Why I love my Air

[chrono1081]

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The people who hate on the Air are the same people who have never used one. I need a little more power, so I don't have one, but my dad uses one and it's a fantastic machine. You'll get a lot of Air haters here, some with real grievances, some without, but if the machine suits your needs that's great. You treat it as exactly what it is; a secondary computer. For that it's perfect.

+1 Its a niche product and sooo many people buy it cause its sexy not because for them it would be useful.

My Mom could definitely use and air. She travels a ton and her laptop is a heavier HP. She uses internet and office. Nothing more.

I myself could not use an air. I need much more power. For travel, I have my 10 inch eeePC. (Which always gets the same trash talking as the air does from people who don't realize its a niche product)


To the OP I'm glad your happy with your air If it fit my computing style I'd own one in a heartbeat.

 

[chrono1081]

I never understand why people get so bent out of shape about the fans running. I welcome the fans running in my Air, I know the machine is getting good cooling. Installing coolbook or sitting it on an ice pack does nothing. I would be more nervous if my Macbook started getting hot and the fans DIDN'T activate.

+8438739537984759837

People dont realize thats how computers are to operate. If anyone tries to say otherwise they're WRONG.

If your fans are running its NOT a problem with your computer. The processors need cooled down so the fan kicks on just like its supposed to. I guess people would rather have the computer shut off to protect the processor instead? Or melt like old AMD chips used to?

 

[sangosimo]

meh the macbook air is okay. I love the weight and size. I use it as a netbook and it usually just sits parked in my bag when I get home.

 

[entatlrg]

Mba Rocks !!!

1.8 ghz Rev B MacBook Air with 128ssd is a very capable computer.

I do the following tasks all day every day on my Air:
- Office app's - Word, Excel, Powerpoint.
- Vector Design/Drawing Software - extensive use.
- Surfing - 5, 10 even 15 windows open at a time when I get carried away, lol..
- Email, heavy use with large file attachments
- Online TV and Movie viewing - Colbert Report, The Hour, Hockey ... without a hiccup...
- Upload many photo's and video clips from Camera to the HD or attached portable 500gb HD when necessary...
- sync my iPhone and Blackberry
- use of cloud app's, evernote, google, app's etc


Could the MBA just be an 'engineering marvel'! A first, one of a kind, super light, super thin computer that allows you to effortlessly do your work on a desk, your lap, couch or lazy boy, at a cafe, hell with a 3G stick anywhere ... FULL keyboard, an absolute pleasure to type on, a screen second to none, it wreaks of quality, looks like art and performs amazingly well at many tasks.

Need more space? Buy a hard drive! Coincidentally you can buy a silver portable Western Digital Hard Drive, 500 gb for $150 or less that matches the air perfectly, its also thin and light.

Need more ports? A 7 port powered hub can be had for $50! Cool little portable 4 port hubs for $29.

Sure, some people whine about it but they're truly missing something that thousands upon thousands of MacBook Air owners are enjoying everyday!

Rev C sure, it would be nice, next week or next year what's the big deal, my Rev B is speeding along just fine here and I have no reason to believe it can't for another year.

Sure, some need more power for other tasks ... but I'll bet if an MBA was in the picture it would be the computer of choice when the extra power wasn't needed and you'd be off somewhere with your Air on your lap enjoying the outdoors or relaxing on a couch

I can't think of many people the MBA wouldn't suit or satisfy !!

 

[chrono1081]

I want an air...even though I never saw one in real life.


I just cant justify the cost of using it as my travel machine :/ My travel machines only need to be able to do internet nothing more.

 

[RSW]

I just bought an Air yesterday after buying a 24" imac desktop last week. The Air being as light as it is will be a welcome relief to my back when I travel and dump my old HP laptop. Since I am a new convert to mac, I can't get over the difference in the ease of use! Also, I notice how when you take a mac out in public (like I did last night trying to play with my new purchase) people seem to flock over.

 

[entatlrg]

I just bought an Air yesterday after buying a 24" imac desktop last week.

Nice set up !

Enjoy!

 

[Scottsdale]

I just bought an Air yesterday after buying a 24" imac desktop last week. The Air being as light as it is will be a welcome relief to my back when I travel and dump my old HP laptop. Since I am a new convert to mac, I can't get over the difference in the ease of use! Also, I notice how when you take a mac out in public (like I did last night trying to play with my new purchase) people seem to flock over.

Just wondering why you didn't just buy a MacBook Air with a 24" LED Backlit Apple Cinema Display?

Seems to me that the ACD with LED Backlighting, is a nicer display. Also, the MBA would be plenty powerful enough for most apps for most users.

I don't see much that the MBA cannot do, unless you want the iMac for gaming or something???

I prefer a one Mac system. When I used my rev B MBA with SSD with a 24" LED ACD, it felt like a Mac Pro. The display was stunning, and the MBA was fast for the things I do on it.

I guess if you have the money, and you prefer a two Mac system, the iMac and MBA could be a great setup. I just don't feel an MBA needs to be second to any iMac...

Would be fun to get two new Macs in two weeks though.

Congrats

 

[HLdan]

Just wondering why you didn't just buy a MacBook Air with a 24" LED Backlit Apple Cinema Display?

Seems to me that the ACD with LED Backlighting, is a nicer display. Also, the MBA would be plenty powerful enough for most apps for most users.

I don't see much that the MBA cannot do, unless you want the iMac for gaming or something???

I prefer a one Mac system. When I used my rev B MBA with SSD with a 24" LED ACD, it felt like a Mac Pro. The display was stunning, and the MBA was fast for the things I do on it.

I guess if you have the money, and you prefer a two Mac system, the iMac and MBA could be a great setup. I just don't feel an MBA needs to be second to any iMac...

Would be fun to get two new Macs in two weeks though.

Congrats

You might want to think more out of the box. Don't take this personally but only kids (the younger crowd) desire a powerful computer just for gaming. For the rest of us, we need a powerful computer for more than "playing with it". I have 2.8Ghz 24" iMac and the Rev B Macbook Air. My Air is for my work because I do a lot of field work and I need a small and lightweight machine for my business.

At home the iMac is connected to my cable system as my main HD TV and DVR. I do a lot of video editing which requires horsepower for what I do (ever try running Final Cut on a MBA? Even iMovie 09 is heavy on the Air. I also record music...and...I actually play a first person shooter every Sunday online which again requires a powerful machine.
All of this is qualifies the iMac very well. It's not just about having a bigger screen to accompany the MBA.

 

[Testify]

I just bought an Air yesterday after buying a 24" imac desktop last week. The Air being as light as it is will be a welcome relief to my back when I travel and dump my old HP laptop. Since I am a new convert to mac, I can't get over the difference in the ease of use! Also, I notice how when you take a mac out in public (like I did last night trying to play with my new purchase) people seem to flock over.

Nice set up indeed! I bought an iMac in march and now I have the temptation to get an Air. I envy you

 

[Unprocessed1]

The imac/air combo is probably the sweetest setup you can have.

 

[dudeitsjay]

You might want to think more out of the box. Don't take this personally but only kids (the younger crowd) desire a powerful computer just for gaming. For the rest of us, we need a powerful computer for more than "playing with it". I have 2.8Ghz 24" iMac and the Rev B Macbook Air. My Air is for my work because I do a lot of field work and I need a small and lightweight machine for my business.

At home the iMac is connected to my cable system as my main HD TV and DVR. I do a lot of video editing which requires horsepower for what I do (ever try running Final Cut on a MBA? Even iMovie 09 is heavy on the Air. I also record music...and...I actually play a first person shooter every Sunday online which again requires a powerful machine.
All of this is qualifies the iMac very well. It's not just about having a bigger screen to accompany the MBA.

iMovie is hard to do on the MBA. For anyone who'd consider editing on the MBA, consider switching to windows xp pro bootcamp and try Sony Vegas 8.0c. It's what I do to make/edit videos and it works quite well. Otherwise, video encoding, editing, compiling would all do much better on a quadcore, and I don't think iMac has that option. The best would be the Mac Pros but obviously price is an issue. But then again, you bought the MBA and are in this dilemma to begin with right? I'd say if you're going MBA, get a Mac Pro (if you're a heavy user of computers, and need editing, encoding, etc.). Or meet in the middle and get a Macbook Pro.

I wouldn't be so condescending towards the young. I've been playing my share, and my understanding is it's the older people who know more about the computers and thusly put more money into it [the ones who pay for the server, who get the best of the best since their salaries allow it compared to a teen]. The little "kids" you so deem stick to whatever's at Bestbuy (overpriced, undertech). Average gamer is 35. Even on youtube, those maxishine and other dudes who buy the latest and greatest just to 1up their Crysis benchmarks are beerbellied older folks. In competitive gaming, their equipment is sponsored and are usually one or two architecture tiers behind (aka, 9800GT when GTX280 is out). Sure, kids are more to fantasize about the best of the best, but its in the older population that actually buy. Just my 2c. I understand where your frustration comes from HL with me. I tend to find people's flaws and not be subtle or mature about dealing with it . Although, I've done it way more and much more rudely to scott, and he's never ever acted hypocritically. +1 respect for that, showed his true age!
http://www.theaveragegamer.com/averagegamers/

Oh and scotts:
The difference of the AS5 Thermal paste is that it doesn't magically make heat disappear, but acts as a better mode of transferring the heat because it has better conducive properties. The heat still has to go somewhere. In this case, I am thinking the heat is transferring to the heatsink, and literally just hugs the aluminum underbody. The AS5 better transfers heat to the heatsink, which gets cooled via CAI. The difference is that AS5 on computers help alleviate the problem of not enough heat being transferred to the heatsink for the fan to be used to its potential, whereas the issue in the mba, is the fan is at best breezing air. Where it was heat < air volume, it is now heat > air volume. So, where I have reduced my core temperatures, I've transplanted the problem to my laps .

 

[Scottsdale]

You might want to think more out of the box. Don't take this personally but only kids (the younger crowd) desire a powerful computer just for gaming. For the rest of us, we need a powerful computer for more than "playing with it". I have 2.8Ghz 24" iMac and the Rev B Macbook Air. My Air is for my work because I do a lot of field work and I need a small and lightweight machine for my business.

At home the iMac is connected to my cable system as my main HD TV and DVR. I do a lot of video editing which requires horsepower for what I do (ever try running Final Cut on a MBA? Even iMovie 09 is heavy on the Air. I also record music...and...I actually play a first person shooter every Sunday online which again requires a powerful machine.
All of this is qualifies the iMac very well. It's not just about having a bigger screen to accompany the MBA.

I just think a lot of people have this misconception that the MBA is supposed to be a secondary "light" laptop. While for me the MBA 1.86 w/SSD while connected to a 24" Beautiful LED backlit Apple Cinema Display, is fully capable of being the average Mac user's PRIMARY Mac.

I immediately think gaming when I think what the rev B is not good for. But all in all, the MBA w/SSD will feel like a Mac Pro when hooked up to the big ACD, for the average user.

I guess there are a few things the MBA cannot do, but don't underestimate an MBA rev B w/SSD plugged into a 24" ACD - it's just incredible to me that the tiny package of the MBA is so very practical for so many who may not realize its capabilities.

 

[dudeitsjay]

I just think a lot of people have this misconception that the MBA is supposed to be a secondary "light" laptop. While for me the MBA 1.86 w/SSD while connected to a 24" Beautiful LED backlit Apple Cinema Display, is fully capable of being the average Mac user's PRIMARY Mac.

I immediately think gaming when I think what the rev B is not good for. But all in all, the MBA w/SSD will feel like a Mac Pro when hooked up to the big ACD, for the average user.

I guess there are a few things the MBA cannot do, but don't underestimate an MBA rev B w/SSD plugged into a 24" ACD - it's just incredible to me that the tiny package of the MBA is so very practical for so many who may not realize its capabilities.

i wish i sucked it up and paid for the ssd.

 

[RSW]

Just wondering why you didn't just buy a MacBook Air with a 24" LED Backlit Apple Cinema Display?

Seems to me that the ACD with LED Backlighting, is a nicer display. Also, the MBA would be plenty powerful enough for most apps for most users.

I don't see much that the MBA cannot do, unless you want the iMac for gaming or something???

I prefer a one Mac system. When I used my rev B MBA with SSD with a 24" LED ACD, it felt like a Mac Pro. The display was stunning, and the MBA was fast for the things I do on it.

I guess if you have the money, and you prefer a two Mac system, the iMac and MBA could be a great setup. I just don't feel an MBA needs to be second to any iMac...

Would be fun to get two new Macs in two weeks though.

Congrats

Actually with the amount of traveling I do, the Air is perfect for me. When I go back and forth to the office, I don't want the hassle of having to carry a briefcase back and forth (or forget it at home). I don't do any gaming on the computer, the only gaming I do is on my xbox. It always seems that games screw up my computer. Anyways I do have to say that I am completely blown away with the mac hardware and features. Cheers!

 

[ViperrepiV]

I have a rev A Macbook Air, but I wish i had a rev B

 

[Unprocessed1]

I have a rev A Macbook Air, but I wish i had a rev B

My MBA Rev A gets a little hot, but the fans never really turn on alot, and I can't watch a lot of HD movies. You should see if Apple will do anything for you.

 

[entatlrg]

The imac/air combo is probably the sweetest setup you can have.

that's arguable

What about these set ups -
1. A MacBook Pro with ACD and a MBA
2. Mac Pro with ACD and MBA

 

[Unprocessed1]

that's arguable

What about these set ups -
1. A MacBook Pro with ACD and a MBA
2. Mac Pro with ACD and MBA

I just think the iMac > MBP. Why do you need 2 laptops? You get a desktop with better specs and a wonderful screen + the portability of the MBA. The desktop/portable combo is the whole point!

The Mac Pro is unnecessary for 98% of the people out there, and is not worth the price for their needs.

 

[entatlrg]

# 1. above offers almost the same power with the added portability offered by the MBP if you need to take more power with you plus the ACD!

 

[Macintox]

... and as long as they don't give it a MacBooks display!

Imagine an Air with a display like that; the stuff of nightmares!

just the other way around in fact...the macbook got a silent upgrade in April and has now the same screen than the MBair

 

[HasanDaddy]

I would LOVE a 15" Air

nonetheless - I'm loving on my current AIR - it has its problems, but overall, I've beaten the **** out of it and it's keeping up just fine

 

[Carl Abudephane]

.

 

[GeekGirl*]

I just received a refurb the screen is a 9C6F and is really a beautiful screen .
from the minute I booted it up I have been amazed.

 

[RSW]

The imac/air combo is probably the sweetest setup you can have.

I could not agree with you more. Even though I am new to the mac software, the hardware is just amazing. The only regret I have, is not "joining" the mac crowd earlier.