MacBook Vs. MacBook Air

[philipk]

MacBook Air is stupendously useless at what it tries to do. It's trying to be ultraportable, but with a 13 inch screen and a full size keyboard it really isn't. In terms of width and depth, the MacBook and MacBook Air are virtually identical. At the thickest point of the Air it is really marginally thinner than the regular MacBook too.

Amazing analysis by a person who doesn't own a MacBook Air.

The only people that can give a valid bad review is a person who owns one or was given one to use for several weeks.

I and my wife own three Macs, an Intel iMac, a MacBook, and a iBook. Until recently, I owned a G5 iMac.

Those are the ONLY Macs I will give an opinion.

The MacBook is good for me as my secondary Mac. I tried using it as my primary and didn't like it. The reason was my hobby - photography. I wanted two big screens working at the same time.

This doesn't apply to you. The MacBook has one limitation that MIGHT apply to you - the screen. It has a narrow angle of view. Earlier today, my wife and I tried to view photos on it. Together, we both got a bad view.

Other than that it is great. It is light enough and thin enough for me to hold it on my lap while using it. I am writing this post on the MacBook.

If you go with the MacBook, you will be happy.

You might be happier with the MacBook Air but since I don't own one, I wouldn't give advice.

Good luck.

Philip
24" 2.8, 4 Gig iMac with 23" ACD; 2.2, 4 Gig MacBook; G5 iBook (wife's); iTouch

 

[feelthefire]

What part of Macbook versus Macbook Air did you apparently miss?

That was in response to someone saying that there was no way apple could have included everything on that list without sacrificing the size. The Envy is the same thickness (sorry, tapering doesn't cut it for me, they take up the same side by side space, .76" in the middle) but includes all those things.

 

[queshy]

That was in response to someone saying that there was no way apple could have included everything on that list without sacrificing the size. The Envy is the same thickness (sorry, tapering doesn't cut it for me, they take up the same side by side space, .76" in the middle) but includes all those things.

The OP wants a Mac. What good is the voodoo going to do for him/her?

 

[idyll]

IF this is going to be your only computer, I'd get the MacBook. Faster and more functional thanks to the numerous USB/Firewire ports / SuperDrive / etc.

If you already have a computer, MacBook Air all the way.

 

[queshy]

IF this is going to be your only computer, I'd get the MacBook. Faster and more functional thanks to the numerous USB/Firewire ports / SuperDrive / etc.

If you already have a computer, MacBook Air all the way.

Couldn't have said it better. The MacBook Air fails as an only computer for obvious reasons. But Apple isn't marketing it as an only computer, so it's all good!

 

[fuzzielitlpanda]

I've owned both the current gen mb and also the mba. If this is going to be your primary machine overseas, i would NOT get the mba. yes it is very thin and light, but honestly, that is all the mba has going for it. as a primary machine, the lack of ports (usb, ethernet, optical), small harddrive space, and slower cpu will probably reduce your productivity level compared to the mb. the mb is a wonderful machine. it has gone through a couple generations now, so apple has pretty much worked out all the problems. to sum it up, if this is going to be a primary machine, get the mb. however, if you just need a machine that will act as a secondary and perform basic tasks (office apps, browsing, chat, etc.), the mba is a fine machine.

 

[M-5]

Both are great machines and wonderful for traveling. But you stated that you also want to watch movies. I don't know if you mean you'll purchase them on iTunes, or download from somewhere else, but keep in mind that the MacBook Air lacks a Superdrive, so if you're looking forward to watching DVD's on it, you'll need to purchase the accessory. It's $99 from Apple.

 

[janph76]

This was the same exact question I asked myself 5 months ago!!!! So I purchased a MacBook 2.4Ghz. Well it turned out it just got to heavy to carry around in my backpack with all other stuff in it. It came to the point that I didn't even want to carry it around and went back to a notepad and leaving the MacBook at home most of the time.

Had a thought about it so I went to play around with MBA at Apple Store 2 weeks ago and decided to purchased it.

Now I carry MBA everywhere and really happy with it, no more notepad coz it's so light and portable. Also I carry a portableHD w/ me just incase I needed it but so far the HD in MBA is sufficient enough. If you want to carry music and movies with you just store them on a portableHD as for pictures they are all in MBA.

Hope this help you decide......

 

[amnichols10]

Yeah the computer are is going to be my main computer overseas. Was thinking about getting an imac in the future, but that'll stay in the states while I'm over there. Here's another question. More so a person's personal opinion. From what I hear the MBs are going to be getting an update soon. As I said before I know that I want to get a computer before the year is over. Does any one think that they will update them by then?

As I also said earlier also I know that there is no way of knowing this for sure until it comes out and if you wait for the newest and latest thing then you'll never you'll never be satisfied. I just don't to get a MB and a couple months later find out that they redesigned the whole line. What does everyone think?

 

[neiltc13]

If it does get updated it will be a minor switch to some newfangled processor which will add 10% or something to performance. Not the sort of speed you will notice in day-to-day use.

I for one do not believe that the machine itself will get an exterior overhaul. The design of the MacBook is currently the best of all of the computers Apple sells IMO and the people who say that it will be switching to aluminium haven't considered that the iBook/MacBook line is plastic for a reason. The reason is durability and also, aluminium is more expensive.

 

[ashjamben]

like some others have said, the macbook has a user replaceable battery, so if you would be using it away from any power source for longer than 4-5 hours (not sure on maximum real-life battery life of macbook air) then that would be useful.

aswell, is the price of the air something you can justify? just a thought. i travel with my macbook quite alot, just in my rucksack (in an incase laptop sleeve, in the laptop sleeve in my bag) and its fine. i suppose its not 'ultra portable', but certainly portable

 

[SodiumBenzoate]

+1 - It looks like some LeapFrog Toy, all plasticky...

The VooDoo doesn't have any more plastic in it than the MBA..

edit: Well, technically not true, I guess you could argue that the epoxy in the carbon fiber counts as plastic, though certainly not what most people would recognize as such.

 

[amnichols10]

Just to give everyone a heads up I got the Black MB. Thanks for all the input that you gave. All the pointers and advices definitely helped with my decision and I feel that it was the best decision for me. Thanks again.

 

[deputylove8]

I WAS IN THE SAME DILEMMA!

I bot the AIR instead! NO REGRETS! HEHEHEHEHEHE...I m soooo into its lightness!hehehehehehe

 

[queshy]

Just to give everyone a heads up I got the Black MB. Thanks for all the input that you gave. All the pointers and advices definitely helped with my decision and I feel that it was the best decision for me. Thanks again.

Congrats!! Enjoy the machine. How do you like it so far?

 

[NicoleCloset]

Ditto on the MB Air, it's brilliantly portable so fits your needs. Providing you don't overdo it it'll be fine for you. Having said that, why not wait for July/Aug when the new MacBooks are supposed to be coming out - you might be impressed...

Congratulations amnichols10!

The above quote does bother me because I wanted to take advantage of the student special they have on right now, but what if this new MacBook is a lot better?
It is alrealy July and I still have not heard anything. jonswan, are you saying that it will be released in 2009? Is the new MacBook have a new look and that is it?

 

[amnichols10]

Congrats!! Enjoy the machine. How do you like it so far?

It is super sweet. I'm upgrading from the iBook G4 so this is the best thing since sliced bread. The MBA is nice too though. I almost got it, but that would be my only computer so for me I need a little more power.

As far are the quote about the updated MB, I was in the same boat. I figured that we haven't heard anything about it yet and I don't think that the update is going to be that significant (although the rumord aluminum case would be nice. Also the multi-touch trackpad would be awesome too). All an all it depends on how bad you need a cpu. If you can wait then do so.

 

[kabunaru]

It is super sweet. I'm upgrading from the iBook G4 so this is the best thing since sliced bread. The MBA is nice too though. I almost got it, but that would be my only computer so for me I need a little more power.

As far are the quote about the updated MB, I was in the same boat. I figured that we haven't heard anything about it yet and I don't think that the update is going to be that significant (although the rumord aluminum case would be nice. Also the multi-touch trackpad would be awesome too). All an all it depends on how bad you need a cpu. If you can wait then do so.

Congratulations on the purchase.
In the end everybody wins and everybody is happy.

 

[werneck.ri]

thanks a lot!

hay guys! this thread just helped me about the same question!

I was deeply in doubt about this and I just decides: I going MBA!

I own a iMac Aluminium 2.8 ghz, 24", 500gb etc, so I don't need the powerful system itself. I need portability, as soon as I have a 24" iMac.

I'm really happy now, waitin morning to go to the bank and raise my credit limit and buy it! I'm going to buy a ethernet adapter, just in case, and the SuperDrive...

I'M SO HAPPY! xD

Nice to reade you, guys!

 

[werneck.ri]

how funny

If it does get updated it will be a minor switch to some newfangled processor which will add 10% or something to performance. Not the sort of speed you will notice in day-to-day use.

I for one do not believe that the machine itself will get an exterior overhaul. The design of the MacBook is currently the best of all of the computers Apple sells IMO and the people who say that it will be switching to aluminium haven't considered that the iBook/MacBook line is plastic for a reason. The reason is durability and also, aluminium is more expensive.

It`s REALLLLY interesting to read this after 1 year and see how wrong you were! I think I can't find even one right word in your forecast. hehehe

 

[Cheffy Dave]

hay guys! this thread just helped me about the same question!

I was deeply in doubt about this and I just decides: I going MBA!

I own a iMac Aluminium 2.8 ghz, 24", 500gb etc, so I don't need the powerful system itself. I need portability, as soon as I have a 24" iMac.

I'm really happy now, waitin morning to go to the bank and raise my credit limit and buy it! I'm going to buy a ethernet adapter, just in case, and the SuperDrive...

I'M SO HAPPY! xD

Nice to reade you, guys!

I agree, I too have "decided", on the MBA, pushing it ahead of the i Mac
purchase, (unless Apple does quad core i-Mac's in January 09)
QUESHY, nice meat and potatoes post, basically made my decision for me

 

[neiltc13]

It`s REALLLLY interesting to read this after 1 year and see how wrong you were! I think I can't find even one right word in your forecast. hehehe

I was right about one thing though - they ruined the look. They took a great looking computer and turned it into something that is completely ugly. Yes, they improved the construction by a huge amount but they completely lost the plot when they added the black accents. There is no reason why it couldn't have had a silver keyboard and a silver display bezel.

I was also right about the processor too - there is very little difference in CPU performance between the 2.4GHz MacBook of old and the one that is currently on sale.

And if we're nitpicking, I was also partly right in that they didn't completely remove the plastic option, possibly for the reasons I outlined.

 

[M-5]

I was right about one thing though - they ruined the look. They took a great looking computer and turned it into something that is completely ugly. Yes, they improved the construction by a huge amount but they completely lost the plot when they added the black accents. There is no reason why it couldn't have had a silver keyboard and a silver display bezel.

This is all really subjective.