5.0 out of 5 stars
A Very Worthy Investment, December 2, 2010
By. G. Argov
(REAL NAME)
This review is from:
Apple MacBook Air MC503LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)
I have owned many Apple laptops and computers over the years, and without a doubt think that the 2010 13" Macbook Air is one of the strongest offerings the company has ever had. I am a 'power user' and use my laptop for heavy photo and video editing. I frequently have Photoshop running simultaneously with many other memory-intensive programs, including Windows 7 (through Parallels), and use my laptop for hours every day.
I purchased the 13" Macbook Air (which I'll refer to as 'MBA' for simplicity) directly from Apple, and added 2GB of RAM to make the set-up 4GB total. I do not know if Amazon allows you to customize it this way, so if it doesn't consider buying it directly from Apple or another store which does allow this upgrade. From what I understood, due to the MBA's construction - the RAM is soldered onto the motherboard - you won't be able to add RAM yourself later. If you're a light user, you should probably be fine with just 2 GB of RAM, but if you plan to intensively multi-task, consider upgrading the RAM.
This laptop is expensive, but is worth every penny if you can afford it. While it lacks an optical drive and certain ports - which can at times be inconvenient - it makes up for that by offering great performance and a stunning design.
DESIGN
I thought my 2010 13" Macbook Pro (which I'll refer to as 'MBP') was sleek and stylish, but this is just amazing. The MBP looks sleeker in some ways since its keyboard is backlit and its display has a nicer black trim to it, but in overall design, the MBA just can't be beat. You won't truly appreciate the Macbook Air's portability and stylish design until you physically play with it in person. The Macbook Air is very thin, but because it employs a tapered unique design it's not uniformly thin throughout the device.
The 13" model features 2 USB ports and an SD card reader (the 11" model doesn't have the SD card reader). The USB ports are cleverly located on opposite sides of the laptop so that you can have even bulky peripherals plugged in simultaneously. The built-in SD card reader is incredibly convenient (more on that below). What's more important to read here is not what connections it does have, but what it doesn't. The most important things missing on the Macbook Airs, in my opinion, are the optical disc drive and an Ethernet port. While I don't necessarily use - and therefore, miss - either of those too much, there are times when Wi-Fi is problematic or when you need to use a disc for something. Still, the Macbook Air has a great portable design that should offer more than enough for most people's daily use.
PERFORMANCE
Even with my heavy use, this has been very reliable for my daily multitasking. While some of that speed might result from my expanded RAM (mentioned above), the bulk of it comes from the Air's use of a Solid State Drive (SSD). While SSD technology is relatively expensivewhen compared to traditional hard drives on a per-Gigabyte basis, it is worth the money! You can find many comparison videos on YouTube showing how much faster Solid State Drives are when compared to traditional hard drives. The SSD really shines when cutting down the time when launching a program, or when turning the system on or off.
DISPLAY
The high-resolution display of the Macbook Air is great. The 13" Air features a 1440x900 resolution (like that of the 15" Macbook Pro), which is better than the 1,280x800 resolution of my 13" 2010 Macbook Pro. It is very sharp and crisp!
LIFE WITHOUT AN OPTICAL DRIVE
Some people have argued that the lack of an optical drive makes the Macbook Air impractical for daily use. Honestly, I have for the past several years used my optical drive very rarely, and knew I wouldn't miss it too much on the Air. That being said, you usually don't appreciate something until you no longer have it, and I have since noticed that there are times when having a built-in optical drive is convenient.
Since thumb drives and external hard drives are becoming very affordable, digital distribution of software and games is rapidly growing, and many videos are now available through streaming services as opposed to hard copy DVD forms, a lot of the inconveniences associated with lacking an optical drive can be worked around. That being said, there are times when an optical drive is necessary, especially when it comes to installing software (i.e. Windows).
While the MBA doesn't have one built in, you can 'Share' the optical drive of another computer wirelessly. That is understandably less convenient than having an optical drive physically connected to the same computer, so you can instead plug in an external CD/DVD drive through the USB port. The major inconvenience of doing this is that you have to buy an external drive. That being said, you do not need the Apple brand 'Superdrive', and can instead get a 3rd party external optical drive for a considerably cheaper price.
HAVING A BUILT-IN SD CARD READER IS VERY CONVENIENT
The SD card reader is very convenient, and helps compensate for the relatively small hard drive found on the Macbook Air. While my largest SD card is only 16GB, I find SD cards to be even more convenient than using a thumb drive. Without the built-in SD card reader you could always plug in an external SD card reader, but having it built into the system frees up a USB port.
BATTERY LIFE
If you've ever felt that your cell phone, laptop, or other battery-based device doesn't hold nearly as long a charge as it should, it's not just you. Battery life is something that a lot of electronics manufacturers frequently distort the truth about. Amazon often omits external links from reviews and replace it with a [...] so I can't paste the link, but on the Apple website's section on Macbook Pros, for example, they state in the fine text: 'The wireless productivity test measures battery life by wirelessly browsing various websites and editing text in a word processing document with display brightness set to 50%.' In other words, their battery life claims are based on situations many more intensive users don't find themselves in...
For the 2010 Macbook Air, Apple has supposedly changed their battery testing method from the aforementioned Pro testing, and used improved technology to prolong the battery life. The Macbook Air's battery is rated to last for around 7 hours, but you might get less than that with heavy use. I have been pleased with the battery life so far, but I have had less than 7 hours of battery life when I was using the computer intensively. While the battery life isn't the strongest of all of Apple's offerings, the 30-day standby time is very impressive. I believe that the impressive standby time is a result of the SSD drawing less power in sleep mode than a traditional hard drive.
COMPARED TO PREVIOUS AIRS
I was really intrigued by the Macbook Air when it was first announced in 2008, but couldn't justify the high price tag. Since with this generation prices have gone down considerably, all models employ Solid State Drives, and there are 2 USB connections (instead of just one), now is a much better time to buy a Macbook Air than ever before. The only thing changed for the worse is that this model does not have backlit keys - not such a big deal for fast typers, but probably inconvenient for people who 'hunt and peck'.
COMPARED TO THE 2010 11-INCH MACBOOK AIR
Prior to deciding on the 13" Macbook Air I considered the 11-inch model. While the 11-incher is lighter and smaller than the 13-inch model, I decided against it because I felt that the screen was too small to be reasonably effective for my intended use. Additionally, the 11-inch model lacks a built-in SD card reader - not a huge deal since external USB-based SD card readers are cheap - and also employs a weaker 1.4 GHz processor (as opposed to the 13-inch model's 1.86 GHz processor). You lose half a pound in weight going from the 13" and 11" models, but I decided a slightly heavier laptop was more worth it for the screen real estate. You will have to play with the models in store to see what works best for you, but if you like opening multiple windows side-by-side, you will more likely than not also prefer the 13" model.
COMPARED TO THE 13-INCH MACBOOK PRO
Due to the similar price points between this and the 13" Macbook Pro, the two computers naturally lend themselves to head-to-head comparison, which I'll focus the rest of the review on.
Comparing a 2010 13" 128GB 1.86 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Macbook Air with 4 GB of RAM (again, upgraded, the default configuration is 2 GB) with my 2010 13" 250 GB 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Macbook Pro with 4 GB of RAM, I definitely felt the Macbook Air was faster. This is not an official comparison with benchmark tests - official benchmarks actually rated the Pro to be a faster machine - but for my use I felt things were noticeably faster with the Air's SSD in spite of its weaker processor.
Advantages Compared to Base Configuration 2010 13" Macbook Pro
Lighter (2.9 pounds vs 4.5 pounds)
Thinner (0.11 inches at its thinnest point and 0.68 inches at its thickest vs 0.95 inches)
Considerably faster in spite of a weaker processor (see below) due to its use of a Solid State Drive (SSD)
Higher resolution display (1440x900 vs 1280x800)
Disadvantages Compared to Base Configuration 2010 13" MacBook Pro
Slower Processor (1.86 GHz vs 2.4 GHz)
Smaller Hard Drive (128 GB vs 250 GB)
No backlit keys (Not a big deal for most, but some might find this inconvenient)
Fewer ports (the lack of an Ethernet jack can be a big inconvenience if you don't have secure Wi-Fi available)
No optical drive
FINAL THOUGHTS
The speed of a Solid State Drive is one of the selling points of the Macbook Air, but its ultra-portability is its stronger selling point (keep in mind prior to 2010 only the higher-end Air models featured SSDs). That being said, think of what's important to you. For students and business professionals who travel frequently, I think the Air is an ideal solution.
To those for whom speed is more important than portability, consider purchasing a Macbook Pro and upgrading its hard drive to a SSD yourself. You can also upgrade the Pro's RAM on your own, up to 8 GB (Air maxes out at 4GB, and you can't upgrade it yourself).
Think about what your primary use for the machine will be. If you don't have reliable access to Wi-Fi networks or need a CD/DVD drive regularly, you might find the Air constraining. For most people, however, the 13" 2010 Macbook Air is a great purchase that will offer a very powerful computer in an incredibly portable and sleek package.
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Air" Benefits with Fewer Drawbacks!, October 23, 2010
By. Steve H "books911" (U.S.)
(VINE VOICE) (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from:
Apple MacBook Air MC503LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)
I chose the 256 GB storage option model, but the other specifications on this machine are the same.
I do have fairly recent Mac desktops, but my own personal Mac notebook had become aged. It was a Powerbook.
With the release of iPad last Spring, I had considered not going back to owning a new notebook, with a desktop and iPad at my disposal.
However, I decided I simply need a keyboard for some on the go work, and my machine was simply too old now.
This October 2010 MacBook Air redesign is the answer for me. I will try to post some images of the device soon.
Physically, the footprint is not much different than a 13-inch MacBook or MacBook Pro that other members of my household own. However, it's the thinness and lightweight design that brings out the "wow," for those who see it. If you want to use it on your lap in a large chair or sofa, it is simply comfortable. If you need to stop while walking, and stand against a wall and check something very quickly, while it can still be slightly awkward, the light weight makes this possible. Still, I'd try not to do this, in fear of dropping the precious unit. You do see some Apple marketing images of people using the device standing up. This would likely be even more comfortable with the 11-inch model.
The reason one would choose this updated 13-inch MacBook Air is simple! This particular model gives you the thinness and light "wow," factors that defined the MacBook Air since its introduction nearly four years ago. However, this model gives you something that was not offered at this price point previously. A nearly fully functional and performing notebook computer. The included 1.86 GHZ Core 2 Duo processor is not a slouch. 2GB of memory is not bad in efficient OS X, and the decent storage. I chose the 256GB model, but for a second Mac, a light user, or someone with an external USB hard drive when back at there desk, even this 128 GB is not too far behind an entry hard drive notebook. PLUS, there is a huge benefit of this solid state storage. It is INCREDIBLY fast. The slight hit in processor and memory compared to a MacBook Pro is at least partly made up for by the speed of solid state memory. Just check out the boot up time on this device. It boots up fast. Plus, when it sleeps, open it back up, for instant on. It's a new way of experiencing a computer. If you need it to look something up, edit an image, or type a report, it's ready for you.
The battery life is impressive too. Apple is quoting 7-hours on this 13-inch model, and I will get close to that it appears. Apple is using a new battery testing standard than they have used to quote hours on previous systems. Therefore, this 7 hours quoted might be closer to the optimistic 10 hour advertised on the MacBook Pro than the numbers themselves would have us believe.
This 13-inch model has a higher resolution display than the 13-inch MacBook Pro, so you will fit more of your windows, pictures, etc. on the display. Indeed, it matches the resolution of the stock 15-inch models.
What don't you get on this model and do I miss it? Obviously, once again, Superdrive is missing. I do not miss this. I have Superdrive on my desktop computer, and you can always buy the USB Superdrive for less than one hundred dollars, if you want that capability when at your desk. This Air loses the backlit keyboard, one suspects due to the even slimmer and lighter design. However, I type efficiently, so I only lose the cool factor of illuminated keys, not function.
Truly, with the add on of the USB superdrive for pinch situations, this particular model is a Mac that could actually be one's main computer. Decent processing speed, decent memory, and most of all plenty of solid state storage and the speed benefits of that storage. The graphics processor in this release is much improved over the previous generation too enabling watching of high definition videos. Two USB ports allow for connecting your iPod, external USB hard drive, USB Superdrive, printer, or whatever other USB device you might have. SD Card slot is included on this 13-inch Air model for the first time too.
Note - The brand new iLife '11 is loaded on this machine too. It's fun to try out the new features of iLife on a brand new computer! iPhoto 11 enhanced full screen mode is fun to use with this high resolution display!
Sure, a graphic designer, developer, or engineer might need more horse power or a larger display. However, a 2.9 pound Mac that is fully capable of being a great second Mac, or primary Mac, for many users is an incredible achievement. Do not let the significance of this creation not take us back a bit. It is an impressive feat. Recommend unit.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The anti-reflective coating is finally good enough for me to consider glossy, November 18, 2010
By. Paul C. Huang "Paul Huang" (Arcadia, CA)
(REAL NAME)
This review is from:
Apple MacBook Air MC503LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)
This review addresses specifically the screen quality.
Those who demand desktop performance from a portable should consider the iMac. That being said, I have noticed that this low-voltage Core 2 duo 2.13GHz can easily keep up with its big cousins (MacBook Pro 13.3"). The performance is good enough, so I am unconcerned about benchmarks.
Let's look at the screen. Even if you have a tonal range of medium grey to complete darkness, the reflection on the screen is not as bothersome as the MacBook Pro's highly-reflective glass and the previous version MacBook Air's glossy screen (it, too, had a coating, but not as good as this version).
I am in my mid-40s, so I initially thought the 1440 x 900 pixels being squeezed down to 13.3" area may be too small for me to read. Not so. The increased pixel density and the increased contrast makes the text much more readable. Those who are skeptical should forget about the specifications and just see it in person.
I wouldn't consider the 11.6" because the screen's height has been chopped off 10% (16:9). This screen is 16:10. Those who think that 2.3lbs versus 2.8lbs is a big difference should think again. The smaller one has about 25% battery run time, which means you may want to carry the power adapter. It does not have an SD-card reader, which means another piece of cable (for camera) or card reader to lose. The lack of vertical space causes the user to scroll more. All these reasons combined, the 11.6" holds no advantage over the 13.3"--not to mention the fact that the processor and level-2 cache are not as robust as the 13.3" at the same RAM/SSD configuration.
* * * * * speed * * * * *
I thought I might as well mention a few things.
The unit I just installed is a 13.3", 2.13GHz, 256GB SSD, 4GB RAM
* cold boot to desktop: 13 seconds
* all MS Office 2011 applications take 1-1.5 seconds to launch
* iLife 11 apps all take about a second to launch, except Garage Band takes a bit longer to initialize.
5.0 out of 5 stars
What can I say? Apple's got me hooked..., December 26, 2011
By. Paul R. Thomas "Paul R." (Texas, USA)
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from:
Apple MacBook Air MC503LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)
I don't like to write reviews very often and I know I am late on the bandwagon here for writing reviews for the 2010 version of the MacBook Air 13.3" but I wanted to chime in anyway because I thought that this was a fantastic product and I wanted to help anyone else I could in deciding to pick one of these up.
To start; I decided I wanted the 2010 version of the 2011 version for a very specific reason, it had very little to do with the fact that it was older versus newer but more along the lines that I wanted the Nvidia 320M that the 2010 MacBook Air had over the Intel Graphics Processor that the 2011 MacBook Air had, it was a good decision for the light graphics intensive programs I wanted to use.
Up until now I have been a very dedicated PC user whose family was also a family of overly-dedicated Windows users. From a very young age, I was sort of raised on them and how they worked. I've built a number of Windows based desktop towers, purchased a number of Windows based laptops over the years by many different manufactures and am the current owner of an Dell/Alienware M17X R3 "Gaming" Laptop, of which I will discuss the contrasts between this, which is probably the "nicest" Windows computer I've ever owned.
I decided to purhase a MacBook Air, like many other adopters of Apple Computer goodies, because I was taken and fell in love with my iPhone 4S, which was a total impulse buy (I previously owned a simple flip phone.) and after how much I loved it, I decided to try a Macintosh computer. This was part because I loved how it functioned and part because I am a bit of a collector of gadgets. I also needed a computer to take to work, I have a very relaxed job, I used to bring the monster Alienware computer with me but it was just too much of a hassle, plus I had to bring a mouse because the trackpad was horribly uncomfortable to use.
So I looked into the MacBook Air because of it's portability, I almost purchased a MacBook Pro because I was unsure of if I wanted the optical drive and the added upgradeability that those machines have but as is indicated by my review (obviously) I do not regret making that decision at all.
So that's the "my story" if you will, now onto the more technical parts.
1. Memory/RAM - When I purchased the computer, this was probably what I was worried about the most next to the HDD, I was worried that with only 2GB, especially migrating off of a Windows laptop with 6GB that I would be very unimpressed. Not the case at all, many recommend you do the 4GB upgrade and perhaps if you are processing movie files in high-definition this would be an excellent choice. For me though, casual computing, playing some games, running Parallels for light Windows work I've not noticed any slow down at all. In fact, this may be just me being impressed, but I've noticed a lot less slowdown on this machine than on my Alienware when doing the same sort of activities; Internet, word processing, audio work, etc. So I think the word on this is, it depends what you're doing but I don't think you really need the RAM upgrade, I am perfectly happy with 2GB.
2. Hard Drive - The Hard Drive on this compared to most modern computers with spinning drives is of course, quite small. I have not had a problem with it at all, even with quite a few applications installed, larger ones I haven't even hit 70% yet and that's fine with me. This included my iTunes application library. I purchased the Air with the 128GB hard drive, for information's sake.
3. Processor - Another thing that worried me, but not as much as the others was that the processor might be slow, especially because I was used to the snappy performance of a quad-core processor on my Windows laptop. Impressed again by this, hardly an issue at all. Everything is responsive and quick to start and function.
For the longest time I switched the idea on and off in my head of buying a Macintosh computer because of a strange personal reason; I am a problem solver as most humans are and I kind of enjoy it in a mascohistic way, I love fixing my Windows computer when it messes up. Whether it's installing a new drive, graphics card, memory, etc whatever it is. I had a sort of wanting for it.
Mac is easier, that is for absolute sure and it's been a strange change in my life to not have any issues, to close the laptop and take it to work, open it and it still works the same. To close it for the night, open it in the morning and it still works the same. I don't know if I can really get used to how easy it actually is, but it is a good thing!
It's just a really nice thing to have in a computer to have it be so reliable and easy to use and not having to really worry about anything.
Of course the switch is not all easy, it's a little difficult to pick up the OSX but it's really not hard, a couple of hours is all you need.
Oh and I suppose I didn't mention this but the computer is physically impeccable and the nicest I've ever owned, just the feel of an aluminum computer is a really awesome experience and people who don't own or use one, that and I love the Magic Trackpad that all the newer models come with, that was one of the reasons I bought this as well, I love that I don't have to use a mouse in most situations.
In closing, I'll give this laptop the best compliment I can give it, in the time I have owned it, I have opened my Alienware, Windows based laptop (Which sadly cost twice the price of this one) perhaps six to seven times, in a span of weeks that is not a long time. The only thing it can do better than my MacBook Air is play some more graphically intensive games, I can't say for sure but I think that it will be being sold very soon.
I really think that switching that computer for this one, at the very least is a totally different experience in computing for me, it's a whole new world and I love that.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Macbookair, October 19, 2011
By. Katteach
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from:
Apple MacBook Air MC503LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)
I love my Macbook air. It is so lightweight and convenient. I use a mac in school so switching to a mac at home seemed logical.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Apple MacBook Air MC503LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop, October 18, 2011
By. Kathleen Barnhart (SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, US)
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from:
Apple MacBook Air MC503LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)
Apple MacBook Air came and was very easy to set up. Difficulty was trying to update operating system with Lion. In conversation with Apple, who has a very very good tech support, the passcode for the update was sent to office email, where as, the filters denied the access.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Left a bit to be desired., October 4, 2011
By. Phraustie Huse
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from:
Apple MacBook Air MC503LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)
So I got this laptop for my girlfriend as she needed a laptop for school and the one she had was going on the fritz. This laptop needed software updates that took about 6 hours to get caught up to date. It doesn't have a disc drive so that means in order to install the program needed for school, we're going to have to either spend yet MORE money on MORE products or something else.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect for Students of the Humanities, September 17, 2011
By. Rachel DuBose
This review is from:
Apple MacBook Air MC503LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)
I purchased my MBA 13" last October, and I haven't looked back. I previously owned a 13" white Macbook, and the difference is remarkable. I would say that this is a wonderful computer for students of the humanities, who do a lot of writing, research, and require a computer for entertainment purposes.
SPEED
I actually haven't seen any speed difference, but for what I use my computer for (writing and research), I wasn't expecting much. I do get significantly less "spinning beach ball of death" though. It is comparable to my older, C2D iMac for most tasks. Even running on only 2GB of RAM, I don't find any slowdowns or lockups, even when swapping between Word and several large PDFs.
STORAGE
128GB is not quite enough to hold up to my entire media collection, but I have an iMac for that. I use the cloud options through various other groups (in particular Google Music, Spotify, and Netflix) for my media consumption on the go. For others, this might not be acceptable, but the option exists for more storage; external HDDs are plentiful, as are 16/32GB SD cards.
BATTERY
I frequently get a full 7 hours out of my battery, screen halfway up, taking notes in class (including recording audio), wifi on. With wifi off that jumps a bit, and even more so if I turn the screen brightness down at night.
DURABILITY
This is part of the reason I think this is a wonderful computer for students. When I was moving in January, my computer took a 4' drop from someone's arms onto pavement -- nothing but a VERY small dent, and thanks to the Solid State Drive, nothing else was damaged. I actually have to look specifically to even find the dent that was made, it's so barely noticeable.
OSX LION
Other people don't like Mission Control, but I find it easier to use than Spaces, and get a lot more use out of it than I ever did Spaces. I tended not to be willing to screw about with the settings for Spaces, because adding applications to a particular space was a bit too nitpicky for me. It's much easier to do in the new version, and I think students will find it particularly useful. I keep four desktops: internet, music, writing, and schoolwork.
Features such as natural scrolling and the trackpad gestures I turned off, because I find them less than useful. I don't see a point in moaning about them -- as long as the option to remove them remains intact, I don't mind.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love my new MacAir, September 15, 2011
By. James T. Scott (Florida)
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from:
Apple MacBook Air MC503LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)
I never owned a Mac before, and when my Toshiba went back for service the 4th time I thought it was time to upgrade to a new machine. I couldn't be happier, the Mac is so easy to use I wish I had owned it all along. I'm not the most computer savvy person, mainly e-mailing and net surfing, but the more I explore this machine the more I am in awe of what it can do, not to mention the 7 hour battery life. I know there are a lot of folks that complain about the cost of a Mac as opposed to a PC, I don't have an issue with that, it is IMO worth every cent.
3.0 out of 5 stars Revolution products, September 15, 2011
By. Tianshu Fan "Eva" (MI, USA)
This review is from:
Apple MacBook Air MC503LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)
This is the first time that one person can carry computer to everywhere. Besides Ipad, it has more function. And Apple is for those who smart enough to discover its function.
5.0 out of 5 stars Stupendous, September 13, 2011
By. Adam G. Schmalhofer (LANCASTER, PA, US)
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from:
Apple MacBook Air MC503LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)
My item arrived 1 day ahead of schedule EVEN though my area was rocked by a tropical storm. Extremely Impressed.
5.0 out of 5 stars Thinking about switching from PC to Mac... Do it!, September 9, 2011
By. Clan Gardner "Gregor" (Durango, CO USA)
This review is from:
Apple MacBook Air MC503LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)
If you're considering switching to a Mac, I'd like to share my experience and its happy ending. Others have sufficiently reviewed and critiqued the Macbook Air from a technical point of view... so I won't reiterate that. Instead I'll briefly recount the thought process and experience of one guy making the transition.
I debated for a long time about whether to make the switch from my Windows based laptop to the Mac platform... I had bought my wife a Mac Mini two years ago and she has actually felt so-so about it. Her Mac is far more stable than her previous PC, which she appreciates. But--she feels--her Mac is not as amazing and "intuitive" as it was cracked up to be. We have discovered in the meanwhile that there is some truth to the idea that some people's brains just seem to resonate more with one system or the other. In many ways, she is more of a "Windows gal," as she puts it. Nonetheless, she has been very happy to have a system that is so stable and does not crash or freeze. And in most other respects, she has been satisfied.
So given her sufficiently positive experience, it made sense to seriously consider the idea of getting our entire household all on the same platform rather than having to duplicate software and OS upgrades moving forward.
Furthermore, I was increasingly having several issues with my laptop: slow-ish; prone to daily freezes or crashes; weird, buggy quirks that I could never seem to eliminate. Finally, being a (very) frequent business traveler, the weight of it (about 6-7 pounds, with the power supply), was a big drag. So given all these considerations, it was a natural to consider the switch.
So why didn't I make the leap right away???
My hesitation stemmed from several sources. 1st, I'd spent a chunk of money just a few years back on my laptop and its docking station--so the "Scotsman" in me was not too keen to switch to a new machine before thoroughly "amortizing" my previous investment, i.e. getting my full money's worth out of it! 2nd, the thought of having to transfer files, re-load software, re-establish internet and email settings, etc. etc. made me nauseous to even think about it... Finally, there would be some things on my Windows laptop that I wouldn't be able to use on my new Macbook Air (like receipt scanner software that goes with my Windows-based travel scanner... or my MS Flight simulator and joystick).
In sum, making the leap entailed some significant costs, monetary and otherwise.
Ultimately, after thinking through all the pros and cons, it boiled down to: (a) erase my laptop and reinstall XP (or purchase Windows 7) plus all other software to get all the performance issues resolved or (b) bite the bullet, pay the bucks, and make the switch.
In the end, the idea of running two platforms in one house just didn't make sense... and longer-term, it seemed like a fruitless struggle to keep myself chained to an inferior system... And, amidst that joyless scenario, I kept hearing fantastic kudos from friends and colleagues about the Macbook Air (MBA) and othe Macs... making it very alluring, indeed...
I did briefly consider the Macbook Pros... but I didn't really need any extra processing power that that decision might entail... and being a road warrior clinched it. The light weight, instant turn-on and turn-off of the MBA (plus the fact that I use fairly basic functions, like internet, email, Office, iPhoto, etc.) made me opt for the Macbook Air (MBA), which I purchased in July 2011.
I was, of course, chagrined to have them come out with the NEXT model just a month later... but the differences are fairly negligible, given my usage.
I did buy an external disk drive for the very occasional time when I might need it. In 2 months, I've only needed it 1 time, thus far. So not having to schlepp that embedded weight around is actually a huge plus. Similarly having "only" 2 USB ports has proven to be a non-issue. I have to switch out some cords now and again, but it is no big deal compared to the extra weight and clunkiness more ports would entail.
The transition from PC to Mac has been far easier than I anticipated all in all... and though not everything about the way a Mac functions is better or more efficient than Windows (sometimes there are some surprising, but minor, quirks and deficiencies), overall, I do indeed find the Mac experience, stability, and the fabled "intuitiveness" to be a joy. I just love this computer and it was worth every penny. I've never said that about any previous computer I've owned. And as light as it is, I actually use it around home just like an iPad... yet can do serious work on it.
So, if you're at all similar to me (50; long-time PC user; critical; appreciative of systems and equipment which work effectively and aesthetically; fairly basic computer user (though Mac is known for working
wonderfully for far more sophisticated functions than I need)... then life is too short not to make the switch. It really is a joy!
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