Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Helmling · Mar 4, 2009, 02:00 PM

Is it just me or does the Air suddenly seem really tempting? Nvidia graphics and 2Gb standard sounds like enough juice for me.

Thoughts? Am I missing something?

Maflynn · Mar 4, 2009, 02:03 PM

just you

Its allure has not increased or decreased for me, actually I wanted one earlier, until the unibody MB[P]s hit the street. The MB has more power/ability then the MBA that I cannot justify the MBA for my needs.

Simon · Mar 4, 2009, 04:59 PM

The MBA is now definitely a much better product than it originally was.

IMHO it's still a mobile companion though. This is your secondary portable computer. You don't want it as your primary Mac.

k squared · Mar 4, 2009, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by Simon

IMHO it's still a mobile companion though. This is your secondary portable computer. You don't want it as your primary Mac.

I would disagree. I know a lot of people would be able to use the Air as their primary computer. My father, for one. And my bosses for another.

Helmling · Mar 4, 2009, 10:03 PM

Yeah, I can't think of anything I use my Macbook for that it couldn't do. In fact, with the new graphics hardware, it's capable of playing some games I can't run on my old MB (Spore?) so really the only change is a slight downgrade in processor speed.

slugslugslug · Mar 4, 2009, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by Helmling

Yeah, I can't think of anything I use my Macbook for that it couldn't do.

It can't store > 256 GB of data without an external drive.

(Not that you necessarily use your MacBook for that, but you might realize you want to someday...)

Helmling · Mar 4, 2009, 11:31 PM

I don't have that much storage on my Macbook as it is, though. I have 50 free gigs on my 120 now.

Simon · Mar 5, 2009, 03:43 AM

Limited internal storage. 2 GB RAM ceiling. Low performance.

Sure you can use a MacBook Air as a primary computer. But that's for comparably light use (web, mail, Office). Anybody who needs a Mac for professional use (stuff like Motion, Aperture, CS4, scientific computing, etc.) will be limited by the MacBook's constraints. That why in my opinion, for professional use, you don't want to rely solely on a MacBook Air.

Helmling · Mar 5, 2009, 09:03 AM

Oh yeah, sure. But how many of us do that heavy stuff? Certainly not me.

Ah, but I'm not really going to blow $1600 to have the same machine, but lighter.

Maflynn · Mar 5, 2009, 09:32 AM

MBA $1,600 gets you a 1.6 GHz cpu, 2 gig of ram (max) and a 120 gig HD. No optical drive, battery is not considered user replaceable nor is the hard drive.

MB at $1600 gets you a 2.4GHz cpu 2 gig of ram and a 240 gig HD. Memory can be maxed out at 4gig (more using third party ram), the hard drive and battery is user replaceable it has an optical drive and has more ports.

I do love the design of the MBA but I think you get more bang for your buck with the MB; faster cpu, more memory, larger hd, an optical drive, more ports - all within an enclosure that is very close to that of the MBA.

shifuimam · Mar 5, 2009, 10:42 AM

Does the MBA still take a 1.8" 4200RPM PATA drive? You're going to see a pretty noticeable performance hit with that,compared to the 7200RPM 2.5" SATA that the MacBooks can take.

Simon · Mar 5, 2009, 11:07 AM

The new MBA has a 1.8" SATA HDD/SSD.

The HDD is still 4200 rpm though.

Inappropriate Zen · Mar 5, 2009, 01:51 PM

If I were to get a portable, the Air would be it, despite the rather laughably high price.

Doc HM · Mar 5, 2009, 05:45 PM

I had an extended go on a customers air a few days ago. Until then my experience had been either visual or very limited.

loathsome machine.

Helmling · Mar 6, 2009, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Doc HM

I had an extended go on a customers air a few days ago. Until then my experience had been either visual or very limited.

loathsome machine.

Care to elaborate?

Kyros · Mar 8, 2009, 01:39 AM

The Air seems fine power-wise for most users, my main issue is that it's obsolete right when you buy it (even more so than other laptops

). I like my computers to last ~5 years, so I wouldn't consider it personally. Still, I think it has come a long way from when it was released, especially in the hard drive area. Price is also a lot better now, especially the SSDs (although that was expected, of course).

jogi · Mar 8, 2009, 02:10 PM

For one I will never buy an Air again, unless the heat issues when Skyping and watching Youtube videos and hard drive upgradability issues are resolved.

See my thread with impressions for the Air here:
http://forums.macnn.com/69/mac-noteb...a-unibody-mbp/

pcryan5 · Mar 8, 2009, 02:47 PM

FWIW
Sick of lousy keyboards on most portable laptops I picked a first generation model for traveling and conferences.

It's a reasonable price (refurnished from the Canadian Apple store for $1099CAN ($999USD) http://store.apple.com/ca/product/FB003?mco=MTg1MTg3NA).

Would never consider it for my day to day machine though.

zaghahzag · Mar 10, 2009, 05:49 PM

not enough ram. I need at least 3.. i want 8.

iREZ · Mar 10, 2009, 09:17 PM

i see the next air's bumping the ram to 4gb stock (here's hoping).

cwkmacuser · Mar 15, 2009, 05:58 PM

I wouldn't use the MacBook air as a primary computer. It is created based on the assumption that you have a wireless network, not everyone does. It doesn't even have an optical drive built into the machine. If you get one, use it as a secondary machine for when you need something small and easy to carry in a wireless environment.

Helmling · Mar 17, 2009, 12:55 AM

See, now...I DO have a wireless network. I hardly ever use the optical drive on my Macbook. Pretty much only need one USB at a time to plug in my phone. I think I'd get along just fine. I even checked the little sucker out at Best Buy today.

Damned cool little frisby is what I say.

But I still won't pay $1600 to have what I have now, only lighter.

Wish I could...but...

Paco500 · Mar 17, 2009, 07:32 AM

I use one as my primary (only) mac. I'm not a hardcore user, but I'm not limited to light surfing and email either. It's my work machine- I run pretty much everything for work in a VM with XP- not blazing fast but completely useable. I play WoW on it pretty regularly. I bought the external DVD and have used it twice.

I've got the latest with the 128GB ssd. Great machine, and as it spends a lot of time in a bag over my shoulder, I love the weight. I would like more RAM though.

Paco500 · Mar 17, 2009, 07:33 AM

BTW- it replaced a first gen MacBook Pro 15" with 2GB RAM and 2.0 GHz Core Duo proc. There is no major speed diff- even in WoW.

tomzo22 · Mar 17, 2009, 12:57 PM

Weird, if I configure the low end macbook air up to the same spec as the most expensive, its £10 cheaper...

Gotta love the UK store sometimes!