Has the MBA changed the way you use your computer?

[sanPietro98]

I was one of those people that had every possible peripheral that I would ever need hooked up to my Mac and ready at all times (printer, media card reader, external HDD, iPhone / iPod dock, wired ethernet, external monitor, keyboard, mouse). I even had this setup for my PowerBook G4 when it was at my desk.

I never ever used a trackpad -- I always hated them and used a mouse for my notebook computers.

But since getting my MacBook Air and an AEBS, I have completely changed that setup. I have the external HDD and printer attached to the AEBS. With 802.11n, I find the wireless network to be quite fast. I have come to love the MBA's trackpad and never use a mouse anymore. I hardly ever use my external monitor now. I don't even miss the optical drive either. The only time I've needed one is when I installed iWork 08. I now take the MBA everywhere -- in fact I do more work away from my desk now probably due to the sheer size/weight of the MBA.

I'm just curious, has anyone else had this kind of change in their setup/behavior since getting a MBA?

 

[urbnsoul]

The MBA actually has changed my habits quite a bit. Prior to getting an Air, I had a Mid-2007 MPB that I would bring with me to and from campus everyday (I'm a college student). I actually had to switch backpacks (a Jansport with multiple compartments) because the MPB was too big for my backpack at the time.

When I got home, I would usually do my assignments and whatnot in our library area and attach everything as need be: the printer, external speakers if wanted, external hard drives, etc.

But since getting the air, I decided to make a small investment into all things wireless so I picked up a 500gb Time Capsule at the Apple store and a powered-usb hub. From here, I connected the printer and the external hard drives. Now I don't have to be stationary in one location and can actually be quite comfortable in my bed while reading up on a missed lecture or checking on what's up on facebook.

 

[MayaTlab]

Same here. I really entered the so-called "wireless world" with the MBA. Actually the only thing for which I am still waiting a wireless solution is... the iPhone . Are you listening Steve, from your clouds up there ?

I also found a very interesting SD Card called Eye-Fi that automatically transfers my photos from my digital camera into iPhoto, all that over wireless. Still perfectible, but a pretty good idea.

 

[evirob]

The MBA actually has changed my habits quite a bit. Prior to getting an Air, I had a Mid-2007 MPB that I would bring with me to and from campus everyday (I'm a college student). I actually had to switch backpacks (a Jansport with multiple compartments) because the MPB was too big for my backpack at the time.

When I got home, I would usually do my assignments and whatnot in our library area and attach everything as need be: the printer, external speakers if wanted, external hard drives, etc.

But since getting the air, I decided to make a small investment into all things wireless so I picked up a 500gb Time Capsule at the Apple store and a powered-usb hub. From here, I connected the printer and the external hard drives. Now I don't have to be stationary in one location and can actually be quite comfortable in my bed while reading up on a missed lecture or checking on what's up on facebook.

Yea....totally agree....try to eliminate as much wires as possible....

 

[Sesshi]

This depends on your point of view. It's whether having wires for optimum network speed, USB, etc flexibility is convenient and tidy - or not, given the (in)adequacies of your laptop's connectivity.

Any other laptop also allows you to work wirelessly when untethered from an AC socket of course.

I can dock my Sony SZ's, TZ's and UX's in one motion and they offer fully-fledged connectivity without any other cables needing to be fumbled into place. I don't think the Air is particularly liberating or a standout in this regard, at least compared to my other actually portable machines. In fact I'd say it is the absolute worst I've ever encountered, and as such you are forced to do without in many ways since the connectivity is so inconvenient. I could imagine the rabid Applemaniac beginning to convince himself that this is an advantage, but personally I can't.

Perhaps the change among the Apple-only users is that this is the first actually handily portable machine introduced by Apple in god knows how long and the revelation comes from being able to actually carry it from place to place without really thinking about it?

 

[pilotError]

I had a Dell Laptop, but the thing was a bear and XP Pro would slow down on me (as windows does on occassion). It got to the point I wouldn't even bother carrying it with me. I take my MBA everywhere with me. I already had a wireless infrastructure in my house, my current employer has wireless access, so I can run everything they have on my Mac (Cytrix).

It's a pleasure using OS X at home and work lately. I've been doing it more and more and I'm going to hate to move to my next client.

 

[sanPietro98]

Perhaps the change among the Apple-only users is that this is the first actually handily portable machine introduced by Apple in god knows how long and the revelation comes from being able to actually carry it from place to place without really thinking about it?

Great point.

I always tended to use notebooks as desktop machines that can be portable. But the MBA is first and foremost a "handily portable" machine as you stated.