Macbook Air Question

applepornstar · Dec 14, 2011

I already have a main computer, and a laptop

but neither of them have an hdmi port, so i was thinking of getting the air..

but would it be best to wait for the new refresh? i hear its going to get released late feb or early march / april.

I don't need a laptop urgently, and i would have major buyers remorse if i buy a air now at retail and have a new one come out a few months later.

GoCubsGo · Dec 14, 2011

What is the need for the HDMI port? Also, I was unaware of the HDMI port in the Airs and I don't see it on the site.

applepornstar · Dec 14, 2011

jessica. said:
What is the need for the HDMI port?

to connect it to my 50 inch plasma tv.

main reason i'm buying a laptop

GoCubsGo · Dec 14, 2011

I would buy a Mac Mini before I'd buy an air for that. However, I still don't see the HDMI port.

applepornstar · Dec 14, 2011

jessica. said:
I would buy a Mac Mini before I'd buy an air for that. However, I still don't see the HDMI port.

thunderbolt transforms into a display port which i can buy a display adapter for

i was thinking about mac mini long time ago, but its not worth it since itll just be sitting in 1 spot.

johnhurley · Dec 14, 2011

applepornstar said:
I already have a main computer, and a laptop

but neither of them have an hdmi port, so i was thinking of getting the air..

but would it be best to wait for the new refresh? i hear its going to get released late feb or early march / april.

I don't need a laptop urgently, and i would have major buyers remorse if i buy a air now at retail and have a new one come out a few months later.

It is the age old answer ... but it now if you need it now otherwise something better will come along.

Nobody knows exactly when the next version of the airs/macbook pros will come out ... but yeah they should have some additional capabilities and options.

The existing airs/macbook pros can support HDMI thru a thunderbolt adapter connection. The new ones should be similar in that area.

SDColorado · Dec 14, 2011

From what I understand about Thunderbot on Apple's website, they maintain that all current MiniDisplay port adapters will work with the Thunderbolt port. From what I gather, the MiniDisplay to HDMI, will work in that port.

convergent · Dec 14, 2011

I have to agree that I think using an Air for this would not be a good choice. A Mac Mini or Apple TV would be much better, and less expensive. Plus, the one thing people complain about on the Air is the fan coming on if they run long videos. Do you want to use the 50" as a computer display, or do you want to run the Air as a media center for movies? If the latter, then I would look at the Apple TV. If you Jailbreak it, you can play just about any video on it and its small and cheap.

applepornstar · Dec 14, 2011

convergent said:
I have to agree that I think using an Air for this would not be a good choice. A Mac Mini or Apple TV would be much better, and less expensive. Plus, the one thing people complain about on the Air is the fan coming on if they run long videos. Do you want to use the 50" as a computer display, or do you want to run the Air as a media center for movies? If the latter, then I would look at the Apple TV. If you Jailbreak it, you can play just about any video on it and its small and cheap.

i wouldn't be using it for xmbc or anything like that

i'll just be streaming shows on it with host sites like putlocker / megavideo / youtube.

which the mac mini can do but a mac mini is 686, but its going to sit in one spot

a mac book i can use for school, and in bed, i'll be getting the 11inch model if i am getting one..

another option is lenovo x220 or lenovo x120e

but i want this purchase to go perfectly, and apple is famous for a user friendly interface.

GoCubsGo · Dec 14, 2011

applepornstar said:
thunderbolt transforms into a display port which i can buy a display adapter for

i was thinking about mac mini long time ago, but its not worth it since itll just be sitting in 1 spot.

Oh see, you said HDMI port so ...

applepornstar · Dec 14, 2011

jessica. said:
Oh see, you said HDMI port so ...

what are you talking about?

the mac air has an adapter for thunderbolt to hdmi output........

VMMan · Dec 14, 2011

applepornstar said:
I already have a main computer, and a laptop

but neither of them have an hdmi port, so i was thinking of getting the air..

but would it be best to wait for the new refresh? i hear its going to get released late feb or early march / april.

I don't need a laptop urgently, and i would have major buyers remorse if i buy a air now at retail and have a new one come out a few months later.

If you have to ask, then yes, you probably should wait.

convergent · Dec 14, 2011

applepornstar said:
i wouldn't be using it for xmbc or anything like that

i'll just be streaming shows on it with host sites like putlocker / megavideo / youtube.

which the mac mini can do but a mac mini is 686, but its going to sit in one spot

a mac book i can use for school, and in bed, i'll be getting the 11inch model if i am getting one..

another option is lenovo x220 or lenovo x120e

but i want this purchase to go perfectly, and apple is famous for a user friendly interface.

The Apple TV can do YouTube out of the box... as well as some others. Not sure about those other two... never heard of them. Unlocking it I'm sure you could get everything you want. So for $100 you could have the TV side covered. Unless you plan to have a very long cable, trying to use an Air with a clunky hdmi cable attached to it will be awkward and you'd need a really long cable.

applepornstar · Dec 16, 2011

convergent said:
The Apple TV can do YouTube out of the box... as well as some others. Not sure about those other two... never heard of them. Unlocking it I'm sure you could get everything you want. So for $100 you could have the TV side covered. Unless you plan to have a very long cable, trying to use an Air with a clunky hdmi cable attached to it will be awkward and you'd need a really long cable.

yea but!

does the apple tv have shows released the day after they go live?

i was thinking of putting the mac air beside the tv which a short hdmi cable, which would be fine..

Xikum · Dec 16, 2011

Seems like an awful lot of money just for a media centre. There are definitely better cost-efficient alternatives if you ask me; a Mac Mini, Apple TV, even a cheaper laptop just to sit about the house...

paulrbeers · Dec 16, 2011

applepornstar said:
yea but!

does the apple tv have shows released the day after they go live?

i was thinking of putting the mac air beside the tv which a short hdmi cable, which would be fine..

You came here, asking for recommendations, you didn't like the answers, so buy the MBA.

Frankly, if you just want a media center device, you are better off with the base (or even better the mid level with the dedicated GPU) mac mini. You stated you already have a desktop and laptop so why do you want to spend more money than even a mid-level Mac Mini (that is a much more capable Media Center device w/ a dedicated GPU and more memory than the Base MBA).

You stated you want to take it with you to class, and to bed, etc, but isn't that what your current laptop is used for? Again, just missing why you want to use an MBA for something that the Mac Mini does flawlessly. Besides, the MBA has limited storage, so if you ever want to store media you won't have much room to do so (eventually you will want to do more than just stream a few videos).

Again though, you already have your mind made up so please buy the Base MBA and move along....

NutsNGum · Dec 16, 2011

jessica. said:
Oh see, you said HDMI port so ...

Pedantry; thy name is jessica.

applepornstar · Dec 16, 2011

paulrbeers said:
You came here, asking for recommendations, you didn't like the answers, so buy the MBA.

Frankly, if you just want a media center device, you are better off with the base (or even better the mid level with the dedicated GPU) mac mini. You stated you already have a desktop and laptop so why do you want to spend more money than even a mid-level Mac Mini (that is a much more capable Media Center device w/ a dedicated GPU and more memory than the Base MBA).

You stated you want to take it with you to class, and to bed, etc, but isn't that what your current laptop is used for? Again, just missing why you want to use an MBA for something that the Mac Mini does flawlessly. Besides, the MBA has limited storage, so if you ever want to store media you won't have much room to do so (eventually you will want to do more than just stream a few videos).

Again though, you already have your mind made up so please buy the Base MBA and move along....

why you mad tho?

I was just asking for recommendations, no reason to get yippy

and the laptop "i" currently have belongs to my sister, and is a 16inch(rounding up) laptop which isn't comfortable in bed.

i'm going to futureshop right now to try out a apple tv.

Confuzzzed · Dec 18, 2011

Manners and entitlement dear boy. If it's a media centre you are after, take other's advice and go for a Mac mini. If it's more of an all rounder with excellent portability, then the MBA is not a bad choice and as someone that owns both (of the current iteration), I can safely say that my 13' MBA has never had any fan issues BUT I wouldn't dream of using it as a media centre.

Unless you need a laptop, your best solution may well be an Apple TV which actually allows you to access your desk top so if you have any films on there or any music you can stream it wirelessly. But I dont think you can stream from those other services you mentioned although Apple is adding to the Apple TV menu so you never know....

There may (or not as the case might be) be a new Apple TV with a better processor in the new year. So that may be another consideration.

calvol · Dec 18, 2011

I use a 2010 13 Air to stream movies (Vudu) to my TV using a minidisplayport-to-HDMI cable, and it works great. I couldn't see buying a mini just for that purpose.

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