Should we buy an MBA Jjust because is thinner and newer?We get better perf. ON MB!!

[Phil A.]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A93 Safari/419.3)

I really can't understand why so many people are ranting about the MBA: it's not as if Apple dropped any of their existing computers to introduce it - if people want a MB or MBP they're still there!
bottom line is if you don't like / want the MBA, don't buy it, and don't judge everyone's requirements by your own

 

[Catch]

ahaxton, what does that add to the argument?
When in all of all forums has grammar been a mark of right, wrong or opinion?
If all you can do, is point to someone's remarks w/o corrections, then keep your stones to yourself. If you want, retype my rant!

Pretty sensitive for someone calling people 'fools'. I think that you cast the first stone in this case. I would personally not have a problem with your grammar if you had not let yourself down by adding 'fool'...

C

 

[ahaxton]

Pretty sensitive for someone calling people 'fools'. I think that you cast the first stone in this case. I would personally not have a problem with your grammar if you had not let yourself down by adding 'fool'...

C

Bingo, it wasn't a rant it was a hate post. What should be expected in return? Well an insult or two.

 

[woodsea]

My wife puts down my grammar all the time, but she can correct it. I hate politicians that put down there rivals ideas but have no clear resolution to their future predecessor's faults.
I was not being sensitive personally, I am always a willing to hear constructive criticism.
Definition of a fool- a harmlessly deranged person or one lacking in common powers of understanding b: one with a marked propensity or fondness for something.
My definition of a Literary idiot- Someone who cannot put 3 grammatically correct sentences together. With my picture as a visual identifier.

 

[sushi]

In my opinion I think we should not follow tecnology in newest...oldest we should follow best performance.....less performance,guys the macbook air is 700 dls. more than an macbook which performs better!

Simple.

Those who want a lightweight thin computer.

And if you would take the time to look at the market, you can easily see that the lighter and smaller computers become the more they cost and the less features they generally have.

MBA is a wonderful offering for those who want a lightweight Mac laptop.

Some on this board would prefer more of an ultra-portable (2 pounds or less with a 12.1 inch screen). Others would prefer a more powerful version of the MBA. Personally, I think Apple has done an outstanding job on their first model of the MBA.

 

[cohibadad]

In my opinion I think we should not follow tecnology in newest...oldest we should follow best performance.....less performance,guys the macbook air is 700 dls. more than an macbook which performs better!

I say we all do what Joe says! MBs for everyone.

 

[ahaxton]

I hate politicians that put down there rivals ideas BLAH

You did it again....

 

[Catch]

As we are all tied to Apple products if we want to run OSX, I think we should be glad for any product that widens our choices. I would not personally be tempted by an Apple sub-notebook, but I sure would support anyone whom wanted one. Until we can run OSX on 3rd party hardware more choice > less choice...

Regards,

C

 

[ansella]

Portable PC's have optical drives

Pretty well I would imagine; either over the shared drive option, or the optional super drive. Do you expect an ultra portable to have an inbuilt drive?

Regards,

C

You should go into a Sony store someday and check out their ultra portables. They are smaller than the Air and almost as thin. They have optical drives.

 

[Catch]

You should go into a Sony store someday and check out their ultra portables. They are smaller than the Air and almost as thin. They have optical drives.

Nice. What do they weigh?

C

 

[diabolic]

You should go into a Sony store someday and check out their ultra portables. They are smaller than the Air and almost as thin. They have optical drives.

And once again, someone is missing the point of Apple removing the optical drive. This is a decision Apple is making based on where they want the future tech to go, not trying to imitate other brands. Whether it works or not, it's a bold move that could eventually enhance several of their business models.

 

[Phil A.]

You should go into a Sony store someday and check out their ultra portables. They are smaller than the Air and almost as thin. They have optical drives.

I don't understand the obsession with optical drives - personally I think it's great they've made it external - to put in inside would mean something would have to give (either thickness, weight or battery size). I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've used the DVD drive on my MacBook Pro and it's always been software installation.

I buy all my music from iTunes, and rip my purchased DVDs using my Mac Pro straight into my iTunes library (and they them get filed away)

When Apple dropped the floppy drive from the iMacs many people were up in arms because they couldn't see how a system could be taken seriously without a Floppy drive: How many do you see with them nowadays?

Clearly, if you need to have access to an internal DVD drive, then the MBA is not for you in exactly the same way that if you need 8 processors or a 30" screen you're going to be pretty disappointed

On the subject of the Sony machines - I really couldn't care less what they or other PC manufacturers are doing because the single thing that any machine I buy must have is OSX...

 

[PJF13]

I don't understand the obsession with optical drives - personally I think it's great they've made it external - to put in inside would mean something would have to give (either thickness, weight or battery size). I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've used the DVD drive on my MacBook Pro and it's always been software installation.

I buy all my music from iTunes, and rip my purchased DVDs using my Mac Pro straight into my iTunes library (and they them get filed away)

When Apple dropped the floppy drive from the iMacs many people were up in arms because they couldn't see how a system could be taken seriously without a Floppy drive: How many do you see with them nowadays?

Clearly, if you need to have access to an internal DVD drive, then the MBA is not for you in exactly the same way that if you need 8 processors or a 30" screen you're going to be pretty disappointed

On the subject of the Sony machines - I really couldn't care less what they or other PC manufacturers are doing because the single thing that any machine I buy must have is OSX...

EXACTLY. I feel the same way. I think the no optical drive concept will be the mainstream reality soon and Apple's "risk" in doing this is worth betting on.

I remember the rants and raves that nobody would buy digital music and that CD's and the thrill of holding the physical product would never be replaced. I for one have not purchased even one CD since buying my first iPod. In fact, they now seem dated.

 

[SheriffParker]

You're obviously not the market Apple is trying to capture with this. It's REALLY light, it looks way cool and it performs decently.

What two groups do I think will lust after this?

Females and the gay population.

Call me sexist or prejudice or whatever...but I bet both the ladies and any gay man will agree with me.

Well then Apple's got over half the market interested in their product! Only I don't think their marketing people generalize the population as drastically as you do.

You should go into a Sony store someday and check out their ultra portables. They are smaller than the Air and almost as thin. They have optical drives.

They are not almost as thin. At all. Not even close to being as thin.

 

[ansella]

Nice. What do they weigh?

C

Less than the Air...2.7 pounds...see the specs below...
I believe you can customize them as well. Go to the Sony site.
According to the website it's only $2199.00 American. That is way less money and more bang for the buck than the Air. I think the Air is a bit of a rip off.
The Air has better processor speed and is sexier but that's it. This PC has a way tinier footprint as well and has an optical drive built in. This is not the only one either. It is just Sony's. There are other manufacturers that have really small ones with faster processors.

General

Computer Type: Notebook
Type of Use: Ultra Portable
Action Buttons: AV Mode (DVD/CD Instant On), Play/Pause, FF, Rewind, Eject and Stop
Pointing Device: Electro-Static touch pad
Security: Biometric Fingerprint Sensor, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) TCG Ver 1.2 compliant
Hardware

Keyboard: QWERTY, 82 keys with 1.7mm stroke and 17mm pitch
Camera: Built-in MOTION EYE® camera and microphone
Processor

Type: Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor U7500
Speed: 1.06GHz1
Front Side Bus Speed: 533MHz
L2 Cache: 2MB
Technology: Intel® Centrino® Duo Processor Technology
Memory

Type: DDR2
Installed: 1GB (1GBx1)
Maximum: 2GB
Speed: 533MHz
Hard Drive

Capacity: 100GB2
Speed: 4200rpm
Interface: Ultra ATA
Impact Protection: G-Sensor™ Shock Protection - HDD Protection
Optical Drive

DVD+R DL Write: 4x max.
DVD+R Write: 8x max.
DVD+RW Write: 8x max.
DVD-R Write: 8x max.
DVD-RW Write: 6x max.
CD-R Write: 24x max.
CD-RW Write: 16x max.
DVD±RW: Yes4 (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/DVD-RAM)
CD Read: 24x max.
DVD-RAM Write: 5x max.
DVD-R DL Write: 4x max.
DVD-RAM Read: 5x max.
Expansion Slots

Multimedia Card Reader: One Memory Stick Duo™ media with MagicGate® functionality, One ExpressCard™ /34 Slot, One Secure Digital Media (SD) slot
Audio

Windows® Sound System Compatible
Display

Screen or Display Technology: WXGA LCD
Screen Size: 11.1” Razor Thin Panel
Resolution: 1366 x 768
XBRITE Hi-Color™ Technology: Yes
Graphics

Processor: Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Video RAM: 224MB Total Available Graphics Memory13
Chipset: Intel® 945GMS
Interface: VGA Out with Smart Display Sensor
Inputs and Outputs

Ethernet Port: 1
Headphone Jack: 1
Memory Stick® Media Slot: 1
Modem Jack: 1
Secure Digital Slot: 1
Microphone Input: 1
USB Ports: 2 (2.0 compliant)
VGA Output: 1
Express Card™ Slot: /34 x 1
i.LINK® Connection: 1(4-pin) interface6
Networking/Modem

Ethernet Protocol: Fast Ethernet (RJ-45)
Ethernet Speed: 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T
Modem Type: Integrated V.92/V.90 Modem (RJ-11)
Wireless LAN: Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection (802.11a/b/g/n)3
Bluetooth® Technology: Integrated Bluetooth® Technology
Power

Battery Type: Standard Lithium-ion Battery (VGPBPL11)
Estimated Battery Life: 4.0-7.5 hours7
Power Requirements: 68W+10%
Software

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Business
Sony® Original Software: Click to DVD® - DVD Creation, Smart Wi™ Technology, LocationFree® Player
Service and Warranty Information

Limited Warranty: 1 Year8
Telephone Support: 1 Year9
Dimensions

Weight: 2.7lbs with standard battery (weight is approximate and may vary)
Measurements: 10.9” (W) x 0.8"- 1.17” (H) x 7.8” (D)
Supplied Accessories

Standard Lithium-ion battery (VGP-BPL11)
AC adapter (VGP-AC16V13)
Power Cord

 

[ansella]

Sexy and $1299.00 from Sony

Nice. What do they weigh?

C

Here is one with a 14.1 screen that is Sangria Red (sexy) and comes in all different colors. Of course not as thin as the Air but is $1299.99

Computer Type: Notebook
Type of Use: Thin-and-light
Action Buttons: Play/Pause, Stop, FF, and Rewind, AV Mode, Mute, Volume-+, Capture and Display off
Pointing Device: Electro-Static touch pad
Hardware

Keyboard: QWERTY, 82 keys with 2mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch
Camera: Built-in 1.3 megapixel MOTION EYE® camera and microphone
Processor

Type: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T7250
Speed: 2.0GHz8
Front Side Bus Speed: 800MHz
L2 Cache: 2MB
Technology: Intel® Centrino® Duo Processor Technology
Memory

Type: DDR2
Installed: 2GB (1GBx2) PC2-5300
Maximum: 4GB10
Speed: 667MHz
Hard Drive

Capacity: 250GB9
Speed: 5400rpm
Interface: Serial ATA
Optical Drive

DVD+R DL Write: 4x max
DVD+R Write: 8x max
DVD+RW Write: 8x max
DVD-R Write: 8x max
DVD-RW Write: 6x max
CD-R Write: 24x max
CD-RW Write: 16x max
DVD±RW: Yes4 (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/DVD-RAM)
CD Read: 24x max
DVD Read: 8x max
DVD-RAM Write: 5x max
DVD-R DL Write: 4x max
DVD-RAM Read: 5x max
Expansion Slots

Multimedia Card Reader: One Memory Stick
Duo™ media with MagicGate® functionality
One ExpressCard® /34 Slot
One Secure Digital Media (SDTM memory card) Slot
Audio

Sound System: Sony® Sound Reality™ - Audio Enhancer
Display

Screen Size: 14.1"2
Resolution: 1280 x 800
Technology: WXGA LCD
Graphics

Processor: Mobile Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 with Intel® Clear Video Technology
Total Available Graphics Memory: 358MB(max.)11
Chipset: Mobile Intel® GM965 Express Chipset
Interface: VGA and S-Video Out with Smart Display Sensor
Inputs and Outputs

Ethernet Port: 1
Headphone Jack: 1
Modem Jack: 1
Microphone Input: 1
S-Video Output(s): 1
USB Port(s): 3 (2.0 compliant)
VGA Output(s): 1
DC-In: 1
Express Card™ Slot: 1 type /34
i.LINK® Connection: 1 (4pin) i.LINK® connector (IEEE 1394)7
Networking/Modem

Ethernet Protocol: Fast Ethernet (RJ-45)
Ethernet Speed: 10Base-T/100Base-TX
Modem Type: Integrated V92/V.90 Modem (RJ-11)
Wireless LAN: Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection (802.11a/b/g/n)
Bluetooth® Technology: Integrated Bluetooth® Technology13
Power

Battery Type: VGP-BPS9AS
Estimated Battery Life: 2 to 4.5 hours6 (Standard Capacity Battery)
2 to 4.5 hours6 (Standard Capacity Battery)
2.0 to 4.5 hours6 (Standard Capacity Battery)
3.0 to 7.0 hours6 (Large Capacity Battery)
Power Requirements: 86W+10%
Software

Operating System: Genuine Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium
Supplied Software: Microsoft® Works SE 9.0
Sony® Original Software: Click to Disc™ - DVD creation
LocationFree Player® Software
Service and Warranty Information

Telephone Support: 1 Year12
Limited Warranty : 1 Year
Dimensions

Weight: 5.49 Ibs.1 with Standard Battery
Measurements: 13.2"(W) x 1.25-1.67"(H) x 9.8"(D)1
Supplied Accessories

Standard Lithium-ion battery (VGP-BPS9AS)
AC Adapter (VGP-AC19V19)
Power Cable

 

[Catch]

Less than the Air...2.7 pounds...see the specs below...
I believe you can customize them as well. Go to the Sony site.
According to the website it's only $2199.00 American.

Wow that really is amazing. Sorry to be thick, but I can't find where it says it runs OSX. Reread it several times AND checked Sonys website and still can't find it.

C

 

[gnasher729]

I'm almost insulted Apple thinks people should pay 700 dollars to save 2 pounds and a quarter inch. Face it the target demographic is trend monkeys and apple fanboys for whom apple can do no wrong.

Face it, Apple doesn't give a damn what you think their target demographics is. And the more adult people here buy what they like and what they think fits their wants and needs, and no adult will be influenced in their decision by you calling them "trend monkeys" and "apple fanboys" (and aren't you supposed to spell it "fanbois"? )

 

[kkat69]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A93 Safari/419.3)

I really can't understand why so many people are ranting about the MBA: it's not as if Apple dropped any of their existing computers to introduce it - if people want a MB or MBP they're still there!
bottom line is if you don't like / want the MBA, don't buy it, and don't judge everyone's requirements by your own

I'm still trying to figure out why anyone feels they're forced to buy the MBA anyway.

The topic of this senseless thread leads one to think we're forced to buy the MBA when in fact we aren't.

The MBA isn't for everyone, I think that's well established, so if it isn't for you, then DON'T BUY IT! Plain and simple. If you feel Lenovalavawhoever has a better solution go buy it. Same with any solution.

The MBA isn't replacing anything, it's a CHOICE for consumers. If it has features that are revolutionary enough they'll make their way into the existing product line and some features are.

Sometimes it feels like all you read here are whiney 1st grader posts "awww man, I want this, I want that, waaaa waaaa."

Bottom line no one is forced to buy anything.

"Should we buy a MBA Jjust (I kept the typo) because is ('it is') thinner and newer" - No! If it fills your needs then it's your choice. Again CHOICE.
"We get better perf. ON MB!!!" No one is debating that issue. That's a given, you can't cram the speed into something that small yet. If you want better perf get a MB then, or better yet a MBP.

 

[hobbbz]

The MacBook cuts on my wrists and it was never an option to me because it's too chunky looking/feeling compared to the PowerBook/MBP whether or not it is more powerful.

 

[CaptainCaveMann]

Wow that really is amazing. Sorry to be thick, but I can't find where it says it runs OSX. Reread it several times AND checked Sonys website and still can't find it.

C

Exactly why do all these spec slaves not get that?

 

[joegomolski]

Should we buy an MBA Jjust because is thinner and newer?We get better perf. ON MB!!

go ahead buy a mb

I really don't care

 

[gnasher729]

ahaxton, what does that add to the argument?
When in all of all forums has grammar been a mark of right, wrong or opinion?
If all you can do, is point to someone's remarks w/o corrections, then keep your stones to yourself. If you want, retype my rant!

ahaxton is quite right here. This thread is about people's attitude to things, whether they are willing to spend money on nicer things in life, whether they like beauty and quality, and having respect for your language is just one aspect of that whole attitude. I'd say if you made a study to find out what people think of the MBA, and what their attitude to grammar is, you will find a correlation.

 

[joemarioz]

Ok you guys really made me think this one so i will go for MB!

 

[gnasher729]

I hate politicians that put down there rivals ideas but have no clear resolution to their future predecessor's faults.

Here in Britain, the Labour PM has just recently made some statements where he basically said something suggested by the Tories was an excellent idea and that would be exactly what they would do. Can you imagine the protests? "They are stealing our ideas! "

And I thought it would be obvious to everyone that when the opposition party has some good ideas, it would be the _duty_ of the government to steal their ideas.