MacBook Air Rev. B mini-review
By Paul Miller 
posted Dec 1st 2008 6:31PM
posted Dec 1st 2008 6:31PM
[Images courtesy of Sam]
Caveats
So, before you get the wrong idea, you might want to read the MacBook Air review we did the first time around: almost all those caveats still stand. There's still one measly USB port, no FireWire, no Ethernet, a non-standard display plug (mini-DisplayPort instead of the equally obscure micro-DVI) a non-replaceable battery, an external-only disc drive with some odd power requirements and no internal 3G option or ExpressCard slot -- this is still a far cry from your standard, "full featured" laptop. Still, there's something about the MacBook Air, especially as a daily machine, that really shines through -- it's just so dang thin and light that you end up taking it everywhere and using it anywhere, and its shape is perfectly suited for slipping into a messenger bag almost unnoticed. It's the sort of portability that lends itself to lounging around the house, or boosting Starbucks cred, and it's a testament to that form factor that we've put up with the incredibly sluggish and fickle Rev. A for so long.
What's changed is that the frustratingly, mind-numbingly slow internals have been almost entirely chucked, to be replaced by a real grown-up processor, great NVIDIA integrated graphics, faster memory and a faster system bus for a dramatic speed boost -- Apple calls it 4x faster, and we can't really argue with that.
The dark ages...
We could comb over specs all we want, but what's really telling is usage scenarios. The primary problem with the original Air is that when put under strain -- especially video card-related strain -- it'd overheat to a point that it would shut down or at least severely throttle its weakling processor cores. At the start this led to completely-unacceptable stop-start freezing as the computer choked under even mild strain, but after a few firmware updates Apple got things down to just kind-of-unnacceptable -- though never managed to do as good a job of throttling and undervolting the processor as a certain 3rd party utility.
In daily use this usually meant that by your third or fourth YouTube video you were getting stuttered playback, and a bit more strain would result in slowdowns system-wide. Hulu or iTunes TV shows could rarely keep things going strong for more than five minutes, 3D games (even World of Warcraft dialed way back in quality) were out of the question and even significantly glitchy. Things would get exponentially worse if you were using the laptop away from a cold, hard surface, and instead plugged up the vents by using it on your -- gasp -- lap. Plugging into an external monitor was a particularly effective recipe for slowing the machine down to the point of unsuitability, and a day with the Air was a constant struggle to keep the right balance of tasks and locale to keep the temperature under crisis levels.
A coming dawn...
With Rev. B? Not so much. In fact, we've only managed to get the computer to stutter once, doing some particularly hefty HD flash video, after running on our lap (and destroying our reproductive chances) for the past hour or two. This also opens the laptop up to new possibilities like light iMovie editing -- out of the question with the original -- decent Garage Band multitracking, or a quick jaunt across Azeroth. Boot times are incredibly snappy (we're testing the SSD version, don't hate us), and the computer is generally a joy to use.
Since we're crazy enough to rarely use Ethernet, physical media or multiple USB peripherals, our two biggest remaining drawbacks are the fixed battery and the lack of internal 3G. With a shrinking chip and plenty of hollow aluminum, we're sure Apple could squeeze in some 3G if it tried, and it'd save us from using up that single USB plug so frequently with a horrifically awkward dongle affair. The battery is perhaps more serious. We'd say the average battery life with mild use -- about three hours, very much on par with the previous version -- is plenty acceptable, but for a laptop that so encourages portability, the inability to replace the battery means you can never be more than three hours away from an outlet, less if you want cellular internet. Lenovo, Voodoo and just about everyone else has figured this out, Apple needs to step up on both fronts if it really wants to get taken seriously by true road warriors, instead of some namby pamby bloggers (Paul Miller) looking to save their backs as they make the daily ten yard trek to the coffee shop -- or to the couch, if the weather's no good.
Wrap-up
Overall, we'd say we highly recommend the MacBook Air to that particular sort of person who can deal with all the remaining caveats, but we really wish Apple had gotten some of this overheating stuff under control the first time around -- and that the firmware updates and compassionate Genius Bar shoulder shrugs wouldn't halt just because there's a new, trouble-free revision making the rounds.
But can you cut a cake with it?
Not a cupcake...
Because science now has paper thin oled displays, paper thin piezo electric speakers, and can actually print out circuitry on sheets of paper, it is possible to actually produce a laptop as thin as 6 sheets of looseleaf paper....
...but does it make any sense to do so? I think not.
way to miss the point flashpoint.
What? just because you think it is not a good idea does not mean the world will stop going forward, not backwards, Upward, not forward. And always twirling, twirling, twirling towards progress!
I, for one welcome the 6 sheet thick laptops...
Feel the Apple love on this site! Can you feel it? Or was that just my lunch coming up?
The cake is a lie
and the quote is 'twirling toward freedom' not progress.
3 HOURS BATTERY LIFE
HAAAAAAAAAAAA HAHAHAH
HAAAA
ROFLMAO
The Lenovo X61s gets 8 - and has a user replaceable battery so you can have *GASP* more than one battery!
The baked goods are a falsehood!
>>ROFLMAO
>>The Lenovo X61s gets 8 - and has a user replaceable
You'll need all those 8 hours to render a single frame with Lenovo's integrated Intel graphics card. The X61, although a nice machine is a far cry from the MacBook AIR with NVidia graphics, a glass touch pad and metal body. The Lenovo just feels like a plastic credit card -what you'll need to replace it when it snaps in two in your backpack...
3 hr., wow thats awful?
my VAIO gets about 2.5 hr
No, unfortunately they disabled that feature...
Damn Apple!!
I'm Surprised... It not super biased... WOW... I guess Engadget can read... but i like apple their not a bad company... I'm just a PC thats all....
It's actually still a biased review as they end up recommending the device in the wrap-up. No matter how compromised and bad an Apple product is, Engadget can't find it in themselves to straight out give it a good slash while they are fully comfortable with hammering a Microsoft product until it has died twice.
It's a biased review because they ended up recommending it for some consumers?
Just because a review ends up making a different recommendation than you would, does not mean it is "biased".
It is in fact (try actually reading the whole thing) a fairly even-handed review and clearly states the machine's shortcomings, and furthermore it reiterates in the recommendation that there are caveats you will have to live with if you decide to purchase it.
No, this is definitely not a biased review, not by any standards or definition of bias.
To be fair, you could recommend just about anything to "some consumers".
My feeling is that Engadget are trying to be cautious because any real appraisal will result in claims of bias, and all hell will break loose if they slam it. It's tough, because it makes the review almost pointless. They basically took a page to say "it's like the old one, but faster", which surely isn't a surprise to anybody. It's hard to create meaningful and interesting content when you both have to appeal to bitterly opposing fanboys.
Dude - that's because you want one. People don't get the Air for various reasons - see the other comments - but they still want it.
It's similar to a Lamborghini. Impractical, expensive, and endlessly sexy.
Fritz. I applaud the neutral spirit of your post. Still: you care about literacy?
A really, really slow Lamborghini.
iCan't Wait Until I Get Mine,
So I Can Watch DVDs.
Oh Wait.
For that very reason, I think I'll stick with my Macbook. Twice the speed, half the price as Apple said about the iPhone 3G. And, it even has ports.
You can always enjoy watching movies from your DVD's, for an extra $99 that is.
Just looking up the US store:
A mackbook is $500 bucks cheaper, has a disc drive, more hard drive space, a faster processor. and is only 0.19" inches thicker.
Anyone buying an air is just an idiot. if you pay that much for a thin computer you clearly cant be thinking sanely
@ThePengwin: I think you are forgetting one major aspect of the Macbook Air, the weight. It weights considerably less than a macbook and while for most people the 50% savings is more than worth it there is a slim portion of consumers that a willing to pay insane prices for coolness. Not that using a Mac doesn't automatically make you one of the cool kids on the block ...
Oh and why is there still a button on the Air trackpad? Is the new glass trackad too think?
It makes sense for some people, ThePengwin. The weight difference and graduated thickness can be huge if you're carrying it around all the time. Smaller size and a better screen can, believe it or not, have more value than faster speed and an optical drive.
In my situation, I've inserted a disc only a couple times in the past year and I don't store music or videos on the hard drive. I'm carrying around components I'm just not using, and I'd gladly shed the extras for a slimmer machine better suited for me.
@cg0def
Have you felt the new MacBook? It weighs very little compared with the past models. The difference in weight is down to 1.5lbs! If you've ever been to the gym, you know that is nothing for the added features in the aluminum MacBook line. I think the Air is, most unfortunately, going the way of the Mac Mini- just a whole lot faster. However, I really like it, and so I'm hoping it can cling to life by the tips of its 'cool factor'. It's going to need a bit of remodeling later on if it wants to stay in the game is all.
Well, gosh, tyler. I guess you may not be the target market. Fancy that.
I can't wait to get a Porsche Boxster and then bitch about how it's terrible for moving furniture.
If thinness is what you are after, its kinda hard to justify the Macbook Air over a netbook. Most netbooks have more ports, but you take a hit in processor power and no discrete GPU.
Anyone trying to justify the MacAir probably has one and doesnt have much to say but about the weight; which is funny cuz the new Macbook barely weighs any more than the Air.
So just a thought, I guess going to the Mac store and buying software is pretty useless then, I mean like how would you install it? Rub it against the screen and hope for the best?
so basically you are saying... wow! this is a great product for some people even though it doesn't work very well X.x
How is the keyboard?
just about keyboard sized.
why did i read that as "how big is the keyboard", then immediately realize my mistake, making my lame attempt at humor even lamer? sigh. i'm a sad person.
for some reason, your totally surreal reply, made me lol :B
Dani, your tongue looks weired, better check a doctor.
I think those are supposed to represent two front teeth =B
Dani, your teeth look weird, better check an orthodontist.
The keyboard quality is the BEST ever on a Mac!. Better than the new MB and MBP because the feel is not as mushy as the new ones. A touch more refined. Oh, did anyone notice, it has a BETTER screen than the MacBook ?. Also, it is not super glossy without the glass.
A well compromised machine and very usable for most people.
This new version of the macbook air is amazing really, but I can't help to wonder that it should have been this way from the start.
Let me back up a bit....
During the introduction of the Macbook Air at MacWorld, not many people were pleased due to the lack of ports, superdrive, and processing speed. People still bought the computer regardless because beside the compromises it was exactly what they were looking for, me included. Core shutdowns, underclocking, and playing with CoolBook just to play a simple video was not what we had in mind.
Now the new macbook air came out and everyone is praising it.. for being the computer they wanted last year when buying the first macbook air.
They should just admit it the rev A wasn't ready for the public and either issue a replacement to all those who suffered with an under-capable computer, or at least replace the logic boards with the new ones.... if that's possible...
Or maybe you shouldn't run out and buy products that you know are shit just because apple makes them.
Rule #1: Do not purchase a 1st generation apple product
Rule #2: DO NOT PURCHASE A 1ST GENERATION APPLE PRODUCT
No screen problems?
A fat overbearing bezel.
But will it run?
It doesn't have legs... so No!
@Ziegler
Only if you have a big enough blender to put it in.
Oh, yes it will Ziegler; Air will blend anything on its way.
@Saad Rabia: way to miss the point! Go to youtube and look up "will it blend".
And NO it will not blend. I don't care how tough that blender is supposed to be. Blending aluminum is really hard and I don't believe it will blend. Even if the blender was large enought.
@ cg
I think Saad Rabia was making a joke...
how about some native iphone 3g tethering....anyone?
Gee, stop giving this Paul Miller dude such a hard time!
i haven't seen one macbook air reviews that compares it with similar thin and light notebook.
You know, that's a good point. I think there were comparisons done to the original MBA, but not yet for the new revision. I think that's a great idea for a new Engadget post. (Paul Miller, I'm looking in your direction)
evidently you haven't typed 'macbook air review' into google
whoops, capnshiner, you beat me. Why would they need to compare the new revision to similar laptops? It's the same size as the other one, so all the physical comparisons made before stand, and any one should be able to see the updated specs and make a fairly accurate assumption
I was referring to Engadget reviews, specifically.
6th paragraph down in this article, the link is "figured this out". It's an Engadget article "X300 vs Envy 133 vs MacBook Air... Fight!"
or
http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/10/x300-vs-envy-133-vs-macbook-air-fight/
The list of cons is still way too large for me (price inclusive).
I still think my MacBook is small and light enough (although still priced too high); and it comes with all the standard items that I've grown to love on a computer.
Compare to the Rev A review: http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/25/macbook-air-review/
RevA review: This is actually a laptop that belongs on your lap -- without any fear of sterility.
RevB review: after running on our lap (and destroying our reproductive chances) [Why a cooler processor causes problems with RevB, but RevA did not?]
RevA review: the 1.6GHz chip is still a little on the slow side, but the Air is by no means unusable.
RevB review (talking about RevA): by your third or fourth YouTube video you were getting stuttered playback
Different reviewers, I get that. But the two different reviews do not jive with one another.
Because:
Engadget
Steve
BlowJobs
Apple
Happy
????
Whores
Ryan Block has balls of steel?
Maybe because every quote you used was in reference to the Rev. A laptop (including ones from the Rev. B review)? A little bit of reading in context might've saved you there.
@Ugly
That is the point. How can a laptop run cool, then months later when a new version is released the old version is said to run hot? How can a laptop perform just fine, then months later when a new version is released the old version is said to perform so poorly that you cannot watch a few youtube videos without it studdering?
The reviews were done by different people, so there may have been different tests performed and the problems were not encountered - an honest mistake. Maybe one reviewer let his favoritism for Mac get the better of him that he overlooked the deficiencies when doing his review. Or maybe a bit of history revision is happening ("It is great. What, a new version is available? Oh, the old one is crap, the new one is great.") Whatever the issue is, it does not give much confidence in these reviews.
So now it's only moderately irritating, instead of completely rubbish, and still overpriced? Woop...
Macbook Airs are beautiful. No pictures give it credit, if you haven't been able to actually see one, then you wont understand quite how thin they really are. If you havent, go into the apple store and look at one, there way thinner than you may think.
My opinion is the opposite of yours.
I burn if I step in a fruit store!
The only laptop that's thinner than a supermodel.
Eh? I thought Air *was* a supermodel. All style, no substance.
Please share with us which laptops are in fact fatter than a supermodel. Seriously I'd love to see one.
You killed it "required"
Really, tethering? Common... a simple installation of JoikuSpot will solve all your 3G problems. I use it on a regular basis with my more than capable Nokia N95 and never think twice about the need of a 3G slot... not to mention the lack of wanting to pay for two cell accounts (two SIMS)... considering 3G is not fast enough to make consistent/decent VOIP calls so you'd still need a phone (if you don't have wifi).
Basically, if it's beat the previous problems, then it would seem it's on par with many smaller similar device, excluding the stupidity of needing a swappable battery. However, if I swap then I probably use it to the extent I'd need an outlet, basically saying (the brick and/or a battery take up about the same space and/or weight about the same)... so what's the point?... keep it clean and just carry the brick.
~TC
http://cypher-sec.org
All of you, keep telling bad things about Apple (i don't mind just because i have not enough money to join the Apple squad...) but don't touch engadget guys!!!
P.S. Hp Mini 1000 rules!!!!
FYI... the use of "stupidity" was not directed at a person. sorry.
MacBook Error.
MacBook Airror
i see what you did there
Next couple of weeks on Engadget:
MacBook Air Rev. B full-review
MacBook Air Rev. C mini-review
MacBook Pro Rev. B mini-review
MacBook Pro Rev. B full-review
iPod Touch Rev. E tiny-review
iPhone Rev. J sub-review
A look in the Book of God - Jobs' chapter: The Steve Word.
Kinda what I was thinking. You win.
Don't forget the "A look back at the Mac Mini forlorn-glance-review"
I'm looking forward to that one myself, michas_pi!
Also in the next couple of weeks on Engadget:
Saad whining incessantly in every comments section for every one of those mini-reviews.
P.S.
That "Steve Blow Jobs" quip (see nohone's comment, above) was priceless, man. Who writes your material?
Definitely not Steve Blow Jobs, absurdio.
sei un trimone a vento
I think the design is excellent and for general use these laptops are great, but too expensive for me.
yep, i was a user since release and have been pleasantly shocked at how fast my b is. love it!
Great to hear you got out, what were you in for?
Your ability to perceive the obvious is impressive!
Higher resolution please. If you can crank that screen up to 1440x900 I'd get one.
Just picked up the version with the SSD. This is one beautiful laptop. It is so thin and well designed that you don't want to put it down or leave it behind.
My family has been using both Macs and Windows machines forever. My other laptop is a Dell M1330 - which is also a premium model (one year old now) with all the true road warrior features you need.
So this is a second laptop for me that brings the fun back into taking it around all the time. Since all of my work is via the computer - it helps me want to stay connected - again because the design and feel is so pleasing I want it with me.
Very cool. I'm very happy with it.
if i was going to shell out the cash for an air, i would just drop my purse and cop an x300
I am an Apple-loather. I dislike the OS, hate the smug marketing, and pretty much every single poster-child that I see toting a glowing apple-embossed product. So take my comments here for what they're worth...
I like the style of the Air. I don't need a laptop w/ multi-card readers, I don't need a single PCMCIA slot, or ExpressWhatever. I don't need buttons to turn off my wireless, or bluetooth. I don't even need an internal CD/DVD/BD drive.
I don't need anything except power in, two or more USB ports (three preferred), network, and (some kind of) video out. I've got all of that on _one side_ of the laptop I'm currently using to type this.
Why doesn't a single person w/ design sense look at the "laptop" and create a product that isn't a heap of slag, a bloated plastic brick out of the 90s? Apple had a designer look at the problem (as they always do) and they put out something beautiful that (as per usual, in my book) still misses the boat: it's not powerful enough to be considered a laptop. While lots of rich starbucks kids will buy one as a fashion accessory, I'd take a slim plastic version with enough CPU/RAM to run Photoshop, six instances of Word, Outlook, and three tabs in Firefox... without slowing down tremendously.
(And preferably... without frying "the package".)
a quick jaunt through Azeroth says you? how quick was this endeavor asks i.
Aw..I was hoping for a review from the famed televangelist Reverend "B".
I have rev B MBA and I am completely happy with this snappy lightweight friend with bright colorful screen and full-size keyboard. Now I can use Ps and Pr at the same time with blogging, surfing web etc...
I love my new MBA!
i thought they save that much space by making the packaging so much smaller. looks like that was just a marketing gag --> picture 11/31
late 2008 and we're still being served 1280x800?
GTFO
I'm a PC, indeed Dell XPS M1330 & Dell XPS M1530, and a couple of other notebooks one 17' Dell Inspiron & an HP 15.4", my first ever purchase of anything Apple was the Rev. A MBA.
I do a great deal of traveling, hence leased the, took me about 3 months to work out its and Apple's quirks, and am now more than happy with it, such a treat to be mobile with. and not having to lug either the M1330 of the HP around. The portability was what I was after, and it more that satisfies this requirement.
Should point out my PC notebooks are all configured differently, whether it be the OS x64 on the Vista machines or XP Pro, dependent on the purpose for which they are being used.
I was incredibly disappointed when the AIR came out. None of the improvements made have changed my opinion. Too much $$$ for too little.