MBA 13" as the only laptop?

[Angra-mainju]

how do u see a change from a backlit keyboard in MBP 13 inch to non-backlit MBA? is it hard? I'm a student...

 

[krimp]

I use my MBA (13.3, 4GB RAM) as my only laptop for both work and home. I have Parallels running about 90% of the time, use Office apps, Photoshop CS5, etc. with no problems. I use a pair of external monitors with it at work. I don't play a lot of games on it but I do watch Netflix and other streaming content on it with no issues.

Sounds very similar to what my needs are, did you find the extra ram really worthwhile? or not really required. mind you i dont use photo shop, mainly office stuff (as im still on a pc) but i want to move to an apple and love this MBA.

 

[Coen0s]

Is there something a MBA with superdrive can't do compared to an iMac, MBP, Mac mini, Mac pro?

I think the MBA can do anything you want
But if you're going to do some video encoding (as example) you better put you're coffeemachine on.

 

[tennisproha]

This is good news, it's one less problem with the GPU downgrade in Sandy Bridge at least.

wait, so the NVidia GPU is better than the AMD Radeon that will be in SB? How? and Why would apple put in a lesser GPU?

And just to clarify... the new, to be released SB MBA's will support hardware accelerated graphics now? (according to the documentation at least)

Thanks!

 

[KnightWRX]

wait, so the NVidia GPU is better than the AMD Radeon that will be in SB? How? and Why would apple put in a lesser GPU?

AMD Radeon ? There's not going to be an AMD Radeon in the MBA, just like there isn't one in the 13" MBP. I think you're confused here. The new MBA, like the 13" MBP, will in all probability use the Intel 3000 HD IGP that is integrated on the CPU die of Sandy Bridge processors.

And just to clarify... the new, to be released SB MBA's will support hardware accelerated graphics now? (according to the documentation at least)

They always supported hardware acceleration for 2D and 3D graphics, the issue was hardware accelerated H.264 decoding. This is what the documentation I linked to is about.

 

[Allegrotechie]

I've got an Ultimate Air 13 inch. 2.13GHz 4GB RAM and a Samsung 256GB SSD. It incredible for Web browsing, netflix, minor game playing and minor photo editing. But, its terrible for heavy game playing and heavy video rendering. I love this computer as I also have a gaming computer for my gaming needs. FTW

 

[Sounds Good]

It incredible for Web browsing, netflix, minor game playing and minor photo editing. But, its terrible for heavy game playing and heavy video rendering.

How would you define "heavy" video rendering?

Thanks.

 

[ess5]

How would you define "heavy" video rendering?

Thanks.

watching "The Biggest Loser"?

 

[Sniv]

I've read all the posts and I got another question.

My Windows laptop has a 15,4'' screen. I'm torn between buying a MBA or a MBP. I really like the MBA (SSD, screen resolution) but the only thing I'm a bit worried about is the screensize - because I'm used to a 15,4'' screen.

Should I instead go for a MBP 15''?

I use my computer when surfing the net, watching videos, Itunes, writing and chatting.

 

[Roman2K~]

I've read all the posts and I got another question.

My Windows laptop has a 15,4'' screen. I'm torn between buying a MBA or a MBP. I really like the MBA (SSD, screen resolution) but the only thing I'm a bit worried about is the screensize - because I'm used to a 15,4'' screen.

Should I instead go for a MBP 15''?

I use my computer when surfing the net, watching videos, Itunes, writing and chatting.

I have had two 13" MBPs and one 15" MBP: moving from 13" (1200x800) to 15" (1440x900) was like a relief, not so much because of the size, but because of the higher resolution. I could see much more details on 720p+ videos. It was like a feast for my eyes .

Occasionally, I go back to a 13" and while it doesn't feel cramped, the lower resolution is its Achilles' heel. For both text and videos.

The MBA's screen being the same resolution as the base 15" MBP (1440x900), I don't think you're going to regret the move to the 13". If you're like me, you may well enjoy it even more since the pixel density is higher than on the base 15".

 

[Apple Expert]

The MBA screen is really nice. I had a chance to use it today and you can see the difference compared to the 13" MBP. Same resoultion as the 15" MBP without the extra size. Hopefully the refresh makes this generation MBA push out the base 13" MBP.

 

[xkmxkmxlmx]

I wanted it to be my only computer, but I needed a HTPC of sorts and it just doesn't cut it for that. I am not talking about playing 50GB Blu-ray rips, just your average HD file sent to TV over the mini displayport to HDMI.

It doesn't do optical out and having the displayport transcode the audio and video was just too much for it. Lots of video stuttering and glitchiness.

It broke my heart because I loved every other thing about it. :/

I have since sold it and went back to my iMac/iPad combo. If the new refresh proves to be worthwhile in the video out department, I will reconsider.

 

[Roman2K~]

@xkmxkmxlmx
Were the videos H.264 encoded, around 720p..1080p / 5..8 mbps ? If so, VLC would have played them fine.

It's not an issue anymore since you have got rid of your MBA, but out of curiosity: what player did you use? Any kind of mplayer-based player maybe?

 

[brucebrendon]

I have a 13" MBA, for a similar workload. My SO has a 13" MBP. The only time I'm jealous is when I want to watch a DVD, and have to dig up a crappy old external drive.

That said, you might want to wait for the next MBA to come out, in possibly 1 month. It will have better battery life.

good mention on the battery.
also, the keyboard isn't currently back-lit (which is a bigger thing than most would think).

If these are resolved + RAM, i'll prob refresh from Alu-unibody MB C2D to an 11" MBA + a display – otherwise i'll wait for an iPad3.

 

[markmac123]

13" mbp

i have a mbp 2010 its a dream i upgraded the ram from 4gb to 8gb and overclock the cpu add a sdd drive and you got yourself a super computer.

 

[xkmxkmxlmx]

@xkmxkmxlmx
Were the videos H.264 encoded, around 720p..1080p / 5..8 mbps ? If so, VLC would have played them fine.

It's not an issue anymore since you have got rid of your MBA, but out of curiosity: what player did you use? Any kind of mplayer-based player maybe?

Yeah, that was the general size/encode. I used VLC player. Tried Plex with the same results.

I remember someone stating that it was happening because I was outputting the audio and video through the MDP. They suggested video out of the MDP and audio out through a separate cable from the headphone jack. I had it set up this way on my old iMac so I was fine in doing so, except the iMac had mini-optical out. Kind of defeats the purpose of running something in HD out to my TV to only get stereo sound.

Someone said that it can still output 5.1 from the minijack. But I could not find any info to back that up, so I tried.

 

[Roman2K~]

@xkmxkmxlmx
Thanks for your response.

Yeah, that was the general size/encode. I used VLC
player. Tried Plex with the same results.

OK, that's surprising.

My sister's 13" MBP (late 2010) has a 2.4 GHz C2D, so not that far from the 1.86..2.13 GHz of the 13" MBA (late 2010): it plays 1080p / 8 mbps H.264 encoded videos just fine with VLC, while MPlayerX stutters playing the same file.

Hopefully my 13" MBA will be up to the task. VLC v1.2 is meant to bring hardware acceleration, alleviating any stuttering.

I remember someone stating that it was happening because I was outputting the audio and video through the MDP. They suggested video out of the MDP and audio out through a separate cable from the headphone jack. I had it set up this way on my old iMac so I was fine in doing so, except the iMac had mini-optical out. Kind of defeats the purpose of running something in HD out to my TV to only get stereo sound.

I doubt that the fact you output via the MDP was the cause of the stuttering. Even if that was the case, like you said, connecting the TV to the audio jack wouldn't be an acceptable workaround... From what I understand, the already amplified, already processed signal would get re-amplified, re-processed by the TV, not ideal.

Someone said that it can still output 5.1 from the minijack. But I could not find any info to back that up, so I tried.

Even more dubious, but I don't know enough to confirm or deny this.

 

[Sniv]

I have had two 13" MBPs and one 15" MBP: moving from 13" (1200x800) to 15" (1440x900) was like a relief, not so much because of the size, but because of the higher resolution. I could see much more details on 720p+ videos. It was like a feast for my eyes .

Occasionally, I go back to a 13" and while it doesn't feel cramped, the lower resolution is its Achilles' heel. For both text and videos.

The MBA's screen being the same resolution as the base 15" MBP (1440x900), I don't think you're going to regret the move to the 13". If you're like me, you may well enjoy it even more since the pixel density is higher than on the base 15".

Thanks for answering.
My plan is to wait until the new MBA is out and then go down to a store and try both out.

 

[defected07]

Someone said that it can still output 5.1 from the minijack. But I could not find any info to back that up, so I tried.

yes if it's optical, then you can output 5.1. Optical is a digital signal and capable of transmitting surround sound.

 

[xkmxkmxlmx]

yes if it's optical, then you can output 5.1. Optical is a digital signal and capable of transmitting surround sound.

I understand what optical is, but the MBA isn't optical out. It is standard stereo minijack, no?

 

[Young Spade]

how do u see a change from a backlit keyboard in MBP 13 inch to non-backlit MBA? is it hard? I'm a student...

Well I guess I can "kinda" answer this; my friend has a 2010 MBP and I have a black Macbook from 08. The only things I want from his that I don't have are the backlit keyboard and the longer battery life. For the keyboard, I have found that I only need this while at my friends's house at night (when they have the lights off) or when I want to use the laptop when I'm watching a movie or something. If you find yourself using a laptop in the dark, this will be helpful. If you're a touch typist and this only happens maybe once or twice a week, it isn't a deal breaker.

Sounds very similar to what my needs are, did you find the extra ram really worthwhile? or not really required. mind you i dont use photo shop, mainly office stuff (as im still on a pc) but i want to move to an apple and love this MBA.

I have 4 gigs of RAM in my MacBook and love it. Right now I have 3 windows of Firefox open with 12 tabs total, an HD movie paused mid length, a finder window, iTunese, Excel, AND Parallels running Windows XP. All across 6 spaces. I have 804 megs of RAM left and the computer runs just as fast as it would if I restarted and only had Word open. I think, for the average user up to anyone who doesn't do extreme editing, 4 gigs shoudl be fine. 6 if you want to push it.

watching "The Biggest Loser"?

Good one The Air can definitely handle a 1080p clip of that show though ^_^

Thanks for answering.
My plan is to wait until the new MBA is out and then go down to a store and try both out.

That's what I'm going to do. I'm shooting for the air because I'm hoping it will be cheaper than the Pro; ever cheaper since I'm going to have a student discount. Definitely going to take the hour drive when they're both out and buy one that day though.

 

[krimp]

Im about to buy an MBA and will use it for work, in my office they are all pc's what i need to know is can i connect to the drive on the server where all our office files are kept? possibly sounds like a stupid question but never owning a mac before i need to know.

 

[sjrogers]

I don't feel like this merits an entirely new thread, but thoughts on the 11" SB MBA as an only computer? I'm a college student, and here's how it would look:

-The only cpu-intensive task I really do is music mixing, which the new 11" airs should be able to handle
-In my dorm room, I'll have an external monitor
-I'll be storing all of my music and videos back home on an external hard drive connected to our Time Machine
-My usage will consist of iTunes, YouTube, internet browsing, word processing, light coding (compsci minor), and the occasional hulu or netflix streaming video.
-I'll keep my old '06 blackbook and use it as a secondary backup disk/optical drive/whatever else it can help me with in the dorm room

Thoughts?

 

[FieldingMellish]

I don't feel like this merits an entirely new thread, but thoughts on the 11" SB MBA as an only computer?

So it merits a hijack instead?

 

[PDFierro]

How is it a hijack? Take it easy. The thread is about using a MBA as your only computer. If someone wants to ask about the 11-inch, then so be it.