MBA 1.6 120gb new model or Sony Vaio TT290? everyone please read lol

[GadgetGeek407]

I am new to this forum and the first post is pretty controversial and so yea. Basically like most people I know, I have grown up on windows and my only mac experience was in elementary school playing organ trail and Carmen sandiego lol ...I hate windows cause it can be buggy and slow but it is what it is i live with it...

I use a mac mini on my LCD tv to download HD movies and stuff ...my previous laptop was a sony Vaio TXN series super small less than 3lbs dvd burner, bluetooth, wifi, sprint broadband data card built in, finger print reader the works but older model from over year n half ago....recently sold it....I loved this thing it had a battery that lasted over 6 hours and even had a dvd burner for being so portable 11.1 screen I got use to it and it was super nice....just want something new and I like unique stuff this thing definitely turned heads ...

I recently came across a brand new macbook AIR 1.6 120gb the newest model on the site...I have yet to open it...I barely used the optical on the sony but it was nice to have...I have the external drive for MBA...basically here is my dilemma... I am not 100% comfy with mac OS although I love the simplicity and capabilities specially considering I can even run windows and it doesn't freeze. I just feel for such a beautiful machine cause im big on aesthetics that they didn't include an SD card reader which im BIG on cause of digi cam n pics n all...and battery life is that of a typical laptop and not ALL that great for the price...I dont want to open it n than decide to sell it but I like the razor thinness cause its VERY unique and will also turn heads but lacks certain features....

I also have the new Sony VAIO TT290 in my possession and didnt want to open it either till I make up my mind went into the sony store today to play with it...its 1.4 ghz 3gb ram 160gb hard drive data card built in, finger print reader, wifi bluetooth hdmi 2 usbs sd card slow memory stick slot camera n so on...11.1 2.78Lbs that **** does look sick and nice its all black...it IS also unique in its very own way and for being that small its a power house and battery life is 5-7 hours and had dual layer dvd burner...and full 1080p HD if i hook it up to hdtv using the hdmi port, COOL but ill proly never use that feature... lol

I love sony products I love apple stuff....I am at a standstill my problem is im SUPER analytical and indecisive and i have already finished all my school so it would just be for casual internet usage and what not nothing serious either way, if I end up getting a job that requires one of traveling that different.

In comparison if we LEAVE PRICE out of this entire equation cause money is not the issue at all and we can assume price is equal on both...the difference is the OS, capabilties of each machine, battery life, durability is another factor, I bought the speck case for the MBA cause i bet aluminum can scratch easy n i heard it gets super cold....i DO like having something different and again i like the capabilities of the OS...however that sony is super unique too...

I am almost hoping someone can relate and has been in my situation and can comment with great detail lol what to do????? I like uniqueness but than to screw it all up even more i ask myself omg what about the macbook 2.4 unibody lol but nah that proly wont happen at all cause its too big and i like compact size lol


Thanks everyone for reading such a long post lol

 

[tubbymac]

Forget the Macbook 2.4, the screen is crap quality compared to the Sony Vaio TT or the Macbook Air. Apple uses a cheapo panel in the consumer Macbook. I know because I have the Macbook 2.0 which has the same junk screen.

I also have the Sony TX, which is a lot like the TXN you have but mine came with Windows XP and I think the TXN was when they came with Vista.

I also have the Macbook Air (but the older model, not the new one you are looking at). So pretty much I have all the machines you're talking about, just slightly older models.

I found the 11 inch screen on the Vaio was just too small. I always caught myself hunching over to get my face closer to the screen, which I didn't like. With the Air's 13 inch screen I can sit up straight while having it on a desk. The 2 inches makes a huge difference in how much farther you can sit away from the screen.

Battery life on the Vaio was incredible, much better than the Air. About 6-7 hours on the Vaio and about 3 1/2 hours on the Air. Battery life is terrible on the Air if you run Windows stuff, especially if you want to use bootcamp, we are talking 2 hours or less. So if you get the Air you will need to get used to OSX (it rocks when you learn how to use it).

The Air is way, way better looking than the Vaio. I was going to get a TZ a long time ago, so I've inspected those machines a lot up close. I've also looked over the TT at the stores quite a bit. It's simply not even a contest. When you feel an Air, and get to carry it around, it turns heads. The Vaios used to turn heads 2 years ago. Nobody notices them anymore really.

I like the Air more than the Vaio. But you need to decide if you can switch to OSX. If you were looking to run Windows on this thing don't get it. If you're open to trying something new, OSX and the Air is something that will win you over if you give it a chance.

 

[GadgetGeek407]

thanks man i appreciate the prompt reply...u got AIM? what about in terms of like do you use a case? I feel like the case is nice that i got but it kills the look of the macbook AIR? what about in terms of SD card slot n all?

Forget the Macbook 2.4, the screen is crap quality compared to the Sony Vaio TT or the Macbook Air. Apple uses a cheapo panel in the consumer Macbook. I know because I have the Macbook 2.0 which has the same junk screen.

I also have the Sony TX, which is a lot like the TXN you have but mine came with Windows XP and I think the TXN was when they came with Vista.

I also have the Macbook Air (but the older model, not the new one you are looking at). So pretty much I have all the machines you're talking about, just slightly older models.

I found the 11 inch screen on the Vaio was just too small. I always caught myself hunching over to get my face closer to the screen, which I didn't like. With the Air's 13 inch screen I can sit up straight while having it on a desk. The 2 inches makes a huge difference in how much farther you can sit away from the screen.

Battery life on the Vaio was incredible, much better than the Air. About 6-7 hours on the Vaio and about 3 1/2 hours on the Air. Battery life is terrible on the Air if you run Windows stuff, especially if you want to use bootcamp, we are talking 2 hours or less. So if you get the Air you will need to get used to OSX (it rocks when you learn how to use it).

The Air is way, way better looking than the Vaio. I was going to get a TZ a long time ago, so I've inspected those machines a lot up close. I've also looked over the TT at the stores quite a bit. It's simply not even a contest. When you feel an Air, and get to carry it around, it turns heads. The Vaios used to turn heads 2 years ago. Nobody notices them anymore really.

I like the Air more than the Vaio. But you need to decide if you can switch to OSX. If you were looking to run Windows on this thing don't get it. If you're open to trying something new, OSX and the Air is something that will win you over if you give it a chance.

 

[tubbymac]

I don't have Aim but feel free to send me questions through the forum or private messages.

For a case I prefer sliding my Air into the incase sleeve you can get at the Apple store (the one with a fold and a slit and NO zipper - avoid zippers as they can scratch the aluminum). Then stick the sleeve into any leather briefcase/bag of your choice. I prefer the Kenneth Cole executive leather bags.

I don't use SD cards with my Air. For photos I prefer transferring it over wifi to my PC. You could probably do the same with the Air, I just haven't tried it yet. Look into the eyefi SD card. It acts like a normal SD card that you stick in your camera but instead of taking it out and sticking it into a SD reader, you leave it in your camera and it talks to your PC or Air through wifi. No wires. It's awesome.

 

[GadgetGeek407]

U think speed wise the Mba will be fast to open and process things? my old TXN was 80gb this is 120gb on MBA n TT is 160gb but than again i dont load my laptop up with mad **** thats what my PC and external drive are for....scary when im answering my own concerns in a thread lol....its like I am scared to pick the mBA lol

I don't have Aim but feel free to send me questions through the forum or private messages.

For a case I prefer sliding my Air into the incase sleeve you can get at the Apple store (the one with a fold and a slit and NO zipper - avoid zippers as they can scratch the aluminum). Then stick the sleeve into any leather briefcase/bag of your choice. I prefer the Kenneth Cole executive leather bags.

I don't use SD cards with my Air. For photos I prefer transferring it over wifi to my PC. You could probably do the same with the Air, I just haven't tried it yet. Look into the eyefi SD card. It acts like a normal SD card that you stick in your camera but instead of taking it out and sticking it into a SD reader, you leave it in your camera and it talks to your PC or Air through wifi. No wires. It's awesome.

 

[tubbymac]

Compared to the TXN the Macbook Air will seem much, much faster. The hard drive is a faster RPM, the CPU is faster, and the graphics card is in another league of speed. The Air will be the fastest out of the machines you have available.

Before you open it spend some time doing a google search on "macbook air horizontal lines." That is the only big concern to worry about on the rev B machine you're about to open. Other than that there really aren't any big issues with the Air rev B.

 

[GadgetGeek407]

um ok you got excited and than took it all away lol elaborate?

Compared to the TXN the Macbook Air will seem much, much faster. The hard drive is a faster RPM, the CPU is faster, and the graphics card is in another league of speed. The Air will be the fastest out of the machines you have available.

Before you open it spend some time doing a google search on "macbook air horizontal lines." That is the only big concern to worry about on the rev B machine you're about to open. Other than that there really aren't any big issues with the Air rev B.

 

[tubbymac]

Huh? Excited? No, just warning you of the only issue I'm aware of for the rev B Air. Some people get perfect machines, some get ones with weird lines. You could always return the thing if you get one with lines but Apple charges a 15% restocking fee on opened returns. Sometimes you can charm your way out of that, but no guarantees. Research the issue before opening the box. You can make up your own mind about it after some searching through google and these forums about it.

Good luck.

 

[GadgetGeek407]

whats the big difference as far as people saying the screen is WAY better on MBA vs even the NEWEST unibody macbook or pros out? considering these are newer why would apple put crappier screens? whats the big difference? how about the big deal with SSD? should I considering paying the difference and getting SSD or not worth it for extra 8gb and $700 tag lol? any rumors of rev C?

 

[tubbymac]

Bad screen is used on the cheaper computers to keep margins high. If they stuck a better screen in there it would cost them more and Apple would make less money. On the more expensive computers like the Pro and Air they can squeeze in a better screen and still make more money. Simple economics.

SSD is great if you can afford it. It's a luxury item. If money ain't a problem go for it. But if you want to save some money it's the first thing you can save a lot of money on. We have lived for years with hard drives. For most people a hard drive is perfectly fine. I could easily live without my SSD but I can afford it so I bought one anyway.

Rev B hasn't even hit the refurb store yet. Rev C won't come out sooner than that. So you don't even have to worry about C until you see B in the refurb store. You're safe for at least half a year, maybe longer.

 

[dudup]

Go for SSD if you can, and put some effort on it.

I have a Rev. A (early 2008) MBA, and I thought that an HDD wouldn't be a issue -- and at that time, it used to cost a $ 1,000 more.

Problem is: you can't find a replacement and upgrade it on the long run. I've been carving for some SSD love for months, but there are no options available, and by the looks of it, it won't never happen.

So if I could go back in time, I would rather spend more on the SSD option.

I'm now waiting for a Rev. C, since my Rev. A rocks. By then I'll probably aim for the SSD option.

 

[GadgetGeek407]

if im looking at the revB 120gb option and im only getting 8gb more by going SSD and little more smoothness...is it worth the extra like $800 bux lol

Go for SSD if you can, and put some effort on it.

I have a Rev. A (early 2008) MBA, and I thought that an HDD wouldn't be a issue -- and at that time, it used to cost a $ 1,000 more.

Problem is: you can't find a replacement and upgrade it on the long run. I've been carving for some SSD love for months, but there are no options available, and by the looks of it, it won't never happen.

So if I could go back in time, I would rather spend more on the SSD option.

I'm now waiting for a Rev. C, since my Rev. A rocks. By then I'll probably aim for the SSD option.

 

[dudup]

if im looking at the revB 120gb option and im only getting 8gb more by going SSD and little more smoothness...is it worth the extra like $800 bux lol

It's definitely not about the extra space -- on the Rev. A, you actually would got much less space (16 GB).

It's about performance. Some will say that it won't matter that much, but if I would you, I would go to an Apple store and check it out, specially things like rebooting the machine and launching applications, specially the heavy ones.

If you can't afford, there's nothing to be ashamed of - the HDD MBA is awesome anyway. But if you can, go for it. Give it a hands on before you buy, and you'll see the difference.