The Phenomenal MacBook Air - Post the little things you like/dislike about it

[caonimadebi]

Overheating or running hot?

Yes, they run hot but the fan kicks on and should keep it useable. If you do have some tasks that use the 9400, it'll get hot but shouldn't overheat.

I classify overheating as massive frame drops, spinning beachball, cursor unresponsive or laggy and eventually a shutdown.

I've ripped via HandBrake a few dozen movies and mine never overheated though reaching into the 80ºC's for long periods of time. The Rev.A did throttle a little more than I would have liked but they both worked without shutting down.

I like the MBA's screen much better than the MBP's as well as the silver bezel.

My only dislikes would really be the non-upgradable RAM and the funky 1.8" drive. A SD cardslot would be nice in lieu of an additional USB port, more SSD space & RAM are necessities. Some more battery juice would be nice too.

I call it overheating because the throttling back has caused an otherwise capable 9400M to stall the flash video playback, especially on a large external display. The 2.26Ghz 13" MBP, with the same integrated 9400M and a comparable processor as a 2.13 MBA, has little trouble playing Hulu video externally while the MBA goes into an instant frame drop when I connect it to a 1920x1200 display.
I have no doubt that the MBA, either Rev. B or C, makes a great ultra-portable and secondary machine. My contention is simply that, while its technical specs are amazingly capable, the MBA has some serious thermal management issues (perhaps intrinsic to its form factor) that it cannot be used as a primary mac, not if you hope to pair it with a large external display.

 

[ayeying]

I call it overheating because the throttling back has caused an otherwise capable 9400M to stall the flash video playback, especially on a large external display. The 2.26Ghz 13" MBP, with the same integrated 9400M and a comparable processor as a 2.13 MBA, has little trouble playing Hulu video externally while the MBA goes into an instant frame drop when I connect it to a 1920x1200 display.
I have no doubt that the MBA, either Rev. B or C, makes a great ultra-portable and secondary machine. My contention is simply that, while its technical specs are amazingly capable, the MBA has some serious thermal management issues (perhaps intrinsic to its form factor) that it cannot be used as a primary mac, not if you hope to pair it with a large external display.

Actually the 9400M is not used in flash videos, the CPU is used in flash videos for Macs. The 13" is more capable due to less (actually no) throttling on the CPU.

 

[gnr319]

I like the MBA because its relative rarity corroborates its status as one of Apple's premium models contra the 13" MBP, which is supposed to be a premium model but has become so accessible and common that it has assumed the role of Apple's laptop for the masses.

I dislike the MBA because of the overheating and the soldered ram. I wish it came in a 4gb flavor (doesn't even have to be user removable, it can be soldered as well).

Some things I wish for: Smaller footprint-The bezel is so thick right now, maybe we can reduce it and have a smaller computer. Glass trackpad-not so much that the glass pad is easier to use but rather to avoid the trackpad button scratching the bezel which is an issue on many MBAs. Lighter-Yes, 3.04 lbs is already light, but once you get an air, the strive for more portability becomes an addiction.

 

[mikey28]

I love the air. It is absolutely gorgeous. However, I am not thrilled with the hinge issue. Even my Rev A had A LOT of wabble. Then on my B the hinge actually popped.

That is my only complaint.

 

[stoconnell]

I love the air. It is absolutely gorgeous. However, I am not thrilled with the hinge issue. Even my Rev A had A LOT of wabble. Then on my B the hinge actually popped.

That is my only complaint.

Apple has had a change of heart on this matter and seems to be willing to repair the hinges without a fight (or much less of one).