MBA Buying Advice

[geltab]

Hi All,

I really am itching to buy a new MBA, but after reading all of the issues that are going down, I have decided to wait a few months until Apple fixes these issues (whether they be software, hardware or both). I would advise anybody else in my situation just to hang in there, be patient and not buy one until these problems are fixed. It is really hard to know something so nice is out there but has some minor issue and restraining myself from buying one.

Here is why I suggest waiting. Why be the beta tester for Apple and suffer the pain of having issues with your machine? I have been there. I bought a first generation Macbook the day they came out. Oh boy was that painful. My first unit had the whistling fan syndrome and was warped. The replacement unit got to be 90C on mid to heavy usage, idled at about 80C. I waited it out a month or two and they came out with some kind of firmware fix. Funny enough, I bought the original MBP and also had the whistling fan issues and heat. Both fixed via firmware a few months later.

What I gather from this forum (which may or may not be all that realistic, because more people post problems than "I have a perfect machine" posts) is that the current MBA's have some minor issues. Fans running crazy, cores shutting down, balance issues due to the rubber feet, poor video playback (not just on 1080p HD- which is unrealistic on a machine of these specs), and heat issues. All of these seem to be early issues that will be fixed in production and software/firmware updates.

The way I look at it is I want this machine to be running perfect when I get it out of the box. If there is one thing I have learned buying Apple products in the last few years, is that it is best to restrain myself a month or so after a new product is released and then buy it once I get the green light from people not complaining about issues on this forum. I would advise anyone else in my situation to do the same. Besides, maybe by then New Egg will have some cheaper prices on those SSD's.

 

[MazingerZ]

Kinda funny..none of the issues you have posted have affected my MBA. I think reading these forums give a skewed perspective on how well or bad the quality on these first revs of MBA's.

 

[GoCubsGo]

I'm with MazingerZ. From what I can tell there are less problems with the MBAir as a rev A product than there have been with the new aluminum iMacs. You can't let any forum dictate how you shop. Use the forums as a tool, a guide, but not the be all end all for every buying decision.

 

[Critical Hippo]

My 1.6/80 HDD hasn't come across any of these problems. I was hesitant to buy a first-generation Apple product because I had to exchange the first iPod Touch I bought (negative black issues, week 37, etc.), but so far nothing bad has happened.

 

[devilot]

The way I figure? I have such awful Apple luck as it is, if I want something badly enough? Forget it-- I'm not waiting! I'm personally bound to have issues, anyway. Teehee.

I've only wanted 3 brand new rev. A Apple products before touching one:

1. first gen. iPod nano
2. alum wired KB
3. MBA

I do have an iPhone which is a rev. A product, but, I didn't want it at first and definitely not w/out first fiddling around w/ it in person.

 

[geltab]

Point well taken. I agree, but check my post. I am using the forum as a tool.

I have had some previous history with a MB and MBP, both of which seem
similar to these issues that are being posted for the MBA. My experiences are the main dictating factor in my purchase decisions.

I also state, that most people will post problems and not "I have the perfect machine" posts, but when there are multiple post of the same issues, that usually says there are known issues.

With that being said, why roll the dice on a $1800 plus purchase? I did it twice before and lost. Again, this is just my experience. Who knows, I might get that perfect machine if I buy one today. I am just suggesting a bit of patience could only lead to a less issue prone purchase.

 

[MazingerZ]

Point well taken. I agree, but check my post. I am using the forum as a tool.

I have had some previous history with a MB and MBP, both of which seem
similar to these issues that are being posted for the MBA. My experiences are the main dictating factor in my purchase decisions.

I also state, that most people will post problems and not "I have the perfect machine" posts, but when there are multiple post of the same issues, that usually says there are known issues.

With that being said, why roll the dice on a $1800 plus purchase? I did it twice before and lost. Again, this is just my experience. Who knows, I might get that perfect machine if I buy one today. I am just suggesting a bit of patience could only lead to a less issue prone purchase.

Or it could be just you? I never think anything I buy is going to be perfect regardless of the price.

 

[geltab]

perfect and noticeably flawed are two different things.

nothing is perfect.

 

[aiongiant]

from my experince ive always gotten first gen of apple products
ipod, ipod nano, iphone, imac, macbook pro, mac pro, macbook air

yes nothing will be perfect even thought i hope it would be lol
putting that much $ down i want it perfect lol

but yea form all the first gen stuff i bought from apple.. i had issues with my imac and macbook pro.. it does suck but now it's kinda expected i guess

however i was lucky enough to get my problem fixed easily enough
i dont' have an apple store near me but i have a couple authorize dealers that do apple repairs for free as long as it's under warranty

but yea for the macbook air.. i have no issues at all with mine
no overheating etc etc
i think they are starting improve quality control? and i think most of the issues is a software thing rather than hardware
and i think 10.5.2 will fix alot of it

 

[prominence]

It's funny that you mention that. Aside from the Air being slightly warm, I have had no overheating issues. The fan hasn't exceeded 2600 RPM. It runs very smooth and I've had no issues. (Yet - I hope I don't run into the same battery issues I've seen haunting other members of this forum.)

 

[JasonBourne9]

I have a perfect MBA.

No issues and REALLY love it. I didn't know I could use a computer this much.

 

[khosna]

No Issues

No real issues either. If you like the MBA go for it!

 

[dthree36]

I had an issue with the first one, 1.8 SSD due to a spinning fan at 6200 RPM. I have to Apple stores in town so I just got it replaced. Nothing was really wrong other than the fans are not supposed to spin that fast all the time. I must say I was a little discouraged. After I got my replacement which took 3 days, I couldn't be happier. I was never without an air because the first one wasn't exactly broken but it was a minor let down.

I say go for it, if you don't like it, they have a nice resale value on E-bay, especially if you will ship globally.

 

[geltab]

I just bought one today. Couldn't hold out any longer
I have done a reinstall and put Photoshop and Illustrator CS3.
It is updating right now. I am then going to see if I can do my design work on it. That mainly consists of coloring comics and lettering comics. Some pretty big files, so I will report back with some impressions. Gotta say that I am liking the MBA . It is fairly hot and the fans are running a bit, but that is most likely that lame adobe updater. That things always screws up my computers.

 

[Macmanus]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/24/is-the-macbook-air-a-flop_n_83057.html

http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9854014-1.html?tag=cnetfd.mt&r=1201450019753&r=1201450022791

Did you read it before bying ? Looks like it's just another compulsory buy.

 

[netdog]

perfect and noticeably flawed are two different things.

nothing is perfect.

How much is Redmond paying you?

MBAs are flying out the door and they run great. A few have problems. So what? Apple will take care of those customers.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/24/is-the-macbook-air-a-flop_n_83057.html

http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9854014-1.html?tag=cnetfd.mt&r=1201450019753&r=1201450022791

Did you read it before bying ? Looks like it's just another compulsory buy.

Well, it looks like these folks are wrong. The shipments into Regent Street here in London are sold out 30 minutes after opening every day.

These machines are great. Why are people who don't own them so insistent on trying to convince the world that we don't want these machines.

I know three people who have them, and all are thrilled with the Air.

 

[PDE]

Hi All,

I really am itching to buy a new MBA, but after reading all of the issues that are going down, I have decided to wait a few months until Apple fixes these issues (whether they be software, hardware or both). I would advise anybody else in my situation just to hang in there, be patient and not buy one until these problems are fixed. It is really hard to know something so nice is out there but has some minor issue and restraining myself from buying one.

Here is why I suggest waiting. Why be the beta tester for Apple and suffer the pain of having issues with your machine? I have been there. I bought a first generation Macbook the day they came out. Oh boy was that painful. My first unit had the whistling fan syndrome and was warped. The replacement unit got to be 90C on mid to heavy usage, idled at about 80C. I waited it out a month or two and they came out with some kind of firmware fix. Funny enough, I bought the original MBP and also had the whistling fan issues and heat. Both fixed via firmware a few months later.

What I gather from this forum (which may or may not be all that realistic, because more people post problems than "I have a perfect machine" posts) is that the current MBA's have some minor issues. Fans running crazy, cores shutting down, balance issues due to the rubber feet, poor video playback (not just on 1080p HD- which is unrealistic on a machine of these specs), and heat issues. All of these seem to be early issues that will be fixed in production and software/firmware updates.

The way I look at it is I want this machine to be running perfect when I get it out of the box. If there is one thing I have learned buying Apple products in the last few years, is that it is best to restrain myself a month or so after a new product is released and then buy it once I get the green light from people not complaining about issues on this forum. I would advise anyone else in my situation to do the same. Besides, maybe by then New Egg will have some cheaper prices on those SSD's.

As a mac owner since 1992, and somebody who has personally been burned on rev A Apple laptops on more than one occasion (yes, I know I'm stupid), the macbook air seems to be one of the least problem-ridden launches ever. The problems you hear about are really minor and will be fixed easily with apple updates. As for the issues you mentioned, I've had none of them at all: heat is very well contained, fans run only when I'm doing something CPU intensive, both cores working perfectly, no wobble and great video playback at HD 720, but sometimes a little choppy with higher HD. My impression is really that Apple completely nailed the hardware this time and that whatever remaining issues exist are software/firmware glitches, if that. Much like the iphone! Only time can tell if it will hold up to daily use, but it's a good start! I'm very impressed and that isn't easy given my nasty experience with over 10 defective MBPs last year!

 

[Clix Pix]

I have had absolutely NO problems with my 1.8 / SSD MBA. None. NADA. Zip. I love this thing!!!!