I don't get why millions of people can't understand CPU logic...

[ReallyBigFeet]

It's just boggles my mind. I read comments on every review about the macbook air. For the 11inch computer, they are like "why would I want a slow 1.4ghz C2D". Slow.....slow...............slow.

Let's really think about that. It's like everyone is trained that in their head, you need to fastest best processor in the world....so you can update your facebook status. You need to great processor in the world.....so you can say "rofl" to someone on IM.

Yes comparing processor to process, the 1.4GHZ is not that great, but do people really forget what an SSD can do to a product. People are like "well i can buy a Core i3 with 500GB HDD"... but from the looks of it, that C2D with SSD will run all your every day tasks better than with any HDD setup. I'm completely shocked. This isn't 2001, where we needed to update like every year because the CPU clock speeds were getting outrageous. I think the clock frequency is the most overrated value in computer today.

I think what I'm trying to say is...people should try it before they knock it. Of course, all these complainers are coming from PC users. You would think they would know a thing or two...then I realized that....they are PC users.

These aren't workhorses...they are portable computers. It's like comparing a V6 vs V12 and both are stuck at a speed limit of 40mph. Doesn't it really matter then. If you are complaining that this computer can't compute the next supernova in the other galaxies then...obviously, you were trying to floor your honda accord to 250 mph. ...it's a car nonetheless, it will though take you from point A to Point B.

TLDR.

Oh and....its a netbook.

 

[KPOM]

TLDR.

Oh and....its a netbook.

Here's Steve Jobs' exact quote on netbooks:

“We don’t know how to build a sub-$500 computer that is not a piece of junk,”

The last time I checked, the Air is $1,000. I don't think Steve Jobs ever said Apple would "never produce" something that is the same size and form factor as a netbook.

 

[bouncer1]

TLDR.

Oh and....its a netbook.

Υου have been vengefully trolling these forums calling the air a netbook, and after you 've been rebutted countless of times by so many other posters on the idiocy that is calling the air a netbook, you keep on trolling in your marry way...

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

Here's Steve Jobs' exact quote on netbooks:

“We don’t know how to build a sub-$500 computer that is not a piece of junk,”

Yup, so they built a high-quality, not-cheap netbook instead.

 

[WardC]

Take the time it takes to compress a 10GB raw movie file to a H.264 QuickTime file on a 1.4GHz MBA and compare it to a 2.66GHz i7. The i7 can do it 4 times as fast, maybe faster.

But that is not the area that the MBA shines. It's not a production workhorse, but it's a great web browsing and general computing machine.

 

[RRmalvado]

Take the time it takes to compress a 10GB raw movie file to a H.264 QuickTime file on a 1.4GHz MBA and compare it to a 2.66GHz i7. The i7 can do it 4 times as fast, maybe faster.

But that is not the area that the MBA shines. It's not a production workhorse, but it's a great web browsing and general computing machine.

Agreed. I swear people on these forums love to argue semantics. Why are people so hung strung on if it's a netbook or not.
You don't have to defend your purchase.

I have a MBP because I need it, but a MBA suffices for those who just want to surf the internet, view/compose email, etc.

 

[WardC]

I ordered the 1.6GHz 11.6" 4GB RAM model.

I'm waiting to get mine so I can tryout Bryce on there and do some 3D modeling. I expect it to be able to run Bryce 7 quite well and be able to render as fast as any other machine. The app doesn't fully take advantage of all of the CPU power, and it would be nice to be able to create 3D art on the go.

 

[bouncer1]

Yup, so they built a high-quality, not-cheap netbook instead.

Somebody do something about this guys, he's trolling every thread saying this...tstaststststst....

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

Somebody do something about this guys, he's trolling every thread saying this...tstaststststst....

Is it trolling because you don't like it?

 

[KPOM]

Is it trolling because you don't like it?

It's unnecessary to keep making the same "point" over and over and over again on multiple threads. Anyway, "netbook" is more a matter of semantics and opinion than a hard definition. That said, typically, it refers to a budget notebook running a stripped down OS that is not intended for more than simple web browsing.

Dell markets the $999 Adamo (a 3lb notebook running a 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit) as a notebook, not a netbook. The only PCs they market as netbooks are under $500 and running Windows 7 Starter on Atom or low-powered Athlon processors. The base Air is also $999, runs a 64-bit OS on a 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo, and comes with 2GB RAM. The Adamo has a 128GB SSD to the base Air's 64GB, but the latter has better graphics. Thus, they seem very comparable.

 

[Fraaaa]

Somebody do something about this guys, he's trolling every thread saying this...tstaststststst....

This are the best Jobs comedy series ever, how can you not love it?

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

Dell markets the $999 Adamo (a 3lb notebook running a 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit) as a notebook, not a netbook. The only PCs they market as netbooks are under $500 and running Windows 7 Starter on Atom or low-powered Athlon processors. The base Air is also $999, runs a 64-bit OS on a 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo, and comes with 2GB RAM. The Adamo has a 128GB SSD to the base Air's 64GB, but the latter has better graphics. Thus, they seem very comparable.

As has already been pointed out by myself and most of the tech media...just because Apple charges more for similar computing power doesn't mean it isn't a netbook.

Its just a more expensive netbook. And arguably a better made one as well to be sure. I've already said as much in most of my posts.

But its Apple's take on the netbook regardless. Why does it bother you so much to recognize the facts here?

 

[KPOM]

As has already been pointed out by myself and most of the tech media...just because Apple charges more for similar computing power doesn't mean it isn't a netbook.

Its just a more expensive netbook. And arguably a better made one as well to be sure. I've already said as much in most of my posts.

But its Apple's take on the netbook regardless. Why does it bother you so much to recognize the facts here?

But my point is that Apple isn't charging more for similar computing power. The specs closely match the Dell Adamo, which is NOT marketed as a netbook. Why should Apple call the 11" Air a netbook when Dell calls a similarly priced machine with nearly identical technical specs a "luxury notebook"? Apple and Dell likely are targeting a similar audience with the Air and Adamo, and it is not the same market that Dell, Asus, etc. are targeting with their sub-$500 offerings.

Why does it bother you so much to recognize the facts here?

 

[hachre]

Let's really think about that. It's like everyone is trained that in their head, you need to fastest best processor in the world....so you can update your facebook status. You need to great processor in the world.....so you can say "rofl" to someone on IM.

LOL I laughed at this ;D

I, of course, fully agree with your post

 

[deeddawg]

Why does it bother you so much to recognize the facts here?

Why does this topic seem to matter so much to you?

Generally speaking, most people consider netbooks as systems with screens in the 10" and under range, usually 1024x600 resolution or similar.

The various 11.6" machines are on the border between categories; exhibiting some of the portability benefits of the netbook category yet still being reasonably powerful capable as general purpose small-screen laptops.

Thus the dilemma. Some see a distinct difference between the $300 netbooks with 9" screens and the $1000+ thin/light more powerful 11.6" systems, others lump them all together.

Not really sure there's a resolution. Also not sure why it matters to anyone without an axe to grind.

 

[hachre]

Then why upgrade?

Might as well stick to your 7 years old 1.4 ghz computer then if power isn't important.

I'll happily drive my F1 car while you drive along in your more luxurious BMW that lacks power.

A computer 7 years ago that was 1.4 GHz was a lot slower than a current one at 1.4 GHz.

GHz isn't a measurement of CPU speed or processing power.

Also the new computer has a SSD over the 7 year old one, and IO is and has always been the #1 bottleneck on every computer.

And I'm not even talking about differences through increased memory speeds, bus clocks, GPUs used for multi purpose computing, etc...

 

[Carouser]

just because Apple charges more for similar computing power doesn't mean it isn't a netbook. . . Its just a more expensive netbook. And arguably a better made one as well to be sure. . . But its Apple's take on the netbook regardless. Why does it bother you so much to recognize the facts here?

I think what people don't understand is why it's so important to you to call it a netbook, or why emphasizing that it's a netbook would matter to anybody anywhere ever.

It's no wonder people tire of you saying it over and over because
(1) people use 'netbook' to smear the MBA through connotation
(2) it makes no practical difference what you call it

"Oh, I thought it was a laptop or notebook, but ReallyBigFeet has shown me the light, facts are facts, wow, it's a netbook, this matters because . . . oh wait it makes zero difference to anything"

 

[KPOM]

It's no wonder people tire of you saying it over and over because
(1) people use 'netbook' to smear the MBA through connotation
(2) it makes no practical difference what you call it
"

1) hits the nail on the head. The term "netbook" is usually used to describe an inexpensive, and often cheaply made computer with a very limited feature set. That's why the MB Air and the Dell Adamo, with the "blazing fast" 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo (Dell's description of the Adamo's processor on its website) are marketed as premium laptops. Both are well-built machines with full 64-bit operating systems, more powerful processors than the sub-$500 class, and more overall capability, even though both lag the current mid-range mainstream notebook on sheer technical specs.

 

[TheCableGuy]

No, it isn't, none of you people know what you are talking about. The CPU in the 11" Air is crap. It is a three year old design that is vastly less efficient than the latest CPUs. The "megahurtz myth" actually goes the over way, where a 1.4ghz Core i7 ULV can eat the Core 2 Duo for breakfast. It has an integrated memory controller(huge deal), hyperthreading and turbo mode, not to mention a ton of other improvements like hardware accelerated AES encryption.


Apple put cheap processors in an expensive laptop to maximize profits. That's all there is to it. I don't care, I bought one because it does what I need, but I am not so delusional that I think Steve Jobs is doing me any favors by selling me a 3 year old CPU in a $1300 laptop.

Funny, it does everything I want it to do -- instantly. 'Eating whatever for breakfast' matters to 5 or 10% of users. If you're in that group, more power to you.

 

[mmomega]

Comparing Prius's to Porsche's. Wouldn't make much sense to have a high performance engine in something you want max mpg's out of. Don't buy one expecting the other.

 

[tech324]

Somebody do something about this guys, he's trolling every thread saying this...tstaststststst....

Hilarious!!!

 

[aberrero]

Funny, it does everything I want it to do -- instantly. 'Eating whatever for breakfast' matters to 5 or 10% of users. If you're in that group, more power to you.

Ya, me too. That's why I bought it. It is very snappy and works great for most tasks. I am very happy with it.

That doesn't change the fact that the CPU is slower than almost any other computer sold today.

 

[CaoCao]

A computer 7 years ago that was 1.4 GHz was a lot slower than a current one at 1.4 GHz.

GHz isn't a measurement of CPU speed or processing power.

Also the new computer has a SSD over the 7 year old one, and IO is and has always been the #1 bottleneck on every computer.

And I'm not even talking about differences through increased memory speeds, bus clocks, GPUs used for multi purpose computing, etc...

Uh yes it is, a Hertz is a cycle, the MBA completes ~1.4 Billion circuits per second

1) hits the nail on the head. The term "netbook" is usually used to describe an inexpensive, and often cheaply made computer with a very limited feature set. That's why the MB Air and the Dell Adamo, with the "blazing fast" 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo (Dell's description of the Adamo's processor on its website) are marketed as premium laptops. Both are well-built machines with full 64-bit operating systems, more powerful processors than the sub-$500 class, and more overall capability, even though both lag the current mid-range mainstream notebook on sheer technical specs.

This!

 

[hachre]

Uh yes it is, a Hertz is a cycle, the MBA completes ~1.4 Billion circuits per second

There is a difference between speed as in top speed and speed as in rotations/second of an engine. I mean CPU speed as in top speed.

And Hertz is a unit of frequency, not speed. Speed is velocity.

These terms are all wrong for describing a CPU anyway, but I'm trying to keep it simple here

 

[Yanwoo]

What Apple gets (thankfully) is that the times are a changing: we're moving beyond geek led innovation in technology to being consumer and product centric. That means innovation for innovation sake (faster, faster, faster, bigger, bigger, bigger) is making way for products focused on the actual needs (a more appliance mindset) of normal people.

The MacBook air is a perfect example that seems to drive the geeks crazy yet seemingly finds many a happy owner.

What I see here is us geeks struggling to accept this new reality...