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Scared to buy Macbook Air
- Thread starter TatsuTerror
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Elsewhere on this forum I've read that it could last as long as 51 years. If you still harbor doubts, just get the AppleCare (which you probably should anyway, as it is a laptop, prone to the usual drops and spills). It'll have you covered for three years, after which, SSD costs should be down to a few hundred bucks to replace it (at this point you'd probably want to upgrade to a much bigger SSD anyway).
Go For Mba
MY OPINION: BUY MBA
Since you already have Mac Pro, keep your Mac Pro and buy MacBook Air, so you'll be doing most of graphics work on Mac Pro. MBA is lower-end in specs than MBP even if you spend more bucks so if you are concerned about lack of GeForce/higher-resolution on the go, just buy MBP. Otherwise buy MBA.
Like you, I think MBA is a sexy Mac to own. It's very portable, stylish, and light-weight. One caveat is that this model lacks GeForce and higher-resolution, and I think 13 inch is too small for graphics programs.
In my opition, MacBook Air sounds good for people (computer illiterates) who need minimal configuration with elegance. It lacks amenities of MBP (GeForce and high-resolution), but it does not mean it cannot handle graphics programs for light use.
Why don't you just buy MBA and see if it suits your needs. You can always sell your MBA at depreciated price at Ebay and buy MBP later if necessary. SSD price will fall sharply as technology advances but, IF YOU MUST HAVE SSD, GO BUY MBA NOW. This will satisfy your need. Don't wait because shipping estimate can delay due to high demand. Hope this helps.
MY OPINION: BUY MBA
Since you already have Mac Pro, keep your Mac Pro and buy MacBook Air, so you'll be doing most of graphics work on Mac Pro. MBA is lower-end in specs than MBP even if you spend more bucks so if you are concerned about lack of GeForce/higher-resolution on the go, just buy MBP. Otherwise buy MBA.
Like you, I think MBA is a sexy Mac to own. It's very portable, stylish, and light-weight. One caveat is that this model lacks GeForce and higher-resolution, and I think 13 inch is too small for graphics programs.
In my opition, MacBook Air sounds good for people (computer illiterates) who need minimal configuration with elegance. It lacks amenities of MBP (GeForce and high-resolution), but it does not mean it cannot handle graphics programs for light use.
Why don't you just buy MBA and see if it suits your needs. You can always sell your MBA at depreciated price at Ebay and buy MBP later if necessary. SSD price will fall sharply as technology advances but, IF YOU MUST HAVE SSD, GO BUY MBA NOW. This will satisfy your need. Don't wait because shipping estimate can delay due to high demand. Hope this helps.
According to what I've read, SSD, aka flash drive, is the wave of the future (as Howard Hughes would say). Many iPods use it, it's more compact and durable than a standard spinning-type hard drive (which most computers have). Many functions on it are faster, as well. Unfortunately, it's a lot more expensive than the standard HD, hence the premium price. But odds are that cost will come down with time, as per most new technologies.
The 80 gb HD option, unfortunately, is slower than even the standard HD inside most MBs (4200 rpm vs. 5400 rpm). But some claim that the speed difference isn't that significant. It's also interesting that the 80 gb HD is a PATA type, while most computers use a SATA type -- I've read that the PATA is an older technology. (I've been trying to learn more about how this would affect computing speeds, but not much luck thus far.)
Good summary, but I didn't realize that the drive was Parallel ATA (just went and confirmed that), that's somewhat disappointing. Also means it'd be difficult, if not impossible, to replace later except from Apple, since I've never seen a 1.8" PATA drive available for sale anywhere.
jW
untrue, a 5400 RPM is VASTLY superior to a 4200, but a 7200 is only moderately superior to a 5400RPM
4200 = ~28MB/s copy
5400 = ~38MB/s copy
7200 = ~40+MB/s copy
seek times
4200 = ~22+ms
5400 = ~16-18ms
7200 = ~14ms
however, i think apple used the crappy 4200 drive because maybe it takes less power? its spinning slower, i guess they had to do something to make the claim of 5 hours wireless.
also SATA is 150MB/s and SATA2 is 300MB/s, pata is a low 66/100/133, laptop PATAs are most likely 100Mb/s. 50 MB/s more is ALOT, you can burst data faster from the cache on SATA vs PATA, makeing smaller files accesible faster.
check your ipod, all HDD ipods are 1.8GB toshiba drives. (same with the microsoft zune and toshiba gigabeats)
but yes, replacing a 1.8 is a PAIN IN THE ASS, they are so hard to find since they are old technology and are slow. however if you wait about 1 year, you can easily get a solid state SSD (check new egg)
Thanks! Finally, some actual hard comparative numbers.
I'm very tempted to get the MBA, but I can't afford the SSD version, so I guess I'll just have to keep waiting.... I hope that by the next revision or so, SSD prices will have come down to a more affordable level. And of course, other aspects of the MBA (additional port? faster processor? bigger hard drive?) will probably have improved by then. And it will be interesting to see what they do with the MB and MBP in the meantime. Decisions, decisions.
Out of curiosity, I just looked up the specs on my old 15-inch 1.33 PB's hard drive. It is an "Ultra" ATA 4200 rpm. Hm. Same rpm as the MBA's. I wonder if that means it would be the same speed. I just don't know what the difference (if any) is between Ultra ATA and Parallel ATA. Anybody?
it would be really nice if you can give a link to support your claim. like I did.
Applecare is for repair, they provide upgrade too?
Edit: update, I did some digging, looks like SSD life in MBA should not be a problem! It should support MBA long enough (>10 years).
Ultra ATA is just ATA 133. The big difference here is that this is a 1.8" and hence has a much smaller platter, hence each time the disc rotates, less data is read (or written) by the head as it is traveling over less ground than a single rotation of a 2.5" (MB, MBP), and less again than would be covered on a 3.5" drive (MP).
That said, all reports from the floor at MacWorld are that the 1.6 with an 80GB drive does not disapoint at all. Expect slow boot times (sleep it always) and slow loading of apps, but once you are up and running, you will find that Word, Pages, Mail, and even Safari quite snappy!
(snuck that one in)
The SSD should make it a lot faster. I'm not sure how much since I've never used one, but I've heard great things.
Hopefully with the next round of MBP updates - usually during that Photo Expo?
I'm looking for an Aluminum MacBook (hate the white, black not worth the extra).
Thanks! Exactly the info I was looking for, and thanks also for the floor report.
Clevin, I didn't mean to imply that AppleCare would provide an upgrade, but that if the SSD had problems (such as dying) during the 3 years of coverage, they would undoubtedly replace it for free (albeit with the same as original). I further meant that after the AppleCare runs out, prices for SSDs will probably be down to a level where paying for an upgrade out of your own pocket probably wouldn't be a budget-busting exercise.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/01/16/so_how_long_might_the_flash_drive_in_a_pricey_macbook_air_last.html
edit: oops, Jiddick beat me to it
My Mac Mini (Core 2 Duo 1.83 ghz) handles most Adobe tasks pretty well. 2GB of RAM should be pretty good unless you are handling huge files.
I saw it at MacWorld, the screen quality is quite good. It may even be better than the MacBook because of the LED backlighting and that should also help it remain more consistent over its lifespan.
With 2 GB of RAM light Photoshop work should be no problem but it definitely doesn't seem like the best machine for high resolution imagery. The screen is too small and the HD is too small and too slow for RAW files.
Also it is a new first generation Apple product (read: beta/stopgap), that alone is reason for concern to me.
Certainly the Macbook air will run them pretty well but other macs will run them better.
More Ram, same graphics card... I doubt there'll be any noticeable difference (especially not on the 1.8/SSD model)
i agree, while flash is the future we are sadly still in the present, it will be cheaper to upgrade, (i'massuming this is possible due to the story on the front page). plus it's cheaper, and it writes faster than flash, and it holds more obviously. If you want the faster processor you can upgrade the 1.6 to the 1.8 model, and still save 1grand.
What? If the guy wants a MacBook Air, he wants a MacBook Air. It can do what he wants of it, so who cares about any combination of different things he could buy with the money? I'm sure he could have a really nice night in a strip club with the same amount of money too.