Is it crazy for couch potatoes (old farts) to buy an Air?

[Canuckistan]

Hello there,

I'm about to retire and am thinking of treating myself to an Air ...and retiring my sluggish 8 year-old G3 "whitebook".

I'm not a power user, and I'm not a road warrior.

A back problem prohibits me from sitting in a chair and using a desktop computer, so I sit in my recliner, dinner tray with underbelly of styrofoam beads on lap, and browse, email, use programs such as Word, Excel, FileMaker Pro, iPhoto.

Now there's a good chance I may take photography more seriously (heck, I can't sit in the recliner all day), and use Photoshop, Lightroom, or Aperture.

I reckon I'll avoid the current MacBooks as people complain about the screen.

The powerful and versatile 15-inch MBP was tempting until I heard there was no matte screen, and of course it's heavier on the lap than the Air.

Which brings me back to the Air whose screen people seem to like, as long as they don't get a model with the line plague.

An SSD is very tempting as it would instantly call up and save photos.

A larger SSD, 4 gigs of RAM, and a faster processor would certainly make the Air even more tempting.

Yup, I'm rambling, 'cause I don't know what to do, apart from wait till June (October?) for the next significant update.

Are there any couch potatoes (old farts) happy with their stay-at-home Airs?

Or, would I be smarter going for an MBP?

 

[Balthezor]

I think the Air is perfect for you. Def treat yourself with one.

 

[aaquib]

I agree, go with the Air. But, I'd say stick it out with the iBook for a bit longer until the next revision launches which shoud bring the 4GB of RAM and faster processor you crave.

The MBA does have a glossy screen, but believe me, it's not NEARLY as glossy as the new MacBook or MacBook Pro's. The glass display brings out significant reflections and going from a unibody MB to a MBA brought a world of difference in terms of the display.

MacBook Air, Rev. C. That's what I think is best for you.

 

[trevpimp]

Hello there,

I'm about to retire and am thinking of treating myself to an Air ...and retiring my sluggish 8 year-old G3 "whitebook".

I'm not a power user, and I'm not a road warrior.

A back problem prohibits me from sitting in a chair and using a desktop computer, so I sit in my recliner, dinner tray with underbelly of styrofoam beads on lap, and browse, email, use programs such as Word, Excel, FileMaker Pro, iPhoto.

Now there's a good chance I may take photography more seriously (heck, I can't sit in the recliner all day), and use Photoshop, Lightroom, or Aperture.

I reckon I'll avoid the current MacBooks as people complain about the screen.

The powerful and versatile 15-inch MBP was tempting until I heard there was no matte screen, and of course it's heavier on the lap than the Air.

Which brings me back to the Air whose screen people seem to like, as long as they don't get a model with the line plague.

An SSD is very tempting as it would instantly call up and save photos.

A larger SSD, 4 gigs of RAM, and a faster processor would certainly make the Air even more tempting.

Yup, I'm rambling, 'cause I don't know what to do, apart from wait till June (October?) for the next significant update.

Are there any couch potatoes (old farts) happy with their stay-at-home Airs?

Or, would I be smarter going for an MBP?

idk, but I would go with the MBP

I dont mind the Air but it looks very easy to break. Couch potatoe? one if you accidently sit on it

But the SSD is awsome.

I would save money to configure the MBP to have an SSD

If you really want the Air, GO FOR IT

But hey, just be careful with it and youre good.

 

[MikhailT]

I suggest waiting for next revision as well. The second revision was a major improvement over the first version. I think the third revision will bring more improvements with better battery tech(the one that's in the new 17"), better screen, bigger ram and so on.

I do think you should go and really play with both Air and MBP at the apple store. You might find that the MBP isn't as heavy as you think it is and you might tolerate it. MBP would be very powerful if you go that route.

 

[PNutts]

Nah, I'm as old and farty as they get.

Anywho, I bought one for the wifey and after the hinge broke got an aluminum MacBook. Since you are willing to have the smaller screen, the MB is much beefier with only a little more thickness and weight.

I would go with the MB (not pro). However, the Air was amazing until it broke.

 

[atticus27]

if its gonna be your main computer I'd get the macbook or the pro.
I wouldn't use the air as my primary computer

 

[ScottFitz]

I am a road warrior, but also when I'm home, I'm surfing in my lazy boy. The Air is very nice for general surfing and such.

Sucks big green ones if you want to watch any youtube videos though. (I've got a Rev A machine). Heats up horribly and stutters video.

Your mileage may vary with a Rev B that is out now. I wish I'd waited for a Rev B, but pulled the trigger a few months too early.

 

[GeekGirl*]

if its gonna be your main computer I'd get the macbook or the pro.
I wouldn't use the air as my primary computer

Why not?
I use mine as my one and only works great it's even a Rev. A!