Your thoughts on new MBA?

[chrono1081]

chrono- which one did you order?

I use my current Rev A as a counterpart to my iMac at work. Great combo.

Trying to figure out which one to get, will probably go conservative and get the 13.3, but the 11.6 is enticing. Sigh.

I bought the 13 inch with 4 gigs of ram and the 2.13 ghz processor. I do like the form factor of the 11.6 but a screen that size wouldn't be fun to code on. If I were only doing internet, emails, and office documents I'd snap that one up in a heartbeat!

 

[Dammit Cubs]

I wonder if this MBA would potentially kill my interest in ipads. MBA gives me full computing power and sometimes, i feel like the ipad falls short on some productivity issues.

Ipad becomes the couch computer.

 

[GadgetGeek407]

WOW, I havent seen the videos or anything yet, just read the updates seen some pics. I have ALWAYS loved the design of the AIR and have owned almost every model out, my fav being the ssd 2.13 until I sold it for my MBP 2.66 I am using now. I have always hated not having SD card reader, so happy for that, missed not having 2 usb, and hate on the pro that they are side to side, so happy for that. Battery life is important to me, I loved the SSD AIR still wondering if this flash technology is the same. I like the glass screen of the pro but I miss the matte screen, had a nice quality to it. Glass trackpad is a must so thats good, WHY ON EARTH did they not put 4gb standard across the board for a product that is over 1000 bucks? Are they seriously gonna kill the backlit keyboard? REALLY APPLE? how much can that REALLY mess up battery? lol I don't use my optical drive much but how would I get windows 7 on there? cause for my business the program I use ONLY runs on windows so I have to have that on my computer! Why not a bigger processor for a $17,99 price tag on your decked out model? Is the camera quality any better?

 

[esco]

After months of speculation, I never gave up hope and never thought the MBA would ever be EOL'ed. My dreams have come true. Come end of the month, this bad boy is mine:

13"
256GB
2.13GHz
4GB RAM

This, and the latest version of Parallels and Windows 7. Perfect.

Same exact sentiment! I've been waiting close to a year now for the next MBA update... constantly refreshed until the store came back online and immediately pressed the purchase button. Hope it's been worth the wait.

 

[drambuie]

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Say here's what I don't get.
I understand the current legal issues with the intel i3/i5/i7 processors with intel's gpu and nvidia's gpu, but we already have both in the 15/17 inch MacBook pros?

Why wouldn't we be able to have them for
the 11&13inch models without issues?

Was having them both in the 15 and 17inch a release prior to the legal and thus excluded? Not sure I understand why we can't in the 13 inch models and we are fine in the higher ones...

The legal issue is that Intel is only allowing their own chipsets to be used with the Arrandale Core i CPUs. Therefore, nVidia can't use ix CPUs with their own "integrated" GPU such as the 320m. The new C2D MBAs are using an nVidia chipset with the 320m GPUs.

If Apple wants to use a Core i CPU, and provide the option of good graphics performance it has to use a discrete GPU in addition to the Intel integrated GPU, therefore the 330m is used in the 15" and 17" MBPs.

The MBAs and 13" MBPs don't have the room, or heat dissipation capability, for discrete GPUs.

 

[Shivetya]

Frivolous? Perhaps to you but my working environment is rather dark and therefore I definitely need a backlit keyboard. So, basically not frivolous at all.

Because working in suboptimal environments, the one you describe is not good for your long term eyesight, is the fault of the manufacturer.

Let alone the fact, if you still need to look at the keyboard to type.... well

 

[Durious]

11.6" may be my answer to replacing my ipad i had since launch, 1.6 vs 2.3 lbs is very close and i get a full product. Since i got the iphone 4 this will be a good trade off. just need to see how heat and hd video performance goes before making the change. ipad has no heat and plays hd video well so guys oost reviews when you get it!

 

[coldmack]

The legal issue is that Intel is only allowing their own chipsets to be used with the Arrandale Core i CPUs. Therefore, nVidia can't use ix CPUs with their own "integrated" GPU such as the 320m. The new C2D MBAs are using an nVidia chipset with the 320m GPUs.

If Apple wants to use a Core i CPU, and provide the option of good graphics performance it has to use a discrete GPU in addition to the Intel integrated GPU, therefore the 330m is used in the 15" and 17" MBPs.

The MBAs and 13" MBPs don't have the room, or heat dissipation capability, for discrete GPUs.

Some how windows manufactures can put i5 and i7 cpus with nvidia gt310, gt330, and mid-end ATI 5650 gpu. Hell I have even heard of quad-core i7 cpus in 13in and 14in machines with dedicated gpu yet Apple somehow can't in their 13in machine? Odd.

 

[chrono1081]

Some how windows manufactures can put i5 and i7 cpus with nvidia gt310, gt330, and mid-end ATI 5650 gpu. Hell I have even heard of quad-core i7 cpus in 13in and 14in machines with dedicated gpu yet Apple somehow can't in their 13in machine? Odd.

Really? Are you REALLY thinking this way? No manufacturer has a laptop that thin. The air is about light and thin, not how much power you can cram in one space.

Please show me these "other" manufacturers that are able to achieve this thinness with the same specs as the air.

 

[bloodycape]

Really? Are you REALLY thinking this way? No manufacturer has a laptop that thin. The air is about light and thin, not how much power you can cram in one space.

Please show me these "other" manufacturers that are able to achieve this thinness with the same specs as the air.

I think the user was referring to the 13in MBP. Maybe in 4 years when there is such thing as quad core LV, and ULV intel cpu's then we may see that in the MBA.

 

[bent2013]

Like... Except for

The new Air is amazing, but I can't get over the fact that Apple stripped the Air of a backlit keyboard. I guess they needed to get rid of that .1 pound so they could say it was only 2.9 pounds!

 

[chrono1081]

I think the user was referring to the 13in MBP. Maybe in 4 years when there is such thing as quad core LV, and ULV intel cpu's then we may see that in the MBA.

Oh ok. My bad if he was talking about the mbp

 

[chrono1081]

The new Air is amazing, but I can't get over the fact that Apple stripped the Air of a backlit keyboard. I guess they needed to get rid of that .1 pound so they could say it was only 2.9 pounds!

Aw that is a shame. I didn't realize that Oh well it won't stop me from being productive on it. I never look when I type anyway.

 

[Yr Blues]

The new Air is amazing, but I can't get over the fact that Apple stripped the Air of a backlit keyboard. I guess they needed to get rid of that .1 pound so they could say it was only 2.9 pounds!

also, the price point. I think if enough people rant, they'll bring it back—at least I hope

 

[Whorehay]

Some how windows manufactures can put i5 and i7 cpus with nvidia gt310, gt330, and mid-end ATI 5650 gpu. Hell I have even heard of quad-core i7 cpus in 13in and 14in machines with dedicated gpu yet Apple somehow can't in their 13in machine? Odd.

And many of them don't work that well. Someone I know has a $4000 Windows PC running 64-bit Windows 7 with 12GB of RAM. He still gets BSOD regularly. Many times, it runs as slow as a snail-- even with 12GB of RAM and top of the line equipment.

Sony has a 13" laptop with i7 and a 1080p screen (1920x1080!!!). Those are just ridiculous specs, but for most people, it won't even be usable. To click a checkbox on a 13" 1080p screen is difficult with a trackpad. Plus, it attempts to up-rez text to make it readable, but it just makes everything look and feel awkward. It never feels or acts fast because the second you save in opening the application, you give straight back in user slowness.

Not saying Apple shouldn't strive to put best hardware in products... but I'm pretty sure someone at Apple is doing a cost-benefit analysis for every part you just mentioned. You know as well as I do that Apple isn't all about the specs-- they put more of their resources into the "user experience."

 

[johnnymg]

I expected to see more complaints like yours. In reality, Jobs answered this when the MBP and MB were updated. Jobs said that the Nvidia GPU offered such a better overall Mac experience, that it wasn't worth it to stick users with Core i-series CPUs and integrated Intel IGPs.

I am welcoming another C2D along with Nvidia 320m GPU. We're getting 2X the GPU performance vs. losing 1/2 to 2/3 by going with Intel's IGP and only gaining about 20% in CPU performance. We are better off this route whether people think it or not, in MY opinion. Intel is so good with its marketing that it makes people think the only way to improve their computer is with a faster CPU. In reality, it's the GPU, NAND Flash over SSD, software like instant on, and etc that make the computer faster for the average user.

I would say we have learned a few things where the MBP is going too. I suspect with the recovery moving to an SD card, that Apple will eliminate the optical drive completely with future Mac notebook updates. The other Mac notebooks will probably get the wedge shape when eliminating the optical drive. The next Mac notebooks will probably have the NAND Flash and an optical drive too to get 128 GB where main OS and apps are stored. Lots of great innovation today.

I'm a little surprised you're so gracious. I thought you would rail on this lesser release. . i.e. you're previous comments about wanting a real powerhouse MBA.

let us know how your MBA feels in the real world
JohnG

 

[sparkie7]

Its definitely glossy all around.


11.6-inch (diagonal) high-resolution LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors

and

13.3-inch (diagonal) high-resolution LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors

Taken from: http://www.apple.com/macbookair/specs-13inch.html

Glossy or Glassy?

 

[eddieaus]

It's not thinner. It is almost the same. They just improved battery life and price. Glass trackpad has been redesigned to match current macbook and pros. Also, the resolution is a lot better with 1440X900 resolution.

um, hello?! they improved battery life by removing backlit keyboard. i can turn off my backlit keyboard on my MBA and claim 7 hour battery too you know.

 

[johnnymg]

Aw that is a shame. I didn't realize that Oh well it won't stop me from being productive on it. I never look when I type anyway.

This is my only "beef" with these new MBA's.

 

[gri]

Because working in suboptimal environments, the one you describe is not good for your long term eyesight, is the fault of the manufacturer.

Let alone the fact, if you still need to look at the keyboard to type.... well

Just plain arrogance.

 

[Moodikar]

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Thank Drambuie for the clarification. It makes sense, just don't know why I couldn't figure it out. Well, here's looking upwards Sandy Bridge and the pros and cons...

 

[The Final Cut]

I think its near perfect but my concerns are design issues:

wedge shape? kind of rigid compared to what that last design was like. why go from flat, unassuming, sexy design to this just make thin thinest?

bezel. now I am not that obsessed with this because I prefer the silver design over the black glass on the pros, but I just prefer if it were smaller or non existent

no 1080p screen. lol

Having said that I ordered a 128GB 11" model w/ 4GB ram. This has been my dream apple product ever since netbooks came out. Everything I need a laptop (realestically) in one micro sized package. External monitor + xbox 360 and I am set for the next 10 years. I was decding between this and the 27" imac. I just feel that is a bit underpowered for its size, and now I can have the best of both worlds (knock on aluminum)!I intend to use this as my main machine so I am hoping HD MKV's will play flawlessly. Other than that I feel my current i5 17" is slow so why not go slower for this baby? HD video is basically the most intensive thing I do. I mean I mess around with software like FCE, and such but not at all seriously. I figure if it really is underpowered for my needs I can return it or sell it in a couple years when I get into more advanced stuff.

 

[coldmack]

And many of them don't work that well. Someone I know has a $4000 Windows PC running 64-bit Windows 7 with 12GB of RAM. He still gets BSOD regularly. Many times, it runs as slow as a snail-- even with 12GB of RAM and top of the line equipment.

Sony has a 13" laptop with i7 and a 1080p screen (1920x1080!!!). Those are just ridiculous specs, but for most people, it won't even be usable. To click a checkbox on a 13" 1080p screen is difficult with a trackpad. Plus, it attempts to up-rez text to make it readable, but it just makes everything look and feel awkward. It never feels or acts fast because the second you save in opening the application, you give straight back in user slowness.

Not saying Apple shouldn't strive to put best hardware in products... but I'm pretty sure someone at Apple is doing a cost-benefit analysis for every part you just mentioned. You know as well as I do that Apple isn't all about the specs-- they put more of their resources into the "user experience."

They don't work well because their users are newbtards. That is why I am asking why apple can't give us at least dedicated gpu in 13in MBP, when pc manufactures can. If Apple did it they could do it with class, and quality.

I saw the Vaio Z in store with that res, it is not as bad people make it out to be. I prefer the lower 1600x900 as it would be better for gaming, but that about it. I know people who need the 1080p, because of the software they use, but hate 15in+ size, and the Vaio Z is perfect for them. I am not saying Apple should do that, I am just saying Apple really needs to kick up the whole 13in line up. MBA lacking firewire port & 13in MBP, which has the word Pro in its name, still using the C2D cpu, because Apple refuses to give us a dedicated gpu is just appalling and unacceptable.

 

[zap2]

I really like it....I wish Intel would allow nVida's integrated graphics, but I'm loving the Air. I've been having issues with my MBP(again) so I'm thinking I'll return it for an Air(and maybe a desktop at some point down the road)

 

[Smallville]

I'm tempted to save up and buy one in the next few months.

I've been looking for a good netbook for my job. All I really need is e-mail, web browsing, Word and Excel. I don't need a DVD/CD drive, just a few USB slots.

This MacBook Air is perfect.