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eddietr

macrumors 6502a
Oct 29, 2006
807
0
Virginia
my bet is that the early adopters will get screwed by means of getting a product plaqued with some major deficiency..

I hope I'm right because that is my bet and I'm not an early adopter no more..

Cool, you hope we get screwed. How nice of you.
 

PDE

macrumors 68020
Nov 16, 2005
2,484
18
I want one soooo badly, but it just doesn't make sense given how much I love having everything in one machine: the MBP. But my gadget lust is incredibly strong when I see all those pictures of it. I told my girlfriend a few days ago that I don't need one and don't want one because of all the 'lacks'. She looked at me , smirked and walked away knowing that it's just a matter of days before I change my feelings about it. Today is that day.

I agree thought that there will be problems. After all, there hasn't been an Apple laptop that hasn't had problems in its first iteration. I will never buy a revA Apple again. I won't, won't won't. I won't. Won't. : )
 

Anderson3133

macrumors regular
Jan 23, 2008
186
0
I want one soooo badly, but it just doesn't make sense given how much I love having everything in one machine: the MBP. But my gadget lust is incredibly strong when I see all those pictures of it. I told my girlfriend a few days ago that I don't need one and don't want one because of all the 'lacks'. She looked at me , smirked and walked away knowing that it's just a matter of days before I change my feelings about it. Today is that day.

I agree thought that there will be problems. After all, there hasn't been an Apple laptop that hasn't had problems in its first iteration. I will never buy a revA Apple again. I won't, won't won't. I won't. Won't. : )

Almost every kind of product that is a brand new concept/idea/product has issues, that's how the company learns, and then makes that product much better progressively. Therefore, I will be purchasing just an updated MB (whenever the updated version comes out) and getting the MBA when College/University starts.
 

scottkifnw

macrumors regular
Jan 17, 2008
217
0
Trophy Club, TX
?Buyers Remorse?

The reviews are starting to pour in, and some make very cogent arguments against getting a 1st gen MBA. Of course there are also negative posters here.

I came across this well written article, and I was wondering what other posters think (link enclosed). this will be my first Mac, so I have no experience evaluating the article. I am still going to get one and hope for the best!

http://www.applelinks.com/index.php...hilosophy_bellwether_or_cube_esque_overreach/
 

ahaxton

macrumors 6502a
Jan 17, 2008
552
0
Loving the reviews so far, looks good! Maybe this Tuesday will really be a Super Tuesday! haha
 

JCT

macrumors 6502
Jan 5, 2004
362
4
Tucson, AZ
The reviews are starting to pour in, and some make very cogent arguments against getting a 1st gen MBA. Of course there are also negative posters here.

I came across this well written article, and I was wondering what other posters think (link enclosed). this will be my first Mac, so I have no experience evaluating the article. I am still going to get one and hope for the best!

http://www.applelinks.com/index.php...hilosophy_bellwether_or_cube_esque_overreach/

Yes, every pundit/expert has an opinion and every last one of them thinks they are right. As you are new to the world of Apple, it can be hard to sift through all of the baggage that comes with being a Mac user. I only switched 4 years ago and it turned out to be the right decision. I had several fire-breathing PCs at home, all self-built, all filled with great, hand-picked hardware and software. One optimized for photo/video, one for gaming, etc. One day after a particularly frustrating OS and video hardware upgrade I realized that I was just sick and tired of the endless fiddling and just wanted my computer to work reliably without seemingly endless interventions. I also had a souped-up laptop for travel and PS on the road but the thing sounded like a flipping plane taking off with all the fan noise-- drove me nuts.

So I took the plunge into the world of Apple (I had one of the early Win iPods and really liked it) with one of the low-end G4 iBooks (my PC notebook blew it's doors off, mind you) and really just fell for the whole experience. The iBook wasn't fast-- but it didn't annoy other people with it's noise and I was able to get my work done-- an overall great experience. I followed that with a used Cube for fun -- and was hooked for good. Note that neither of these machines were the latest or greatest and my existing PCs dusted them, but my productivity didn't suffer and my computing experience improved. Worth it to me.

I now own one of the original 15" MBPs -- probably the best computer purchase I ever made and a Quad G5. And an iMac for work. My only complaint is that the 15" MBP is no fun to travel with -- requires a separate bag and is overpowered for what I need to do on the road. And my air travel has gone up tremendously of late. I was considering a MB when the Air was released. I had come close to buying the MB several times for travel, but always held off because it's capabilities seemed so redundant to my MBP, the only difference being the footprint and 0.5 lbs. I just couldn't talk myself into it.

So I bought an Air (1.8Ghz + SSD) because it fits my needs -- much lighter than the MBP and a smaller footprint like the MB. I like my computers to have clearly defined roles and this one does -- I will never hem and haw over whether I will carry it, it will nicely handle my computing needs on the road, it won't make my MBP redundant-- plus I lose an entire carry-on when I fly, awesome. Yup, it's slower than my other Macs-- and according to these brilliant pundits I'm getting screwed. Nope, I'm getting a machine that does what I want without having to squint at one of these 10-11" screens (been there, done that with a Fujitsu Lifebook -never again). I could care less if my MBP is more powerful if I don't use that power on the road.

So assess your needs as carefully as you can and choose. If I owned a MB instead of a MBP I probably would have stuck with the MB because the differences are smaller. I happen to think that the MB is one of the best deals in computing, period. It might be the best bang-for-the-buck way to start out for you.

And don't let many of the Apple folks make you crazy-- they've been dealing with Apple for a long time and have a bit of baggage -- not to mention a lot of very specific desires/opinions about how Apple should do things. I think they put up with a lot of crap before the current Mac upswing, so they have earned their crankiness when Apple doesn't deliver for them. I just think that these decisions are very personal and making blanket pronouncements like "MBA = Cube" is just bizarre.

Oh, and 4 years later that iBook has a new hard drive and optical drive that I installed and it is used everyday as my lab's general laptop. No one complains that it isn't "teh snappy" -- they just do their work. And the Cube? A 24/7 personal fileserver.

Good luck and enjoy your Mac. :D

JT
 

btnnaz

macrumors regular
Jan 23, 2008
237
0
I really like the look of the macbook air. I pre ordered one but no im kinda doubting if it was the right choice for me. I want a computer that runs final cut studio. do u recommend getting a macbook pro instead
 

neilk2350

macrumors member
Sep 17, 2003
45
0
dont buy on looks

I really like the look of the macbook air. I pre ordered one but no im kinda doubting if it was the right choice for me. I want a computer that runs final cut studio. do u recommend getting a macbook pro instead

the macbook air is gonna be a travel, surfing email computer. without the video card i really doubt it will even work with fcp let alone be any good.
 

Anderson3133

macrumors regular
Jan 23, 2008
186
0
I really like the look of the macbook air. I pre ordered one but no im kinda doubting if it was the right choice for me. I want a computer that runs final cut studio. do u recommend getting a macbook pro instead

Yep. Final Cut Studio will probably not do you any good on a Macbook Air. Their is no dedicated video card, the power is kind of low, and the hard drive is a little small for what you want to be doing. Definately go with a Macbook Pro. They are the same price!
 

JCT

macrumors 6502
Jan 5, 2004
362
4
Tucson, AZ
I really like the look of the macbook air. I pre ordered one but no im kinda doubting if it was the right choice for me. I want a computer that runs final cut studio. do u recommend getting a macbook pro instead

Final Cut Studio? Get the MBP. The current model is very powerful -- hell, I even have a portable SATA-RAID setup that I use via the Expresscard slot.

If you hold tight a little some of the new things on the Air (trackpad) may end up on the MBP.

MBA is not a good fit for video, IMHO.

JT
 

scottkifnw

macrumors regular
Jan 17, 2008
217
0
Trophy Club, TX
Thanks!

Thank you for that well thought out and written reply.

Technologically, I am where you were 4 years ago. Vista capped it for me.

I have been saving for a Mac, and going to the Apple store for about 2 years waiting for the right time, the right machine, the right amount of power, etc. In essence, my ocd has been having a field day.

I won't be using this as a power rig, and it will be easy to take anywhere as you pointed out. If I fall in love with the MBA and OSX (as I am sure I will), I can always buy a bigger stay at home unit later.

I feel better already.

Thank you.
 

Tejasfilm

macrumors member
Sep 18, 2006
34
0
I do video editing/graphic design/basic web work for my company. When on the road I've taken my MBP all the time, but never really needed the power except for one event throughout the whole year. That event needs the power! So no if your going to need portable video editing, FINAL CUT STUDIO, then I would safely say this isn't the right machine for you. This is a machine for a user who needs basic things while on the road, email/document writing/blogging/chatting/surfing. That's why I got it, I can take it to my grad classes type away my notes and stick it my my bag. I too try to have specific machines to do what I need. When at work I've got my Mac Pro, when on the road on video gigs I've got the MBP, just fun travel and school work I have the MBA.

You've gotta assess your needs and find the right fit for what you want...
 

Tejasfilm

macrumors member
Sep 18, 2006
34
0
Has anyone else gotten a shipment notice yet? This is killing me, two weeks from the keynote is my birthday, and my parents were nice enough to combine X-mas and my b-day into one big gift. I really want this machine.
 

growinglogic

macrumors regular
May 11, 2007
138
0
Chicago, IL
Some one post a fake screen shot, or some other "something". I need some speculation.

Here you go.

picture1xb9.png
 

Coatsy

macrumors member
Jan 22, 2008
38
0
I came across this well written article, and I was wondering what other posters think (link enclosed). this will be my first Mac, so I have no experience evaluating the article. I am still going to get one and hope for the best!

http://www.applelinks.com/index.php...hilosophy_bellwether_or_cube_esque_overreach/

I have to say, these kinds of people really irritate me. I just can't see the logic they use.

The reviewer above, for example, claims to use 2 Powerbook G3s as his road warriors. I like the Pismo, it was my first computer. But these people then go on to complain about the MBA being underpowered. You see it time and time again, people saying 'I want to replace my 4 year old iBook, which still does everything I want to do. But 1.6 GHz, I can't even edit 1080p real time on two 30" monitors on that!'

I'm sorry, but does anyone else see the discrepancy here? If you're accomplishing what you need to do on a machine that ranges from 230-500 MHz, what can't you do on 1.6 GHz?
 

aiongiant

macrumors 6502a
Aug 8, 2006
542
0
i think thoese ppl were hoping to get a ultraportable laptop with quad 3ghz cpu but they got a dual core 1.6ghz instead

then again a quad 3ghz ultraportable does sound awesome LOL
 

Coatsy

macrumors member
Jan 22, 2008
38
0
i think thoese ppl were hoping to get a ultraportable laptop with quad 3ghz cpu but they got a dual core 1.6ghz instead

then again a quad 3ghz ultraportable does sound awesome LOL

I laughed so hard when people came on the forums after the keynote, and were already frothing at the mouth.

'Apple is doomed, their stock price is like... 50 cents or something. Because they made their ultraportable too thin. It should have been like 2.4 GHz with a 512 MB GPU. And what about the 80 GB hard drive? I need at least a TB for all my HD editing. But the footprint is too big too, I wanted 11". And who cares about thickness. Ultraportables are all about screen size and weight man! Apple should have done this

g5_powerbook.jpg


That's a UP!'
 

Mykbibby

macrumors 6502a
Jun 1, 2007
559
161
Palm Springs, CA
I really like the look of the macbook air. I pre ordered one but no im kinda doubting if it was the right choice for me. I want a computer that runs final cut studio. do u recommend getting a macbook pro instead

I'm a final cut user. DO NOT GET IT IF THAT IS YOUR PLAN! How do you plan on importing footage? Do you see a firewire port? For a video editor this is a nightmare. No chance it will even run. Wait a month or so, and shell out for the newly refreshed Macbook Pros.

I want one sooo badly... but can't have it.
 

lostfan916

macrumors 6502a
Dec 23, 2007
870
2
NorCal
The reviews are starting to pour in, and some make very cogent arguments against getting a 1st gen MBA. Of course there are also negative posters here.

I came across this well written article, and I was wondering what other posters think (link enclosed). this will be my first Mac, so I have no experience evaluating the article. I am still going to get one and hope for the best!

http://www.applelinks.com/index.php...hilosophy_bellwether_or_cube_esque_overreach/
Well I didn't read all of it, but I read enough. It seemed like another one of the "the MBA isn't like the *insert Apple product here* so therefore it fails."

I mean, he's totally right. How CRAZY of Apple to create something different, that isn't like something they already sell. Those idiots. :rolleyes:
 

Coatsy

macrumors member
Jan 22, 2008
38
0
The same applies to this 17" aluminum PowerBook I'm typing on right now... it would be a better computer if it was somewhat thicker

Just buy an Alienware then. Two products in one, you see. You can use it as a laptop during the day and then use it as a door stop when you're at home.

And thanks to its clamshell design, it also makes a handy sandwich grill.

10462.jpg
 

eddietr

macrumors 6502a
Oct 29, 2006
807
0
Virginia
Just buy an Alienware then. Two products in one, you see. You can use it as a laptop during the day and then use it as a door stop when you're at home.

And thanks to its clamshell design, it also makes a handy sandwich grill.

I'm embarrassed to say I've made that mistake before. Got a Sager behemoth like that once. I was like "oh, come on. what's an extra 3-4 lbs and an extra 0.75." Small sacrifice for RAID (!), and a desktop processor and 3GB RAM. I NEED the power!

Of course they didn't tell me the powerbrick weighs more than an MBA!

Most expensive computer I ever bought, because I used it for about 3 months before I started to want to leave it in the car and not ever take it out again. :)

That thing is sitting on the floor right near my feet still, next to the MP. Feel too stupid to toss it out. I don't even want to remember what it cost. :)
 
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