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Macbook air is....SLOW!!!!
- Thread starter barkjohn10
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No, since it is a SATA drive. The first generation MacBook Airs had the older, slower PATA interface. The only aftermarket SSDs that I am aware of that work with the Rev A MacBook Air are from Runcore. Here's one example:
http://www.memoryc.com/storage/solidstatedisk/64gbruncoreproivzifpatamacbookairreva.html
Also note that the first gen MacBook Airs had some heat issues that caused it to throttle down a lot (since addressed in the new models). Video playback in particular was an issue with the Rev As. The best advice may be to sell it and look for a Rev B (latte 2008) or Rev C (mid-2009) model if even the refurb Rev Ds are too expensive for you. The next best advice may be to try the RunCore SSD. Also, try installing CoolBook, since you can use it to reduce the voltage sent to the processor, which helps reduce the throttling issue.
I hate to break it to you John, but I think you've been had. I suggest you sell it and save up for a refurbished current model.
having owned the Rev A and still own and use Rev B, the Rev A had integrated intel X3100 graphics, which sucked at video. Anything remotely taxing made the cpu max out, which then increases heat, which then throttles the CPU back down. Rinse, repeat....
I had the original Macbook Air (with hard drive) too, and had the same experience when playing flash video. The problem is that the CPU overheats and throttles the speed almost immediately down to 800 MHz, and eventually, after watching youtube for about 10 minutes or so, shuts down the second processor core after which the video becomes really choppy.
The only fix for that was installing CoolBook software, with which you can lower the voltage of the processor. But finding the right voltages for your particular CPU requires some patience, being able to read and comprehend the documentation on how to find the right voltaes, and also it costs ten bucks. Every cpu doesn't work with low voltages, and might hang. With this undervolting I was able to get sustained 1.5-1.6 GHz clock speed instead of 0.8 GHz.
The only fix for that was installing CoolBook software, with which you can lower the voltage of the processor. But finding the right voltages for your particular CPU requires some patience, being able to read and comprehend the documentation on how to find the right voltaes, and also it costs ten bucks. Every cpu doesn't work with low voltages, and might hang. With this undervolting I was able to get sustained 1.5-1.6 GHz clock speed instead of 0.8 GHz.
My fault the new model cost a thousand and its the crappy one that's 11", I am HAPPY with mine even though its slow but the backlit keyboard does come in handy)
LMAO. the "crappy one" that's 11"?
The 11" air is incredibly capable, compact, and MUCH faster than the model you have. It's also $849 online for the base.
enjoy.
Umm, you want to elaborate on this part of your story? Bought 2nd hand of eBay and already sent it to Apple to have it fixed???? Yeah, sounds like you got bunk hardware dude. Or you are just being dramatic about your MBA not meeting your Mac Pro expectations.
Well so are all MBA's just slow??? My ibook g4 was performed better than my MBA!!!
Yeah you should have gotten one of the newer MBAs - Better processor and a SSD.
No I bought it broken(the hinge, just cometic)
I think my best option is to just buy a macbook pro 13". Also playing games on my MBA is horrible!!! I play the sims on it and sometimes and takes for ever to load!!! And packing around that optical drive is ghetto. And what is the maximum amount of ram the macbook pro 13" can support???? AND AT LEAST THE MACBOOK PRO RAM IS USER UPGRADEABLE!!!!! O......and yeh I don't prefer to lat the bottom on my MBA touch me!!!! It's really HOTT
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I think my best option is to just buy a macbook pro 13". Also playing games on my MBA is horrible!!! I play the sims on it and sometimes and takes for ever to load!!! And packing around that optical drive is ghetto. And what is the maximum amount of ram the macbook pro 13" can support???? AND AT LEAST THE MACBOOK PRO RAM IS USER UPGRADEABLE!!!!! O......and yeh I don't prefer to lat the bottom on my MBA touch me!!!! It's really HOTT
You probably don't have this option - because MBP 13" were introduced in June 2009, and don't have such a horrid rep as '08 Rev.A MBA, which you have.
I'd say Rev.A MBA was just a proof of a concept, not an actually usable computer.
'09 MBP 13" along with Alu.MB used Nvidia GPU 9400M which is worlds better than X3100 which your MBA has.
Put is simply - you've been had - you bought it cheaply on a hype current Rev.D "MBA 2" has created.
IMO your only option is to sell it (hopefully to someone less ignorant - for a glorified typewriter use) and get yourself Windows net/notebook - for this kind of money.
That's the kind of gaming performance difference you looking at comparing your '08 MBA (X3100) to '09 13" MBP (9400M), and '10 MBA (320M) respectively.
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the first generation had no invidia it came with intel . and the original MBA with 1.6 ghz and intel x3100 is not really fast , it is in performance just a bit above a MSI wind netbook , so it will struggle at the same tasks (both can run 10.6 snow leopard ) i had a wind hackintosh and could direct compare it with a MBA 1.66 , indeed i found that too did't really offer much more performance then my mini G4 ..a bit better in the GPU department , but anything above 720p (even some 720p did lose frames )and it gets jerky
but ey ,it fits in a envelope and its made by apple
you have to remember the MBA 1.66 was never meant for serious computing , its sort of a netbook made by apple, good for the basics and a bigger display and a bit more performance for people who are design conscious
here a old comparison
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/laptops/battle-of-the-breeze-msi-wind-versus-macbook-air-49297991/
because of that i choose the MSI wind ,which i bought for less then even a destroyed MBA cost here , but sold that too not because of performance , it was just that my wireless did not reach the garden terrace (to many interfering steel in the house ), so i'am back to dragging a eMac down to the terrace and a ethernet wire down the window from 4th floor..who said a eMac would not be portable
but ey ,it fits in a envelope and its made by apple
you have to remember the MBA 1.66 was never meant for serious computing , its sort of a netbook made by apple, good for the basics and a bigger display and a bit more performance for people who are design conscious
here a old comparison
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/laptops/battle-of-the-breeze-msi-wind-versus-macbook-air-49297991/
because of that i choose the MSI wind ,which i bought for less then even a destroyed MBA cost here , but sold that too not because of performance , it was just that my wireless did not reach the garden terrace (to many interfering steel in the house ), so i'am back to dragging a eMac down to the terrace and a ethernet wire down the window from 4th floor..who said a eMac would not be portable
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it's even worse ...
And to my knowledge Apple only used GMA 950 in '06-'07 MBs.
I can't believe I still have one of those
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it's even worse ...
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And to my knowledge Apple only used GMA 950 in '06-'07 MBs.
I can't believe I still have one of those
no it has the x3100 my mistake (edited post ), but actually a original MB 1.83 core duo with intel 950 will beat it in performance despite the crab intel GMA 950
MB core duo 1.83 gma 950 geekbench score 2286
MBA core 2duo 1.66 x3100 geekbench score 2032
the core 2 duo had to be downclocked so much to avoid the original MBA from melting and to give a longer battery life , result the core 2 duo can't play out its advantage over a core duo any more
the late 2008 model has the same processor , same amount of ram but a nvidia 9400 but scores 2257
if you buy a Mac again this here might be helpful to compare
http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-mac-comparison-chart/?compare=all-intel-macs
and as you are not even using the full 2 GB a upgrade to a ssd would be money thrown out the window , sure boot time would be better and apps would load faster , but from after loading the app it depends on CPU, GPU and ram and only if you got a lot of page outs it makes sense to upgrade to a ssd , but as you still got 1 gb free ram i would say better spend that money towards a new MB, as i doubt you would need a MBP for your needs ...ok doesnt come in aluminium ..but hey look there if you want a other color then white
http://www.colorwarepc.com/c-3-computers.aspx
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notice the screenshot when you are watching stuff on firefox your using 100% cpu, so its most likely your flash thats messed up, try updating it.
Also old mac airs are notoriously slow
Also old mac airs are notoriously slow
I there any pixel change in the new models??? And what graphics do the new MBA's and MBP's have??? And yes People still buy these crappy laptops for around 600, I am in love with the computer's design, that's why I don't wanna get rid of it!!! Is the MBP 13" fat like all other pc laptops???
Look at how pix-elated the screens are!!!!
Look at how pix-elated the screens are!!!!
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Not sure what you mean by "fat." Your best bet is to find an Apple store in your area and drop by so you can put one in your hand and see what you think.
Your statement "all other pc laptops" doesn't mean a lot because PC laptops come in a huge variety of sizes. Go pick up and handle a 13" MBP and see how it feels and performs.
Sounds like you really need to start doing some research before you go investing hundreds of dollars into stuff you find on ebay. A simple google search will open worlds of information about all models of Apple computers.
come on everybody makes a mistake from time to time when buying something
and i have to agree compare to a MacBookPro the old MacBook Air looks damn good , and the looks had actually been the biggest selling point of all MBA's , like the new ones , if you expect performance you are better of with a normal MacBook and from the savings get a SSD fitted and the MB beats the MBA by miles
new 13" MBA 1.86ghz core 2duo 256 GB SSD £1378 geekbench :2698
new 13" MB 2.4 ghz core2duo 250gb HDD £867.00 geekbench :3365 , enough saving to get a ssd of 256GB which should boost performance a bit further , so if performance is more important then pure looks then the MB is a winner that even comes with a superdrive fitted , and if you take out the heavy HDD and replace with a ssd the weight drops too
and even in battery live the MB wins with a estimated 10 hours vs 7 for the 13" MBA ,
ok the MBA looks thin , but is not really smaller , a bit thinner and aluminium , but length and width are nearly the same
MB size 1.08 x 13.00 x 9.12
MBA size .11-.68 x 12.8 x 8.94
and i have to agree compare to a MacBookPro the old MacBook Air looks damn good , and the looks had actually been the biggest selling point of all MBA's , like the new ones , if you expect performance you are better of with a normal MacBook and from the savings get a SSD fitted and the MB beats the MBA by miles
new 13" MBA 1.86ghz core 2duo 256 GB SSD £1378 geekbench :2698
new 13" MB 2.4 ghz core2duo 250gb HDD £867.00 geekbench :3365 , enough saving to get a ssd of 256GB which should boost performance a bit further , so if performance is more important then pure looks then the MB is a winner that even comes with a superdrive fitted , and if you take out the heavy HDD and replace with a ssd the weight drops too
and even in battery live the MB wins with a estimated 10 hours vs 7 for the 13" MBA ,
ok the MBA looks thin , but is not really smaller , a bit thinner and aluminium , but length and width are nearly the same
MB size 1.08 x 13.00 x 9.12
MBA size .11-.68 x 12.8 x 8.94
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Exactly. But I suspect the OP is just here to bash a 3 year old product under a misleading headline.
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Not if you basically can't use it. You seem to only want it for aesthetic reasons.
If it's working for you use it and enjoy it. But, if it's giving you all kinds of grief then sell it and get what you want.
I'd highly recommend a 2010 11 or 13" MacBook Air! And, if you find you don't like it there is always the 14 day return.
I'd highly recommend a 2010 11 or 13" MacBook Air! And, if you find you don't like it there is always the 14 day return.
Everyone I've ever talked to - in ANY regard - has high marks for the newest iteration of the Air if they understand it's intended purpose.
This thread is an anomaly.
Next thread.
This thread is an anomaly.
Next thread.
Perhaps lead with a more accurate thread title next time, and stop wasting our time with nonsense concerning a 2 year old machine!!! That or get with 2011!