The "I've had to move on from the MBA" thread

[Spacekatgal]

It's worth pointing out that this solar powered backpack is 4.5 pounds, easily defeating the point of the MBA. I'd rather have 4.5 pounds of Hypermac battery, an iPad and a portable keyboard. You could rock that for a long time.

 

[Cheffy Dave]

Well, I can't really power off my car, because I go to places where I park and then stay for awhile. The car is not moving, so I can't vampire it for charging or I'd never get out. And the sites I go to are either primitive camping sites (basically they don't even have water, let alone electricity), or completely off the grid - for example, twice a year I camp in Anza Borrego State Park, which is gigantic (the biggest by area), and you get to camp anywhere you like (no restrictions).

I bring along a DSLR, and I like to sometimes offload the photographs, but I don't need a laptop for that - these days you can get 64GB cards, and I have 3 of those, which is fine for weeks. I take a bunch of batteries for the various electronics, but leave 'em in the car. When I'm hiking far away from the car, I only have a backpack, and then it's an advantage to have it as light as possible, so I don't want to lug extra huge batteries and stuff - it gets old after a few hours and miles. Meanwhile it's nice to sit down and break out the laptop for some writing in complete isolation with nobody around for miles and miles and miles. Yes, paper and pen are neat, but when you have a structured software like screen-writing, it's not easy to reproduce on paper, plus you get spoiled... I'd get a cramp writing long hand... and then editing on paper(!).

I'd like to read some of your stuff OC, any links? At 62 I'm an OC too

 

[thinkdesign]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11) Sprint PPC6850SP)

"easily defeating"? As opposed to what? A fantasy of 3 pounds really being the exact total one carries? Any bag it goes into weighs at least a pound or three... and for the Air one had better use a foam sleeve before it goes into a bag.

(Somehow "shoulder bag" turns into "backpack"... whatever.)

But I get it. 4.7 pounds of battery running down in a few days, beats 4.5 pounds of solar-charging "generator" bag which can charge the Air or iPad plus a phone, (if it works), for an unlimited number of days. (4.5 lbs. including a bag which presumably is needed anyway, so the added weight of the solar/battery part is much less than 4.5 lbs)

But wait. The 4.7 pounds of the Hypermac battery doesn't include the weight of all the heavy eye makeup one apparently has to wear, to use it! (See their site.) Kidding aside... interesting product.

 

[OldCorpse]

I tell you what - here I am on the MBA board... really, but it's not about the MBA for the simple reason that a 2 day battery is just not happening for the MBA... probably ever. So I should just shut up about the MBA - ain't happening. Seriously, I don't know why I care about the next update to the MBA - maybe it'll get 15 minutes more on the battery.

*Cheffy Dave, no links to my stuff, but if I get lucky and my wife doesn't divorce me for driving us into bankruptcy, I hope to get my own little movie self-financed this year, and have it done by early next.

 

[Scottsdale]

I tell you what - here I am on the MBA board... really, but it's not about the MBA for the simple reason that a 2 day battery is just not happening for the MBA... probably ever. So I should just shut up about the MBA - ain't happening. Seriously, I don't know why I care about the next update to the MBA - maybe it'll get 15 minutes more on the battery.

*Cheffy Dave, no links to my stuff, but if I get lucky and my wife doesn't divorce me for driving us into bankruptcy, I hope to get my own little movie self-financed this year, and have it done by early next.

I think a lot of people cannot or refuse to come to the same conclusion you have. There is a 10-hour battery available in an MBA but it's labeled a 13" MacBook PRO. The difference between the MBP and MBA is an optical drive and battery weight. The MBA should NOT have a 10-hour battery, as it would add another pound of weight. It comes down to what's possible. Apple decided to keep its 13" MBP at 4.5 lb. instead of reducing the weight and keeping the battery at 5 hours per charge.

I really believe most would benefit more from a 5-hour battery and a much lighter weight MBP, but that computer already exists and is the MBA. Apple is using weight to determine the differences between these two Macs, and the MBA isn't going to have a 10-hour battery without adding another pound for the battery required. At that point, it would be a 13" MBP less the optical drive. In the end, I wonder how many people really use/need a 10-hour battery?

 

[metalsquid]

as my MB backlight has died, i'm stuck using it with an external 24" at home. i'm thinking of getting the new mac mini to replace it and an iPad for on the go. i've never liked lugging laptops around and the iPad seems the ideal solution if you can harness the power of a desktop with it as well using VNC as in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNkuTvpmXIQ

it also solves the problem with flash sites since you can use the desktop browser but view it on your iPad screen. wouldn't this be a good solution for some of the Air users out there. desktop power with superior mobility?

 

[halledise]

I think a lot of people cannot or refuse to come to the same conclusion you have. There is a 10-hour battery available in an MBA but it's labeled a 13" MacBook PRO. The difference between the MBP and MBA is an optical drive and battery weight. The MBA should NOT have a 10-hour battery, as it would add another pound of weight. It comes down to what's possible. Apple decided to keep its 13" MBP at 4.5 lb. instead of reducing the weight and keeping the battery at 5 hours per charge.

I really believe most would benefit more from a 5-hour battery and a much lighter weight MBP, but that computer already exists and is the MBA. Apple is using weight to determine the differences between these two Macs, and the MBA isn't going to have a 10-hour battery without adding another pound for the battery required. At that point, it would be a 13" MBP less the optical drive. In the end, I wonder how many people really use/need a 10-hour battery?

stick it to 'em Scotters!
stating the obvious still doesn't convince some people however.

I can go 10 hours on a single charge in my Air - as long as I leave it plugged in but unplugged I can get 4+ hours writing with screen at full bright but with AP, BT off and unnecessary Apps closed.
I can also run a Keynote presentation for 3 hours (with 2x 15 minutes breaks) and still not be in the red when completed.

why is it some peeps want the Air to be something that it was never designed to be?

if I were to ever 'move on' (take a step backwards actually) it'd be to a 15" MBPro - but then they're double the weight of an Air (even the 13" is 50% heavier) have a whirring optical drive - and that puts me off every time.
(I've got an external LaCie Lightscribe Drive for those occasions when and optical is needed)

I am fortunate to have a 15" MBPro (early 2008) for 'heavy lifting' available at all times in the office (which is only a 60 metre stroll from home), but I rarely need to use it.
and the thing has only 2gb of memory and runs Windows in Bootcamp marvellously when we need it to.
(I don't value the Windows experience enough to even consider the expense of Parallels (the superior app) or VMware Fusion)

Once one buys an Air, one is 'ruined' for everything else.
The feel, the lightness and the speed of Apple's successful integration of components still wins me over - as it will when the refresh comes together and yes I agree it will have 4gb of memory, optional capacities of SSDs, and hopefully either Core i-something or (preferably) an AMD processor with non-Intel graphics - dare we hope for dedicated graphics even.
peace
http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2010/05/05/acer-leaks-amd-triple-core-chip/1

 

[Ravich]

I've never quite understood what the appeal of the MBA was. It is thinner and lighter than an already thin and light laptop, lacks a DVD drive, has significantly lower processor speed and HDD space, and is at least 50% more expensive.


I mean, it isnt THAT much thinner or lighter.

 

[halledise]

I've never quite understood what the appeal of the MBA was. It is thinner and lighter than an already thin and light laptop, lacks a DVD drive, has significantly lower processor speed and HDD space, and is at least 50% more expensive.


I mean, it isnt THAT much thinner or lighter.

half the weight of a 15' MBPro
2/3 the weight of a 13" MBPro

I'd call that a lot lighter

MBPro = .95"
MBAir = .16 to .76"


I'd call that a lot thinnerer

raw processor speed means little when compared with the combination of processor + L2/L3 cache + frontside bus speed, memory speed and GPU.

DVD drives could well be replaced by SD cards in the not too distant future, but if you really need one then pick up a slim light external LaCie lightscribe for $100.

128 gb SSD is honestly adequate for most people - back up/transfer all those rarely viewed movies and home vids pictures, music etc to an external drive.

it was fast as when first released, and admittedly it is due for a refresh.
etc - but really what's the use trying to explain.
unless you own one you'll never know … … …

 

[a.Lias]

I just wanted to throw in my $0.02 with my peers. Like you all, I'd been waiting and waiting all year for the MBA update. I gave up about two weeks ago when the Envy 13 (w/ a blu-ray and the additional battery slice) dropped to less than $900 w/ cashback. The volume and shape between the Envy and MBA are similar, but the weight and power difference are both greater on the windows machine. No regrets the purchase other than it not being an MBA and not having OSX.

I still have my MBA and am deciding whether to Craig's List it or keep it for sentimentality. It's given me a good 15 months of service and was the best, most versatile, machine I owned since the Thinkpad X40. Anyways, cheers.

 

[Huubster]

I have ordered a basic Mini with 4GB option to be my primary computer. I will keep my MBA as secondary for on the road and for mobile usage around the house. (No I don't want an iPad for that, have tried it and it's a defenitive no thank you.)

I will not buy a new MBA in case it comes out later this year nor in 2011. I will reconsider my setup again in 2012.

Ooof...a relief! No more need to follow "Tomorrow it's Tuesday", "Your predictions for the next Mac Whatever" or "Another Tuesday is gone" threads for a looooong time.

 

[TheMadBrewer]

I've been waiting (and waiting and waiting) for a new MBA. But now I realize that it makes no sense to wait anymore.

I write for a living. And I travel extensively, often without access to electricity (camping). Here are the 3 things I need:

1)It has to have good battery life - 2 days is nice, 10 days is better.

2)It has to have a great keyboard. I don't like to carry a bunch of stuff like external keyboards.

3)It has to be light to make it easy to carry for extended amount of time.

Once upon a time, I was hoping for the MBA, because it got (2) and (3) right. But it was disqualified, because the battery life is just abysmal. Then the iPad appeared. It seems good with (1) and (3), but it fails at (2), plus I need a specific software to do my word processing, which won't work on the iPad, I don't think (FinalDraft). Finally, I thought, maybe the 13" MB or MBP. That gives me great (2), but mediocre (1) and worse (3).

I use the apple bluetooth keyboard with my iPad -- works great and is light. The iPad/keyboard combo is for when even my MBA is too heavy (bicycle trips).

 

[raccoontail]

I've been waiting (and waiting and waiting) for a new MBA. But now I realize that it makes no sense to wait anymore.

I write for a living. And I travel extensively, often without access to electricity (camping). Here are the 3 things I need:
1)It has to have good battery life - 2 days is nice, 10 days is better.
2)It has to have a great keyboard. I don't like to carry a bunch of stuff like external keyboards.
3)It has to be light to make it easy to carry for extended amount of time.

Get an Alphasmart Neo for camping, and use a MBP or MBA when you're close to outlets. The Neo is a nice distraction-free writing device with a solid keyboard. 3 AA batteries would last you months.

 

[aced411]

Same here. I liked the light weight & speed, but beyond that it was a heap o crap. It did NOT feel like a $2500 laptop (i7). The screen was lousy compared to a Mac, the cheap plastic feel, the trackpad sucked and the proprietary hybrid graphics only runs windows 7 (I expect versatility from a PC).

Screen, Trackpad, heat from left vent, fan noise, 'cheap' plastic feeling. Man, did I dislike my Sony Z ...

 

[Disavowed]

Well, I can't really power off my car, because I go to places where I park and then stay for awhile. The car is not moving, so I can't vampire it for charging or I'd never get out.

If I were you, and I mean this comment to be more about me than you, lets just say I am glad I'm not. But if I were, this would be my answer.


http://www.hypershop.com/HyperMac-External-MacBook-Battery-and-Car-Charger-s/91.htm

You can have your "Air" and charge it, too!

 

[DoNoHarm]

ha ha. hadn't thought of that option

....possibly because having a macbook air and plugging it in at home defeats the whole purpose of a MBA?

 

[entatlrg]

I use the apple bluetooth keyboard with my iPad -- works great and is light. The iPad/keyboard combo is for when even my MBA is too heavy (bicycle trips).

iPad + Keyboard = SAME weight as MBA

 

[stockscalper]

iPad + Keyboard = SAME weight as MBA

Yes, but without the same functionality and power.

 

[gwsat]

And it's two pieces rather than a single sleekly designed laptop.

 

[darrellishere]

Still the biggest major letdown to the MacBook air in hynsight is still the screen! The lines and dull display are just so off putting for me. And it saddens me to see the latest and greatest 2.13 stll with the same TN ****! Hopefully the update MacBook Air 2 will sort this, ala MacBook Air Pro!

 

[cubist]

oops nevermind.

 

[Scottsdale]

....possibly because having a macbook air and plugging it in at home defeats the whole purpose of a MBA?

That's simply not true. Some of the biggest advantages are when the MBA is "plugged in." It comes down to use and weight on the lap, and convenience of an MBA in bed, on the couch, on the patio or wherever. It can be plugged in and we can still reap the benefits of a MacBook as light as "Air." The MBA excels at weight and thinness when using anywhere and everywhere.

 

[Ravich]

First of all, how on earth does thinness help if you're not carrying it around anywhere other than across the living room?

Second, 1.5 pounds lighter than a 13'' MBP is a big deal for lap usage?


It sounds like you really like the idea of how thin and light it is. Totally your right, but let's be honest here.