Was that full MSRP or on sale? That's a great price.
I have toyed with getting an 11" too. Have you used a 13" also?
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Macbook Air Screen is Terrible!
- Thread starter TurboJobo
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I have toyed with getting an 11" too. Have you used a 13" also?
I would also like to understand how so many MBAs with “crap” screens somehow made it into the wild? I’ve owned three, an 11” and two 13”s. All have had screens that do not “wash out when the screen is moved half an inch,” and have been crisp, clear and othwise excellent for business use. I deal with many screens in a day, and excluding the retina screens on my iPads and iPhone, my current MBA 13 is the best by far -- and I’m including some high-dollar business-grade Windows machines and my new-in-December HD Acer in that group. My MBA remains my go-to machine.
I agree the resolution is not great. Can't argue that. But for general use it's fine. The color is consistent, plenty bright for me.
Well, it was a really good deal because I'm a teacher. It was $899 (on sale? don't remember), and Best Buy also had an education discount of $100. Then work gives us $250 for supplies. Oh, and I suppose I get to write off another $250 on my taxes.
I have used a 13" in the past, as that's what many students have. After using the 11", the 13" just seems gigantic. I don't like it nearly as much.
The Macbook Pro 13" has a lower resolution at 1280 x 800 and, when the refurb mid-2012 13" MBP show up on the apple website with 4 gb ram and 500 gb drive, they sell out quickly.
It may have a resolution that's a bit lower, but AFAIK it's an IPS display with much better viewing angles and colours.
I have used both a 13" MBA and a 13" non-rMPB and don't have an issue with viewing angles since I am usually the only person sitting in front of the screen. I used both machines for simple tasks like email, surfing, and Microsoft office apps.
The retina screen is obviously better but the MBA has advantages over my non-rMBP and vice versa.
The retina screen is obviously better but the MBA has advantages over my non-rMBP and vice versa.
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I've read this thread with interest, especially since I continue to be an 11" MBA evangelist.
I won't deny that the display (LG or Samsung) is subpar when compared to the current crop of retina displays. However, that's not the 11" MBA's main selling point.
The portability of this little gem is, for me, the reason I'll hang onto mine, even though more up-to-date models are available. There's just something about the 11" form factor that continues to grab me.
The 2.2 i7 has handled everything I've thrown at it - Adobe CC apps, mostly - with nary a hiccup. I had a brief flirtation with the 2016 13" nMBP and found it dog-slow. I know the 2017 MBP models are substantially speedier, but I don't want to spend $2K for a laptop with the same attributes as my MBA.
I like to think that the 11" MBA is snappy precisely because the display is subpar. Without the need to pump out to a massive number of pixels, the processor can handle more complex tasks without struggling.
I imagine the only outdated aspect of the 11" MBA will, at some point next year, be the ports. However, since I already have the dongles, I can wade through that issue as well. As Ultra noted, the sum of the Air is far greater than the value of the parts. In a word, the 11" just works.
I won't deny that the display (LG or Samsung) is subpar when compared to the current crop of retina displays. However, that's not the 11" MBA's main selling point.
The portability of this little gem is, for me, the reason I'll hang onto mine, even though more up-to-date models are available. There's just something about the 11" form factor that continues to grab me.
The 2.2 i7 has handled everything I've thrown at it - Adobe CC apps, mostly - with nary a hiccup. I had a brief flirtation with the 2016 13" nMBP and found it dog-slow. I know the 2017 MBP models are substantially speedier, but I don't want to spend $2K for a laptop with the same attributes as my MBA.
I like to think that the 11" MBA is snappy precisely because the display is subpar. Without the need to pump out to a massive number of pixels, the processor can handle more complex tasks without struggling.
I imagine the only outdated aspect of the 11" MBA will, at some point next year, be the ports. However, since I already have the dongles, I can wade through that issue as well. As Ultra noted, the sum of the Air is far greater than the value of the parts. In a word, the 11" just works.
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Totally...but there also weren't education discounts on anything I was interested in buying and I wasn't looking to spend very much. Plus, I really wanted either a Macbook Air or a Surface for portability reasons. The Air was less expensive. It was actually the first Apple product I owned since the 90s. I liked it enough that I decided to try iOS, which brought me to the iPhone and iPad. I'm thinking of ditching the iPhone for a Pixel 2, though.Well, just to be fair, you could have used that to buy any computer... right?
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Right? Viewing angles typically aren't a big concern to me because my computer is for my own use and I'm not going to use it and be viewing it at some odd angle.
Have you had to use the dongles yet? I have, and it stinks. If you travel or constantly use the laptop mobily, it's a pain to hunt and search your bag for dongles. This is the single most maddening things Apple has done short of removing the headphone jack from the iPhone-that is coming for Macbooks-mark my words. Ok, rant over.
But I agree, the sum of pro's is what makes the Air a very good choice today for many people.
I used dongles for my USB-C SSDs, and got fed up with trying to locate them. I bought USB-C to USB-A cables instead.
I've got a USB SD card reader, but other than that, my TBD and the usual bevy of USB-A drives, there's not much I attach.
I've got a USB SD card reader, but other than that, my TBD and the usual bevy of USB-A drives, there's not much I attach.
The mabook air screen is old news.
I couldve told you the screen was terrible in 2010.
I couldve told you the screen was terrible in 2010.
I guess we might have asked you first, and saved ourselves a lot of trouble with this thread.
There is something about the MBA that engenders a feeling of affection from its users. Logically, the display is dated and the design is 7 years old. But, people just love their MBAs. I am just spitballing here but maybe it's because:
Incredibly reliable and time tested hardware
Legacy Ports and mag safe
Great backlit keyboard and trackpad
12 Hour battery Life
Frequently on sale for less than $800
Iconic Apple backlit Logo (silly, I know)
Lightweight design and thin form factor
For the vast majority of Laptop users, this familiar workhorse will handle anything they throw at it, and it just keeps chugging along. There are tons of young people that used their MBA in college for hours and hours sweating out term papers and continue to use their beloved machines for years after they graduate. If you ask them about the display they just shrug and say: "it's a laptop.....if the viewing angle is poor, I just adjust the screen with the hinge..."
When I hear people say that the MBA screen is unusable to them, I wonder what would have they have done 10 years ago? Not turn in school or work assignments because they could not possibly function with a TN display? I don't questions someone springing the extra $$ for a laptop with retina display and other trade-offs (e.g. limited ports, no mag safe, shallow keyboard). It's a legitimate customer choice. I just don't understand why folks get so incredulous over someone selecting the MBA instead.
Incredibly reliable and time tested hardware
Legacy Ports and mag safe
Great backlit keyboard and trackpad
12 Hour battery Life
Frequently on sale for less than $800
Iconic Apple backlit Logo (silly, I know)
Lightweight design and thin form factor
For the vast majority of Laptop users, this familiar workhorse will handle anything they throw at it, and it just keeps chugging along. There are tons of young people that used their MBA in college for hours and hours sweating out term papers and continue to use their beloved machines for years after they graduate. If you ask them about the display they just shrug and say: "it's a laptop.....if the viewing angle is poor, I just adjust the screen with the hinge..."
When I hear people say that the MBA screen is unusable to them, I wonder what would have they have done 10 years ago? Not turn in school or work assignments because they could not possibly function with a TN display? I don't questions someone springing the extra $$ for a laptop with retina display and other trade-offs (e.g. limited ports, no mag safe, shallow keyboard). It's a legitimate customer choice. I just don't understand why folks get so incredulous over someone selecting the MBA instead.
If I need other people to view what's on the display, I use an external monitor.
I like the air and just had a 2015 MBA repaired that I originally intended to use for its ssd.
Let's not forget the cool, glowing apple logo that everyone sees when you're sitting in your local coffee shop lol.
Even after retina laptops began appearing, most good agnostic tech publications listed the 13" MBA as the world's best laptop. They continued to do so for years because of the MBA's reliability, portability, battery life, and versatility. It's only recently they've moved on to other machines.
Sadly, some Mac users have decided those of us who continue to use our much-loved MBAs (mine's a 2011 11" i5) to do actual work are somehow deficient. Many have descended on MR's MBA forum to explain our deficiency and evangelize Retinaism. Strangely, instead of converting we defend our choices and laugh at their bullying.
Yes, we're aware of retina screens. We willingly acknowledge they look fabulous. But for what we do with our computers, fabulosity isn't a consideration. So please, go hang out in your retinafied forums.
Sadly, some Mac users have decided those of us who continue to use our much-loved MBAs (mine's a 2011 11" i5) to do actual work are somehow deficient. Many have descended on MR's MBA forum to explain our deficiency and evangelize Retinaism. Strangely, instead of converting we defend our choices and laugh at their bullying.
Yes, we're aware of retina screens. We willingly acknowledge they look fabulous. But for what we do with our computers, fabulosity isn't a consideration. So please, go hang out in your retinafied forums.
I have both an AIR11 and AIR13 and like them very much, for the ports, mag safe, light weight, sufficient processing speed, good battery life, and yes, for the bezels which get my thumb prints instead of the screen. I don't mind the display. In the Apple Store where the AIR11 was right next to a retina MacBook, I could not see any difference. True, my eyes are old.
My main gripe is with certain OS software degradations since Snow Leopard spoiled me on my 2010 MacBook Pro.
My main gripe is with certain OS software degradations since Snow Leopard spoiled me on my 2010 MacBook Pro.
I can not believe there are still people who do not understand why the MBA is a great computer. What is terrible is your post.
I love the Air.
My partner has the 11" It's the 2013 version.
I have a maxed out 13" 2015. I chose It over the 2015 13" retina, just for the weight,
and I find grey bezels less distracting.
I don't care much for the "terrible screen" at the right angle It is more then OK.
Maybe I would have prefered the 11", the SD card slot is a big plus for the 13".
It has a 512GB SD card in it permenantly.
If I want a better screen I have multiple 24" Apple cinema displays, the grey matt ones.
Eizo's. And 43" 4K IPS. They all work on the 2015 model.
The 11" is just an amazing portable laptop.
The new macbook is just so unpractical ... 2 USB3 and a TB2 port and the SD as a plus.
I have a powered USB thing with 10 ports incase I need more.
A lot cheaper than a TB2/3 docking station.
I have PCIe and 4Sata bay enclosures on my nMP.
But that machine doesn't need a docking station.
As it has 6 TB2, 4 USB3 with a 10 port expension, audio in and out, 2 ethernet and HDMI.
If you want a laptop and the screen really matters, buy a 15" macbook pro.
I had an earlier version but the graphics card fried.
I think the Air is an amazing laptop, It has more power than I did expect.
Mine has taken some serious abuse, the same that fried my macbook pro ...
My partner has the 11" It's the 2013 version.
I have a maxed out 13" 2015. I chose It over the 2015 13" retina, just for the weight,
and I find grey bezels less distracting.
I don't care much for the "terrible screen" at the right angle It is more then OK.
Maybe I would have prefered the 11", the SD card slot is a big plus for the 13".
It has a 512GB SD card in it permenantly.
If I want a better screen I have multiple 24" Apple cinema displays, the grey matt ones.
Eizo's. And 43" 4K IPS. They all work on the 2015 model.
The 11" is just an amazing portable laptop.
The new macbook is just so unpractical ... 2 USB3 and a TB2 port and the SD as a plus.
I have a powered USB thing with 10 ports incase I need more.
A lot cheaper than a TB2/3 docking station.
I have PCIe and 4Sata bay enclosures on my nMP.
But that machine doesn't need a docking station.
As it has 6 TB2, 4 USB3 with a 10 port expension, audio in and out, 2 ethernet and HDMI.
If you want a laptop and the screen really matters, buy a 15" macbook pro.
I had an earlier version but the graphics card fried.
I think the Air is an amazing laptop, It has more power than I did expect.
Mine has taken some serious abuse, the same that fried my macbook pro ...
You can use one of these for all I care:
They're reliable, versatile laptops with a removable battery. But that doesn't mean I'd recommend someone pay a couple hundred dollars for such old tech in 2017.
As a consumer, I feel that value for money is important. If Apple fails to deliver, than I pass it up and recommend others do so as well, the same way I would pass up an eBay seller charging a couple hundred dollars for the above iBook. The display on the 2017 MacBook Air is not even as good as some $300 laptops, the design is outdated, no USB-C/Thunderbolt 3, and these things have me convinced that the MacBook Air is not good value for money at its current price point.
Ultimately, this thread is not questioning those who are already using a MacBook Air, or the above iBook either. It is questioning if the display on the Air is a worthwhile purchase at the price Apple is charging. And in my honest opinion, it is not.
Maybe if the Air can be purchased at a lower price, say $550 for the 11", then I might give it a recommendation. At that price, it has enough strengths to be justified.
But at the price point it sits at now, you're just better off paying the extra for a MacBook or MacBook Pro, or even going with a Windows PC if you want good value for money.
Haha we have an Ibook like that.
Also the last 15" powerbook G4.
They are amazing ... but lack the power to play HD video ...
I love the keyboard of the powerbook G4.
You can only use them for typing novels nowdays.
I bought my 13" Air in 2015, maxing it out made it close to 2000 euro's.
Now I would only advise the base air, if you want a Mac for a 1000 euro's.
The new 13" Macbook Pro is about the same weight as the 13" air.
The newest macbooks weight even less and have more speed and a 16gb ram option compared to the 2015 model.
The 15" Macbook pro has about the same weight as the 13" 2015, but kills any other Apple laptop if multicores are put to good use.
If you start maxing out your air. You are close to 1800 euro's.
For the same price you can have the non touch macbook pro with a faster processor, 16gig ram, better display, TB3.
For 2200 euro's they still sell the 15" 2015, if you want a nice screen, don't mind the extra weight.
And has all the legacy ports 2xUSB3, 2xTB2, SD, HDMI
Think the best bang for buck
is the base Air if you want really portable 1000 euro
or the base 2015 Macbook Pro retina if you want more power and and a good screen.
2200 euro but quad core, 16gig ram 15" retina.
Also the last 15" powerbook G4.
They are amazing ... but lack the power to play HD video ...
I love the keyboard of the powerbook G4.
You can only use them for typing novels nowdays.
I bought my 13" Air in 2015, maxing it out made it close to 2000 euro's.
Now I would only advise the base air, if you want a Mac for a 1000 euro's.
The new 13" Macbook Pro is about the same weight as the 13" air.
The newest macbooks weight even less and have more speed and a 16gb ram option compared to the 2015 model.
The 15" Macbook pro has about the same weight as the 13" 2015, but kills any other Apple laptop if multicores are put to good use.
If you start maxing out your air. You are close to 1800 euro's.
For the same price you can have the non touch macbook pro with a faster processor, 16gig ram, better display, TB3.
For 2200 euro's they still sell the 15" 2015, if you want a nice screen, don't mind the extra weight.
And has all the legacy ports 2xUSB3, 2xTB2, SD, HDMI
Think the best bang for buck
is the base Air if you want really portable 1000 euro
or the base 2015 Macbook Pro retina if you want more power and and a good screen.
2200 euro but quad core, 16gig ram 15" retina.
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they can t give MBA a better screen if they want to sell their other products.
it s the best laptop in the world in my opinion.
i have many macs and MBP 13 / 15. MBA is the best overall
it s the best laptop in the world in my opinion.
i have many macs and MBP 13 / 15. MBA is the best overall
You can use one of these for all I care:
They're reliable, versatile laptops with a removable battery. But that doesn't mean I'd recommend someone pay a couple hundred dollars for such old tech in 2017.
Don't be ridiculous. The MBA is a fantastic machine at a reasonable price. What are you basing the fact that they are 'too expensive' on? Sounds like you need a PC, bro.