Thought I would take a couple minutes to summarize my thoughts on the Macbook Air after 3 months of use. For comparison, my prior machine was a Sony Vaio TR Series machine that I had for 4 years. I use the machine primarily for web-based applications, and Microsoft Office applications.
Overall, I would buy again, but there are a few pros and cons I would point out. For most of what I do, it works fine. But if you are routinely using a lot of applications at one time, or working with large programs, Im not sure it would be for you.
If you buy, get the external DVD drive. You wont use it that much, but it will be useful for installing software. While cool, the remote-disc feature makes these tasks more complicated than they need be, particularly when its only a $99 added cost.
Positives
Size and weight. Clearly the biggest reason to buy the machine. Lives up to billing in these areas.
Screen. Large screen with excellent definition. No question its in a class by itself in the ultraportable market.
Cost. Actually reasonable for the ultraportable market, solid state drive excepted, but you do get more for your money with a traditional Macbook or Macbook Pro than with this. Depends on what's important.
Intangibles. From this perspective, its an easy buy and light years ahead of others.
Negatives
Battery. Continues to be the single number one biggest complaint I have.
- Battery life is disappointing. Under normal working conditions, I get maybe 2.5 hours (this would be using the internet and maybe Word or something like that. Not even with iTunes running). Rarely do I use it at home in the evening and not need to get the power supply.
- Battery drain in sleep mode. This continues to be a mystery. One that 2 phone calls and 2 trips to the Apple store have yet to resolve. Routinely loose 20-30% of my batter life in sleep mode with the machine in my bag during the day. This becomes significant with relatively low battery life.
- Lack of external battery. Not that I am all that likely to lug an extra one around, but I did with my Sony when I was traveling even though I had a 5 hour battery. When traveling, this is a big deal, particularly with a relatively poor battery life.
Performance. From what I read, it is slower than other Macbooks, but I dont have any personal experience. I will say that it is NOT much faster than my 4 year old Sony was that had a 1 Ghz chip and 512k of RAM .I would have expected a bit more from 1.6 Ghz and 2GB.
Accessories. Im ok with not having an optical drive, I rarely use it, but needing a dongle (I just like saying that ) for both Ethernet connectivity (again, more theoretical than a real problem) and for video output via the micro-DVI port (more important) does present some problems. It just means that I have to remember to carry these things around and I know Im going to show up for a talk some day and have forgotten the DVI connector.
Runs hot. Definitely more so than my Sony did. Not a deal-breaker, but a consideration, particularly when sitting with it in your lap.
Fan noise. I may be alone in this, but I think it is noisy and because it runs hot it is on a lot. Again, not too big a deal, but noticeable and a difference for me from my prior machine.
Overall, I would buy again, but there are a few pros and cons I would point out. For most of what I do, it works fine. But if you are routinely using a lot of applications at one time, or working with large programs, Im not sure it would be for you.
If you buy, get the external DVD drive. You wont use it that much, but it will be useful for installing software. While cool, the remote-disc feature makes these tasks more complicated than they need be, particularly when its only a $99 added cost.
Positives
Size and weight. Clearly the biggest reason to buy the machine. Lives up to billing in these areas.
Screen. Large screen with excellent definition. No question its in a class by itself in the ultraportable market.
Cost. Actually reasonable for the ultraportable market, solid state drive excepted, but you do get more for your money with a traditional Macbook or Macbook Pro than with this. Depends on what's important.
Intangibles. From this perspective, its an easy buy and light years ahead of others.
Negatives
Battery. Continues to be the single number one biggest complaint I have.
- Battery life is disappointing. Under normal working conditions, I get maybe 2.5 hours (this would be using the internet and maybe Word or something like that. Not even with iTunes running). Rarely do I use it at home in the evening and not need to get the power supply.
- Battery drain in sleep mode. This continues to be a mystery. One that 2 phone calls and 2 trips to the Apple store have yet to resolve. Routinely loose 20-30% of my batter life in sleep mode with the machine in my bag during the day. This becomes significant with relatively low battery life.
- Lack of external battery. Not that I am all that likely to lug an extra one around, but I did with my Sony when I was traveling even though I had a 5 hour battery. When traveling, this is a big deal, particularly with a relatively poor battery life.
Performance. From what I read, it is slower than other Macbooks, but I dont have any personal experience. I will say that it is NOT much faster than my 4 year old Sony was that had a 1 Ghz chip and 512k of RAM .I would have expected a bit more from 1.6 Ghz and 2GB.
Accessories. Im ok with not having an optical drive, I rarely use it, but needing a dongle (I just like saying that ) for both Ethernet connectivity (again, more theoretical than a real problem) and for video output via the micro-DVI port (more important) does present some problems. It just means that I have to remember to carry these things around and I know Im going to show up for a talk some day and have forgotten the DVI connector.
Runs hot. Definitely more so than my Sony did. Not a deal-breaker, but a consideration, particularly when sitting with it in your lap.
Fan noise. I may be alone in this, but I think it is noisy and because it runs hot it is on a lot. Again, not too big a deal, but noticeable and a difference for me from my prior machine.
