Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Most Amazing Thing about the 2012 MacBook Air

B

bizack

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 21, 2009
611
399
Believe it or not, it's the fan. The PR about the asymmetrical fan and a broad frequency spectrum sounds like BS, but it's not. You either never hear the fan at all, or if you do, it's _barely_ noticeable.

Second on the list is battery life. It's a lot better. Probably related to better power management and the upgraded CPU. But I can actually get ~5 hours out of my new 11" MacBook Air. Previously I'd get 3.5 hours max. I have the maxed out configuration (although the SSD is 256).
 
bizack said:
Believe it or not, it's the fan. The PR about the asymmetrical fan and a broad frequency spectrum sounds like BS, but it's not. You either never hear the fan at all, or if you do, it's _barely_ noticeable.

Second on the list is battery life. It's a lot better. Probably related to better power management and the upgraded CPU. But I can actually get ~5 hours out of my new 11" MacBook Air. Previously I'd get 3.5 hours max. I have the maxed out configuration (although the SSD is 256).
Click to expand...


Very cool, How come you have one so quick? On their pro staff program or whatever they call their pilot guys?
 
bizack said:
I ordered online. But then walked into my local Apple Store (flagship store in San Francisco) and asked if they had an 11" MacBook Air with 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD. They did, cancelled my order for me and I had my new machine (that was yesterday). Additionally, my old power adapter's casing was starting to fray. They gave me a brand new power adapter and the MagSafe2 to MagSafe connector. Both for free. Great service.
Click to expand...

I live in SF and am attending the WWDC. The SF Apple Store is right up the street from the WWDC. Apple probably knew every Apple nerd would be flocking there, and stocked up on custom builds (I actually use this as my primary development machine).
 
Last edited:
Nice! I wonder if that means the 13" Air now actually does get the 7 hours of usage. I am only getting around 5 hours out of mine (and always have), which is the 2011 model.

Actually, part of my decision was driven because the 11" only got around 3 hours (and I returned it) of usage, so this might actually make me reconsider going with the 11" again. Hmmm.. Oh well, nothing will happen until the Air gets a retina anyway!

I had no idea the fan technology also applied to the airs. They kind of made it sound like it was only for the Pros. But I am glad its there.

Edit: Saberon pointed out only the MBP has the fans. Oh well! Maybe the better power management on the new Airs means the fans don't have to kick into full gear as much.
 
bizack said:
Believe it or not, it's the fan. The PR about the asymmetrical fan and a broad frequency spectrum sounds like BS, but it's not. You either never hear the fan at all, or if you do, it's _barely_ noticeable.

Second on the list is battery life. It's a lot better. Probably related to better power management and the upgraded CPU. But I can actually get ~5 hours out of my new 11" MacBook Air. Previously I'd get 3.5 hours max. I have the maxed out configuration (although the SSD is 256).
Click to expand...

I completely agree. It's one of those things that makes this a big upgrade, even for 2011 users.

Thanks for the update on battery life. I was wondering how improved the battery on the 11" would be with all this and Ivy Bridge.
 
Gregintosh said:
I had no idea the fan technology also applied to the airs. They kind of made it sound like it was only for the Pros. But I am glad its there.
Click to expand...
It's somewhat applied, but not exactly the same as in the MBP-RD. From iFixIt.com:
We jumped at calling the fan inside the MacBook Air 13" Mid 2012 "asymmetrical," but when compared to the fan inside this MacBook Pro, the Air's fan is definitely more periodic.
Click to expand...
 
Saberon said:
"We were hoping to find a new asymmetrical fan, and we were not disappointed!" http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook-Air-13-Inch-Mid-2012-Teardown/9457/2

My apologies, I read it wrong FIVE times LOL
Click to expand...

I know a lot of people both on here and in various tech blogs are calling this a minor update. Superficially, yes. But when you use the machine it's noticeably faster, noticeably quieter, better battery life, and the 8GB of RAM is awesome (I use Xcode and other dev tools a lot). I sold my 2011 for the 2012 model and have no regrets.

Now only if Apple released a 13" MacBook Pro "Air"...
 
Wirelessly posted

bizack said:
Believe it or not, it's the fan. The PR about the asymmetrical fan and a broad frequency spectrum sounds like BS, but it's not. You either never hear the fan at all, or if you do, it's _barely_ noticeable.

Second on the list is battery life. It's a lot better. Probably related to better power management and the upgraded CPU. But I can actually get ~5 hours out of my new 11" MacBook Air. Previously I'd get 3.5 hours max. I have the maxed out configuration (although the SSD is 256).
Click to expand...

great news re: battery life!

why didn't apple boost the advertised battery life to at least recognize the improvement?
 
jksu said:
Wirelessly posted



great news re: battery life!

why didn't apple boost the advertised battery life to at least recognize the improvement?
Click to expand...

Maybe because the 2011 Airs didn't really get the 7 hours they advertised.
Would be a bit strange to say: I know we said this last year as well, but now it's actually true! :)
 
On the top of these, we also have USB3 and the screen resolution is improved :)
(Many people were complaining about the crap screen resolution on the macbook air..)
 
jksu said:
Wirelessly posted



great news re: battery life!

why didn't apple boost the advertised battery life to at least recognize the improvement?
Click to expand...

I am not seeing an improvement. Maybe it depends on your usage. I am getting about 5 hours, as advertised.

The fans? Wonderful. This thing is absolutely silent. I love it.
 
Ptdr said:
On the top of these, we also have USB3 and the screen resolution is improved :)
(Many people were complaining about the crap screen resolution on the macbook air..)
Click to expand...

how has the screen res been improved on the air???
 
I must say coming from the last years model MBA 11" the battery life on the new 11" are much better. I can just about get the 5 hours that they say unlike last years model i was getting like 3.5 hours.! Thank you Ivy Bridge!:apple:
 
bizack said:
I live in SF and am attending the WWDC. The SF Apple Store is right up the street from the WWDC. Apple probably knew every Apple nerd would be flocking there, and stocked up on custom builds (I actually use this as my primary development machine).
Click to expand...
Do you use it with an external monitor at all?
 
bizack said:
Second on the list is battery life. It's a lot better. Probably related to better power management and the upgraded CPU. But I can actually get ~5 hours out of my new 11" MacBook Air. Previously I'd get 3.5 hours max. I have the maxed out configuration (although the SSD is 256).
Click to expand...
To me, this is the huge news. Especially seeing you have the Ivy i7. Massive news.
 
Wow, I didn't know they added the asymmetrical fans to the MBAs as well! I thought it was just a RMBP feature. Awesome!

EDIT: See post #9. Thanks GGJ

I'm sure with the smaller fans they had to prioritize moving air over quietness. I'm guessing asymmetrical fans aren't as good at dispersing heat, which would be why they went with the asymmetrical design, but on a lesser scale.
 
Last edited:
This thread has cemented my decision to buy the new 11" Air! Thanks to all who updated us on the improved battery life!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back