An example of what I don't want: this laptop from System76 that is specced exactly like I want it, but that probably lasts 2 hours on a battery (52Wh for real? At least you can swap the battery...). On the other hand, if the rMBP gets the same graphics as the Air that would be very sad too.
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13" MacBook Air Review Roundup: Apple's Battery Claims Appear Accurate, SSD and Graphics Drive Performance Increases
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An example of what I don't want: this laptop from System76 that is specced exactly like I want it, but that probably lasts 2 hours on a battery (52Wh for real? At least you can swap the battery...). On the other hand, if the rMBP gets the same graphics as the Air that would be very sad too.
I think a new MBA is in my future towards the fall time. I took my rMBP 13 back because the UI lag was getting on my nerves, but I also don't need a powerful laptop to cart along with me. MBA 11 or 13 would be perfect to do some small work with when I'm out shooting .. bigger screen than the 3" on my DSLR!
There is no doubt that the battery life number was the stand out announcement in the WWDC keynote.
Almost 13 hours in the Engadget battery test. Stagnating, my arse.
Haswell + MBA + Mavericks = 12+ hours
Haswell + MBP + Mavericks =
we need details
thank youwe need it like hmmmm this fall
Actually, that was Haswell + MBA + Mountain Lion.
You should see some improvement from using Mavericks, and a bit later more improvements because Mavericks shows you exactly which apps on your Mac are energy hogs, which will put pressure on developers to be more careful with energy use.
That wasn't really a review; it was a competition "how fast can we discharge the batteries".
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True, but they also generally conclude that it is a design that works well and "if it ain't broke..."
I've been shopping around for ultraportables to compete with the Air, and while many other devices offer better features, they seem to lack the overall fit and finish that Macs are renowned for.
Take for example the new Sony Vaio Pro 11 and 13, which are thinner, lighter, have higher resolution screens (and touch screens!) and specwise seem to beat out the Air... except that, hmm, that keyboard seems to flex too much and the trackpad isn't always responsive. Oh, and the WiFi sometimes disconnects.
I think I'd rather have a slightly-outdated Mac that works all the time rather than a Windows machine with cutting edge specs but has issues with the build or quality or software drivers.
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Wow.
If there were a way to drop another 512GB into the models already with 512GB, I'd dump my Hackintosh and any intentions of going with an iMac or Mac Pro and upgrade from my 2011 13" Air. Serious bumps in performance across the board.
My wife is looking at upgrading her 2008 MBP, so with this it might be time to upgrade across the board!
BL.
If there were a way to drop another 512GB into the models already with 512GB, I'd dump my Hackintosh and any intentions of going with an iMac or Mac Pro and upgrade from my 2011 13" Air. Serious bumps in performance across the board.
My wife is looking at upgrading her 2008 MBP, so with this it might be time to upgrade across the board!
BL.
Yes, and that was with Mountain Lion. Mavericks should increase battery life even further.
Yup.
Either the "Similar Windows machines" claim is made by Macrumors, or laptop magazine changed it. It currently reads "By comparison..." then lists the laptops
The Sony VAIO Pro 13 which netted 30 fps @ 1280x1024 uses a Intel HD4400
The ativ 9 and xps13 @ 1366 x 768 netted 33fps, both use an Intel HD4000
Its odd they don't mention the Acer Aspire S7-391-9886. it pushes 30fps at 1920x1080 and 41 fps @ 1366 x 768 using the HD4000
I've had my 13" Air w 8GB RAM and 512GB HD for a day and a half now, and I kept it powered on all day yesterday, closing the lid when I didn't need to be on the computer. After 13 hours, I still had more than 50% charge on my battery. That's pretty amazing.
Benchmarks aside, this Air feels very speedy. I'm replacing a 3 year old 15" MacBook Pro with hi-res matte screen (which I loved), and I'll gladly take the drop in screen size and resolution for this lightweight portable with such great battery life. Just my 2 cents.
Benchmarks aside, this Air feels very speedy. I'm replacing a 3 year old 15" MacBook Pro with hi-res matte screen (which I loved), and I'll gladly take the drop in screen size and resolution for this lightweight portable with such great battery life. Just my 2 cents.