WSJ calls MBA "Best Laptop Ever"

[Dweez]

I'm very happy with mine. It's light, fast, has excellent battery life and does everything I need it to do both at home and while traveling for work. Plus I really like the design & layout. When it comes time to replace it I'll definitely look at whatever the current model Air is.

 

[Suture]

This is by far my most favorite laptop I've ever owned, even over massively-powered/high end gaming laptops. It does everything I expect it and need it to do flawlessly. I expect to keep mine (2013 model) for some time, only to eventually replace it a while down the road with another MBA.

 

[iDemiurge]

Yes, I have a 13-inch 2013 model and it is by far the most well-balanced laptop I ever owned. It has plenty of power, runs generally cool, and battery life is amazing.

I bought it before the Haswell Retina was released, and for I while I thought I should have waited. However, I use it in clamshell mode quite often and thought it a bit odd to have a retina machine in clamshell mode outputting to a standard res monitor, since the retina 13-inchers do not support 4K yet.

The haswell MBA can drive a 27" 1440p display without sweating (no fans, no UI lag). When the 13" retina can do the same with a 4K monitor I'll think about upgrading.

 

[GoodWatch]

I fell crazy in love with MBA the day Steve introduced it. Still crazy about MBA 🙂

Indeed! But I have spent so much money on other Apple gear that I yet again have to push back the purchase of an MBA

 

[Ronnoco]

Yes, I have a 13-inch 2013 model and it is by far the most well-balanced laptop I ever owned. It has plenty of power, runs generally cool, and battery life is amazing.

I bought it before the Haswell Retina was released, and for I while I thought I should have waited. However, I use it in clamshell mode quite often and thought it a bit odd to have a retina machine in clamshell mode outputting to a standard res monitor, since the retina 13-inchers do not support 4K yet.

The haswell MBA can drive a 27" 1440p display without sweating (no fans, no UI lag). When the 13" retina can do the same with a 4K monitor I'll think about upgrading.

Concur. I often use my 2013 Haswell MBA in clamshell mode to drive my 27" ACD at full resolution and it doesn't even breathe hard. No fans, no lag whatsoever and looks amazing. I just never warmed up to the 13" MBP, either the original or the Retina.

 

[jjfcpa]

Here's how I would make it better. Little tweaks...

1. Offer a LCD panel with screen resolution to 1680 X 1050

2. Increase the Max RAM to 16 gigs

3. Increase the Max storage to 1 TB

4. Add a 2nd Thunderbolt port even if you have to drop one of the 3 USB 3.0 ports

2014 MBA 13"... I'd order right now.

 

[abbeybound]

Here's how I would make it better. Little tweaks...

1. Offer a LCD panel with screen resolution to 1680 X 1050

2. Increase the Max RAM to 16 gigs

3. Increase the Max storage to 1 TB

4. Add a 2nd Thunderbolt port even if you have to drop one of the 3 USB 3.0 ports

2014 MBA 13"... I'd order right now.

There are only 2 USB3 ports. And for most people, they are vastly more useful than thunderbolt.

 

[jjfcpa]

There are only 2 USB3 ports. And for most people, they are vastly more useful than thunderbolt.

Right you are. Keep the 2 usb 3.0 ports, but a 2nd thunderbolt port for my needs.

 

[jadAce]

I fell crazy in love with MBA the day Steve introduced it. Still crazy about MBA 🙂

I'm going to sound like a total fanboy, but

"The world's thinnest notebook . . .". And Steve holds it in one hand, just showing it, and the crowd is just going wild. "Let's go explore this in more detail!" 🙂

You have to remember that before the MacBook Air, thin and light had an entirely different meaning. Netbooks weren't solving the problem either. The MBA was expensive when it was intro'd, but the first edition was more of a proof-of-concept. As time went on, it got more affordable, to the point of replacing the standard MacBook.

Hoping to see a Retina Display with 12+ hour battery life. That would make it perfect.

 

[flynz4]

That will never happen.

I would be shocked to see a replaceable battery in the MBA... and even in any new Apple laptop. The last estimate that I saw (several years ago)... encasing the battery in a housing (obviously necessary), plus creating an isolated cavity, resulted in a 40% increase in bulk. Now that batteries are thinner, I would expect the penalty to be even higher (simple geometry).

I'm on my third MBA (mid 2013) after replacing the original 2008 model and then that with a late 2010.

I couldn't bring myself to pay $2500 (or was it $3000?) in 2008... but I knew I would own one someday. My purchase history is:

2009 - 13" MBA
2010 - 11" MBA
2011 - 11" MBA
2012 - 13" MBA
2013 - 13" MBA

I always buy the new MBA for myself, and pass my 1 year old machine to the family member with the oldest computer. All of the above are in active use... but I think the 2009 model might be EOL'd this year... because I have run out of family members to pass down my latest MBA.

This is a great way to rationalize an addiction.

This is by far my most favorite laptop I've ever owned, even over massively-powered/high end gaming laptops.

I think it is the best laptop, bar none, ever developed

The MBA was expensive when it was intro'd, but the first edition was more of a proof-of-concept

In my circle... the 2008 nickname was "Executive Jewelry". 2009 made it affordable for the lunatic fringe (myself included)... and then in 2010, it reached mass market adoption.

/Jim

 

[thelead]

I recently sold my MBA and purchased a Surface Pro 3. I enjoy the SP3 more honestly. Then again, it's more of a tablet to me than a laptop; I'm okay with that.

 

[SusanK]

I'm going to sound like a total fanboy, but

"The world's thinnest notebook . . .". And Steve holds it in one hand, just showing it, and the crowd is just going wild. "Let's go explore this in more detail!" 🙂

You have to remember that before the MacBook Air, thin and light had an entirely different meaning. Netbooks weren't solving the problem either. The MBA was expensive when it was intro'd, but the first edition was more of a proof-of-concept. As time went on, it got more affordable, to the point of replacing the standard MacBook.

Hoping to see a Retina Display with 12+ hour battery life. That would make it perfect.

jadAce,

I still watch the vid of Steve introducing MBA. I know I should be embarrasses to post that but I'm not. Steve's product driven passion gave us so many wonderful things. I really miss him. He was a gift.

 

[jadAce]

jadAce,

I still watch the vid of Steve introducing MBA. I know I should be embarrasses to post that but I'm not. Steve's product driven passion gave us so many wonderful things. I really miss him. He was a gift.

Absolutely agreed SusanK; there's nothing wrong with that. And again, I'm probably coming across as a total fanboy here but whenever I'm having lunch, sometimes, I just go to YouTube and watch an old Steve Jobs keynote (there's an awesome channel called "EverySteveJobsVideo").

Sure, the technology he talks about in those videos is now long outdated (like the PowerMacs and the older MacBooks, etc), but nothing really beats watching his passion. You can literally see the twinkle in his eyes when he introduces a new Mac or iPod or iPad - it's in those moments that you realize how much he really believed in making great products that consumers would enjoy.

It's unfortunate that I was in the PC world for so long and switched over to Apple just a few years ago, but better late than never.

 

[organic bond]

My 2013 MBA is the finest computer I've owned in 30 years of computer ownership (the last 20 of which includes Apple computers). There is simply no machine on the market right now that would make me want to change.

Exactly! Same here, 30+ years, my best machine ever! I still use the 2010 model, no need to replace it. I'm sure more recent models are even better, but I don't care. And I love the feel, it's a real *pleasure* to use. I LOVE YOU MBA!

 

[na1577]

I love my 2012 Air so much. I always recommend the Air when others ask me for laptop recommendations. Solid performance, amazing battery life and a stunning design. Not to mention it's very reasonably priced; no "Apple tax" here! I actually bought my Air to run Windows 7 because it's the best ultrabook, hands down. PC ultrabooks always have quirky trackpads and are surprisingly expensive compared to the Air.

The screen is easily its biggest flaw, but it's not a big enough problem to diminish my enthusiasm for the Air.

 

[andersmj]

It is a nice machine, but seeing how the rMBP is so light and thin these days, I wouldn't even consider one. Well maybe, but I'd buy the rMBP.

I think too many people go too much into min-maxing of weight, size, etc.

So what if you have to carry 500 grams more or whatever the weight difference is? You also get more power, better screen and an optical drive.

 

[rrl]

It is a nice machine, but seeing how the rMBP is so light and thin these days, I wouldn't even consider one. Well maybe, but I'd buy the rMBP.

I think too many people go too much into min-maxing of weight, size, etc.

So what if you have to carry 500 grams more or whatever the weight difference is? You also get more power, better screen and an optical drive.

Thanks for your opinion, but you don't know what you're talking about.

 

[jimboutilier]

It is a nice machine, but seeing how the rMBP is so light and thin these days, I wouldn't even consider one. Well maybe, but I'd buy the rMBP.

I think too many people go too much into min-maxing of weight, size, etc.

So what if you have to carry 500 grams more or whatever the weight difference is? You also get more power, better screen and an optical drive.

While there is nothing wrong with preferring a rMBP, it should be an informed opinion. So for one thing the rMBP doesent have an optical drive. For another the "better" screen has associated performance, battery, and compatibility issues. And lastly, the whole reason the Air was created was for its size and weight benefits (although it has significant battery life benefits now too) and thes differences really are significant to a lot of people.

So you might want to do a bit more research, or even experience both before you decide which is better for you (or others).

 

[Traverse]

I have always wanted a 13" MacBook Air, the idea just seemed perfect, however I've never bought one. My first Mac was a 15" MacBook Pro and now a 15" retina MacBook Pro. I have just never been able to justify it. If I bought an Air I would max it out which, until now, made it just as expensive as a Pro. The Pro offered a 15" screen, more RAM, quad core, and better graphics. Even now, I couldn't get an Air when the 13" pro offers an entire improvement aside from slightly heavier and less battery. That might be a deciding factor for some. I'm glad the Air exists because so many people here love it, but something interesting I've noticed at my school is that, by far, the 13" cMBP is the most popular with the Air a distant second.

 

[SusanK]

Sure, the technology he talks about in those videos is now long outdated (like the PowerMacs and the older MacBooks, etc), but nothing really beats watching his passion. You can literally see the twinkle in his eyes when he introduces a new Mac or iPod or iPad - it's in those moments that you realize how much he really believed in making great products that consumers would enjoy.

jadAce, I think you have captured the essence of Steve in this statement. The look in his eyes and on his face when he presented the new to us. Videos of Steve as a young man and later when he was quite ill have the same eyes and smile.

I'm remembering Steve at the Cupertino City Council meeting presenting plans for the campus that is being constructed now. He was not well but the sheer pleasure he showed when he spoke of Apple was like his younger, healthier days.

He touched so many. Spontaneous memorials at Apple stores appeared as soon as we learned that we lost him. He was loved by so many of us who delighted in the products he gave us.

Don't worry about your PC days. Glad you joined us when you did!

 

[rhysmorgan]

Yeah, it's a great machine. My June 2012 MBA is still fast, and the battery life isn't far below where it was new.

My battery very suddenly dropped to 81% in mine, telling me to service the battery. I was just a couple of weeks off my 2 year enshrined-in-European-and-UK-law warrantee (which I know others have had problems with in the past) and they replaced it then and there, calling me to go and pick it up in an hour.

Battery life is better than ever. It's brilliant.

 

[CoMoMacUser]

My battery very suddenly dropped to 81% in mine, telling me to service the battery.

Interesting. Mine also is about 81 percent, but I didn't get a service alert.