Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Just sold my air...
- Thread starter mshepherd
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Hey OP, I got you beat! I returned my August '08 MBA in February '09 and received full price for "IT" and all of my accessories = $3400 or there abouts....
Had to be a revision A MBA owner. The revision B MBA is really capable. There is no reason to leave the MBA, the only problem was being an early adopter of the MBA. I was, and it took about two weeks for me to abandon my original MBA. It took a few months to truly believe the rev B MBA was a completely different Mac.
Don't leave the MBA, leave the original MBA for a new one. Get SSD, and you will have a quiet Mac that will perform faster for MOST tasks than a MacBook without SSD.
I wonder how much money the original MBA cost Apple in the long run. In terms of loss as it was problematic. In terms of negative reputation it gives Apple. In terms of people who paid $1799 to $3099 for a much less capable Mac. It is one thing to provide the luxury of Mac performance in a smaller package, and it is something else to advertise the original MBA as a Mac when it could not handle the common tasks of what Mac users require of their Macs. Some say, oh a MBA could NEVER be a primary computer, it could never play video, it could never perform well - that is just not true, the revised MBA can do everything faster because the SSD and the component issues all corrected and made it fully capable.
If you haven't tried one out, give a rev B with SSD a try...
Otherwise, best wishes with your MacBook.
Don't leave the MBA, leave the original MBA for a new one. Get SSD, and you will have a quiet Mac that will perform faster for MOST tasks than a MacBook without SSD.
I wonder how much money the original MBA cost Apple in the long run. In terms of loss as it was problematic. In terms of negative reputation it gives Apple. In terms of people who paid $1799 to $3099 for a much less capable Mac. It is one thing to provide the luxury of Mac performance in a smaller package, and it is something else to advertise the original MBA as a Mac when it could not handle the common tasks of what Mac users require of their Macs. Some say, oh a MBA could NEVER be a primary computer, it could never play video, it could never perform well - that is just not true, the revised MBA can do everything faster because the SSD and the component issues all corrected and made it fully capable.
If you haven't tried one out, give a rev B with SSD a try...
Otherwise, best wishes with your MacBook.
I had a REV A, but I have used the REV b's also and compared them to a macbook unibody with 4GB of ram. No comparison. My biggest problem was I would end up needing an ethernet port alot and a USB adapter for ethernet is lame. I sold mine for 1000, with the superdrive.
*
not true...have the first gen MBA...ordered it the day it came out...absolutely no problems with it...I love it!...different customers have different experiences, that is all
Only about 80% seem to agree that the original MBA was problematic at the very least. Sure Apple has helped the hardware problems out by writing less demanding software... but the component changes are unbelievable between the original MBA and rev B MBA. No matter what is said, the internal component changes speak LOUDLY that Apple understands just how problematic the original MBA WAS... I WAS an original owner.
Again, early adopters seem to lose when it comes to Apple. But that is the way ALL technology is. It is just that the MBA was NOT advertised as Mac Lite. Had we all been used to overheating, installing Cool Book, problematic video performance, slow drive controllers/drives, and etc, it may have been okay to sell us an original MBA...
BUT being that we are all Mac users, we have certain requirements from a computer running Mac OS X. The MBA (revision B) IS a luxury computer. We get the luxury of ultra portability yet the performance of a real MacBook. This is the truth. The SSD changes the performance of the MBA completely. But everything changed the MBA from original to revision B.
The only thing people using a revised MBA need to truly be aware of, is the MBA is meant to be used as a wireless device which is the way the future of computers is going. Disks are a thing of the past. Ethernet is a thing of the past when it comes to portability... 802.11n is a perfectly capable standard. The lack of ports is simply what PORTABILITY is all about... NOTHING attached. A premium product that is cool and innovative and portable... the whole point of the MBA.
I think someone that ONLY experiences rev B as a personal computer for an extended length of time, will LOVE nearly every aspect of the MBA. I do. Someone that experienced the original MBA as their computer, and does a brief review of the revised MBA without using it as a daily computer, will NOT understand just how big the revisions are.
The revised MBA is a completely different computer. If someone is concerned about not having more ports or an ethernet port, they probably should have a desktop computer. Extreme portability comes at a price for everyone, but the revised MBA is a game changer and I believe the future of the MacBook.
I see a day when the MacBook is based upon the current MBA. A lighter more portable, but fully capable and performing Mac.
So leave the MBA if you want, but you are not doing yourself a favor if you haven't given the rev B MBA a chance. It is a real performing MacBook in ultra portable form.
Two cents.
My Rev B SSD makes noises sometimes that sound a little like a HDD, but I assume this must be the fan.
MBAs are all about comprimise, so if it's not for you (it's not for most), then selling is the way to go. Good luck with the MacBook. Hope you don't have to carry it around as much as I carry my air around.
MBAs are all about comprimise, so if it's not for you (it's not for most), then selling is the way to go. Good luck with the MacBook. Hope you don't have to carry it around as much as I carry my air around.
Sell it. The market is really good and you will not lose much of anything on it selling it. I just checked out the prices tonight and was disappointed they could not be picked up cheaply on eBay or Craig's List.
I just decided to add a second rev B MBA to my collection. I have decided to sell my unibody MB which I haven't used since the day I bought my rev B MBA. I have nearly $2k invested in it, and I thought it would be a great backup for my rev B MBA. But the truth is I don't need a second backup as that is what it has become. I don't use the backup unibody MB because it is so INFERIOR to my MBA when it comes to both performance and the display. I bought my kids a MBP v2,2 for cheap, and it is more capable of gaming and Windows with its dedicated graphics and MUCH MUCH nicer display. So the unibody MB has become unwanted for me. Much the opposite of our thread starter here.
Anyways, I was thinking of keeping the al. unibody MB in a drawer in my office, but what is the point... since I have a backup in the MBP. In addition, I was thinking of a Mac mini as a media server, but a rev B MBA could serve all purposes and still drive the 24" ACD I have. Best of all it's portable. The problem with my original MBA is my kids couldn't even use it for video playback. Maybe with the software patches and Cool Book it could do the job today, but it couldn't connect to my beautiful 24" ACD.
So, I am now thinking of a rev B MBA as a backup to my rev B MBA. I really LOVE my rev B MBA, and I really don't get how anyone could think it is anything but fast... at least with SSD for COMMON computing tasks. I don't get the point of moving away from a rev B MBA to a unibody MB, but I guess that isn't the point of this thread, we are not losing a rev B MBA owner from our community, we are losing an original MBA owner... BIG DIFFERENCE in my opinion no matter what people want to say about their refurbished MBAs.
1000$ is pretty good. i am in the market for a MBA but i'll probably wait a year or two - considering i am more than set with my current computing setup
While I did move from a Rev B MBA to a UMBP, I just decided it wasn't the right computer for me. There were some issues with it but nothing I've not experienced with other laptops, but not the reason I switched. The Rev B is by far the best ultra portable I've seen or used and can't imagine going to the UMB from the MBA. The MBA was very quick with the SSD, it just lacked some processing HP for me. BUT...
To the OP, I think your going to end up with similar issues with a UMB, you still have the same GPU, imo the screen looks worse and aside a few extra ports your MB will feel slower if your leaving a MBA with a SSD. I would be interested to hear a follow up on how you feel the performance comparison is?
I hope you ended up with the right machine for you though.
To the OP, I think your going to end up with similar issues with a UMB, you still have the same GPU, imo the screen looks worse and aside a few extra ports your MB will feel slower if your leaving a MBA with a SSD. I would be interested to hear a follow up on how you feel the performance comparison is?
I hope you ended up with the right machine for you though.
As an owner of both the MBA and the MB, I think you're making a bad decision. You're not going to listen to me but at least take a DVD movie to the store when you go to buy your MB and see what it looks like before you buy one. The screen is horrible. It's nothing compared to the MBA or the Macbook Pro screens.
I'm never buying another MB again until they improve the screen.
That's a shame what you say about the MB screen, I presume you mean the latest unibody MB?
My personal experience is that the unibody MB screen is far far far superior to the previous MB (white plastic) screens and (obviously!!!) my now ageing PB! It's even brighter/clearer than my C2D 20" iMac.
Now I DO KNOW that the unibody MB screen IS NOT as good/bright as the unibody MBP, but that's just a distinction between the two products in terms of consumer and prosumer, but I would still not call the MB screen bad.
I'm a big fan of the unibody MBs, but would love to have an MBA (rev B at least, obviously!) to see how it fairs. Either way I think it will stonk way past my 12" PB!
It's a shame you had to ditch the MBA, as others have said did you have the Rev A? Rev B seems to be the way forward and from what I've heard its a great machine when you actually get it for a purpose its designed for and not just a super-slim MBP, but I think the MB is a good machine still.
Set a rev B MBA next to a unibody MB and look at the difference in display quality. It will be obvious within SECONDS. However, to make yourself really understand, play ANY video on both at the same time, it doesn't even have to be HD.
I own both and I cannot believe how inferior the unibody MB display is. It is very washed out and is a dark grayish/purple instead of black where should be black. When I first bought the unibody MB, I thought it had a nice display, except the viewing angles were bad. It was only after truly comparing that I realized it wasn't just the viewing angles, the MB has a truly inferior display.
BUT, you get what you pay for. The MB is a consumer product. The MBA is a professional/executive type product.
In addition, someone else made comments that this user had SSD, but that doesn't even matter if it is a PATA controller as on the original MBA. The PATA controller is the constraint. This is why the rev B SSD is literally a game changer for the MBA. AND, the rev A MBA with SSD and 1.8 GHz, is easily outperformed at every level by the rev B MBA with 1.6 GHz and HDD. It's all in the controller...
Most people don't fully understand the differences between the two MBAs... and if only using the rev B MBA for a few minutes, and not truly comparing, I can understand how think it's probably same.
My rev B MBA is far SUPERIOR in every way to my unibody MB. In fact, I will give up the 2.4 GHz for my 1.86 GHz CPU any day of the week considering my rev B MBA has DOUBLE the L2 cache of the unibody MB. It makes a big difference if you research L2 cache you can understand how well it is respected to use MORE L2 cache for better CPU performance in accessing anything in cache. Whole system is complex but it is noted that even minor amounts of L2 cache help CPUs greatly, a double cache size is NOT double power or processing power NO, that is not what I am saying.
What I am saying is my 1.86 GHz MBA with 2 GB RAM and SSD outperforms BOTH a unibody MB with 2.4 GHz, 4 GB 1066 MHz RAM, and 7200 RPM 320 GB HDD AND a MacBook Pro v2,2 with 2.33 GHz CPU, 4 GB 667 MHz RAM, and 7200 RPM 320 GB HDD.
The rev B MBA seems faster for ALL NORMAL TASKS I use my Mac for. Boot ups happen in less than half the time. Apps open absolutely INSTANTLY in my MBA, and large files open effortlessly every time. I notice not little differences but BIG differences. The rev B is a completely different computer than the rev A, but I can see how a rev A MBA owner would LEAVE the MBA for a better unibody MB. The unibody MB will BLOW PAST the rev A MBA. It doesn't matter if the rev A MBA has SSD and 1.8 GHz CPU, the unibody MB will absolutely destroy it when it comes to performance. The same does NOT hold true with the new rev B MBA. It can hold its own against the MB and even MBP... the SSD is a game changer for the rev B MBA. It makes a bigger difference in speed than the CPU and etc.
But from someone that experienced the true nature of the original MBA, I can understand how hard it would be for a rev A MBA owner to understand just how different the rev B MBA is with SSD. I can understand that they may have SSD in a rev A and not understand that SSD is NOT THE SAME in both versions. PATA vs SATA-II controller.
I was very frustrated with my rev A MBA, and it took a lot of research, reading, and using several rev B MBAs for ample time to realize just how big the changes were - across the board!
To those who have experienced the original MBA and refuse to give the rev B a try, I completely understand. But in the end, the rev B MBA is a superior Mac and only the switchers from rev A MBAs to Unibody MBs are missing out. The ones that switch from a rev A MBA to a rev B MBA NEVER knew what they were missing, and are absolutely amazed by the differences.
This all is advice and logic for most people. There are stragglers and outliers who the "norm" does not apply to. I understand that not everyone is meant to be a rev B MBA buyer/owner, but for those who do, the reward is grand.
Go Apple Mac... whether it be a MB, MBP, MBA, MP, Mm, or iMac!
I own both and I cannot believe how inferior the unibody MB display is. It is very washed out and is a dark grayish/purple instead of black where should be black. When I first bought the unibody MB, I thought it had a nice display, except the viewing angles were bad. It was only after truly comparing that I realized it wasn't just the viewing angles, the MB has a truly inferior display.
BUT, you get what you pay for. The MB is a consumer product. The MBA is a professional/executive type product.
In addition, someone else made comments that this user had SSD, but that doesn't even matter if it is a PATA controller as on the original MBA. The PATA controller is the constraint. This is why the rev B SSD is literally a game changer for the MBA. AND, the rev A MBA with SSD and 1.8 GHz, is easily outperformed at every level by the rev B MBA with 1.6 GHz and HDD. It's all in the controller...
Most people don't fully understand the differences between the two MBAs... and if only using the rev B MBA for a few minutes, and not truly comparing, I can understand how think it's probably same.
My rev B MBA is far SUPERIOR in every way to my unibody MB. In fact, I will give up the 2.4 GHz for my 1.86 GHz CPU any day of the week considering my rev B MBA has DOUBLE the L2 cache of the unibody MB. It makes a big difference if you research L2 cache you can understand how well it is respected to use MORE L2 cache for better CPU performance in accessing anything in cache. Whole system is complex but it is noted that even minor amounts of L2 cache help CPUs greatly, a double cache size is NOT double power or processing power NO, that is not what I am saying.
What I am saying is my 1.86 GHz MBA with 2 GB RAM and SSD outperforms BOTH a unibody MB with 2.4 GHz, 4 GB 1066 MHz RAM, and 7200 RPM 320 GB HDD AND a MacBook Pro v2,2 with 2.33 GHz CPU, 4 GB 667 MHz RAM, and 7200 RPM 320 GB HDD.
The rev B MBA seems faster for ALL NORMAL TASKS I use my Mac for. Boot ups happen in less than half the time. Apps open absolutely INSTANTLY in my MBA, and large files open effortlessly every time. I notice not little differences but BIG differences. The rev B is a completely different computer than the rev A, but I can see how a rev A MBA owner would LEAVE the MBA for a better unibody MB. The unibody MB will BLOW PAST the rev A MBA. It doesn't matter if the rev A MBA has SSD and 1.8 GHz CPU, the unibody MB will absolutely destroy it when it comes to performance. The same does NOT hold true with the new rev B MBA. It can hold its own against the MB and even MBP... the SSD is a game changer for the rev B MBA. It makes a bigger difference in speed than the CPU and etc.
But from someone that experienced the true nature of the original MBA, I can understand how hard it would be for a rev A MBA owner to understand just how different the rev B MBA is with SSD. I can understand that they may have SSD in a rev A and not understand that SSD is NOT THE SAME in both versions. PATA vs SATA-II controller.
I was very frustrated with my rev A MBA, and it took a lot of research, reading, and using several rev B MBAs for ample time to realize just how big the changes were - across the board!
To those who have experienced the original MBA and refuse to give the rev B a try, I completely understand. But in the end, the rev B MBA is a superior Mac and only the switchers from rev A MBAs to Unibody MBs are missing out. The ones that switch from a rev A MBA to a rev B MBA NEVER knew what they were missing, and are absolutely amazed by the differences.
This all is advice and logic for most people. There are stragglers and outliers who the "norm" does not apply to. I understand that not everyone is meant to be a rev B MBA buyer/owner, but for those who do, the reward is grand.
Go Apple Mac... whether it be a MB, MBP, MBA, MP, Mm, or iMac!