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Talk me into or out of an Air
- Thread starter racer1441
- Start date
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Well,
The air has caught my attention again. Love the form factor, and it's starting to be very appealing to me.
Don't do much intensive work on the road. And I already have a mbp.
Am I nuts?
If you don't need a computer (and you don't as you have a MBP) I would not buy one, unless your MBP is as old as mine (first gen. intel). Wait until January, February. If nothing by than the Air is likely dead and I would buy a refurbished one if you are madly in love with it and want to have a computer that is visionary but was never followed up upon.
Don't do it. You already have a MBP. If you wanted to buy something else for form factor, get an iPad. That way it is not quite as redundant. The specs on your MBP are more than likely better than the air anyway. And it doesn't have a disc drive. Save your cash...or buy an iMac!
Have an iPad and an iMac already. All my apple products serve me well.
The problem is that I can't figure out what would be added to the air that would make me get all excited. Don't do video stuff, ect. I don't even like youtube.
I have both a MBP and an Air (in addition to an iMac and and iPad) and frankly I never use the MBP anymore. The Air is noticeably lighter and unless you're doing 3D modeling or video editing (which should be done on an iMac or Mac Pro in the first place) the MBP isn't going to deliver more than the Air. And, the Air is just more delightful to use.
That's what I'm pretty much thinking. Sell my 17" MBP and keep my 13 MBP and get the Air.
Well I have to say you are pretty much setup. Since it has been so long since a refresh of the Air line, I would say wait until they refresh it and have pretty much everything they sell. It is not like you won't enjoy the experience... What about a Mac Mini for your home theater setup...or a new Apple TV?
That was going to be the purchase. The new ATV. Really hate the new design though. Have one of each of the ipods on order, but was hoping for alot more from the new ATV.
The MacBook Air is one of the best laptops I have ever had. I could not help but sit and watch the threads lately and pass up the chance to express this. If you just need a computer to do general activities, the Air is the choice. But, as everyone has said, if you can wait for a bit and see what Apple has in mind for the Air, then wait...
Remember everyone....I have read enough threads that said the Mac Mini is dead...and look what they put out. I bought a Mac Mini six months ago and do not have any regrets for not waiting. It really depends on what you need right at the moment and will not have any regrets regardless for buying Apple products.
Everyone wants the Air to be "beefed up" (as I do), but it was not designed for that. If so, then there is no need to buy a Macbook Pro. The Air was created to be a light functioning laptop for general use and Apple knows what they are doing.
It makes perfect since to "beef up" the Air "IF" technology is able due to heating and power constraints. After all, the MackBook Air was the First of it's kind. I do not think Apple is ready to make the I-Pad a full functioning computer as of yet...remember...they are in it for the money and can wait awhile before the "shift" with the I-pad technology. Air will probably have one more upgrade before laptops go I-pad types.
Remember everyone....I have read enough threads that said the Mac Mini is dead...and look what they put out. I bought a Mac Mini six months ago and do not have any regrets for not waiting. It really depends on what you need right at the moment and will not have any regrets regardless for buying Apple products.
Everyone wants the Air to be "beefed up" (as I do), but it was not designed for that. If so, then there is no need to buy a Macbook Pro. The Air was created to be a light functioning laptop for general use and Apple knows what they are doing.
It makes perfect since to "beef up" the Air "IF" technology is able due to heating and power constraints. After all, the MackBook Air was the First of it's kind. I do not think Apple is ready to make the I-Pad a full functioning computer as of yet...remember...they are in it for the money and can wait awhile before the "shift" with the I-pad technology. Air will probably have one more upgrade before laptops go I-pad types.
The MacBook Air is not just Apple's best Mac but the best laptop ever made... no, scratch that, the best computer EVER.
Forget iPads that are worthless and cannot even surf the web. Forget MBPs that are built for those that "need more power." More power isn't necessary.
One problem with the MBA is it hasn't changed basically since October 2008. Now, a two-year-old computer should be updated. The truth is it absolutely dominated every ultraportable on the market when introduced. Even now, nearly two years later, it's still completely relevant and capable. With the $700 price cut last year, it's still price current too.
I would tell you to consider buying refurbished if the money matters.... $1549 for the 2.13 GHz or $1349 for the 1.86 GHz... ABSOLUTELY buy the model with the SSD. Without the SSD it loses its appeal fast. It is the SSD that makes it feel like it's an MBP.
Go for it!
Forget iPads that are worthless and cannot even surf the web. Forget MBPs that are built for those that "need more power." More power isn't necessary.
One problem with the MBA is it hasn't changed basically since October 2008. Now, a two-year-old computer should be updated. The truth is it absolutely dominated every ultraportable on the market when introduced. Even now, nearly two years later, it's still completely relevant and capable. With the $700 price cut last year, it's still price current too.
I would tell you to consider buying refurbished if the money matters.... $1549 for the 2.13 GHz or $1349 for the 1.86 GHz... ABSOLUTELY buy the model with the SSD. Without the SSD it loses its appeal fast. It is the SSD that makes it feel like it's an MBP.
Go for it!
Thank you for correcting me Scottsdale..
The MacBook Air "is" the "Best Computer" ever made.
'Steve' will not let us down. We need to be patient. I do not believe the Air is going to be retired. To upgrade the Air, Apple Engineers will have to resolve power/heating issues if we want more fire-power added.
We just have to wait.
"Steve" will not let us down....
It is against his beliefs in making "the best products ever".....
The MacBook Air "is" the "Best Computer" ever made.
'Steve' will not let us down. We need to be patient. I do not believe the Air is going to be retired. To upgrade the Air, Apple Engineers will have to resolve power/heating issues if we want more fire-power added.
We just have to wait.
"Steve" will not let us down....
It is against his beliefs in making "the best products ever".....
OP, you mentioned that you love the form factor, so you may be well-advised to snap one up because it's entirely possible-- maybe even likely-- that when/if the Air is updated it'll have a new ff.
You've gotta keep in mind that the current MBA, while having had spec updates, hasn't undergone any cosmetic changes whatsoever since its intro nearly three years ago, which is a pretty long time to expect a design to remain "exciting" or "fashionable, stylish etc.."
It's a tad depressing to see the kind of childish and pointless things that Apple has been working on (the new ipod nano for example) while we wait for an update to the MBA.
My new hope is for November. At this week's "event" Jobs said that iOS 4 was coming to iPad in Nov., and since that in itself isn't a big deal or surprise, I'm wondering if it'll be part of an event launching the much-rumored 7 inch iPad (and here's where the "hope" comes in) an all-new updated MBA.
You've gotta keep in mind that the current MBA, while having had spec updates, hasn't undergone any cosmetic changes whatsoever since its intro nearly three years ago, which is a pretty long time to expect a design to remain "exciting" or "fashionable, stylish etc.."
It's a tad depressing to see the kind of childish and pointless things that Apple has been working on (the new ipod nano for example) while we wait for an update to the MBA.
My new hope is for November. At this week's "event" Jobs said that iOS 4 was coming to iPad in Nov., and since that in itself isn't a big deal or surprise, I'm wondering if it'll be part of an event launching the much-rumored 7 inch iPad (and here's where the "hope" comes in) an all-new updated MBA.
Man, reading it how you put it makes me want to throw up. 15 damn months, it's so not apple
My boss happen to be using a macbook air, he seems to be liking it, he runs big programs in it. It also happens that the it guy in my office didn't really like that so much. he said that it's a useless laptop that's only got 2 usb ports and it only good because it's light.
he also said that ipad is no different. I told him that dell, toshiba, and samsung are releasing their own ipads but he didn't believe me... i told him that ipad may not be as useful as he thinks, it is selling very well and other companies want to make one too..
i say macbook air is a great machine. especially if you're a big traveller, photographer with big gears, or students that travels a lot. if you're just going to be sitting on a desk, then get a macbook.
and no, don't buy it now, 15 months without update is too long, i'm guessing that soon we'll see more battery life, clickable trackpad, and maybe some more ports in that. (more ram, hd, and processor are a given)
he also said that ipad is no different. I told him that dell, toshiba, and samsung are releasing their own ipads but he didn't believe me... i told him that ipad may not be as useful as he thinks, it is selling very well and other companies want to make one too..
i say macbook air is a great machine. especially if you're a big traveller, photographer with big gears, or students that travels a lot. if you're just going to be sitting on a desk, then get a macbook.
and no, don't buy it now, 15 months without update is too long, i'm guessing that soon we'll see more battery life, clickable trackpad, and maybe some more ports in that. (more ram, hd, and processor are a given)
+1 to this racer1441.
once you own an Air, you'll be spoiled for life.
sounds like it's ideal for your needs
buy a refurb unit as has been suggested - with an SSD.
(2.13ghz would be my pick)
mine still flies.
(and I do watch movies on it with no issues)
when the Air is updated - which is looking like early 2011 at least - you then have a choice to upgrade or stay with what you have.
unless it's a blindingly sweet and powerful update I see no need to part with mine at least until the 3 year warranty has concluded.
there will be another Air despite what the nay-sayers are saying.
I'd say Apple are waiting for the right blend of components to become available, and as I mentioned in another thread, recent acquisition of Liquidmetal Technologies will surely be a significant factor going forward for all Apple 'lightweight' devices - including the Air.
all this bleating about being out of date technology, etc, etc, belies the fact that many Mac users are still functioning more than adequately with C2Duo processors in MacBook Pro's etc and only a minority have to have the latest and greatest.
with the advances Apple have made in the Mac OS, Snow Leopard functions just fine on these 'old' and 'antiquated' machines.
(howls of protest will follow this comment, I'm sure)
Not necessarily true at all.
iMac: i7 4 core hyperthreaded for 8 total threads, 16 gigs of ram, Radeon 5xxx series card.
MBP: i7 2 core hyperthreaded for 4 total threads, 8 gigs of ram, GeForce 330m. The imac will SMOKE this machine in computing power.
I'm so glad I looked for one w/ SSD when I was looking to get one used.
I did very little research and didn't even read any discussions here, but what I read gave me the impression SSD is the way to go.
If it meets your needs now, I would buy it. I'd strongly consider the model with the SSD. It's very quick.
Yes, you could wait for a refresh....do we even know for sure that one is coming? Not really.
Yes, you could wait for a refresh....do we even know for sure that one is coming? Not really.
I'm on my MBA right now; I have the upgrade with the SSD and I have to say it does everything I need. The fact that it's faster than my MBP is just a nice bonus.
i have the macbook pro 15in atm from 2008 and am thinking its time for a change, do you suggest the air for a high school student running from class to class. I would only be word processing and web surfing. the only thing holding me back is the specs and battery life compared to a 13in MBP which is my other choice. Please help me.