Anyone else think MacBook Air ...

[Scepticalscribe]

Good gosh I hope they don't kill off the Air, or bump the screen res. That Retina MacBook is a joke - it's not powerful enough to be a highness computer, and not cheap enough to an entry-level.

I genuinely don't understand how anyone with half a brain can talk themselves into buying one. People buy it because they're either misinformed or want bling-bling.

Agree completely.

Or, possibly, thirdly, they have been seduced by Apple's advertising into thinking that they have the latest, the coolest, and the best.

To be honest, the Retina MB reminds me a little of the first generation Airs. They looked terrific, - with a fantastic form factor - but were massively over-priced and even more massively underpowered with a very limited memory. (Remember that first SSD? It came with only 64GB, while the standard HDD - the alternative and slightly cheaper model - offered 80HDD).

I remember handling one with awe and having been bowled over by the lightness of the machine (while loving the aluminium body) and being enormously impressed with the superb form factor. But I made up my mind that I would only switch to it when Apple offered more - more power, more memory.

Eventually, over the generations and iterations of the MBA, it gradually happened. My original MBA, the one I bought in September 2010, the so called 'Rev C' was by far the best of the early MBAs. However, while it continued to improve as the years passed, it took a huge leap forward with the upgrades of 2013; that was when it became a superlative machine, by far the best computer currently on offer if you value that combination of portability and power.

 

[nebo1ss]

Agree completely.

Or, possibly, thirdly, they have been seduced by Apple's advertising into thinking that they have the latest, the coolest, and the best.

To be honest, the Retina MB reminds me a little of the first generation Airs. They looked terrific, - with a fantastic form factor - but were massively over-priced and even more massively underpowered with a very limited memory. (Remember that first SSD? It came with only 64GB, while the standard HDD - the alternative and slightly cheaper model - offered 80HDD).

I remember handling one with awe and having been bowled over by the lightness of the machine (while loving the aluminium body) and being enormously impressed with the superb form factor. But I made up my mind that i would only switch to it when Apple offered mire - more power, more memory.

Eventually, over the generations and iterations of the MBA, it gradually happened. My original MBA, the one I bought in September 2010, the so called 'Rev C' was by far the best of the early MBAs. However, while it continued to improve as the years passed, it took a huge leap forward with the upgrades of 2013; that was when it became a superlative machine, by far the best computer currently on offer if you value that combination of portability and power.

Agree, i was late coming to the Air only replacing my 15 inch Macbook Pro, 12 or so months ago. It is not only an excellent laptop but I have not picked up my IPAD since acquiring one.

 

[andreyush]

Agree completely.

To be honest, the Retina MB reminds me a little of the first generation Airs. They looked terrific, - with a fantastic form factor - but were massively over-priced and even more massively underpowered with a very limited memory. (Remember that first SSD? It came with only 64GB, while the standard HDD - the alternative and slightly cheaper model - offered 80HDD).
.

That's the idea. The rMB it's not terrific! Because comparing to MBA the difference in lenght, weight etc. it's not so big. The only thing is that it has retina display and USB-C. But it's underpower, it has just one port and it offers you so little for too much money. The first Airs have shocked the technology but the rMB definitely not (yet)!

Agree completely.

Or, possibly, thirdly, they have been seduced by Apple's advertising into thinking that they have the latest, the coolest, and the best.
.

Very well said.

 

[kiwipeso1]

Good gosh I hope they don't kill off the Air, or bump the screen res. That Retina MacBook is a joke - it's not powerful enough to be a highness computer, and not cheap enough to an entry-level.

I genuinely don't understand how anyone with half a brain can talk themselves into buying one. People buy it because they're either misinformed or want bling-bling.

I'm inclined to agree that the screen res is fine as is on the current MBA, if they do a 15" then a 1920 x 1200 would be logical and works for Full HD video which would be the only reasonable reason to go larger.
I guess we all get to wait a fortnight to see what's announced with the Skylake processors.

 

[Melrose]

I'm inclined to agree that the screen res is fine as is on the current MBA, if they do a 15" then a 1920 x 1200 would be logical and works for Full HD video which would be the only reasonable reason to go larger.
I guess we all get to wait a fortnight to see what's announced with the Skylake processors.

The screen res on the Air is perfectly fine; I truthfully believe it's only an issue for people who have bought into a measure of hype. Don't get me wrong, Retina displays are beautiful - just not necessary, and certainly they don't make a non-Retina display look bad.

People who tell you you NEED retina are also misinformed... The thing is, I use my Air in two situations: (a) At home, and (b) on the go. I'll break those down as to why the screen res isn't a problem. (a)When I'm at home, my Air powers a 21" HD external monitor without so much as a flinch, so no problems at home on the resolution front. I'd be more irritated over the actual size of the screen than it's resolution, but even then the size isn't that bad, honestly. (b) When I'm on the move, in a coffee shop or whatever, I value battery life far, far, far, far, ad infinitum more than the resolution. In the end, even when I was using my Air without the monitor hooked up the resolution still didn't bother me at all.

I mean, I'm not a photographer - I'm a programmer. After I had mentioned that Retina wouldn't help me write code any better, I had some Retina geek try and tell me it would the difference....... really? :?

Me: GODAM*IT WHY WON'T MY F*****IN' CODE WORK!!

Resolution Geek: Hey there my good chap, try this *hands me his rMB*

Resolution Geek: *sips triple-shot double mocha half-caf extra-hot extra foam-and-calories strawberry coconut blueberry banana cappuccino while adjusting silly oversized black framed Dorkster™ Brand glasses while piously observing over my shoulder.*

Me: Oh Gosh alive my holy goodness with chocolate unicorn droppings on top! It works! That linear self-contained class instatiation that runs the loop to parse all the API data from user locations because the moon is in the 7th House is working like a charm! Thank you, Retina display!

I mean really....

 

[Closingracer]

The screen res on the Air is wonderful; people who tell you you NEED retina are also misinformed... The thing is, I use my Air in two situations: (a) At home, and (b) on the go. I'll break those down as to why the screen res isn't a problem. (a)When I'm at home, my Air powers a 21" HD external monitor without so much as a flinch, so no problems at home on the resolution front. I'd be more irritated over the actual size of the screen than it's resolution, but even then the size isn't that bad, honestly. (b) When I'm on the move, in a coffee shop or whatever, I value battery life far, far, far, far, ad infinitum more than the resolution. In the end, even when I was using my Air without the monitor hooked up the resolution still didn't bother me at all.

I mean, I'm not a photographer - I'm a programmer. After I had mentioned that Retina wouldn't help me write code any better, I had some Retina geek try and tell me it would the difference....... really? :?

Me: GODAM*IT WHY WON'T MY F*****IN' CODE WORK!!

Resolution Geek Hey there my good chap, try this *hands me his rMB*

Me: Oh Gosh alive my holy goodness with chocolate unicorn droppings on top! It works! That linear self-contained class instatiation that runs the loop to parse all the API data from user locations because the moon is in the 7th House is working like a charm! Thank you, Retina display!

I mean really....

I'm no res geek but the screen is still pretty poor..... 1400x900? Plus it's a TN panel? No thanks. It wouldn't be that difficult to have a screen close to 1920x1080p and an IPS display. And from what I've read the 13 inch Macbook Pro with retina display lasts as long if not LONGER than the 13 inch Air with better specs and the better screen.....

 

[Melrose]

I'm no res geek but the screen is still pretty poor..... 1400x900? Plus it's a TN panel? No thanks. It wouldn't be that difficult to have a screen close to 1920x1080p and an IPS display. And from what I've read the 13 inch Macbook Pro with retina display lasts as long if not LONGER than the 13 inch Air with better specs and the better screen.....

I guess I liked non-Retina displays before they were cool.

 

[Closingracer]

I guess I liked non-Retina displays before they were cool.

They were never cool..... A 1400x900 resolution is just weird. Not that difficult to have a 1080p screen or close to it since it is a 16:10 screen. For $999 you can get ultrabooks for less money and full HD screens. From what I've seen the Dell XPS 13 has around the same battery life and the base model has a 1080p screen at $799. I am platform agnostic and while I love my Macbook Pro I also love my window devices which I have had my while life. I did consider the Air since it would be better for school but I don't want to deal with the poor screen. If they used IPS I might of tolerated it but not with a TN panel at that res. My gaming laptop has a TN panel but it's 1080p which has decent viewing angles and the colors are pretty good considering its a TN panel. Anything below 1080p with a TN panel is pretty poor imo.




All this being said it's not a piss poor screen but at the price they are selling it I rather go a but higher and get the Macbook Pro 13 inch.

 

[Closingracer]

Or the retina Macbook





For some reason Tapatalk refuses to let me edit my posts.

 

[Melrose]

They were never cool..... A 1400x900 resolution is just weird. Not that difficult to have a 1080p screen or close to it since it is a 16:10 screen. For $999 you can get ultrabooks for less money and full HD screens. From what I've seen the Dell XPS 13 has around the same battery life and the base model has a 1080p screen at $799. I am platform agnostic and while I love my Macbook Pro I also love my window devices which I have had my while life. I did consider the Air since it would be better for school but I don't want to deal with the poor screen. If they used IPS I might of tolerated it but not with a TN panel at that res. My gaming laptop has a TN panel but it's 1080p which has decent viewing angles and the colors are pretty good considering its a TN panel. Anything below 1080p with a TN panel is pretty poor imo.

All this being said it's not a piss poor screen but at the price they are selling it I rather go a but higher and get the Macbook Pro 13 inch.

A Dell XPS is no MacBook Air.

I'd also try to explain the oxymoronic sense of subtle, deadpan humor in my last post but apparently it would be amiss.

 

[Closingracer]

A Dell XPS is no MacBook Air.

I'd also try to explain the oxymoronic sense of subtle, deadpan humor in my last post but apparently it would be amiss.

Your right it isn't...it's better. About the SAME battery life but better specs and better screen. I'm not tied to OS X and if I had to choose a laptop under $1,000 your better off with a Dell XPS 13 then a Macbook Air. This is also assuming your platform agnostic.

 

[Closingracer]

In 2016 a 1400x900 resolution with a TN panel is unacceptable in today's standards. You're much better off buying a 13 inch Macbook Pro with retina display for $300 more and the weight difference isn't that much.

 

[Melrose]

Your right it isn't...it's better. About the SAME battery life but better specs and better screen. I'm not tied to OS X and if I had to choose a laptop under $1,000 your better off with a Dell XPS 13 then a Macbook Air. This is also assuming your platform agnostic.

This is hardly the thread to begin the discussion of operating system superiority based on personal experiences.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

In 2016 a 1400x900 resolution with a TN panel is unacceptable in today's standards. You're much better off buying a 13 inch Macbook Pro with retina display for $300 more and the weight difference isn't that much.

Sorry, but for those who argue that 'the weight difference isn't that much', please don't dismiss the experience and the fact that to some of us (including the middle aged female that I am), portability, comfort and ease when carrying weight is a huge issue.

The main reason I declined to buy another MBP is that the one I had - while a splendid computer, - was a real pain to carry around; it was just too heavy to be comfortable, whereas the MBA is perfect - shove it in a briefcase and it is good to go. The terrific battery life is wonderful, too; it means if I am out for a day I don't have to worry about carrying its peripherals (which add to the weight) with me, as the battery will give me a day's worth of power easily.
[doublepost=1457450792][/doublepost]

Your right it isn't...it's better. About the SAME battery life but better specs and better screen. I'm not tied to OS X and if I had to choose a laptop under $1,000 your better off with a Dell XPS 13 then a Macbook Air. This is also assuming your platform agnostic.

As @Melrose has already pointed out, this is not the thread to discuss differing opinions on OS systems.

However, I will point out that purchasing a computer for under $1,000 is not my main goal here, whereas obtaining the best computer I can in terms of style, power and portability is.

 

[andreyush]

In 2016 a 1400x900 resolution with a TN panel is unacceptable in today's standards. You're much better off buying a 13 inch Macbook Pro with retina display for $300 more and the weight difference isn't that much.

I repeat ! In 2016 many people doesn't give a flock about the resolution! Most of people doesn't know what a good resolution mean !!! They just take a look at one HD video on youtube and then they will buy it. On this forum on the other side many members think that the if the resolution it's not retina or something full HD THEN THE DEVICE IS UNACCEPTABLE and the user is incapacitated to USE IT.
I am a retina user and I still have this opinion. Macbook Air have an acceptable resolution to do everything with it.

 

[Closingracer]

I repeat ! In 2016 many people doesn't give a flock about the resolution! Most of people doesn't know what a good resolution mean !!! They just take a look at one HD video on youtube and then they will buy it. On this forum on the other side many members think that the if the resolution it's not retina or something full HD THEN THE DEVICE IS UNACCEPTABLE and the user is incapacitated to USE IT.
I am a retina user and I still have this opinion. Macbook Air have an acceptable resolution to do everything with it.

Lol..... The TN panel is horrible.....specially at the price tag that they are selling it for. $999 and a sub HD TN panel? It is unacceptable at $999

 

[Closingracer]

This is hardly the thread to begin the discussion of operating system superiority based on personal experiences.

What platform superiority? If your looking for a THIN computer and want it under $1,000 and don't care for platform the Dell XPS 13 flat out beats the Macbook Air in every way. Better screen and better specs and around the same battery life. As I said the only reason to get a Macbook Air is if you PREFER OS X.....

 

[Closingracer]

Sorry, but for those who argue that 'the weight difference isn't that much', please don't dismiss the experience and the fact that to some of us (including the middle aged female that I am), portability, comfort and ease when carrying weight is a huge issue.

The main reason I declined to buy another MBP is that the one I had - while a splendid computer, - was a real pain to carry around; it was just too heavy to be comfortable, whereas the MBA is perfect - shove it in a briefcase and it is good to go. The terrific battery life is wonderful, too; it means if I am out for a day I don't have to worry about carrying its peripherals (which add to the weight) with me, as the battery will give me a day's worth of power easily.
[doublepost=1457450792][/doublepost]

As @Melrose has already pointed out, this is not the thread to discuss differing opinions on OS systems.

However, I will point out that purchasing a computer for under $1,000 is not my main goal here, whereas obtaining the best computer I can in terms of style, power and portability is.

What opinion? It's a fact the Dell XPS 13 is the better computer if you are looking at screen and power and it's $200 dollars less than the Macbook Air 13. If your goal was to buy the best computer in terms of power style and portability the Dell XPS 13 is the best laptop in this class. I thought of getting an Air but with the TN panel and 1400x900 res it looks like crap at the price point they were selling it for. If they sold the Macbook Air 13 at $799 then I might change my tone but at $999 it's at a price point I woukd point everybody who once again Is platforn agnostic to go look at the Dell XPS 13.*



*personally I wouldn't touch a Dell product in my life based on my experience with then years ago....
[doublepost=1457465902][/doublepost]The Macbook Pro 13 inch with retina display is 3.48 pounds or 1.58 kg. The Macbook Air 13 is 2.96 Pounds or 1.35kg. The Macbook pro can also be easily put into a briefcase just as much as the Air 13. My argument is solely based on the 13 models. If you want to talk about the 11 inch I would then say the Macbook with Retina display is the better computer and I believe Bestbuy is selling it now at $999 which is $100 more then the 11 Air which is $899.

 

[Melrose]

Well this discussion is going no where in a big, big hurry.

I'm out.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well this discussion is going no where in a big, big hurry.

I'm out.

That is because, @Melrose, my friend, you clearly labour under get delusion that it is a discussion, rather than an argument where one can be bludgeoned into submission.

Some here are rather attached to the MBA, and I count myself among them. Anyway, mine was a CTO, which came with 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD and a Core of i7, and I stand by my view that it is the best computer I have ever owned, hitting that sweet spot of power, portability, durability, terrific battery life, and some style, and - for now - I am not about to change my mind.

 

[navaira]

If your goal was to buy the best computer in terms of power style and portability the Dell XPS 13 is the best laptop in this class.

Is it Hackintoshable? Because if not, I'm keeping my unacceptable display Air.

 

[Closingracer]

Is it Hackintoshable? Because if not, I'm keeping my unacceptable display Air.

Not my problem. You can keep it. I on the hand will keep my Macbook Pro 13 inch with Retina display which lasts longer than the Aires quoted time. Sole reason why I got the pro over the Air is because of the Air's screen.

 

[capathy21]

This has been an interesting thread to read through. I had and sold a 2013, 13 inch MacBook Air. It was probably my favorite computer of all time. That being said, I switched to the rMB for two reasons.

1) Display-It is 2016 and nothing can change the fact that the Air has a horrible display. After using my iPhone 6S Plus and my iPad, the Air's TN panel made me cringe. Don't get me wrong the Air is a great machine, but the display became an absolute deal breaker. It had nothing to do with marketing or hype or anything else. It's glaringly obvious how bad the display is compared to 90 percent of all other electronic devices we use. About six months ago a friend of mine decided to purchase his first MacBook. He went to Best Buy to look and I told him to look at all models before deciding. I told him the benefits of the Air over the other options and his reaction was "no way will I spend that much money for a screen that looks like that!" He knows nothing about pixel density or retina, but he can tell that the Air's display is dreadful when compared to his iPhone and iPad.

2) Size-I always loved the size of the 11 inch Air, but hated the aspect ration and the display quality.

The 12 inch rMB solved both of my issues. I have a small laptop with a brilliant display and a better aspect ratio. The 13 inch Air was a great machine, but it's footprint is too big.

As great as the Air is. The writing is on the wall for it's EOL.

Now that Apple can make a fanless notebook that is as thin and light as the rMB, and still offer great battery life, there really is no point in continuing the Air series. Yes the 1 port will suck for many users. I never cared about it because I don't plug anything in in 2016. Five years ago it would have been a big deal, but now, not so much.

I believe that Apple will most likely introduce a 14 inch rMB to go along with the current 12. They will drop the price of the 12 to 999, and introduce a 14 inch version for 1199 or so.

They will continue to offer the MBP in 13 and 15 inch screen sizes, and do away with the Air.

For all the distain in this thread for the rMB, I wonder how many have actually used it. I notice zero performance difference between it and the 13 inch Air that I had. I get a better display, similar battery life, and a much more compact machine.

The lack of ports outrage is completely blown out of proportion. It's not like the Air offers cMBP type ports. One adapter will replace all of the MBA ports and when they aren't needed, you have a much more compact machine. You don't need a bag full of dongles, you need one little adapter.

Is the rMB overpriced? Hell yes it is. I wouldn't dream of paying 1299 for this computer, (payed 850 on the Best Buy sale) but then again, I think it's crazy when some people spend that on an Air.

The Air's days are numbered, but so is the pro as we know it. The low travel butterfly keyboard is here to stay. As Apple starts to be able to make a more powerful machine that is as thin as the rMB, they will implement this type of keyboard into their entire notebook line. They have ALWAYS been obsessed with thin, and now that it has truly become a reality with the rMB, they are showing you what the future of their notebook line will look line.

 

[Melrose]

...the display became an absolute deal breaker...

This is squarely inside the realm of preference and opinion. Not arguing that you're wrong, just that it's not universally true.

 

[capathy21]

This is squarely inside the realm of preference and opinion. Not arguing that you're wrong, just that it's not universally true.

Fair point