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Macbook Air, the worst Macbook ever, don't buy it
- Thread starter bubulol
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That's a great addition to the discussion. Thanks for letting us know.
But do you agree with this post, disagree with it, or are you content merely to reproduce it without adding any further comment?
The 13" Air is one of Apple's greatest ever products; in its current generation at least. Reviewers have lauded it (Walt Mossberg even called it Apple's best Mac ever), and other brands have cloned its design over the years.
It perfectly balances performance, portability and battery life, which is all that most people want from a laptop. It also has MagSafe, USB 3 and an SD card slot. What more could you want from an everday machine? And no, I don't include special uses such as video/audio editing, CAD etc.
On the other hand, the 12" rMB is a vision of the future - we're heading to a world where cables will only be used in special use cases, and people have come to expect ultra portability because of the nature of phones and tablets. It's a beautiful machine and the keyboard actually ain't that bad once you sit down and get used to it.
But right now, the compromises of having no SD slot or MagSafe, a one-inch smaller screen (trust me, it makes a difference), no ventilation and worser front camera don't balance well with the price tag. Once must ask themselves; what am I really paying more for, and is it worth it right now. Because the truth it that Apple produced this machine for no other reason than that they could; to give people a glimpse of how portable and simple the Mac experience can be.
Regarding the Air's screen, it is outdated and not suitable for the price, but trade-off is outstanding battery life. Better battery life than its supposed rival.
It perfectly balances performance, portability and battery life, which is all that most people want from a laptop. It also has MagSafe, USB 3 and an SD card slot. What more could you want from an everday machine? And no, I don't include special uses such as video/audio editing, CAD etc.
On the other hand, the 12" rMB is a vision of the future - we're heading to a world where cables will only be used in special use cases, and people have come to expect ultra portability because of the nature of phones and tablets. It's a beautiful machine and the keyboard actually ain't that bad once you sit down and get used to it.
But right now, the compromises of having no SD slot or MagSafe, a one-inch smaller screen (trust me, it makes a difference), no ventilation and worser front camera don't balance well with the price tag. Once must ask themselves; what am I really paying more for, and is it worth it right now. Because the truth it that Apple produced this machine for no other reason than that they could; to give people a glimpse of how portable and simple the Mac experience can be.
Regarding the Air's screen, it is outdated and not suitable for the price, but trade-off is outstanding battery life. Better battery life than its supposed rival.
A thoughtful, well written, balanced and well argued post.
And, yes, I am in agreement with you: I also think that the 13" MBA (especially the models made since the striking improvement in battery life in 2013) are also, to my mind, the best computers I have ever had, and are possibly the best computers Apple have made.
Moreover, I agree re the rMB being a vision of the future - much as was the MBA in its first iteration back in 2008. As with the MBA in 2008, it is overpriced for the vision of the future it offers, but it is also a glimpse of the possible, and what may become the probable version of portable computing in a few years time.
However, I think it is worth bearing in mind that the time period between the dramatic appearance of the stunning design of the MBA in 2008, and the development of the MBA into the computer it had always promised to be in 2013 took all of five years.
New Macbook is close to 11" MBA, but it's more expensive. 13" MBP might feels close enough, but once you carry it around all day, the added weight can feel significant compared to Macbook Air. But true, if your laptop is sitting on a desk more often than not, then get Macbook Pro.
Resolution is not awful. The problem is the TN panel, which is okay years back when the Macbook Air was first launched, but feels outdated today. Resolution is actually okay. When I use my laptop, I don't pixel peep my screen.
Apple has brand positioning, and they reflected it on their pricing. Luckily, there are so many laptops out there for less if you don't like the price. Dell XPS 13 is one of the best Windows Laptop I've seen. Lenovo also has an new laptop with less bezel on the screen.
This is what my mother said when I replaced her 13" Air with the 12" MB. She didn't even notice the retina features.
Apple, all we ask for is a Skylake 13" MacBook Air with retina screen, and a USB-C replacing the existing Thunderbolt port. The battery life would soar above the competition, including its own Skylake MacBook. It would become the best computer of 2016.
No, it wouldn't.
Battery life would suffer because of the retina display. The display itself draws more current than the MBA display; where are you going to stuff more battery capacity?
Then there's the dual-core processor lag that inevitably follows heavy activity run on a machine that has to pump to the retina display.
Sure, but screens in 2016 consume less electricity than those produced in 2011 I'm sure.
Skylake or M based processors are also less power hungry.
The existing Air already lasts 12 hours, so I can't see why all the enhancements would reduce it drastically.
The MagSafe charger is a pro, not a con. It helps because you never trip over the cables & I use my Mac on the lap & it has never fallen off. Just be a bit careful.
I bought a new Macbook Air 13 after reading this thread. I want to own the last one before they go away forever. Screen doesn't bother me and I have Macs with the Retina screens. It works great for other operating systems like Ubuntu or Windows too. I like retro technology so that part of the reason I like the Air.
I hope they don't stop making the air line to be honest, then I'll find it difficult to replace mine if it stops working for some reason.
This thread is preposterous. The 13" Macbook Air is one of the greatest laptops of all time. The recent versions have a combination of speed, utility, portability, and battery life that simply cannot be matched at that price point.
The thread title is preposterous - what an exquisite word 'preposterous' - and yes, agreed, and it somehow strikes me as having been composed by an individual who either wants a nice fight, or perhaps, is hoping to achieve some version of clickbait.
But, yes, I agree with you completely.
The recent versions of the MBA - those since the 2013 update which transformed battery life - have been one of the best computers ever, certainly easily the best computer - by far - that I have ever had.
So if you like the TN panel from your Macbook Air, shall you buy an iPhone with TN display?
Stop being hypocritical, i no longer own any device with TN display and i am very happy with that
If you guys says TN display is wonderful, i am sorry you are misleading people, its a downside due to the terrible viewing angles
Macbook Air has two main issues to me:
- TN display (lower resolution is less an issue for me although i still prefer higher pixel density)
- Outdated hardware, i dont think so Apple will keep MBA in this product range, Macbook Air 11 did not get upgraded this year
I still believe Apple made mistake to not upgrade MBA with Retina display (+ IPS), that would be make Macbook 12 less interesting (for those people who think i am Macbook 12 worshiper)
It doesnt make Macbook looks useless, it misses a lack of certain things (Macsafe, connectivity...)
Problem with Macbook range including Macbook Pro and Air: terribly confusing
Macbook Pro Retina 13 is about same size/weight than MBA 13
Macbook 11 has smaller display but its bigger than Macbook 12 overall
Macbook 12 has bigger display but less powered than Macbook Air 11
For the last time for those simple minded, its not about persuading anyone to buy Macbook Air, i am debating about its downsides
Stop being hypocritical, i no longer own any device with TN display and i am very happy with that
If you guys says TN display is wonderful, i am sorry you are misleading people, its a downside due to the terrible viewing angles
Macbook Air has two main issues to me:
- TN display (lower resolution is less an issue for me although i still prefer higher pixel density)
- Outdated hardware, i dont think so Apple will keep MBA in this product range, Macbook Air 11 did not get upgraded this year
I still believe Apple made mistake to not upgrade MBA with Retina display (+ IPS), that would be make Macbook 12 less interesting (for those people who think i am Macbook 12 worshiper)
It doesnt make Macbook looks useless, it misses a lack of certain things (Macsafe, connectivity...)
Problem with Macbook range including Macbook Pro and Air: terribly confusing
Macbook Pro Retina 13 is about same size/weight than MBA 13
Macbook 11 has smaller display but its bigger than Macbook 12 overall
Macbook 12 has bigger display but less powered than Macbook Air 11
For the last time for those simple minded, its not about persuading anyone to buy Macbook Air, i am debating about its downsides
We 'simple minded' (people) know exactly what you are saying - in what I would regard as a characteristically ill tempered, patronising, petulant post, one, indeed, which could be considered to run the risk of demonstrating poor online manners.
It is just that - in case you have missed the point over the course of the thread - a number of us are choosing to disagree with you.
Now, to be quite frank: The charge of 'hypocrisy' is a fatuous one, or else, it is entirely possible that you have not read anybody else's posts. There is no issue of 'hypocrisy'.
If you had read what others have posted, nobody anywhere has argued that the MBA has a terrific display; however, this is not why we buy it. A good screen is nice, but this is not why we have chosen, or determined to buy the MBA.
Actually, our point is (and forgive me for speaking for others, but this is what I suspect many of us actually think) that its less than stellar display is not a deal breaker for us, as it is not the criteria by which we judge a computer we wish to buy; this is because we value other features more.
Therefore, other features matter more to some of us (other than an excellent screen), and, at the risk of repeating some of what I have written in other posts earlier, these other features that are deal breakers include, power, portability, speed, absolute reliability, and amazing battery life.
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@Scepticalscribe
Let me express my sincere gratitude for your post above. I never cease to admire your patience and the way you handle the "not so simple minded (people)" in MR. Thank you for speaking for me. I share you viewpoint completely.
@bubulol
Time to try understanding and not neglecting what others say. It'd be highly appreciated if you were so pedantic about English language and semantics as about the panels in different MacBooks.
Let me express my sincere gratitude for your post above. I never cease to admire your patience and the way you handle the "not so simple minded (people)" in MR. Thank you for speaking for me. I share you viewpoint completely.
@bubulol
Time to try understanding and not neglecting what others say. It'd be highly appreciated if you were so pedantic about English language and semantics as about the panels in different MacBooks.
We simple-minded folk appreciate your willingness to let us make our own decisions.
And I almost forgot... If you don't listen to what we say, then please do us a favour and be consistent:
Yes it was what i thought, TN display killed me, i have sold it in order to get Macbook from refurb and i dont regret it
If you guys have some good criteria, i have my own, as i said, Macbook Air, all good except extremely bad display
If you guys have some good criteria, i have my own, as i said, Macbook Air, all good except extremely bad display
There is one thing wrong with the display on this MBA. OP's posts keep showing up. lol