Why MacBook Air?

[gri]

I'll be honest, when I was purchasing my first notebook from Apple - I basically had it narrowed down to the MacBook vs. the MacBook Pro and I never even considered a MacBook Air.

What are the benefits to it? I mean, the specs for its price almost seem subpar compared to other models' specs - is there something I am missing? Is it purchased solely for it's enhanced portability and small size? What would be a main reason to own one? I'm not gonna lie - I'm quite curious and I completely overlooked it.

Thank you to all who respond.

My main reason was 1.) weight; 2.) thickness and - wait - 3.) weight. I was sick of schlepping my MBP around on travels abroad when I have in my bag also a bottle of water (*after security), maybe a book, recently an iPad, travel stuff etc. MBA makes a big difference there. Waiting now for the update and hoping for the return of the back lit keyboard, whose absence prevented me from upgrading (I have a 2009 revision with 128 SSD).

 

[david6545]

How long after the MBA's are updated is Lion due to come out?

Might just wait for Lion rather than paying (100+?)

 

[' r i S e n]

If it wasn't, I wouldn't have a MBA. Again, duh.

I guess if it's that much harder for you to carry something else...


Thanks to everyone for your input.

 

[mac00l]

I guess it is portability, and also that most people use HDD intensive tasks, rather than CPU intensive tasks, hence most people find MBA faster than MBP due to the SSD.

For someone who only uses word processors, itunes, and web surfing, the MBA is a no brainer even if they don't need to be carrying it a lot.

But when you star encoding, decoding, using virtual machines, post processing images and video, running several multimedia manipulation software, and basically anything that takes your CPU and RAM to the limit, you really find how limited a MBA truly is.

 

[KnightWRX]

I guess if it's that much harder for you to carry something else...

It's not that it's harder, it's that the MBA is much easier to carry. My bag usually has my laptop (MBA) and gym clothes in it. My older bag was also much heavier with the weight mostly situated on the lower back.

I carry this stuff around on a motorcycle, at some 65 mph, where the wind is hitting my chest and working my lower back. Yeah, the MBA made sense.

If you don't value size and weight, don't look at the MBA. Those are specs of the MBA and it is priced according to those specs.

 

[torbjoern]

Weight and size are certainly specs where "less is more". But which device are we comparing the MBA to? The MBP with similar footprint?

One significant advantage which the MBA 13" has over the MBP 13" is 27% extra pixels, in addition to far less glare. Depending on usage (CPU-intensive vs disk-intensive tasks) the machine will likely work a lot faster too because of the SSD.

 

[jeffg819]

I have the 13" Ultimate MBA and use it about 70% of the time vs. my I7 iMac.

What I like most is the speed, especially when opening the lid. The screen resolution looks great to my 50+ year old eyes. And while it's considered a "glossy" display, it almost feels like it is matte.

For what I use the machine for, it's quick, silent, cool, comfortable, and a joy to work on each day.

It's one of those things you probably need to experience first hand to grasp completely.

By the way, I sold a MBP 15" in order to buy this machine. Have not missed that particular machine for a minute.

 

[macDelirium]

Yes, duh. Size and weight are both specs.

That and a higher resolution screen, which the MBA has.

 

[gaijin88]

By the way, I sold a MBP 15" in order to buy this machine. Have not missed that particular machine for a minute.

I hope this will be my experience in the near future. I currently have a 15" MPB (the last model with the removable battery), an iPad 2, and an iPhone 4. I find myself using the iPad more and more and my MPB less and less (mainly for syncing my iPad and iPhone with iTunes). My plan is to buy the next release of the MBA (I would prefer a 15" model, but will settle for 13"). I just don't see spending the money for a MBP when my main use for the laptop would be synching my iOS devices to iTunes (until Apple give us a way to synch with the cloud), using the Mac OS X file system to create/modify different file types, using specialty programs like iPhoto, and (gag) the rare instance when I need to use Windows 7 on VMware Fusion.

 

[chrismacguy]

"World's First Laptop thats small enough I can schlep it anywhere but when I get home I can plug it into a 2560*1600 display and get work done" - This is why I have an 11" MBA - First laptop under 3lbs that I can actually use day-to-day as my primary portable... and still be fast enough to run Final Cut Pro

 

[' r i S e n]

I was skeptical at first (not that thinking of purchasing at the moment) but it does seem like quite a solid machine. I suppose it's size and weight are of much value to those that travel, and it does have some nice specs with the unique screen size and resolution.

I appreciate everyone's input - it has given me a better understanding of this model and what it has to offer.

 

[cherishzm]

I bought an MBA 11 used thinking I'd use it as a second macbook (I have a MBP 17 as a main). To be honest with you, I just had to feel how cool the MBA is even if I did not need it! I have a heavy but yet still portable and more powerful MBP. Yes, 17" MBP but still portable, I think.

I like the form factor and almost instant-on feature of the MBA 11, but I hardly travel or have a chance to take it out with me being a father of two little kids, so MBA isn't used much at all. I used it for fun few days and liked the MBA 11 a lot, but just did not find the NEED for it. I'm typing this on my MBP 17 and it's great to have the 17" of real estate (vs 11").

It ALL depends on what you do, what you need and want. If you're going to need portability, I'd say go for the MBA. If not, MBP would be a better choice overall.

 

[' r i S e n]

What do the Air users think about the A5 testing?

 

[torbjoern]

What do the Air users think about the A5 testing?

I see it as a mockery of the Air users. I ain't gonna run no freaking iOS on my beloved MacBook Air.

 

[bowlerman625]

Why not the MacBook Air?

 

[' r i S e n]

I see it as a mockery of the Air users. I ain't gonna run no freaking iOS on my beloved MacBook Air.

I thought it was pretty unique at first - but I am seeing that it's getting sort of conflicting feedback.

I'm not so sure why they are really doing it, even.

 

[Cheffy Dave]

I see it as a mockery of the Air users. I ain't gonna run no freaking iOS on my beloved MacBook Air.

I am with you Torbjoern, we,(the family) have three 11"MBA, upgraded to the OWC 360 SSD,all were refurbs, and I am watching the store to purchase 4 more 11"4/64 MBA's, which I will upgrade to the 480 GB SSD for friends.
The speed of the 11" with the OWC SSD's is amazing, very impressive ,so much so, more friends are coming to me to get various iterations of the OWC SSD that suits their need.
I guess it is the small form factor , the go anywhere,do it all style of the 11" that just turns people on, this is no plastic net book, it is aluminum,very light,
And with the OWC SSD, amazingly fast.I do not know if this explains it to everyone's satisfaction, but it's the best I can do. It may be 's most amazing laptop, and yes it can be your do all,go to machine!

 

[PraisiX-windows]

What do the Air users think about the A5 testing?

I'd say if eventually we'll get about 10-12 hours of battery life with regular school usage still using the x86 architecture, then screw ARM.

Anything above that duration I would find to be redundant. - If eventually the ARM architecture would be able to allow higher performance whilst staying at that battery life limit as opposed to the x86 then to hell with x86.

It certainly is interesting that they're testing the A5 though, but I think we would need to wait a couple of generations before it'll become an actual option.
- Tbh I don't know how strong the A5 is atm, but I'd imagine there's still some time till it gets, if ever, on par with the c2d.

 

[Cheffy Dave]

Why not the MacBook Air?

You have an amazing machine, but you already know that, "baby Mac",love that, it is that and more, probably best undiscovered secret, by the masses who can't even bring themselves to consider it, I am snapping up all the 11"/4/64 refurbs I can find, at $929,and upgrading them to whatever my friends desire for flavor of OWC SSD, super fast aluminum bundle of love

 

[Cheffy Dave]

What do the Air users think about the A5 testing?

Buy a refurb NOW,before kills the Golden goose

 

[Cheffy Dave]

Put cool book on your MBA and get almost 2+ hours on the 11", can't speak to the 13", AND, I can only address 11" with an OWC SSD, can't speak to anything else

 

[PraisiX-windows]

Put cool book on your MBA and get almost 2+ hours on the 11", can't speak to the 13", AND, I can only address 11" with an OWC SSD, can't speak to anything else

Hmm, that sounds interesting, undervolting ones MBA to receive longer battery life, whether or not it'll be 2 hours I don't think it will, but who knows, all hardware is created equal, albeit some hardware is more equal than other hardware, even 15 min extra battery life would be worth it, in best case that could be the duration from when you would otherwise run out and until you would be home to recharge it.

I'll definately look at this once I get my SB MBA

 

[Cheffy Dave]

I was skeptical at first (not that thinking of purchasing at the moment) but it does seem like quite a solid machine. I suppose it's size and weight are of much value to those that travel, and it does have some nice specs with the unique screen size and resolution.

I appreciate everyone's input - it has given me a better understanding of this model and what it has to offer.

Get the basic, the advance in CPU will be immeasurable, that said, buy a 4/64, do an upgrade, I believe you will be VERY impressed, I recommend the OWC 360,does all you throw at it

 

[FroMann]

Go to your Best Buy or Apple store and just compare the sizes, I prefer the MacBook Pro but I was still amazed at how small the computer was while still feeling solid and fast.

 

[Mode-III fan]

Get the basic, the advance in CPU will be immeasurable, that said, buy a 4/64, do an upgrade, I believe you will be VERY impressed, I recommend the OWC 360,does all you throw at it

I agree. The OWC drives apparently perform better than the stock Toshiba models, in addition to being offered at higher capacities.