Macbook Air, I salute you

[bayerische]

Hi guys,

From the previous Macbook Air threads I've been tempted into finally buying a MBA.

So I did, had it for two days now, haven't had time to use it very much, but I've sort of gotten an idea of it.

I've been on macs since 2006. I will probably never go back to Windows or any other platform.

Last 3 years I've been using Macbook Pro's, the 17" size, I choose this since I do a fair bit of photography, and thought it will be a good alternative to a small laptop and a home computer with a larger screen. My last one was the mid 2010 model, i5 2,53ghz processor, and when I got it new I installed a SSD drive from Kingston in it, upgraded the ram to 8gb. It was a screamer!

When the new Macbook Air's were launched last autumn, I was utterly disappointed in the specs... Only thing I really liked was the 256gb of HD. I was angry, since I wanted one, but I didn't want something that had "only" 2gb of ram standard, and a processor from what the eighties? No, but seriously in a day of i5's and i7's what the heck could I possibly do with a Core 2 Duo in 1,86ghz...?

Finally frustrated with carrying along the 17"MBP, I bought the MBA on wednesday this week. When I picked it up at the store I had second thoughts.

I said to myself, well if it's a load of crap, then I can always sell it.

So what was it? Was it a load of crap? Is the performance that of a "netbook" something that has trouble running openoffice?

It's not. It's wonderful.
How can this be? Look at the specs! I seriously don't know, I'm not an Apple engineer, but this little thing is magical. If the iPad is "magical" then this is godlike.

This little thing is a screamer. In the things I do every day, surf, email, it's faster than my MBP! Remember that MBP started from shutdown after the load "spinner" in bios starts into OSX in about 5 sec, due to the SSD harddrive.

Fair enough, I don't do video editing, and according to the geekbench this falls far far below the MBP that I have. But using iPhoto, Safari, Mail and Photoshop at the same time, switching back and forth between them, loading flash heavy websites and the likes are lightning fast.

This sort of performance from something that looks like a slug on paper is amazing. I love this kind of engineering, goes to show that if the components and software are truly made for one another you can get something grand from something "small".

Only thing this little marvel lacks are the lit keys. A bummer. But the rest of the package is perfect. The lightness, and sturdiness of the case is out of this world, even if it's very light and looks fragile, it feels in real life more solid than a MBP, since it's so light you can't feel any flex in the case even when you pick it up with one hand in it's corner.

The screen is beautiful, very dense pixels and sad the new updated MBP 13" didn't get the same pixeldensity, it almost looks like a massive retina display.

Another amazing thing was that yesterday I had the Air with me on the go all day. I didn't use it, but from about 10 in the morning until 11 PM it was on the go in it's case, and in an environment about +10 degrees celsius. I just put the lid down when I left in the morning, so it was in standby. When I got back home I put the charger back in, and to my amazement it didn't need charging, the connectors little led never turned amber, and the battery still had a full charge! So the MBA seems very much related to the iPad in this case. My MBP 17", even if it kept it's charge extremely well it would have lost 10-20% of it's charge in the similar conditions.

Shortly, I love the Air. Too bad I didn't get the courage to buy it earlier. My days of 17" laptops are over. If you are thinking of a new Mac, you should definitely take this baby into your considerations.

[dalip]

Absolutely

I have the 17" macbook pro - and air...and the Air is incredibly fast. It's my faithful traveling companion..(overseas or local cafe trips). I haven't charged my iPad much since picking it up 6 months ago. Incredible piece of kit

[Lol-x]

I've got the first generation MacBook Air with 2.13ghz processor.

Before that I bought a Toshiba Netbook, but I really should have pulled out the extra dollars for the MacBook Air.

Anyway, the Netbook was very unsatisfactory and I sold it and got the MacBook Air.

Since then my God Son and his mother have both got MacBook Airs the same as mine. It still has the fastest processor even though new models have been released.

The MacBook Air is the best computer I've ever had....period.

[tattooedfagin]

The Air is a truly awesome piece of kit, i've got the MK2 Air with 128gb SSD / 2.13ghz pro', i use a MacBook 250gb / 2.4ghz for work but the Air is so much faster despite the lower spec'. Been using Mac's for 4 years now & only wish i'd found them sooner....PC's are responsible for most of my grey hairs

[esm]

Great thread.
Was at the Apple store getting a MoT for the MBP and I'm now over the iPad 2 (waiting on the 3).
Now the MBA, very nice. I do like the size, not too sure if I prefer the 11" or the 13" for travelling purpose. Not too bother about the SSD HD size as I have always travelled with an external harddrive, which I will be doing with the MBA.
Had a test drive on both sizes and have to say, they are bloody fast. Apparently is it dater than my iCore 7 MBP

Those with MBA's, what are your thoughts on the screen size if you have other "properly sized" laptop (15" or 17" or bigger)?

[dalip]

Originally Posted by esm

Great thread.
Was at the Apple store getting a MoT for the MBP and I'm now over the iPad 2 (waiting on the 3).
Now the MBA, very nice. I do like the size, not too sure if I prefer the 11" or the 13" for travelling purpose. Not too bother about the SSD HD size as I have always travelled with an external harddrive, which I will be doing with the MBA.
Had a test drive on both sizes and have to say, they are bloody fast. Apparently is it dater than my iCore 7 MBP

Those with MBA's, what are your thoughts on the screen size if you have other "properly sized" laptop (15" or 17" or bigger)?

Hey Eric...I have the 11" and it's perfect...I have the 17" mbp and I don't find it too hard to switch when I shift from the office to the couch....

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by esm

Great thread.
Was at the Apple store getting a MoT for the MBP

Mine is coming up to a year old soon, what did you get done Eric? Or do you just take it in and ask for a clean up?

[esm]

Originally Posted by dalip

Hey Eric...I have the 11" and it's perfect...I have the 17" mbp and I don't find it too hard to switch when I shift from the office to the couch....

Great stuff. That's what I like to hear. Didn't go for the 17", got the 15" instead as I though it was a better size for home use, then found it can be trouble-some taking it on trips.

I think I'm keen on the 11" ATM.

Thank Dalip.

[Lol-x]

Get the 13" screen, the thing is so thin/light you can take it anywhere and at 13" it is great if you are a little visually challenged.

[robertneville]

the first airs were a little lacking (i had one and did not like it much, and i have been using apple since the 80's). the new ones are pretty fast, and i love the ss drive, its fast.

[esm]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Get the 13" screen, the thing is so thin/light you can take it anywhere and at 13" it is great if you are a little visually challenged.

Good point Stevo re: visually challenged individual

I not that old and have 4 eyes already, so I think I have over came that problem

[sherwin]

im going to go against the grain here, but apple's direction of a 16:9 screen ticks me off. ive used both the 11/13" MBA, and i find it very difficult to get any real work done :(.

however on a D430 (Dell) 12.1" in 16:10 aspect, i find documents are more natural on the screen. also the glossy screen is annoying if you intend to use it in the sun.

for those looking for a fine balance between power and portability, look at a mac pro and an windows ultraportable machine.

[smartson]

Well done Andreas. You are enlightened (literally), live long and prosper!

[esm]

To be fair though.. I didn't think MBA was created for any office/document reading/spreadsheet related works. I agree a MBP would be more
Suited for that.

How many Mac owners uses windows operating system on their Macs?

[sherwin]

Originally Posted by esm

To be fair though.. I didn't think MBA was created for any office/document reading/spreadsheet related works. I agree a MBP would be more
Suited for that.

How many Mac owners uses windows operating system on their Macs?

But the lightest 13" MBP is still too heavy to be classed as an ultraportable. There is that gap in the market.

As for how many use windows, i use it from time to time. Of course since getting the D430, I have stopped using bootcamp and more OSX.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by esm

How many Mac owners uses windows operating system on their Macs?

Watch your language!

[esm]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Watch your language!

exactly...

cant figure out why people would move away from PC and still use anything Windows base products

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by esm

exactly...

cant figure out why people would move away from PC and still use anything Windows base products

Actually I have to admit to sometimes using Parallels desktop with XP on it. But only because my business uses a bank software issued by my bank, that "naturally" only supports windows, same with my salary accounting software... So no option really.

[esm]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Actually I have to admit to sometimes using Parallels desktop with XP on it. But only because my business uses a bank software issued by my bank, that "naturally" only supports windows, same with my salary accounting software... So no option really.

oh right - so it is okay to "swear" occasionally then....

[onryo]

Originally Posted by esm

exactly...

cant figure out why people would move away from PC and still use anything Windows base products

One thing people often forget is that Apple is hardware company and they're the best in the business at building quality hardware. A very small portion of their revenue comes from direct software sales. The software does however sell the hardware. If you want the best hardware to run Windows on, Apple is still the best. Not saying that it's not blasphemy, but it's the best hardware option.

[Lion]

I was looking at the MBA's when I went and bought an iPad and really liked them.....will have to buy one soon to add to my arsenal!!!

[esm]

Originally Posted by daveathall

Mine is coming up to a year old soon, what did you get done Eric? Or do you just take it in and ask for a clean up?

Dave, I thought something was wrong with the fans, so booked in the genius bar and everything was fine. They did a general check up and even opened it up and gave it a clean inside. Dont know if they have changed the screws over like what they do to the iPhones....

[daveathall]

Thank you Eric.

[bayerische]

About the 13" MBA, the screen was something I was a bit vary about... My wife has a MBP 13", she loves it, but in my opinion the screen was too small, but with the extra pixels in the MBA 13" you get the same screen "estate" as the 15" MBP. Of course you see everything smaller, but you see "as much" as you would on the MBP 15".

[rfknauss]

Andreas ..... I love my MacBook Air!

[Mike B]

As a PC owner (the only time I've used a Mac computer, besides my iPhones I've had) is at my local Apple store, and I LOVED them.

Thing is, I have two Thinkpads already and don't really NEED to get another computer. I'm just trying to justify going from Windows to a Mac, and what I'd gain.
I have to admit, running virus scanners every other day is starting to get old real quick, but the computers I have are SUPER nice as well (business class notebooks).

I've played with the MBP, and MBA and while the screens are WORLDS better than my Thinkpads, it still feels a bit awkward using the Mac OS, since I've been using Windows forever :)

[Lol-x]

Just chuck those Windozzzzz machines out.......or at least change them to Linux

Then go down to the shop and get a MacBook Air!!!!
Seriously it is the best machine on the market today and has been for over a year.........

A secret: Go to ebay and get a new old stock of the previous model with backlit keys and 2.13 ghz chip. You will save $1K and have a better than latest model....I got my godson's on escam for just over $1k with a superdrive included, gave it to him last Christmas and it hasn't missed a beat.

Do it now!!!

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Just chuck those Windozzzzz machines out.......or at least change them to Linux

Then go down to the shop and get a MacBook Air!!!!
Seriously it is the best machine on the market today and has been for over a year.........

A secret: Go to ebay and get a new old stock of the previous model with backlit keys and 2.13 ghz chip. You will save $1K and have a better than latest model....I got my godson's on escam for just over $1k with a superdrive included, gave it to him last Christmas and it hasn't missed a beat.

Do it now!!!

Steve -

Don't tempt me, I just may do that LOL

Yes, I'm getting sick of Windo** , but at the same time, that's all I've been used to. I guess I can always learn a new OS fairly quick. I'm a BIG fan of the iPhone's OS, and it's simplicity of use. I was talking to an Apple employee at the Apple store, and they were asking me what I like about my iPhone, and I told them "it's fast, always on when I need it, doesn't get any viruses, and it's super-easy to use." And he then said that that is the same reason what I should dump Windows, and go with Apple.
Thing is, I JUST bought a Thinkpad X301 a few months ago for my ultra portable laptop. Now, I'd have to turn around and sell it for a huge hit. I think if I did switch to a Mac, I'd still keep my Thinkpads around for a backup lol

But ya, everyone I know with a Mac LOVES them, and would NEVER go back to a PC.

If I DID decide to get a Mac, it would be either the 13" MBA, or the 17" MBP, since it would be used as my desktop replacement machine. I will also go with an SSD. My X301 has an SSD and it is worlds faster than a similarly featured laptop with a HDD. No moving parts = less to break :)

[z0mghenry]

You guys are a real piece of work...feeding my watch and computer sickness!

I just happened to start a new job that does primarily webapp testing...would a MBA be suitable for this? Right now we are working on (I think) 2 generation old MBP 15'. I usually have 5-6 Chrome tabs open, a testing program, email, and skype open. Do you think a MBA could handle that? I think it would be great if it did because I do bring my MBP home everyday.

Then there's the question...if I want a new GMT2C and the MBA, what comes first? WWTRFD?

[sherwin]

Anyone here hack their laptops to run OSX?

Sorry (in advance) if this isnt allowed.