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Time to stop calling the MBAir "slow."

OK, I agree. Not even in terms of benchmarking, it's just that IT'S NOT THAT EFFIN' SLOW. It would toast a mini, toast a dual-core G5, toast my 1.33GHz iBook, toast any computer I've ever owned.

In fact, I would give my left nostril for one, purely because of a speed increase.
 
iMpathetic said:
It would toast a mini, toast a dual-core G5, toast my 1.33GHz iBook, toast any computer I've ever owned.
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It's probably comparable to the faster G5's in terms of CPU, but for disk intensive tasks the desktops would absolutely destroy the Air, unless you opt for the SSD. And the current Mini is actually faster than the Air.
 
em500 said:
It's probably comparable to the faster G5's in terms of CPU, but for disk intensive tasks the desktops would absolutely destroy the Air, unless you opt for the SSD. And the current Mini is actually faster than the Air.
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I agree, I remember reading somewhere that benchmark wise, it is the slowest computer that Apple makes.
 
My biggest complaint isn't the speed, my complaint is how much they're charging for it, in comparison to other products. Spend 3 grand on a mac pro and see what you get. From the review itself: "slower than other MacBooks"

Also, from the MR homepage: Wireless Remote disk details: can't play DVD media, can't burn a CD, can't listen to a music CD.

So, you can read a data cd. Way to go.
 
esvee said:
My biggest complaint isn't the speed, my complaint is how much they're charging for it, in comparison to other products. Spend 3 grand on a mac pro and see what you get.

Also, from the MR homepage: Wireless Remote disk details: can't play DVD media, can't burn a CD, can't listen to a music CD.

So, you can read a data cd. Way to go.
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This is probably the 87234598723498th time someones said this, but the MBA exists as a very portable machine, which is decently fast, and is appealing to a more specific niche.

If you want a laptop with better specs, in exchange for more bulk, buy a Macbook Pro. I do not understand why so many people are making such a fuss. Its an alternative to Apples laptops, not a replacement for it.

I think the moaners on this forum take things that Apple do that is outside *their* narrow vision of how Apple should do things very hard to deal with and. They're the kind of people who constantly whine that Apple doesnt make things to their specific need, and cry at every Macworld because they cant see the bigger picture, or they're too tight to pay more for the Mac they want.

I personally think the Macbook Air is a marvellous design, but with a few shortcomings that might limit it. I think that the general consensus on this board. But most people with an interest in technology don't react like Apple stole their new born child, they just buy something else instead.

Remember, its not 1997 anymore. Apple are a rich company. They can afford to take risks and make stuff thats a bit edgy. Stop acting like they're on the verge of going down.
 
So you wil ditch a 2.2 or 2.4 dual core computer with dedicated graphics-a faster spinning hard drive (54 or 72k depending on what you got) for a 1.6-1.8 dedicated graphics with a 42k rpm hard drive simply because of how fast it turned on after he closed the lid?
 
Here are the respective volumes of Apple's current laptop lineup:

MacBook Pro 15-inch - 135 in^3
MacBook - 123 in^3
MacBook Air - 53 in^3

It's amazing that Apple fit into it what they did. People aren't giving them enough credit here. Look at the CNet benchmarks -- if you want something comparable by volume, you're going to be making huge sacrifices on the performance front.

About the footprint: If you typically carry papers and folders around with you, the MBA's footprint isn't going to matter. Realistically, anything bigger than pocket-size but smaller than a typical folder or sheet of paper might as well be the same size. That's why Apple's approach makes sense.
 
uNext said:
So you wil ditch a 2.2 or 2.4 dual core computer with dedicated graphics-a faster spinning hard drive (54 or 72k depending on what you got) for a 1.6-1.8 dedicated graphics with a 42k rpm hard drive simply because of how fast it turned on after he closed the lid?
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no, but funnily enough, there are enough people out there who dont care about having a dedicated graphics card, nor are they bothered about incremental processor speeds, or HD speeds. You might not know any of them, but to alot of people, as long as it feels fast, thats enough for them, they'd want something thats looks the business and is fast and light.

Of course, they might want a laptop thats faster and has a better spec for the money, and are less bothered about weight.

Shame Apple hasnt got a machine like that... oh yes they do, its called the Macbook Pro.
 
Personally, I'm moving from a 12" PB with a 1 GHz processor, 40 GB HDD, and 768 MB RAM. I use it for school and to surf the internet around the house. Wherever I go, there's wireless, and I rarely need an optical drive. I am also getting a Mac Pro, plus my wife has a MacBook, so this is not my only computer. (I also have a 17" 1.67 PB, and about four other PCs...)

If I already had a 15" MacBook Pro, I wouldn't dump it for this. But I am sorely in need of a new laptop to replace the 12", and this thing is perfect. Even if it's slower than a new MacBook or MacBook Pro, it's still WAY faster than this old PB G4. It has more memory, it has a bigger hard drive, and it will fit into an envelope in a three-ring binder to carry with me to class. Perfect!
 
For people who tell us we shouldn't compare the MBA to the MB/Ps, you guys sure spend a lot of time comparing the MBA to the MB/Ps.
 
geese said:
Remember, its not 1997 anymore. Apple are a rich company. They can afford to take risks and make stuff thats a bit edgy. Stop acting like they're on the verge of going down.
Click to expand...

I completely understand everything you've said. My opinion of the MBA, is simply that it has alot of shortcomings and non-functionalities for the price it comes at. Form was definitely taken over functionality, and things like what I've mentioned about about the remote disk access.

I've always loved apple for their ways to simplify tasks that I've known to be quite complex. Steve's "I want it done in three clicks" approach is marvelous, and their designs have always been great.

However, its hard for anyone not to say that this years keynote was underwhelming.

Is the MBA a great concept and a big step in the right direction? Most definitely. But where the thing loses its lustre is at the pricepoint, you can get a computer that isn't that much bigger, with more power, for alot less money (ie macbook). They simply didn't make the thing revolutionary enough to qualify for the pricetag they've put on it. As with all first-time-ish things I expect that the revisions of the MBA will lead to a fantastic product, but as it stands right now, unless you've literally got money to burn, it just doesn't make alot of sense. Minimal bang for your buck and whatnot.
 
It may have the slowest processor in a Mac now, but it has the fastest hard drive (or the slowest, depending on what you opt for).😉
 
zedsdead said:
It may have the slowest processor in a Mac now, but it has the fastest hard drive (or the slowest, depending on what you opt for).😉
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There's a very real chance that the 1.8/SSD model will offer real-world performance on par with current SR MBPs.
 
I am not the biggest fan of the MBA, but the one thing I like is the speed. It is a rather fast little beast for the size and it's intended purpose.
 
I use a 1.83 Core Duo iMac. The Air can't be that much slower. 😛 Or rather, i wouldn't be complaining just because it is a tiny bit slower. I also use a 1.5 PowerBook regularly. I don't complain of the speed of that, because while it is old and slow, it isn't nearly as bad as some processors.
 
My 1.8 GHz MBA will be at least as fast as the 2.16 GHz Core Duo MBP I am replacing... so it certainly won't seem slow to me.
 
Hmm... The 1.8 inch HD isn't as bad as I thought it would be. having 2GB of memory probably doesn't hurt though. I'm real interested to see how the SSD benchmarks.
 
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