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Just got my 13" i7 Macbook Air

S

scottlu13

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 22, 2007
31
26
Just dropped into the Bondi Apple store on my lunch break to get the 13" i5 because i didn't want to wait a week for the i7.

Just realised I left the store with an i7... Thought i overpaid, but no... Pretty happy about that!

So if your keen for an i7 it's probably worth ringing around the stores to see if they have any??



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The only differences in the new 13" and the 2010 Ultimate 13" are the i7 Processor (clocked at a slower frequency), the non-dedicated Intel Integrated 3000 graphics which is sub-par with the 320M (and takes away from your 4GB of RAM), Thunderbolt Port (aren't too many Thunderbolt devices as of now), and the nifty backlit keyboard that you would only use in a dark room or at night.

Everything else on the 2010 models is the same, and some of the specs (such as the graphics card) are even better. Mine has 4GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, webcam, and 1440x900 resolution (same display) as well.

So basically the three things you would trading up to with the new models are a beefier Sandy Bridge processor, Thunderbolt Port, and a Backlit keyboard (and that is it).

Anyways, congratulations on your purchase and enjoy your new MBA!
 
WardC said:
The only differences in the new 13" and the 2010 Ultimate 13" are the i7 Processor (clocked at a slower frequency), the non-dedicated Intel Integrated 3000 graphics which is sub-par with the 320M (and takes away from your 4GB of RAM), Thunderbolt Port (aren't too many Thunderbolt devices as of now), and the nifty backlit keyboard that you would only use in a dark room or at night.

Everything else on the 2010 models is the same, and some of the specs (such as the graphics card) are even better. Mine has 4GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, webcam, and 1440x900 resolution (same display) as well.

So basically the three things you would trading up to with the new models are a beefier Sandy Bridge processor, Thunderbolt Port, and a Backlit keyboard (and that is it).

Anyways, congratulations on your purchase and enjoy your new MBA!
Click to expand...

Just admit the new one's a better machine, graphics aside.
 
Scottlu13: Congrats!
Can you run Geekbench for us?
Or confirm the make of the harddrive?
Confirm hyperthreading and turboboost?


Thanks!
 
WardC said:
The only differences in the new 13" and the 2010 Ultimate 13" are the i7 Processor (clocked at a slower frequency), the non-dedicated Intel Integrated 3000 graphics which is sub-par with the 320M (and takes away from your 4GB of RAM), Thunderbolt Port (aren't too many Thunderbolt devices as of now), and the nifty backlit keyboard that you would only use in a dark room or at night.

Everything else on the 2010 models is the same, and some of the specs (such as the graphics card) are even better. Mine has 4GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, webcam, and 1440x900 resolution (same display) as well.

So basically the three things you would trading up to with the new models are a beefier Sandy Bridge processor, Thunderbolt Port, and a Backlit keyboard (and that is it).

Anyways, congratulations on your purchase and enjoy your new MBA!
Click to expand...

Someone's jealous...
 
No, I just didn't realize that there wasn't all that much upgraded with the new models. Only three things, really.

...and the 1333MHz RAM if you add that too.

But, I am sure the new i7 model MBA could probably render a video project in about half the time as the previous fastest 2.13GHz Core2Duo model. The i7 Sandy Bridge is a much, much faster chip, I will agree to that, you are talking 3250 vs 6500 in Geekbench (twice the numbers here).

Yes, I am jealous, you are right. I want that light-up keyboard!!!
 
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Mase2000 said:
Scottlu13: Congrats!
Can you run Geekbench for us?
Or confirm the make of the harddrive?
Confirm hyperthreading and turboboost?


Thanks!
Click to expand...

Sure, will get onto it tonight, after work.
 
WardC said:
The only differences in the new 13" and the 2010 Ultimate 13" are the i7 Processor (clocked at a slower frequency), the non-dedicated Intel Integrated 3000 graphics which is sub-par with the 320M (and takes away from your 4GB of RAM), Thunderbolt Port (aren't too many Thunderbolt devices as of now), and the nifty backlit keyboard that you would only use in a dark room or at night.

Everything else on the 2010 models is the same, and some of the specs (such as the graphics card) are even better. Mine has 4GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, webcam, and 1440x900 resolution (same display) as well.

So basically the three things you would trading up to with the new models are a beefier Sandy Bridge processor, Thunderbolt Port, and a Backlit keyboard (and that is it).

Anyways, congratulations on your purchase and enjoy your new MBA!
Click to expand...

The fact that the new SB processors are clocked lower than the C2D ones doesn't mean anything when their performance, at least according to GeekBench, is 2x of the C2D model. It's like saying a Pentium 4 3.4 ghz is worse than a i7 930 at 2.8ghz... the i7 will run circles around the pentium 4.


Anyways, I'm with Mase2000 - Scott, would you be able to download and install GeekBench for us and run the benchmark? I think many users here on the board are anxious to find out how much more performance the i7 1.8 ghz has over the i5 1.7 ghz :cool:. Here's a link to GeekBench: http://www.primatelabs.ca/geekbench/download/
 
The 2011's graphics might be worse, but in the field, you'll do better with the 2011 than the 2010. That's because the combined benefit of the Sandy Bridge processor and the HD3000 will outdo the C2D and 320m. That seems to be what the released metrics are saying. Yes, the HD3000 sucks because we could have had better, but this is what we've got; it's slightly better, just not leaps and bounds better.
 
scottlu13 said:
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Sure, will get onto it tonight, after work.
Click to expand...

Thanks man! Look forward to the results.
 
WardC said:
The only differences in the new 13" and the 2010 Ultimate 13" are the i7 Processor (clocked at a slower frequency), the non-dedicated Intel Integrated 3000 graphics which is sub-par with the 320M (and takes away from your 4GB of RAM), Thunderbolt Port (aren't too many Thunderbolt devices as of now), and the nifty backlit keyboard that you would only use in a dark room or at night.

Everything else on the 2010 models is the same...
Click to expand...

LOL. :p.

Those are pretty important parts of a laptop, no? What other changes in components were you hoping for? Spinners?

The one thing I wish they included was at least one USB3 port. I don't have any USB3 devices, but surely I'm going to make a purchase in the future that's USB 3 compatible (new camera, harddisk, display, etc), and it would have been nice to have 1 of the 2 ports be compatible. Oh well. I'm still getting the 11". ;)
 
What's the most mundane task that makes the cooling fan in your new MBA ramp up to anything louder than quiet? How about if the MBA is sitting on your lap?
 
Get it to login to EvE Online and sit in the Captains Quarters if anything will turn a computer into a thermonuclear reaction, it's that!
 
The whole 2010 MBA IGP vs 2011 MBA IGP debate is just annoying. I don't think it should factor into anyone's purchasing/upgrading decision really.

Think about it. It's an IGP on an ultralight laptop. We already know its basic limitations as such and thinking an edge in either direction is going to matter is just plain nonsense. Yes there are benchmarks, but in practical applications, the faster overall spec of the 2011 models will ensure any difference in IGP performance is irrelevant.

The only people who are adamant on this issue are those who are desperately trying to justify gaming on their Air. xx FPS in <somegame>? Good for you! But are you really enjoying it? Last I checked most top tier games recommend (read: required to enjoy) discrete graphics.

Benchmarks aside, I'm still not convinced which IGP is better/worse and I really could care less. Sure, I bought a new 11-inch MBA, but it could have come with either IGP and I still would have purchased it.
 
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I would love to see who the mfr of the 256 ssd was
 
Actually I was expecting 4GB of RAM to be standard, with an option for 8GB. I was also expecting Apple to expand the maximum SSD capacity to 512GB, and possibly use processors that are more in the range of MacBook Pro-level. Also was hoping They would go with a Radeon Mobility and not with Intel HD 3000. Also expecting SDXC card slot on the 13" ---

But in reality most of this is not possible, but I was expecting 4GB of RAM standard with 8GB as an option, and Apple to nix the 64GB model and start the entry model as 128GB SSD.
 
WardC said:
Actually I was expecting 4GB of RAM to be standard, with an option for 8GB. I was also expecting Apple to expand the maximum SSD capacity to 512GB, and possibly use processors that are more in the range of MacBook Pro-level. Also was hoping They would go with a Radeon Mobility and not with Intel HD 3000. Also expecting SDXC card slot on the 13" ---

But in reality most of this is not possible, but I was expecting 4GB of RAM standard with 8GB as an option, and Apple to nix the 64GB modem and start the entry model as 128GB SSD.
Click to expand...

Put some senses into your head. How long have you been an Apple user? You know the way they do business: stepping, not all-out upgrades. Otherwise what do they have next year? :)

And I'm curious if you're better than Apple engineers because even them can't put a dedicated graphic chip in that small enclosure.

I'm a 2010 Air 11" user myself, and I know the frustation. But bear with it, that's how technology has been and will be. :)
 
Okay, admitted -- I was dreaming a bit (quite a lot).

I think the advances are great...I am glad they have finally put the MacBook Air on par with a better-than-C2D processor and Thunderbolt will give the MacBook Air some great options for doubling as a desktop replacement.

That new Thunderbolt Display does look nice!
 
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