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"This update makes it a potential primary computer."
on by james-taPros Size and weight. 4GB RAM availability. Everything most people need and nothing they don't. Flash memory. Screen resolution. OS X. Overall design and feel is elegant, sleek and solid.
Cons No back-lit keyboard. Standard with 2GB RAM (really?). Faster processor only available with 256GB model. No matte screen option.
Summary I wanted a light-weight, highly portable, bigger than a netbook with a SSD hard drive. I'd purchased a 2010 MacBook Pro 13" and intended on putting in a 160GB Intel X-25m before the Air refresh. I'm glad I chose the Air.
The price is very reasonable for what you get: the most solid ultra-thin on the market. Between the flash memory, higher resolution screen and size/weight it is definitely worth the extra $100 to go from the 13" MacBook Pro to the Air. The flash-based memory is very fast and extremely responsive. 12-15 second boot times, nearly instant launching of applications and fast read and writes make the Air feel many times faster than the Pro to the average user. My regular use consists of internet, media streaming, MS Office applications and IE based work applications which force me to use a virtual machine. The 4GB RAM option is a must if you intend to do serious work on the Air, honestly I don't see why Apple didn't make it the base configuration with a 6 or 8 GB option. I can smoothly run Windows XP (I don't like the newer renditions) along with MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint, a silly amount of browser tabs, email, iTunes, etc; simultaneously. And while the difference in resolution doesn't seem huge, it is... you have the same resolution as the base 15" Pro and everything is still very readable. There is a lot more screen space than the 13" Pro and I don't think I could readjust to 1280X800. The screen is of typical Apple quality, that is to say excellent. It isn't the best available but it is excellent indeed.
The 256GB model costs $300 more, which again is a very reasonable price for the increased memory: 256GB SSDs run about $300 more than their 128GB comrades. I simply do not need that much memory on a laptop, especially when a home server with TB-sized memory can be built inexpensively. Everything else on this model is the same except for the optional CPU upgrade.
There aren't really any irritating or disappointing aspects to the Air as a laptop, everything is executed practically flawlessly especially at the user level where experience is always different than benchmarks predict. What is irritating (extremely so) is some of Apple's decisions on options and pricing. The removal of the back-lit keyboard is unexplainable, it doesn't take more thickness (previous renditions of the Air had it). If cost was the issue as Apple likes to maintain their ridiculous profit margin, they should've at least made it a built to own option! It isn't hard to get used to the lack of it, nor do I ever look at the keyboard to type even in the dark (though it is nice for the function keys, not having to center your hands to know where keys are and also making certain key combinations) but why take away something so forward thinking and generally awesome? The most irritating aspect by far is the lack of CPU upgrade option for the 128GB model. There is no reason whatsoever for not offering it for both models and I seriously doubt the 256GB model is that more profitable to push it's sales harder. I simply do not need that much space and I'm not paying for what I don't need (like an optical drive!) but it sure would've been nice to get the faster CPU. The 1.86ghz CPU that comes standard works just fine, especially with Apple's wonderful hardware and software integration along with the flash memory... but again it would've been nice to have the option. The matte screen option's absence was to be expected as the 13" Pro lacks it as well, but again the option would've been nice. I don't see why it is so damned difficult to give people more options!
Overall I'm very impressed with my new MacBook Air. It has everything I want: sturdy, well utilized CPU; SSD memory; high resolution and not ultra-stupid-glossy display (it isn't matte but it's better than the Pro). It also lacks everything I don't need or want: optical drive (seriously think about how often you've used yours, I think I burned a few CD's before I had my car adapter for iPod), heaviness, thickness, moving parts! I would highly recommend it to anyone, though I'm sure in about a year Apple will do a refresh and add a bunch of the things I've complained about! I still wouldn't wait though. -
"Owned a MBAir for 4 months. It is Outstanding."
on by gregorysreidPros Thin and light. Powerful (relatively so). Great battery life. Nice form. Sturdy. It just works...all of the time.
Cons Dongle required for ethernet. DVD player doesn't work that well. VMWare a bit slower. Sometimes I forget that its there.
Summary I have owned the MBAir for about 4 months and would buy it again. I came from a MBPro 13" that was also a sweet machine. I travel all the time and the reduction in weight was a key decision point for me. The MBPro 13" is a great machine, but heavier. The Air is well, like air. I have panicked countless times thinking that I have left my MBAir on a table at the airport because my briefcase is so light, only to find it tucked safely away after a frantic search. It's that light! I am an executive so I don't do development nor do I game. I can't speak to those specific user requirements.
The Good:
o It's light (already mentioned)
o It really is a laptop computer. You don't even know its there.
o The battery life is at least 6 hours, perhaps a bit more. And it charges FAST.
o The screen is outstanding! Much better than the old MBPro 13" and even the NEW MBPro just released. Video plays well on both the internal screen and the external screen at the same time. Note: I don't 'game' so I can't speak to that requirement.
o It reboots in like 20 seconds, including typing in your password. Amazing.
o It is FAST. It does have the older Core 2 Duo. But the processor is rarely the bottleneck. It's the hard drive...but it doesn't have a physical hard drive, it has a memory hard drive. Bottleneck removed!
o The thing just always works, like any other Mac, I guess.
Room for improvement:
o Need for an ethernet dongle. PITA!
o Hard drive is relatively small. (But fast... real fast)
o No internal DVD. I know that's why its so small but the external one that you buy with it doesn't work nearly as reliably as my old MBPro's did.
o I do miss the backlit keyboard. Not sure why they didn't do this.
o When running VMware, it is a bit slower (but not bad) than my old MBPro 13". I guess VMWare is a bit more CPU intensive. (but VMWare starts much more quickly)
o You can only get 4 GB of RAM.
Summary:
I would buy it again in a heartbeat. I was expecting some buyers remorse when the new MBPro's were released last week, but even the new MBpro 13" doesn't have a high res screen of the MBAir and it's video capability is less than my MBAir. Buyers remorse removed! This thing is fast even with a slower processor because of the solid state hard drive. If you're a 'moderate' user (e.g. non-developer, non-game, non-power freak) this is an outstanding machine. And VMWare still does ok on it; I use it daily w/o issues. -
"CHEAPER CONSTRUCTION, BAIT & SWITCH PRICE REDUCTION"
on by mac-heathPros Faster chip & solid state hard drive make a fast, cool running machine.
Cons Cheaper construction and loss of aero design aesthetic, bait and switch price.
Summary New MacBook Air has a stronger processor and does not get hot like my MBA version 1.0. the new one is also all around faster. My old MBA 1.0 had the hinge problem and was replaced under Applecare, also new hard drive and Apple was generous replacing the entire machine when puppy jumped up on table and spilled cup of coffee that I brilliantly left standing next to my machine. The solid state hard drive speeds everything up - very nice.
Update. The chassis is flimsy. Pick it up with one hand and hear a popping noise. The system shuts off from sleep mode/doesn't wake without restarting. This happens when the machine is left off the charger. Can't tell if it's not waking up or if it's really off because this new machine does not have an "on" light - another cost saving short cut like putting the on/off button on the keyboard. Real step backward. I'm very unhappy about the flimsiness of the chassis. Also, the on/off switch sits right above the delete key, real smart design! Loyal mac customer not happy.
Problem, though, is that the build quality seems lower. The old chassis was a beautiful rounded airstream aluminum design with a flip out door and no exposed plastic. It had a backlit keyboard and a separate metal on/off button on the chassis. The new machine has a cheaper feel with flat edges, a slight popping noise when put on a table, an on-keyboard power switch and no backlighting.
The other gripe I have is the bait and switch price reduction. The new base machine is 1299.00, but you have to add 99.00 pro-care to get apple to do the data migration and the mini-DVI/VGA and mini-DVI/DVI connectors now cost 30.00 each, where both of these things used to be free of charge, so the price reduction is a ruse.
Updated on Dec 26, 2010
Updated on Dec 26, 2010The chassis is flimsy. Pick it up with one hand and hear a popping noise. The system shuts off from sleep mode/doesn't wake without restarting. This happens when the machine is left off the charger. Can't tell if it's not waking up or if it's really off because this new machine does not have an "on" light - another cost saving short cut like putting the on/off button on the keyboard. Real step backward. I'm very unhappy about the flimsiness of the chassis. Also, the on/off switch sits right above the delete key, real smart design! Loyal Mac customer not happy.
Updated on Feb 2, 2011Cost saving measures mar functionality of Macbook Air 2.0.
The lack of an on light (the little white light on the right front of the chassis) is a problem. Sometimes the system goes to sleep and apparently turns itself off within minutes (contrary to settings). Without the light, I can't tell whether the system is asleep or off. This is a problem b/c there is delayed or non-response to the on button.
Another persistent trouble is the placement of the on/off switch from the chassis to the keyboard just above the delete button.
The chassis still creaks, even though it have been in for tightening up.
I would have much preferred my 1st gen Macbook Air with the upgraded chip and solid state drive.
The cost-cutting shows the dirty side of Apple, considering how little Apple pays its laborers in Shenzen (where, according to a Cnet article, Apple workers are dying of exhaustion).
Updated on Feb 2, 2011Cost Cutting Mars MacBook Air 2.0
Cost saving measures of removing the white on light and putting the on/off switch on the keyboard are a nuisance. Sometimes the machine goes asleep contrary to the power saver settings and I can't tell when it has been switched on again. I count to five seconds to see if the drive has come on again, but the response is inconsistent, meaning it can take a few tries and some miss starts (turning off a machine that is turning on). the on-key board on-off switch is just above the delete key and I hit it in error frequently. It does not belong there. The chassis still creaks, in spite of a tightening up at the so-called genius bar.
The costs saving measures show Apples greedy irresponsible side, considering how little Apple pays its workers in Shenzen where - according to a Cnet article - they are literally dying of exhaustion. I guess corporate will do anything to screw labor.
Updated on Apr 11, 2011I like this computer less and less. The touch pad is not as sensitive as the MacBook Air 1.0 and the chassis is flimsy and makes all kinds of creaking noises. The top half of the shell is too weak and it seems the screen is getting pushed in against the keyboard and leaving a mark on the screen. I am not happy with this machine's crappy build quality. Version 1.0 had a beautiful case and this one (version 2.0) has a cheap case. I'm really mad about this. This is my fourth mac in five years and while i think the solid state hard drive is fantastic, the cheap-o case, the lack of an on indicator light, the power switch on the keyboard (where it gets hit all the time) and charging extra for connectors and peripherals that came with Version 1.0 has me verily PO'ed.
Updated on Apr 11, 2011Oh, and lest I forget, they took away the beautiful lighted keyboard. -
"More than I expected"
on by dsondayPros I hate to be so simplistic ... but really everything so far - trackpad, screen, keyboard, sound and system performance are outstanding.
Cons Even the price is worth it....
Summary I honestly am in awe of this system (13', 4 MB RAM, 256 SSD). I had a 2008 MacBook Unibody, and was considering a Macbook Pro 13 or 15... I carry my laptop with me everyday, so I wanted to give the Air a try... I'm so glad I did. Even though it's not Sandy Bridge and doesn't have Thunderbolt ... I can't imagine getting more from a laptop for my needs.
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"Great laptop with ultimate portability"
on by rbbcpaPros Very light
Quick boot up
Glowing Apple looks cool
Great OSCons No backlit keyboard
Summary This is my first Mac and, while I am still becoming accustomed to the Mac OS, I am definitely impressed with the design and solid construction. So far, I have had no compatibility issues, but because I use Windows-based PCs at work, I installed VMWare's Fusion 3 so I can run my expense Windows apps (e.g. Visio 2010). I definitely recommend this laptop and I will buy future MacBook iterations.
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