It's only 1.5 lbs lighter then the Macbook that has more features. Why spend an extra $500 for that 1.5lb?
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Is there a point in the Air now?
- Thread starter puffnstuff
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Before, it was 2.0 pounds lighter. Now, it is 1.5 pounds lighter. That means the macbook is still 50% heavier than the Air.
I can see two reasons for still wanting the Air:
1) It is really light.
2) It doesn't have the new macbook's (ugly?) bezel and (overly glossy?) glass overlay.
I for one thought the macbook would end up a bit lighter. The other 13.3's I've looked at or owned have been lighter, plus they were released earlier, plus they're not from the innovative Apple! Instead of being a thicker Air, the new macbook looks to me like a cleaner looking HP.
I can see two reasons for still wanting the Air:
1) It is really light.
2) It doesn't have the new macbook's (ugly?) bezel and (overly glossy?) glass overlay.
I for one thought the macbook would end up a bit lighter. The other 13.3's I've looked at or owned have been lighter, plus they were released earlier, plus they're not from the innovative Apple! Instead of being a thicker Air, the new macbook looks to me like a cleaner looking HP.
The only point is that you would own something that every eye would be looking after like
The MB is way better specs wise but also you might pay the extra money just to get the MBA which is in a league by itself.
However, I still think Apple should have reduced the MBA's price a bit to $1499 or $1699 or at least just drop the one with SSD to $2199.
This drop will happen sometime next year for sure because many competitors would be introducing similar products to the MBA by then.
Would you get a MBA over the MB?
The MB is way better specs wise but also you might pay the extra money just to get the MBA which is in a league by itself.
However, I still think Apple should have reduced the MBA's price a bit to $1499 or $1699 or at least just drop the one with SSD to $2199.
This drop will happen sometime next year for sure because many competitors would be introducing similar products to the MBA by then.
Would you get a MBA over the MB?
Would you get a MBA over the MB?
Yes! I'm choosing a used MBA over a new MB. Enough computing power for my needs (MS Office, web, and occasional movies). Costs a little more, but have you seen other laptops with the MB's edge-to-edge glass overlay? It's distracting, even for those comfortable with a regular glossy display. One example is Lenovo's U330 with "Infinity Edge" or something like that.
As a non-gamer, the only thing that gives me pause concerning the MBA is possible heat issues and buying a used machine to make up for the price. What the MB really eats up is some of the market of the MBP...poor matte afficianados
Yes! I'm choosing a used MBA over a new MB. Enough computing power for my needs (MS Office, web, and occasional movies). Costs a little more, but have you seen other laptops with the MB's edge-to-edge glass overlay? It's distracting, even for those comfortable with a regular glossy display. One example is Lenovo's U330 with "Infinity Edge" or something like that.
As a non-gamer, the only thing that gives me pause concerning the MBA is possible heat issues and buying a used machine to make up for the price. What the MB really eats up is some of the market of the MBP...poor matte afficianados
I like the look of the MBA over the MB but I just find it hard to justify the extra $500. However, I might still go with the MBA just because of its uniqueness compared to what is offered in the market.
As for you deciding to get a used MBA, I think that is a wrong decision. The old-gen MBA is known for its issues (heat + core shutdown). Therefore, you might be better off waiting to see how the new ones turn out to be or just go with the MB if you cannot wait.
I have had bad experiences with the MBA myself to the point that made me hate Apple, but my iMac is the one that is keeping the love at the moment
I like the look of the MBA over the MB but I just find it hard to justify the extra $500. However, I might still go with the MBA just because of its uniqueness compared to what is offered in the market.
As for you deciding to get a used MBA, I think that is a wrong decision. The old-gen MBA is known for its issues (heat + core shutdown). Therefore, you might be better off waiting to see how the new ones turn out to be or just go with the MB if you cannot wait.
I have had bad experiences with the MBA myself to the point that made me hate Apple, but my iMac is the one that is keeping the love at the moment
Were your bad experiences heat/fan related? That's what I'm afraid of, especially since it's the reason I returned my otherwise-okay VAIO. But I'm hoping undervolting will solve that.
I have to buy a laptop right now, because I have no computer at the moment. And weight is very important to me because I have two surgically repaired shoulders. But lugging the Air back and forth to the Apple Store wouldn't be great either.
This is exactly the question I'm asking myself: I was going to get the updated Air but I'm going to take a good look at the MB first.
MB pros:
Air pros:
Weight is going to be a big deciding factor for me. My current PB weighs a bit over 5 1/2 lbs., so the MB is about 1 lb. lighter. I want to see how it feels when the Apple store gets them in this week.
MB pros:
- Larger, faster, removable HDD
- Replaceable battery
- Supports 4GB RAM
- Optical drive
- Ethernet and two USB ports
Air pros:
- 1.5 lbs. lighter
- Better looking
- A bit thinner
Weight is going to be a big deciding factor for me. My current PB weighs a bit over 5 1/2 lbs., so the MB is about 1 lb. lighter. I want to see how it feels when the Apple store gets them in this week.
It's still ever-so-slightly more portable. I also really like typing on it every day because the front of the keyboard is so low. Doesn't mess up my wrists. Sounds dumb, but I do a lot of typing, and last thing I need is for carpal tunnel to flare up.
I currently own a MBA, but would have gotten the new upper level macbook instead.
Ironically, owning the air and netbooks taught me how to get through my day with a mobile without firewire.
Ironically, owning the air and netbooks taught me how to get through my day with a mobile without firewire.
I have a MBA and a 24" iMac.
I can see myself replacing the iMac with a MBP + ACD 24". It would make sense.
But I can't see myself replacing the MBA for an MB, specially now that they got the same GPU and MB dropped firewire.
But that's for me, which already have an MBA and I'm completely nuts about it. I'm considering the upgrade to the 128GB SSD version.
I can see myself replacing the iMac with a MBP + ACD 24". It would make sense.
But I can't see myself replacing the MBA for an MB, specially now that they got the same GPU and MB dropped firewire.
But that's for me, which already have an MBA and I'm completely nuts about it. I'm considering the upgrade to the 128GB SSD version.
For me, the MBA is the ultimate in transportability. I actually worked on my Pages presentation while riding the commuter train this morning and did some fine tuning with several movie clips with FCP HD that I had worked on last night and added them to the presentation. The MBA fit comfortably on my lap, while all the other commuters around me were "eye-balling" my MBA and my video clips. Yeah, I'd say my MBA has made its point in my daily activities...
Bingo. That's exactly why.
People like the MBA because it's light, has a normal sized keyboard and screen, and looks beautiful.
That still applies today. In fact, the MBA is still far nicer than the MB and MBPs that were just released.
+1 ^^^ I like the idea of 3 lbs, but I'm also impressed with the WiFi connection on my MBA. I can be in one of the largest halls on campus and have full bars, while the student with their HP, Dell or Sony Viao sitting right next to me struggles to get one bar...
I agree. I have the same Macs, and I had the same thought earlier. I'd love the 24" and MBP combo.
But I love me MBA. The mobility is simply killer. Yes, there are trade-offs, but I'm hoping the new update fixes the issues and removes the biggest tradeoffs.
I bought the updated MBA today. I'm totally psyched.
Well ive just brought my MBA off the apple refurb store. Got the 64GB SSD model and saved £800 (got it for £999 rather then £1799). The reason I got it is, I simply want something small and light. I dont want or need a CD drive, I dont need loads of USB ports, I dont need better graphics, I just want something portable that is OSX, with a nice keyboard and is light. Thats why I chose to get the 1st gen refurb model instead of the newer model, because I dont need everything the new model offers either. It was only £50 more for me to get a MBA then it was to get the mid range MB, but I get something thats alot thinner, doesnt have all the crap that I dont need (well its crap to me, not used the CD drive in my MBP that im replacing since I got it 4 years ago) thus saving on weight, and its something unique. In no time at all, everyone will have the new MBs. Ive already seen about 4 of them around, and with a MB, your just another face in the crowd. Like someone said earlier in the thread, on the train you get your air out and people admire it. Ive never seen that with any other laptop before.
BTW you wouldnt know it was a refurb if you saw it, and ive not had any issues that people are reporting of the 1st gen MBA, so I guess im lucky (so far, fingers crossed!)
BTW you wouldnt know it was a refurb if you saw it, and ive not had any issues that people are reporting of the 1st gen MBA, so I guess im lucky
(so far, fingers crossed!)It's also worth noting that the MacBook Air is likely to get new chips (Nehalem etc.) later than the MacBook and the MacBook Pro because of Intel's release schedules. So lower TDPs isn't the only factor in the reduced CPU performance.
It looks like SFF mobile Nehalem is coming in Q3 2010 or later, after regular dual-core mobile Nehalem in Q1 2010 (and quad-core in Q3 2009).
It looks like SFF mobile Nehalem is coming in Q3 2010 or later, after regular dual-core mobile Nehalem in Q1 2010 (and quad-core in Q3 2009).
And then put a 17" MBP and do the same.
Then with a 15" MBP, and after that do it with a 13" MB.
Then you'll understand the stupid difference of a 1.5" when it comes to notebooks.