Is your MacBook Air your main or only computer?

[ehlfg]

I did use my Rev B SSD MBA as my primary computer for about six months (when I was traveling extensively), but I recently gave up and switched over to a Mac Pro as my main work machine.

The main reasons for switching away:

1. 2GB is not enough memory for some of my work. I sometimes need to have lots of applications up and run multiple VMs at a time. 2GB of memory makes that painful.

2. 128GB of disk space is not enough for me. The SSD was super-fast at first. It's still quick now for boot and application startup, but it seems to have bogged down a lot now that I have maybe 4GB free.

3. The single USB port isn't ideal. I can usually make do with a hub, but I've run into problems copying large (multi-GB) files between an external USB hard drive and a USB flash drive on the same hub. The transfer works for a while but always fails partway. Perhaps this is a problem with the hub, but there are also other times when I would prefer more than one USB port or an additional Firewire port.

Why not a MBP? I've done that before, and I prefer the MBA for its portability. I am currently trying out using the Mac Pro for most purposes and the MBA when I want to be portable.

 

[Big Alsie]

128GB of disk space is not enough for me. The SSD was super-fast at first. It's still quick now for boot and application startup, but it seems to have bogged down a lot now that I have maybe 4GB free.

In my experience, any hard drive (SSD or HDD) running OS X needs at least 10% free space to do background processes. I have always noticed a substantial decline in performance once you have less than 10% free space. In short, free up another 10GB or so and see if you notice a difference in performance.

 

[jb60606]

No; mainly because I have a 2008 Mac Pro and early 2008 MacBook Pro. I also lost my job recently and spend a majority of my time at home, so there's no need to sacrifice CPU speed, RAM, storage and graphics power for portability anymore. The only edge that the AIR has over its big brothers mentioned above, is its SSD though I'm planning on upgrading the MBP and MP's boot drive with a couple of SSDs soon. I'm also not a big fan of the MB Air's keyboard.

I'll likely be selling it, along with a SuperDrive, a Neoprene sleeve, and 2 power supplies soon, for a substantial discount. It's only a couple of months old and in pristine condition. No AppleCare though (I usually purchase it a month or two before the factory warranty ends).

 

[aleksandra.]

Yes - it's my only Mac and primary computer. It's light, fast and comfortable to use. Of course I could wish it was better: no lines, longer battery life, more RAM, faster SSD, bigger SSD, glass trackpad - in this order. But it's really good already.

 

[urahoho]

just bought the mba, it is not my main computer, mostly for traveling, business and sitting on the couch. I have a custom build machine as my desktop for all the power house stuff and games. Wife has her own macbook too.

 

[Retops]

Heavy MBA user

While I own other computers, the MBAs (two) I own are my main machines. My original MBA is now largely, but not exclusively, used for teaching classes and writing. My new MBA with the SSD is my consulting machine and resides in a separate briefcase so I can grab it and have all the needed stuff when going out on a consulting job.

 

[Scottsdale]

In my experience, any hard drive (SSD or HDD) running OS X needs at least 10% free space to do background processes. I have always noticed a substantial decline in performance once you have less than 10% free space. In short, free up another 10GB or so and see if you notice a difference in performance.

Agreed. I thought this was fairly common knowledge.

 

[Scottsdale]

No; mainly because I have a 2008 Mac Pro and early 2008 MacBook Pro. I also lost my job recently and spend a majority of my time at home, so there's no need to sacrifice CPU speed, RAM, storage and graphics power for portability anymore. The only edge that the AIR has over its big brothers mentioned above, is its SSD though I'm planning on upgrading the MBP and MP's boot drive with a couple of SSDs soon. I'm also not a big fan of the MB Air's keyboard.

I'll likely be selling it, along with a SuperDrive, a Neoprene sleeve, and 2 power supplies soon, for a substantial discount. It's only a couple of months old and in pristine condition. No AppleCare though (I usually purchase it a month or two before the factory warranty ends).

Ever heard of using your MBA on the couch, or do you have your Mac Pro setup at the couch?

 

[Scottsdale]

While I own other computers, the MBAs (two) I own are my main machines. My original MBA is now largely, but not exclusively, used for teaching classes and writing. My new MBA with the SSD is my consulting machine and resides in a separate briefcase so I can grab it and have all the needed stuff when going out on a consulting job.

I actually could use your setup now that the MBA is limited to 2 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD. I simply cannot get all my files on it, and I cannot run Windows 7 on it because I don't want to waste the space nor share 2 GB RAM. Two MBAs would be a good solution right now, BUT I PRAY THE REV D CHANGES THE NEED FOR TWO MBAs. A rev D MBA with 256 GB SSD and 4GB RAM would sure handle everything I need.

 

[jb60606]

Ever heard of using your MBA on the couch, or do you have your Mac Pro setup at the couch?

I do use it on the couch, though there's no reason why I can't use my MBP on the couch too.

 

[ehlfg]

Agreed. I thought this was fairly common knowledge.

Right. That's why the 128GB isn't enough for me, because I can't clear off more space easily. When the MBA comes with a 320GB SSD and 8GB of memory (how far off?), it might be more feasible for me as a main computer. Right now, what's working for me is using an MBA and Mac Pro together.

 

[Scottsdale]

Right. That's why the 128GB isn't enough for me, because I can't clear off more space easily. When the MBA comes with a 320GB SSD and 8GB of memory (how far off?), it might be more feasible for me as a main computer. Right now, what's working for me is using an MBA and Mac Pro together.

I agree. I don't load more than 90 GB on my MBA as I don't want problems with it slowing down. Snow Leopard has slowed it down enough.

I think the MBA will be here with 256 GB SSD and 4 GB RAM or if God answers my prayers two RAM slots capable of 8 GB of RAM within two months... or maybe the MacBook will be capable and very similar to the current form factor of the MBA.

I think 320 GB in a 1.8" 5mm drive is another year away... I don't know what Apple has in store for the MBA long term, but I assume it will not be to keep being more powerful and more drive space. I think the MacBook will truly takeover that need/demand. From what I have heard, it's surprisingly similar to the MBA... so much so as people thought it was a prototype MBA.

The average MBA user doesn't need more than 256 GB SSD or 4 GB RAM. So that's where it will go. It will try to capture that level of power and go smaller, thinner, and more lightweight from there. I don't personally care to go any thinner than the current MBA is. At some point it becomes obvious that too much power is lost and battery time is lost going too thin and lightweight. We can only pray the MBA makes it to 256 GB SSD and 4 GB RAM, as maybe I am wrong and Apple thinks 128 GB SSD and 2 GB RAM is all the MBA needs and will concentrate on going thinner and lightweight with those specs.

I would take a Penryn CPU running at 2.13 GHz, Nvidia 200m/Nvidia Chipset (or whatever it is taking over the 9400m), 256 GB SSD, 4 GB RAM, and a true 5-hour battery, in the current MBA form as the ULTIMATE MBA.

Someone mentioned Good, Better, Best. Apple needs to do something to cater to those of us who will gladly spend $3k for the MBA of our dreams. I welcomed the $1799 price tag, but I know we will not get the specs we want for lower prices. I would pay top dollar for all the options I want or a "best" MBA.

 

[aleksandra.]

I think the MBA will be here with 256 GB SSD and 4 GB RAM or if God answers my prayers two RAM slots capable of 8 GB of RAM within two months... or maybe the MacBook will be capable and very similar to the current form factor of the MBA.

(...) I think the MacBook will truly takeover that need/demand. From what I have heard, it's surprisingly similar to the MBA... so much so as people thought it was a prototype MBA.

Or maybe MBA will, after all, become a new MacBook. The speculation had been going on for long, and if anything, it seems more likely now. Though I think it's still too early for this.

I think 320 GB in a 1.8" 5mm drive is another year away... I don't know what Apple has in store for the MBA long term, but I assume it will not be to keep being more powerful and more drive space. (...)

The average MBA user doesn't need more than 256 GB SSD or 4 GB RAM. So that's where it will go. It will try to capture that level of power and go smaller, thinner, and more lightweight from there. I don't personally care to go any thinner than the current MBA is. At some point it becomes obvious that too much power is lost and battery time is lost going too thin and lightweight. We can only pray the MBA makes it to 256 GB SSD and 4 GB RAM, as maybe I am wrong and Apple thinks 128 GB SSD and 2 GB RAM is all the MBA needs and will concentrate on going thinner and lightweight with those specs.

I would take a Penryn CPU running at 2.13 GHz, Nvidia 200m/Nvidia Chipset (or whatever it is taking over the 9400m), 256 GB SSD, 4 GB RAM, and a true 5-hour battery, in the current MBA form as the ULTIMATE MBA.

Do you think it's going to be EOLed then? Because I seriously hope it isn't as much a case of "no one will ever need more than 16KB RAM" as it sounds.

Someone mentioned Good, Better, Best. Apple needs to do something to cater to those of us who will gladly spend $3k for the MBA of our dreams. I welcomed the $1799 price tag, but I know we will not get the specs we want for lower prices. I would pay top dollar for all the options I want or a "best" MBA.

Apple hardly needs to do anything that won't be really profitable. Back when Air used to cost $3k, it was the best in its class (mostly because there was no competition). Yet it was far from popular. Currently Air is incomparably better, but so are alternatives. I think Apple isn't going to try it again soon.

 

[entatlrg]

I think the MBA will be here with 256 GB SSD and 4 GB RAM or if God answers my prayers two RAM slots capable of 8 GB of RAM within two months... or maybe the MacBook will be capable and very similar to the current form factor of the MBA.

I don't believe there's any hope of this happening with two months. Maybe next year at this time when the new MBP's start to get closer to the Air in size and weight.

Think about it, a new MacBook Air this year with 4GB RAM, 256SSD, and more than one USB port? Never, from a business standpoint they wouldn't do it.... this new MacBook Air would hamper the sales of the other MBP's, their 'profit' machines that are selling VERY VERY well.

Apple is never going to undercut their whole new (June '09) MacBook line with a killer MacBook Air. Could they do it if the wanted to, I'm sure they could and I'd bet drawings/prototypes for the 'Air like' computer a year or two from now is stunning.

We will evolve to this point one upgrade at a time, it's high hopes for a full featured MacBook Air anytime soon, imo.

January will bring a slight improvement to some Air features and likely next Fall a new 'Air like' notebook will be introduced, that's realistic, imo......

(by the way I hope I'm wrong

 

[Macintox]

Yes my new MBair 2.13 SSd 10.6 is now my only computer .
In the beginning I thought OK, enough of carrying these heavy bricks (powerbook, macbook pro 15") I'll go for the ultra light, learn how to live with only one USB and buy a MacPro at home.
But the hassle of perfect synchronizing and the complete surprise of how well this MBair function have made me change my mind.
It is now hooked to my trusted Eizo at home without a single glitch.

 

[Macintox]

Right. That's why the 128GB isn't enough for me, because I can't clear off more space easily. When the MBA comes with a 320GB SSD and 8GB of memory (how far off?), it might be more feasible for me as a main computer. Right now, what's working for me is using an MBA and Mac Pro together.

Probably not 320 and 8 GB but safe to bet on a new version with 256 SSD and 4 GB , beginning of next year, after the new intel chips are out.

 

[musicpenguy]

I love it when people complain that 128GB is not enough space - just 3 and a half years ago the 17" Macbook Pro came standard with 120GB 5400 RPM HDs or an optional 100GB 7200 RPM HD - I love how far we have come to now having a standard 128GB SSD drive in the Air - its all a matter of perspective isn't it

 

[Shodan]

As it stands my Rev.B 1.6GHz/120GB Air is my only computer.

Before it I had an Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650, 4GB DDR2 PC6400, 512MB 9800GTX, 750GB Hitachi Deskstar with 32MB Cache, bla bla.

The jump down hasn't been as bad as I anticipated - I diched my PC because Core 2 is going out, I wasn't gaming much and the fact I needed a Mac for my new job role.

I payed £750 for my Air of eBay, brand new and it's serving me brilliantly.

Currently running 10.6.1 and it's smooth aside the odd Safari beach ball.

It's hammered every day - Photoshop CS4 with a few projects, Remote Desktop managing 85 Macs, Screen Sharing with an Xserve, Mail, WGM + Server Admin, iTunes & Safari with around 12 tabs.

All nice and smooth on the whole - the only limitation I hit is usually memory which we all know the next generation Air needs a bump up.

I will be building a new PC soon for a gaming rig (just) and one of the new iMacs as I can almost guarantee they will be gorgeous.

The Air is a stunning machine though, it's light, well made, snappy & gorgeous.

 

[theappleguy]

I would take a Penryn CPU running at 2.13 GHz, Nvidia 200m/Nvidia Chipset (or whatever it is taking over the 9400m), 256 GB SSD, 4 GB RAM, and a true 5-hour battery, in the current MBA form as the ULTIMATE MBA.

+1

Rev A MacBook Air is my only computer, has worked fine for me over the last 18 months or so. However, I would like a faster machine so will likely upgrade when the Rev D comes out.