Apple to Host 'Back to the Mac' Media Event on October 20th

[nutjob]

The MBA has the same footprint.
The MBA is 25% thinner than a MBP 13"
The MBA has <items that are irrelevant to an MBA purchaser>
The MBA is more expensive.

Think this through with me nutjob. Imagine that the two most important specs to you as a computer buyer are weight (which you ignored) and thinness, for which the MBA is a 25% improvement.

The most important thing to you is weight and thinness.

Weight and thinness. (This is a mental exercise) OK so you are a computer buyer and WEIGHT and THINNESS are your most important specifications.

Now you go and buy a MBP 13". And someone says:
Why were you an idiot to buy a MBP 13"? Compared to the MBA it is
33% THICKER than an MBA!
50% HEAVIER than an MBA!
Has extra useless things that add unnecessary weight!
At least it saved you a few bucks...

You would have chosen the wrong computer if you could have afforded the MBA. What you can't seem to comprehend is the features that give you benefit aren't the same features that give other people benefits.

For a MBA owner, the features that provide benefit are weight and thinness. Faster CPUs, more ports, CD-ROM drives, etc are features that provide NO benefits. They actually hinder the benefits that are important to you...weight and thinness.

If Weight and Thinness aren't your primary concerns, then Apple makes a product for you! It's called the Macbook Pro!

If a 33% increase in thickness and 50% increase in weight for a fat, porky MBP isn't worth it, than your priorities are different from a MBA owner.

Finally, your last question:
"You trade off a loss of ports and performance for more cost. Why would someone do this?"

Well. YOU did it when you bought a Macbook Pro. There are lots of notebook computers that have more ports and performance for far less cost. Why did YOU do it? Oh, because you valued something other than ports and performance in your analysis. In this case, OS X. Well, the Thin and Light crowd value that too. They will pay more for it. Now do you understand the answer to your own question?

That's weak. You're taking the two things that the MBA has as an advantage, moderately less thickness and weight and turning them into key requirements. Nice try, but totally unconvincing.

The real question is are you actually getting much portability for what you lose? Over a MBP 13" that's 0.25" and 1.5lbs. You still have to find 0.75" of space since it has the same footprint.

If you just admitted they buy the MBA "to look cool" or because it's pretty I'd understand, but trying to argue it's somehow more practical doesn't work.

 

[Yr Blues]

Finder is still a clumsy way of managing files. I hate the clutter of moving windows around and resizing them, etc…

Maybe something like the iPhone in that you don't have to manage windows…but with the functionality of what you need on a content-creating computer.

 

[mrqasimi]

current MBP/MB lineup launched in april/may.. still too early for a refresh hehe

im juz hoping for a new feature on the MBA which will show up on the next crop of MBP like how the current trackpad n unibody 1st came from MBA. IPS screen?

well an extra USB port will be useful, and built-in 3g modem

 

[nutjob]

You're not being misinterpreted, you're being laughed at because you think only your criteria matter when deciding if the MBA is a good value. I don't agree with the name-calling, btw, you won't see me do that, but I do think it's absurd that you think that because you can't see the value in the small size and significantly decreased weight as a tradeoff to the lower performance and expandability, that the MBA is a bad product. You need to understand that the value of a computer is not in it's raw specs, but in it's ability to do what the user requires of it. The MBA does everything that a specific, fairly large group of people require: it's lightweight and can handle the tasks which they need it to do (Office apps, internet/email, and other simple business functions). They're happy to pay the price that machine requires, which is more than a laptop that "does more", simply because engineering is expensive, when you're talking about designing something that is extremely lightweight but still low-heat and strong. The MBA is a good value even though the performance ratio isn't what you want it to be (nor what I would want it to be).

jW

No, of course you wouldn't call me names, that would be belittling. Instead you say I'm being laughed at, which suggests I'm being belittled. You're soooo clever.

Again, you seem to have a problem reading and comprehending what I'm saying. The question is of a trade off between the MBA and the MBP 13", not value, although that is obviously a consideration for most people. In your post you've only made apologies for the MBA and they're not at all that convincing: engineering cost as a percentage of final cost is insignificant and saying that it does 'just enough for people who don't do much' is basically saying it has poor performance but that's ok for some people. I don't know why you brought up the heat issue when it is know to become unusably hot because the bottom of the machine is used as a heatsink.

All you've done is apologised for the MBA's shortcomings. Have you ever seen the insides of a MBA? It's full of empty space around the edges where it tapers. The tapers serve no purpose other than to give the illusion of thinness. It's form over function, an embarrassment to Apple's otherwise fine design skills.

If Apple comes out with a 11.6" machine on Wed with the same performance as the MBA and similar thickness, I'll buy one immediately and it will fine for what I will use it for, but I won't pay over the odds for something that is no more portable than my MBP 13", otherwise I'd actually feel like I'm being laughed at.

 

[Hal Itosis]

All you've done is apologised for the MBA's shortcomings. Have you ever seen the insides of a MBA? It's full of empty space around the edges where it tapers. The tapers serve no purpose other than to give the illusion of thinness. It's form over function, an embarrassment to Apple's otherwise fine design skills.

I feel this uncontrollable urge to laugh.

 

[netdog]

So? You like your MBA. Who cares? How does that help anyone else trying to decide what to buy? How is what you like relevant to a discussion of the relative benefits of two similar machines? Why should we should accept you as an authority? Because you have a high opinion of your own opinion?

You are so off the point it's unbelievable. You're trying to put me down because I don't think the MBA is good for what it is and you can me a hater? Because I criticise your machine? You should listen to yourself.

Why don't you address the points I make? Because you don't actually have a counter argument and you abuse me instead? Do you have any relevant, objective points that aren't about you? Do you have any relevant reply to the points I make? I'll repeat them one more time:

- The MBA has the SAME FOOTPRINT as the MBP 13".
- The MBA is ONLY 0.25" THINNER than the MBP 13".
- The MBA has no CD drive, less ports and a slower processor, weaker battery, etc
- The MBA is more expensive than the MBP 13".

You trade off a loss of ports and performance for more cost. Why would someone do this?

No, don't tell me "it's good enough for me". Tell me why someone should trade away performance, features and cost for something only slightly more portable? What is the logic behind it? Why would a rational person buy a MBA instead of a MBP, other than for the "cool factor" or looks. The fact is that sales have been weak so most people wouldn't.

Dude, the footprint is about the least important factor in terms of portability unless you are looking for a pocket computer. This will fit in anything and it's light.

I only spoke up because MBA-hating boneheads like you have taken over yet another thread, this one about a wonderful event coming up tomorrow, so that you can whinge about an object that doesn't suit your personal needs and you probably can't afford. Who cares indeed!

 

[isaace777]

Yay

Lion is gonna be insane !!

 

[MorphingDragon]

The really funny thing is, while this event is happening, I'm going to be at a software engineering conference asking the Microsoft representatives, "Does it all work seamlessly?".

 

[My name is Alex]

God I hope they stream this so I have a good reason to wake up at 3 in the morning on Thursday.

 

[omenatarhuri]

That's weak. You're taking the two things that the MBA has as an advantage, moderately less thickness and weight and turning them into key requirements. Nice try, but totally unconvincing.

Try reading his post again. Then think about the bold parts above.

Good luck.

 

[nutjob]

Dude, the footprint is about the least important factor in terms of portability unless you are looking for a pocket computer. This will fit in anything and it's light.

I only spoke up because MBA-hating boneheads like you have taken over yet another thread, this one about a wonderful event coming up tomorrow, so that you can whinge about an object that doesn't suit your personal needs and you probably can't afford. Who cares indeed!

What a load. Of course the footprint matters. You're saying the thinness is its great feature yet the other two dimensions don't matter. Please.

And yeah, I already can see you have to stoop to calling me names because you're badly losing the argument. Everyone who dares criticise your beloved MBA is a hater. Or poor. I love how you assume I have less money than you. Of course you can't tell how much money I have, but what I'd be ashamed of though is being ignorant.

I've said time and again that my needs or your needs are not at issue. The issue is why would someone buy the MBA over the MBP 13". All you're doing is trying to justify your purchase decision after you made it, regardless of its wisdom (look up cognitive dissonance). What do they say about a fool and his money?

But I know I'm wasting my keystrokes on you here. Reason, logic and evidence is something you obviously reject.

 

[nutjob]

Try reading his post again. Then think about the bold parts above.

Good luck.

Do you have a point? Portability is not just weight and thinness. The MBA is only a little thinner and lighter (around 25%) but you lose a lot of functionality for that and it still has the same footprint which greatly affects portability.

You know, if you actually try making points you usually have a better chance of adding something to the discussion.

Why is it that everyone here defending the MBA never has anything to say in it's defence (other than "I like it, so there")?

 

[nutjob]

God I hope they stream this so I have a good reason to wake up at 3 in the morning on Thursday.

Sleep in, I can already tell you that they whatever they introduce won't be available immediately (especially in Aus).

 

[omenatarhuri]

Portability is not just weight and thinness. The MBA is only a little thinner and lighter (around 25%) but you lose a lot of functionality for that and it still has the same footprint which greatly affects portability.

...
Why is it that everyone here defending the MBA never has anything to say in it's defence (other than "I like it, so there")?

There's nothing to add, the dots are there for anyone to connect.

Facts:
1. MBA is the most portable Mac there is (I know there difference is small but still)
2. Portability can be the most important factor for a person
3. Not everyone needs more performance than the MBA has

As long as facts 1-3 are true for a given purpose/person, his best choice is the Macbook Air. I'm not sure how you can disagree on this?

 

[Hellhammer]

Do you have a point? Portability is not just weight and thinness. The MBA is only a little thinner and lighter (around 25%) but you lose a lot of functionality for that and it still has the same footprint which greatly affects portability.

MBA is 3lb while 13" MBP is 4.5lb. That's 33% difference. Carry it around for hours per day and you will feel the difference. A lot people are ready to sacrifice some features in order to lose those 1.5lb.

It still functions as a real computer. No crucial functions are lost. That is why iPad can't replace MBA. Sure you lose some features such as USB and FW port, CPU power, RAM, HD space etc but again, some people are ready to sacrifice them. Besides, I bet that most MBA owners have a secondary computer that can take care of more demanding needs

 

[Blaine]

Wow, you guys are hostile.

Why can't people be be tolerant of other peoples opinions.

If someone chooses the mba over a mbp and are happy with their decision, I couldn't be happier for them

 

[old-school]

I can see the arguments from both sides, but I know a lot of people who do a serious amount of business travel, and a slim, light notebook that is reliable for simple tasks has a market.

Not for me, (and clearly not for nutjob) but after carrying bags round for hours a day around airports all week, the extra cost is pretty insignificant, and outweighs the benefits.

 

[Mal]

Wow, you guys are hostile.

Why can't people be be tolerant of other peoples opinions.

If someone chooses the mba over a mbp and are happy with their decision, I couldn't be happier for them

Actually, right now I'm pretty sure it's just nutjob (his choice of name) that's doing that right now. Seems he likes being alone in his opinions.

jW

 

[realitymonkey]

Sigh is this not easiest described as horses for courses.

At one point I had two job offers and an my Macbook Pro had been nicked so had an insurance payout burning in my pocket.

At the same time I had two job offers floating around that were going to last for about 3 years each.

So my thought process went like this

Job 1 traveling around Europe dealing with loads of stills and bits and bobs generally in studios and design agencies loads of short journeys via public transport - Hands down choice MBA as its lighter smaller and if I needed a bit more computing grunt I could generally lay my hands on an iMac/PC/Mac Pro/MBP for the time I needed it.

Job 2 was traveling around the 3rd world filming wildlife in the back end of no-where job would require me to work remotely often in random research bases. Power would be limited in locations, would be dealing with older hardware, some of the cameras use Ethernet, would need to backup data from cameras etc and possibly store it and edit in the field if the need arose. I would also travel with a full camera kit and if we did not get flown into the location we would either drive or have loads of porters. Hands down choice was a MBP.

End result I took job 2 bought the MBP and it was a great workhorse (although the job changed a lot)

 

[Eidorian]

MBA is 3lb while 13" MBP is 4.5lb. That's 33% difference. Carry it around for hours per day and you will feel the difference. A lot people are ready to sacrifice some features in order to lose those 1.5lb.

It still functions as a real computer. No crucial functions are lost. That is why iPad can't replace MBA. Sure you lose some features such as USB and FW port, CPU power, RAM, HD space etc but again, some people are ready to sacrifice them. Besides, I bet that most MBA owners have a secondary computer that can take care of more demanding needs

I'm still waiting for ASUS to deploy more notebooks without optical drives. That alone is enough weight saved.

 

[nutjob]

Wow, you guys are hostile.

Why can't people be be tolerant of other peoples opinions.

If someone chooses the mba over a mbp and are happy with their decision, I couldn't be happier for them

Exactly. You won't see me calling people names just because I disagree with them, but a lot of people can't handle it.

It genuinely doesn't bother me what people buy, why would it? It doesn't affect me at all. But I'd hate for people to make the wrong decision and their decision should be based on fact rather than clever marketing.

 

[nutjob]

I can see the arguments from both sides, but I know a lot of people who do a serious amount of business travel, and a slim, light notebook that is reliable for simple tasks has a market.

Not for me, (and clearly not for nutjob) but after carrying bags round for hours a day around airports all week, the extra cost is pretty insignificant, and outweighs the benefits.

I travel quite a bit and I really want to be able to carry my computer everywhere with me. An iPad or iPhone or iPod touch doesn't cut it. So I was very disappointed with the MBA when it was released. It is lighter and that's great but the fact that they kept the same footprint just so they could have these silly tapers that made the machine look thinner was extremely annoying. It's Apple as it's worse, designing form over function (think Cube).

I will be the happiest person on earth if they come out with an 11.6" model tomorrow. The proper size for a truly portable computer is no wider than the keyboard, because you need a full sized keyboard to do proper work.

They got rid of the CD drive which is a great idea. It's hardly used and definitely not used enough to justify having to carry it around all the time. They got rid of the HD drive which is another great idea. SSDs are faster and much smaller. I think having the Ethernet via USB is acceptable as long as it works smoothly. Soldering the RAM onto the board is a good idea but they need to make it 4GB because it's a minimum if you want to run a virtual PC, which most people do.

I really hope that the 11.6" model is not wedge shaped. Thinner is better but I don't see the advantage of having a back to front taper. You still have to squeeze it into a space according to its thickest point. The trade off with thinness is of course battery capacity, and possibly heat dissipation which brings us to the processor. I hope they don't use a low-voltage processor that runs at 1.4GHz or something. Battery size is a tough one since the more portable a machine is the longer you want the battery to last but of course a larger battery decreases portability. Personally I could live with 3-4 hours which is what I'm guessing they will aim for in a small machine.

Apple tend to charge less for the smaller laptops and because of that they tend of suffer in the specs. I hope that isn't the case. An 11.6" MacBook which was crazy thin with a proper processor would be worth paying a premium for.

 

[Carniphage]

I really hope that the 11.6" model is not wedge shaped.

The thin taped edge means that it slips into a briefcase. A fat, blunt edge would not do this.

The knife-like profile really contributes to the portability of the Air.

C.

 

[benhollberg]

Has anyone heard anything about whether there will be a live stream of the event tomorrow or not?

 

[Baadshah]

I hope they release the MBA and updated MBP with USB 3.0, if there is not USB 3.0 it can be a deal breaker.

As in 2011 its USB 3.0 and if they release it with USB 2.0 its not up with all new hdd and other stuff.