MacBook air

Pez · « **on:** 29 Nov 2010, 12:27 am »

Anyone pickup a new one of these yet? The price is right and I have to admit it is sexy as hell. I am tired of carrying around a freakin 15" 6 lbs monster when I need some computing power. I've been carrying the iPad a lot more, but it doesn't always fit every need on the go.

Any personal experience with either 11" or 13" and possibly the newer 13" MBP.

Thanks

timind · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 Nov 2010, 12:36 am »

I owned one briefly. Very limited connections is a drawback. But what I did not like at all, and the reason I let it go, was it was so uncomfortable to use. The front edge was so sharp it seemed to rub my wrist raw. I know this has nothing to do with the machines operation which was stellar but check this out before purchase.

mbakes · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 Nov 2010, 12:38 am »

I am trying to justify the 11" maxed since I have an iPad. My biggest complaint with the iPad is the lack of ram (should be fixed in next version) and the typing. For most stuff it's fine but there are times I want a keyboard. I've played with them at the Apple Store a couple of times and they are surprisingly snappy considering the 1.4 or 1.6 processors. I think the combo of the flash storage and the new gpu make up for the slower processor. I'm thinking of passing on my work MBP (late '08) to one of the others in my office and using the 11" with Parallels, which I'm told works well on the MBA's.

Pez · « **Reply #3 on:** 29 Nov 2010, 12:39 am »

Hmm suicide palm rest that slit your wrists?

Didn't even think about that as an issue! Thanks for te heads up.

JohnR · « **Reply #4 on:** 29 Nov 2010, 01:56 am »

11"

for me.

Pez · « **Reply #5 on:** 29 Nov 2010, 04:12 am »

Ok let me ask you this John (or anyone else for that matter) 13" MBA or 13" MBP?

tomjtx · « **Reply #6 on:** 29 Nov 2010, 04:22 am »

Quote from: Pez on 29 Nov 2010, 04:12 am

Ok let me ask you this John (or anyone else for that matter) 13" MBA or 13" MBP?

I've wondered about this also. I heard the TSA will treat the 11" MBA the same as the Ipad. You won't need to take it out for security. They will make you take out the 13" MBA.

So, for me it's the 11"MBA.

Watson · « **Reply #7 on:** 29 Nov 2010, 04:31 am »

Quote from: Pez on 29 Nov 2010, 12:39 am

Hmm suicide palm rest that slit your wrists? Didn't even think about that as an issue! Thanks for te heads up.

I actually quite like the palm rest on the 11" MBA, but I suppose it depends on how large your hands are. Give a couple netbooks a try and then try the 11" MBA... at least the MBA has a palm rest.

JohnR · « **Reply #8 on:** 29 Nov 2010, 06:28 am »

Quote from: Pez on 29 Nov 2010, 04:12 am

Ok let me ask you this John (or anyone else for that matter) 13" MBA or 13" MBP?

Neither.

I don't quite understand the "palm rest" issue - I don't think you should be placing your palms or wrists on the laptop deck - ?

Pez · « **Reply #9 on:** 29 Nov 2010, 06:32 am »

Hmm staunch 11" fan huh? Part if me worries if it will be an issue with the 5 hour battery vs the 7 hour of the 13... I don't know I'll have to look at them both closely before making my final decision.

JohnR · « **Reply #10 on:** 29 Nov 2010, 07:05 am »

OK, if battery life is really that much of an issue then get the Pro. But... what would be the point, as you started the thread complaining about the weight of your existing laptop

JohnR · « **Reply #11 on:** 29 Nov 2010, 07:08 am »

BTW with regard to the connectivity issue, yes only two USB ports but that's twice as many as the previous generation! Apple the innovator. More importantly, there's no little flap, so a 3G stick plugs right in, you don't have to use an extender cable.

Crimson · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Nov 2010, 07:43 am »

Was recently in the same situation re: wanting a little more oomph from an ipad. Ended up with an 11" Air and must say I'm quite pleased.

More here.

JohnR · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 Nov 2010, 08:47 am »

A convert!

But seriously

to put my own comments into perspective: my Air is a portable machine, an adjunct to my desktop. I chose an 11" Air instead of an iPad. For my purposes, I realized that a laptop is necessary to get mobile work done. I have a phone in my pocket already, and carrying an iPhone, an iPad, and a laptop wouldn't make sense - what's the point of getting a lightweight device if you end up carrying three of them?

So for me, the lineup right now is iPhone, Air 11, iMac 27 (which obviously stays at home).

I just thought I should clarify that. Everybody has different needs and works in different ways, so it's fair that different people will make different decisions.

Pez · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 Nov 2010, 12:59 pm »

Agreed.

Just to clarify I was saying I would go with the MBA 13" rather that the 11" because it has better battery life. I think the 13" MBP is out at this point.

My reasoning is because I own an iPad, a 13" ultraportable laptop will give me a great full computer experience where the ipad at 10" is just short of what I need, but will suffice most of the time. Hmmm I think I've made up my mind.

Oh and I do not think there is a problem carrying around 3 devices! Hell I'm surprised John doesn't carry his 27" iMac around with him.

Now just need to come up with the funds.

Mike Nomad · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 Nov 2010, 04:26 pm »

I use a number of Mac gear, including a 15" MBP (1st Gen. Intel) and a 13" MBA. Have dabbled with both the iPad & 11" MBA.

As an IT guy at a large, four-year university, the demands can get pretty varied. As such, the two biggest needs are: Enough grunt, and a full-size keyboard. The MBA (even the new one) does not have enough by way of I/O ports. I also run up against the RAM limitations on occasion. 11" is a little too small, especially when you need a terminal window open and two or three other windows open simultaneously. The 13" MBA is still small enough to fit in the pocket of my writing pad/folio.

The 15" MBP gets heavy after a while. That is the biggest draw of the MBA: Low Weight.

Verdict: Next time around, I'll be getting a 13" MBP w/ a SSD, ripping out the optical drive and putting in a second SSD.

gsm18439 · « **Reply #16 on:** 1 Dec 2010, 03:04 pm »

I have had a new version 13" MBA for a month and sprung for the faster processor, more memory, and more solid state storage. I travel a lot and use mostly WORD and POWERPOINT (as well as internet connectivity and email). The MBA is a pleasure - especially, after years of lugging around a 15" MPB. The MBA takes up almost no space or weight in my luggage, has excellent battery life, etc. My one complaint is the lack of an ethernet port - although the USB to ethernet adapter works well.

Pez · « **Reply #17 on:** 4 Dec 2010, 01:33 am »

Alrighty John, I went w/ your suggestion.

Typing on a brand new 11" Macbook Air. Went with the 128 gig 4 gig ram version, while I could have bought the 13" version with the same price, same specs and better processor/battery life I just couldn't get over how perfect and sexy the 11" is. So far I'm in love! Even though I own an iPad, this is superior in a few ways, while I still think the iPad is my device of the year, this is still a superb computer!

JohnR · « **Reply #18 on:** 8 Dec 2010, 09:34 am »

Another convert!

Yeah, I like it, for a portable computer I think it's brilliant

Levi · « **Reply #19 on:** 8 Dec 2010, 01:33 pm »

+1

Agreed!

Hey John, take a look at Shirt-pocket's "SuperDuper!". It is great software for disaster recovery.

Quote from: JohnR on 8 Dec 2010, 09:34 am

Another convert!

Yeah, I like it, for a portable computer I think it's brilliant