Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Well the idea of a Macbook Air is it's ultra-portability... if you're wanting to use an external drive regularly, or rely on it, then an MBA isn't the right fit. However, if you only need it for occasional use, then yeah MBA is great... but it still circles to the fact that 64GB is rough if you have apps\songs\photos given iPhones alone hold half of that.

I never really liked so much stuff on my computers. I can store everything on a wireless hard drive and use what I need.But thats me it will not work for everyone. I still think $200 for 64 gb is crazy!
 
I've been hacking away at my unnecessary language files and, I think, Garage Band and its support files. After installing Flash, I'm up to 50.91 free. Think I can do a little better than that. So far have tried Monolingual and AppZapper. I understand xSlimmer is the bee's knees, but I'm not sure about the cost.

And thanks to those who answered my question about the VM options. In a rare situation could I imagine the need to boot XP for some proprietary and windoze-only things. I can go Back to my iMac for most of that. But just in case, wouldn't hurt to have the VM tucked away on a USB drive of some type for those rare occasions.

It's fun digging in and putting this little machine through its paces.


Any recommendation for a good USB stick? Will this work on a Parallels 6.x machine?
Echoing these questions...
 
I never really liked so much stuff on my computers. I can store everything on a wireless hard drive and use what I need.

Sounds like you are a 64GB candidate then :) If you backup your iPhone to it, it's already going to be at 32GB, plus the OS at 5-10GB, plus iLife at 5GB, so in theory you're out the gate with only 10GB available. Too close for comfort to me. I got the 128GB
 
Sounds like you are a 64GB candidate then :) If you backup your iPhone to it, it's already going to be at 32GB, plus the OS at 5-10GB, plus iLife at 5GB, so in theory you're out the gate with only 10GB available. Too close for comfort to me. I got the 128GB

Im returning my 64 for a 128 :)
 
I can't justify the extra $200 for an additional 64GB. I have an 80GB external USB drive here already. And some flash sticks.

To return a 64 for a 128, wouldn't you be looking at a restocking fee?

I can't justify paying more for portability (or getting less specs for the money, depending on half full or half empty view, hehe) and then have to rely on additional pieces to have a complete system.

They generally waive the restock if you go in and explain you want to upgrade to a higher model in a situation like this. I went from the base model 13" MBP to the highest 6 months ago when I got it. They're real good about waiving it, you just have to ask.
 
Argh, the thing that is stopping me from upgrading to a 128GB is the $200. I mean I have the money, that's not a problem, but I am thinking of this MBA to be an iPad replacement, rather than a MBP replacement.

For 200$ more I am getting 64GB more than I have...
However for 300$ more I would be getting 64GB more, a 0.46GHz processor (6MB cache), better battery life, and a bigger screen.

It's really hard for me to justify the price for the space. I would probably upgrade to the next air when upgraded, as I am not too enthusiastic about the specs on this and don't want to invest too much into it. And if I do upgrade, I feel like I should go all the way (no pun intended); upgrade to 4GB RAM and maybe, but not likely, 1.6GHz. Then I have to wait longer :( Lulz.

It's so hard having this perfect 11.6" MBA sitting right next to me as I type this, still in shrink wrap, debating what to do. Don't want to have a restocking fee ;)
 
I can't justify the extra $200 for an additional 64GB. I have an 80GB external USB drive here already. And some flash sticks.

To return a 64 for a 128, wouldn't you be looking at a restocking fee?

You are right I am an idiot. The $999.00 price point is perfect.
 
Argh, the thing that is stopping me from upgrading to a 128GB is the $200. I mean I have the money, that's not a problem, but I am thinking of this MBA to be an iPad replacement, rather than a MBP replacement.

For 200$ more I am getting 64GB more than I have...
However for 300$ more I would be getting 64GB more, a 0.46GHz processor (6MB cache), better battery life, and a bigger screen.

It's really hard for me to justify the price for the space. I would probably upgrade to the next air when upgraded, as I am not too enthusiastic about the specs on this and don't want to invest too much into it. And if I do upgrade, I feel like I should go all the way (no pun intended); upgrade to 4GB RAM and maybe, but not likely, 1.6GHz. Then I have to wait longer :( Lulz.

It's so hard having this perfect 11.6" MBA sitting right next to me as I type this, still in shrink wrap, debating what to do. Don't want to have a restocking fee ;)

Look at it this way. The 64GB iPad was released in February, and the natural product cycle says in February 2011 (3 months away), it's HIGHLY likely the iPad will be refreshed to 128GB... so compare it to that.

The bottom line is it's a huge upgrade from an iPad, but it's an entirely different animal. The thing about it is that it's likely it'll be a year before they get refreshed. Can you live with a 64GB MB Air for a year? I can't.
 
Argh, the thing that is stopping me from upgrading to a 128GB is the $200. I mean I have the money, that's not a problem, but I am thinking of this MBA to be an iPad replacement, rather than a MBP replacement.

For 200$ more I am getting 64GB more than I have...
However for 300$ more I would be getting 64GB more, a 0.46GHz processor (6MB cache), better battery life, and a bigger screen.

It's really hard for me to justify the price for the space. I would probably upgrade to the next air when upgraded, as I am not too enthusiastic about the specs on this and don't want to invest too much into it. And if I do upgrade, I feel like I should go all the way (no pun intended); upgrade to 4GB RAM and maybe, but not likely, 1.6GHz. Then I have to wait longer :( Lulz.

It's so hard having this perfect 11.6" MBA sitting right next to me as I type this, still in shrink wrap, debating what to do. Don't want to have a restocking fee ;)

I think you are right the only thing that makes the specs good are the $999 its great but If you spend $1200 you might as well get a bas 13 inch.
 
I am keeping the 64 $200 is way to much for 64 gb. I will just keep my movies on a external and music on a usb drive.
 
I am keeping the 64 $200 is way to much for 64 gb. I will just keep my movies on a external and music on a usb drive.

Not sure why people keep saying that. The PRIMARY motivation for the 11" buyer should be SIZE. If size is unimportant you can get much more machine for the same price in a MB or MBP.

If you can't decide between a 11 and a 13, then the 11 is not for you, and you may want to consider if the MBA is for you.

If you love the MBA because it's TINY, then the 11 is for you.... then chose specs from there....
 
Yep, you're looking at this exactly the way I am. I love my iPad, but the limits I bump up against frustrate me. The Air is a perfect middle ground between my iPhone and my MBP/iMac. So I'm going to give it a shot in the base configuration. When I got mine home, it stayed in the box and shrinkwrap for several hours while I pondered what I would do.

I'm using it right this second. I think I made the right decision. Good luck!
Argh, the thing that is stopping me from upgrading to a 128GB is the $200. I mean I have the money, that's not a problem, but I am thinking of this MBA to be an iPad replacement, rather than a MBP replacement.

...

It's so hard having this perfect 11.6" MBA sitting right next to me as I type this, still in shrink wrap, debating what to do. Don't want to have a restocking fee ;)
 
Not sure why people keep saying that. The PRIMARY motivation for the 11" buyer should be SIZE. If size is unimportant you can get much more machine for the same price in a MB or MBP.

If you can't decide between a 11 and a 13, then the 11 is not for you, and you may want to consider if the MBA is for you.

If you love the MBA because it's TINY, then the 11 is for you.... then chose specs from there....

Your talking about a difference of 1.6 square inches. Thats nothing
 
Yep, you're looking at this exactly the way I am. I love my iPad, but the limits I bump up against frustrate me. The Air is a perfect middle ground between my iPhone and my MBP/iMac. So I'm going to give it a shot in the base configuration. When I got mine home, it stayed in the box and shrinkwrap for several hours while I pondered what I would do.

I'm using it right this second. I think I made the right decision. Good luck!

Storage aside, the crippling factor of your unit is the 2GB of RAM... My 2010 MBP has 8GB RAM, my 2009 had 4, my 2008 had 4... my 2007 had 2 ... 2 just isn't enough for most people anymore.


:-(
 
I am keeping the 64 $200 is way to much for 64 gb. I will just keep my movies on a external and music on a usb drive.

Yeah, seriously 200$ is a lot when what you can get for an extra 100$, or 300$ total.

Not sure why people keep saying that. The PRIMARY motivation for the 11" buyer should be SIZE. If size is unimportant you can get much more machine for the same price in a MB or MBP.

If you can't decide between a 11 and a 13, then the 11 is not for you, and you may want to consider if the MBA is for you.

If you love the MBA because it's TINY, then the 11 is for you.... then chose specs from there....

Well I know that the 11" is for me because I don't want another 13" laptop, I have one already. I want this for mobile use, I love the size and have been eying a MBA for a long time.

I am not a person who must keep tons of stuff on my laptop. My MB is 250GB, I still have 100GB after 2 years of use. I store movies, tons of TV shows, and majority of my photos on here (35GB), along with a lot of programs I don't use/wouldn't need on my MBA.

I still don't think 200$ is enough to upgrade, I would rather invest in a 16GB or 32GB (1/3 or eve 1/2 of the upgrade) USB to store movies if I need for vacation. It is tiny and doesn't interfere with the size factor.

Yep, you're looking at this exactly the way I am. I love my iPad, but the limits I bump up against frustrate me. The Air is a perfect middle ground between my iPhone and my MBP/iMac. So I'm going to give it a shot in the base configuration. When I got mine home, it stayed in the box and shrinkwrap for several hours while I pondered what I would do.

I'm using it right this second. I think I made the right decision. Good luck!

I sold my iPad and this is soley to replace it. Just browsing on the couch and when I travel, etc. If there is a particular project or something that I NEED space for, I can take my Alu MB, it's still a portable.
I am very close to ripping open this shrink wrap.
 
Storage aside, the crippling factor of your unit is the 2GB of RAM... My 2010 MBP has 8GB RAM, my 2009 had 4, my 2008 had 4... my 2007 had 2 ... 2 just isn't enough for most people anymore.


:-(

I'd have to disagree.
I have 4GB in my uMB, but I had 2GB in my previous iMac. It can handle quite a lot. I went to the store to test out the 2GB, and I think it is plenty for what this laptop is aimed to do. Well obviously it depends on the user.
In my case, I would run Adium, Tweetdeck, and Chrome with a few tabs.
If I would want to run, say Photoshop or iMovie, I could, and if I want to speed it up, I could quit Chrome, or etc.
At the store I opened up iPhoto, iMovie, Safari, and Word. Seemed to be doing well.
For many people's use for a low-end 11" MBA, I think 2GB should be enough.
 
Well I know that the 11" is for me because I don't want another 13" laptop, I have one already. I want this for mobile use, I love the size and have been eying a MBA for a long time.

I still say the memory will be cause for regret. Look at other threads where people put 2GB vs 4GB to test... 4GB is basically the norm these days. If it were a MB or MBP I'd say tear it open and upgrade the RAM if it's not good enough, but it's not upgradable, so you have to chose now.... and given that cornering, def get a 4GB model.
 
Storage aside, the crippling factor of your unit is the 2GB of RAM... My 2010 MBP has 8GB RAM, my 2009 had 4, my 2008 had 4... my 2007 had 2 ... 2 just isn't enough for most people anymore.
I don't expect the performance from this machine that I expect from my MBP or iMac, each of which has 8GB of RAM.

Just like I don't expect either of those machines to weigh less than 2.5 pounds. It's a matter of setting realistic expectations. Then you don't have to worry about being disappointed. My MBA is in no way crippled (that I can discern). I'm not encoding HD video. I'm not running massive spreadsheets. I have a couple of browser windows open and iTunes home sharing some music from my iMac.
 
I don't expect the performance from this machine that I expect from my MBP or iMac, each of which has 8GB of RAM.

Just like I don't expect either of those machines to weigh less than 2.5 pounds. It's a matter of setting realistic expectations. Then you don't have to worry about being disappointed. My MBA is in no way crippled (that I can discern). I'm not encoding HD video. I'm not running massive spreadsheets. I have a couple of browser windows open and iTunes home sharing some music from my iMac.

K then stick with it. Your decision is clearly an emotional one based on price. If you can't justify spending 10% more, then stick with 2GB
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.