I agree they are different, but I'll be using the iPad for what I am currently using the Air for now. I've had the Air for a couple of years, and mostly use it for browsing and email at home along with some light use while traveling. Been really happy with it, but I'm really looking forward to the iPad.
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Macbook Air == expensive iPad
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I agree they are different, but I'll be using the iPad for what I am currently using the Air for now. I've had the Air for a couple of years, and mostly use it for browsing and email at home along with some light use while traveling. Been really happy with it, but I'm really looking forward to the iPad.
THEN DONT FREAKING PUT IT ON YOUR BED!!!
if the only problem is overheating when you put it on the bed, then maybe you shouldn't put it on the bed... easiest fix ever
Or, what I do is have one of these laptop stands:
http://www.raindesigninc.com/ilap.html
Simple, light, aluminum. No problem with my legs, or the MBA getting too hot.
Hi All,
I took me almost 2 months to decide what to buy: iPad vs Macbook Air?
The presentation of the iPad was a disappointment. No webcam, too big and no real added value to my ipod touch.
Therefore, last week, I bought the Macbook Air (2.13 Ghz and 128 SSD). Not the same budget but for someone who travels a lot like me, this computer is just FANTASTIC.
I can surf, update my blog, take pictures and manage them in Lightroom, Photoshop CS3 works perfectly and I can work on any MS Office document. The trackpad is great and the webcam (which was a must have for me) works great (I can see my family while away). To sum up, so much more than what an iPad can/will do.
Some might argue that the iPad is lighter and probably easier to use with a better battery. Still I find it too big if you want to listen to music. For movies, it is ok but I already have my ipod and watching a divx is possible on the macbook air. The weight of the macbook air is just great and the SSD is very fast. Finally I usually have 3 to 5 hours of battery life. Enough for what I usually do.
The macbook air is not an expensive iPad. They are two very different machines. Before the macbook air, I would consider an iPad. Now, ... no way. Or I'll wait for Rev. 2 of the iPad (probably with a webcam and cheaper).
Note: these comments come from a former 200% PC user
This is fantastic feedback from a well former PC user! I also have been a 200% PC user and want to get the current air, as I will use it for the same reasons you do. I just dont want to pay 1800 for old tech., but then again I hear apple is notorious for having issues with new products being released. I guess Ill wait to see if there is a rev. d of MBA soon, otherwise ill be getting the same model as you! Have u experienced any clicking of ssd at all? And do u multitask quite a bit? Also were you able to get used to OS pretty quickly? Being a windows sysadmin i wonder what problems i may have... Also I have a copy of MS Office 2008 for mac, how does it run? I heard it can run pretty slow, but perhaps that SSD makes up for it... Thanks for any input!
Oh and what would you say is a con, if any, of the MBA?
What are you speaking of ?
MBA is not comparable with an ipad: two different worlds.
BTW rev. B of the MBA don't have any overheating issue, so you just got a lemon.
MS Office runs just fine. Whatever version of the MBA you buy I would suggest to go for the SSD version. Way faster than the HDD versions. I managed to find a second hand MBA (only 2 months old, absolutely mint). With the superdrive (bought on ebay), the whole thing cost me 1000 euros (USD 1300) for the current top-end version.
Quiet frankly, the OS is not a problem, Windows 7 is not too different in a way. I like the GUI of Mac OS X. Also most of the softs you find for Windows exist for Mac (i.e. Lightroom, Photoshop, ...). Therefore not a major deal. What I find really different is the way you install and remove applications. It is more like a copy/paste process in one location. Once you understand how it works you then wonder why Windows does not use the same process
The only thing you need to realise is what the MBA is made for. It is not a super power server, it's a very light and versatile portable computer that fits in any bag and allows you to surf, write, program and chat via skype or ichat.
On the con side: videoconferencing immediately impacts the heat level with one consequence > the fans become noisy. Same if you use photoshop for more than an hour. It is not a deal killer though. I just had a chat with my wife for 35 minutes. Two minutes after the end of the chat, the fans are silent again and my battery life time went back from 31 minutes to 1 hour and 32 minutes.
Many people complain about the battery life. I find it already great considering that my Lenovo X series only last 1 hour and 30 minutes in general. 4 to 5 hours is what I usually get. I turned off the bluetooth and set the screen level luminosity to 50%.
As you can read, I'm pretty much happy with this computer. I didn't wait for a Rev. D as the current version meets my needs. And the refurb offers great deals. 2 GB versus 4 GB of RAM ? Sure it would be great to have 4 GB but I didn't notice any particular issue with Photoshop despite my 2 GB of RAM only. So why bother ? Finally I use a NAS for my main files, therefore 128 GB is largely enough. After having installed Photoshop, Lightroom, Office, Skype, Thunderbird and VLC, I still have 103 GB free space left.
I you find a good deal, take the 2.13 GHz version, you won't regret it.
yep, agree. I see the iPad as the ideal @home gadget. Easy to use, access to internet, great to read a book BUT I still need to be convinced that it will replace my macbook air for my business trips.
To use the iPad as a professional tool, you'll need the additional keyboard to type (already an additional item to carry). Same thing if someone develops a camera for the iPad. My guess is that once you take the iPad and everything else around it you'll find that your MBA weights the same
What I like with the MBA is the fact that you have everything on board.
With the superdrive (bought on ebay), the whole thing cost me 1000 euros (USD 1300) for the current top-end version.
Quiet frankly, the OS is not a problem, Windows 7 is not too different in a way. I like the GUI of Mac OS X. Also most of the softs you find for Windows exist for Mac (i.e. Lightroom, Photoshop, ...). Therefore not a major deal. What I find really different is the way you install and remove applications. It is more like a copy/paste process in one location. Once you understand how it works you then wonder why Windows does not use the same process
I you find a good deal, take the 2.13 GHz version, you won't regret it.
Man now you got me curious about the install/remove method of osx! Looking forward to it, and will have to hit u up on why i think windows doesnt do it that way! Man 1300! Thats a great deal, I havent been able to find one for less than 1550. Do u mind me asking where u got it?
Thanks for the input very informative!
Nice reply. LMAO. I agree and it's my own post.
I searched what it meant because I didn't know -
Literally translates to: That was too long to read.
Really translates to: I'm too lazy to read the entirety of what you said, but I still want to say something.
So, I am already laughing then I read the following...
Said whenever a nerd makes a post that is too long to bother reading.
"omg you postwench. i can only say one thing in response - tl;dr"
"tl;dr...why dont you give up on your unabridged edition of War and Peace or at least stop posting it here?"
I often write far too much. Most people would be shocked that I normally cut at least 50% of every post before submitting. Sometimes it leads to points that have no conclusion... it's a problem with typing faster than I think. LMAO.
For now the iPad is really confusing.
Its really hard to believe that Apple Expects people for have an iphone, ipad, a macbook for on the go computing, and a desktop for heavy load.
the macbook and ipad should merge some how. I am guessing if they made all their laptops where you can flip the screen and make them touch screens, it would be perfect.
But maybe Apple is trying to add a new home appliance that didn't exist before. Think of the pc, people thought no one wanted a computer in their homes before. Or a TV, maybe they thought movies are in cinema only. If you had an oven, why do you need a microwave?
I think that we must wait until apps roll out for this thing and see how others use it, maybe it will solve problems we have that we do not know about yet. But its very clear that its not a computer
Its really hard to believe that Apple Expects people for have an iphone, ipad, a macbook for on the go computing, and a desktop for heavy load.
the macbook and ipad should merge some how. I am guessing if they made all their laptops where you can flip the screen and make them touch screens, it would be perfect.
But maybe Apple is trying to add a new home appliance that didn't exist before. Think of the pc, people thought no one wanted a computer in their homes before. Or a TV, maybe they thought movies are in cinema only. If you had an oven, why do you need a microwave?
I think that we must wait until apps roll out for this thing and see how others use it, maybe it will solve problems we have that we do not know about yet. But its very clear that its not a computer
Scottsdale, I enjoy your posts. It's good to see someone go to the trouble of answering a question in full, but then I also type over 70wpm
I normally enjoy my MacRumors fix in an RSS format, but stopped by today as I wanted to see what the opinion was on the timetable for the next revision of the MBA. Just ordered Mrs B a 13" MBP to replace her ailing MB, and thought it's time I updated my MBA. Now I know how exciting this forum is I'll be stopping by more often!
I bought the original MBA, low spec, HDD version. I knew the SSD prices would tumble, and at the time I thought 64gb was just too small - 80gb wasn't much better, but it would do. I have had it a bit longer than I originally expected, mainly thanks to the credit crunch, but also because it is a pretty good machine.
I use a 24" iMac at home. I travel a lot, and I have used the MBA everywhere, planes, buses, taxis - you think of it, I've done it. I run Fusion to get onto my work desktop, I run Aperture to play with snaps whilst still on holiday, I obviously use it for RSS (NNW) e-mail and the web. I have even played with XCode on it.
I still have my old MBP because my original MBA doesn't play games when family etiquette requires my physical presence in front of the TV for some ghastly reality offering, but Celebrity-Strictly-Come-Ice-Factor-Get-Me-Out-Of-Here-Got-Talent doesn't fully engage me. That aside, the MBA meets all my other portable needs.
I hope the new revision allows me to flog both the original MBA and old MBP and move to a single laptop strategy. But have loved the original MBA since the day I picked it up - it does get a bit hot, and the HDD sometimes makes alarming clicking noises, but it is a proper computer, very light, very capable, beautifully balanced and a joy to use.
Now I am challenging Scottsdale for rambling - and I can't type at 70 wpm!
amjb
p.s. I am going to buy an iPad *because* it is a big iTouch!
I bought the original MBA, low spec, HDD version. I knew the SSD prices would tumble, and at the time I thought 64gb was just too small - 80gb wasn't much better, but it would do. I have had it a bit longer than I originally expected, mainly thanks to the credit crunch, but also because it is a pretty good machine.
I use a 24" iMac at home. I travel a lot, and I have used the MBA everywhere, planes, buses, taxis - you think of it, I've done it. I run Fusion to get onto my work desktop, I run Aperture to play with snaps whilst still on holiday, I obviously use it for RSS (NNW) e-mail and the web. I have even played with XCode on it.
I still have my old MBP because my original MBA doesn't play games when family etiquette requires my physical presence in front of the TV for some ghastly reality offering, but Celebrity-Strictly-Come-Ice-Factor-Get-Me-Out-Of-Here-Got-Talent doesn't fully engage me. That aside, the MBA meets all my other portable needs.
I hope the new revision allows me to flog both the original MBA and old MBP and move to a single laptop strategy. But have loved the original MBA since the day I picked it up - it does get a bit hot, and the HDD sometimes makes alarming clicking noises, but it is a proper computer, very light, very capable, beautifully balanced and a joy to use.
Now I am challenging Scottsdale for rambling - and I can't type at 70 wpm!
amjb
p.s. I am going to buy an iPad *because* it is a big iTouch!
I really doubt Apple would do a hardware refresh with CeBIT going on soaking up the attention of the gadget world. Not sure if they would roll out a new release between CeBIT and iPAD release. We might be looking into April for updates..
I dont understand the comparison between the MBA and the ipad. They are completely different devices. On one hand, the MBA is a fully functioning computer built to be ultra portable, and on the other, the ipad is something people will use to watch movies on planes.
Unfortunately, I think Apple might have some big updates planned for the Macs. I wouldn't be shocked if the MBP gets a silent update between now and early April and the MBA, Mac mini, Mac Pro, AppleTV, Cinema Displays, and iLife all get updated at WWDC in June.
I just don't know if Apple can hold out on the MBPs until June... a full year is absolutely ridiculous in my opinion, but Apple marches to the beat of its own drum. I just don't know... I think with the long wait, we could be looking at some new designs even. So maybe not June but maybe a day between April 12 through 29th, Apple has its own press conference for Mac updates. I just think with the WWDC being six weeks (approximately) later, Apple might opt for a full year between updates.
I was convinced that March 2, 2010 was definitely the day... but I have been waiting since October 2009 for a REAL UPDATE for the MBA. With the mediocre teeny tiny spec bump for the MBA last June, I figured Apple had plans. Everyone has been expecting an MBP for three months, so Apple has to do something there. It's now at 9+ months when the MBP usually gets at least a spec bump on a seven month average cycle.
The iPad must be changing the game... along with the loss of Nvidia's GPU/chipset from all Macs. Or perhaps, Apple is waiting on 10.6.3, or a part of some sort. It just seems like disappointing updates the last time had to lead to quicker and much more relevant updates, but that was NOT the case.
I do plan for complete disappointment. If Apple fails, which is highly likely, the Sony Z really could be my future computer. Apple cannot release an MBA with Intel's graphics as the sole graphics non-solution. It cannot release an Ultra Low Voltage CPU. It cannot release only 2 GB of RAM, and it must at least keep a 13" display and full sized keyboard for me to keep the MBA my primary Mac. I bought the "fake rev C" last Summer thinking it would be my computer for just six months until the real update was announced... it has really led to disappointment with its lousy 2 GB of RAM, and without a CPU or graphics system update. I welcomed the price drop then, but right now I just plain don't care what the price is, I want a new relevant MBA.
Come on Apple, if you cannot deliver, a shiny new Sony Vaio Z surely can! With a Core i5 CPU, Nvidia 330 GT, 4 GB RAM, dual SSDs (256 GB total), and Windows 7 driving the hardware I can get really excited if I have to make the switch. Apple needs to deliver now more than ever. Sure I would prefer an MBA, but I will not wait forever and I will not be happy with an MBA that's meant to be a secondary Mac.
My secret hope is that the OS update delay is waiting on NVIDIA Optimus support--which would fit the model for allowing the Intel CPUs along with NVIDIA graphics along with power savings, etc. I would bet they'd keep that under wraps and not release it in test build (esp. given reports of new levels of corporate paranoia). It does seem like the NVIDIA-Intel spat has affected their new product release. Looks like CeBIT ends on 6 Mar. Maybe next week for a hardware update.. so hard to say.
I thought the Nvidia Optimus thing was a deal of waiting for Apple to be the first to release Optimus, but that wasn't right either. Several other manufacturers have announced and I believe one or two are shipping now.
I actually wonder if Apple really thought it would get away with using Nvidia with Core i-series CPUs? I mean Apple really invested heavily in Nvidia within OS X itself even. I have read a lot of misinformation and stuff I consider flat out lies. However, this latest Mac mini info including the new Nvidia 9400m GPU/chipset successor really made me feel the MBA and MBP low end would get the same thing, but it just doesn't make sense with the timing. If Apple was going to stick with the Nvidia GPU/chipset, wouldn't they have updated three months ago?
The longer Apple waits, the more upset buyers will be if Core i7 CPUs aren't used. Heck a site could be built around the Arrandale threads over in the MBP section here. Apple is in deep here.
I honestly have no clue anymore. Every date on the book made sense until today. Now, everything conflicts with the iPad until late April. Then, why not wait until the WWDC? Frustrating that Apple is the only computer manufacturers that sticks its customers so badly when it comes to making them buy nine month old technology for pricing that has dropped by 50% everywhere else in the industry.
I really like the Sony Z!!! If it had an Apple logo and OS X on it, I would have bought it already and would have paid $1,000 more than Sony's asking. I have seen Sony computers look better and perform better, but never a Sony that seemed like a better overall solution. However, the Sony Z is Apple-like. Why cannot Apple just update its Macs?
So with the official release date of the IPAD now, anyone think that the MBA may be updated alongside the MBP? Wouldnt that be an appeal to new customers, get your ipad and then look at our MBA i think they could work together for some people. Plus, anyone else think that the ipad will eventually hold all textbooks, etc. for students? I definitely dont think it is a replacement for a computer, the MBA would be great to sync with and is portable. Anyways whos thinking next week a release for the MB line?
The Inquirer seems to think June. I still don't believe that rumor/speculation but with every passing week it seems a bit more likely.
I was partly expecting such an update, especially with the last iMac update, but I'm thinking of possible reasons why they didn't do so.
- An update late last year would most likely go until the middle of this year, so instead of staying with "old" CPUs, Apple chose to wait a while and go with Arrandale. Interestingly, the reverse happened with the iMac, except that the iMac update had Core ix CPUs, while the MBP/MBA probably wouldn't have. That may also mean the Arrandale update could have Core 2 Duos also in the lineup, although I don't think that's likely (unless Apple really doesn't want the GMA HD by itself in a Mac).
- They are planning just one MacBook Pro and MacBook Air update until Sandy Bridge H2 in Q1 2011, so an update around March-May is right in between the last update and Sandy Bridge's release
- Something's up with the GPUs or Optimus that's delaying the update. Another possibility is that Apple asked Intel to give them "special" Arrandales with faster-than-usual integrated graphics, but I think that's the least likely of these three.
This seems a little harsh! I don't actually own an Air, I preferred the robustness of the MBP and the fact you can expand the RAM. I was drawn to the lightness of the Air, however! For those people (like me) who have illness that causes pain in joints, the weight difference of the Air is not insignificant.
Equally, I was hoping the tablet was going to offer a fall OS for multi treading and that sort of thing. However the iPad may provide a great text editor and document viewer the move -- as long as multi tasking isn't a requirement.
Hang on if I can;t run text editor and webbrowser and PDF Preview would it be any good?!! maybe not?
Reading the posts here I cannot help but wonder how you use your MBAs? I use a MBA (think its rev B) and think it works beautifully. I use it professionally as a web programmer and my standard programs running includes firefox with about 30 tabs, eclipse, itunes or spotify and some terminals and the MBA has no problem with this load. Surely, some heavy flash or photoshopping can trigger the fan and slow it down noticeable but not dramatically.
I am planning on buying the highend MBA with a SSD when the next rev comes out and would appreciate to hear how you guys use your MBA (especially from the disappointed).
I am planning on buying the highend MBA with a SSD when the next rev comes out and would appreciate to hear how you guys use your MBA (especially from the disappointed).