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New Macbook Air 13 Owner: Surprisingly Disappointed
- Thread starter urkel
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So you have all the lights nice and dim, and you whip out a laptop with a giant 11 or 13 inch bright screen, and you're worried about impacting everyone's viewing pleasure?
1) How many usb devices are you going to be using in bed at 2am?
2) Keeping that USB light on a nightstand by your bed.... what a challenge.
3) Really, get over yourself.
ok also if you use a computer enough (like in my case) you just get to know where the keys are so you dont have to worry about it.
also the screen illuminates the keyboard a bit, so its not hard
also the screen illuminates the keyboard a bit, so its not hard
LOL!. i think your just digging for crap to bi*** about. Give it up!
you must be one of those people that the computer has to be completely perfect or else you just sit there and complain
Good grief. Just get a big bulky plastic windows laptops will all the processing power, ports, and whatever else you desire.
The MBA is right on for people who *know what it is before they buy it* and have a specific use for it.
The MBA is right on for people who *know what it is before they buy it* and have a specific use for it.
I could only imagine the difference.
I had a PC laptop that weighed just over 7 pounds and replaced with a PC laptop that weighs just over 5 pounds and that difference feels huge. I haven't carried any 3 lb. laptop but I think it would be a joy to have something that light and also having a full OS and a workable keyboard. (I don't do well with PC netbook sized keys or the iPad's heat sensitive keys when typing longer passages).
I find it hilarious how you guys are willing to fight tooth and nail to defend apple here, giving the OP every possible work around to make the computer work for him.
everyone knows that the MBA, the way it is right now is a "compromise" system. Apple intentionally left out features that are pretty much industry standards. And that next year they'll toss you another bone, to make you buy the next gen.
Now the only question should be for anyone purchasing this system is "are you a big enough chump to shell out $1k+ for an outdated computer, just for the size/shape?" If the answer is yes, then go for it. If no, then just sit back and wait for the next MBP.
everyone knows that the MBA, the way it is right now is a "compromise" system. Apple intentionally left out features that are pretty much industry standards. And that next year they'll toss you another bone, to make you buy the next gen.
Now the only question should be for anyone purchasing this system is "are you a big enough chump to shell out $1k+ for an outdated computer, just for the size/shape?" If the answer is yes, then go for it. If no, then just sit back and wait for the next MBP.
You have a lot of good points here.
I think, and hope, that the next MBP will be a considerable leap for what you get and hopefully the price will at least stay the same. It would be great if Apple could have the next 13" inch MBP have a Core i5. A larger hard drive would also be nice as well as more RAM. I suspect this will be the case for the 13" inch model. As for the 15" inch and 17" inch, I hope Apple also makes big strides in upgrading those, too. For the price, it would be nice to have the entry level 15" inch sport a Core i7.
Having lugged my 15" MBP across the country for the last three years, I expect some "compromises" considering the minuscule size and weight of the MacBook Air... but fortunately for me, none of the MBA's compromises are a concern for me... of course I didn't buy the MBA as a desktop replacement, so YMMV.
Nah - I'm just blowing out my frustration over the fact that I can't justify buying the MBA although I really, really want a light, snappy computer like that one. It's not about lacking the money and making up excuses - because I do have the money to buy the ultimate 13" 4 GB / 256 GB even. I would certainly go for those specs to keep the computer as long as possible - so perfect or not, I do want backlit keyboard in it. It's 1800 dollars! And the lack of the backlit keyboard is the reason I cannot justify spending that much money on it.
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Display of Macbook Pro 13" packs less pixels than MBA 13" but is no way pixelated. In fact, it looks better than my Eee PC 1201T which has 12.1" screen and has 1366x768 resolution.
I'm a fifty-something old man and even I can see the pixels in the new MacBook Air screens. I can't wait for resolution independence and truly sharp screens. I think Apple will head in that direction eventually, since the iPhone now has a very sharp screen and people seem to love it.
All computers are compromises of some sort. Let's face it, for most of us, processor technology has progressed a lot faster than our ability to take advantage of it. Therefore, an "outdated" computer may well suit our needs. Judging from last quarter, it appears Apple did a decent job designing the MacBook Air.
I hope that the next 13" MB/-A/-P will come with a 1680x1050 option, as 1440x900 is likely to be the new default.
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You probably won't agree but I'd suggest you get a refurbished base model for $1100, enjoy it and the $700 in your pocket, then look for the computer of your dreams in a year or two, if one exists.
^This.
Yeah - that's when they put the backlit keyboard back and maybe add an extra hour or two of battery life. And that's it.
Engineering takes time. Do we wait an extra year or two for all the features we want or do we prefer to get something now? I'm very happy with the MacBook Air as is. I've been waiting years for a suitable replacement for the 12" PowerBook and the current MacBook Air is it.
OP Why U Mad Tho?
Let's say you get tired of the MBA. Your resell price would be more profitable than a more capable windows PC.
You lose maybe $150 but you still have a nice amount to buy a pc laptop that has your "necessities". Your obviously not happy with
so why not get a Windows laptop?
May I suggest a HP Envy 14" $924
or possibly a Vaio Z? 13" $1800
Let's say you get tired of the MBA. Your resell price would be more profitable than a more capable windows PC.
You lose maybe $150 but you still have a nice amount to buy a pc laptop that has your "necessities". Your obviously not happy with
so why not get a Windows laptop?May I suggest a HP Envy 14" $924
or possibly a Vaio Z? 13" $1800
Yeah, I have a great new computer, with no concern that the keyboard isn't lit up or that it has no i4.i6 processor or whatever! Next year, perhaps I'll see something new and sell this one to trade up. Or not.Good for you.
OK - today I surrendered.
I went to an Apple store to check how it is to type on the MBA keyboard. I also checked if the screen illuminates the keyboard enough to see the keys (like Psilocybin stated that it does). Surprisingly, it's far better to type on than the MBP, even. Therefore, the lack of backlit keyboard is no longer a reason for me to not get the MBA - I guess you all know what that narrows it down to.
Now I'm the happy owner of a MacBook Air 13" 256 GB / 4 GB / 2.13 GHz
I went to an Apple store to check how it is to type on the MBA keyboard. I also checked if the screen illuminates the keyboard enough to see the keys (like Psilocybin stated that it does). Surprisingly, it's far better to type on than the MBP, even. Therefore, the lack of backlit keyboard is no longer a reason for me to not get the MBA - I guess you all know what that narrows it down to.
Now I'm the happy owner of a MacBook Air 13" 256 GB / 4 GB / 2.13 GHz
OK - today I surrendered.
I went to an Apple store to check how it is to type on the MBA keyboard. I also checked if the screen illuminates the keyboard enough to see the keys (like Psilocybin stated that it does). Surprisingly, it's far better to type on than the MBP, even. Therefore, the lack of backlit keyboard is no longer a reason for me to not get the MBA - I guess you all know what that narrows it down to.
Now I'm the happy owner of a MacBook Air 13" 256 GB / 4 GB / 2.13 GHz
Congratulations. I have the exact same machine coming from a MacBook Pro 15" I7 and I love it
OK - today I surrendered.
I went to an Apple store to check how it is to type on the MBA keyboard. I also checked if the screen illuminates the keyboard enough to see the keys (like Psilocybin stated that it does). Surprisingly, it's far better to type on than the MBP, even. Therefore, the lack of backlit keyboard is no longer a reason for me to not get the MBA - I guess you all know what that narrows it down to.
Now I'm the happy owner of a MacBook Air 13" 256 GB / 4 GB / 2.13 GHz
I got the same MBA you guys have a little over three months ago and love it! The MBA has almost completely replaced my 17 inch 2.4GHz Santa Rosa MBP, although the MBP has 6GB of RAM. I simply couldn't be happier!Congratulations. I have the exact same machine coming from a MacBook Pro 15" I7 and I love it
The MBA's lack of keyboard lighting has not been an issue for me. Although both my MBP and the old G4 Powerbook it replaced had backlit keyboards I didn't use them.
Maybe you should have tried it out first
To each his own I suppose. I am in the opposite camp. I bought the Air because I needed a personal computer to take on business trips along with my work computer. I wanted something light but a netbook just wouldn't have been powerful enough. I am totally surprised with how fast the machine is. I guess my expectations are lower than the original poster, but for an everyday personal machine the 13" Air is truly wonderful.
To each his own I suppose. I am in the opposite camp. I bought the Air because I needed a personal computer to take on business trips along with my work computer. I wanted something light but a netbook just wouldn't have been powerful enough. I am totally surprised with how fast the machine is. I guess my expectations are lower than the original poster, but for an everyday personal machine the 13" Air is truly wonderful.