$600 for 4GB, 500GB HD Lenovo. Did I just waste my money buying a Mac Air?

[KPOM]

as for $2300, I did not see, I did see the $1999 as you mentioned, which is $300 more than the top of the Air, I think it is fair enough, since practically everything got upgraded, including antiglare screen (now that even surpasses the Air).

The Vaio is $1969 with a 128GB SSD. With a 256GB SSD, 2.3GHz i5, and 4GB RAM, it is $2269. If you don't believe me, configure it for yourself.

And that's with Windows 7 Home Premium. If you want to connect to a corporate network, that's an extra $50.

That's $571 more than the most expensive MacBook Air. Yes, it has a higher resolution screen, is .4lbs lighter, and has the external media dock, but it is still $571 more. Engineering isn't free.

Having this "Adobe® Creative Software : Adobe Acrobat® Standard 9.0" does lure me into the laptop, because you literally get nothing when you purchase the Air, not even a reduced functionality MS Word like you mentioned.

That's the old version of Adobe. I've seen it for $99. It's nice that they include it, but again, not everyone needs it.

No, you don't get "nothing" with a Mac. You get iLife, and a fully functional e-mail reader with Exchange Server compatibility (something that no version of Windows 7 comes with out of the box). If you want iWork, it's $20 per program. Here's what Office Starter is: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/starter/

If you want advertising, and a crippled version of Word and Excel, fine, but if not, Office Home/Student is $120. iWork is $80 (or $40 if you just need Pages and Numbers).

So, is the Air just a hype? Some of you asked, why are you asking this in here? You know this is not the right place to ask, then again, if I ask it elsewhere, I will get the answer I want, and nobody will stubbornly debate me.

No, the Air isn't just hype. It's a nice mid-range ultraportable for a mid-range ultraportable price. It's the first ultraportable targeted to mainstream consumers. Unlike Sony (and even Apple itself with earlier versions of the Air), they didn't price it in the stratosphere. Naturally, the laws of physics and economics still hold, so of course it isn't as nicely equipped as the Sony, but it is still nicely equipped.

 

[kulimer]

This is incorrect. Basic wordprocessing, calendar, email, contact management, and PDF creation/annotation capabilities are all included out of the box. TextEdit / iCal / Mail / AddressBook / Preview. OpenOffice is available for Mac or PC for free also.

Keynote, Pages, and Numbers are all $20 each if you need presentation, full word-processing, and spreadsheet capability and OpenOffice doesn't do it for you. Or buy the full MS Office.

The six programs you mentioned are what I have on my smartphone programs. Not to dis, but LOL! My smart phone can handles them all, including OpenOffice.

By the way, why are you bring in OpenOffice in the picture? I will use my poker anecdote here.

Poke Anecdote
When you are playing poker, there's 3 communal cards, meaning everyone can use those 3 cards to make 5-card hand, so you can't say you have a good hands by pointing at those 3 cards.

It's really about the two cards you have in your hands against everybody else's hand. In this case, the OpenOffice is the 3 communal cards. (sorry those who don't play poker)

 

[deeddawg]

The six programs you mentioned are what I have on my smartphone programs.

You started by saying the functionality didn't exist. Now you try to dismiss it with no knowledge of the software capabilities.

Funny you mention smartphones. How well does that limited-capability version of Office work with your smartphone? The Mac apps do so very well.

OpenOffice mention was to illustrate the capabilities are available for any platform at no cost -- thereby completely eliminating any basis for your argument of enhanced value from the limited-functionality Office version. If you thought I mentioned it as an "advantage" to Mac, you didn't comprehend my post.

 

[KPOM]

The six programs you mentioned are what I have on my smartphone programs. Not to dis, but LOL! My smart phone can handles them all, including OpenOffice.

By the way, why are you bring in OpenOffice in the picture? I will use my poker anecdote here.

Office Starter is probably less powerful than Documents To Go that I have on my BlackBerry and Android phones (and it is littered with annoying advertising). Windows Live Mail can't talk to an Exchange server. My BlackBerry can. Does that mean Windows is less powerful, out of box, than my BlackBerry?

With all due respect, you appear to be very misinformed. Have you sold your MacBook Air yet? If not, why not?

 

[feflower]

I just bought a Mac Air 13", and saw the Lenovo website, Look at this, Lenovo is selling laptops for about $600(website below). You have

4GB ram
500GB Hard drive
intel Core i7, NOT i5
brand new windows 7
6 hrs battery
14" HD screen

I see what Mac is offering, but with that money, I can buy a Lenovo, use for a year, toss it in the trash, and still got money for another one. I am just like WOW.


Here is the website: http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...-category-id=9F4D9F1B85C24267B579D9A60A9BDD25

Yes--you wasted your money.

 

[MacinDoc]

I just saw this post, and thought I would share, it is quite a fair assessment. And I agree with what he/she said. Thanks for your input.

Well, it seems clear then that although the Air is not overpriced for what it is, it may not have been the best matched product for your particular needs.

So I guess you have to decide whether to sell it at a small loss and replace it with something less expensive, or keep it and continue to enjoy it.

 

[Razzz]

seems like the resale value of the mba has slipped your mind?

plus mba is much better looking and snappier,

 

[Young Spade]

seems like the resale value of the mba has slipped your mind?

plus mba is much better looking and snappier,

You have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[Lagmonster]

I can't get OSX running well on my work ThinkPads so until then, the Air is the way to go for me =)

I could have any ThinkPad I want at work. I would much prefer to just use my Air if I could.

 

[Abazigal]

Can you all just stop posting in this thread and let it die a natural death already?

 

[macjunk(ie)]

While I agree there are aspects of Mac OSX that I enjoy there are features that I miss from Windows (snap window feature for e.g.).

have u tried better touch tool ? It gives u the snap feature...

 

[kulimer]

I can't get OSX running well on my work ThinkPads so until then, the Air is the way to go for me =)

I could have any ThinkPad I want at work. I would much prefer to just use my Air if I could.

Want to have OSX on your Thinkpad for what? So, that you can run parallel and use Windows.

It's like saying "I dress myself before I go to bed so I can undress again, so that I get get dressed and then undress AGAIN." Ok, that sentence can keep on repeating, but you get the point, the keyword for that is: redundant.

I mean, there really is no need, I already mentioned the engineering program such as SAS, again that might not pertain to most users here, but when you need it, it's a pain.

Anyways, just my 2 cents since you brought it up.

 

[KPOM]

Want to have OSX on your Thinkpad for what? So, that you can run parallel and use Windows.

How about so I can run programs that are exclusive to OS X, such as FileMaker Pro, Final Cut, Bento, iLife, Aperture, and Osirix, among others?

 

[Pipper99]

Can you all just stop posting in this thread and let it die a natural death already?

You're right: let's stop feeding the monster. I'm going back to my blind Apple loyalty.

 

[kulimer]

How about so I can run programs that are exclusive to OS X, such as FileMaker Pro, Final Cut, Bento, iLife, Aperture, and Osirix, among others?

This one is on software review/comparison
I went over to a friend's iMac to try it out. I suppose there is no difference in the software between MacBook and iMac? As far as I see, these are photo editing software. Mac in general is good choice photo editing, I think even the Windows guys can agree with me.

Photoshop is also good if you don't use a Mac, I've had friends working at magazine and journal photo without a Mac.

But again, in the realms such as engineering and programming, Dos prompt anyone? Software support, Apple!!!

Mac do come with good photo editing programs, but gosh, I don't need any of that, do you got anything else good that comes with computer?

Then, I am sold to the apps store. More money, what? You've already got a good chunk of my wallet. This is another thing about OSX, stop sucking out my money. Similar with iphone.

In Windows, nothing is technically free, but you get pretty much everything for free. I think I'll miss that part of Windows.

 

[KPOM]

Then, I am sold to the apps store. This is another thing about OSX, why can't you get anything for free?

In Windows, nothing is technically free, but you get always get one for free. I think I'll miss that part of Windows, anyone agree with me?

There is plenty free on the Mac App Store. I think you'll see even more free or low-cost software on the Mac platform now that it is there. Of course, with 90% of the market, Windows will attract more casual developers, but the situation is improving on the OS X front.

 

[nebulos]

In Windows, nothing is technically free, but you get pretty much everything for free. I think I'll miss that part of Windows.

what he's talking about here is pirating software.

 

[kulimer]

There is plenty free on the Mac App Store. I think you'll see even more free or low-cost software on the Mac platform now that it is there. Of course, with 90% of the market, Windows will attract more casual developers, but the situation is improving on the OS X front.

The thing I find with with free Apple software is that, the free ones are usually useless, not saying there aren't good ones, but majority of the good ones cost quite a bit.

In another word, the Apple developer has been to smart about their price and marketing, they don't want to lose a penny, which scares the customers away. (iphone apps are examples that everyone knows)

On Windows's end, they didn't do such a good job, it's their loss, our gain. Again, you can't blame people for wanting free stuff. Of all seriousness, we all learned to appreciate that.

PS:
Back to the ideology of a rational consumer, in economics the term is, Ceteris paribus, meaning all things equal. You are always wanting the cheaper thing.

 

[iLoveiTunes]

nice try ...

Hey Nice ad lenevo folks... try again maybe you'll sell some units ...

 

[jsolares]

The thing I find with with free Apple software is that, the free ones are usually useless, not saying there aren't good ones, but majority of the good ones cost quite a bit.

In another word, the Apple developer has been to smart about their price and marketing, they don't want to lose a penny, which scares the customers away. (iphone apps are examples that everyone knows)

On Windows's end, they didn't do such a good job, it's their loss, our gain. Again, you can't blame people for wanting free stuff. Of all seriousness, we all learned to appreciate that.

PS:
Back to the ideology of a rational consumer, in economics the term is, Ceteris paribus, meaning all things equal. You are always wanting the cheaper thing.

Huh , because the free software in windows is all superb quality?

Dude seriously, what are you smoking?, most of the good free software is available for both platforms, and all great software cost a lot both in windows and osx...

 

[Young Spade]

Huh , because the free software in windows is all superb quality?

Dude seriously, what are you smoking?, most of the good free software is available for both platforms, and all great software cost a lot both in windows and osx...

I did SO MUCH with my computer before I spent one dime; it wasn't until I actually got the gift card that I spent money, and I only spent 50 bucks so far.

If you know where to look, and of course, you actually want the right things, you can get so much for free; i'm using so many small programs that I would have never even thought of using during my entire time with Windows.

 

[Beanoir]

I quite like my Lenevo, it's perfect for the tasks I need it it to do, and takes a lot more abuse than the MBA does. Its a work horse, pretty much what it was designed to do.

 

[Yebubbleman]

I just bought a Mac Air 13", and saw the Lenovo website, Look at this, Lenovo is selling laptops for about $600(website below). You have

4GB ram
500GB Hard drive
intel Core i7, NOT i5
brand new windows 7
6 hrs battery
14" HD screen

I see what Mac is offering, but with that money, I can buy a Lenovo, use for a year, toss it in the trash, and still got money for another one. I am just like WOW.


Here is the website: http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...-category-id=9F4D9F1B85C24267B579D9A60A9BDD25

Edit: I actually didn't factor in the cost of Apple Apps, since for windows you pretty much get everything for free after buying to laptop, even though it is not.

The MacBook Air is a terrible value unless thin and light are must-haves for you. For most people, that's not the case in which case a 13" MacBook Pro will always be a better value than a 13" MacBook Air. Given that, you're pretty much comparing apples and oranges. If you want to compare the 13" Pro to your Lenovo, then yes, the Lenovo will (also) always be cheaper. Apple's laptops don't really leave the realm of egregiously expensive until you get to the 15" MacBook Pro at which point, you're only paying $300-400 more for the Apple laptop, which when you factor in the Unibody engineering, is completely reasonable.

 

[Icaras]

The MacBook Air is a terrible value unless thin and light are must-haves for you.

Are you still trying to grasp for straws now that the White Macbook got axed? The MBA is a great value to a whole lot of customers. You don't have to look further than sales numbers and Apple's high customer satisfaction rate.

I remember in my previous debate with you, i argued that the White Macbook would eventually get discontinued, surely looking at recent market trends, while you were extremely quick to shoot that notion down, saying if any Macbook product would go, it would be the 13" MBP. Well, here we are today, and look which Macbook is on top.

To exclude the qualities of being ultra-thin and light from the Air's lists of strengths is a huge oversight and is why recent sales and market trends have contradicted your opinion of what you consider to be of value. Numbers aren't everything, if you haven't figured that out by now already.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Are you still trying to grasp for straws now that the White Macbook got axed?

Nice assumption there. No, the white MacBook lacked FireWire 800 and Thunderbolt and thusly lacked Target Disk Mode which is an absolute must-have for me; I mourn its loss for those who want to pay $1000 and actually get a full-featured Mac complete with an optical drive, expandable (and thusly, replaceable) RAM, an ethernet port and a CPU that isn't scaled down as to not overheat in such a small thermal envelope.

The MBA is a great value to a whole lot of customers. You don't have to look further than sales numbers and Apple's high customer satisfaction rate.

Cool story, bro. Again, unless weight, size, and Blade SSDs are a must, you are spending more for less computer, that you cannot argue against because a quick trip to the Apple Online Store (or any Authorized third-party reseller) will prove any argument against that to be wrong.

I remember in my previous debate with you, i argued that the White Macbook would eventually get discontinued, surely looking at recent market trends, while you were extremely quick to shoot that notion down, saying if any Macbook product would go, it would be the 13" MBP. Well, here we are today, and look which Macbook is on top.

You were right, I was wrong. Is your ego satisfied now?

To exclude the qualities of being ultra-thin and light from the Air's lists of strengths is a huge oversight and is why recent sales and market trends have contradicted your opinion of what you consider to be of value. Numbers aren't everything, if you haven't figured that out by now already.

13" Pro sells more than either MacBook Air model. Always has. Also, I'm not excluding ultra-thin and ultra-light from the Air's list of strengths. On the contrary, I'm highlighting them as the only significant reasons to buy one of those instead of a 13" Pro as again, any other reason for doing so is pretty dumb, which doesn't negate your point of many people buying them (as many people are dumb).