What made you choose macbook air over a macbook?

[sk8mash]

Im thinking of buying an Apple laptop for school, and next year uni. I already have the iMac in my sig which is plenty powerful enough for me, just wondering why you would choose the air over the macbook when the macbook is cheaper and has more to it (cd drive etc...)

My choice is really between the 1.6ghz refurbed macbook air, or a 2.0ghz macbook alu.

Thanks :)

[ukmacpro]

I replaced my old 1.6 WhiteBook with an air for portability alone. I only use it for the basics... The net, writing, music, occasionally photoshop... And it runs great. It's pretty effortless to carry it around with you...

You might want to go with a MacBook if you need to do higher powered tasks... Although you already have the iMac so unless you need the power on the move I'd stick with the air... I have a MacBook pro to run Logic, which mainly site on my desk, but it's nice to have the option to take it on the road with me.

The only other difference is if you ever think you'll need to use a SuperDrive on the move... So far I never have...

[tom1971]

I compared the new Macbook screen and the MBA screen side by side, and I noticed a huge difference in terms of crispness of the colours, possible viewing angles, negative black effect etc. Also I found the glossy bezel of the MB very annoying.
The second aspect was the lighter weight. I have an 24 inch iMac, so if I really want to to iMovie stuff, I use it.

And by the way - I have a perfect MBA Rev. B without horizontal lines :D.
There is some flickering when trying out the patterns, but it never really affected me.

[dlblarg]

I compared the new Macbook screen and the MBA screen side by side, and I noticed a huge difference in terms of crispness of the colours, possible viewing angles, negative black effect etc. Also I found the glossy bezel of the MB very annoying.
The second aspect was the lighter weight. I have an 24 inch iMac, so if I really want to to iMovie stuff, I use it.

And by the way - I have a perfect MBA Rev. B without horizontal lines :D.
There is some flickering when trying out the patterns, but it never really affected me.

I've been blogging about the MBA Rev b and it hasn't stopped me from doing any tasks -- it has nearly the same specs as my first MBP with a brilliant screen. What does happen is the fans blow, with anything processor intensive. You can't watch 5 seconds of a flash movie without the fans blowing.

[Sdevante]

Lust.

[sk8mash]

Thanks for all the replies. Im still not quite sure if I can get over the thought of paying more for less in terms of spec. Although the macbook air is very attractive due to its size I guess. That is probably what I would want and need. A light portable laptop...

[Hey Jude]

I am a current MacBook owner, and have opted for the Air because of its portability. I wanted a lighter notebook, and having held both the Air and the Glassbook in my hands, I could not believe how heavy the MacBook felt, compared to the Air.

I have probably watched five movies on my MacBook, and have never had a need for more than one USB port since I owned it. I write, surf, play music, sync my iPhone and store photos, all of those tasks the Air is sufficiently capable of performing.

I must also admit that lust had a little to do with it as well:D

Jude

[ercanbas]

I am a current MacBook owner, and have opted for the Air because of its portability. I wanted a lighter notebook, and having held both the Air and the Glassbook in my hands, I could not believe how heavy the MacBook felt, compared to the Air.

I have probably watched five movies on my MacBook, and have never had a need for more than one USB port since I owned it. I write, surf, play music, sync my iPhone and store photos, all of those tasks the Air is sufficiently capable of performing.

I must also admit that lust had a little to do with it as well:D

Jude

I went from a 128/ssd Air to a 2.4 Macbook and I think the Macbook is light as well IMHO. I was kind of upset over occasional stuttering for such a premium laptop. Also, what killed me was the horizontal lines, I for one love the Macbook screen. Oh and better iSight camera resolution and it works better with the ACD. The main reason I switched however was to receive the full benefits of what Snow Leopard has to offer. I wanted a computer that was long term and maybe it's just me, but I don't think the Air will last with the new innovations that are coming out, so I went with a Macbook. I do miss the Air at times however, mainly when I am out and there is always someone asking about it which sparks interesting conversations.

[kastenbrust]

http://guides.macrumors.com/Which_Apple_notebook_should_I_buy%3F#Comparison_-_Power

[jimboutilier]

Im thinking of buying an Apple laptop for school, and next year uni. I already have the iMac in my sig which is plenty powerful enough for me, just wondering why you would choose the air over the macbook when the macbook is cheaper and has more to it (cd drive etc...)

My choice is really between the 1.6ghz refurbed macbook air, or a 2.0ghz macbook alu.

Thanks :)

Given your choice the benefits of the MBA are transportability, better screen, and backlit keyboard.

While the footprint of a MB vs MBA are about the same, its weight and thinness allow you to use a smaller/lighter bag. Each of its accessories are likewise smaller and lighter. It really adds up if you travel with it a lot. If you work on your laptop 8-12 hours a day you'll appreciate the much better screen on the MBA although the MB screen is ok. The backit keyboard is not to be underestimated especially in dark lecture halls.

The one thing to think seriously about is the battery. With the MBA you can't be away from power more than a few hours at a time and its recharge time is REALLY slow. With a MB you can carry spare battery(s) and get whatever life you need. Its charge rate is also much quicker so even its one battery with similar battery life to the MBA the MB allows for more portable use during a day provided you can recharge from time to time.

[hodgeheg]

I went from a 2.1GHz White MacBook to a 1.6Ghz Air Rev B. It's lovely - I went for portability and superior screen (the macbook had very obvious dithering, and I dislike the alumacbook mirror screen).

Unfortunately I today discovered that aluminium is far more easily *lightly* damaged than plastic. I dropped my laptop 1.5 feet onto carpet, in its case, and the bill is £342.70. I strongly suspect the plastic macbook (not that I ever dropped one - I don't make a habit of dropping laptops) would have survived that, but the aluminium bent, and they won't replace the metal case without replacing the screen.

I currently have a perfect bright non-dithery screen with no lines and no dead pixels. It also runs cool, fast and doesn't bring the fans on audibly unless doing a lot (I can watch 2 hours + flash video without hearing them).

Here's hoping the new screen is just as good :(

[Kan-O-Z]

The Macbook Air in my opinion is ahead of it's time...sort of like the iMac when they first came out. They have removed any and every space sapping, not often used feature and traded it for the slimmest, lightest, sexiest laptop with a lot of power and one of the best screens on the market. I think Apple probably had analysts that studied how a typical user uses their laptop.

-A typical user probably never uses their optical drive other than to install software...so Apple dropped space sapping optical drive to really make the laptop thinner, while offering a wireless solution to install software from another computer.
-A typical user probably never buys 2 batteries and hot swaps them on the go for extended range...so Apple made the battery internal allowing the Air to be even slimmer than if it had a removable battery.
-A typical user does not connect 5 things to USB ports...so Apple only provides ports that are necessary...USB, Display, Headphone

What you get in return is a laptop that is very focused in what it is. For many people size, weight, power, screen quality, and sexiness are the most important features. From this perspective, the Air just can't be beat.

By the way I own the 1.86 SSD and it is faster(or at least feels faster) than my 1 year old MBP :) It might just be the fastest computer I have ever owned. I showed it off to my co-worker, he couldn't believe how good it was.

Kan-O-Z

[That70sGAdawg]

I compared the new Macbook screen and the MBA screen side by side, and I noticed a huge difference in terms of crispness of the colours, possible viewing angles, negative black effect etc. Also I found the glossy bezel of the MB very annoying.
The second aspect was the lighter weight. I have an 24 inch iMac, so if I really want to to iMovie stuff, I use it.

And by the way - I have a perfect MBA Rev. B without horizontal lines :D.
There is some flickering when trying out the patterns, but it never really affected me.

Ditto. I found it hard to live with the 80GB on my rev. 1 Air (and slow graphics- but loved the size), bought a new MacBook Alum (took it back because of the terrible screen black levels, and extra weight), Bought a rev. 2 Air with 120GB (that I can live with) and I have a perfect screen - No lines or flickering! Streams both Hulu and netflix perfect.

[henk.honk]

It also runs cool, fast and doesn't bring the fans on audibly unless doing a lot (I can watch 2 hours + flash video without hearing them).


How do your mba don't run fans when watching flash video? Is there a trick?

[leishan]

Lust.

Quite true! :p

[hodgeheg]

How do your mba don't run fans when watching flash video? Is there a trick?

Sorry, no, it just doesn't seem to get hot! I use it on a desk, so it's got reasonable air flow.

I wonder if it relates to the particular version of flash video or the resolution etc? Or possibly ambient temperature?

They occasionally come on, but maybe only twice that I've noticed. They are very noticeable at full speed, though still quieter than my MacBook.

I assume there's variation in it, as there clearly is with other Apple notebooks. Lots of people are happy with their early 2008 MacBook Pros. When I bought one and measured the top case temperature at 89C during light usage it went back, but I was still told it was "in spec". No way that can be normal though! I think there's a luck element. Perhaps thermal paste issues? who knows. I'm just lucky for once. Same with the screen, though now that's going to be replaced due to dropping it :( :(

I did notice Flash video seems to perform better in Safari than Firefox.



ACTUALLY - scratch all of that - another possibility is the flash version - I upgraded to the lastest version of flash at http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

This buggered up timing in Flash chuckie egg, but perhaps it enables some GPU acceleration or something that takes load of the CPU. I'm just guessing, but it's a possibility!

[mazurka]

The Macbook Air in my opinion is ahead of it's time...sort of like the iMac when they first came out. They have removed any and every space sapping, not often used feature and traded it for the slimmest, lightest, sexiest laptop with a lot of power and one of the best screens on the market. I think Apple probably had analysts that studied how a typical user uses their laptop.
Kan-O-Z

On top of all this there is the 'heft' of the MBA. Let me elaborate - I am a businessman and often would need to take my laptop into meetings. Previously, with the MBP, I would need to lug in the whole bag, unzip it, extract the laptop, put the bag away and so forth, which always looks a bit sloppy, to be honest.

The MBA is designed to slip into the hand and be held at your hip, very much in the way you would carry a folder, or a thick magazine. So you go into meetings looking much more professional, with NO bag, and the MBA always draws the odd gasp of approval (or maybe envy, don't know) as you casually flip it onto the conference table.

As to battery life, it's unlikely at a business meeting that you'll be running heavy processing apps, and anyway a meeting that lasts more than two hours is highly unusual these days.

I've also used the MBA for presentations, using Keynote of course, and though you need to have a precautionary power source connected, it's more than capable of running something of this nature, as long as you have an appropriate connector for output.

But it's the heft that is the killer part of the design. The balance is perfect when carried at your side, and, well, it just looks so much more as if you know what you're doing.

[justit]

But it's the heft that is the killer part of the design. The balance is perfect when carried at your side, and, well, it just looks so much more as if you know what you're doing.

Not sure I understand...
Are you worried that you look unprofessional carrying a laptop bag instead of carrying a laptop at your side?

[mrkgoo]

I might be going out on a limb here, but I'm willing to bet nearly all Mac Air users are doing it because of the weight/portability. I meant, really, what else does it have going for it? For sure, the screen is nice, but that would not be the primary reason.

[mazurka]

Not sure I understand...
Are you worried that you look unprofessional carrying a laptop bag instead of carrying a laptop at your side?

It's not just the carrying of the bag, there's the unzipping of the bag, the pulling and adjusting to get the (usually heavy) laptop out, then the re-zipping of the bag, finding somewhere to store it, and then finally you get around to opening the laptop and starting it up and so on, and then when the meeting's finished you have to dork around finding the bag, unzipping it, hoping stuff won't fall out, angling the laptop back in, re-zipping, hefting it onto your shoulder.

Believe me, a sleeping MBA at your side, flipped open on the table ready for work looks a lot neater, and never forget the importance of The Exit from a meeting. You flick it closed, stand up and walk out.

The MBA without a bag just stops you looking like a fumbler.

[1rottenapple]

Cause I'm a pretty freaking crazy Mac NUT :D

[SFStateStudent]

I've owned the MB, BlackBook and a MBP; so the decision to choose the MBAir was one of transportability, connectivity, and a light 3 lbs. Everything beyond these three remains a gift...:p

[EnderTW]

To be honest, the primary reason was 1) because of the difference in screen quality. I don't know about you guys but the screen on the macbook is atrocious, maybe I just hate that it "washes out" so easily.

I would have paid 400 dollars for the macbook screen on the 2.0 ghz macbook.

Too bad, apple :(

[DJY]

I had a MBP but wanted something a lot more portable.
I travel a lot so wanted a much lighter option.

Oh yeah the WOW factor did have a bit to do with the decision as well.
Love it!
Screen looked heaps better than either the MB or MBP in the store as well.

[andreab35]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5G77 Safari/525.20)

I have the Rev. B 1.6 MBA and I absolutly love it.
The MBA is my first Mac, and is working out wonderfully for me.
When I was deciding for a laptop, I didn't much care for the MBP because it was just too big and heavy for me. Plus, I'm not a huge power user, so I didn't need any intensive specs.
So it came down to the MB and the MBA. I did not like the looks of the MB. And for comparison, I liked the MBA screen better than the MB screen. I also loved the beautiful backlit keyboard, which the MB lacked. For me, 1 USB port is all I need- and that's it. I have no need for an optical drive- and if I need it I can have my desktop take care of that. Additionally, the sleek looks, thinness, and weight played a big factor in my purchase.
I am very satisfied with the MBA. It does everything in an orderly and quick manner, despite it's low end specs compared to Apple's rest of the laptop line. I couldn't be happier, and I'm thrilled to have made the right purchasing choice for myself. :)

[coupdetat]

Because the MBA is as close to an "appliance PC" that I've ever seen. It's small, durable, and does its job perfectly without maintenance.

Speaking of maintenance, I have to go fix Aero on my girlfriend's new PC because it just randomly stopped working.

[fatalist]

What nobody seems to mention in all these posts is the simple fact that when something weighs a mere three pounds and has such a lovely, sensuous shape and feel, you are far more likely to reach for it and use it.

A lot of reviewers who actually bought an MBA in 08 mentioned this after they lived with it for a while (Pogue, Fallows, et al). They found themselves simply using it way more frequently than any previous machine they owned.

I really like the new MB alum. Just lovely. But now I am drifting back to purchasing an MBA as my Mac. Besides fitting the uses I intend for it, I just know I will end up actually using it more than any other possible machine. An X300 is nice, but costs more and only runs you-know-what, which i am pretty fed up with.

I guess my point is also sort of related to Mazurka's posts above. The MBA has a usability factor that is amazing but not easily grasped by folk with a count-the-ports-how-big-is-the-HD mentality.

Sorry for the long post. Have been dwelling on this since mid 08 and it finally had to burst out. :rolleyes:

[Sdevante]

What nobody seems to mention in all these posts is the simple fact that when something weighs a mere three pounds and has such a lovely, sensuous shape and feel, you are far more likely to reach for it and use it.

Along the same lines, the 1.86 with SSD is by far the fasted booting computer I've ever had. That, to me, is an incentive to use it whereas a computer that takes 5 mins to load, I'm not as likely to turn it on just to check the weather or something.

[johnnj]

Besides the weight, what really nailed it for me on the MBA was the display.

If they had the same panel in the unibody MB, I probably would have gotten the 2.4.

I had one of the unibodies and I returned it because the narrow viewing angle and the grey looking blacks really bugged me.

The only two things that I wish were better on the MBA are the battery life and the time it takes for the battery to charge.

I'd like more than 128 gigs of storage, but I have feeling that eventually Samsung will release a 256 gig 1.8" SSD.

John

[glitch44]

there's a lot of good things about the unibody macbook-- removeable battery, the ease of popping in a replacement 2.5" drive, 2 USB ports, but the screen comparison bugs me, especially this shot from gizmodo:




http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/561/mbcomparisonoe8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/mbcomparisonoe8.jpg/1/w638.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img444/mbcomparisonoe8.jpg/1/)

article link (http://gizmodo.com/5070723/screen-shootout-macbook-new-vs-macbook-old-vs-macbook-air)

[elppa]

I might be going out on a limb here, but I'm willing to bet nearly all Mac Air users are doing it because of the weight/portability. I meant, really, what else does it have going for it? For sure, the screen is nice, but that would not be the primary reason.

I am coming round to be an Air fan, especially as it sounds from reports than with this rev B. Apple has got the internals right. I doubt it is an awesome FCP machine, but then if you really use Pro Apps, then it is likely you will nearly always be better served buying a Desktop.

Here's I beginning to like the Air:
[1] It's the only really portable Mac with a good screen.
[2] It's the only MacBook without a wedge of glass slapped across the display (aside from the $2799 + $50 “anti glare” MacBook 17", which I wouldn't call portable.
[3] It's the only MacBook with a physical trackpad button
[4] It's arguable the best looking machine Apple makes (more noticeable in person than in the photos).
[5] It's the most portable machine Apple makes. If you are carrying your Notebook around (not using a Desktop replacement) this is more important.
[6] When using a notebook, you type on the keyboard and look at the screen. When not using a notebook it might be in a bag or carry case. On these three areas, the Air delivers with a great keyboard, beautiful screen and thin and light chassis.
[7] Handbrake (for DVDs).
[8] All of Apple's other Notebooks are rev A, so the Air is a little more mature.

What nobody seems to mention in all these posts is the simple fact that when something weighs a mere three pounds and has such a lovely, sensuous shape and feel, you are far more likely to reach for it and use it.

A lot of reviewers who actually bought an MBA in 08 mentioned this after they lived with it for a while (Pogue, Fallows, et al). They found themselves simply using it way more frequently than any previous machine they owned.

I really like the new MB alum. Just lovely. But now I am drifting back to purchasing an MBA as my Mac. Besides fitting the uses I intend for it, I just know I will end up actually using it more than any other possible machine. An X300 is nice, but costs more and only runs you-know-what, which i am pretty fed up with.

I guess my point is also sort of related to Mazurka's posts above. The MBA has a usability factor that is amazing but not easily grasped by folk with a count-the-ports-how-big-is-the-HD mentality.

Sorry for the long post. Have been dwelling on this since mid 08 and it finally had to burst out. :rolleyes:

That's an excellent point, well made. The feature-checklist and spec-sheet crowd rarely understand Apple's products and dismiss them as underpowered and overpriced.

They usually miss one simple fact. Computers are made for a person to use and Apple seems to understand what people need better than many.

We all know Apple is far from perfect, but the one thing I think do pretty consistently is to bias their thinking towards simplicity and usability wherever possible. It's not a trait exclusive to Apple, but far too often the opposite happens in tech, where usability is sacrificed for other more “important” things.

The Macbook Air in my opinion is ahead of it's time...sort of like the iMac when they first came out.

I remember Windows enthusiasts wetting themselves back in the day cause the iMac had no Floppy Disc Drive or Serial Port, only that weird USB port.

[AIRniloc]

why did i get the MBAir over the macbook, you ask? one word:

sexiness :cool:

[jackiecanev2]

The display really cinched it for me, along with the size and extra portability. It really is a solid machine, and I have a desktop for heavy lifting so I don't feel like I have any computing shortfalls.

[ibosie]

Im thinking of buying an Apple laptop for school, and next year uni. I already have the iMac in my sig which is plenty powerful enough for me, just wondering why you would choose the air over the macbook when the macbook is cheaper and has more to it (cd drive etc...)

My choice is really between the 1.6ghz refurbed macbook air, or a 2.0ghz macbook alu.

Thanks :)

Less weight that's why I chose the Air; even this can feel heavy after a while, like carrying shopping! I'm totally enamoured by the Air, mine does a bit of everything from Logic to After Effects when I'm away from the Mac Pro. Only one feature disappointed - the low res iSight camera it's really grainy and iChat speed seems throttled compared to the rest of the Mac family.

[tubbymac]

just wondering why you would choose the air over the macbook when the macbook is cheaper and has more to it (cd drive etc...)


I haven't chosen it yet, but the only reason I'm even considering the Macbook Air over the Macbook I already have is the screen. I hate the viewing angles and the horrible black levels on my Macbook. The Air screen is much better in those respects if it weren't for the blasted horizontal lines. I just can't win either way I go!

[nph]

Exactly my sentiment as well. Good screen (best of what is out there now) but then again it has the 'lines' issue. Question is if it will be solved and at least on some of the samples it is only visible at a certain angle.

[frogcat]

I don't mean to hijack, but I chose the macbook, and am wondering if any of you are programmers? I found a new 1.6 air Rev B for $1200. I really want to grab at this deal, but I really don't know whether I can use VMWARE running SQL and Visual Studio without slowdowns like I do on the macbook.

I felt like this was relevant here because everyone in this thread seemed to choose the Air over the macbook, and now I am wondering why I did the opposite. Thanks in advance!

[Adokimus]

Didn't have time to read the entire thread, but DON'T EVEN CONSIDER A REV. A Macbook Air!... Between those two options, go for the unibody macbook all the way. If you're considering a Rev. B MBA, then that is a different story. The graphics improvement is HUGE between the two releases. The Rev. A is known to overheat and has choppy video (even youtube!). The Rev. B is much better, but if you can't afford that, than go for the unibody macbook.

Just my two cents.

[bmstrong]

I don't mean to hijack, but I chose the macbook, and am wondering if any of you are programmers? I found a new 1.6 air Rev B for $1200. I really want to grab at this deal, but I really don't know whether I can use VMWARE running SQL and Visual Studio without slowdowns like I do on the macbook.

I felt like this was relevant here because everyone in this thread seemed to choose the Air over the macbook, and now I am wondering why I did the opposite. Thanks in advance!

$1200? I'd jump on that in a heartbeat.

[drjsway]

The MB screen is good for surfing the web, writing e-mails and documents, anything with a lot of white on the screen. For videos however, it is UNWATCHABLE. I watch a lot of movies on my laptop so the MB wasn't even an option for me. Greyish milky blacks, poor contrast, horrible viewing angles. It's actually okay for colorful animated films, as long as there is no black on the screen.

My wife got the unibody MB and she has never watched a movie all the way through because of that horrible screen.

Why would I get a machine with lower specs? The "specs" don't tell you that MBs use a $70 screen vs the $400 screen the MBAs use. If Apple should ever offer a $330 option for the MB to upgrade its screen, I would definitely get it .

[tubbymac]

The MB screen is good for surfing the web, writing e-mails and documents, anything with a lot of white on the screen. For videos however, it is UNWATCHABLE.

If Apple should ever offer a $330 option for the MB to upgrade its screen, I would definitely get it .

I'd probably pay even $500 for the upgrade as my MB would then be almost perfect and I wouldn't consider an MBA anymore. Fix the junk Apple keyboard and trackpad drivers in bootcamp too and I'd become an Apple fanboy like you wouldn't believe.

Somebody on the MB forums tried it though. Turned out to be a huge pain, took him two strokes of forever to accomplish, and the screen didn't actually work properly. Doh!

[MH01]

I skipped the MB, as the screen was not to my liking, I had the MBP for a week and was just not impressed with it, in the end the MBA is truly portable, where the MBA felt like i was carrying a laptop in my bag, i hardly notice it with the MBA. This means i take it with me all the time, where the MBP would have been left behind. My main concern was portability, as it is not my only computer, and in that regard, its awesome.

[MH01]

Because the MBA is as close to an "appliance PC" that I've ever seen. It's small, durable, and does its job perfectly without maintenance.

Speaking of maintenance, I have to go fix Aero on my girlfriend's new PC because it just randomly stopped working.

Though i do not have a Rev A, i have heard that they have heating issues...so something to take into consideration, and the old GPU was lacking in grunt.

[ercanbas]

I went from a Macbook Air Rev A hdd to a Rev B with ssd now to a Macbook 2.4/4gig. Like all of you the Air was appealing to me for portability but I found that the Macbook is the perfect balance between portability and power. Also, I wanted to reap more benefits from Snow Leopard. I went with the Macbook for the long run, I feel that the Air won't suffice with the upcoming updates however I won't rule out future models of the Air. I do miss the envy factor of the Air, it always sparked a conversation at Starbucks and other places. Also, my Rev B had the lines issue so that was the dealbreaker since Apple didn't deem it an issue. The Rev A screen was glorious however it had its heating issues. Carrying my Air was a dream, and worrying at times because I constantly checked my bag for it since it was so damn light. The Macbook is almost as light in my bag as was the Air. Although I can feel it there, it has never strained my back. I miss the ssd in the Air, I had that upgraded for free because of the hdd delay for Rev B's. When the ssd price drops for the Macbook, I will most certainly swap it out. The Macbook also offered a better quality isight camera and personally, I like the black bezel. I opted for the 2.4 because I was spoiled with the backlit keyboard with the Air and couldn't dare buy a Macbook without it. I also do some gaming and the performance was an increase on my Macbook than the Air, this is I think due to the processor and ram increase. I don't see what the big deal is with the screen, it's not much of an improvement, only to those who really need crispness. The Macbook screen is glorious and to those who complain about the angle issues, it's a simple solution, TILT THE SCREEN! Even with my Air, if I laid down I always tilted the screen so it was facing me rather than at an angle. People who complain about that make me laugh. I do miss my Air at times but I am definitely satisfied with my glassbook. Hope this helps any of you caught in the middle.

[theappleguy]

Mainly portability. They aren't as fast as the MacBooks, but personally I would rather not carry the extra weight in my backpack every day. :)

[drjsway]

The Macbook screen is glorious and to those who complain about the angle issues, it's a simple solution, TILT THE SCREEN!

Even staring at the screen dead on, the top of the screen doesn't match the bottom. The angle issues aren't as big of a problem as the horrible black levels. Go watch a letterboxed movie, flip to a dark scene, and tell me if the black bars are really black or just dark grey. To compare, find something that is black in your house (like the back of the black iPhone 3g). That is true black. Poor blacks = poor contrast. Now, look at the black bar on the top of the screen vs the bottom. Notice how the two bars have a slightly different shade of black. That means that no matter how you tilt the screen, the colors will never be uniform throughout.

You might not be a discerning viewer, which is perfectly fine, and to be fair, MB screens are on par with most laptops in the price range.

[juro]

Really, there are very tangible reasons for picking the Air when trying to rationalize the purchase — weight, thinness, screen, etc. This is what say when trying to convince ourselves of making the purchase.

But when you actually own one already, as I have for almost a year now, you will discover that the really great thing about it — the thing you will fall in love with — is that you hardly ever think about it; not when it's in your bag, in your arm, on the table or carrying it.

The fact that it disappears into your life so seamlessly, instead of intruding on it — that, to me, is just awesome.

[WildCardPix]

I'm seriously considering getting a MBA Rev B. My only hang up is how long does the battery last in real world conditions, and how long does it take to recharge? Any owners willing to comment? Thank you!

~Dave

[shokunin]

I use my MBA as a second computer when I'm not on my Mac Pro.. I've had Rev A, Rev B and the Whitebook here at the same time. While the new Alu MB are damn nice and I could (probably) get used to the glossy screen, but it's 50% heavier than the MBA and I prefer the style, the screen (even with the lines issue) on my Rev B.

People have complained about the fans revving to 6100rpms, and mine does so on occassion, but you know what, my Whitebook fans are waaay louder than the Air, easily twice as loud or more. Sheesh, my Dhell Latitude at idle is louder than the MBA with the fans at max rpm's.

It's a perfect balance of weight, speed, and size for me. Compared to the MSI wind I had, there's no comparison. I couldn't even have my kids view NickJr.com on the Wind as the flash games and videos caused the Atom based Wind to stutter horribly and slow to an unusable crawl.