Schizo macbook pro owner: I miss my MBA!

[markrivers]

i own an MBP.
if ever i'll be getting an MBA, i won't let go of the MBP
and i'll buy the 2nd generation MBA, hopefully all these issues will be addressed by then

 

[PDE]

So, my dear friends co-conspirators, I ordered a MBA from amazon! I will keep either the MBA or MBP (not both), but since I'm unable to transcend my temporary schizophrenia with my mind alone, I've decided to use them both for a week or so, and see how I feel with them side-by-side. And then I'll decide which one to get rid of/return. because of amazon rebates/no tax, I'll most likely be able sell one of the machines and not lose much money, if any.

To those who cautioned about money: you're absolutely right! That's why only one of the machine can stay with me. I'll update with my findings after a few days of using them.

Cheers!

 

[hotdamn]

So, my dear friends co-conspirators, I ordered a MBA from amazon! I will keep either the MBA or MBP (not both), but since I'm unable to transcend my temporary schizophrenia with my mind alone, I've decided to use them both for a week or so, and see how I feel with them side-by-side. And then I'll decide which one to get rid of/return. because of amazon rebates/no tax, I'll most likely be sell one of the machines and not lose much money, if any.

To those who cautioned about money: you're absolutely right! That's why only one the machine can stay with me. I'll update with my findings after a few days of using them.

Cheers!

hey, just a suggestion: first thing when you get your macbook air, hit up a videochat for 30 minutes and watch a couple of youtube videos, so you get the overheating issues out of the way.

also, good luck with your decision, god knows it's a hard one.

 

[bcaslis]

So, my dear friends co-conspirators, I ordered a MBA from amazon! I will keep either the MBA or MBP (not both), but since I'm unable to transcend my temporary schizophrenia with my mind alone, I've decided to use them both for a week or so, and see how I feel with them side-by-side. And then I'll decide which one to get rid of/return. because of amazon rebates/no tax, I'll most likely be able sell one of the machines and not lose much money, if any.

To those who cautioned about money: you're absolutely right! That's why only one of the machine can stay with me. I'll update with my findings after a few days of using them.

Cheers!

Good luck with your decision. I've been trying to do exactly the same thing for the past three weeks between the MBA and a new Penryn MBP. Still haven't been able to decide, but I need to do so soon.

 

[hotdamn]

for what it's worth, I am sending my macbook air back and getting a macbook pro instead.

it's just so damn unreliable, eventhough it's the nicest mac ever made.
I'm so sad.

 

[NC MacGuy]

for what it's worth, I am sending my macbook air back and getting a macbook pro instead.

it's just so damn unreliable, eventhough it's the nicest mac ever made.
I'm so sad.

Hotdamn - THAT SUCKS!! I hope your MBP works great. It's a crying shame they're able to sell an idea and product and not have the bugs worked out.

I'm afraid a lot of of this can be attributed to Steve-o's super secret philosophy. These things are so secret they never REALLY get tested until the poor consumer gets them in their hands.

 

[PDE]

for what it's worth, I am sending my macbook air back and getting a macbook pro instead.

it's just so damn unreliable, eventhough it's the nicest mac ever made.
I'm so sad.

Hmm... that's not encouraging. I have my doubts, but I'm entranced by the light weight, thinness and design. But beauty is not enough: if it's unreliable in any way, it's going back to meet its maker immediately. The MBP I have seems completely and utterly stable and reliable.

 

[hotdamn]

Also, how come it works better on battery power than plugged in?

If I didn't need a damn laptop so badly, I'd totally go through the trouble of exchanging it until I get my hands on a good one.
I'm a sad panda, this is the nicest laptop I've ever seen, not to mention owned.

 

[Wingnut330]

I've had my MBA for a month or so and just bought a MBP to replace it. I LOVE my MBA, but I don't plan to take it out of the house much, so the portability wasn't worth the power tradeoff. I may consider another one when the next rev comes out (although mine has performed flawlessly).

Wish I would have known earlier - you could have bought my old MBA!

 

[hotdamn]

Well quite frankly, I would've loved to, but I am a developer select member, so I get a crazy discount

or if you meant the thread starter then I am sorry.

also, boo at 2nd core failing during video chat and peggle. again.

 

[PDE]

I hope I get one that works well but I keep asking myself why I'm doing this when the MBP is such a great computer? It really has to do with a longing to have a much lighter full computer in my otherwise heavy bag. After years of carrying way too much in my backpack, I want less. But I also love the size and form factor, of course. I'm prepared to make the required compromises (no DVD, no built in ethernet, firewire etc), but I won't compromise on stability and basic functionality. I'll try to keep a positive mindset and hope for the best!

BTW, What's the quickest method to check for core shutdown?

 

[pinktank]

I think having both the air and the pro is a little ridiculuous, get a desktop for home instead?

 

[PDE]

I think having both the air and the pro is a little ridiculuous, get a desktop for home instead?

Well, that's why I wrote that I will only keep one. i don't want two computers because I hate syncing....

 

[rom]

I have both MBA and 15" MBP and seriously thinking of selling the MBP and getting an iMac. I have the MBA for portability already.

 

[PDE]

I have both MBA and 15" MBP and seriously thinking of selling the MBP and getting an iMac. I have the MBA for portability already.

Having both does seem a bit redundant... Would you consider a MBA together with a large display as your main system? Or is it simply not powerful enough for your needs?

 

[PDE]

I should really stop reading these forums. It's painful to see the problems people are having with core shutdown, videochat and freezing MBAs. It seemed like the MBA was similar to the iphone in terms of being an unusually solid rev A Apple product, but perhaps there are more problems than initially was thought?

Maybe I shouldn't even open the box....and just be content with my MBP?

 

[NC MacGuy]

I should really stop reading these forums. It's painful to see the problems people are having with core shutdown, videochat and freezing MBAs. It seemed like the MBA was similar to the iphone in terms of being an unusually sold rev A Apple product, but perhaps there are more problems that initially was though?

Maybe I shouldn't even open the box....and just be content with my MBP?

Oh heck, open it and see if it works okay. If it doesn't, easy decision. If it does you gots some thinkin' to do...

 

[jlanuez]

Go on and get it.

Bought my 24 inch 2.8 GHz Extreme iMac Aluminium with 500 GB HD in Dec 07
Bought my 17 inch 2.6 GHz MacBook Pro SR Processor with 200 GB HD in Jan 08
Bought my 13.3 inch 1.8 GHz 64 GD SSD MacBook Air in Feb 08

Why not go for everything.



Enjoying everything right now (Apple family).

What??? March is almost over and No Mac Pro yet?

 

[jlanuez]

I have both MBA and 15" MBP and seriously thinking of selling the MBP and getting an iMac. I have the MBA for portability already.

Now this is the post that makes sense!



.

 

[PDE]

Oh heck, open it and see if it works okay. If it doesn't, easy decision. If it does you gots some thinkin' to do...

Yes, that's what I'll do. If it's not working properly I'll return it and stick to my MBP. if it is working properly, I'll think about it and sell whichever one I don't decide to keep. That was the original plan, but I was getting nervous reading all the problems here...

Just hope UPS can deliver sooooooon!


Just for 'fun' I ran a HD 720 Apple trailer in a loop on my MBP for 40 minutes:

Fans: max 2600rpm
CPU: Fluctuating between 30-50% on both cores
Temperatures:

CPU A 56C
GPU Diode 64C
GPU heatsink 52C
heatsink A 51C
Heatsink B 43C
Enclosure Base 32C
memory controller 42C
Airport Card 37C

In other words: it runs cool and quiet even under quite a bit of load. It'll be interesting to see how the MBA does.

 

[bcaslis]

I should really stop reading these forums. It's painful to see the problems people are having with core shutdown, videochat and freezing MBAs. It seemed like the MBA was similar to the iphone in terms of being an unusually solid rev A Apple product, but perhaps there are more problems than initially was thought?

Maybe I shouldn't even open the box....and just be content with my MBP?

If you read the forums here the MBA is a piece of junk.

But I've had one since 2/3. No problems at all. My only issues with it are I would like more internal storage and there are times (like for photo software) I'd really like a bigger screen. The form factor is a joy and the SSD shows what a silent mac really is. Makes the MBP look clunky and dated. But the MBP (especially the new ones) is clearly more powerful for tasks requiring more CPU or graphics or needing a bigger screen.

As for using the MBA as an only computer with a screen, no I would not. Simple reason, there are times I need an optical drive and more storage (USB drive) active at the same time. Not too often but occasionally. Can't be done with the MBA. You must have the Superdrive in the USB plug (can't use a hub) so I can't hookup anything else.

 

[bcaslis]

Yes, that's what I'll do. If it's not working properly I'll return it and stick to my MBP. if it is working properly, I'll think about it and sell whichever one I don't decide to keep. That was the original plan, but I was getting nervous reading all the problems here...

Just hope UPS can deliver sooooooon!


Just for 'fun' I ran a HD 720 Apple trailer in a loop on my MBP for 40 minutes:

Fans: max 2600rpm
CPU: Fluctuating between 30-50% on both cores
Temperatures:

CPU A 56C
GPU Diode 64C
GPU heatsink 52C
heatsink A 51C
Heatsink B 43C
Enclosure Base 32C
memory controller 42C
Airport Card 37C

In other words: it runs cool and quiet even under quite a bit of load. It'll be interesting to see how the MBA does.

I've done this. I can guarantee you that in this contest the MBP wins. The MBA normally is quite cool and quiet. But doing this will ship up the fans alot. I've never had it overheat or shutdown a core, but it will get warm on the bottom left and the fan will get up to 6200rpm.

 

[AMoeini]

It's a completely natural feeling. I was addicted to the iPhone (seriously) from around november until february. It sounds funny, but it's truly not. I still don't even own an iPhone and honestly, I can wait now. But it's a terrible thing, all I did was research iPhone information, watch reviews, interviews, even unboxing videos, it was absolutely ridiculous. The only thing that helped was time, and knowing eventually, it will get an update.

Please don't fall in for one, trust me, the MacBook Pro is an incredible device. Yes, it might have a few extra pounds to it, bigger, and not as easy on the eyes (although, still VERY attractive) but it does and can handle more than the MBA. It's maybe not at slim, but it definitely is way more practical. Unless you need two computers, which I don't think is the situation for anyone unless they need them for work, just admire it, but don't buy it. You really don't need it. And although it might be a while, it will receive and update, and then you can go ahead and purchase one. I still use my iBook G4, and trust me, many times I felt the need to kill for a MacBook. Now, truly I do need a new computer because this thing has maybe 2 gig's of room left and is about to kill me. But hey, 3 and 1/2 year later i'm still using this. There's lots of great things about your MBP, and I advise you keep it and enjoy it. If you get lonely, just head down to Apple and play around with it for a little bit. That's what I do

 

[PDE]

It's a completely natural feeling. I was addicted to the iPhone (seriously) from around november until february. It sounds funny, but it's truly not. I still don't even own an iPhone and honestly, I can wait now. But it's a terrible thing, all I did was research iPhone information, watch reviews, interviews, even unboxing videos, it was absolutely ridiculous. The only thing that helped was time, and knowing eventually, it will get an update.

Please don't fall in for one, trust me, the MacBook Pro is an incredible device. Yes, it might have a few extra pounds to it, bigger, and not as easy on the eyes (although, still VERY attractive) but it does and can handle more than the MBA. It's maybe not at slim, but it definitely is way more practical. Unless you need two computers, which I don't think is the situation for anyone unless they need them for work, just admire it, but don't buy it. You really don't need it. And although it might be a while, it will receive and update, and then you can go ahead and purchase one. I still use my iBook G4, and trust me, many times I felt the need to kill for a MacBook. Now, truly I do need a new computer because this thing has maybe 2 gig's of room left and is about to kill me. But hey, 3 and 1/2 year later i'm still using this. There's lots of great things about your MBP, and I advise you keep it and enjoy it. If you get lonely, just head down to Apple and play around with it for a little bit. That's what I do

Thanks for the very rational thoughts. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if my rationality will keep my irrational side in check once I receive the UPS package today. My options are to open the package, use it for a while and sell if I decide not to keep it, or head straight to UPS this afternoon, send it back (and pay for shipping and insurance) and be done with it. I doubt I'll be capable of exercising the restraint needed to not open the box.

I'm not sure this is normal....it's a little scary how a computer can cause this kind of totally irrational behavior!

The bottom line is that I'd be fine with either of the two computers. The MBA might not last me as long, but on the other hand I'll use it more because of the portability. Truth is, I haven't kept a computer for more than two years in a long long time and I doubt I'll do it this time either. No doubt the MBP is a much more versatile computer than the MBA, but it's also big and quite heavy and I often don't feel like bringing it along when I'm out and about. I'd really like something light and extremely portable, even if I'd prefer a more feature-complete laptop than the MBA. As we know, there are always tradeoffs!

 

[fredrickyoon]

My whole Apple family I'm enjoying and even my wife. The Air compliment portability, the iMac as a stand alone desktop, and the wife's MacBook Pro in the living room.