Thoughts on white macbook instead of base Air?

[puma1552]

As always, I'm thinking of getting rid of my base Rev. B Air. It's a secondary computer, and has provided me with no problems, so no complaints there. It serves my needs well, aside from occasional beachballing. I only use it for basic things, as it's a work computer where I just do word/email/iTunes etc. Basic stuff.

I was thinking, with the Applecare and with the market here in Japan, I could get enough out of it to have more than enough to buy a new white uni macbook.

No, it wouldn't be as sleek or sexy, and yes it has a rubber bottom, but it's more computer for the money, and doesn't have the plagued screen that my Air has. Not to mention, should Apple drop a new Air revision within the next year (e.g. a redesign), I could always upgrade back to an Air and it would probably be easier to do so compared to the tanking value my Air will have then.

 

[cmaier]

As always, I'm thinking of getting rid of my base Rev. B Air. It's a secondary computer, and has provided me with no problems, so no complaints there. It serves my needs well, aside from occasional beachballing. I only use it for basic things, as it's a work computer where I just do word/email/iTunes etc. Basic stuff.

I was thinking, with the Applecare and with the market here in Japan, I could get enough out of it to have more than enough to buy a new white uni macbook.

No, it wouldn't be as sleek or sexy, and yes it has a rubber bottom, but it's more computer for the money, and doesn't have the plagued screen that my Air has. Not to mention, should Apple drop a new Air revision within the next year (e.g. a redesign), I could always upgrade back to an Air and it would probably be easier to do so compared to the tanking value my Air will have then.

I think it's a good idea. I don't see the allure in "thin." The white uni is a great machine.

 

[Mactagonist]

If you dont need an illuminated keyboard and can tolerate a little more weight and thickness the new white MB is a really great machine. Nicely upgradable, great battery life, tough and sharp looking.

Since you have an Air and are used to it the white MB's lack of FW, SD card reader and external battery indicators should be no problem at all.

 

[puma1552]

If you dont need an illuminated keyboard and can tolerate a little more weight and thickness the new white MB is a really great machine. Nicely upgradable, great battery life, tough and sharp looking.

Since you have an Air and are used to it the white MB's lack of FW, SD card reader and external battery indicators should be no problem at all.

yeah the lack of ports is no big deal, nor is the lack of remote or battery indicator (though the indicator would be nice but whatever). The second USB port would be great, since at work we don't have wireless so I always have to unplug the internet to use my USB stick; I could bring a hub but I'm too lazy.

i dont really need the portability of the air, and im not too weak to carry a white macbook. that 5400 rpm harddrive should eliminate the sometimes tiring beach ball i get from the 4200 rpm drive.

the only two things i dislike is the rubber bottom and the lack of the backlit keyboard; i dont NEED the backlit keyboard, but its just one of those things that nice to have anyway. im not sure why they felt the need to go with a big rubber panel for the bottom though

The only other thing is I'm worried about scratching. I take meticulous care of my stuff and love how the aluminum is so, so, so, low maintenance. I'm worried about having to maintain and worry about the white macbook like I do with a new, naked iPod.

Another reason for the possible switch is I'm getting older, I'm getting wiser, and I'm looking towards other things I need, so this downgrade/upgrade would also allow me to throw an extra couple hundred my way towards my credit card to get that back down to zero, and I'd be ahead in computing in terms of performance and having another brand new computer, nearly a year newer than my Air. Hmmmm

 

[mikey28]

^ I'm with you. I gave the AIR to my husband, and am using an MBP 13" now. I love the sturdiness!!! It has the look and feel of the air, but much more durability, and tons more memory.

If you are worried about scratches (I always am) put an invisible shield on it, and that will take care of that issue...

 

[alphaod]

If you don't mind the extra weight, the MacBook is a great alternative.

No reason to waste money on the MacBook Air if something that's both cheaper and more powerful with a bit of a size penalty will suit you just fine.

 

[molala]

yeah the lack of ports is no big deal, nor is the lack of remote or battery indicator (though the indicator would be nice but whatever). The second USB port would be great, since at work we don't have wireless so I always have to unplug the internet to use my USB stick; I could bring a hub but I'm too lazy.

The MacBook has an ethernet port, so you can use your 2 USB ports for something else (other than internet).

I think it's a great move.

 

[puma1552]

I went tonight to look at it, and it's nice, but I didn't fall in love with it right away, largely for that rubber bottom. I stared at it, I contemplated, I picked it up, I stared some more, wandered off somewhere else, came back, and stared some more. Undecided, I went to another store to see if I could stare at one there but they didn't have them, so I went to McDonald's and thought about it while I ate.

I went back to the first store, stared some more, then decided "You know what it's a better computer than the Air, plain and simple, and it's a financially sound move. I can always get the next iteration of the Air when the case gets redesigned and kinks get worked out. For a year or year and a half I can live with this for a basic computer." I decided to buy it.

So then I went and found someone and asked if they had one with an English keyboard, and they didn't, so no Macbook for me, at least not tonight.

 

[Mactagonist]

You really dont like the non slip bottom? I recommended the white MB to a few friends and from using theirs it seems like a nice touch for anyone who uses it on their lap often.

 

[5630745]

Good for you! If you like the base MB then use it and enjoy.

 

[js81]

You really dont like the non slip bottom? I recommended the white MB to a few friends and from using theirs it seems like a nice touch for anyone who uses it on their lap often.

Yeah, the older model with the slick polycarb. bottom (like my wife has) was slicker than snot on a door knob on when you had it on your lap!

 

[molala]

I like the rubber bottom myself, it reminds me of the rubberised sections on the top and bottom of the Powerbook G3s (Wallstreets to Pismos).

But it is subjective. It's impossible for me to buy an Apple laptop if it didn't grab me (unless I really really needed it), so I know where you are coming from. 'Sound financial decision' is rarely enough to sway me. I can't upgrade yet because I can't see anything I love the look of more than my blackbook .

 

[robertpetry]

How about a refurb or discounted aluminum model? For me it is either that or a Rev B Air.

Of course for now I think I am stuck with my Rev A. But the upgrade would only cost about $300-400.

 

[iGrant]

I haven't owned the new Macbook, but I had an old one, and I can tell you that I will never go back to a plastic case, I love the Aluminum and without a doubt the illuminate keyboard is freaking awesome in my book.

I also cherish the silence of my Macbook Air, however if you don't mind a little noise, a new Macbook would not be a bad computer to get.

-iGrant