MacBook Air First Impressions and Notes

[shafj]

I have an MBP 15 (2.4GHz). I bought my wife an MBA a few days ago (1.8GHz 80GB HD).

So far, the MBA is fantastic! Maybe I'm lucky but I've not had any of the problems being mentioned in these forums (overheating, core shutting down, poor performance, etc).

Admittedly, the MBA is mainly used for web surfing and media playback. For these tasks there is no noticeable difference between the MBA and MBP. In fact the MBA feels "speedy". System startup is a bit slow but this isn't a big problem since we normally just put the system to sleep when we've finished using it. Opening windows, file navigation, iWork, iLife, etc are fast and responsive.

It really is the perfect “companion” laptop for those who already have another computer. So for those who already have an iMac, MacPro, Mac Mini, etc and are looking for a laptop you can’t go wrong with the MBA.

 

[HotAir]

First Impression: Ooooh yeah... I like this.

Second Impression: I want it. Here's my M/C.

Third Impression (1 month later when M/C statement arrives):

"""WHA?!!!! YOU MEAN I GOTTA PAY NOW?!!!!"""

 

[aussieinrome]

My New Macbook Air.

Hi,

This is my first post. And this is my first Apple computer - I purchased the Macbook Air 64 SSD when I was in Tokyo last week.

I'm really impressed with the battery life - it's mind blowing I get 6 hours of wireless surfing with the keyboard backlite and the screen at half brightness. Is anyone else getting this sort of battery life?

And the screen, wow, it's incredible - it's so bright it's just fantastic.

Typing on the keyboard is so smooth, the feel is wonderful.

I've been a Sony Vaio owner for years, but the MacBook Air is light-years ahead of Vaio's systems. I started off with the first ultra portable the Vaio TR series, then I got the UX - which I've still got, but wow Vista was the killer for getting another PC.

 

[aussieinrome]

Thanks JCT, if it keeps doing it, I will just have to get it fixed. I am never letting go of this machine EVER AGAIN. Love it to death.



I agree, Multi-Touch is cool but nowhere near essential. I hope there'll be more to it at some point though.

Multi-Touch is the greatest invention - I find myself trying to do all the cool multitouch features when I'm using my Wife's Vaio... Multi-Touch speeds up using the computer incredibly.

 

[Seth Hawkins]

MBA 1.6/80 - First Mac

I rcvd my 1.6/80 MBA on Friday (4/11/08). I ordered it with the USB ethernet adapter and the SuperDrive. Everything's working fine.

No wobble, no noises. Screen and kbd dim and brighten as they should. I've only heard the fan go to max once - I was streaming audio and video over wireless.

When I put the first charge on the battery, I allowed it to charge for around 14-15 hrs. I then removed ac power and got about three hrs of constant, hard use - lots of software install/os re-install/wireless device setup and file transfers.

The second charge lasted about four hrs doing "normal" stuff - Web surfing, email, listening to music.

No problems with screen glare/reflections. In fact, I thought that Apple might have changed to a matt screen until I powered off and looked at the screen at an angle. I really like the multi-gesture trackpad, and I'm adjusting to not having a right mouse button.

My serial # is W8813xxxxxx. I believe this makes it a week 13 build.

After 2 days of use, I have to say that I really like this thing. It's everything I want in a notebook - thin & light, compact, cool & quiet. This notebook is replacing a Gateway Solo 9300 Pro desktop replacement notebook that I bought back in '99-'00. It's big and heavy and hot and noisy and slow. Everything the MacBook Air isn't.

Though it's still quite early in my relationship with Apple, the Mac OS, and this MacBook Air (this is my first time using each of them), I have to say that I'm impressed.

 

[aussieinrome]

I rcvd my 1.6/80 MBA on Friday (4/11/08). I ordered it with the USB ethernet adapter and the SuperDrive. Everything's working fine.

No wobble, no noises. Screen and kbd dim and brighten as they should. I've only heard the fan go to max once - I was streaming audio and video over wireless.

When I put the first charge on the battery, I allowed it to charge for around 14-15 hrs. I then removed ac power and got about three hrs of constant, hard use - lots of software install/os re-install/wireless device setup and file transfers.

The second charge lasted about four hrs doing "normal" stuff - Web surfing, email, listening to music.

No problems with screen glare/reflections. In fact, I thought that Apple might have changed to a matt screen until I powered off and looked at the screen at an angle. I really like the multi-gesture trackpad, and I'm adjusting to not having a right mouse button.

My serial # is W8813xxxxxx. I believe this makes it a week 13 build.

After 2 days of use, I have to say that I really like this thing. It's everything I want in a notebook - thin & light, compact, cool & quiet. This notebook is replacing a Gateway Solo 9300 Pro desktop replacement notebook that I bought back in '99-'00. It's big and heavy and hot and noisy and slow. Everything the MacBook Air isn't.

Though it's still quite early in my relationship with Apple, the Mac OS, and this MacBook Air (this is my first time using each of them), I have to say that I'm impressed.

Hi Seth,

I'm in the same boat, it's my first mac and I'm really impressed. I've had mine for almost 4 weeks and I've got to say it has exceeded all my expectations.

 

[ninoxrk]

Great laptop

I agree with an earlier post that said that a MBP is a computer that is portable, and not a portable computer. I've had a PB for 5 years now which still runs fine, but whenever I needed to bring a computer with me to do some report writing, surfing, or other work, the thought of lugging 5.5 lbs with me would make a difference. Basically, I would consider the pain and inconvenience of it, and usually would decide that I'd save my work for when I got back home.

Somehow, when it gets down to 3 lbs and a superthin profile, bringing it along becomes inconsequential. I also wanted a machine that is easy to use: not supersmall (I've tried using a UP Vaio) b/c after a while it's just no fun to work on and you end up not carrying around with you, ironically, no matter how small or light it is. The trackpad and gesture technology also make it much faster and easier to use, so much so that I don't bother attaching a mouse to it as I did my PB.

The MBA is perfect in all these regards. Even though I have the larger PB and iMac in the same room, and a PM G5 upstairs, I end up using this computer almost all the time. The screen and keyboard are great, and it's increased my productivity in many ways. Plus it look great! I have noticed that it's easy to max out the processor on Flash or WMV, but the tradeoffs are more than fine for me. It is not a primary computer, but definitely a great one.

 

[Constantinos]

A dime from Greece

Owning the MBA for 4 weeks now, replacing a Sony Vaio SZ series with it, with more than 50% of this time spent travelling out of office in neighboring countries.

Usage pattern:
90%: email, office files (powerpoint, excel, word), web access
10%: divx movie viewing

Impressions are very positive, the ligthness of weight and the ergonomics of screen/keyboard size are impressive.

Have not experienced any of the problems (overheating, core shutdown, etc.) mentioned by other fellow MBA owners and battery is definitely better than the hectic 90-120 minutes of the Vaio.

OSX is very snappy (I am using only an intel mac mini for home theater purpose at home but all my other machines were / are WinXP based) and other than some compatibility issues in files exchanged between Win version of Office 2003 / 2007 and the Mac version of Office (2008) or iWorks 08 (our company is windows based so it is not possible to work exclusively in Mac formats) I am impressed by the performance of the OS.

All in all, I strongly recommend the MBA to frequent travellers but with some medium experience in computers necessary if they are to work in a hybrid Windows / Mac environment.

P.S. The solution of using Airport Express to wirelessly access ethernet based networks is brilliant and have been using it all of the time in environments such as hotels where no wi-fi is available. I find it much more convenient than the USB to Ethernet adapter.

 

[d0bBy]

Call me old fashioned...

Yeah, call me old fashioned but I'm not too sure I like the MacBook Air. I've read the last few posts in this thread, mainly all praising the MBA, and I'm wondering if I'm not feeling too stable. Sure, the MBA is thin and compact but because it's that, Apple had to make a few sacrifices. I looked at the specs and to me it's not really worth the splurge of cash. My black MacBook has more processing power, a larger hard-drive, a DVD/CD-RW drive, and a few more ports than the MBA has and yet it's cheaper. So if you want to watch a DVD while on the go, you have to fork out more cash to buy the external drive.

Don't get me wrong, I love Apple and Mac's but yeah, they didn't live up to their standard on this one I don't think.

 

[netdog]

Using an Air to take notes at school right now (biked to school with it this morning) and it is absolutely ideal for this application.

 

[fuzzielitlpanda]

I own a current gen MB right now, but i'm really considering the MBA because of how portable it is. I absolutely love the thin profile and the weight compared to the MB. the HD space seems fine since I would only use it for office files and browsing.

 

[Marc4]

other than some compatibility issues in files exchanged between Win version of Office 2003 / 2007 and the Mac version of Office (2008)

Can you please elaborate on this in a little more details?
I also work in an exclusive Windows environment, so my colleagues and I would still have to be able to share spreadsheets, Word docs, and presentations.

Thanks
-Marc

 

[thehuhman]

I rcvd my 1.6/80 MBA on Friday (4/11/08). I ordered it with the USB ethernet adapter and the SuperDrive. Everything's working fine.

No wobble, no noises. Screen and kbd dim and brighten as they should. I've only heard the fan go to max once - I was streaming audio and video over wireless.

When I put the first charge on the battery, I allowed it to charge for around 14-15 hrs. I then removed ac power and got about three hrs of constant, hard use - lots of software install/os re-install/wireless device setup and file transfers.

The second charge lasted about four hrs doing "normal" stuff - Web surfing, email, listening to music.

No problems with screen glare/reflections. In fact, I thought that Apple might have changed to a matt screen until I powered off and looked at the screen at an angle. I really like the multi-gesture trackpad, and I'm adjusting to not having a right mouse button.

My serial # is W8813xxxxxx. I believe this makes it a week 13 build.

After 2 days of use, I have to say that I really like this thing. It's everything I want in a notebook - thin & light, compact, cool & quiet. This notebook is replacing a Gateway Solo 9300 Pro desktop replacement notebook that I bought back in '99-'00. It's big and heavy and hot and noisy and slow. Everything the MacBook Air isn't.

Though it's still quite early in my relationship with Apple, the Mac OS, and this MacBook Air (this is my first time using each of them), I have to say that I'm impressed.

I notice you seem to make a distinction between your build and earlier ones. I got my Air in the first two weeks of production, and i can ditto nearly everything you've said. Oh, and I'm still impressed with my Air too!

 

[Constantinos]

Can you please elaborate on this in a little more details?
I also work in an exclusive Windows environment, so my colleagues and I would still have to be able to share spreadsheets, Word docs, and presentations.

Thanks
-Marc

Sure Marc!

I am referring mainly to three types of incompatibilities:

(a) it seems that formatting / alignment etc. is disturbed in cases when the original created in powerpoint for windows was not properly created, i.e. when text in a shape is not part of the shape itself but is a text box overlayed above the shape.

(b) code page problems exist when for example you have an embedded picture with words (e.g. an image of a spreadsheet in wmf format) within another office document and the words are in some non latin language, like greek. In this case you get a wrong codepage, namely cyrillic font.

(c) not all functionality is implemented across the two platforms, so for example there are missing features (of the more exotic variety I should say) either way. If the spreadsheets and documents you work with do not have very fancy functions or formats, then there should be no problem.

Nevertheless, I am sure that all of the above are not problems of the MBA in itself but rather problems of the software, that is office versions between mac and windows (interesting that we speak of microsoft problems in a mac environment).

 

[Marc4]

Sure Marc!

I am referring mainly to three types of incompatibilities:

(a) it seems that formatting / alignment etc. is disturbed in cases when the original created in powerpoint for windows was not properly created, i.e. when text in a shape is not part of the shape itself but is a text box overlayed above the shape.

(b) code page problems exist when for example you have an embedded picture with words (e.g. an image of a spreadsheet in wmf format) within another office document and the words are in some non latin language, like greek. In this case you get a wrong codepage, namely cyrillic font.

(c) not all functionality is implemented across the two platforms, so for example there are missing features (of the more exotic variety I should say) either way. If the spreadsheets and documents you work with do not have very fancy functions or formats, then there should be no problem.

Nevertheless, I am sure that all of the above are not problems of the MBA in itself but rather problems of the software, that is office versions between mac and windows (interesting that we speak of microsoft problems in a mac environment).

Efxaristo Constantinos!

 

[queuecipher]

I was one of the MBA preorderers , and I have to say that I've had no problems. I love the little thing!

 

[pilotError]

I've had my MBA for less than a day now. I was nervous about picking one up considering all the horror stories out there. First thing I did was check for all the symptoms of dead pixels, warped case, out of control fan, etc.

The thing at first glance looked good. Got it home and started doing the updates, installed iStat and VLC, then started playing a movie and just let it go. Never heated up, no fan issues at all.

I talked about this on another thread, but for some reason, the wifi on the MBA was really fast for me. I have 2 other Macs and this one just screams over wifi.

Just crossing my fingers it stays this way! LOL

 

[HotAir]

Yeah, call me old fashioned but I'm not too sure I like the MacBook Air. I've read the last few posts in this thread, mainly all praising the MBA, and I'm wondering if I'm not feeling too stable. Sure, the MBA is thin and compact but because it's that, Apple had to make a few sacrifices. I looked at the specs and to me it's not really worth the splurge of cash. My black MacBook has more processing power, a larger hard-drive, a DVD/CD-RW drive, and a few more ports than the MBA has and yet it's cheaper. So if you want to watch a DVD while on the go, you have to fork out more cash to buy the external drive.

Don't get me wrong, I love Apple and Mac's but yeah, they didn't live up to their standard on this one I don't think.

For your needs, stay away from the MBA. For my needs, it's perfect. And that's what good--- variety. Apple's innovations are a breath of fresh air! Whatever limits you see in the MBA are most likely a gain in my eyes. I don't expect the MBA to be a MBP just as I don't expect a MBP to be an MBA. Simple logic. Nobody hurt. Everyone happy!

 

[Seth Hawkins]

1+ Week And Counting

Well...I've had my MBA 1.6/80 for a little over a week now, and I still love it!

No hardware problems/issues at all. I'm getting around 4 hrs on a charge, with it taking about 5 hrs to recharge (in use while recharging). Again, 95% or more of my usage is Web surfing, email, office work, iTunes.

After playing with it for about a day, I reinstalled the OS - I left out the printer drivers, foreign lang. support, etc. to gain HDD space. I then installed all the software I wanted to use, and copied my music and video files to it. After determining I had plenty of room for Fusion and Windows XP Pro, I reinstalled the Mac OS again, ran BootCamp, installed Win XP Pro, then installed Fusion. I gave the XP partition a full 32GB, and copied my video files to that partition. I copied my photos and music to my Mac partition. I also installed Office 2003 to the Win partition, and Office Mac 2008 and iWork '08 to the Mac partition. I still have plenty of room for the VM to run and to add to my music, photo and video libraries in the future. My biggest concern when deciding whether to buy a MBA or a MB was the size of the HDD. The 64GB SSD would have been too small, but the 80GB is just rite. When I purchased the MBA I also purchased a WD Passport 320GB USB drive. I keep all of my large video files on it (movies/tv shows).

In daily use, I find myself carrying this thing around with me everywhere - at home and at work. It easily fits in my briefcase. I stand by my previous remarks - this thing is exactly what I want from a notebook. It's light enough to carry around and have sitting on my lap for hours at a time. And it's powerful enough to do everything I want it to do. It doesn't do everything - and I'm glad. But it does do everything I want it to do. That makes me even gladder.

I'm going to buy an additional 45w transformer so I can keep one at the office and leave the other at home. Then, I'll only be carrying the MBA itself on my daily commute.

 

[NC MacGuy]

^ I think you and others with same needs like myself were what the Air was designed for.

Had mine since Feb. 1 and couldn't be happier (well if it didn't dent maybe...)

 

[itpronikn]

besides all the cons and pros going around macbook air
I really love it. the style and everything is juuuuuust perfect

 

[xpovos]

I finally broke down and got one for use as a secondary system, to complement my 17" high-res MacBook Pro (last generation).

For its intended purpose, the Air is awesome. I wouldn't dare try to use it as a primary system because it would never meet all my needs, but for travel, meetings, surfing in bed, etc. it's perfect.

The only downside is that the screen is so great that it makes my CCFL 17" MBP high-res screen look kinda bad in comparison.

 

[Clix Pix]

Wonderful traveling companion!

Made my first trip with my MBA..... I used my laptop bag (which doesn't look like one) as my "purse" the entire time and it worked out really well. Off to the airport with the MBA and the things I usually carry in a purse in the Crumpler laptop bag I'd bought several years ago for a smallish 12" Windows laptop.....went to meetings, went to a restaurant, went to more meetings, always with my MBA right with me..... In the hotel room no problem immediately connecting to their free WiFi and catching up with my email and such.... Back to the airport, bag casually hanging off a shoulder while pulling along my wheeled carry-on..... plenty of room in the bag for the paperback book I'm reading, the folder with the paperwork for the meetings I was attending, the printouts of the electronically-issued airline tickets and boarding passes, my wallet, my iPhone, my this-and-that....all the stuff I wanted/needed with me at my seat on the plane(s). Point being that the MBA is so slim and lightweight that it really is a super traveling companion even in this day of potentially stressful air travel.

In contrast to this, in the past when using my 15" PB or its successor the 15" MBP, it was a major deal to have to carry the laptop around: it was heavier, had a bigger footprint and therefore took up more space in a bag, it was more obvious (ie, I needed a bag that definitely looked more as though it were carrying a laptop), I didn't feel comfortable toting it to restaurants and having it with me all the time; all in all it just wasn't as easy as my recent experience with my MBA.

I am even more madly in love with my MBA than I was before.....

 

[csafir]

Screen on MBA

Everything was as perfect as everyone said screen, keyboard, maybe not the fonts but speed, WEIGHT!!!!! In any case last night I put a DVD on the external drive and now the screen has got lots of stripes.... Help. The people at the Apple store here in Paris France are not very nice because they say I bumped it and the warranty won't cover. Yet it just happened suddenly and I don't know what to do . It started with thin lines on top and then this... Sorry to disappoint some but if other users experience the same thanks for your help. CS

 

[wolfie]

ill go straight back in there and make a fuss until you get it exchanged.
ignore the person who told u it was your fault.