Very tempted to buy new MBA 13".........

[Chic0]

I currently have a MBP 15" unibody (late 2008). It has 2.53 cpu and 4gb ram. Most of my usage consists of streaming online video (iplayer etc), browsing net, playing music, burning mp3 cds for use in the car and some word processing. I soemtimes watch movies on it, but not often. I also rip the ocassional cd, but not often.

After seeing the benchmarks for the maxed out 13" MBA, I'm very tempted. WOuld be nice to have a more portable laptop. I don't use it much out side the home though, but for the times i do need to transport it around, it would be good to have a smaller laptop.

My main concern is whether I would notice any severe drops in everyday performance.

Also not sure about losing backlit keyboard as that's quite handy when using laptop in bed when lights are off.

I'm very tempted. I'm in Canada at the moment, so could possibly pick one up cheap, if the stores happened to have a maxed out model.

What do you reckon? Take the plunge?
My very first mac was a 12" powerbook back in 2003. loved it! Had 15" powerbook followed by 15" MBP since. Wouldnt mind going back to small and powerful again

 

[catdog02481]

I would say take the plunge.
I have been putting mine through its paces (13.3" ultimate) and am very impressed so far. No slow down or heat or fan problems even playing videos etc. and the battery is extremely good.
The point is that using the MBA is seamless, like using a sheet of paper or cardboard to do your work on. It's a liberating feeling that you can't get from more bulky equipment.
The only problem to me is the lack of backlighting; it's really an issue for me at night: the key painting is not any more visible than the MBP without backlighting. That's my only complaint, all else is great, screen has nice ppi and resolution.
So as long as you don't object to no backlighting, go for it!
It will be at least equivalent to your MBP and possibly faster at >90% of use.

 

[neteng101]

I have the same exact 15" MBP and have made the move to the 13" ultimate - only thing I miss a little is the keyboard backlighting. I think that's the one big miss Apple made with the MBA now.

 

[Chic0]

thanks for the replies.

Yeah the lack of backlighting is probably my main issue at moment. Suppose it is something I could get used to not having. maybe.

from what you guys say though, it seems performance is really not an issue. Any idea if it copes well with multitasking too?

My other concern is OSX Lion. With it's slightly lower cpu, do you think it would be able to handle the forthcoming OS?

 

[neteng101]

No issues with multi-tasking... if you don't feel any CPU issues with your 2.53 today, you won't with the MBA. Assuming you're planning on getting the external Superdrive to rip/burn?

I would think the MBA is actually sort of built with Lion in mind... unless Apple goes to a hugely new architecture like OSXI, there should be good support for the next 3 years at least (Snow Leopard, Lion, and probably OSX 10.8 too). It was the transition to Intel that caused them to drop support for older models, but that transition is pretty much complete now.

 

[Chic0]

No issues with multi-tasking... if you don't feel any CPU issues with your 2.53 today, you won't with the MBA. Assuming you're planning on getting the external Superdrive to rip/burn?

Yes I'll need some kind of external drive.
Is the MBA superdrive compatible for use with other computers? My missus has an Asus netbook, so would be handy if she could use it with that too on the off chance she needed it.