MBA 11 Bumm'r only 800 Mhz FSB

[Wicked1]

I did not realize that the 11" only has a 800 Mhz FSB (Front Side Bus) but the 13 has the 1066 Mhz FSB

I was going for the the 11" but do not want to go backwards....Argh

 

[silverblack]

Before you pay too much attention to the specs, I think you should head over to a store and experience the 11" MBA before drawing the conclusion of this being a slow machine. That is, of course, only if you are actually serious in considering getting it, and not just making a comment to troll.

 

[maflynn]

I was going for the the 11" but do not want to go backwards....Argh

Going backwards, you realize that the CPU is only running at 1.4Ghz and its a C2D as opposed to a Core i5?

The whole design of the 11" MBA is set up to achieve good battery in a small enclosure. That being the case, apple made sacrifices on a number components.


I'd not focus on one aspect of the MBA, and as the other poster mentioned, try it out.

 

[T4R06]

i have a base 11.6 with 128ssd. i can play call of duty modern warfare without any problems. maximum resolution!

 

[gwsat]

Before you pay too much attention to the specs, I think you should head over to a store and experience the 11" MBA before drawing the conclusion of this being a slow machine. That is, of course, only if you are actually serious in considering getting it, and not just making a comment to troll.

Going backwards, you realize that the CPU is only running at 1.4Ghz and its a C2D as opposed to a Core i5?

The whole design of the 11" MBA is set up to achieve good battery in a small enclosure. That being the case, apple made sacrifices on a number components.


I'd not focus on one aspect of the MBA, and as the other poster mentioned, try it out.

You are both right, I think. If I may be allowed to provide an executive summary of your remarks: It's a mistake to be a Spec Whore.

 

[Wicked1]

Before you pay too much attention to the specs, I think you should head over to a store and experience the 11" MBA before drawing the conclusion of this being a slow machine. That is, of course, only if you are actually serious in considering getting it, and not just making a comment to troll.

I did at Best Buy and I was ready to order one, until I saw the specs, now I may go for the 13" but I would have loved to go for the 11, just I do not want to go backwards even though it is snappy.

 

[silverblack]

I did at Best Buy and I was ready to order one, until I saw the specs, now I may go for the 13" but I would have loved to go for the 11, just I do not want to go backwards even though it is snappy.

I still can't agree with your logics - even though you felt it was snappy, you decided to go against your own judgement because it has 800 MHz FSB printed on the specs. Sure, whatever makes you happy... good luck.

 

[T4R06]

I did at Best Buy and I was ready to order one, until I saw the specs, now I may go for the 13" but I would have loved to go for the 11, just I do not want to go backwards even though it is snappy.

i saw your sig.. it was much better than your current machine ill tell you..

 

[MikePA]

I still can't agree with your logics - even though you felt it was snappy, you decided to go against your own judgement because it has 800 MHz FSB printed on the specs. Sure, whatever makes you happy... good luck.

I don't understand thinking like the OP either, where actual use of the product is trumped by something on a piece of paper. The MBA11 works and it works well as others have said, but the OP should go buy the device with the best specs.

 

[maflynn]

You are both right, I think. If I may be allowed to provide an executive summary of your remarks: It's a mistake to be a Spec Whore.

Exactly

Get the machine that best fits your needs, don't worry about which laptop has the faster FSB, or CPU Ghz. If the 11" MBA is too slow for you, then find a model that isn't.

 

[kas23]

I don't understand thinking like the OP either, where actual use of the product is trumped by something on a piece of paper. The MBA11 works and it works well as others have said, but the OP should go buy the device with the best specs.

I'll play Devil's Advocate here. I understand that if a machine works well, then it works well, regardless of specs. However, technology advances pretty fast. So, wouldn't a machine with better specs be more "future-proof". I think we can all agree that the 11 inch works great now, but what about in 1.5 years when software and/or computing needs may be different and possibly more demanding?

 

[felt.]

I agree that in the future we will need Octo core CPUs to check our emails

 

[MikePA]

I understand that if a machine works well, then it works well, regardless of specs. However, technology advances pretty fast. So, wouldn't a machine with better specs be more "future-proof". I think we can all agree that the 11 inch works great now, but what about in 1.5 years when software and/or computing needs may be different and possibly more demanding?

Think about what software you were using 1.5 years ago. Still using the same software? Whether you're using the same software or different software, did you predict the change 1.5 years ago? Plus, of all the software you think you will be using in 1.5 years, how many products would benefit by a faster FSB?

I'd bet 99 or of 100 people couldn't see the performance difference between a 800 FSB and a 1600 FSB.

 

[KnightWRX]

I'll play Devil's Advocate here. I understand that if a machine works well, then it works well, regardless of specs. However, technology advances pretty fast. So, wouldn't a machine with better specs be more "future-proof". I think we can all agree that the 11 inch works great now, but what about in 1.5 years when software and/or computing needs may be different and possibly more demanding?

FSB mhz is hardly the biggest impact to performance of a machine though. This was a big debate when Intel switched to 100 mhz FSB for the Pentium IIs and before they had multiplier locks. People would run out to buy BX boards to run 100 mhz at some weird multiplier (so as not to overclock) and Tom's hardware or Anand did a piece showing it basically had 0 impact on real world performance numbers.

 

[MikePA]

FSB mhz is hardly the biggest impact to performance of a machine though. This was a big debate when Intel switched to 100 mhz FSB for the Pentium IIs and before they had multiplier locks. People would run out to buy BX boards to run 100 mhz at some weird multiplier (so as not to overclock) and Tom's hardware or Anand did a piece showing it basically had 0 impact on real world performance numbers.

Similar logic was used by 'genius' engine tuners who thought if a 750 cfm carburetor was good, a 1,000 cfm carburetor would be even better. Like an engine, PC/laptop performance is determined by several things and to focus on one of them reveals ignorance, not knowledge.

 

[Dammit Cubs]

meh.

the 800mhz fsb is not even noticeable. You are looking WAY INTO SPECS but you are pretty hypocritical if you ask me. I mean its like you want your cake and eat it too. The computer is an 11.6 inch underpowered, less battery life, SSD variant compared to the 13in. The FSB would enhance the memory speed but its pretty much meh if you look at it.

Whatever you think you lose you gain 10 fold with the SSD. I personally gaurantee it.

 

[hcho3]

I did not realize that the 11" only has a 800 Mhz FSB (Front Side Bus) but the 13 has the 1066 Mhz FSB

I was going for the the 11" but do not want to go backwards....Argh

U are mad at who? Apple or yourself?

 

[hcho3]

It is so sad and very very sad that people like Op only cares about numbers.
If you care about performance, then it is very stupid of you to look at MBA in the first place. The point of MBA is to make a laptop that will be good enough for people's daily use and sustain a good battery life with light weight.

If you care about performance, then look for something else. Enjoy your 1-2 hours of battery life as well.

 

[maflynn]

So, wouldn't a machine with better specs be more "future-proof".

Yes of course, but all comes down to what is the intended purpose of the computer. Clearly a 11" laptop with limited storage and limited ram, is not going to be used for Maya rendering, heavy Photoshop work or be used for autocad on an extensive basis.

Given the target audience of the 11", mobility is of more importance then specs and to that end, there is little need for "future proofing" since basic application useage will not benefit that much from a quad core, or 1Ghz FSB.

People have been seduced by the faster=better mythology and the state of current hardware. Its more then capable of running business apps now and in the future

 

[hcho3]

I did at Best Buy and I was ready to order one, until I saw the specs, now I may go for the 13" but I would have loved to go for the 11, just I do not want to go backwards even though it is snappy.

It is snappy, but the numbers are not good enough to satisfy me. I don't want to go backwards.

This is the worst idea I have ever heard in my life...

 

[linkandzelda]

Its true what other people are saying. the FSB dosnt make a huge difference in fact you wont even notice it. OP your talking about going backwards and others talking about taking too much notice of specs. No offence to the MBA, its an amazing machine but they both have a C2D, a really old CPU, even the 13" uses the same CPU they used in the 2008 MBA. And despite this they are both really fast machines.

I would say that if all your worried about is the FSB, then just get the 11" if you actually wanted it.

 

[Kenrik]

I agree that in the future we will need Octo core CPUs to check our emails

Exactly... if it's super fast for everyday tasks now, it will still be super fast for everyday tasks in 5 years.

Example... the 1.4ghz 11.6 inch Macbook Air is:

FASTER than my dual 2.3 GHZ G5 Xserve.. that is powering my entire production design staff.

FASTER than my Dual 2.7ghz G5 "liquid cooled" Monster that I was using for production design work up until May 2010.

These were top of the line $3000+ machines just 4 years ago. Look at just about any 3D movie out now, due to the production time required (3+ years) it was most likely made (but not rendered) on machines with similar processing power as the 11.6 inch Macbook Air.

Sorry but it's all in your head.

 

[Wicked1]

Geez I feel bruised and abused, anyway I decided to go for the Ultimate 13" MBA, only because I could get the option of 256GB.

I ran both side by side and they both perform really well, but I ordered a 13" MBA only because the screen was the driving factor for me, and my original post was not to state the 11" stinks, just that I did not understand why the backwards turn to 800Mhz when everything Apple is using has been with the 1066 FSB.

Kill this thread or lock, it, I am bloody enough

I was dissapointed about the Backlit kybd, I did like this but I can live without it, and I am sure it did not use too much battery power anyway.

 

[Kenrik]

Geez I feel bruised and abused, anyway I decided to go for the Ultimate 13" MBA, only because I could get the option of 256GB.

I ran both side by side and they both perform really well, but I ordered a 13" MBA only because the screen was the driving factor for me, and my original post was not to state the 11" stinks, just that I did not understand why the backwards turn to 800Mhz when everything Apple is using has been with the 1066 FSB.

Kill this thread or lock, it, I am bloody enough

I was dissapointed about the Backlit kybd, I did like this but I can live without it, and I am sure it did not use too much battery power anyway.

All of the Macbook Airs are a step "backward"

it's not an i5 or i7....

I still don't think you understand what we are saying, but that's ok.

BTW.. the 11.6 inch has a higher PPI than the 13inch.
So technically it's a higher resolution screen.

You could always get the base model 11inch and upgrade to a 256gb drive when they come out.

 

[maflynn]

I was dissapointed about the Backlit kybd, I did like this but I can live without it, and I am sure it did not use too much battery power anyway.

That's the one thing I'm having the most trouble with. I find myself typing in places where the lighting isn't the greatest and its difficult w/o a backlit keyboard. btw, I'm a touch typist who's been using a keyboard for 30 years. I say this not to gloat but because some people invariably respond with learn to type. Even so, I find the need for a backlit keyboard.