Envy 133 and MacBook Air duke it out in the flesh
By Paul Miller 
posted June 10th 2008 10:06AM
posted June 10th 2008 10:06AM
posted June 10th 2008 10:06AM
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what does it say on the macbook air screen endeavo(red)?
The MBA is like a Miata-sleek, small and underpowered. It's a style statement. I do agree that most OS X folks wouldn't switch. They couldn't. Windows is too complex for them. When significant choice is present, lack of simplicity also is present.
Take a look at Photoshop- it's a tremendously powerful and capable program. It's also complex. Take a look at the manual. It's the SAME for both operating systems. I like XP because it's far more customizable (all that "think differently" and "I can have it MY way") than OS X. And, for me, choice outweighs whatever increase in complexity there is. Now, don't get me started on Vista ....
Why did you get voted down o.0
@WarMouse
I respect you preferences to windows, but your experience shows how many windows users try out osx and get frustrated before figuring out how to change things. I remember when everyone was fussing about no right click, when the secondary click had been added years ago.
The apple menu has never been apples version of the start bar. True, it has the clock and sys apps running on the right, but the left side had always been the common anchor for file, edit, etc. I find this approach simpler...whatever window is on top has priority of the menu bar.
And you claim the dock is oversized, but with even the slightest attempt you can change the dock to any size you want. I dont even use mine.
It is, however, useful to the computer illiterate because of its simplicity.
replies....
EDIT FUNCTION PLZ
replies....
EDIT FUNCTION PLZ
For what you get, I don't think it's overpriced at all. The ethernet port in the powerbrick is genius - seriously, what is up with that funky dongle thing with the Air? Plus, the Envy just looks secksay.
Dear Engadget,
As some readers have pointed out recently, and for as long as I can remember (which isn't long thanks to all the beer I drank in college), the comment system on all of the BlogSmithMedia sites is royally f*cked hardcore.
Having an edit function would be nice, as well as removing the gay "rating" stuff.
But, one feature we really want, is for the comments to actually submit and show the FIRST time consistently. Now most of the people on this site are most likely using Mozilla Firefox 2.0. I would just like for once, to be able to not have to copy my comment into the clipboard because I may have to submit it 50 times before it even goes and displays so I know it went and we don't have 50000493903903091303109310931093109319310931^8387372 redundant comments.
Thank You.
Your friend,
Mad Mike
PS.: I needed to send this comment, two times already.
It's a filtering thing. If the system deems your comment not all that worthy, then it doesn't post it for the first few times. But after 40 something tries, it finally succumbs to your request.
you know....i dont disagree that OS X is a great os....but why do they now have Windows running on Macs and not the other way round???
you can search on youtube...there was an interview with both Steve Jobs and Bill Gates...in that interview Steve started with telling all about OS X and how it was superior and the defects with Windows...when it was Bill's turn...he just said...I'm not fake like Steve Jobs and now Windows run on Macs too
you get my point guys???
the Envy looks sexy
also...atleast it has vents to cool off the machine and also a removable battery
Esquire put it best when their tech reviewer made a comment comparing a high end PC laptop running on Vista with a Ferrari with square wheels.
Honestly, I like both OSes fine. XP SP3 or Vista SP1 vs OSX? I don't see such a point, people will always defend what they like till death, and arguing about it in the comments section will not change their mind.
I use OSX at school (graphics design program) and XP at home, i find both of them have their respective advantages and disadvantages. And the user of one OS doesn't have the right to bash a user of the other OS. OSX is simpler and purer, no spyware and viruses (because it owns so little marketshare, this is bound to happen, OSX is not THAT much more secure than VISTA from a coding standpoint), Microsoft OSes run on virtually everything, and not just limited hardware, has more powerful hardware, but is infested with spyware and viruses, although a simple program called Zonealarm fixes all that.
I mean arguing about it is moot.
The only thing i don't like about Apple is it's marketing department it's full of assholes. Leave PC alone already, you don't see Microsoft making such commercials, and don't say they don't have any basis to make such commercials, total lack of games (the only method to play games is to boot into the competition's OS), etc. At this point, most people who view them don't think Mac is better, they just think Apple is conceited and are a bunch of dicks. Market surveys have shown that the viewer actually sympathizes with PC, and prefer the PC character over the Mac character. So, just stop them, they're not doing you any favours, just bolstering your images as a snobby company.
I'd recommend the sony vaio TZ.
I recently switch from XP to vista and I have to say it runs like a dream. Everything is nice and smooth and according to Ballmer its the most secure OS on the market.
I went specifically for non apple laptop since I've used Apple computers at my university for nearly a year and still couldnt quite get used to OS X. I'm more familiar with windows and it feels like its more flexible and offers me more freedom. OS X looks really neat though and I had a blast with expose. With just one button press I could see all my applications running and just select it. It looks really nice and neat. OS X runs really smooth and fast but I just couldnt get the hang of it.
im liking the quick boot OS in the Envy
Hahaha. clak, I used OSX frequently for a couple months and hated every second of it. Sure, it's great that no one cares enough about the OS to write spyware for it, but I prefer an powerful operating system to one that looks "nice" and is "cool" and "CAN'T DO JACK SHlT"
Interesting comments on this thread - the most balanced views I've read on Engadget in a long time. Maybe most fruit lovers and haters had enough to feed on yesterday on the WDC coverage and took a day off.
Anyways - reason for my post is that while we constantly look at new releases of Apple vs Windows releases don't you ever get a feeling that innovation has slowed down quite a bit. Not to pick on Vista - but after 5 yrs of work on a new OS -- all they could come up with is some shiny new front-end (I know the innards have been completely rewritten but this being a closed source software - can anyone vouch for that?)? Take OSX / Linux (Ubuntu) to that matter ... with every so called major release yearly, do we see the kind of innovation that we saw in the late 80's and early 90's?
I think we are beating down the same worn path of the "Desktop" analogy with "Files", "Folders" ,"Documents", "Cabinets", "Paper Weights"(Vista Ultimate Toys :D ) .. etc. These analogies we good to structure our software initially when we were building the blocks but now that the technology is mature I think it is confining our imagination and stifling innovation. It high time we invest in new paradigms in computing (anyone find the "Sugar" OS innovative?) and it doesn't matter if the innovation is charged by Apple/MS or open-source - as you can be sure the others will copy and follow.
couldn't you know install OSX on the envy anyways? I mean I've seen hacks on engadget for running OSX on any intel system. Seeing as they all use the X86 processor.
I'm going to chime in and say I'm not a big fan of the apples laptops, wish you could legitimately install OSX on any set of hardware. But then you would have the same problem Microsoft does. Having to support tons of different hardware with mediocre results, causing errors and other problems. Thats apples thing, not a bunch of third party applications and hardware to mess up the OS. Of course Microsoft has other issues besides that but those are the big ones that Apple avoids by just staying proprietary. It's a catch 22, fewer games and specialized apps, or more bugs and security flaws caused by third party drivers and software.
But yeah I use ubuntu on a Compaq 6710b and I like it better than the mac book that I have at home. I also don't think I could join a cult of people who blindly like a system. I also run a couple xp machines, one for developing on and my other laptop to do development and work on.
based on the VooDoopc.com specs, the only difference is......
VooDoo has express card slot and HDMI out, plus windows(ugh)
while the MBA has Longer battery life, lower wieght, PATA instead of SATA, and thinner, plus OS X
everything else is the same
you can clearly tell that they are made for two completely different puroses so i dont think they should ever be compared
Its like comparing a pickup truck to a subcompact
someone looking to buy a voodoo is looking for a gaming pc obviously, so macs are out of the question
someone loooking to buy a MBA is looking for a ultra portable and is fed up with windows, therefore they would never buy a VooDoo
so my question is, why are we comparing two computers that are meant for two completely different types of people
why wngadget, why?
Sexy, simple, i like. Voodoo is really stepping it up with their new designs.
As for windows and OSX... its a matter of preference, theres differences and advantages of each. Some are suited for different people depending on what they wish to do with it (ex: video editing is to OSX as gaming is to xp/vista)
Apple's practically running a nationwide cult for computer users that can't think for themselves. Seriously, take a look at Mac. What does it have that Windows/Linux doesn't have? A clean interface out of the box? No viruses? (bulls**t Kaspersky has already identified plenty) More organized files and directories? (HA! What a joke) No, it has better marketing and a higher price. Windows has nearly every bit of software Mac has and much more. There's no denying Mac's amazing ability to add some visual effects, a slightly "cleaner" interface, lie a bit, and call the entire damn OS simplified. All in all, Mac is fail.
And by the way, Microsoft has announced multitouch features for Windows 7.
Honestly, I could be happy with either of these... but I'd put Slackware on it!
/me ducks, as attacks rain in from Windows and OSX camps...
Honestly, I could be happy with either of these... but I'd put Slackware on it!
/me ducks, as attacks rain in from Windows and OSX camps...
I love the Envy, it feels more complete than the Air with 2 x USB, HDMI and wired network.
But I wonder - why, oh WHY this glossy screen??? This is the most stupid design fashion ever. It's a fu****g mirror!