantage to buying a v 2,1 MBA at a much higher cost. There are some buying the MBA that are fine with the MBA doing basic tasks as a secondary computer for traveling purposes. People should fully understand what they're buying in advance, so I believe it's fair to disclose this information.
In my eyes someone is probably uninformed if they want to buy a rev 1,1 MBA for $999 to $1199 rather than buying a refurbished rev 2,1 MBA for $1349 with 1.86 GHz Penryn, 9400m graphics with 5x the performance making the MBA usable as a Mac, 128 GB SSD, DDR3 RAM, and etc. THIS IS THE REAL PROBLEM. People simply don't understand, don't learn before buying, cannot get the value proposition, or don't want to pay an extra 35% for a truly amazing Mac. Another problem is people that still see the original MBA as a great value because it was $1799 to $3099 when it was introduced. What they should be comparing is the differences between v 1,1 and 2,1 and the tiny price difference now after Apple has slashed the pricing twice cutting the v 2,1 refurbished MBA with Penryn, Nvidia, and 128 GB SSD down to a mere $1349!
I would compare the potential for the original MBA versus the potential for the v 2,1 MBA. Also consider whether the MBA is to be a primary Mac or secondary Mac not needed but wanted for travel to the couch or on a plane. For anyone truly wanting to use their MBA, they need a v 2,1 MBA and should compare the prices between the two and the vast difference in capabilities.
Let's face it, a lot of people are buying the original MBA at a bargain price to be a member of the club. Some people want the look of an MBA owner and are willing to sacrifice greatly in performance to get the discount and ownership at around $999 USD. The problem is the savings are minor compared to buying a v 2,1 MBA that can truly perform like a Mac for only $350 more. But if they make an informed decision at least they know what they're getting for their money. It seemed this OP didn't realize the difference and just wanted a bargain. Did he even get a bargain? What does the price work out to compared to the USD?
Apple has already taken the hit and dropped the price of the MBA so far that the current price for a new MBA should already be seen as the discount and people shouldn't try to save even more money unless they truly only need the MBA for extremely light duty use as a secondary Mac.
I haven't replied to one of these types of threads for a long time, and some of you remember my take on the original MBA. Some completely disagree, and I fully respect that and have listened to all sides of the argument. At the same time, I think it's fair for a v 1,1 MBA buyer (myself) to fully disclose all of the problems of the original MBA now two years later. We shouldn't simply turn our heads the other way and ignore the truth just because some are okay with paying $999 for a computer that cannot do much,, and they have to follow a list of technical workaround solutions, to be a part of the club and save money over the original cost of the original MBA. They are forgetting that the majority of MBA buyers want their MBA to just work.
THOSE PEOPLE BUYING THE ORIGINAL MBA THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS OF THE ORIGINAL MBA NEED TO BE WARNED. THEY NEED TO BE WARNED THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO FOLLOW THIS "LIST" OF POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO MAKE THE MBA SOMEWHAT USABLE. THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE COMPARISON SHOULDN'T BE WHAT THE ORIGINAL MBA COST NEW TWO YEARS AGO VERSUS WHAT IT COSTS TODAY. THE ORIGINAL MBA SHOULD COMPARED BY VALUE OF NEEDS OF WHAT IT HAS TO DO FOR THE DISCOUNTED COSTS VERSUS WHAT A V 2,1 MBA COSTS AND WHAT IT IS CAPABLE OF FOR SLIGHTLY MORE MONEY.
Now I am done with this argument. I just wanted to make it available again for people that are now still considering an original MBA two years later. The original MBA is full of problems and the intended target market for the MBA should buy a v 2,1 MBA. The savings is built-in to the cost at already a hugely discounted price. Apple has taken the hit and the loss of potential pricing due to the economic collapse. Take advantage of Apple by taking them up on their hugely discounted prices on a v 2,1 MBA. For $1349 one can buy a refurbished (like new with full waranty) v 2,1 MBA with a 1.86 GHz CPU, Nvidia 9400m GPU, and a double data capacity 128 GB SATA-II SSD. Or for $1549 can buy a refurbished 2.13 GHz MBA. Or for $1799 can buy that MBA brand new in a sealed box.
Bottom line... if you're considering buying an MBA, read about all of the issues with the original MBA before you buy. Don't get trapped into thinking the original MBA will be anything like the v 2,1 MBA if you follow a list... it takes more than a list to overcome its problematic component makeup. Consider the value of what you're getting for the price. If you need/want to use the MBA as your primary computer, buy a v 2,1 for certain. If you just want a really cool looking MBA and you're a writer wanting to write books on it, the original MBA may be the absolute perfect solution for you!
Just don't get trapped by buying an original MBA thinking that it will perform like you hear/read from v 2,1 MBA owners; the component makeup changes the possibilities. Also consider the long-run or total cost of ownership. Some people buy the v 1,1 MBA at a $350 discount and say they'll just buy a new one in a year or two. Some even say they will be able to get a bigger discount on a v 2,1 MBA once the 3,1 MBA is released. Playing catch up with technology costs the most and you're always behind the curve ensuring you will lose even more money on resale sales prices. Consider that the original is already limited in its potential while the v 2,1 MBA will be running strong long past two years.
Good luck whichever MBA you end up buying! I truly wish everyone the best for their needs/wants/uses.
OP said he's fine with a Rev. A, so why the rant? Let the OP be. You already made yourself clear in countless posts already.
If you really wish the best, then you'd respect the OP for his/her decision and not just bash on it.
As bad as I hate to admit it, this is probably true for me, too.
But I love my Mac and can't imagine switching back. The variety of hardware tempts me (notice I didn't say price), but not to the point of actually doing it. And why would I? My Mac makes a dandy Windows 7 machine anyway... model fev 2008
cycles 240
condition good
battery 4 hours in high performance
charges 100% in 2 hours
model april 2008
cycles 40
condition good
battery 3 hours in high performance
charges 100% in 3 hours
take my example , your battery charging time only depends if the previous owner gave a good maintenance use.
apple advice at least once a month to drain the battery completly and let it rest for 5 hours before charge it again.
Thanks for the comments mate!
Wow, its really clear that the MBA is a disputed topic in the Apple world.
As I said before, I love it that little bit more every time I use it!
I am thinking of putting an SSD in it, but for £130 (64GB No-Name Brand) am I going to see enough difference to offset the price?
I think I might be better spending it on a NAS I so desperately need!
You might consider the Runcore PATA/ZIF options. There are a bunch of threads where people tried to use no-name SSDs and either had no success or the performance gain was marginal. This forum does have a wealth of info replacement SSDs for Rev A MacBook Airs.
I bought the first-gen MacBook Air the week it finally became available in my local Apple store. I went with the SSD version. Yes, I knew that there were going to be limitations on what I could do with that machine but in my case it was not important, as this was NOT my only Mac, this was NOT a machine upon which I'd be dependent for storing all of my important files, this was NOT a machine which I expected to use for more than emails/web-surfing/occasional YouTube video viewing. I've been very happy with my little MBA and I use it on a nightly basis at home -- when I retire to the bedroom at around 10:00 PM I pick it up and use it -- and I use it for toting around town or around the country when I travel. Sure, there have been times when I've been a little frustrated with the sole USB port and there have been times when I've really wished for more HD space, but I accept the machine for what it does and don't worry about what it is not meant to do.
I've gone on photographic trips and have taken both the MBA and my larger, heavier, MBP. The 17" MBP does the "heavy lifting" of sucking in all the images from my memory cards and stashing them and while it's doing that I'm happily doing email or web-surfing in another room with the MBA. Sure, I obviously don't NEED to take both computers along but since I've got them, why not?! At home, in the summers the MBA goes out to the deck with me and I surf the web and catch up on email while sitting out there enjoying nice weather. My MBA also quickly pops into my tote bag if I'm going to see friends or going to hang out at a coffee shop or somewhere else. Not long ago I went to help a friend set up a new Mac. I took my MBA along and when she asked why, I explained that sometimes if questions arise it's handy to have a second machine available. Carrying the MBA is almost like carrying nothing, it's that lightweight, so I take it with me many times when I otherwise would never consider taking along the 17" MBP (or, even, back when I had it, a 15" MBP).
I LOVE my MBA!
I've gone on photographic trips and have taken both the MBA and my larger, heavier, MBP. The 17" MBP does the "heavy lifting" of sucking in all the images from my memory cards and stashing them and while it's doing that I'm happily doing email or web-surfing in another room with the MBA. Sure, I obviously don't NEED to take both computers along but since I've got them, why not?! At home, in the summers the MBA goes out to the deck with me and I surf the web and catch up on email while sitting out there enjoying nice weather. My MBA also quickly pops into my tote bag if I'm going to see friends or going to hang out at a coffee shop or somewhere else. Not long ago I went to help a friend set up a new Mac. I took my MBA along and when she asked why, I explained that sometimes if questions arise it's handy to have a second machine available. Carrying the MBA is almost like carrying nothing, it's that lightweight, so I take it with me many times when I otherwise would never consider taking along the 17" MBP (or, even, back when I had it, a 15" MBP).
I LOVE my MBA!
The MBA had been the most polarizing Apple product I've seen in many years. People tend to love it (they live within its limitations) or hate it (they can't live within its limitations). It compromises a lot for mobility and is the least mainstream/general purpose MAC so is not for everyone.
Be careful when you consider replacement drives. They must use a particular PATA ZIF connector and interface and have a drive height of 5mm or less. Most 1.8" drives won't work or fit. You'll find some that do by searching this forum and the Runcore stuff is highly regarded.
Hmmm... I think I am going to shelve the idea of an SSD on second thoughts. The price is still pretty high (per GB) but they are constantly coming down in price so waiting can only be a good thing!
UPDATE: YOU CAN READ ABOUT MY EXPERIANCES IN 48 HOURS HERE: https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=9049726
UPDATE: FIND OUT HOW YOUR BATTERY COMPARES TO OTHERS HERE: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/844645/
You are right about an SSD's price per GB. On the order of 5x to 10x an HDD (for more like a 5x performance improvement).
I never really minded my MBA RevA 1.6/2gb/80gbHDD but I was always aware it was a modestly powered machine. Using tools like XSLIMMER, iDefrag, Bokah, iFreemem, Click2Flash, VLC, Smartsleep etc I took an acceptable experience to a good experience for a very small cost.
Thats one area where I tend to agree with Scottsdale a bit - the MBA has more limitations than most MAC's so for a RevA HDD model in particular many folks tend to want to tinker with it more than your average MAC that "just works" without having to do anything to it.