Is Macbook Air suited for me?

[sbaragnaus]

Hi,
I'm considering to buy a new Macbook Air 1.8 Ghz 128gb ssd for work. I need a sturdy laptop to 80% to write (blogging, social media management, press release), 20% watching videos, pdf and pictures.

I've read a lot about how Macbook Air uses old tecnologies (cpu, ram, screen, touchpad) but I need a reliable machine.

Do you think is a good laptop for my needs? It cost 1000 euro, compared to 1300 required to buy an "old" Macbook pro retina and 900 to buy a good Windows laptop.

Thanks

ps. At home I have an Ipad mini and a Linux desktop.

 

[alotlikehomer]

A lot of people knock the Air, but it works great for the purposes you mention. My last one worked great for all of those things for 7 years, until I cracked the screen. Just bought another to replace it. Yes, the screen is nicer on the MBP, but I've watched plenty of movies on the Air and it does the job. You have to decide if the nicer screen is worth the price difference. The Air is the least expensive way to get into the Apple system, so it's not state of the art, but nothing you are doing requires anything close to that.

 

[AFEPPL]

I wouldn't touch the MBA for many of the reasons you mentioned. You could take a look at the MB rather than MBP. More portable and more powerful than the MBA and is perfectly suitable for the workflows you mention.

If price is the only/main driver the MBA will work, but I could never go back to the MBA now at any cost.

 

[tentales]

Hi,
I'm considering to buy a new Macbook Air 1.8 Ghz 128gb ssd for work. I need a sturdy laptop to 80% to write (blogging, social media management, press release), 20% watching videos, pdf and pictures.

I've read a lot about how Macbook Air uses old tecnologies (cpu, ram, screen, touchpad) but I need a reliable machine.

Do you think is a good laptop for my needs? It cost 1000 euro, compared to 1300 required to buy an "old" Macbook pro retina and 900 to buy a good Windows laptop.

Thanks

ps. At home I have an Ipad mini and a Linux desktop.

80% write ? Unless you're comfortable writing on the new style butterfly keyboard of the newer MB/rMBP then stick with the tried and true chiclet keyboards of the MBA or <2016MBPs.

To me, laptop always spelled in descending of importance:
1) quality keyboard
2) longest battery life
3) connectivity (ie. ports)
4) weight
5) screen
6) everything else...

On an iPad this list is nearly reversible.

Unlike an iPad (although, that's somewhat changing with the new Pro 10.5") a laptop is more a productivity device than a consumption device. At home, you can attach a quality IPS monitor 1080p or 4K to your MBA, on the road, well, the TN panel is sufficient for many users, unless of course your main job is photography.
You listed "pictures" last, so I'm assuming it's mostly snapshots and web publishing type shots ? Nothing colour critical, right ? If not, then a retina MB is definitely better.

The MBA gets a bad rap from the usual snob suspects on MR here who come out knocking a screen that was fine for most people since 2009 when the MBA was the hottest lightweight notebook for many years.

TN-panel viewing angles are bad, but then again, it's a 1 person device and you mostly sit directly in front of it, so who cares if your seat neighbour on a plane can't read it

Also, check for sale prices, the "newer" 1.8 even goes for $999 here in Canada, but in Euros you should even be able to find the 2015 1.6 models (either sell-outs or refurbs) for much less than 1000.

 

[AFEPPL]

Try the MB forum for balance, they believe their device has the best keyboard by far and they have 0 complaints about using it.

Something that was hot in tech back in 2009 is like talking about a car from the 1940s, things have moved on.

rMB is the new MBA.

 

[akash.nu]

MacBook Air will just be fine for everything you mentioned. No matter what people say, I've been rocking my air as the main development machine since 2013 but it's a bit upgraded version customised via the Apple website.

 

[AFEPPL]

MacBook Air will just be fine for everything you mentioned. No matter what people say, I've been rocking my air as the main development machine since 2013 but it's a bit upgraded version customised via the Apple website.

So would a $250 netbook or windows laptop...

 

[akash.nu]

So would a $250 netbook or windows laptop...

1. OP is not asking for it.
2. Netbooks are way slower and under performer compared to a MacBook Air.

 

[AFEPPL]

1 - OP mentioned windows so hence the relevance.
2 - MBA is slower than a rMB for every model in the range

You have your opinion, others have theirs. But what's not opinion is that MBA IS dated and the writing is in the wall for the device with older CPUs and screen tech. Also this obsession MBA owners have with putting down the rMB is laughable it's a great device.

 

[ZapNZs]

I think that both the base model MacBook and base model MacBook Air would meet your needs quite well. Which one is better for your needs might depend on which features you give priority to and which style of keyboard/touchpad you prefer (for example, the retina MacBook has a CPU advantage, where as the MacBook Air has a battery life advantage.)

 

[sbaragnaus]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I'm looking for a durable replacement for my 11" Celeron powered notebook with 2gb RAM and hard disk. It's so slow and it lags even when I write a Gmail email, a post in Facebook or i browse the web. The keyboard is weak.

I need a sturdy laptop, not a budget one.
MacBook 12" is nice but too expensive. The other option is a Lenovo Thinkpad 13.

Lenovo is faster, no doubt, but I think MacBook Air is more reliable; don't know if it offers a smooth experience.

 

[cincygolfgrrl]

I wouldn't touch the MBA for many of the reason you mentioned. You could take a look at the MB rather than MBP. More portable and more powerful than the MBA and is perfectly suitable for the workflows you mention.

Can you please explain why you troll a forum for a product you don't use? People with an interest in the MacBook Air come here to learn, not to be abused by you (yes, it's abuse). Would you kindly take yourself elsewhere? Whatever you have to say isn't raising the level of discourse.

 

[AFEPPL]

Can you please explain why you troll a forum for a product you don't use? People with an interest in the MacBook Air come here to learn, not to be abused by you (yes, it's abuse). Would you kindly take yourself elsewhere? Whatever you have to say isn't raising the level of discourse.

If its abuse report it. I do not follow ANY forum only new posts.
I have an opinion on a product I owned and have every right to share that opinion even if you are not in agreement with it. Personal attacks like yours via name calling are neither called for or permitted under the forum Ts&Cs so I'd prefer you retract that and didn't make such sweeping generalizations about me in future.

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I'm looking for a durable replacement for my 11" Celeron powered notebook with 2gb RAM and hard disk. It's so slow and it lags even when I write a Gmail email, a post in Facebook or i browse the web. The keyboard is weak.

I need a sturdy laptop, not a budget one.
MacBook 12" is nice but too expensive. The other option is a Lenovo Thinkpad 13.

Lenovo is faster, no doubt, but I think MacBook Air is more reliable; don't know if it offers a smooth experience.

Based on industry data the Lenovo devices are more reliable than apple devices.

 

[Starfia]

Some people just love the MacBook Air for no particular reason they can pinpoint – it's an old product, but its final form was a good one.

If you're blogging and reading a lot, I would seriously think about the number of times you'd be reading on a visibly pixellated display versus a retina display. I didn't realize it until I upgraded, but I find the difference on the Mac specifically to be enormous – it's like a mild wash of satisfaction every time I deal with onscreen text. Extrapolate that over a number of years as determined by a single purchase and I'd suggest it's worth considering.

 

[cincygolfgrrl]

I think MacBook Air is more reliable; don't know if it offers a smooth experience.

I think your attitude about the MacBook Air is entirely correct. My 2011 MBA runs smoothly and has never had a problem. You're looking for a computer that will last many years into the future and do everything you wish it to do. Naysayers don't understand your needs; they can be ignored.

 

[AFEPPL]

Brand report here.
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/laptop-brand-ratings
Based on IDC numbers ASUS lead reliability.

 

[Boyd01]

I don't see any reason why a MacBook Air wouldn't fit the usage pattern you describe, and since budget is a major concern that's another thing in its favor. Yes, it is sturdy and feels well made. Still using my 2013 model with no plans to replace, but I have the top configuration.

Great keyboard (I'm a fast touch typist), great battery life, more than adequate CPU for your needs, very fast SSD. The screen is probably the weakest point.

Have never used a MacBook or new MacBook Pro so I won't attempt to compare that, and since they don't seem to fit your budget, what's the point anyway? I would suggest that you try to find a MacBook Air in a store or from a friend and just play around for a few minutes to see what you think. That will be much more helpful than asking strangers on the internet or looking at specs.

 

[ZapNZs]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I'm looking for a durable replacement for my 11" Celeron powered notebook with 2gb RAM and hard disk. It's so slow and it lags even when I write a Gmail email, a post in Facebook or i browse the web. The keyboard is weak.

I need a sturdy laptop, not a budget one.
MacBook 12" is nice but too expensive. The other option is a Lenovo Thinkpad 13.

Lenovo is faster, no doubt, but I think MacBook Air is more reliable; don't know if it offers a smooth experience.

The Air offers a very smooth experience for a wide range of workflows. It's a nice computer. I own it, several Pros, and a retina MacBook. I like them all. But I am not particular picky about my screens - for those that are, the rMB and MBP obviously have a huge advantage.

For that matter, the Lenovo is a very good computer as well. But I expect the MBA to have superior longevity. For your usage, I think that the MBA will probably be faster than the Thinkpad 13 because the ThinkPad 13 uses a SATA SSD that is considerably slower than what is in the MBA, where as the processor, GPU, and RAM differences between the models will probably be minimal in their impact on your individual workflow.

 

[Dingster101]

My Air fills the space between my iPad Pro and iMac. Its my go to machine for the same case usage as OP.

 

[Isamilis]

If 300 euro differences is make sense for your budget, I would suggest to get old MBP retina with 250gb hard disk versus MBA with only 128gb. You got also plus better CPU, retina screen in addition to comfort keyboard (not butterfly like in MB) which will fit perfectly for your needs and also similar ergonomics.

FYI, I used to have MBA for 5 years.

Cheers

Hi,
I'm considering to buy a new Macbook Air 1.8 Ghz 128gb ssd for work. I need a sturdy laptop to 80% to write (blogging, social media management, press release), 20% watching videos, pdf and pictures.

I've read a lot about how Macbook Air uses old tecnologies (cpu, ram, screen, touchpad) but I need a reliable machine.

Do you think is a good laptop for my needs? It cost 1000 euro, compared to 1300 required to buy an "old" Macbook pro retina and 900 to buy a good Windows laptop.

Thanks

ps. At home I have an Ipad mini and a Linux desktop.

 

[sracer]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I'm looking for a durable replacement for my 11" Celeron powered notebook with 2gb RAM and hard disk. It's so slow and it lags even when I write a Gmail email, a post in Facebook or i browse the web. The keyboard is weak.

I need a sturdy laptop, not a budget one.
MacBook 12" is nice but too expensive. The other option is a Lenovo Thinkpad 13.

Lenovo is faster, no doubt, but I think MacBook Air is more reliable; don't know if it offers a smooth experience.

I'm a big fan of the Macbook Air and it would certainly accommodate your needs.

But I would recommend that you give some serious consideration to a.... Chromebook. A lot of progress has been made with both ChromeOS and the hardware that runs it. There's a large variety of apps that work offline and don't require a network connection.

Having been frustrated with Apple's glacial pace of advancing the functionality of the iPad Pro, I've been exploring the use of a Chromebook as a mobile option to complement my computing needs. (iMac, iPad Pro, iPad Mini, and iPhone SE as the other primary devices).

My unit of choice for testing is an Acer R11 Chromebook. It's a convertible device that can operate as both a notebook and an Android tablet (supports Google Play store)

It is possible to purchase high quality well-built Chromebooks for a very good price. Lenovo makes some excellent ThinkPad chromebooks that are built like tanks but portable and surprisingly affordable.

I apologize for the detour, but I think it might be worth considering in your situation.

But if that isn't really an option for you, I'd still recommend a Macbook Air... but WAIT for a sale. Don't pay full MSRP. (this advice assumes that they regularly go on sale in Europe as they do here in the States)

 

[Beachguy]

I have a 2011 Air, base model. Because I have some minor issues with focus in my eyes, I find it easier to use than the sharper retina devices, but that is a very personal thing so unless you have similar issues, toss that comment out. Otherwise, frankly, I can't come up with a reason to upgrade it. I did try out the new MacBook and MBP and after a few moments of keying I wanted to cut my fingers off- for me, it felt creepy. And I have SO many USB peripherals that travel between Mac, Linux, and Windows machines that I would have to live in dongle hell if I got a MacBook or MBP with USB-C.

But here's the thing- everyone is going to have likes and dislikes about the things they have, the things they want, and simply their affinity for the latest and greatest. What you may find better is simply to drop in to whichever store nearby sells Macs, and give them each a try. Type for a few minutes on a MacBook. Spend some time with the newer MBA. Give the Pro a run as well. And then, buy what makes you happy. You're not going to end up with a bad choice. Just a choice with a bit newer tech or a bit older tech. And really- how often do you see people with OLD Macs here? Quite often, indeed.

Get what makes you happy. And don't let the naysayers get to you, because no matter what, there will be people who want to give you grief for your choice. YOU are the only one who needs to be happy with it.

 

[Boyd01]

If 300 euro differences is make sense for your budget, I would suggest to get old MBP retina

I suppose it depends on the cost, but somebody else's old computer is quite a different thing from a new one with a full warranty.
[doublepost=1504204968][/doublepost]

Otherwise, frankly, I can't come up with a reason to upgrade it

I can think of three good reasons: twice the battery run time, much faster USB 3.0 ports and much faster 802.11ac wifi. That's why I replaced my 2011 MBA with a 2013 MBA.

 

[Osty]

Hi,
I'm considering to buy a new Macbook Air 1.8 Ghz 128gb ssd for work. I need a sturdy laptop to 80% to write (blogging, social media management, press release), 20% watching videos, pdf and pictures.

I've read a lot about how Macbook Air uses old tecnologies (cpu, ram, screen, touchpad) but I need a reliable machine.

Do you think is a good laptop for my needs? It cost 1000 euro, compared to 1300 required to buy an "old" Macbook pro retina and 900 to buy a good Windows laptop.

Thanks

ps. At home I have an Ipad mini and a Linux desktop.

I'm a professional writer. The Air is the ideal machine for writing in my experience. Sturdy, reliable, good performance, comfortable keyboard and portable with excellent battery life.
[doublepost=1504222979][/doublepost]

So would a $250 netbook or windows laptop...

That's true. Lets be honest. You need remarkably little to write. If I wasn't wedded to Scrivener on macOS and iOS for my current project I might lean towards a Thinkpad X series - they have great keyboards that feel fantastic to use.

OP mentioned Linux. I spent two years rocking a hacked 11 inch Chromebook with Ubuntu. That didn't stop me writing; I simply wrote in pure markdown in Gedit.

My current Air might well be my last Apple laptop given how much I currently enjoy writing on iOS and how tired I am of futzing with computers for the sake of it.

 

[JMountainDew]

Great advice! I enjoy reading other's opinions in these forums to help me make more-informed choices, but don't ever let others make your opinion for you.