And the title of the thread you started: 'MacBook Air, the worst MacBook ever, don't buy it.'
I'm not sure how you reconcile 'not a bad laptop at all' with 'the worst MacBook ever.'
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Macbook Air, the worst Macbook ever, don't buy it
- Thread starter bubulol
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
And the title of the thread you started: 'MacBook Air, the worst MacBook ever, don't buy it.'
I'm not sure how you reconcile 'not a bad laptop at all' with 'the worst MacBook ever.'
You are right and wrong. Each one of your bulleted criticisms is right. However, for college students there is still no better laptop to haul around day after day. Long battery life, solid build, ability to run applications not just the internet (the downfall of Chromebooks), good support from campus IT departments (colleges were always way ahead of corporations in this regard).
In fact an 11.6" Air to haul around to class and pound out papers in the dorm is pretty ideal, especially when paired with the iPad or Android tablet of your choice for some sharper, more accurate colors, media consumption. Almost every one has a serviceable tablet lying around somewhere for media. Or their phone, if push comes to shove.
The 13" Air exists for those with weaker eyes or bigger hands (larger keyboard).
In fact an 11.6" Air to haul around to class and pound out papers in the dorm is pretty ideal, especially when paired with the iPad or Android tablet of your choice for some sharper, more accurate colors, media consumption. Almost every one has a serviceable tablet lying around somewhere for media. Or their phone, if push comes to shove.
The 13" Air exists for those with weaker eyes or bigger hands (larger keyboard).
It's too pricey for what it is. Kind of what the original Air was. I reckon by the 3rd or 4th iteration they'll be at a price point where most would consider it as a decent secondary machine.
The lack of ports is a complete deal breaker for me.
I see your point, but it's still a hard pill to swallow at the price Apple wants for this product. With the subpar keyboard (I really wanted to like it but I couldn't), single port and low-end CPU, it does smack of form over function.
I'm presently in the market for an accessory device for writing (my day job) but I have a hard time justifying $2000AUD for an experience I can get for a third of the price with an iPad and a bluetooth keyboard or a MBA for $700 less.
Last edited:
Haha, lol?!? That's the best reason I've ever heard!
For me, 11" is just too small to actually get some work done. It's possible on 13''. And by 'get some work done' I mean more than just surfing Safari, watching Netflix, and reading/writing mails, but not enough that it would justify an MBP. Speaking writing a lot (papers -> college, science, ...you name it), some photography, some Matlab. Never-ever would I go smaller. That has nothing to do with weak eyes but with screen real estate. And btw, the keyboards are the same size...
And my 13" MBA is for on the road (school, the field, travelling). I have 27" at home. 13" is the only valid compromise for on the go and still being able to actually be productive.
But, I do see that there are people who don't do more than just light reading, writing, and media consumption. For those, 12" or even 11" might be enough. Hell, I do that on my iPad mini. I, personally, just don't get why those people need a LAPTOP to begin with - I feel you're better of with an iPad, then.
Comparing language richness is pretty petty. I'm biased (professional writer) but I happen to think that English is a wonderfully rich and expressive language. It's got a remarkable history of adaptation and appropriation and despite the numbers of native speakers being less than Mandarin, it's the world defacto language and will be until the world decides that the culture, economy, history, literature, science and military power of China is more appealing than the Anglo-American culture that dominates the west.
[doublepost=1465353606][/doublepost]
I did it for years and it was fine (mostly writing in full screen mind). Recently I've been using an 11inch Chromebook but I miss the 11" MBA like crazy and want to go back.
For the records, I'm nearly 2 metres tall with hands like shovels and I still prefer the 11" MBA more than any other computer I've ever owned. It's the spiritual successor of my first ever Mac, the 12inch G4 Powerbook. Nostalgia, admittedly plays just a big a role as form factor, but hey I'm a sentimental creature.
[doublepost=1465353930][/doublepost]
My Chromebook takes exception to this thread's premise. It's sulking in the corner, a strange sound emanating from its cheap plastic body as lines of text scrawl down its screen after Arch Linux experiences another Kernel panic.
The lack of magsafe is a major problem with the rmb.
Even more so than that measly single usbc port.
I've broken every laptop I've ever owned by tripping over the cord.
I believe that the magsafe might be the best invention on a laptp ever.
I'm not buying a 1k$ plus device without one.
Even more so than that measly single usbc port.
I've broken every laptop I've ever owned by tripping over the cord.
I believe that the magsafe might be the best invention on a laptp ever.
I'm not buying a 1k$ plus device without one.
The resolution of the 11" MBA always put me off, well until I managed to pick one up for a bargain price. It's fine for my use, fast enough for Lightroom and Photoshop, light enough and very quiet (I have refused to install flash - so that might have something to do with it!)
If MacBook Air owners were stupid enough to go onto the MacBook forum and start a thread such as "12-inch MacBook, the worst ever, don't buy it" with no real substance behind it (much like this thread) then yeah, I'd consider that trolling and would expect 12-inch MacBook owners to respond in kind.
As for owners defending their purchases... hell yeah, a lot of people do. We've all put a good amount of thought into our purchases to make the choice we did. To have some idiot on either side cross the fence and bash product X with comparisons to product Y of stuff that doesn't even apply to everyone and call it "the worst ever", is low class and should be dealt with accordingly.
Me, I love my 11-inch MacBook Air. I love it so much (even the screen!
I know right?) that I simply enjoy it and don't feel any need togo onto the 12-inch MacBook forum and start trash talking threads to justify my purchase. Who knew life could be so simple? 
How "elegant" and convenient, provoking and not liking the consequences.
"I don't like it, so the rest of you shouldn't buy it either."
My MBA 13" 2013 is the best laptop I've ever had. I was a windoze user for 20 years, had all kinds of laptops before, and still have to use a windoze laptop in my job, but my MBA remains my fave! Would I like a better screen? Sure. But everything else this baby has is exactly what I need. Perfect form factor, all the ports, quiet, speed, battery life. The 12" macbook (air) released last year will never work for me simply because it only has the 1 port and no SD card port. Nyet. I'm not carrying around a bunch of adapters to do what I need to do.
I never thought that 3 years later the 2013 MBA 13" would still be the best MBA, but it is, despite the retina screen of the 12" 2015 model. And, not having any other retina screen laptop at home, it's not like I'm comparing my MBA to something and feeling the lack of. It is what it is, and it's still working great for me.
I never thought that 3 years later the 2013 MBA 13" would still be the best MBA, but it is, despite the retina screen of the 12" 2015 model. And, not having any other retina screen laptop at home, it's not like I'm comparing my MBA to something and feeling the lack of. It is what it is, and it's still working great for me.
I'm exactly at the same situation. Love my 2013 air.
If MacBook Air owners were stupid enough to go onto the MacBook forum and start a thread such as "12-inch MacBook, the worst ever, don't buy it" with no real substance behind it (much like this thread) then yeah, I'd consider that trolling and would expect 12-inch MacBook owners to respond in kind.
As for owners defending their purchases... hell yeah, a lot of people do. We've all put a good amount of thought into our purchases to make the choice we did. To have some idiot on either side cross the fence and bash product X with comparisons to product Y of stuff that doesn't even apply to everyone and call it "the worst ever", is low class and should be dealt with accordingly.
Me, I love my 11-inch MacBook Air. I love it so much (even the screen!
Exactly. Why did this joker start this thread? If OP loves the rMB that's great. I looked at it briefly on my way to get this MBA. Not an option for me but good for someone else.
I don't have a need to defend or justify my purchases. When I buy something with personal funds for person use I don't need anyone's sign off.
I would agree that the screen technology is lagging pretty bad, but everything else about the MBA is better than the rMB. For what I use it for I can live with the screen of the MBA but I personally would never buy the rMB because the lack of ports is a deal breaker and I really can't stand the keyboard (it's awful imo). If Apple went as far as upgrading the screen in the MBA to a 1080p IPS panel I'd probably buy a new one to replace my 2013. I have my doubts that Apple will even do that though.
I have a 2013 Macbook Pro 15" and a 2012 Macbook Air 13". You know which gets used the most? My Macbook Air, i just prefer it. Its my favourite laptop.
I could be wrong here, but I'm sure i am right, battery life nothing is as good as a 2015 Macbook Air in the Macbook range? The Macbook Air is a wonderful laptop.
I could be wrong here, but I'm sure i am right, battery life nothing is as good as a 2015 Macbook Air in the Macbook range? The Macbook Air is a wonderful laptop.