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MacBook Air Evolving Into Mainstream Product?
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Not 100% yet...
But very close, and closer than it has ever been.
I have always wanted a small laptop. I need a keyboard, and pixel level accuracy. This leaves OUT the Ipad.
However, the MBA is not perfect. The software for sleep is not 100% perfect. I have received updates from both Apple and various software manufacturers that are on my machine, that I am sure that are directly related to crash reports that I have sent in.
My best friend the genius says he hasn't heard of my problems, but they happen all the time. (I am a fan of just shutting the lid).
I have an ultimate 11 inch machine. 4 gigs, 1.6 processor. The 4 gigs is perfect, but I would like the processor to be a little bit faster. Some apps that I run, are just a "bit" laggy. I would also like 256 gig SSD. I actually think I need about 200 gig. I am definitely making decisions to cut down on app load because of disk space, not too mention ANY real amounts of media. I would also like a bit more physical screen size. It looks like more should be available. I don't need back-lit keys, but I wouldn't care if they added it.
It's almost perfect.
But very close, and closer than it has ever been.
I have always wanted a small laptop. I need a keyboard, and pixel level accuracy. This leaves OUT the Ipad.
However, the MBA is not perfect. The software for sleep is not 100% perfect. I have received updates from both Apple and various software manufacturers that are on my machine, that I am sure that are directly related to crash reports that I have sent in.
My best friend the genius says he hasn't heard of my problems, but they happen all the time. (I am a fan of just shutting the lid).
I have an ultimate 11 inch machine. 4 gigs, 1.6 processor. The 4 gigs is perfect, but I would like the processor to be a little bit faster. Some apps that I run, are just a "bit" laggy. I would also like 256 gig SSD. I actually think I need about 200 gig. I am definitely making decisions to cut down on app load because of disk space, not too mention ANY real amounts of media. I would also like a bit more physical screen size. It looks like more should be available. I don't need back-lit keys, but I wouldn't care if they added it.
It's almost perfect.
My falling-to-pieces '06 MacBook now has a DVD of "A Bridge Too Far" stuck in its drive. I'm going to try to position this as a feature if I ever sell it, and target WWII movie buffs.
The MBA is the perfect machine. Able to drive huge monitors for "real work" without hiccup, a fast enough processor for most every task, and light and portable.
The high-res screen alone paired with the 320m GPU makes it the best choice Apple could make. Sandy Bridge with an Intel 3000HD would have made for a much poorer machine.
The high-res screen alone paired with the 320m GPU makes it the best choice Apple could make. Sandy Bridge with an Intel 3000HD would have made for a much poorer machine.
1 unit is 1 thousand dollars.
1 thousand units is 1 million dollars.
400 thousand units is 400 million dollars.
It's quite simple
It does make me laugh how people went on and on about how the 12" powerbook was the ultimate laptop and coupling it with a 20" display or larger was the ideal way to work... and then the 11MBA comes along and blows the 12" PB away in the specs and portability department, yet people still aren't happy.
I loved my 12" PB and I really feel that this 11MBA is the true replacement. It's much lighter, much thinner and is so much more powerful (plays youtube perfectly compared to the G4). There's also the much better battery, newer software and much longer sleep. It's win-win.
I loved my 12" PB and I really feel that this 11MBA is the true replacement. It's much lighter, much thinner and is so much more powerful (plays youtube perfectly compared to the G4). There's also the much better battery, newer software and much longer sleep. It's win-win.
It's definitely one hell of a light pc that's for sure... I wish they'd include touch screen capabilities with the Air.
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The AIRs are possibly the most improved machine Apple has e we come out with. Apple went from selling junk to selling a benchmark ultra portable machine.
Sadly I'm not in the market, mostly because I need far more secondary storage. That is certain to be addressed as flash shrinks. However I was actually disappointed that the recent MBP updates didn't take advantage of some of the ideas expressed in the AIR. It looks like Apples Mac Book Pro design team is a little stale.
The AIRs are possibly the most improved machine Apple has e we come out with. Apple went from selling junk to selling a benchmark ultra portable machine.
Sadly I'm not in the market, mostly because I need far more secondary storage. That is certain to be addressed as flash shrinks. However I was actually disappointed that the recent MBP updates didn't take advantage of some of the ideas expressed in the AIR. It looks like Apples Mac Book Pro design team is a little stale.
still waiting
I'm going to skip the macbook air, until apple creates a hybrid macbook air/ ipad. It's obvious with Lion that they are starting to make a mac operating system that can be both used regular OS X style, but also switch to touch screen style. I sure hope they can pull it off and make a true hybrid OS, and not two nerfed operating systems strangely conjoined. It will be one of the hardest programming tasks apple has ever faced. Once they have a macbook air where you can rip the screen off and use it like an ipad, then reattach the keyboard (much like the new ipad 2 smart cover) and then use it like a laptop, they'll own the entire mobile computing industry.
I'm going to skip the macbook air, until apple creates a hybrid macbook air/ ipad. It's obvious with Lion that they are starting to make a mac operating system that can be both used regular OS X style, but also switch to touch screen style. I sure hope they can pull it off and make a true hybrid OS, and not two nerfed operating systems strangely conjoined. It will be one of the hardest programming tasks apple has ever faced. Once they have a macbook air where you can rip the screen off and use it like an ipad, then reattach the keyboard (much like the new ipad 2 smart cover) and then use it like a laptop, they'll own the entire mobile computing industry.
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I just don't get the obsession with crippled anorexic laptops. The latest 15" MacBook Pro could stand to be force fed a BBQ sandwich or 5, get the ExpressCard slot back on it.
Hell, I'd prefer a MacBook Pro 15" more like a Toughbook.
A USB-only Air makes baby Jesus cry. Maybe if/when it gets thunderbolt.
I just don't get the obsession with crippled anorexic laptops. The latest 15" MacBook Pro could stand to be force fed a BBQ sandwich or 5, get the ExpressCard slot back on it.
Hell, I'd prefer a MacBook Pro 15" more like a Toughbook.
A USB-only Air makes baby Jesus cry. Maybe if/when it gets thunderbolt.
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I replaced my old reliable gen 1 core duo 15" MacBook Pro with the entry level 11" Air and couldn't be happier. Don't get all caught up in specs, this little guy is super speedy and seems to be optimized for the SSD. After a few days of getting used to the smaller but high rez screen, all is groovy. My only semi wish is for a back lit keyboard. I'm used to not having it now, but I do miss it. All in all a solid, speedy, super lite computer.
I replaced my old reliable gen 1 core duo 15" MacBook Pro with the entry level 11" Air and couldn't be happier. Don't get all caught up in specs, this little guy is super speedy and seems to be optimized for the SSD. After a few days of getting used to the smaller but high rez screen, all is groovy. My only semi wish is for a back lit keyboard. I'm used to not having it now, but I do miss it. All in all a solid, speedy, super lite computer.
11" MBA... $1000...
You didn't expect this?
I was a buyer within the first week... I absolutely utilize the heck out of it with work & everything else. Only thing I wish they had on it - would be a backlit keyboard. Besides that, I am more than happy with everything - CPU, GPU, 4GB of RAM, and the battery life is great!
I was looking for this years back... next item I am looking for is Apple to start putting dedicated powerful GPU's in the MacBook Pro 13".
You didn't expect this?
I was a buyer within the first week... I absolutely utilize the heck out of it with work & everything else. Only thing I wish they had on it - would be a backlit keyboard. Besides that, I am more than happy with everything - CPU, GPU, 4GB of RAM, and the battery life is great!
I was looking for this years back... next item I am looking for is Apple to start putting dedicated powerful GPU's in the MacBook Pro 13".
If by "a bit more physical screen size" you meant a bigger display, you have just described the 13" MBA, 1.86GHz with 256GB SSD and 4GB of RAM, $1699 ($1799 with a 2.13GHz processor).
The Macbook Air is GREAT product, BUT you really have to observe yourself and think will you every need a bright display, backlit keys, or fast processing(i kno the apps load FAST but exporting iMovie takes a LONG time)... if you can do without those things and NEVER will need them... GO for the MBA... if not.... user your $1000-$1500 elsewhere... thats a lot of money
My iMac G5 is really starting to show its age. I can't decide if I want a 27" iMac or a 13" MacbookAir. I don't really need an optical drive. I use it to import CD's to iTunes. I can always do that on anther Mac and transfer the files later.
I agree with many of your points, except for the mindless drone remark. Yes you are not, but to imply that others who differ with you is uncalled for.
Leo
You'll be surprised on how the SSD makes a huge difference. In some ways the MBA seems faster than my current 2011 MBP quad core 15". I'm very tempted to get an SSD to make my MBP fly, except that I need high storage disks (and high storage SSD costs 2 arms, 2 legs, and a head).
Leo
I bought my 13-inch MBA back in the winter and it's the best notebook I have ever used.
I say it's a notebook because it doesn't feel like a netbook. It's got a big trackpad, a full-size keyboard, a gorgeous high-DPI display, it's super thin. And it runs Logic Express smooth as silk. A netbook can't do those things.
I say it's a notebook because it doesn't feel like a netbook. It's got a big trackpad, a full-size keyboard, a gorgeous high-DPI display, it's super thin. And it runs Logic Express smooth as silk. A netbook can't do those things.