I got mine about 10 days ago. Donna, like you, I upgraded the SSD to 256, and, like you, I am nnot totally convinced that i need to do that, but, I did it anyway. Yes, it's expensive. I also contemplated returning it, but, I love this expensive machine, it's not going back.
On Aug 27, 2011, at 9:27 AM, Donna Goodin wrote: > Hey Anouk, > > I decided that since it's going to replace my MBP, I would upgrade > everything. So I got the 1.8 processor, 4GB of ram, and I upgraded the > storage to 256. It may be overkill, but I decided I'd rather air on the side > of beefing it up, rather than wishing I had later. :) > > Let me know what you think once you get yours. > Cheers, > Donna > > On Aug 27, 2011, at 9:03 AM, anouk radix wrote: > >> Hey Donna, >> My macbook air 11 inch will be here tuesday. What upgrades did you get? I >> have the standard 11 inch model with upgraded i7 processor. >> Greetings, Anouk, >> Op 26-8-2011 15:15, Donna Goodin schreef: >>> Hi Neil, >>> >>> thanks for paying such close attention to my message, and for writing such >>> a great response. I actually picked up an MBA last weekend, and am >>> inclined to agree with you on all points. Happily this particular store >>> actually carried the models with the upgraded specs, so I was able to get >>> that model without ordering it online. I have to say, it's a pretty >>> amazing little machine. It's quite speedy--though I haven't really put it >>> through all its paces yet as I haven't transferred my data over. And the >>> sound is amazingly good for such a small device. I do notice a fairly >>> significant difference in sound between the MBA and my 13-inch MBP, but as >>> you say, not so much of a difference that it would impact my choice of >>> machine. Now the only question remaining is whether I feel rich enough to >>> live without the $1700, especially given that my 2009 MBP is working just >>> fine. >>> Cheers, >>> Donna >>> >>> On Aug 25, 2011, at 4:39 AM, Neil Barnfather - TalkNav wrote: >>> >>>> Donna, >>>> >>>> Looking at this, I've owned the 15in MBP and all three of the Air's, the >>>> original incarnation and now the 2010 11in and the revised 2011 11in. >>>> >>>> Firstly sound, if you were looking at the original 13in Air, the sound was >>>> hopeless, with a mono single speaker I really didn't like that thing. >>>> >>>> The 11in 2010 and 2011 models though for me solve that. there's stereo >>>> baby built right in there, and although there's not much bass to talk of, >>>> the sound is clear and it packs a surprising amount of punch for its size. >>>> >>>> put against the 15in, its a notable difference in richness and output, but >>>> against the 13in MBP, I think less so. >>>> >>>> you do have the bass issue and if you like your tones, not just music but >>>> Alex etc to have that depth it might make you think, but I find that once >>>> I sit down in front of it, unless I'm working with my iMac along side the >>>> Air, which I do every now and then, you'll not notice it. >>>> >>>> Looking at this DVD business, lets see, presumably you're not watching >>>> DVD's in the class room etc, so why not just leave the USB drive for that >>>> in your hotel etc, I've seen you state that this lack of a DVD drive is a >>>> real issue, but only as you seem to watch films, well as someone else has >>>> said, a lot of it is downloadable now, you can also rip them, and finally, >>>> if you're like me, why should I pay to download something I own on disk, >>>> spend the additional $80 and get the super drive... leave it in your hotel >>>> room and you're good to go. >>>> >>>> I use my Air for everything when I'm not at a desk, and my iMac if I am. >>>> >>>> The issue that a lot of folk seem to be throwing up over spec and >>>> performance, you really need to ask yourself what you're going to be doing >>>> with it, I find my Air faster than my MBP 15in, which I had as a late 2010 >>>> model with full processor upgrade, I think a 2.9Ghz i7 with 4Gb of RAM. >>>> but you see most of what I do is word processing, e-mail and internet, oh >>>> and iTunes / watching DVD's. >>>> >>>> I carry my MBA all around the world with me, leaving the super drive in >>>> hotel rooms or my carry on in a plane if its a long flight. >>>> >>>> I personally think its really the way to go if you're seriously looking to >>>> lighten the load. >>>> >>>> there is an InCase sleeve for the 11in and 13in available from the Apple >>>> online store, I use this and think its great... for whoever asked that >>>> question. >>>> >>>> HTH. >>>> >>>> Neil Barnfather. >>>> On 15 Aug 2011, at 20:29, Donna Goodin wrote: >>>> >>>> Hi Mika, >>>> >>>> I believe there's a program called DVD Remaster that does that, though I >>>> haven't tried it. In the long-term, your definitely right, I suspect >>>> there'll come a time not all that far off when having a DVD drive will >>>> seem as obsolete as having a floppy drive does now. But for me anyway, >>>> that time hasn't quite arrived yet. But, as with Chris's mention of the >>>> lack of an SD card slot, this is a question of personal preference and >>>> usage. >>>> >>>> The processor question is a tricky one. The processor on the MBA is >>>> slower than that on the MBP. But the solid state drive should make up for >>>> a lot of the difference there. >>>> Cheers, >>>> Donna >>>> >>>> On Aug 15, 2011, at 1:15 PM, Mika Pyyhkala wrote: >>>> >>>>> As for a DVD drive, is it easy say to copy a movie over to the hard drive >>>>> of say a MacBook Air, so that you don't need a DVD drive on the road? >>>>> >>>>> I just am thinking of this as software increasingly moves to being >>>>> acquired through a platform like the Mac app store. >>>>> >>>>> I'm just not sure, for me, why it would be important now a days to have a >>>>> built in DVD drive? >>>>> >>>>> Things like the processor, sound, etc. are more important in the uses I >>>>> would tend to have. I'm not sure also on the MBA that just came out how >>>>> much of an improvement the processor is, etc. >>>>> >>>>> BTW I now have the 11 inch MBA (the model just before the most recent >>>>> release), bought in early 2011. I still found I mostly used Jaws, mainly >>>>> because I'm still more efficient browsing the web under Jaws and for >>>>> Qwitter, though I have not really spent the necessary time to learn the >>>>> Mac ways of doing things. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Best, >>>>> mika >>>>> >>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>> From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>>>> [mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Donna Goodin >>>>> Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 1:05 PM >>>>> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>>>> Subject: Re: going from an MBP to a MacBook Air >>>>> >>>>> Hey Chris, >>>>> >>>>> Yeah, the lack of memory card is no big deal for me, I tend to use a USB >>>>> drive most of the time. The one that gets me is the lack of a DVD drive. >>>>> >>>>> That 11-inch Air is *reeeeeally calling my name. I would have given >>>>> anything to have it while I was in Hawaii last week, the MBP was just big >>>>> enough that I didn't feel like hauling it on the plane and all. I can >>>>> see why you're sticking with the MBP, though - it's definitely the more >>>>> powerful device. And I totally agree, if they ever combine the Air with >>>>> the iPad, I'd be all over it! >>>>> >>>>> I was originally thinking I'd replace the MacBook with the Air, but I >>>>> can't see going without a built-in DVD drive, at least not at this point. >>>>> So I don't know. In addition to the work stuff, I've got some more >>>>> plane travel coming up over the next few months, and it'd be nice to be >>>>> able to take the Air. I'd definitely use it, I know that, but it's a >>>>> luxury, not a necessity. Buuuut ... lol >>>>> Cheers, >>>>> Donna >>>>> >>>>> On Aug 15, 2011, at 12:49 PM, Chris Moore wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Donna, >>>>>> >>>>>> One other thing to bare in mind if you are going for the 11inch model, >>>>>> is that it does not have a memory card reader. This is done via a USB >>>>>> dongle instead. Not sure if this is important to you. >>>>>> >>>>>> I must admit, the 11inch model is very alluring. >>>>>> >>>>>> I think I will stick with my Macbook Pro and iMac for now. If Apple are >>>>>> heading in the direction of merging both their operating systems, then I >>>>>> would expect to see a merged Macbook Air and iPad. Now that's the baby >>>>>> I want. A keyboard with a touch screen all in one. >>>>>> >>>>>> Chris >>>>>> On 15 Aug 2011, at 17:47, Donna Goodin wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Hi Mika, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The MacBoo Pro has some significant advantages. It has a bigger hard >>>>>>> drive, faster processor, can be upgraded with more memory, has built-in >>>>>>> ethernet, DVD drive, and SD card slot. As Ricardo pointed out, it also >>>>>>> has better sound. With the Air, you can connect to a DVD drive or >>>>>>> ether net via usb, but they're not built-in, so that's extra hardware >>>>>>> you need to haul around. The Air is a great portable device, but the >>>>>>> MacBook is a more powerful computer, with more features built-in. >>>>>>> Cheers, >>>>>>> Donna >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Aug 15, 2011, at 12:18 PM, Mika Pyyhkala wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> What are the primary advantages you see the the MBP (MacBook Pro) as >>>>>>>> opposed to the MBA (MacBook Air)? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Just wondering if people appreciate more the ports, or if it is speed >>>>>>>> of the machine, etc? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Thanks, >>>>>>>> Mika >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>>>> From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>>>>>>> [mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Chris Blouch >>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 11:56 AM >>>>>>>> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>>>>>>> Subject: Re: going from an MBP to a MacBook Air >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I've hauled the Macbook all over the place and didn't mind so much with >>>>>>>> the backpack. Maybe because the old computer bag was just so bad. Made >>>>>>>> the change when I was presenting at a conference (cough - CSUN) that >>>>>>>> could no longer fit in its venue and rented two hotels. Of course the >>>>>>>> session I wanted to attend would be in one and then I would present in >>>>>>>> the other then hike back to the first. Not that big a deal with the >>>>>>>> backpack. If I could just remember which pocket I put the network cable >>>>>>>> vs. the AC adaptor vs the displayport connector etc. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> CB >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On 8/15/11 11:12 AM, Donna Goodin wrote: >>>>>>>>> Hi Chris, >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> In the past, I've always felt as you do, that the MBP is very easy to >>>>>>>>> haul around. But unfortunately, I'm not just looking at schlepping >>>>>>>>> my MBP to and from work. Every class I teach is in a different >>>>>>>>> building, and all those buildings are different from the building >>>>>>>>> where my office is. So I'll be carrying it around most of the day, >>>>>>>>> along with a braille display. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I do think I've decided though that the Air can't replace my MacBook. >>>>>>>>> So I'll either be trying something like what you describe, or just >>>>>>>>> getting the low-end model and using it for times when I want a lot of >>>>>>>>> portability. >>>>>>>>> Cheers, >>>>>>>>> Donna >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Aug 15, 2011, at 10:09 AM, Chris Blouch wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Having shlepped my MacBook to work for many years I found that it >>>>>>>>>> wasn't that big a deal in a nice backpack. I used to use those >>>>>>>>>> computer bags with a shoulder strap but it started bothering my >>>>>>>>>> shoulder. I finally picked up one for cheap from Megamacs and have >>>>>>>>>> really liked it. Very comfortable and more pockets to lose things in >>>>>>>>>> :) Might be worth the $20 to find out. It's been several years now >>>>>>>>>> but the one I got is still available: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> http://www.megamacs.com/index.php?action=frameview&id=3566552 >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Their cart UI doesn't move focus to the form input on each step so >>>>>>>>>> you have to slog around to find where the form is, but it does work. >>>>>>>>>> I guess it's no worse than many web shopping carts. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> CB >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On 8/14/11 7:46 PM, Donna Goodin wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> Hi all, >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Since I'm going to be schlepping my Mac around a lot for work in >>>>>>>>>>> the next several months, and possibly then some, I'm seriously >>>>>>>>>>> considering shelling out the $$ for an 11-inch MacBook Air. I'm >>>>>>>>>>> looking at one of the new ones, with all the specs maxed out. My >>>>>>>>>>> MBP is two years old, running a 2.53GHZ processor with 4G of ram. >>>>>>>>>>> I'm wondering if there's anyone on list who can give me an accurate >>>>>>>>>>> comparison of the user experience on these two models. A couple of >>>>>>>>>>> the things I'm wondering about are: >>>>>>>>>>> 1. Speed. How will day-today- use compare. My MBP has the faster >>>>>>>>>>> processor, but the Air has the solid state drive, which I assume >>>>>>>>>>> will compensate, at least to some extent. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> 2. Sound quality? this won't be a deal breaker, but wondering how >>>>>>>>>>> the two compare. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> If there are any other differences that people have experienced, >>>>>>>>>>> either good or bad, I'd love to hear. >>>>>>>>>>> Best, >>>>>>>>>>> Donna >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> P.S. I am aware of the connectivity differences, that's something >>>>>>>>>>> I can live with. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> This message contains information from Neighborhood Health Plan that >>>>>>>> may be confidential or privileged. This message is directed only to >>>>>>>> the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended >>>>>>>> recipient, please be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution, >>>>>>>> or use of the contents of this email is prohibited. If you have >>>>>>>> received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and >>>>>>>> delete the message and any attachments. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en.