Here's a snapshot
Thanks for the snapshot! Were you working with any VST's there? I doubt that I would ever need more tracks than you're using there. I don't think that I've ever used over 10 for what I do.
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.
Macbook Air suitable for me?
- Thread starter macinsomniac
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Thanks for the snapshot! Were you working with any VST's there? I doubt that I would ever need more tracks than you're using there. I don't think that I've ever used over 10 for what I do.
I don't have any VST stuff, sorry. You'll need software to convert VST to AudioUnits (Logic's native format), something like http://www.fxpansion.com/
Seems that the longer I hold off on my purchase, the more that I am overanalyzing!
I have bounced between all MacBook models:
I think that I will get the 24" display regardless of the laptop I choose.
As it stands, I feel that I am leaning toward the MacBook Air. As I said in my opening post, I am currently using an iMac G5 2.1ghz machine with 1.5ghz and 1.5 GB DDR2 SDRAM. This is a 3.5 year old machine! It seems that I would not be dissatisfied with a machine that has over twice the performance, and in the Air's form factor to boot! Everything that I would be using the Air for, I am already doing with this machine.
If a Rev. C were released with a spec bump, this decision would be a no-brainer for me. Thing is, I am getting really antsy and am ready for a new machine! Like many of you have mentioned going through threads, though, I find it hard to stomach paying full price for a non-new computer.
I have bounced between all MacBook models:
- MacBook: Compromise between power and portability.
- MacBook Pro: Power, large display (not a positive if I rarely use away from home).
- MacBook Air: Portability! Can see it being a daily companion. Potentially low on performance.
I think that I will get the 24" display regardless of the laptop I choose.
As it stands, I feel that I am leaning toward the MacBook Air. As I said in my opening post, I am currently using an iMac G5 2.1ghz machine with 1.5ghz and 1.5 GB DDR2 SDRAM. This is a 3.5 year old machine! It seems that I would not be dissatisfied with a machine that has over twice the performance, and in the Air's form factor to boot! Everything that I would be using the Air for, I am already doing with this machine.
If a Rev. C were released with a spec bump, this decision would be a no-brainer for me. Thing is, I am getting really antsy and am ready for a new machine! Like many of you have mentioned going through threads, though, I find it hard to stomach paying full price for a non-new computer.
I'm in a somewhat similar position. I have a MacBook Pro that is almost 3 years old. It still works, but I want something more portable.
In some areas the MacBook Air performance is better than my MBP, in some areas not. I really want 4GB RAM, so hoping for an update to the MBA soon.
In some areas the MacBook Air performance is better than my MBP, in some areas not. I really want 4GB RAM, so hoping for an update to the MBA soon.
I'm looking forward to the Rev C as well and would really like to see 4GB RAM. I hope the new price will be within my budget and not increase much beyond where it is now. When choosing the Air, for the things I wanted to do with it I had 3 major concerns: relatively small SSD space, no firewire and only 1 USB port. Actually it changed the way I use a laptop, moreover it defined the difference between a laptop and desktop and has actually improved my workflow. I became very selective over which applications to install and what to store where. I bought a time capsule and with mobile me can access it wherever I have an internet connection, including 3G. I don't hang on to junk files now and install only the applications I'm going to be using so the Air is very tidy and much less cluttered than my desktop which has everything thrown at it. Firewire, well it can't be replaced by USB for audio work but for everything else I've got along just fine and whenever I find myself needing firewire I'm usually at home with the desktop anyway. I didn't buy a hub to expand on the single USB port because I didn't want to carry around any extra clutter so I've got used to plugging things in and out - the 3G modem is a pain though having to disconnect every time I need the USB port. Overall I'm glad I chose the Air, it's the best laptop I've ever had because it's the only portable Mac that doesn't give you shoulder ache carry it around. I had MBP and MB previously, both I sold after buying the Air.
Based on my usage description, should I rule the Rev B 1.6 HDD out? If I use that one, even temporarily, then I could afford to get the 24" ACD with it at the same time.
I noticed that write speeds are actually faster on the HDD. How would Photoshop performance differ?
I am tempted to go ahead and buy since I could get some good usage over the weekend. An Apple sales person told me that if there is an update at WWDC, I will be able to upgrade with no restocking fee. Does anyone know what the return policy / time period is for Amazon.com?
I noticed that write speeds are actually faster on the HDD. How would Photoshop performance differ?
I am tempted to go ahead and buy since I could get some good usage over the weekend. An Apple sales person told me that if there is an update at WWDC, I will be able to upgrade with no restocking fee. Does anyone know what the return policy / time period is for Amazon.com?
Does anyone know what Amazon.com's return policy is on opened computers? I am wondering if I would be able to make a return is there were a refresh on the notebooks within a couple of weeks. Thanks!
So today, I made up my mind and bought a 2.13GHz MacBook Air from the online Apple Store. I won't know if I made the right choice until I see the display and get some real-world, hands-on experience!
The 13" MBP doesn't offer me much over what essentially the same machine (as the MacBook) did, before the rebranding. It is entertaining to me how much people are going gaga over it basically for the affordable "Pro" label.
The 13" MBP doesn't offer me much over what essentially the same machine (as the MacBook) did, before the rebranding. It is entertaining to me how much people are going gaga over it basically for the affordable "Pro" label.
Better screen, Firewire, SD slot, there's a lot of improvements from the old 13" Macbook. So I wouldn't say people are going gaga over it because it has the Pro label. It really is a big improvement from the cheaper 13" unibody Macbook.
I agree that there are improvements. However, there isn't much change from the unibody MacBook that was selling just before the announcement. The displays had already been quietly improved, and the original, plastic MacBooks had firewire. I guess that it's possible for an improved battery, bringing back firewire, and a built-in SD card slot to be that exciting to some people, and I know that others really need Firewire.
I still think that the 'Pro' rebranding is giving some people the impression that it's a completely new and different computer.
You mean other than upgraded processor, upgraded I/O and upgraded memory capacity? Oh yeah, and the screen. And more BTO HD options. Yeah, same computer.
What would they have to do to for you to call it a "new and different" computer? Roll out a Dell?
Yesterday, I received my 2.13 SSD MacBook Air.
I didn't get my hands on it until last night, but these are some of my impressions so far:
That covers most of my first impressions as far as unboxing and running through some activities to test performance. I will post more once I have my working environment all set up.
Feel free to respond with any questions or feedback.
I didn't get my hands on it until last night, but these are some of my impressions so far:
- The shipping box was dented on one end, as if it had been hit or another box was jammed against it. This had me a little worried.
- Opening the shipping box, I found that the Air packaging box was also dented in the same location. By this time, I was anxious and concerned that the Air could be damaged.
- My Air booted, and I could find nothing to be damaged. A relief, but the dented box still really bothers me. For one thing, I keep all of my boxes and I'm afraid that it won't be as appealing to a prospective buyer when I choose to upgrade. Would Apple replace a box without computer?
- No visible lines! What a relief.
- I did not migrate any of my data from my backup or install any applications since I will be doing a clean install first and didn't have time last night, but I did do a few tests for performance. Launching iMovie, iTunes, etc. were all as fast as I expected with the SSD. I tested HD videos on Hulu for a few minutes time and they played without hiccup. I also downloaded the Quake 4 demo and played through the first level with default settings (need to check what these are, but they seemed maxed). Very smooth gameplay. I am curious what gameplay would be like on an external display, but I do not have one yet. Overall, I was impressed with the performance. My iMac G5 did was not capable of HD Flash video.
- I installed iStat menus to monitor the CPU and memory usage, and temperature. I am not sure what a normal temperature is for the 2.13 Air. The CPU was over 100F the entire time, and seemed to be really dynamic. The fan did not kick on until I was playing Quake, and upon exiting the game I saw that the CPU temp was over 150F. Again, I do not know what is normal.
That covers most of my first impressions as far as unboxing and running through some activities to test performance. I will post more once I have my working environment all set up.
Feel free to respond with any questions or feedback.
(...)
- My Air booted, and I could find nothing to be damaged. A relief, but the dented box still really bothers me. For one thing, I keep all of my boxes and I'm afraid that it won't be as appealing to a prospective buyer when I choose to upgrade. Would Apple replace a box without computer?
- No visible lines! What a relief.
- I did not migrate any of my data from my backup or install any applications since I will be doing a clean install first and didn't have time last night, but I did do a few tests for performance. Launching iMovie, iTunes, etc. were all as fast as I expected with the SSD. I tested HD videos on Hulu for a few minutes time and they played without hiccup. I also downloaded the Quake 4 demo and played through the first level with default settings (need to check what these are, but they seemed maxed). Very smooth gameplay. I am curious what gameplay would be like on an external display, but I do not have one yet. Overall, I was impressed with the performance. My iMac G5 did was not capable of HD Flash video.
- I installed iStat menus to monitor the CPU and memory usage, and temperature. I am not sure what a normal temperature is for the 2.13 Air. The CPU was over 100F the entire time, and seemed to be really dynamic. The fan did not kick on until I was playing Quake, and upon exiting the game I saw that the CPU temp was over 150F. Again, I do not know what is normal.
We all know that Apple puts more effort into designing their packaging that most other companies do into designing their computers, but I really thing they'd laugh at you if you asked for a box replacement
.Great to know you have no lines (or not visible enough). Revision C is the worst so far in this respect.
You're getting fantastic video performance and temperatures, at least compared to revision B.