What is the point of the new MacBook Air? Is it right for me?

[amnost]

I have an iMac, iPhone, and iPad. The new 11.6 inch MacBook Air looks awesome, but what on earth would I use it for that I can't just do with my iPad? In other words, what's the point of the new MacBook Air?

 

[lbro]

It's for people who want something very portable, but has a physical keyboard and runs full Mac OSX.

 

[jagger27]

See above comment.

 

[0186279]

Well it runs a full operating system, your iPad dosen't.

That means:

Content Creation (photoshop, iMovie etc)
Much easier word processing/powerpoint etc with a full keyboard
The ability to download files (torrents, movies, games etc)

I could go on and on. Basically, when you are using your iPad do you ever think, many, my iMac can do this...I wish my iPad could. Well, the Macbook Air can too, just not always as speedy as your iMac : )

Basically, its a real computer.

 

[Yr Blues]

Sounds like you have no need for it.

I can't afford to have all those devices separately, so the air is a good option—though I'm perturbed by the lack of back-lit keyboard and black bezel.

 

[jagger27]

I'm perturbed by the lack of back-lit keyboard and black bezel.

Black nail polish and a LED with a small battery taped to the top (à la Thinkpad). Should do the trick.

 

[Yr Blues]

Black nail polish and a LED with a small battery taped to the top (à la Thinkpad). Should do the trick.

A slightly less than elegant solution.

 

[koopa35]

is the macbook 2.0 ghz right for me? i only use it for surfing web, sending email, a bit of social networking, downloading music and sometimes netflix on it. i took out ODD and placed my 250gb HD there and installed a 32gb ssd and have 4gb ram. i guess my main question is would it be wise to sell this unit just to get an 11.6 air?

 

[amnost]

is the macbook 2.0 ghz right for me? i only use it for surfing web, sending email, a bit of social networking, downloading music and sometimes netflix on it. i took out ODD and placed my 250gb HD there and installed a 32gb ssd and have 4gb ram. i guess my main question is would it be wise to sell this unit just to get an 11.6 air?

Definitely. Considering the things that you use your MacBook for, it sounds like the MBA is a much better solution.