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The new MacBook Air 11.6" vs the iPad
- Thread starter lozpop
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Some overlap on the high end iPad but the low end is still poles apart. Half the price and more portable.
Yeah, this is true. But don't forget that the 64GB iPad has been the most sold.
I think a lot of users that bought the 64GB iPad are thinking about the new $999 Air.
LOL but what "you think" doesn't equate to squat 'cuz you have no knowledge on how others think. The products shoot two two differing purchase groups.
But thanks for letting us know "what you think" of 64 GB iPad owners purchase decisions...
Actually, no I'm not (iPad 3G 64GB). The high-end MBA might be interesting (not as iPad replacement) but I need to see the specs more. If it's limited to 2GB ram, it's not going to be as interesting.
I don't think this changes the equation at all. If you interested in something for more casual use, the iPad is still better. If you need notebook functions and a fixed keyboard then the iPad still isn't interesting.
You're welcome.
Yes of course there are differences. I didn't say the 64GB iPad has become obsolete, but maybe the $999 Air is what some users wanted. A super think and light MacBook with instant on.
But if you tether it your your cell phone...
Really though, I may just go for the new MacBook Air instead of an updated iPad down the road. The main draws of the iPad for me were...
Instant on
Completely silent (use it in bed a lot with the wife sleeping next to me)
Stays cool to the touch (not sure if this is the same for the Air...will it still heat up?)
Portability, which the 11.6" Air is about the same in my opinion
So it basically has the the pluses that drew me to the iPad but without the limitations of the iPad...like hard to type, speed (browsing the net for example isn't nearly as quick as on my desktop for example on the iPad) plus other limitations on software/hardware.
I have the iPad as my only Mac it works fine for what I need.
Just ordered the base model 11.6 in air had 777 in gift cards to blow so I was able to get it for 949.00 Ed discount.
Just ordered the base model 11.6 in air had 777 in gift cards to blow so I was able to get it for 949.00 Ed discount.
Not to burst your high and mighty bubble... but who died and made you the opinion police?
Besides.... this is the place for people to express their opinion and what they think... not get slammed on by people who THINK they know better.
Both are different products. The MacBook Air still is a notebook. The iPad is more portable in the sense that it's easier to handle. With a notebook, you still have to watch for posture, a flat surface, etc.
The iPad can be placed anywhere and treated and tossed like a book.
Anyways, once I see it, I'll be able to give a better opinion of it. I do think that it is an amazing product that blows away the competition.
I would love to have one, but not as a replacement for my iPad.
And I'm still happy with my 2007 MBP. It works great. If it was a PC Laptop instead, I would have already been forced to upgrade it or suffer from lack of performance.
The iPad can be placed anywhere and treated and tossed like a book.
Anyways, once I see it, I'll be able to give a better opinion of it. I do think that it is an amazing product that blows away the competition.
I would love to have one, but not as a replacement for my iPad.
And I'm still happy with my 2007 MBP. It works great. If it was a PC Laptop instead, I would have already been forced to upgrade it or suffer from lack of performance.
The highest-end 64GB iPad is $699 / $829. The lowest-end MBA is $999. Already a 20%-42% premium. If people are buying based on price, then they won't be tempted by the MBA, given the significant price jump. If people are buying based on price, they probably wouldn't have bought the 64GB iPad to begin with, putting the entry-level MBA even further away. If they aren't buying on price, then they would have bought an MBA or some other laptop already.
If someone wanted a super thin and light MacBook with instant on then I have no idea why they would have bought an iPad. That's like buying a really fancy steak dinner when you want lobster. Or something.
i was contemplating this, but then I saw the battery life on the MBA (Both models), and I was like, nawww...
...I'm sticking with my iPad. I rather have an iPad that can last an 8 hour day without having to lug a charger around.
...I'm sticking with my iPad. I rather have an iPad that can last an 8 hour day without having to lug a charger around.
iPad = Consumers who need a computing device but not necessarily a "real computer"
MBA = Consumers who need a real computer but are willing to live with compromised functionality for weight reduction
I'm sure there's a little overlap, but only for iPad bigots who insist that the iPad can "do everything a computer can!!!" when, in reality, they were using a 17" MBP for simple web surfing.
MBA = Consumers who need a real computer but are willing to live with compromised functionality for weight reduction
I'm sure there's a little overlap, but only for iPad bigots who insist that the iPad can "do everything a computer can!!!" when, in reality, they were using a 17" MBP for simple web surfing.
I... well, I like the new MBA... However....
I don't travel enough or need to do enough full blown computing on the go to warrant me selling the iPad just yet. Though, it would be nice if I could find an iPad browser that would support my school website. Then I'd have no complaints about my iPad.
Still... the 11.6" is the true replacement to the 12" PowerBook that I was looking for 3 years ago.
I don't travel enough or need to do enough full blown computing on the go to warrant me selling the iPad just yet. Though, it would be nice if I could find an iPad browser that would support my school website. Then I'd have no complaints about my iPad.
Still... the 11.6" is the true replacement to the 12" PowerBook that I was looking for 3 years ago.
Aside from some overlap within the business segment (mostly those wishing to travel lighter than a Macbook Pro would allow), I really don't think that there will be too much competition between MBAs and iPads. When you boil it down, the iPad is still very much designed for the consumption of information; the MBA, although underpowered by today's standards, is far better for content creation. Obviously, you can still enjoy content on MBAs and create things on the iPad, but (especially having used both) I think that the two devices have different, clearly defined strengths.
I am amazed that the new MacBook Air doesn't have a 3G wireless option.
When Steve did his "one more thing" intro and talked about the ultraportable go anywhere iPad meets MacBook fusion, I was positive the surprise would be 3G.
As far as the Air replacing iPad for folks, I don't think so. I am biased towards the iPad, and with the right apps, you can do things on it that you can't do on a laptop. It's all situational. I can see a lot of great reasons to buy a MacBook Air. I can also see a lot of reasons why an iPad might be a better fit.
It depends on what you do, where you do it, and what other computers are already in your work/play life.
When Steve did his "one more thing" intro and talked about the ultraportable go anywhere iPad meets MacBook fusion, I was positive the surprise would be 3G.
As far as the Air replacing iPad for folks, I don't think so. I am biased towards the iPad, and with the right apps, you can do things on it that you can't do on a laptop. It's all situational. I can see a lot of great reasons to buy a MacBook Air. I can also see a lot of reasons why an iPad might be a better fit.
It depends on what you do, where you do it, and what other computers are already in your work/play life.
As an iPad owner, the smaller MBA might be appealing if the battery life wasn't so pathetic by comparison. Even at 5 hours (according to the MacRumors front page, the 7 hour life is for the 13" only), it's HALF the battery life of any iPad. Sorry, but for me that just isn't going to cut it. And I agree that it needed a built in 3G option to make it really shine.
If I needed to do heavy spreadsheet work, etc., while on the road, I might consider it. But honestly, there's very very little I can't do with an iPad after some six months of having them around. Seriously, I think Apple blew it with the MBA, which I think is a shame. I personally think it's too expensive for what it can do--even for an Apple product, which I always expect to pay a premium for.
(Disclaimer: Currently have two iPads--one 3G & one wifi, an MBP and an MB in the house. The iPads get way more use than the laptops nowadays...)
If I needed to do heavy spreadsheet work, etc., while on the road, I might consider it. But honestly, there's very very little I can't do with an iPad after some six months of having them around. Seriously, I think Apple blew it with the MBA, which I think is a shame. I personally think it's too expensive for what it can do--even for an Apple product, which I always expect to pay a premium for.
(Disclaimer: Currently have two iPads--one 3G & one wifi, an MBP and an MB in the house. The iPads get way more use than the laptops nowadays...)
There is no conflict just a continuum of product and wants. When the iPad came out there were many that made a great noise saying they wanted a full Mac OS, keyboard and ports. The new mac air especially the 11.6 inch size is what they wanted and now let them buy it and shut up. I considered it briefly but without 3G built in and the shorter battery life plus not being able to hold it in one hand and touch to navigate convinced me that my iPad was what I wanted not a clamshell laptop. When a new iPad comes out I will buy that too not a laptop.
