New air too big?

[joewillmott]

So there's a few reasons I wont be picking up the new MBA, but I can dump those complaints in the comments of another thread. I would like to know if others find these dimensions a bit weird, though; the new Macbook "Air" - the small, sleek line of Macbooks... is now the BIGGEST? It's bigger than the regular Macbook and the 13" Pro. Although size matters to me, I can just pick up a smaller device, but it's really bugging me that this machine is labelled an "Air" - anyone else?

 

[Audit13]

Not to me.

 

[bodonnell202]

At it's thickest point it is 0.02 inches thicker than the 13" MacBook Pro, but it tapers off to the front down to 0.16 inches, whereas the Pro has a uniform thickness. It is both smaller (in every dimension) and lighter than the last gen Macbook Air and I don't think anyone complained that it was too big.

 

[cincygolfgrrl]

I don't think anyone complained that it was too big.

I did. I wanted an 11-inch version.

 

[bodonnell202]

I did. I wanted an 11-inch version.

Yeah, fair. I liked the 11” MBA too. I was mostly referring to the thickness.

 

[Charadis]

So there's a few reasons I wont be picking up the new MBA, but I can dump those complaints in the comments of another thread. I would like to know if others find these dimensions a bit weird, though; the new Macbook "Air" - the small, sleek line of Macbooks... is now the BIGGEST? It's bigger than the regular Macbook and the 13" Pro. Although size matters to me, I can just pick up a smaller device, but it's really bugging me that this machine is labelled an "Air" - anyone else?

I'm actually pretty excited. Don't mind that it has a similar footprint to the Pro. It tapers off, just like the previous gen air, and...the big thing that I really wanted...Touch ID without that Touch Bar that I never really cared for.

 

[Trouble1]

You don't mention the weight. A key component to portability is cubic centimeters AND weight. This matters to a lot of people and I suspect what apple is going after, although 1/4lb is not as noteworthy as it sounds, but they are comparing it to the previous gen.

I agree with Charadis, that Touch ID will be handy.

One item that caught my attention reading the specs is the new MBA Bluetooth indicated as 4.2. The new iPad pro has 5.0.
Lastly, quickly spec'ing out the MB, MBP and MBA as similar as I could, the $100 price difference doesn't seem like much. It makes me think again, why not just pay $100 more and get more... at the cost of overall volume and weight of course, albeit 1/4lb is not much ... BUT, how often am I concerned about that weight/volume in actual transporting/carrying and how much more important is the increase in performance... for that extra $100.
This is my current state of mind.

 

[617660]

Touch ID on a laptop is meh. Face ID would have made a lot more sense.

Wait for pro o get face id next year.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The size is fine… It’s the price that’s too big

 

[Falhófnir]

It’s a hair thicker with the same footprint, and lighter with less volume overall - you’ll definitely feel the tapered design in hand over the boxier MBP.

 

[leftyMac]

They should have named the 12” MP “MacBook Air”, the new MBA “MacBook” then ditch the nTB MBP.

There’s nothing “Air” about the new MBA, weight difference between the new MBA and MBP is insignificant.

 

[JonLa]

Yes but the "Macbook Air" is such a powerful brand with a lot of loyalty. I wouldn't necessarily buy a Pro (too powerful) or a Macbook (too flimsy) for my hypothetical kids to take to college, but I know that an Air is light, reliable, powerful enough for the everyday stuff everyone at college does. Most families don't want to do all the research and work out what to get, they just want to get them an Air.

 

[baypharm]

Touch ID on a laptop is meh. Face ID would have made a lot more sense.

Wait for pro o get face id next year.

My MS surface laptop has face ID and it’s great. Just open and boom I’m logged in. My MBP has touch ID and I don’t have a preference actually.