is 1.4GHz OK enough in MacBook Air?

[amdhunter]

I have an itch to replace my broken MacBook Pro and want to buy an Air. I want the smallest version, and don't want to pay more for a faster processor.

Questions:

1) Anyone run OS X 10.7 on one yet? I am wondering if it's going to run crappily on the Air.

2) How well does Windows 7 run on it? Would I be able to do HD YouTube or run my 720p Anime on it?

3) Anyone know when the refresh is supposed to come up? I bought my MBP about 2 months before it refreshed, and I felt like kicking myself.

I originally wanted an iPad 2, but I think the MBA would be a better choice.

Anyone have the 1.4GHz and feel that it isn't up to snuff?

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Wait for the refresh, it should happen in the next couple months.

 

[amdhunter]

Wait for the refresh, it should happen in the next couple months.

arrgh. I really miss having my Mac around.
My Acer is faster in every way, has a better resolution screen, and a number pad - but I still rather have my mbp. :\

 

[TheStu]

I have an itch to replace my broken MacBook Pro and want to buy an Air. I want the smallest version, and don't want to pay more for a faster processor.

Questions:

1) Anyone run OS X 10.7 on one yet? I am wondering if it's going to run crappily on the Air.

2) How well does Windows 7 run on it? Would I be able to do HD YouTube or run my 720p Anime on it?

3) Anyone know when the refresh is supposed to come up? I bought my MBP about 2 months before it refreshed, and I felt like kicking myself.

I originally wanted an iPad 2, but I think the MBA would be a better choice.

Anyone have the 1.4GHz and feel that it isn't up to snuff?

1: 10.7 runs well enough, but it is buggy right now, and there are some software compability issues, so I jump between it and 10.6 a fair bit.

2: I haven't isntalled Windows 7 as a standalone, so can't really comment. I can playback 1080p flash full screen in OS X however. Also, 720p MKV is a absolute yes, 1080p is a hit or miss based on bitrate, but the screen is only 720p, so it isn't a huge problem.

3: I think sometime this summer. The latest model came out in October, and the Air was always sort of lumped off to the side in the past, but I think they might be making it more of a frontrunner.

Expect the next one to have dual core Core i3 Sandy Bridge CPUs and Thunderbolt, but really that will probably be the extent of the changes.

 

[Lifted]

I've heard the refresh is scheduled for June. But it's Apple, so who knows.

 

[amdhunter]

1: 10.7 runs well enough, but it is buggy right now, and there are some software compability issues, so I jump between it and 10.6 a fair bit.

2: I haven't isntalled Windows 7 as a standalone, so can't really comment. I can playback 1080p flash full screen in OS X however. Also, 720p MKV is a absolute yes, 1080p is a hit or miss based on bitrate, but the screen is only 720p, so it isn't a huge problem.

3: I think sometime this summer. The latest model came out in October, and the Air was always sort of lumped off to the side in the past, but I think they might be making it more of a frontrunner.

Expect the next one to have dual core Core i3 Sandy Bridge CPUs and Thunderbolt, but really that will probably be the extent of the changes.

Thanks. I was surprised that the Air was 1366x768. I was thinking the extra real estate would slow it down quite a bit. The GUI did seem more laggy than my MBP (12x8) did.

I still think it's a better investment than an iPad 2.

 

[dclive]

I've got my MBA 11" FS. I got the MBP 13" i5, added an SSD, and now can't deal with the 1.4 ghz CPU in the MBA 11".

 

[hiromizu]

The processors Macintosh systems use are faster clock for clock than Wintel PCs so your 1.4GHz Mac will actually feel more like a 17GHz PC because of their RISC architecture difference. Also MacOS is much more efficient in every way than Windows so it's really a moot point

 

[dclive]

The processors Macintosh systems use are faster clock for clock than Wintel PCs so your 1.4GHz Mac will actually feel more like a 17GHz PC because of their RISC architecture difference. Also MacOS is much more efficient in every way than Windows so it's really a moot point

LOL.

 

[mmntech]

The processors Macintosh systems use are faster clock for clock than Wintel PCs so your 1.4GHz Mac will actually feel more like a 17GHz PC because of their RISC architecture difference. Also MacOS is much more efficient in every way than Windows so it's really a moot point

Obvious troll is obvious. :sneaky:

A 1.4ghz CPU is pretty weak. I'd skip it. If you want something small that small that does basic computing, the iPad is really the way to go. At least wait until they refresh it with the Core i lineup. Apple is rumoured to be one of the first customers for the new Ivy Bridge architecture. The new small die is perfect for the Air.

 

[amdhunter]

Obvious troll is obvious. :sneaky:

A 1.4ghz CPU is pretty weak. I'd skip it. If you want something small that small that does basic computing, the iPad is really the way to go. At least wait until they refresh it with the Core i lineup. Apple is rumoured to be one of the first customers for the new Ivy Bridge architecture. The new small die is perfect for the Air.

Yeah. The sluggish GUI (compared to my MBP) kinda made me not want it. I think I'll stick with my ACER laptop and buy a MBA when the refresh comes out.

I am dying to, at least, get an iPad 2 already, but have been unsuccessful in tracknig down an ATT model. Stupid Verizon iPads are plentiful though.

 

[dmw16]

I'd hold out for the refresh. The i5/i7 is a major leap beyond the Core2Duo.

 

[Eug]

Besides the speed boost at the Air refresh (which will be significant), I wouldn't be surprised if the new Airs get Thunderbolt too. (EDIT: Stu beat me to it.)

BTW, the two 11" Airs I tried had somewhat loose hinges. Apparently, Anand had the same experience, as mentioned in his review.

I also hope the 11" refresh gets it better battery life, but I'm not optimistic on that.

 

[amdhunter]

Besides the speed boost at the Air refresh (which will be significant), I wouldn't be surprised if the new Airs get Thunderbolt too. (EDIT: Stu beat me to it.)

BTW, the two 11" Airs I tried had somewhat loose hinges. Apparently, Anand had the same experience, as mentioned in his review.

I also hope the 11" refresh gets it better battery life, but I'm not optimistic on that.

That's funny. The Air I saw had an extremely loose hinge. I was telling my friend how people are beasts and broke the demo model. I guess it's a common thing then.

 

[Lifted]

I am dying to, at least, get an iPad 2 already, but have been unsuccessful in tracknig down an ATT model. Stupid Verizon iPads are plentiful though.

I bought 2 ATT 32GB ipad 's from the 5th Ave store last week. You have to call every morning as they get new shipments each day, but didn't take me more than 1 day to get my hands on exactly what I needed.

Plus they had a messenger deliver them both in a few hours for about $12.

 

[amdhunter]

I bought 2 ATT 32GB ipad 's from the 5th Ave store last week. You have to call every morning as they get new shipments each day, but didn't take me more than 1 day to get my hands on exactly what I needed.

Plus they had a messenger deliver them both in a few hours for about $12.

Haha, I actually fell in love with the Galaxy Tab 10.1 today. I might go that direction instead. If I don't like it, I can always sell it and get an iPad. I'll probably get a prepaid hotspot to use with it.

 

[TheStu]

That's funny. The Air I saw had an extremely loose hinge. I was telling my friend how people are beasts and broke the demo model. I guess it's a common thing then.

That's weird, I don't have any hinge issues on my Air.