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popstand · Feb 11, 2008, 10:13 PM

So I purchased a Macbook Air on Saturday, and returned it today, Monday. I had buyer's remorse almost immediately. Wireless transfers from my Mac Pro were unacceptably slow. Target disk mode is one of my favorite things, and I missed it immediately. It's a pretty computer, loved the screen for sure, and it's surprisingly responsive considering the hard drive, but it's not really much more portable than my white Macbook, which is full-featured and much cheaper. I spent some time trying to figure out how to make it work with my needs, and I realized I was going to need an external hard drive, the optional superdrive, and dongles galore. This completely defeats the purpose for me. I know that there's a niche somewhere for this computer, but it's got to be a small one. I could never use this as a primary laptop, and I can't justify the cost as a secondary machine. I'm sticking with my Mac Pro/Macbook combo. Fortunately for me, the computer was also defective. The battery took over nine hours to charge from 10% to full the first day. It was slightly better the next day, but still would take around seven hours to charge up. I reset the SMU, tried everything, but the battery issue would not improve. When I brought it back, the Mac "Genius" didn't even examine it before offering a full refund, which leads me to believe that many have been returned for the same problem. I'm completely relieved. I own a Mac Pro, Macbook, iPod Nano, iPhone, and an AppleTV. My first mac was an SE, and I've owned almost every kind of iPod. I am an unabashed Apple Fanboy, and the Air was the first Apple product that I've had serious misgivings about in a long, long time. A twelve inch Macbook Pro would have been so sweet, and I would have gladly dropped 2 grand on one without ever thinking twice.

fisherKing · Feb 11, 2008, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by popstand

So I purchased a Macbook Air on Saturday, and returned it today, Monday. I had buyer's remorse almost immediately. Wireless transfers from my Mac Pro were unacceptably slow. Target disk mode is one of my favorite things, and I missed it immediately. It's a pretty computer, loved the screen for sure, and it's surprisingly responsive considering the hard drive, but it's not really much more portable than my white Macbook, which is full-featured and much cheaper. I spent some time trying to figure out how to make it work with my needs, and I realized I was going to need an external hard drive, the optional superdrive, and dongles galore. This completely defeats the purpose for me. I know that there's a niche somewhere for this computer, but it's got to be a small one. I could never use this as a primary laptop, and I can't justify the cost as a secondary machine. I'm sticking with my Mac Pro/Macbook combo. Fortunately for me, the computer was also defective. The battery took over nine hours to charge from 10% to full the first day. It was slightly better the next day, but still would take around seven hours to charge up. I reset the SMU, tried everything, but the battery issue would not improve. When I brought it back, the Mac "Genius" didn't even examine it before offering a full refund, which leads me to believe that many have been returned for the same problem. I'm completely relieved. I own a Mac Pro, Macbook, iPod Nano, iPhone, and an AppleTV. My first mac was an SE, and I've owned almost every kind of iPod. I am an unabashed Apple Fanboy, and the Air was the first Apple product that I've had serious misgivings about in a long, long time. A twelve inch Macbook Pro would have been so sweet, and I would have gladly dropped 2 grand on one without ever thinking twice.

i feel your pain....have been waiting for a 12" macbook pro since day 1...
the air is impressive, i have considered it as a replacement for my 12" powerbook. don't need much; i can move my files from an external drive to it.
but...not crazy about the footprint; would prefer a smaller footprint as opposed to thin.

damn it!...

BoingoBongo · Feb 12, 2008, 12:26 AM

The MBA seems really cool, but the regular MacBook is such a better value (in my opinion). I probably would have had the same buyer's remorse and returned it too.

Cold Warrior · Feb 12, 2008, 01:44 AM

Originally Posted by popstand

So I purchased a Macbook Air on Saturday, and returned it today, Monday. I had buyer's remorse almost immediately. Wireless transfers from my Mac Pro were unacceptably slow. Target disk mode is one of my favorite things, and I missed it immediately. It's a pretty computer, loved the screen for sure, and it's surprisingly responsive considering the hard drive, but it's not really much more portable than my white Macbook, which is full-featured and much cheaper. I spent some time trying to figure out how to make it work with my needs, and I realized I was going to need an external hard drive, the optional superdrive, and dongles galore. This completely defeats the purpose for me. I know that there's a niche somewhere for this computer, but it's got to be a small one. I could never use this as a primary laptop, and I can't justify the cost as a secondary machine. I'm sticking with my Mac Pro/Macbook combo. Fortunately for me, the computer was also defective. The battery took over nine hours to charge from 10% to full the first day. It was slightly better the next day, but still would take around seven hours to charge up. I reset the SMU, tried everything, but the battery issue would not improve. When I brought it back, the Mac "Genius" didn't even examine it before offering a full refund, which leads me to believe that many have been returned for the same problem. I'm completely relieved. I own a Mac Pro, Macbook, iPod Nano, iPhone, and an AppleTV. My first mac was an SE, and I've owned almost every kind of iPod. I am an unabashed Apple Fanboy, and the Air was the first Apple product that I've had serious misgivings about in a long, long time. A twelve inch Macbook Pro would have been so sweet, and I would have gladly dropped 2 grand on one without ever thinking twice.

analogika · Feb 12, 2008, 05:31 AM

What the hell was that for?

serranot · Feb 12, 2008, 07:09 AM

Based on your post, you really are not in the market for a MBA. If you need an external HDD, optical drive, and assorted dongles, then the MBA is not for you (as you realized). Clearly, based on what you already own, you're just an Apple junkie that buys whatever they put on the market. I don't mean that as a pejorative; you just can't help buying the latest and greatest from Apple whether you like it or not.

Regards,
Tom

ctt1wbw · Feb 12, 2008, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by fisherKing

i feel your pain....have been waiting for a 12" macbook pro since day 1...
the air is impressive, i have considered it as a replacement for my 12" powerbook. don't need much; i can move my files from an external drive to it.
but...not crazy about the footprint; would prefer a smaller footprint as opposed to thin.

damn it!...

I've seen hundreds of photos that show the Air and the Macbook having the same "footprint". They are the same size. I'm sure neither is that much bigger than the 12" Powerbook.

popstand · Feb 12, 2008, 11:08 AM

To Tom, no offense taken whatsoever. I'm always on board with the "new hawtness," and I'm done telling my girlfriend things like "Yeah, the iPhone is nice and all, but it's a closed platform. I don't think I really want one..." only to eat crow days later when I sheepishly show her my new toy.

Also, I haven't posted here in ages. Are all the moderators as obnoxious as cold warrior appears to be? Sorry your attention span is only two sentences long.

popstand · Feb 12, 2008, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by ctt1wbw

I've seen hundreds of photos that show the Air and the Macbook having the same "footprint". They are the same size. I'm sure neither is that much bigger than the 12" Powerbook.

Having owned a 12" Powerbook, I can tell you the footprint was narrower, and the thickness was about the same as a Macbook. I imagine the current tech would allow a reduction in that original size. The things I miss about the 12" powerbook, aluminum case, small footprint, and dedicated graphics most of all. My 12" powerbook ran Warcraft better than my Macbook (not sure if the newer integrated graphics chips have changed that fact).

MacosNerd · Feb 12, 2008, 11:28 AM

The question will be, will those who the MBA is marketed to will be enough to make it a successful product.

I've hardly used target disk mode, but by the same token, while I think the MBA is an awesome computer, it doesn't fit my needs.

I'm not a huge road warrior so I need more horsepower then I need smaller-lighter.

fisherKing · Feb 12, 2008, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by ctt1wbw

I've seen hundreds of photos that show the Air and the Macbook having the same "footprint". They are the same size. I'm sure neither is that much bigger than the 12" Powerbook.

12" powerbook: 10.9 x 8.6 x 1.18 (weight: 4.6lbs)

macbook air: 12.8 x 8.94 x 0.16-0.76 (weight:3lbs)

so, yes, i'd still prefer a full-spec'd 12" mb pro...

Cold Warrior · Feb 12, 2008, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by analogika

What the hell was that for?

Just having a bit of fun with the OP's long block of text.

MacosNerd · Feb 12, 2008, 02:28 PM

I didn't think it was that long, I've seen much worse. It could have used a little more carriage controls but it wasn't that bad, I thought.

Dakar the Fourth · Feb 12, 2008, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by analogika

What the hell was that for?

The Moderators are running a contest to see who can use the new graphics the most.

harbinger75 · Feb 12, 2008, 08:31 PM

You've expressed exactly the same reasons why I couldn't sleep at night if I bought an Air. I ended up purchasing the black MacBook, and I've never been happier with a Mac purchase.

It sounds like you'll get more satisfaction out of all Apple's other lines, and just sticking with what you have or getting a new one if you're feeling randy.

zaghahzag · Feb 12, 2008, 08:35 PM

if apple just took the 12 inch form factor and re-introduced it, they'd sell a lot of them. they could probably lighten it up a lot if they used some of what they learned with the MBA. i understand what the MBA is for, but it could really use ONE more port. Maybe two.

Also, its got a lot of wasted space around the screen and the keyboard. I'd rather have it smaller.

MacosNerd · Feb 12, 2008, 08:42 PM

I think that wasted space is being used inside to hold the battery and other stuff

iMan G5 · Feb 12, 2008, 11:32 PM

I want my darn 12"(or13.3) MBP. All apple needs to do is put a MB in aluminum and a full, ok video card. I would buy one instead of a black MB or a 15" MBP.

MacosNerd · Feb 12, 2008, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by iMan G5

I would buy one instead of a black MB or a 15" MBP.

And that is called cannibalization and that is why Apple doesn't. The 12" MBP would steal sales from the MB and MBP line w/o generating any new sales. The MBA has the opportunity to generate new sales.

fire3500 · 02:35 AM

Originally Posted by Cold Warrior

Well that was hilarious...

[language]

Meh.