MacBook Airs Arrive, Unboxing Photos

[asthukral]

I'll answer that easily for you. My four-month old MBA runs VMware/XP just fine. I use XP for software development using IDE's and 5250 sessions for corporate work. Works flawless and even in a VM, it runs better than my previous Sony Vaio laptop.

I use the OSX side for email/web/apple apps. Had no problems whatsoever. At times, I use XP exclusively for 8-12 hours a day and browsing/videos/etc and forget that I am running on an Apple.

My MBA runs it just fine. It's still not a full desktop replacement IMHO but it is the most capable ultra-light I've owned yet. Since I carry it all day and commute by motorbike, I appreciate the well-built construction of it. Rev 2.0 of the MBA should be even better.

Even though the 2GB RAM is sufficient for both environments (1GB OSX & 1GB XP), I do wish it had 4GB total so I could bump up the XP environment. XP does better with more memory. Even with 1GB on the OSX side, it doesn't present a problem for me whatsoever.

Hope that answers your question.

Thanks for the response. Yes..that helps address some of my concerns and issues. I am hoping that new MBA improves some of its performance challenges as well. I am assuming you will not recommend Vista for it being more memory intensive. Can we still get XP open shelf licenses and would a basic edition( I suspect none existed and started with Vista) and still do most of our typical XP work (visio, project etc)

 

[darngooddesign]

If I want to do serious photo work...I'm bringing a new macbook...and NOT an Airbook.

Just my humble opinion.

You'd think for serious photo work you'd prefer the significantly better screen on the AIR over the one on the MB. Or does that kind of thing not matter to a serious photographer?

 

[dgdosen]

I'll have to agree with mergatroidal's post. I'd feel cramped inside a thirteen inch screen. For my primary, the MacBook Pro is the only way to go.

You don't need a bigger screen - you need a hi-res screen!

C'mon apple, at least give the option for 1440x900 on the MBA and MB
and 1920x1200 on the 15" MBP.

Do this with any model and I'd pick one up in a flash.

 

[w0by]

Macbook air vs new macbook

Personally I'd go with the new Macbook. The Macbook air isn't "that" much thinner to really want to go without a cd/dvd drive...the new Macbook is pretty nice and includes the cd/dvd drive. But that's just my personal opinion....Now if the macbook air was as tiny as some of those little Sony notebook computers...it would be different. I know the little Sony computers aren't as thin and they of course aren't a Mac but they are still tiny length/width wise.

 

[MacLadybug]

Cd/drive?

I had my new Alum MB for almost 4 days when I realized I hadn't tried to play a Cd! Cd drive just isn't a deal breaker anymore... for me it's the hard drive size; I need space. When they come up with 250-300 GB on a SSD at a reasonable price on an Air, I'm in. It will happen.

 

[jeffkempster]

You'd think for serious photo work you'd prefer the significantly better screen on the AIR over the one on the MB. Or does that kind of thing not matter to a serious photographer?

I can't disagree more. The most important thing when working on photos is the screen. I would much better have a perfect screen and a bit slower processor.

I have used an air for a year now and the screen is one of the main reason I bought it. It is so much better than the macbook. Colors start to shift at the top and bottom of the macbook. So if you are editing on the run, I would get the air and I intend on getting the new cinema display for more serious work.

BTW, my new SSD air is extremely fast. It put the old air to shame. It boots about 3 times faster. All the opening of apps and files are blazing. It really makes the machine feel a lot better. I would have hoped for a 256Gb drive, but I am sure that is coming some day. Now that apple choose SATA drives, it should be easier in the future to get a larger drive.

 

[daneoni]

Hmm...my MBP isn't falling behind to much but the Nvidia chip and SSD definitely swing the numbers