What made you choose macbook air over a macbook?

[coupdetat]

Because the MBA is as close to an "appliance PC" that I've ever seen. It's small, durable, and does its job perfectly without maintenance.

Speaking of maintenance, I have to go fix Aero on my girlfriend's new PC because it just randomly stopped working.

 

[fatalist]

To hand...

What nobody seems to mention in all these posts is the simple fact that when something weighs a mere three pounds and has such a lovely, sensuous shape and feel, you are far more likely to reach for it and use it.

A lot of reviewers who actually bought an MBA in 08 mentioned this after they lived with it for a while (Pogue, Fallows, et al). They found themselves simply using it way more frequently than any previous machine they owned.

I really like the new MB alum. Just lovely. But now I am drifting back to purchasing an MBA as my Mac. Besides fitting the uses I intend for it, I just know I will end up actually using it more than any other possible machine. An X300 is nice, but costs more and only runs you-know-what, which i am pretty fed up with.

I guess my point is also sort of related to Mazurka's posts above. The MBA has a usability factor that is amazing but not easily grasped by folk with a count-the-ports-how-big-is-the-HD mentality.

Sorry for the long post. Have been dwelling on this since mid 08 and it finally had to burst out.

 

[Sdevante]

What nobody seems to mention in all these posts is the simple fact that when something weighs a mere three pounds and has such a lovely, sensuous shape and feel, you are far more likely to reach for it and use it.

Along the same lines, the 1.86 with SSD is by far the fasted booting computer I've ever had. That, to me, is an incentive to use it whereas a computer that takes 5 mins to load, I'm not as likely to turn it on just to check the weather or something.

 

[johnnj]

Besides the weight, what really nailed it for me on the MBA was the display.

If they had the same panel in the unibody MB, I probably would have gotten the 2.4.

I had one of the unibodies and I returned it because the narrow viewing angle and the grey looking blacks really bugged me.

The only two things that I wish were better on the MBA are the battery life and the time it takes for the battery to charge.

I'd like more than 128 gigs of storage, but I have feeling that eventually Samsung will release a 256 gig 1.8" SSD.

John

 

[glitch44]

there's a lot of good things about the unibody macbook-- removeable battery, the ease of popping in a replacement 2.5" drive, 2 USB ports, but the screen comparison bugs me, especially this shot from gizmodo:







article link

 

[elppa]

I might be going out on a limb here, but I'm willing to bet nearly all Mac Air users are doing it because of the weight/portability. I meant, really, what else does it have going for it? For sure, the screen is nice, but that would not be the primary reason.

I am coming round to be an Air fan, especially as it sounds from reports than with this rev B. Apple has got the internals right. I doubt it is an awesome FCP machine, but then if you really use Pro Apps, then it is likely you will nearly always be better served buying a Desktop.

Here's I beginning to like the Air:
[1] It's the only really portable Mac with a good screen.
[2] It's the only MacBook without a wedge of glass slapped across the display (aside from the $2799 + $50 “anti glare” MacBook 17", which I wouldn't call portable.
[3] It's the only MacBook with a physical trackpad button
[4] It's arguable the best looking machine Apple makes (more noticeable in person than in the photos).
[5] It's the most portable machine Apple makes. If you are carrying your Notebook around (not using a Desktop replacement) this is more important.
[6] When using a notebook, you type on the keyboard and look at the screen. When not using a notebook it might be in a bag or carry case. On these three areas, the Air delivers with a great keyboard, beautiful screen and thin and light chassis.
[7] Handbrake (for DVDs).
[8] All of Apple's other Notebooks are rev A, so the Air is a little more mature.

What nobody seems to mention in all these posts is the simple fact that when something weighs a mere three pounds and has such a lovely, sensuous shape and feel, you are far more likely to reach for it and use it.

A lot of reviewers who actually bought an MBA in 08 mentioned this after they lived with it for a while (Pogue, Fallows, et al). They found themselves simply using it way more frequently than any previous machine they owned.

I really like the new MB alum. Just lovely. But now I am drifting back to purchasing an MBA as my Mac. Besides fitting the uses I intend for it, I just know I will end up actually using it more than any other possible machine. An X300 is nice, but costs more and only runs you-know-what, which i am pretty fed up with.

I guess my point is also sort of related to Mazurka's posts above. The MBA has a usability factor that is amazing but not easily grasped by folk with a count-the-ports-how-big-is-the-HD mentality.

Sorry for the long post. Have been dwelling on this since mid 08 and it finally had to burst out.

That's an excellent point, well made. The feature-checklist and spec-sheet crowd rarely understand Apple's products and dismiss them as underpowered and overpriced.

They usually miss one simple fact. Computers are made for a person to use and Apple seems to understand what people need better than many.

We all know Apple is far from perfect, but the one thing I think do pretty consistently is to bias their thinking towards simplicity and usability wherever possible. It's not a trait exclusive to Apple, but far too often the opposite happens in tech, where usability is sacrificed for other more “important” things.

The Macbook Air in my opinion is ahead of it's time...sort of like the iMac when they first came out.

I remember Windows enthusiasts wetting themselves back in the day cause the iMac had no Floppy Disc Drive or Serial Port, only that weird USB port.

 

[AIRniloc]

why did i get the MBAir over the macbook, you ask? one word:

sexiness

 

[jackiecanev2]

The display really cinched it for me, along with the size and extra portability. It really is a solid machine, and I have a desktop for heavy lifting so I don't feel like I have any computing shortfalls.

 

[ibosie]

Im thinking of buying an Apple laptop for school, and next year uni. I already have the iMac in my sig which is plenty powerful enough for me, just wondering why you would choose the air over the macbook when the macbook is cheaper and has more to it (cd drive etc...)

My choice is really between the 1.6ghz refurbed macbook air, or a 2.0ghz macbook alu.

Thanks

Less weight that's why I chose the Air; even this can feel heavy after a while, like carrying shopping! I'm totally enamoured by the Air, mine does a bit of everything from Logic to After Effects when I'm away from the Mac Pro. Only one feature disappointed - the low res iSight camera it's really grainy and iChat speed seems throttled compared to the rest of the Mac family.

 

[tubbymac]

just wondering why you would choose the air over the macbook when the macbook is cheaper and has more to it (cd drive etc...)

I haven't chosen it yet, but the only reason I'm even considering the Macbook Air over the Macbook I already have is the screen. I hate the viewing angles and the horrible black levels on my Macbook. The Air screen is much better in those respects if it weren't for the blasted horizontal lines. I just can't win either way I go!

 

[nph]

Exactly my sentiment as well. Good screen (best of what is out there now) but then again it has the 'lines' issue. Question is if it will be solved and at least on some of the samples it is only visible at a certain angle.

 

[frogcat]

I don't mean to hijack, but I chose the macbook, and am wondering if any of you are programmers? I found a new 1.6 air Rev B for $1200. I really want to grab at this deal, but I really don't know whether I can use VMWARE running SQL and Visual Studio without slowdowns like I do on the macbook.

I felt like this was relevant here because everyone in this thread seemed to choose the Air over the macbook, and now I am wondering why I did the opposite. Thanks in advance!

 

[Adokimus]

Didn't have time to read the entire thread, but DON'T EVEN CONSIDER A REV. A Macbook Air!... Between those two options, go for the unibody macbook all the way. If you're considering a Rev. B MBA, then that is a different story. The graphics improvement is HUGE between the two releases. The Rev. A is known to overheat and has choppy video (even youtube!). The Rev. B is much better, but if you can't afford that, than go for the unibody macbook.

Just my two cents.

 

[5630745]

I don't mean to hijack, but I chose the macbook, and am wondering if any of you are programmers? I found a new 1.6 air Rev B for $1200. I really want to grab at this deal, but I really don't know whether I can use VMWARE running SQL and Visual Studio without slowdowns like I do on the macbook.

I felt like this was relevant here because everyone in this thread seemed to choose the Air over the macbook, and now I am wondering why I did the opposite. Thanks in advance!

$1200? I'd jump on that in a heartbeat.

 

[drjsway]

The MB screen is good for surfing the web, writing e-mails and documents, anything with a lot of white on the screen. For videos however, it is UNWATCHABLE. I watch a lot of movies on my laptop so the MB wasn't even an option for me. Greyish milky blacks, poor contrast, horrible viewing angles. It's actually okay for colorful animated films, as long as there is no black on the screen.

My wife got the unibody MB and she has never watched a movie all the way through because of that horrible screen.

Why would I get a machine with lower specs? The "specs" don't tell you that MBs use a $70 screen vs the $400 screen the MBAs use. If Apple should ever offer a $330 option for the MB to upgrade its screen, I would definitely get it .

 

[tubbymac]

The MB screen is good for surfing the web, writing e-mails and documents, anything with a lot of white on the screen. For videos however, it is UNWATCHABLE.

If Apple should ever offer a $330 option for the MB to upgrade its screen, I would definitely get it .

I'd probably pay even $500 for the upgrade as my MB would then be almost perfect and I wouldn't consider an MBA anymore. Fix the junk Apple keyboard and trackpad drivers in bootcamp too and I'd become an Apple fanboy like you wouldn't believe.

Somebody on the MB forums tried it though. Turned out to be a huge pain, took him two strokes of forever to accomplish, and the screen didn't actually work properly. Doh!

 

[MH01]

I skipped the MB, as the screen was not to my liking, I had the MBP for a week and was just not impressed with it, in the end the MBA is truly portable, where the MBA felt like i was carrying a laptop in my bag, i hardly notice it with the MBA. This means i take it with me all the time, where the MBP would have been left behind. My main concern was portability, as it is not my only computer, and in that regard, its awesome.

 

[MH01]

Because the MBA is as close to an "appliance PC" that I've ever seen. It's small, durable, and does its job perfectly without maintenance.

Speaking of maintenance, I have to go fix Aero on my girlfriend's new PC because it just randomly stopped working.

Though i do not have a Rev A, i have heard that they have heating issues...so something to take into consideration, and the old GPU was lacking in grunt.

 

[ercanbas]

I went from a Macbook Air Rev A hdd to a Rev B with ssd now to a Macbook 2.4/4gig. Like all of you the Air was appealing to me for portability but I found that the Macbook is the perfect balance between portability and power. Also, I wanted to reap more benefits from Snow Leopard. I went with the Macbook for the long run, I feel that the Air won't suffice with the upcoming updates however I won't rule out future models of the Air. I do miss the envy factor of the Air, it always sparked a conversation at Starbucks and other places. Also, my Rev B had the lines issue so that was the dealbreaker since Apple didn't deem it an issue. The Rev A screen was glorious however it had its heating issues. Carrying my Air was a dream, and worrying at times because I constantly checked my bag for it since it was so damn light. The Macbook is almost as light in my bag as was the Air. Although I can feel it there, it has never strained my back. I miss the ssd in the Air, I had that upgraded for free because of the hdd delay for Rev B's. When the ssd price drops for the Macbook, I will most certainly swap it out. The Macbook also offered a better quality isight camera and personally, I like the black bezel. I opted for the 2.4 because I was spoiled with the backlit keyboard with the Air and couldn't dare buy a Macbook without it. I also do some gaming and the performance was an increase on my Macbook than the Air, this is I think due to the processor and ram increase. I don't see what the big deal is with the screen, it's not much of an improvement, only to those who really need crispness. The Macbook screen is glorious and to those who complain about the angle issues, it's a simple solution, TILT THE SCREEN! Even with my Air, if I laid down I always tilted the screen so it was facing me rather than at an angle. People who complain about that make me laugh. I do miss my Air at times but I am definitely satisfied with my glassbook. Hope this helps any of you caught in the middle.

 

[theappleguy]

Mainly portability. They aren't as fast as the MacBooks, but personally I would rather not carry the extra weight in my backpack every day.

 

[drjsway]

The Macbook screen is glorious and to those who complain about the angle issues, it's a simple solution, TILT THE SCREEN!

Even staring at the screen dead on, the top of the screen doesn't match the bottom. The angle issues aren't as big of a problem as the horrible black levels. Go watch a letterboxed movie, flip to a dark scene, and tell me if the black bars are really black or just dark grey. To compare, find something that is black in your house (like the back of the black iPhone 3g). That is true black. Poor blacks = poor contrast. Now, look at the black bar on the top of the screen vs the bottom. Notice how the two bars have a slightly different shade of black. That means that no matter how you tilt the screen, the colors will never be uniform throughout.

You might not be a discerning viewer, which is perfectly fine, and to be fair, MB screens are on par with most laptops in the price range.

 

[juro]

Really, there are very tangible reasons for picking the Air when trying to rationalize the purchase — weight, thinness, screen, etc. This is what say when trying to convince ourselves of making the purchase.

But when you actually own one already, as I have for almost a year now, you will discover that the really great thing about it — the thing you will fall in love with — is that you hardly ever think about it; not when it's in your bag, in your arm, on the table or carrying it.

The fact that it disappears into your life so seamlessly, instead of intruding on it — that, to me, is just awesome.

 

[WildCardPix]

MBA Rev B. Battery Life/Recharge Time?

I'm seriously considering getting a MBA Rev B. My only hang up is how long does the battery last in real world conditions, and how long does it take to recharge? Any owners willing to comment? Thank you!

~Dave

 

[shokunin]

I use my MBA as a second computer when I'm not on my Mac Pro.. I've had Rev A, Rev B and the Whitebook here at the same time. While the new Alu MB are damn nice and I could (probably) get used to the glossy screen, but it's 50% heavier than the MBA and I prefer the style, the screen (even with the lines issue) on my Rev B.

People have complained about the fans revving to 6100rpms, and mine does so on occassion, but you know what, my Whitebook fans are waaay louder than the Air, easily twice as loud or more. Sheesh, my Dhell Latitude at idle is louder than the MBA with the fans at max rpm's.

It's a perfect balance of weight, speed, and size for me. Compared to the MSI wind I had, there's no comparison. I couldn't even have my kids view NickJr.com on the Wind as the flash games and videos caused the Atom based Wind to stutter horribly and slow to an unusable crawl.