Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Just got the new Macbook Air 2.0
- Thread starter cbflip2000
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Do we have any video or updates from the OP yet? Very interested in first impressions from someone who's got one of the new MBAs. I've been in two 
Stores in the Boston area in the past couple days, but neither of them havve had them in yet. 
Stores in the Boston area in the past couple days, but neither of them havve had them in yet. 
My new MBP has this "feature" but the new MB does not. The air will have no problem.No. Not at all.
I think that's a new MBP "feature."
I sold my 1st gen ssd 1.8 air to buy a new 2.4 macbook.....I really still miss my air.
Do we have any video or updates from the OP yet? Very interested in first impressions from someone who's got one of the new MBAs. I've been in two
Interestingly enough, over the weekend many stores had the 1.8/SSD in stock and for sale... but did not have any out on the floor....
And I bet you REALLY miss the display! That was my big issue w. the new MB. It only lasted two weeks. Good luck.
I can understand Apple taking their sweet time getting them on display since they are nearly identical to Gen. 1 in appearance. They'll probably make it out when the new 24" display shows up.
I'd like to know if the air vents are still located on the lower part of the undercasing? We've experienced folks using the airs on fabric bases that covered up the ventilation holes which shuts down a core and basically brings the machine to a halt.
make sure it's a revision b
After calling ahead to make sure they had them in stock, I drove to my "local" Apple store to get hands on with the new MBA. Putting it through it's paces, I was really unimpressed. To tell the truth, I could have sworn it was actually slower than my 1st generation MBA. When a software update notification popped up, I became suspicious. Although the sales guys (two of them) insisted it was a revision b, a quick check of the system profile made it clear to me that it was not. They insisted that it was, and that the usb port was the new display port. Even after I pointed everything out that indicated it was an original HDD model, they wouldn't agree. There was one other MBA on display, but we had to wait for it to become available. A quick peak at the ports told the tale in a hurry though: it had (the real) new display port.
When we finally go on the machine, it blew me away. Applications opened so quickly, and everything seemed so much, well... snappier. Even with every application opened it seemed noticeably zippier than my 1.8 SSD. I hadn't planned on buying it, but I was too impressed. Amazing machine and, yes, does run cooler than the first one. If your budget permits, go for it. You will not be sorry.
After calling ahead to make sure they had them in stock, I drove to my "local" Apple store to get hands on with the new MBA. Putting it through it's paces, I was really unimpressed. To tell the truth, I could have sworn it was actually slower than my 1st generation MBA. When a software update notification popped up, I became suspicious. Although the sales guys (two of them) insisted it was a revision b, a quick check of the system profile made it clear to me that it was not. They insisted that it was, and that the usb port was the new display port. Even after I pointed everything out that indicated it was an original HDD model, they wouldn't agree. There was one other MBA on display, but we had to wait for it to become available. A quick peak at the ports told the tale in a hurry though: it had (the real) new display port.
When we finally go on the machine, it blew me away. Applications opened so quickly, and everything seemed so much, well... snappier. Even with every application opened it seemed noticeably zippier than my 1.8 SSD. I hadn't planned on buying it, but I was too impressed. Amazing machine and, yes, does run cooler than the first one. If your budget permits, go for it. You will not be sorry.
Yes, same place as MBA version 1.0, although i can't speak to your specific problem you mention.
I can't believe no one has been able to get the HDD model yet. Though, personally I will be getting the SSD Rev B so...........
So whats the deal NC....how much do you like the new Air? I keep fumbling back and forth between a purchase of the 1.86/SSD Air & the 2.4 MacBook. A decision will need to be made by November 15th (yes im setting my own deadline)
why i went with the new Air
my roommate has the new macbook (2.0 GHZ model) which Ive used quite a bit before deciding to pick up the SSD Air. my reasons:
-size/weight matters for me. i need to throw this thing on my back when i ride my motorcycle, so every bit of space and weight savings i can achieve is helpful. While the specs make the MB sound close to the air, for me (and maybe this is just perception) there is a huge difference in size/weight of the two machines.
-screen. This has been hammered on in other posts, but the MBs glossy does bug me in bright light conditions. In darker settings its really nice, but the airs screen is really nice all the time.
-the xbench benchmarks on the SSD Air really surprised me. macbook pro like performance in that size?!* wow. Real world performance for opening apps, boot up/shutdown, safari responsiveness, video playback, etc. is superb! Im sure the macbook with the SSD would rock xbench too. Has anyone posted any results for a MB with SSD?
-i like the older trackpad with button. at first i really liked the new macbook trackpad without the button, but i then started having trouble with it. i sometimes also like to engage both my hands in scrolling/clicking (it's quicker for me).
-the macbook definitely runs cooler than the new Air. but the macbook warms up, and the new air doesn't warm up nearly as much as the old one. However, if heat sensitivity is a huge issue for you though then you're going to want to give the MB a serious look as it runs noticeably cooler than the air.
-I have another computer and a 1 TB hard drive, so the Airs missing ports/optical drive and hard drive space limitation dont bother me.
I like both machines, but ultimately even with the economy cratering I decided to stretch a bit and go for the air.
Ive had the Air for less than 24 hours so Ill continue to post as I learn more.
my roommate has the new macbook (2.0 GHZ model) which Ive used quite a bit before deciding to pick up the SSD Air. my reasons:
-size/weight matters for me. i need to throw this thing on my back when i ride my motorcycle, so every bit of space and weight savings i can achieve is helpful. While the specs make the MB sound close to the air, for me (and maybe this is just perception) there is a huge difference in size/weight of the two machines.
-screen. This has been hammered on in other posts, but the MBs glossy does bug me in bright light conditions. In darker settings its really nice, but the airs screen is really nice all the time.
-the xbench benchmarks on the SSD Air really surprised me. macbook pro like performance in that size?!* wow. Real world performance for opening apps, boot up/shutdown, safari responsiveness, video playback, etc. is superb! Im sure the macbook with the SSD would rock xbench too. Has anyone posted any results for a MB with SSD?
-i like the older trackpad with button. at first i really liked the new macbook trackpad without the button, but i then started having trouble with it. i sometimes also like to engage both my hands in scrolling/clicking (it's quicker for me).
-the macbook definitely runs cooler than the new Air. but the macbook warms up, and the new air doesn't warm up nearly as much as the old one. However, if heat sensitivity is a huge issue for you though then you're going to want to give the MB a serious look as it runs noticeably cooler than the air.
-I have another computer and a 1 TB hard drive, so the Airs missing ports/optical drive and hard drive space limitation dont bother me.
I like both machines, but ultimately even with the economy cratering I decided to stretch a bit and go for the air.
Ive had the Air for less than 24 hours so Ill continue to post as I learn more.
MBA rev b vs. MacBook
I entertained the same question. I had always wished for a "13" MacBook Pro", and the new MacBooks seemed to more or less fill that bill. I went to check them out the day after they were released, and indeed, they are stunning machines. I thought I could get the MacBook with the SSD, plus the advantage of 4GB RAM, and really have the best of all worlds.
I decided ultimately to stay with the MBA. The display is spectacular, arguably the best out there, and now even the performance is impressive. It's 1.5 pounds lighter than even the newest MacBooks, and every time you break it out you, and everyone around you, goes "wow".
I can think of three reasons to get the MacBook instead of the MBA: 1. budget, 2. you routinely use alot of cd's or dvd's on the road, and 3. there is something you use the computer for that truly requires the additional 2GB of RAM. It is a beautiful and capable machine, no doubt. I just think the (new) MBA's are something truly special.
I entertained the same question. I had always wished for a "13" MacBook Pro", and the new MacBooks seemed to more or less fill that bill. I went to check them out the day after they were released, and indeed, they are stunning machines. I thought I could get the MacBook with the SSD, plus the advantage of 4GB RAM, and really have the best of all worlds.
I decided ultimately to stay with the MBA. The display is spectacular, arguably the best out there, and now even the performance is impressive. It's 1.5 pounds lighter than even the newest MacBooks, and every time you break it out you, and everyone around you, goes "wow".
I can think of three reasons to get the MacBook instead of the MBA: 1. budget, 2. you routinely use alot of cd's or dvd's on the road, and 3. there is something you use the computer for that truly requires the additional 2GB of RAM. It is a beautiful and capable machine, no doubt. I just think the (new) MBA's are something truly special.
"impressive" numbers in things like Processing speed (2.4 ghz) is really not what drives a computers speed the most. Of course it IS important. But the air proves that things like SSD and the fact that it has a 50% increase just from L2 cache just shows you how amazing it is. It totally compares to last model of PRO in some aspects, THATS how amazing it is.
I was not that impressed in the performance of the air in the A but in this B, it is WAAAY better then the MB, IMO. But again, its really personal preferance. I always recommend people go to a Mac store and test drive each laptop themselves before purchase.
I was not that impressed in the performance of the air in the A but in this B, it is WAAAY better then the MB, IMO. But again, its really personal preferance. I always recommend people go to a Mac store and test drive each laptop themselves before purchase.
I don't like to influence how people spend their money.
Personally, I've been an owner of the Gen. 1 since day it was released for sale in Feb. The Gen. 1 Air even though performing okay for me had design issues. These have been well documented. I adapted.
Bought a 2.4 MB day it was available thinking it would finally be a replacement for my beloved 12" PB. The screen quality combined with glass on the MB were a disappointment for me. Having come directly from my Air and a MBP, the MB wasn't cutting it and was returned.
I was picoseconds from pulling the trigger on a MBP when I read here that the SSD was being shipped. Literally reading MR at an Apple store while they were in "the back" getting my MBP. Put that MBP back mr apple sales guy, I want to try a gen. 2 Air.
Waited a day and got lucky. Next day picked up a SSD model. It's been great so far. Time will tell how she fairs in the long haul. The best screen in any of Apples new laptops is on the Air - that much we know. As for the heat, video, limited storage and other issues, Apple looks to have remedied many of them as hoped with Gen. 2.
Downsides are it still has a fairly low res. iSight, mono speaker (which still sounds great), lack of ports, long charge times and limited RAM but all in all, I'm very pleased. 3 lbs., NVIDIA GPU, 45nm CPU, adequate storage, same screen as Gen. 1, faster bus speed and upped Cache have make the new Air a great portable and worth considering.
I haven been using my Air 2.0 for 24 hours now. What is up with the fan?? It's at 6,200 most of the time, even when CPU and memory consumption are not that high. It also gets pretty warm. This was an issue with my Air 1.0 that I was hoping would be resolved with the 2.0...
Well.. I purchased the 2.4 SSD MB the day it was released. I was hoping it was going to be the right computer for me because my 1.8 Air was frustrating me. I knew that the Air was going to get an upgrade, but I didn't bank on it being anything more than a small refresh because Apple loves to down clock things.
The MB was nice and had and awesome feel to it. It had a second USB port and a dust collecting drive. The track pad was nice, but was not enough to seal the deal for me. The size did not bother me, but when compared to the Air, the size difference was noticeable.
The MB screen just does not compete with the Air. This was something I noticed right out of the box. While comparing the screen with my 1.8 Air, I also found the glass highly annoying. It is sweet indoors under perfect light conditions, but the Air has a better screen for ALL conditions. I work outside in the AZ sun, and I can tell you when the sun hits that glass, its absolutely horrible on your eyes. So, that being said, I feel the Air has the best screen Apple offers.
I know I said this in another post, but this is the best computer I have purchased in a LONG time. I took it with me to the genius bar and everyone was floored when I ran COD4 and HL2 on it without a hitch.
If Apple activates bidirectional features of the Display Port (HDMI Successor) it may have USB and another LIGHTING fast transferring solution.
My ADD 2 cents
The MB was nice and had and awesome feel to it. It had a second USB port and a dust collecting drive. The track pad was nice, but was not enough to seal the deal for me. The size did not bother me, but when compared to the Air, the size difference was noticeable.
The MB screen just does not compete with the Air. This was something I noticed right out of the box. While comparing the screen with my 1.8 Air, I also found the glass highly annoying. It is sweet indoors under perfect light conditions, but the Air has a better screen for ALL conditions. I work outside in the AZ sun, and I can tell you when the sun hits that glass, its absolutely horrible on your eyes. So, that being said, I feel the Air has the best screen Apple offers.
I know I said this in another post, but this is the best computer I have purchased in a LONG time. I took it with me to the genius bar and everyone was floored when I ran COD4 and HL2 on it without a hitch.
If Apple activates bidirectional features of the Display Port (HDMI Successor) it may have USB and another LIGHTING fast transferring solution.
My ADD 2 cents
NC Mac Guy,
Do you now use the Air as your primary computer? Personally, i'm thinking of upgrading from my ancient coal-fired 1.33 Ghz PowerBook G4. Like you, I was considering the MB, but the screen was just awful - not so much the black levels as the glass. (I'm a writer and I work on the run a lot - airports, bars, even outside - and the glare would drive me batty.) Anyway, the Air seems like a good, if expensive, alternative. It would be my main computer, but all I really do is write, surf, watch videos, and occasionally take the red eye out of snapshots of my girls. I hear strange, wide-eyed tales of people running serious games on the MBA 2.0 as well as Creative Suite, Photoshop, et al... Makes me wonder if I really need 2.4 Ghz of horsepower.
Do you now use the Air as your primary computer? Personally, i'm thinking of upgrading from my ancient coal-fired 1.33 Ghz PowerBook G4. Like you, I was considering the MB, but the screen was just awful - not so much the black levels as the glass. (I'm a writer and I work on the run a lot - airports, bars, even outside - and the glare would drive me batty.) Anyway, the Air seems like a good, if expensive, alternative. It would be my main computer, but all I really do is write, surf, watch videos, and occasionally take the red eye out of snapshots of my girls. I hear strange, wide-eyed tales of people running serious games on the MBA 2.0 as well as Creative Suite, Photoshop, et al... Makes me wonder if I really need 2.4 Ghz of horsepower.
Yepp, it's my main computer. Actually about 90% of the time from Feb. until today the Air has been it. I'm liking the portability and display. New Rev. means I'll even load up Windows. Didn't want to push first one but Rev. 2 looks like it can handle it easily. Get the superdrive if you do get one. It does come in handy on the occasion you need it.
The superdrive, huh? My wife has a Mini 2.0 Ghz and there's a program on there to transfer files from CD/DVD to the Air. Is it insufficient or unreliable?
I have noticed throttling issues on my 1.86 SSD with MAMEOSX. CPS3 games lag real bad and are unstable.
I used CoolBook on my 1.8 SSD to handle this issue in the past. I had to adjust the throttling higher so the system could keep up with demand. I guess this has not changed.
I used CoolBook on my 1.8 SSD to handle this issue in the past. I had to adjust the throttling higher so the system could keep up with demand. I guess this has not changed.