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I still don't understand why one would get a MBA over...
- Thread starter surjavarman
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That's exactly right! If you have to do it all day long, there is a big difference between moving and manipulating a 2.9 pound device and one that weighs 3.5 pounds. Better yet, these days there isn't much of a price penalty for choosing the light weight and svelte form factor of the MBA.
For me, the question would be "I still don't understand why on would get an iPad over..." with the blank being MBA. I don't see how I personally would use the iPad but I can't wait to get my hands on a nice new MBA--and it will mostly replace the iMac I use now. To me it is perfect--a full computer but almost as light as an iPad. I have no interest in the Pro line--no--the MBA is perfect for me. 
I stand corrected. I fly only ~8x per year and I find the thinner profile and lighter weight of the MBA attractive vs the MBP. I'm a bit confused though as it seems that portability is something that you find important after all.
I agree about the 11" vs 13". Both go into a briefcase just fine, so I went 13" with the coast-to-coast battery life and bigger screen.
Oops, I think we got our wires crossed. I was referring to 11" vs 13" MBAs both. As I read the thread I see we are talking about MBA vs. MBP. My bad.
I would most definitely see a difference travelling with a MBP vs. MBA. I mean, I can still fit it into my bag, but now we are talking tighter fit, more weight, and not as convenient as the MBA. The MBA (11" or 13") is soooo thin it fits in a pocket of my briefcase where I ALSO carry my Lenovo Thinkpad (for work). I don't think I would carry a Thinkpad AND a MBP.
I'll just add my two cents..
I was on the fence for a little but I couldn't be happier having moved from the 2010 13'' MBP to a MBA 11'' 1.6 4GB
My MBP was maxed out too... Intel 125GB SSD, 8GB RAM.
The portability, from a practical standpoint, IS significant. I had an iPad and sold it.. it simply didn't serve a (productive) purpose in my life. It was a nice toy. Subconsciously I think I was longing for the 11'' MBA.. I just didn't know it yet.
I'm a software developer currently using it as my primary machine without a single regret.
The only knocks I could give it would be the occasional fan noise, lighter keys (I'm a pretty heavy typer and the MBP keys just seemed more robust - I preferred its tactile feedback to the MBA), and slightly diminished battery life. If you drop the brightness and only activate bluetooth and wifi when needed it's certainly not an overwhelming shortcoming however.
I was on the fence for a little but I couldn't be happier having moved from the 2010 13'' MBP to a MBA 11'' 1.6 4GB
My MBP was maxed out too... Intel 125GB SSD, 8GB RAM.
The portability, from a practical standpoint, IS significant. I had an iPad and sold it.. it simply didn't serve a (productive) purpose in my life. It was a nice toy. Subconsciously I think I was longing for the 11'' MBA.. I just didn't know it yet.
I'm a software developer currently using it as my primary machine without a single regret.
The only knocks I could give it would be the occasional fan noise, lighter keys (I'm a pretty heavy typer and the MBP keys just seemed more robust - I preferred its tactile feedback to the MBA), and slightly diminished battery life. If you drop the brightness and only activate bluetooth and wifi when needed it's certainly not an overwhelming shortcoming however.
Why is it that fail threads gather the most posts?
A simple answer to the main topic:
The mba is well-balanced for everyday tasks, which means a good enough processor, good enough gpu, the right amount of ram and an ssd.
For most people, the macbook air is faster than the macbook pro (13"), AND has a better resolution and thinner design. The question is why would anyone buy the 13" pro instead of the 13" air.
If you don't like it because of the small screen, that's just your personal preference. Some people like small screens, some don't. That's the beauty of humans, they're all different.
A simple answer to the main topic:
The mba is well-balanced for everyday tasks, which means a good enough processor, good enough gpu, the right amount of ram and an ssd.
For most people, the macbook air is faster than the macbook pro (13"), AND has a better resolution and thinner design. The question is why would anyone buy the 13" pro instead of the 13" air.
If you don't like it because of the small screen, that's just your personal preference. Some people like small screens, some don't. That's the beauty of humans, they're all different.
I wouldn't call it a "fail thread" ...maybe a "think about how dumb you'll sound before you post this" thread.
if this really is something the OP is confused about, then great. I hope he got his answer...about 4-5 pages ago.
and yes that's a pretty good summary of the last 135 posts.
As with most of the people here, the 15" MBP was too big for my liking. The 13" MBP was nice, but I needed the higher resolution screen. With the 1.8 i7 it has all the power I need for graphics, video, etc. The macbook air is exactly what I need and nothing more.
Geez, what the heck was I doing thinking that my MBA 11" was awesome and allowed me to bring it to places I wouldn't normally bother to bring a laptop unless I was 100% sure I was going to need it.
I guess having the MBA with me or all those times I had unanticipated need for a laptop was actually a negative.
I guess having the MBA with me or all those times I had unanticipated need for a laptop was actually a negative.
Sorry but thats just retarded.
You just gave a description of a group of people but you still didn't explain why these threads get a lot of posts. You totally misused the meaning of the word because here.
So I don't know why people are x2ing your post but its just plain silly
Relax, smell the roses, and go buy either the 11 inch or 13 inch MBA. You'll be happier once you do.
More seriously, I have been using Macbooks, beginning with a G4, for nearly nine years. My 2010 MBA, which I have had since last October, has been by far the best of the bunch. Just buy one of the new MBAs, you won't regret it.I think he's implying that; due to the nature of this kind of topic, it attracts people who can come in and bash said product, and at the same time promoting the reasons as to why they think their product is better
E.g. people coming in and saying the MBA is flawed due to it not being upgradable or overpriced.
Thats still not a reason why these type of threads gets a lot of posts. You again just described the type of people that come and post in this thread but you didn't explain why
*sigh* Because, as Mac users, we have to choose between a very small and limited number of devices, all suited around each particular niche.
Apple, knowing what they are doing, designed the computers to serve a specific purpose and, due to the fact that they cost over a grand, it's very rare if you don't have money burning your pockets to own more than one Mac computer; per person, mind you.
With that said, a lot of people take ample time and concideration into picking that one Mac notebook because they are going to be using it for many years; that and they could have gotten two computers with better specs for the same price.
This is also a forum, where people love to talk about what they do know and help others who don't, or berate them for being ignorant and/or stupid.
That is why people post here; it's like you're trying to disprove other's posts but you aren't providing any sort of argument yourself. You can't just sit there and invalidate everybody else's argument without putting forth a logical one as well.
And last time I checked, disproving one's argument does not replace implementing a valid one yourself.
Just saying; since it seems you're stuck on the "why".
ok and you guys want to tell me seriously you are unable to lift a extra 1.19kg (2.64 pounds )
it seems a bit more exercise could not harm
Able, yes. Of course.
But there are other considerations. When I travel for work, I have to carry my Dell D630 with me. Which is heavy, very slow, and runs Windows XP
. I don't do any of my personal stuff (programming, chatting etc) on it because it already frustrates me enough having to use it during the day for work.That means that I'm unable to do my own things when I get to the hotel. Not an option. Travelling with 2 full-size laptops is not an option either, but a MBA fills the gap nicely. I used an iPad until now which is handy enough but in many situations an actual laptop fits the bill much better. So I'll be getting the 11" soon. I even sold my 13" pro to get it
Another reason: I often travel (when not for work) without check-in luggage because it costs a lot extra. Then I only have 6.5kg to work with (10kg allowance but my cabin trolley is 3.5kg empty). Another case where the MBA is most welcome since I do actually prefer to wear fresh clothes while I'm away.
A MacBook Air is a frequent flyer's dream
If only they'd let me use a Mac for work, I would be so much more productive.
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It's all about how something feels in one hand. And that's not linear. Something around 2 lbs in one hand will feel a lot lighter than something close to 4 lbs to most people. And the difference felt will be far more than the weight difference. Enough to make the difference between picking one up and carrying it versus leaving it behind some significant percentage of time. And a laptop with you is far more useful than one you've left behind. For for someone who types a lot and runs Xcode (etc.), the even lighter iPad is currently not suitable.
I have an MBP, an iPad and an MBA 11. In actual practice, I ended up using the MBA 11 a far far greater percentage of the time than I thought I would.
I have an MBP, an iPad and an MBA 11. In actual practice, I ended up using the MBA 11 a far far greater percentage of the time than I thought I would.