Mini-Rant about Macbook Air

[Paradoxeon]

Hey, to everyone at MacRumors. This is a sort of minirant about the new 2010 Macbook Air... if you don't wanna hear it, then go to a different thread
Kay, starting.
It seems like everyone who got the Macbook Air is really happy with it.
Faster, lighter, thinner, etc.
Now, first, lemme list the new things:
SSD, higher rez display, and noticeable cosmetic differences, lest costly (mostly referring to 11" model), among a bunch of other differences
And the bad things:
Removal of backlight

When you look at it from this perspective (a lot of new things contrasting to little 'bad things'), it does seem like the jet set of Macbook Airs, doesn't it? HOWEVER: I feel everyone who bought this bought it at the WRONG TIME! Listen, hear me out.
Although there are a bunch of new things, Apple's unprudent demeanor has yes, changed the Macbook Air, but also held out on so many things.
Next gen macbook Air will have:
SANDY BRIDGE
LIGHT PEAK
BACKLIGHT (contrary to our expectations, apple DOES listen to our complaints)
THINNER DESIGN (doesn't that always happen?)
HIGHER REZ DISLAY
Among a bunch of new things. And YES, I know the thinner design and higher rez display are GIVEN, but c'mon, guys. We'll have the EXACT same Macbook Air as this generation, next generation, only with the Sandy Bridge and LightPeak and Backlight. By that, I mean Apple's taking THIS gen's 'pretty good' into next gen's 'excellent'. <- yes, again, this always happens, but this time, it's a _pretty_ good FOR THIS GEN's TECHNOLOGY instead of apple's USUAL 'good'.
Concludes my rant.

 

[Surely]

I don't see how that was a rant?

Improvements are the norm when a newer generation of a product is released.

 

[yoitsmebenny]

I doubt the displays (at least on the 13) will get much higher res for the time being.

 

[TheRealDamager]

Couldn't you repeat this rant for any computer model at any time since the advent of computers?

Newer and faster and better are ALWAYS right around the corner. That comes with the territory.

 

[Sheet]

Couldn't you repeat this rant for any computer model at any time since the advent of computers?

Newer and faster and better are ALWAYS right around the corner. That comes with the territory.

Exactly!

And I still don't get, why no backlit is an issue..

 

[Paradoxeon]

I don't see how that was a rant?

Improvements are the norm when a newer generation of a product is released.

Haha I said mini rant And I know, I know, but what I was saying was that the current 'NEW TECH' is considerably lower than what Apple's regular 'standard' is; or it could be OUR standards.

I doubt the displays (at least on the 13) will get much higher res for the time being.

Doesn't it always? Apples seems to be on the resolution drug this time of year.

Couldn't you repeat this rant for any computer model at any time since the advent of computers?

Newer and faster and better are ALWAYS right around the corner. That comes with the territory.

Same with what I said to 'Surely'. The bar was lowered considerably and the new Air's are... not as good.

Exactly!

And I still don't get, why no backlit is an issue..

Ever try typing in the dark trying to conserve power by keeping the screen brightness at a minimun, MEANWHILE trying to make it bright enough to be able to see the keyboard (reflective)?

 

[Surely]

Ever try typing in the dark trying to conserve power by keeping the screen brightness at a minimun, MEANWHILE trying to make it bright enough to be able to see the keyboard (reflective)?

You shouldn't need to look at the keyboard when you type.......

 

[DarwinOSX]

That was some pretty nonsensical rambling by the OP.

 

[Sheet]

Ever try typing in the dark trying to conserve power by keeping the screen brightness at a minimun, MEANWHILE trying to make it bright enough to be able to see the keyboard (reflective)?

Yes, I have. My keyboard and me know each other for quite a time now. So I don't need any light to hit the right keys (well, most of them )

 

[JPizzzle]

Purchase Mavis Beacon-backlight problem solved, and you'll be able to type much faster even in the dark.

Backlight is not an issue if you know how to type, that's what those little raised marks are for on the "f" and "j" keys (hand placement). Surprised at the amount of people complaining of the backlight problem, maybe i'm taking my elementary school computer typing class for granted , or do people just like the cool looks of the backlit keys. I personally did like the looks, but don't really need the function.

edit: I guess it might be an issue if your in the dark and trying to find the number or function keys-but for the most part I don't see the lack of backlit a big deal and obv the many engineers at apple didn't think so either

 

[kinsale]

I just purchased the base model for $999. My other computer is a 2010 13" Macbook Pro. The Air is in no way below Apples standard. Light Peak was not available yet when these were designed. SSDs will continue to get bigger and faster. that's a given. Same for display. Why is display subpar? Video looks awesome, I'm not struggling to read text.
There will ALWAYS be something better. ALWAYS.
I'm considering selling my Pro and just using the Air. I have network storage for all the big files. So I'm happy as a pig in...

 

[vincenz]

Why is backlit keyboard such a big deal anyway?

 

[rrl]

Wow, what a piece of crap. And unprudent isn't a word.

 

[MikePA]

Why is backlit keyboard such a big deal anyway?

Good question. I am sure people will chime in with points not raised the last time there was a thread about this right after the new MBAs hit the market.

 

[timsutcliffe]

Maybe i'm taking my elementary school computer typing class for granted.

Don't take them for granted. I've had nothing of the kind over here in the UK, and I don't think too many other people over here will have had them either.

 

[Kenrik]

And that's what eBay is for...

Sell 2010 Macbook Air.. take maybe a $150 hit and buy 2011 Macbook Air.

in the meantime I used my 2010 macbook air for a whole year and it only cost me $150. + I don't have to worry about my Apple care running out so I save $100 (1 year of Apple Care runs about that if you do the math)

in the end I loose maybe $50 after using a computer for about a year...

um yeah.. cool story bro.

 

[MRU]

Why is backlit keyboard such a big deal anyway?

True...


We know what's going to happen don't we

Apple introduce backlit keyboard.... people bitch about reduced battery life.
Apple introduce SandyBridge MBA with HD300.... people bitch about weaker gpu performance




It's just a case that some people are never going to be happy regardless.


As for a thinner model ? What is this the Kate Moss fan club

 

[CHSeifert]

Hey, to everyone at MacRumors. This is a sort of minirant about the new 2010 Macbook Air... if you don't wanna hear it, then go to a different thread
Kay, starting.
It seems like everyone who got the Macbook Air is really happy with it.
Faster, lighter, thinner, etc.
Now, first, lemme list the new things:
SSD, higher rez display, and noticeable cosmetic differences, lest costly (mostly referring to 11" model), among a bunch of other differences
And the bad things:
Removal of backlight

When you look at it from this perspective (a lot of new things contrasting to little 'bad things'), it does seem like the jet set of Macbook Airs, doesn't it? HOWEVER: I feel everyone who bought this bought it at the WRONG TIME! Listen, hear me out.
Although there are a bunch of new things, Apple's unprudent demeanor has yes, changed the Macbook Air, but also held out on so many things.
Next gen macbook Air will have:
SANDY BRIDGE
LIGHT PEAK
BACKLIGHT (contrary to our expectations, apple DOES listen to our complaints)
THINNER DESIGN (doesn't that always happen?)
HIGHER REZ DISLAY
Among a bunch of new things. And YES, I know the thinner design and higher rez display are GIVEN, but c'mon, guys. We'll have the EXACT same Macbook Air as this generation, next generation, only with the Sandy Bridge and LightPeak and Backlight. By that, I mean Apple's taking THIS gen's 'pretty good' into next gen's 'excellent'. <- yes, again, this always happens, but this time, it's a _pretty_ good FOR THIS GEN's TECHNOLOGY instead of apple's USUAL 'good'.
Concludes my rant.

If that's a rant - then it's a typical apple rant

Look, you won't see higher resolution in a 13" screen - NO WAY !

I agree - backlit keyboard is a must. People who type without looking can turn it off.

This is frankly the only current downside to the MBA - lack if backlit keyboard.

It can't get much thinner - and if course the next MBA will have a faster CPU. That's a given for 9/10 new generation computers.

The 13" MBA Ultimate 2010 with backlit keys is the perfect laptop for me !!!





----
Vh/Regards
Claus [iPhone

 

[57004]

Maybe all those people bought it now because they need one now and not in maybe june, maybe october?

I also agree on the ebay upgrades. I do the same every time (albeit not on ebay but on local sites). Macs have excellent resale values, it surprises me every time how much they're still worth. I never have a problem selling them, I'm pretty careful with them anyway so they always look the part.

I know Sandy Bridge will be a massive upgrade in terms of CPU (probably 30% faster or so), but the GPU will indeed suffer a bit. Light Peak would be cool but I'm not sure when devices will be available cheaply enough for me to consider them. I'll probably get an 11" air soon but it won't be my main Mac so super-fast IO performance isn't really a concern.

Edit: And yes I would love the backlit keyboard back, but if you compare the current keyboard closely to the MBP and previous MBA's keyboards, it's clearly a redesign. Key caps are thinner, key travel is lower. I can imagine it being a serious challenge freeing up even a millimetre of space underneath the keyboard for the backlight.

 

[Psilocybin]

Hum I'm happy I bought now I dont want sandy bridge I despise intel gpu

Thinner? Sorry doubt that's even possible. What do you want for it to literally be a piece of paper? It won't even have enough space for a USB port if you go any thinner.

 

[Scottsdale]

While the CPU bump would be nice, the CPU isn't the bottleneck in computers today. In addition, the CPU bump comes with forced Intel IGP for graphics which will probably fare worse than the Nvidia 9400m did over two years ago, when the "real" tests are released.

I really hoped Apple would go for AMD CPU/GPU pairing or go discrete GPU in the 13" Macs. Time will tell, but I expect to be disappointed with anything Intel does on the graphics front for at least another three or four years. Intel is a CPU company, and even their anti-competitive bullying doesn't improve their own GPU. It's too bad they didn't just buy Nvidia to make Intel's graphics into something that actually work.

I don't expect to be so wowed by the next MBA update. I think Apple laid its cards on the table with the last MBA update. I think the next update will bring Intel CPU and IGP, along with Thunderbolt. But that is it. I still want USB 3.0, and Intel is playing anti-competitively there too. Really, I don't understand why Apple wants to be in bed with Intel, as they are as bad as it gets when it comes to being anti-competitive and pure evil.

I see no other improvements out of the next MBA... not even the backlit keyboard as it does interfere with thickness. What might happen though is a new technology taking over the keyboard backlighting functions as the recent patent application implied.

I would advise people to jump on the MBA right now, as it's not worth waiting, really. Look at the 13" MBP, and see that it still lags behind the MBA in so many major components. The absolute best value of any selling Mac right now is the MBA, and refurbished is a hell of a deal. I wish the other features like USB 3.0, backlit keyboard, RAM upgrade, and discrete graphics were coming, but we can see from yesterday's MBP updates that those type of updates aren't coming. Buy now and be happy.

 

[karlegas]

Time ago Apple patented some display like the iMac that you can introduce a Macbook inside it to use as dock station.

I think that the Thunderbolt will be the perfect connector to the display and hard drive peripherals for that model. Backing to the times of the Powerbook Duos.

Also I am very disappointed that Apple not updates USB 2.0 to USB 3.0 since there will be more peripherals coming with this connector than Thunderbolt.

I am very happy with my MBA I bougth this month and I did not want to back to the heaviest MacBook Pros for a long time.

 

[BlackMax]

I'm perfectly happy with my current 11.6" MBA. I've never used a backlit keyboard (don't have one on my Black MacBook either) so I guess I don't miss what I never had. Besides, wouldn't it just be another drain on the battery?

I'm hesitant about the upcoming move to Sandy Bridge. I believe the CPU performance will improve, but at the cost of GPU performance. I am not a big fan of Intel GPUs.

Also, do you really think the 11.6'' MBA could get much thinner or the display any higher rez than it already is? One thing Apple could do that would make me VERY HAPPY would be to use an IPS panel in the 11.6" MBA. That alone might provoke me to upgrade.

 

[bowlerman625]

I'm very happy with my 11.6 MBA. I still have my rev C MBA with the SSD. It's a great Mac but the 11.6 seems so much better, even with the smaller screen!

 

[BlackMax]

Time ago Apple patented some display like the iMac that you can introduce a Macbook inside it to use as dock station.

If Apple were to release a 27" LCD monitor I could simply slide my 11.6" MBA into as a docking station I would be first in line to buy one!