In case anyone is wondering, Brooks uses the 2.13ghz model.
MacBook Air is enough for a work machine
91–100 of 212 posts
Re: MacBook Air is enough for a work machine
#92Earlier quoted context omitted.
You say you get 3-4 hours in Linux, but the benchmarks you link to claim easily 7 hours in OS X (though dramatically less if you max out the CPU). Are you pretty much always at high CPU utilization, or is Ubuntu's power management of Mac hardware that poor?
7 hours is for the 13" MBA. I have 11".
According to AnandTech's tests [1] (the ones you linked to), the 13" gets over 11 hours in OS X - the 11" is just under 7.
[1]: http://www.anandtech.com/show/3991/apples-2010-macbook-air-1...
Re: MacBook Air is enough for a work machine
#93I was seriously entertaining the idea of getting a top-end MBA earlier this year (refurbed for $200 off) but then the new MBP's came out and I couldn't justify a 13 inch screen and a Core 2 duo when for almost the same price I could have the 15 inch screen and a Sandy Bridge Core I7. I got the MBP and truly love it. I imagine the lightness of the air goes a long way towards what makes it so popular but I don't really…
Glad you like the MBP, but if you don't have an SSD you're missing out.
If you do, the prices are a lot more equivalent (ie, MBP+SSD is not cheap).
Re: MacBook Air is enough for a work machine
#94This changed my mind from a MBP to a MBA. Thank you.
Re: MacBook Air is enough for a work machine
#95I know it sounds trivial but the lack of a optical (CD/DVD) drive is my biggest barrier. In my work place, I still get all kinds of files and media on CDs and DVDs.
Re: MacBook Air is enough for a work machine
#96Dell made a laptop with similar specs called the 'Adamo' for a while. It's small, light and sexy, costs about half as much as an MBA, and Ubuntu worked out of the box. A good alternative if you'd like to avoid the Apple flavored kool-aid.
I couldn't find the "Adamo" listed on Dell's US website, but it is listed on Amazon[1] for ~$1261. That's only a touch less than a MacBook Air. Where did you find it for "half as much?"
1. http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Adamo-A13-6349PWH-13-4-Inch-Lapto...
Re: MacBook Air is enough for a work machine
#97Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't understand this obsession for backlit keyboards I've been reading about a lot lately on forums. It definitely looks nice but its just a battery drain and I assume most HN people don't look at their keys. I always keep mine off for the sake of my battery.
backlit keyboard aren't just for looking nice. they're for working at night in dark rooms. before touch typing you need to glance quickly at your hand's position above the keys, to make sure your hand position isn't transposed slightly up, down, left, right--which happens easily when you're blinded by a monitor in the dark, and the key bed is pitch black. yes, you can fold down your monitor till the light illuminates…
No, no, no.
That's why the F and J keys have small bumps you can feel so you can position your hands for touch typing. The 5 key in the numeric keyboard also has one of these.
The backlight can be useful for the function keys or whatever, but touch typing does not need any light.
Re: MacBook Air is enough for a work machine
#98I use my maxed out 13" for all my work now with an external monitor.
It's an interesting change, the only problem I really have is I live in a hot country so the laptop runs hot and kernal_task screws around trying to get the temperature under control.
Re: MacBook Air is enough for a work machine
#99Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't understand this obsession for backlit keyboards I've been reading about a lot lately on forums. It definitely looks nice but its just a battery drain and I assume most HN people don't look at their keys. I always keep mine off for the sake of my battery.
backlit keyboard aren't just for looking nice. they're for working at night in dark rooms. before touch typing you need to glance quickly at your hand's position above the keys, to make sure your hand position isn't transposed slightly up, down, left, right--which happens easily when you're blinded by a monitor in the dark, and the key bed is pitch black. yes, you can fold down your monitor till the light illuminates…
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Re: MacBook Air is enough for a work machine
#100Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm the only one in our company not using any external monitors. The added screen real estate would be nice, but the downside is that then you have a different setup in the office and on the road. I rather get used to a single screen I always have with me.
Use an iPad as a touchable external monitor... http://avatron.com/apps/air-display
Holy shit, thank you for this!
edit: 5 minutes (and -$10) later, I now have a portable third monitor that I can bring with me anywhere in the house. Plus I can easily test my iPhone app in the simulator using real touch gestures, without building to a device (not every gesture is working, but this is still awesome).