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What is the appeal of a MBA?
- Thread starter LucasLand
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The appeal for me is the thinness, the weight, the lack of ports, the energy use, the material, and the fact that the RAM, hard disk, graphics, trackpad, battery and iLife package are an improvement over my current 2008 MacBook.
The appeal for me over a new MBP (or MB) are the first 4 (or 5) items on that list. The last items attract me to getting one before I really need to.
I hate waste and excess. Basically, I only want to own things with the bare minimum of details so that they barely exist. I only own one USB device; my iPhone. I don't own anything that requires a Line In socket or a Firewire port. I currently have a 250GB hard drive of which I've used less than 60GB in over 2 years.
I was a fool to have spent more money than necessary on my current MacBook. When I look at it, I see waste. At 5lbs, it's a pain in the ass to carry around university/the city when I love to travel light and free. 7 ports on the side and I only use 1 of them frequently; 3 of them have never been touched. Plus, I am firmly in the Apple ecosystem; music and rented movies from iTunes and wireless backup to Time Capsule and MobileMe, so that optical drive is not missed. More software should be available for download however, such as iWork, which can't be downloaded with education discount.
Saying all of this however, I would put off buying one until 4GB RAM is available. USB 3.0 would be nice too, and 10.7, just to make it a whole new computer from the one I currently own.
But the MBA is an incredibly attractive computer for someone who doesn't need great specs or a multitude of ports but wants MacOS X and those trackpad gestures. I also believe people need to be much more honest with themselves and really think what specs they NEED from their computer. Sure, this argument doesn't work well for the MBA since the price is higher for lower specs at the moment (I imagine the price will continue to drop), but in general. Between a MB and a MBP, do you really need that MBP?
The appeal for me over a new MBP (or MB) are the first 4 (or 5) items on that list. The last items attract me to getting one before I really need to.
I hate waste and excess. Basically, I only want to own things with the bare minimum of details so that they barely exist. I only own one USB device; my iPhone. I don't own anything that requires a Line In socket or a Firewire port. I currently have a 250GB hard drive of which I've used less than 60GB in over 2 years.
I was a fool to have spent more money than necessary on my current MacBook. When I look at it, I see waste. At 5lbs, it's a pain in the ass to carry around university/the city when I love to travel light and free. 7 ports on the side and I only use 1 of them frequently; 3 of them have never been touched. Plus, I am firmly in the Apple ecosystem; music and rented movies from iTunes and wireless backup to Time Capsule and MobileMe, so that optical drive is not missed. More software should be available for download however, such as iWork, which can't be downloaded with education discount.
Saying all of this however, I would put off buying one until 4GB RAM is available. USB 3.0 would be nice too, and 10.7, just to make it a whole new computer from the one I currently own.
But the MBA is an incredibly attractive computer for someone who doesn't need great specs or a multitude of ports but wants MacOS X and those trackpad gestures. I also believe people need to be much more honest with themselves and really think what specs they NEED from their computer. Sure, this argument doesn't work well for the MBA since the price is higher for lower specs at the moment (I imagine the price will continue to drop), but in general. Between a MB and a MBP, do you really need that MBP?
I can't speak for the general public as to why the MacBook Air is a worthwhile purchase, but I can give you my own anecdotal experience.
I wanted a mac more than anything, but for years, I could not get a system with a weight below 4lbs. iBook 12" was as close as I could get and it was still just too heavy. So I was stuck using a Toshiba Portege R200. It was thin, light, but Windows XP and a horribly bloated driver set. Ick.
Why was weight such an issue? I have a mobility impairment and I need the thinnest, lightest notebook available on the market, otherwise it's' just a small-form-factor desktop. But at the same time, I do not want to compromise processing power and storage for weight.
The MacBook Air fits my needs perfectly. I bought the June Rev. B with the 2.13GHz and SSD and it is hands-down the best computer I have ever owned. The form factor makes it easy for me to pick up and carry from the server room to a meeting, independently, and I still have a full-featured system, versus the compromises required by a hackintosh netbook.
I know that my reasons are not the same as others who buy an MBA, but I am ever grateful that Apple finally produced a portable that met my needs.
I wanted a mac more than anything, but for years, I could not get a system with a weight below 4lbs. iBook 12" was as close as I could get and it was still just too heavy. So I was stuck using a Toshiba Portege R200. It was thin, light, but Windows XP and a horribly bloated driver set. Ick.
Why was weight such an issue? I have a mobility impairment and I need the thinnest, lightest notebook available on the market, otherwise it's' just a small-form-factor desktop. But at the same time, I do not want to compromise processing power and storage for weight.
The MacBook Air fits my needs perfectly. I bought the June Rev. B with the 2.13GHz and SSD and it is hands-down the best computer I have ever owned. The form factor makes it easy for me to pick up and carry from the server room to a meeting, independently, and I still have a full-featured system, versus the compromises required by a hackintosh netbook.
I know that my reasons are not the same as others who buy an MBA, but I am ever grateful that Apple finally produced a portable that met my needs.
I just got back from my first business trip with the Air and I fell in love with this machine. Slipped into my briefcase with my papers and folders (no computer bag needed). Sat on my lap in the train for about 3 hours during the course of the day and worked like a champ. Battery held up great. It was nice to have a large screen and full size keyboard as opposed to the crappy netbooks my company usually sets us up with.
all in all, a very worthwhile purchase. Looking forward to a couple more trips with this computer in the next few weeks.
all in all, a very worthwhile purchase. Looking forward to a couple more trips with this computer in the next few weeks.
Yes the Air is Light and easy to take with you, BUT.
If you want to use it for more than 4 hours you'll need the charger too !!
With it's 10 hour battery life perhaps the new 13" MBP is the new laptop for those who are always on the go?
If you want to use it for more than 4 hours you'll need the charger too !!
With it's 10 hour battery life perhaps the new 13" MBP is the new laptop for those who are always on the go?
I was thinking the same thing. Obviously, the MBA has a far sleeker form factor and is 1.5 pounds lighter than is the 13 inch MBP. I agree, though, that the 13 inch MBP's 10 hour battery life is twice that of the MBA, which makes it hugely appealing. I've had my finger on the order button at Amazon for the 13 inch MBP a couple of times but haven't quite been able to press it. I guess I'll just keep waiting for awhile longer to see what Apple does in the way of refreshing the MBA -- that is if they do anything.