Macbook Air 2017 - what kind of buyers?

[sracer]

USB A to C dongle u can get for $6 or just buy a cable replacement for the same price.

Of course it would have been better if Apple had put in at least two ports or even kept an additional USBa port for a while. But buying a computer just because of this minor connection problem?
USBa won't come back to the other MacBook lineup. So u can buy now an adapter or in a few years.

And happy for you that all conference rooms in your life have mini display ports. I never saw one in many companies I was working with. Just hdmi or even vga. So dongle life also here...

That is why the Macbook Air still works better for me than an rMB or rMBP. I know that my experience is not common or applicable to others.

I find it fascinating how there are some who are unable to comprehend how a device that they deem unacceptable for themselves is viewed as the best (relatively speaking) option for others.

 

[Ffosse]

The MBA would be perfect if I could transplant my Chromebook's 1080 IPS screen onto it.

 

[in2tech]

Thanks, guys.

A follow-up question: When googling, it seems like the MBA 2015 have a fan.

I assume that is the case also for the models with SSD (if there ever were a MBA with HDD)? If yes, is it noisy? Does it cause any trouble when in a dirty dry environment?

If she has not bought anything yet. Best Buy just had the 2015 model for $749.00. I bought one for a college student, great deal. Most people have no idea or care about mhz, ssd, processor, screen resolution, etc... they just don't know and care, they want a laptop that works for surfing, email, light duty thing's.

I hope and know it's not true, they keep the MacBook Air for a very long time. I think it is their most popular and maybe even profitable MacBook, maybe!

Of course Best Buy I am sure is clearing out the 2015 model to sell the 2017! Maybe they will do a final sale at $699.00, just maybe. You have to watch their site everyday if you want one and just see what the price is that day. When you find the price you like, buy it immediately, if it's what you want and the price you feel comfortable with

Can you tell I like the MacBook Air

 

[Osty]

FWIW, I'm a professional writer and I deliberately chose to buy the latest MBA as my daily driver. In my opinion it still represents the best laptop Apple produces in terms of its unmatched balance of performance, battery, expansion, comfort, price and portability. The only trade off is the screen, which doesn't bother me.

OP, your friend's needs will be more than met by this device.

 

[QCassidy352]

Of course it would have been better if Apple had put in at least two ports or even kept an additional USBa port for a while. But buying a computer just because of this minor connection problem?
USBa won't come back to the other MacBook lineup. So u can buy now an adapter or in a few years.

In a few years perhaps USB-c peripherals will be as plentiful and cheap as USB-a peripherals are today, and adapters won't be necessary. The switch to USB-c is not something all of us care to be at the forefront of.

 

[AZhappyjack]

That is why the Macbook Air still works better for me than an rMB or rMBP. I know that my experience is not common or applicable to others.

I find it fascinating how there are some who are unable to comprehend how a device that they deem unacceptable for themselves is viewed as the best (relatively speaking) option for others.

It's like they refuse to understand that they do not speak for 'everyone'. It could also be insecurity - that If some one disagrees with them, or has an opinion that differs from theirs, it must be somehow flawed.

 

[ZapNZs]

It's not more or less rugged than the rest of the range, so that's just waffle.
It's not faster than the other models, but can be fast enough for many things same as all the other offerings.
And battery life is in the same range of the others offerings too.

So while you call it denigrating your preference, it's just a myopic preference without real substance.
"i just want it because i do"... stated another way, which is more than fine lets not dress it up.

It has no upsides vs the other models other than price. Lets just call it how it is.. and if you want one on that basis - cool, but the title is 2017 buyer. That buyer's in the "main" a price based buyer.

Compared to the MacBook, the MacBook Air has superior IO (the MacBook has only one port, and that port only supports the same legacy USB 3.1 gen 1 as the MBA, except unlike the MBA there isn't Thunderbolt to compliment it), what I would argue to be a more durable keyboard, superior battery life that is quite significant for many users (1, 2, 3, 4), and a superior price.

Hypothetically, there shouldn't be any upsides to the MBA at all, other than price, because it is so dramatically cheaper than the other Apple laptops. It's certainly a pimple on Apple's Vision of the future (so if they were not making tons of money from it, they would have long killed it off in the name of The Vision...) But, in practice, it turns out there strangely are benefits to it still, and they sell like crazy to a wide range of Users who may opt for it over both the MacBook and MacBook Pro for reasons beyond just pricing.

 

[maerz001]

That is why the Macbook Air still works better for me than an rMB or rMBP. I know that my experience is not common or applicable to others.

I find it fascinating how there are some who are unable to comprehend how a device that they deem unacceptable for themselves is viewed as the best (relatively speaking) option for others.

I didn't say u are wrong when believing the air is the better machine for u. But saying that u need a $80 dongle for the MB is false. And quoting that u never need a dongle for the Air to connect to external displays is questionable. That's all. Peace

 

[AFEPPL]

Compared to the MacBook, the MacBook Air has superior IO (the MacBook has only one port, and that port only supports the same legacy USB 3.1 gen 1 as the MBA, except unlike the MBA there isn't Thunderbolt to compliment it), what I would argue to be a more durable keyboard, superior battery life that is quite significant for many users (1, 2, 3, 4), and a superior price.

Hypothetically, there shouldn't be any upsides to the MBA at all, other than price, because it is so dramatically cheaper than the other Apple laptops. It's certainly a pimple on Apple's Vision of the future (so if they were not making tons of money from it, they would have long killed it off in the name of The Vision...) But, in practice, it turns out there strangely are benefits to it still, and they sell like crazy to a wide range of Users who may opt for it over both the MacBook and MacBook Pro for reasons beyond just pricing.

I don't agree on pretty much every level.
just like the Mac mini, it's there to just appeal to a very specific customer.
The port thing is irrelevant these days to most users, I don't recall the last time I used a USB drive but the air needs a dongle for a screen so I don't see a difference and battery as I said at least on ours is on par.

And that's why apple have a range...

 

[Ffosse]

FWIW, I'm a professional writer and I deliberately chose to buy the latest MBA as my daily driver. In my opinion it still represents the best laptop Apple produces in terms of its unmatched balance of performance, battery, expansion, comfort, price and portability. The only trade off is the screen, which doesn't bother me.

OP, your friend's needs will be more than met by this device.

Out of interest, which programs do you use for writing?

 

[ZapNZs]

I don't agree on pretty much every level.
just like the Mac mini, it's there to just appeal to a very specific customer.
The port thing is irrelevant these days to most users, I don't recall the last time I used a USB drive but the air needs a dongle for a screen so I don't see a difference and battery as I said at least on ours is on par.

And that's why apple have a range...

It may be different in other areas, but we sell them like mad to people in a wide range of socioeconomic status', and the port situation is still important to a significant portion of customers I interact with. IMO the new MBP has superior IO to the MBA thanks to 3.1g2 and TB3. The MBA has superior IO to the rMB. Both the rMB and MBA have legacy IO. (Certainly there are plenty of things the rMB does better than the MBA, as well.)

 

[Osty]

Out of interest, which programs do you use for writing?

Mostly Scrivener; I've used it since 2007. Occasionally, MultiMarkdown Composer and SublimeText when I'm working with Markdown or AsciiDoc.

I'm currently reviewing the trial version of Ulysses.

EDIT: I gave you the Thumbs Up for the William Faulkner quote.
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The port thing is irrelevant these days to most users

It is until you need one. I'd venture that a lot of people are like me and still have to deal with legacy equipment -- especially in the enterprise. With a Macbook Air, I can connect to an external display, USB-A peripherals and drop in an SD card at the same time without having to play dongle hopscotch or drop $100s on flakey USB-C docks and hubs.

In practical terms I can't consider a new Macbook One/Pro until:

1. USB-C is ubiquitous (in enterprise, hotels, conference facilities)
2. Their keyboards don't feel like I'm typing on a wooden plank
3. The Macbook price point is dropped to under $1300AUD

 

[Isamilis]

MBA is still winner for me to the new macbook(pro):
- 2 USB ports. I don't have to bring adapter with me, only one piece of fully charged Air, plung it to its sleeve and there you go. I found it IS very convenient.
- Magsafe - it's magnetic is very smart IMO, and quite rudiculus it's missing on new macbooks
- Price. My usage didnt require hires retina screen. For office, email, browser, hadoop, mysql, I dont mind with the standard resolution. Not the best one but sufficient for my needs.
- Keyboard - in 13". It's naturally easy to type, just like standard desktop keyboard.

 

[EgGKeith]

The onlt problem of MBA is a poor resolution screen.
It is a fine mechaine.

 

[ChrisChaval]

MBA is still winner for me to the new macbook(pro):
- 2 USB ports. I don't have to bring adapter with me, only one piece of fully charged Air, plung it to its sleeve and there you go. I found it IS very convenient.
- Magsafe - it's magnetic is very smart IMO, and quite rudiculus it's missing on new macbooks
- Price. My usage didnt require hires retina screen. For office, email, browser, hadoop, mysql, I dont mind with the standard resolution. Not the best one but sufficient for my needs.
- Keyboard - in 13". It's naturally easy to type, just like standard desktop keyboard.

- (backlit apple logo)

exactly, these are the reasons I got one on sale just today

this is my first post from it

 

[orl2222]

bought a 13" macbook air, on sale 2015 model. currently got it hooked up to my Vizio 43" 4K TV. Had to buy a active display port to HDMI adaptor and mess with switchres x , and now its outputting 4k 60 HZ. Yes the fan does come on, but it doesn't get hot. I still have a surface pro 4 M3 fanless, and that does get really hot. Also the battery life on the surface sucks. lucky to get 4 hours on it. I'm thinking of getting another MBA and keep this one as a desktop. I don't do video editing, except for some handbrake encoding, but i use a old thinkpad 430 for that, being that handbrake on windows has intel quick sync enabled. The MBA is perfect for productivity. Love it!

 

[AFEPPL]

Spot on review

 

[maerz001]

Yep.

Spot on review

Yep. And that Schiller even mentioned in the last event it'll get an updated processor is laughable. That's so miserably on so many levels

 

[jpn]

with the macbook air, it has always been, from the very first models until these last ones as well,
always max out on everything. Processor, Memory, Disk capacity, everything.
it will outlast and be able to compete with the next 2 or even 3 launch cycles for any product similar to it.

case in point, my macbook air specs, the model called Early 2015, bought in (November 2015):
Model Name: MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015)
Model Identifier: MacBookAir7,2
Processor Name: Intel Core i7
Processor Speed: 2.2 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
Disk: 500GB Flash Storage

this is the best computer i have every bought.

keyboard: not the new type ! not even the modified new type ! the older long travel keys.

so whatever the 2017 model or 2018 model offers, max out on it. especially if it includes SIM card slot or USB-C or whatever.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I don't agree on pretty much every level.
just like the Mac mini, it's there to just appeal to a very specific customer.
The port thing is irrelevant these days to most users, I don't recall the last time I used a USB drive but the air needs a dongle for a screen so I don't see a difference and battery as I said at least on ours is on par.

And that's why apple have a range...

I use a USB drive all the time - as I still buy and rip CDs, and I still buy - and view DVDs.

I suspect that a lot of those who love the MBA are professional women, who want a fast, light, portable, utterly reliable and powerful computer with great battery life.
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FWIW, I'm a professional writer and I deliberately chose to buy the latest MBA as my daily driver. In my opinion it still represents the best laptop Apple produces in terms of its unmatched balance of performance, battery, expansion, comfort, price and portability. The only trade off is the screen, which doesn't bother me.

OP, your friend's needs will be more than met by this device.

Exactly; my situation is somewhat similar.

In its current iteration, the MBA is easily the best computer that Apple have ever made.

 

[ChrisChaval]

Yep.

Yep. And that Schiller even mentioned in the last event it'll get an updated processor is laughable. That's so miserably on so many levels

The 2017s air cpu still is a 5th gen I core cpu just upped by 200 MHz

While that ain't much the air still performs better than the more expensive MacBook on its core m cpu

You will find tons of reviews arguing for and against the air in 2017 ...

I think the air is still here simply because people like me continue to love and to buy it and there is a reason for that

The 2017 air may well be the last air we will ever see and the MacBook may eventually take its place

If this is the case I am even happier I just grabbed the air. While I understand that different people have different needs and expectations, the air is just perfect for my personal use case for the reasons mentioned above

 

[maerz001]

with the macbook air, it has always been, from the very first models until these last ones as well,
always max out on everything. Processor, Memory, Disk capacity, everything.

I disagree with that. The 10-15% CPU speed u gain and storage u might never use is not worth a couple of hundred $.
U should buy what u need. What's the point in buying 512GB SSD when it's sitting there empty?
For this price increase u get a rMBP

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I disagree with that. The 10-15% CPU speed u gain and storage u might never use is not worth a couple of hundred $.
U should buy what u need. What's the point in buying 512GB SSD when it's sitting there empty?
For this price increase u get a rMBP

The point is that some of us do not use the Cloud, (at all) and prefer to have what we need stored on our own device.

My iTunes library (all CDs, either bought by me, or given as gifts to me - not a single, solitary piece of music is downloaded as I deplore the rentier model of music, and dislike the poor audio experience it offers) alone exceeds 100 GB.

Candidly, the rMB at this stage of its development reminds me of the MBA when it first came out; a gorgeous machine, exquisitely designed - I lusted after one the minute it appeared - but nothing like as good as it contained the promise to be, and underpowered with an underwhelming battery and limited memory.

For what it is worth, I bought my first MBA in 2010, (the so-called rev-C), and also - for a short while of a few months - had a 2012 11" MBA (which was good, but nothing like as good as the post 2013 models) while I was waiting for my CTO model to be put together.

In truth, the MBA only because the machine it always had the potential to become from 2013, when - with a vastly improved battery life - it became one of the best computers (the best to my mind, and in my experience) Apple ever made.

I don't doubt that the rMB can be improved, - drastically - (as the MBA was) but, until that happens, I won't be tempted to buy one.

 

[AFEPPL]

I use a USB drive all the time - as I still buy and rip CDs, and I still buy - and view DVDs.

I suspect that a lot of those who love the MBA are professional women, who want a fast, light, portable, utterly reliable and powerful computer with great battery life.
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Exactly; my situation is somewhat similar.

In its current iteration, the MBA is easily the best computer that Apple have ever made.

None of the other laptops would prevent you from doing that..
Apple have never released reliability statistics for any of the models so I think it's far to assume the air fairs no better or worse than the other models.

And I accept everyone is different but there's no way even in trumps Lala alternate universe is the MBA even close to being the best ever. Sorry, it's just not and the screen is just embarrassing these days.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

None of the other laptops would prevent you from doing that..
Apple have never released reliability statistics for any of the models so I think it's far to assume the air fairs no better or worse than the other models.

And I accept everyone is different but there's not way even in trumps Lala alternate universe is the MBA even close to being the best ever. Sorry, it's just not and the screen is just embarrassing these days.

Let us agree to differ.

I accept that you do not hold the MBA in high regard; however, do please accept that for some of us, it is the best computer for our needs, that is, our needs - not yours - ever made by Apple.

In my case, I am a middle aged woman who travels a lot for my work, and speed, portability, utter reliability, power and good battery life are all must-haves.

While a stunning screen is nice, I don't watch TV (except for the news and documentaries), rarely watch movies, am not a gamer, and wear glasses; thus, while quite nice to have, a good screen is not a deal breaker for me - but portability, speed, great battery life and reliability are.

I used to have a MBP - a 15", which - while it was a great computer - was a monster and extremely uncomfortable - it was just too heavy - to lug from country to country with comfort and ease; a lovely computer, but I'll never buy another one, unless it is for use mainly as a desk-top.

My sole computer at the moment - which I am currently writing on - is a stunning 11" MBA (a top of the range CTO, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, Core i7).

If I can source another with similar specs, - new - I'll buy it in a heartbeat.