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    How reflective is the MBA screen?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by vinuneuro, Jul 21, 2011.

  1. vinuneuro

    vinuneuro Notebook Virtuoso

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    I'm really having a hard time resisting the new MBA now that it has decent processors. One of the things that's always held me back is the screen. I've read that the MBA's isn't as reflective as the MBP's. How usable is it in bright indoors and outdoors?

    Are there any former/current Thinkpad users here using Macs? How does the keyboard compare, and trackpoint vs. what's supposed to be by far the best touchpad anywhere?

    One thing that's holding me back is Ivy Bridge that's supposed to release next year which is supposed to bring huge power consumption improvements. Reason for considering waiting is that Apple hits homeruns when it releases new products which is great, but it seems to destroy the used market because of the flood of the previous model. The depreciation on MBA's (and probably other Mac's) is insane. On the other hand, I'm wondering if it's only a matter of time before the 13" MBA goes to 16:9 in which case the 2011 model would be a keeper. So maybe wait until the 2012 model before making a decision on the 2011 MBA?
     
    vinuneuro, Jul 21, 2011
    #1
  2. KCETech1

    KCETech1 Notebook Prophet

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    I looked at one in a store, its just as reflective as the previous gen. as a current Thinkpad owner ..... they keyboard isnt near as good IMO, if you love the trackpoint you will miss it ( I have only had thinkpads for 2 years now ) but the touchpad is fantasitic in OSX

    I may be a bit conservaitive but I would say wait a few weeks until things have settled and see how the rev.A Sandy Bridge Airs work out.
     
    KCETech1, Jul 21, 2011
    #2
  3. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    The keyboard is good, but as kcetech pointed out its not near the lenovo standard (which is quite high)

    There are speculations about a major design revamp next year for the macs, and I fear that they may be correct, since the design we have now is from 2008, the changes are going to be soon

    Remember that Ivy will only come at Q2-Q3 next year
     
    Karamazovmm, Jul 21, 2011
    #3
  4. zOne31

    zOne31 Notebook Consultant

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    I have a T410 and I absolutely love the matte screen and keyboard. I could live without the trackpoint. I absolutely love the huge trackpad and multi-gestures on Macs. Mac keyboards are pretty good but they're no Lenovo/IBM. The screen of the MBA is good and shouldn't be as reflective as the glossy MBPs, although if you've used a matte screen, it'll definitely need getting used to. The fact that the MBA doesn't have this option is still making me hesitant of getting one.

    The potential new design, better CPU, better battery life, larger storage options (maybe like Intel's 160 GB? although that might be unlikely) should make having a 16:9 display not as big of a deal, unless Apple decides to put a really low resolution on the 13".
     
    zOne31, Jul 21, 2011
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  5. KCETech1

    KCETech1 Notebook Prophet

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    our busines Apple rep confirmed that we CAN NOT upgrade the SSD's OR the RAM on the new MBA's. so 0 user upgradability now :(
     
    KCETech1, Jul 21, 2011
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  6. zOne31

    zOne31 Notebook Consultant

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    That is true. But that's something you'd expect from Apple as they've really started to make aftermarket upgrades nearly impossible. First it's batteries for all their laptops, and now it's the inability to upgrade iMacs and MBAs. I can look past this seeing that I'd probably use a portable external for files anyways because the storage on the MBAs are so small.
     
    zOne31, Jul 21, 2011
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  7. KCETech1

    KCETech1 Notebook Prophet

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    true, but packing it many times nullifies the super portable aspect for me
     
    KCETech1, Jul 21, 2011
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  8. vinuneuro

    vinuneuro Notebook Virtuoso

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    Thanks for the feedback everyone, it's really valuable.

    Sounds like I'll have to try one myself to really know if I can handle the hardware compromises over a Thinkpad.

    You guys made a great point about the refresh which is somewhat overdue. I don't find the X220 lacking in anyway except that OSX seems to be far superior to Windows (and there's nothing really wrong with 7). So looks like waiting till next year is the way to go.

    My only concern about 16:9 in Mac's is that 13" screen size is kind of in no-man's land as far as DPI goes for the available resolutions. 1366x768 is too low at 117, and 1600x900 would be tough on eyes at 138. The current combination is one of the best ever, too bad more machines weren't offered with 13.3" and WXGA+.
     
    vinuneuro, Jul 21, 2011
    #8
  9. Maziar

    Maziar Notebook Consultant

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    The SSD one the MBA is not soldered on the logic board so its possible to upgrade it
    MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Teardown - iFixit
     
    Maziar, Jul 21, 2011
    #9
  10. vinuneuro

    vinuneuro Notebook Virtuoso

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    What's the largest ssd available that will fit in a MBA? Just the stock 256gb?
     
    vinuneuro, Jul 21, 2011
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  11. ishmoo21

    ishmoo21 Notebook Enthusiast

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    ishmoo21, Jul 21, 2011
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