Why did you purchase the air over the macbook OR why do you like it over the macbook?

[aleksandra.]

Weight.
Screen quality.
Twice L2 cache.
No ugly black bezel.

If weight, and therefore portability, don't matter, a MacBook Pro is probably a better choice, as you can upgrade it with a better SSD than Apple offers and it's much more powerful than a MacBook (which is IMO rather comparable to Air, despite "it's less than 2 GHz!!!" reactions of some people).

I think no one who had used it would call rev. B Air with SSD slow. The only time I ever see a beachball on my Air is when reading big files via USB SuperDrive or otherwise being limited by I/O. Obviously other apps remain snappy during this time, so it isn't an issue for me.

 

[JonHimself]

Annoys me posts like this. Who are you to "recommend"? Particularly given your rationale which is, not exactly, particularly valid.

"Much better"? Nothing like a meaningless broad-spectrum comment to get you started...

"Little bit more weight"? Actually it's 50% more, not exactly "little".

"Glass touchpad"? A gimmick and prone to variable tension issue not to mention fricking annoying sometimes, not to mention that wake-the-dead "CLICK"

"Glass screen"? Assume you mean glass-covered screen as all LCDs have glass inherent in their build. But you mean the covering right? Yes it's black, glassy and glossy, all the better to see how ugly/good-looking you are as you stare at your reflection, or just how inferior the quality of the display is compared to the MBA and MBP. Washed-out grey is NOT the new black, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

"Optical drive"? For the rare times you need one, the MBA has a Superdrive.

"Hard drive size"? Ok I suppose for now, but in a couple of months, my new MBA will have a low profile 256GB SSD. I'll take that over your top-spec 320GB HDD any day.

"Much faster machine"? Depends on the specs of what you're comparing but (given the 6MB CPU cache on the MBA and SSD), I can confirm my old (2.4GHz 4GB HDD) MB was left gasping in the wake of my (1.86Hz 2MB SSD) MBA.

p.s. you forgot to add in the usual "only one USB port" whine - but I guess in the absence of FW from the MB, it doesn't seem as important to gloat.

I hate broad generalizations as well when reviewing and recommending things, but I also hate belligerence biased reviews. By biased, I don't mean your opinion is wrong, I just mean that discrediting something because you don't like it to make your point (maybe bias isn't the proper word). Example: "A gimmick and prone to variable tension issue not to mention fricking annoying sometimes..." It really discredits your point about rationale being off. It's one thing to say you don't like the glass trackpad, but it's different to call it a 'gimmick' and 'freakin' annoying'... I don't disagree with you, but would have gone about making your points in a different way.

 

[nexp]

Just my experience:

Last year when I was about to buy my first mac, my doubt was between the MBP and the MBA.
I thought about it for 2 weeks, and then when I finally saw the macbook air live on the Apple Store, I made my mind, I'm more about portability than specifications.

I sold my Desktop PC cause i ended up barely using it, and since that the Air has been my only computer for the last year.

I've used mainly for browsing the internet and music, but also for work with Indesign, Photoshop, Keynote and even Autocad and Rhino on Windows with bootcamp and VMware.

So, i think that even the Rev. A MBA is a great laptop, capable of most common tasks, and i don't see myself going back to any heavier laptop.

I even got robbed with it on my "messenger kind" bag, and the guy looked inside, saw only books and papers, didn't noticed the MBA in there and just robbed me some money out of my wallet. He was stressed out, didn't even look at enough to find my iphone. I felt happy i didn't choose the MBP, small size and weight made my day.

nexp

 

[Eric5273]

I just purchased my MBA last month and this was my first mac. I purchased a brand new MBA 1st Gen 1.6/80. There are still a couple of places online that have them in stock. I definately did not want to get a refurbished computer. I wanted a new one. But I was also on a strict budget.

So my decision was either to get the current White MB or the MBA 1st Gen, or the older Blackbook which I also found available on clearance. I decided on the MBA simply because of the smaller size. The MB has some extra things like the DVD drive and an extra USB port, but those are things that I would rarely, if ever, need. I can't remember the last time I used more than one USB port on my old Dell laptop, and I only used the DVD drive a couple of times in 4 years.

I also liked the MBA screen a little bit better. It seems a bit brighter. And I like the backlit keyboard. It's not something I ever had on a computer before, but seems like something that would come in handy once in a while. I also don't need the larger HD. My old Dell laptop had a 60 GB HD and it was half empty.

But mostly I just liked the smaller size. I hope that helps.

 

[kyrian]

I've been using the 1.6/SSD 64 1st gen Air for a year now and I'm barely use the Superdrive anymore after I found that most of what you want can be downloaded or viewed on the internet legally. Most of the time, I just use the USB port for USB drives or wireless mouse, but that's less than 20% of the time. I also rely on the wireless to deliver/fetch files and backup. Heck, I can even play WoW on it with no lags.

It does get hot when I do video intensive tasks, but I think it's easier to grab and move the Air with one hand (I'm lazy...) than moving the alum MBP that I barely use.

The two downsides for the Air are the battery (hell on long-distance flight) and the lack of memory, the NAS and USB drive (that I'd carry with me anyway) solve the problem.

Maybe Apple will make a slide-out battery port for easy, on the spot replacement, I'll go out and get 2 extra batteries just so I can go without the adapter on roadtrips.

 

[robeddie]

1) Extremely better screen
2) Better looking
3) Lighter weight
4) Distinguishable
5) Does most of what you would do with a MB

I'll second that.

 

[Bye Bye Baby]

I too love the air but I just cannot justify the extra expense for what is a lesser computer. If it were priced correctly then I would buy. A is, too much money for not much bang.

 

[MH01]

For me it was a case of physical size (including weight) and screen quality. I find myself carrying the MBA to work, or when i go traveling. I would never take my MBP with me cause you can really feel the weight, while with the MBA it does not feel like your lugging around a laptop.

My mate has a Macbook and its just feels heavy and clumsy compared to the MBA (portability), and the screen quality is disappointing.

The cons are that it may lack grunt as a 1st computer (excellent as a second), and that it really takes ages for the internal battery to charge.

Please note i use it as a second computer for travel and have a 24" Led at home so never really cared about the lack of USB ports.

 

[xparaparafreakx]

I too love the air but I just cannot justify the extra expense for what is a lesser computer. If it were priced correctly then I would buy. A is, too much money for not much bang.

So what is correctly priced then?

 

[Veinticinco]

I hate broad generalizations as well when reviewing and recommending things, but I also hate belligerence biased reviews. By biased, I don't mean your opinion is wrong, I just mean that discrediting something because you don't like it to make your point (maybe bias isn't the proper word). Example: "A gimmick and prone to variable tension issue not to mention fricking annoying sometimes..." It really discredits your point about rationale being off. It's one thing to say you don't like the glass trackpad, but it's different to call it a 'gimmick' and 'freakin' annoying'... I don't disagree with you, but would have gone about making your points in a different way.

Well in a way I agree about my tone, I shouldn't have risen to it. Although in my defence I did preface my post with the fact that I was annoyed by that dismissive ignorant and deeply flawed original response. Thought I'd otherwise pretty much clearly and calmly deconstructed all of his arguments about the reasons for MB superiority - he didn't present it as an opinion but facts, which they weren't.

As for the glass trackpad, I stand by my opinion there, although of all of the points, it is admittedly the only really subjective one. Having used one, those issues are very real, and have been noted by others too. I know some people like them, just I don't get the big deal - confers no functional advantage as multitouch is enabled on the MBA button trackpad. It doesn't even feel like you expect "glass" to feel (super-smooth, low resistance and cool to the touch). So the lack of any significant increased functionality and it' Marmite love-it-or-hate-it feel, and given it's touted as an 'advance' kind of leaves it in the territory of "gimmick". Certainly not something to cite as a factor in superiority.

 

[Balthezor]

I too love the air but I just cannot justify the extra expense for what is a lesser computer. If it were priced correctly then I would buy. A is, too much money for not much bang.

You really can't compare the two spec by spec. The expensive thing about the Air is its thin and light design. That's why it cost $$.

It cost a lot of money to shrink everything down.

 

[the vj]

I wouldn't buy a mac book air

I have a 12" powerbook and I would never change it for the MBA.

Actually I have 3 12" powerbooks and one 17" MBP. I believe the MBA is good looking but I feel safer having a computer that can do it all and the MBA does not.

If you fall inlove with teh MBA live your experience, it is Apple after all and that mean is a good product. But in my case I do not see any real advantage comparing with the other options that can bring more and are good looking as well.

 

[NewGenAdam]

The Air might seem as big as its bigger brother, the standard MacBook.
But rest assured, that the Air has a fantastic way of fitting snugly into many bags, with the tiniest profile, and weight.
I've certainly had annoyances with my Air over time but these, without a doubt, worth bearing for its portability, comfort and ease of use, and wow factor.
DO IT!

 

[ibosie]

Weight and size was my primary reason, i just pop the 1.8 SSD into my bag each day and off I go. The display is noticeably better than the Macbook but worse for iSight (Air's built-in cam is lower res, don't know why Apple did that). I use Adobe Creative Suite CS3, After Effects CS4 (just playback or small tweaks) and Logic Studio, perfect for when I'm away from my Mac Pro at home. In the past few months I've become totally enamoured with the Air, it's my favourite laptop of all time.

 

[Scottsdale]

In the past few months I've become totally enamoured with the Air, it's my favourite laptop of all time.

I completely agree, and I will take it one step further:

The rev B MacBook Air is my favorite COMPUTER of all time.

I cannot think of a computer I have enjoyed even half as much.

 

[kaku945]

It's about the balance between the portability and a full size keyboard. Most notebooks are too heavy to carry - so most of the time it will sit on my desk. On the other hand, to make it small is not that hard at all - netbooks. but then they don't have a full size keyboard. While you can carry it all the way around, you won't be able to work on it for 5 hours. Thus, the balance between the "I will carry it with me" and "I can work on it for long hours", makes it a perfect computer. With MBA we're no longer tottering between the predicaments.

 

[Skika]

I was just one step close to buying and used air, but then i lurked some more and found out it was a revision A(the one i was planning to buy). Then i decided to go with the new pro.

 

[slapguts]

In the next week or two I'm planning on picking up a refurb Rev. A. Here's why-

I already have an external DVD drive. I have a powered USB hub. I spend every other month on the road touring with my band, and need something portable. Most of that time is spent in dimly lit places. The MBA is the cheapest available option I can get three years of AppleCare on that has a backlit keyboard. I'm replacing a 1.6 Intel Hackintosh, that replaced a G4 1.0 iMac. An MBA is going to seem blazing fast to me.

Those are my reasons, anyway.

Oh, and if anyone wants to advise me on getting a Rev. B instead, PM me for my email so you can PayPal me the price difference.

 

[King t.]

i recently swapped my unibody MB 2,4ghz for the MBA rev:B 1,6hgz with 120gb HD and I have no regrets!

reasons for swapping:

1. only used the optical drive once in 6 months
2. weight
3. the display is so much better on the MBA
4. speed wise the MBA Rev: B with 1,6ghz and 120gb HD, is a fast as the base unibody MB with 2,0ghz
5. it just looks and feels so much better than the unibody MB^^

 

[bobjob186]

I wouldn't buy a mac book air

I have a 12" powerbook and I would never change it for the MBA.

Actually I have 3 12" powerbooks and one 17" MBP. I believe the MBA is good looking but I feel safer having a computer that can do it all and the MBA does not.

If you fall inlove with teh MBA live your experience, it is Apple after all and that mean is a good product. But in my case I do not see any real advantage comparing with the other options that can bring more and are good looking as well.

I've owned five 12" powerbooks, three 1.33ghz and two 1.5ghz models and to say that you "feel safer having a computer that can do it all" when comparing the air to a powerbook is pretty silly. The macbook air tears the powerbook apart in performance. I remember being on the fence about selling my air and sticking with an iMac and PB G4 set up, but seriously the G4 just doesn't cut it anymore. Office takes literally 2 minutes to launch on a powerbook G4. 167mhz FSB? 512KB L2 Cache! compared to 1066mhz FSB and 6mb L2 Cache! I mean come on now, let's be real here.

Put the powerbook next to the air and turn brightness all the way up and then try not to laugh at the difference. In all honestly a powerbook g4 is a great netbook and mail computer but that's it. I ran a 4 hour gig on my macbook air on Friday and that is something I could never do on the G4.

 

[mrrippey]

i recently swapped my unibody MB 2,4ghz for the MBA rev:B 1,6hgz with 120gb HD and I have no regrets!

reasons for swapping:

1. only used the optical drive once in 6 months
2. weight
3. the display is so much better on the MBA
4. speed wise the MBA Rev: B with 1,6ghz and 120gb HD, is a fast as the base unibody MB with 2,0ghz
5. it just looks and feels so much better than the unibody MB^^

probably 95% of the reasons why people stick / migrate to the Air.