would the MBA fit my needs?

[nowind]

hello all..

I'm a fourth year business management college student and currently
in the market for a MBA. I usually do web browsing, work on word
documents, spreadsheets, and powerpoint presentations. I also go online
frequently to watch clips on youtube and also to watch streaming videos.
I also do amateur photography with my entry-level nikon DSLR.

Being that these are my usual tasks.. would the MBA fit my needs? I plan
on doing the above work and would like to use Aperture. I understand that
it would be a bit slow but it's not like I'm doing anything professional. For
work (I have an internship at Commerce Chamber here) I am looking for
portability and functionality that I can take with me wherever.

any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[alphaod]

It looks like for the needs you listed it is perfect; mind you don't expect to be able to work with a lot of RAW files though.

 

[rolex54]

it would be better to just get a high end macbook
they have the same footprint size, just one is thicker and heavier
the macbook is also much more powerful

 

[nowind]

first off, thank you both for the input.

It looks like for the needs you listed it is perfect; mind you don't expect to be able to work with a lot of RAW files though.

I expected someone would mention the ability to work with plenty of RAW
files. I have an external that should take care of this issue.

it would be better to just get a high end macbook
they have the same footprint size, just one is thicker and heavier
the macbook is also much more powerful

I understand your concern with being underpowered (or more respectfully,
less powered than the high-end macbook or even a MBP). Would it be
okay for me to say that I would like the MBA for it's form factor moreso than
it's capabilities? I would just like to know if it could handle what I'm planning
on throwing at it.

I believe my above statement would put me in the "niche" that is so
often spoken of in this forum. That being said, I think recommendations for
a different type of macbook (be it the regular macbook or MBP) will be
unnecessary.

 

[ajohnson253]

sounds like the Macbook would fit you better. I have the current 2.4 Ghz and i do the same thing you do on computers as you do and this is more then enough for my purposes. you will be very happy and saving your self 5-600 dollars on a mac.

 

[alphaod]

I expected someone would mention the ability to work with plenty of RAW
files. I have an external that should take care of this issue.

I was referring to the lack power (or rather lack of cooling) and RAM. You can't expect to have a lot RAW files open. My computer slows down when I get a few hundred.

Yes it's good to have an external to store, but it doesn't help with the rendering and stuff.

 

[JML42691]

The MacBook Air should suit your basic needs, but Aperture may not perform the best on it and you will probably want to archive any photos that you are not going to be using often on a secondary hard drive just to save your disk space as it is very limited on the MBA.

 

[ScottFitz]

buy one and try it for 13 days...

 

[queshy]

If you're browsing the web, you really won't notice whether you're on a Mac mini or a Mac Pro. The MacBook Air feels the exact same as my MacBook Pro did for web browsing, e-mail, word processing, etc. It's still a pretty powerful machine. The difference is the MBA takes slightly longer to boot, and the programs are slower to open after a cold boot on the Air than on my MBP.

It's perfectly reasonable to want the MBA for the form factor. After all, if someone doesn't care about form factor, the air would be a terrible choice!

Although the MacBook is thin and light, it's significantly heavier and bulkier than the Air. Go to an Apple store and see for yourself. Both are incredible machines, though, and you'll be happy with either. The aluminum casing, the backlit keyboard, the superior screen (this is not subjective -- it's pretty universal that the MacBook Air screen is a really beautiful screen, especially compared to some macbook screens), and the form factor all make the MacBook Air an excellent choice.

 

[ajohnson253]

If you're browsing the web, you really won't notice whether you're on a Mac mini or a Mac Pro. The MacBook Air feels the exact same as my MacBook Pro did for web browsing, e-mail, word processing, etc. It's still a pretty powerful machine. The difference is the MBA takes slightly longer to boot, and the programs are slower to open after a cold boot on the Air than on my MBP.

It's perfectly reasonable to want the MBA for the form factor. After all, if someone doesn't care about form factor, the air would be a terrible choice!

Although the MacBook is thin and light, it's significantly heavier and bulkier than the Air. Go to an Apple store and see for yourself. Both are incredible machines, though, and you'll be happy with either. The aluminum casing, the backlit keyboard, the superior screen (this is not subjective -- it's pretty universal that the MacBook Air screen is a really beautiful screen, especially compared to some macbook screens), and the form factor all make the MacBook Air an excellent choice.

that had to be the most well put reply ive ever heard i knoe what u u mean on that

 

[nowind]

If you're browsing the web, you really won't notice whether you're on a Mac mini or a Mac Pro. The MacBook Air feels the exact same as my MacBook Pro did for web browsing, e-mail, word processing, etc. It's still a pretty powerful machine. The difference is the MBA takes slightly longer to boot, and the programs are slower to open after a cold boot on the Air than on my MBP.

It's perfectly reasonable to want the MBA for the form factor. After all, if someone doesn't care about form factor, the air would be a terrible choice!

Although the MacBook is thin and light, it's significantly heavier and bulkier than the Air. Go to an Apple store and see for yourself. Both are incredible machines, though, and you'll be happy with either. The aluminum casing, the backlit keyboard, the superior screen (this is not subjective -- it's pretty universal that the MacBook Air screen is a really beautiful screen, especially compared to some macbook screens), and the form factor all make the MacBook Air an excellent choice.

thank you for your reply... this is the kind of insight I was hoping for
on the MBA. would I be able to watch videos on youtube and be able
to watch streaming media without a core shutdown? I've been reading
some of the other threads and it seems that this is an issue. How much of
an issue and how widespread this issue is might be open to interpretation,
given all of the positive feedback that I am also reading about.

 

[queshy]

that had to be the most well put reply ive ever heard i knoe what u u mean on that

Thank you!

thank you for your reply... this is the kind of insight I was hoping for
on the MBA. would I be able to watch videos on youtube and be able
to watch streaming media without a core shutdown? I've been reading
some of the other threads and it seems that this is an issue. How much of
an issue and how widespread this issue is might be open to interpretation,
given all of the positive feedback that I am also reading about.

I'm not sure how widespread the core shutdown problem is.

I've had 2 MacBook Airs.

The first one took 8 hours to charge (obviously defective).

The second one is perfect.

On both machines, the screens were perfect with no dead pixels. The second machine is pretty well perfect. Overall, I'd say the MacBook Air does pretty well for itself in the realm of "lack of major defects". I went through 4 MacBooks before finding one that didn't have a major problem, and 4 white iMacs as well!

Neither of the MacBook Airs suffered from core shutdown, and neither were unable to play YouTube videos. YouTube and flash stuff works fine and doesn't cause excessive heat.

The notebook will get hot after extended use, and once in a while the fans might rev up to 6000, but they subside, and the machine cools. The MacBook Air is no hotter or colder than the MAcBook or MacBook Pro, in my experience anyways.

Most likely the other users received defective machines.

Don't forget that this board draws all the problemed-users. Rarely does somebody make a thread saying their MacBook Air is perfect - on this forum we're more interested in helping users with problems.

It's akin to going to a new city and visiting only the hospital - your view will be very skewed - not everyone in the city is actually sick although it appears that way.

So the short answer is yes, the MacBook Air does heat up, but so does any other laptop. It's especially important to not use it on your lap or on a soft surface as these cause any machine to heat up more (this is a general rule for notebooks). Use it on a hard surface and it won't heat up as much/quickly.

 

[nowind]

Thank you!



I'm not sure how widespread the core shutdown problem is.

I've had 2 MacBook Airs.

The first one took 8 hours to charge (obviously defective).

The second one is perfect.

On both machines, the screens were perfect with no dead pixels. The second machine is pretty well perfect. Overall, I'd say the MacBook Air does pretty well for itself in the realm of "lack of major defects". I went through 4 MacBooks before finding one that didn't have a major problem, and 4 white iMacs as well!

Neither of the MacBook Airs suffered from core shutdown, and neither were unable to play YouTube videos. YouTube and flash stuff works fine and doesn't cause excessive heat.

The notebook will get hot after extended use, and once in a while the fans might rev up to 6000, but they subside, and the machine cools. The MacBook Air is no hotter or colder than the MAcBook or MacBook Pro, in my experience anyways.

Most likely the other users received defective machines.

Don't forget that this board draws all the problemed-users. Rarely does somebody make a thread saying their MacBook Air is perfect - on this forum we're more interested in helping users with problems.

It's akin to going to a new city and visiting only the hospital - your view will be very skewed - not everyone in the city is actually sick although it appears that way.

So the short answer is yes, the MacBook Air does heat up, but so does any other laptop. It's especially important to not use it on your lap or on a soft surface as these cause any machine to heat up more (this is a general rule for notebooks). Use it on a hard surface and it won't heat up as much/quickly.

thank you. I was concerned with playback on youtube... would I run in to
problems with using VLC to watch movies on the MBA?

 

[ajohnson253]

this makes me want to get a macbook air now lol im still within my 2 weeks to do an exchange

 

[queshy]

thank you. I was concerned with playback on youtube... would I run in to
problems with using VLC to watch movies on the MBA?

I've used VLC and quicktime, and there is no difference. Seriously, videos are really not a problem for this machine. If they are, give it back and exchange it for a working one.

 

[shoppy]

Thanks Queshy, that is exactly what I was looking for as advice. I sold my 2.4C2D MBP, and am currently running my laptop from it's internal 320GB HDD in an enclosure through target mode via amy wife's 17"MBP.

I am looking at getting a MBA today, I am not worried about power as my old 12" 1.5G4 PB works fine for me. I just can not get the form factor out of my head of the MBA.

I think my mind was made up, but you have just sealed the deal for me.


SImon

 

[queshy]

Thanks Queshy, that is exactly what I was looking for as advice. I sold my 2.4C2D MBP, and am currently running my laptop from it's internal 320GB HDD in an enclosure through target mode via amy wife's 17"MBP.

I am looking at getting a MBA today, I am not worried about power as my old 12" 1.5G4 PB works fine for me. I just can not get the form factor out of my head of the MBA.

I think my mind was made up, but you have just sealed the deal for me.


SImon

Haha, my intention was not to "convert" anyone. I think there's the right computer for everyone.

In terms of the MBA vs PBG4, the MBA will smoke it, without a doubt.

I sold my MBP to buy the MBA. I did so mainly because I got a great deal on selling my Pro and on buying the new Air. The form factor was a top priority to me. I realized I didn't need the power of the MBP for typing notes in class.

 

[shoppy]

No not at all you have not converted me, I spent a few hours reading up about it last night and told my wife this morning my decision. I figure if I can run my laptop through my wife's 17" via external having an external plugged into the MBA will not be an issue for me. Also I rarely use a optical drive a al my software is stored in images in my main server.

Also I do not play games and being in the armed forces the form factor would be great. I used to take a 17" out on exercise on tour but worried about it. 15" was great but again the size and bulk in my day sack was an issue and I worried about denting it. I had a macbook and the white just got filthy and disgusting.

I think the MBA will suit me fine.

 

[queshy]

No not at all you have not converted me, I spent a few hours reading up about it last night and told my wife this morning my decision. I figure if I can run my laptop through my wife's 17" via external having an external plugged into the MBA will not be an issue for me. Also I rarely use a optical drive a al my software is stored in images in my main server.

Also I do not play games and being in the armed forces the form factor would be great. I used to take a 17" out on exercise on tour but worried about it. 15" was great but again the size and bulk in my day sack was an issue and I worried about denting it. I had a macbook and the white just got filthy and disgusting.

I think the MBA will suit me fine.

The MBA uses micro-dvi but thankfully they include the micro-DVI-DVI/VGA adapters in the box which is a nice touch.

It's hard to find a laptop as full-featured as the Air with comparable form factor/thinness. I think you'll be happy with your decision!

 

[shrtmkr]

The MBA uses micro-dvi but thankfully they include the micro-DVI-DVI/VGA adapters in the box which is a nice touch.

It's hard to find a laptop as full-featured as the Air with comparable form factor/thinness. I think you'll be happy with your decision!

External dvi port exists, however it gets mad hot when on an external monitor.