Operating Experience of the MacBook Air 11

I have used this wonderful little laptop as a main machine for entertainment and uncomplicated for two months and I have a story to tell. Basic information about the updated MacBook Air you can gather from the reviews on Macbook Reviews website. There is much to read about the previous versions of Macbook Air.

Apple has made a silent revolution of compact notebooks, in compare to ultra portable Sony. The fact is that Sony does not compromise. A sort of Lefty, a savvy flea. Very cool, nice, but why? That Sony VAIO P is very cool, but small. That Sony VAIO X, very subtle, but very slow. That Sony VAIO Y has to work a long time, in theory, but in fact a large and slow.  

There is no single device which would combine compactness, performance, more or less normal display, and that the work was consistent with our time, not the old standards (or two or three hours). The first Macbook Air was also not present in terms of speed and operating time.But the new version is not like that. I write a review after a week of use the Macbook  Air.

Housing

With a hull in that time happened only one managed to scratch the aluminum on top, and this is not something that the scratch, and as if struck somewhere. Air initially wore a backpack along with other items, there is no other damage. Like any other Apple laptop in a metal case, the Macbook Air looks pretty cool most of the time, on invisible fingerprints and dust metal.  

Periodically, it can be cleaned with "Moments" and the miracle cloth. Or take any window cleaner is also nice, just do not spray heavily on the keyboard. Once again I want to note size of the device, in principle, to carry it may need some fine folder, and if you move the device, it is to be worn in the hands of Air.  

Especially, with the running time you probably will not need a power supply when you use it in meetings. I purposefully did of notebook tool for journalistic work, that is not just a fashion model things for presentations. I was wondering on the device type text, make easy handling of photos and videos, record podcasts - just do what I do on the MacBook Pro 17.

Now, the aluminum body has a lot of advantages over plastic. It is true, in the summer with no air conditioning in the room, the Macbook Air is really hot, especially when connected to a power supply. And here I was worried that the problems begin, as with the first Air, when due to an internal "heat" it was impossible to work properly at all. It was not like this, even with relatively strong heating speed was fine. At least, you can safely print text, listen to music, chat in Skype, easily switch between windows.

Another plus, of course, has more to do with feelings. Like other Apple products, with well built laptop, you take it in your hands and feel the thing. The opening angle is quite large, when you close the cover, you hear the characteristic cotton. 

Every feature of the device seems to be easy, but here in all sense the hand of the master, and you can see where and what concessions had to go. But if Sony sometimes spit on the ergonomics, the Apple tried to link and more or less comfortable keyboard, and a more or less convenient display, and a very compact design in one. Succeeded.Especially, for the money, for what is now possible to buy a junior Air, nothing else to buy this just can not.

Keyboard and display

I'm not talking about nothing more or less comfortable keyboard and a more or less convenient display. I wanted to make a substitute Air working tool. The thing is that working on Air for 11 hours a seemingly simple task, but in fact tired hands. After all, the keyboard and the display is small. Klavshi crowded, and to a set of getting used to. Here is an example, it's like after a big and comfortable car to sit in the "Oka" and drive a few hours, then the third ring, the traffic, the maneuver in alleys. And to spend half an hour in a small car is also possible. But then, if you are a man of great size, fatigue sets.

And you get tired with the keyboard Air, unfortunately, especially if the text to fill a good hour without a break. And tired of the display, because the fun starts with the browser, the information is placed not so much, if you make a smaller scale, it is difficult assort letters. We have to squander down. The touchpad is fine, as in other Apple laptops, supported by different gestures, it is an adequate substitute for a mouse. In my view, it is preferable to use the touchpad and just not fooling.

Accessories

After having received a blow to the body, I began to use a protective cover Speck (once again I say thanks to the guys from iCases for bold experiments). They are two halves of the plastic, you can choose from plastic covers of different colors. Some people may like the matte black Speck, but what I liked more is transparent. Every scratch on Speck could appear on Air. Therefore, I strongly advise owners to look at the Air brand products.

Another good thing is called HyperMac Pure DC, the charger in the car. I will soon prepare a review later. Officially mentioned the following: "Please note that this charge is a one of a kind, as it supports dual voltage range MacBook Pro (16,5-18,5 in)." 

Or, if you have space in your bag and you're ready to carry a heavy device, I recommend an external battery HyperMac MBP-150, it can be used to charge the Air completely. In my opinion, the Air can be decently powered by the internal battery.

In the office, which does not use the audio system speakers Pioneer X-HM50-K, I note that a truly remarkable thing. Cable is connected to Air and order, but there is still the idea to buy the office AirPort Express and the cable break.

Operation time

Then I just repeat information from the review: "Let me remind, claimed about five hours with the included Wi-Fi and 30 days of standby time. The last figure is particularly interesting, for sure you have noticed that in most laptop battery discharge when not in themselves, and quite quickly. New Air may lie in your portfolio day, and be sure that when you open the lid, there will remain the same as it was. This one feature I like, makes, you know, peace". Over time, working at Air is okay, it saves battery power when the device is at rest in the bag. I did not use the laptop since Friday and on Monday when I took out, there are still sixty percent of battery. I could work on and didn't have to think about the battery charging.

Problems

When you have a MacBook Air and you will want to talk about what you encountered. First, the first laptop goes quickly from sleep mode after opening the lid and immediately ready for use. But when opened five documents in Pages, some Captain FTP, iPhoto, browser, notebook can wake twenty seconds. Sometimes this process takes time and more. Sometimes the screen just goes out and you need to close and re-open the lid. Second, not very cool to watch YouTube, download is slow, and it does not depend on your connection speed.  

Thirdly, the laptop does well with a number of applications, but it's video processing, as well as sophisticated image processing. Turning over iMovie and "Photoshop" with difficulty, it is clear that the CPU to the limit. However, this is not the first Air, clumsy and slow.  

This is more or less rapidly, and even after hours of laptop does not want to break the wall. Familiar script to me several documents Pages, Chrome browser with multiple tabs, iTunes, «Notes", "Calendar», Mail. Speaking of Chrome, I use on all the "Macs" only does this for a while. I think that at the moment this is the most appropriate solution. Faster Safari, search information you can drive in the address bar, tabs implemented better, is not particularly demanding, stable. If you are still using Safari, I strongly advise you to try.

And then, perhaps, to answer another question - occasionally ask what ALAC convert to MP3. There is a wonderful free program All2MP3, simple converter files in a universal format.

iPad vs MacBook Air 11

I use both, and others, would like to share observations. And, I'm talking about the iPad 1st generation with 3G. More maneuverable thing in terms of communication, if necessary Air Wi-Fi, iPad is quite a can exist independently. Another thing is that the Air and so is the keyboard, and work (albeit without much comfort) by simply opening the cover. To print text on the iPad to connect to a wireless keyboard, in this case, for ease of dialing parity, the original bluetooth keyboard from Apple even somewhat comfortable keyboard Air. Not so crowded keys. IPad runs longer, especially if we are talking not about the movies, and how to view sites, receiving mail and other light tasks.

Another question that the Air can easily connect your camera, quickly throw photos and send to ftp. IPad can be connected to a map, but that sending any difficulty. We can talk about fifty photographs for review, for example. It will not work on the iPad attached to a logo, will not work at the same time to fill the text and see in front of your browser. But, strangely enough, in some ways, these devices are very similar - both quite petite, pretty big display, a decent running time, quickly turned on and off (the Air has the above features, but in general, do not worry).  

Even the price is actually very similar, especially when compared to Air 11 and iPad 2 64GB 3G + Wi-Fi. A long time ago I compared the Sony VAIO UX with Sony Ericsson P1 (I think), and then for mobile use approach more smartphone, albeit with some reservations. In this case, it can be seen as specialists from Apple literally lapped cover different market segments, and unexpectedly found that, even businessmen accustomed to Sony, it is quite suitable miniature Air. Moreover, you may find it more appropriate solution. Another thing would be to find somewhere dock to easily connect a laptop to the monitor and other peripherals.

Strangely enough, but I would still choose the pair of iPad. And if we were talking about a business model, then would stop for MacBook Pro 15. The model is fine, but not suitable for maneuver - in a backpack. You can think of MacBook Air 13, but I once again convinced, if you are typing on the day ten pages of text, it is better to choose a bigger car.

Findings

Of course, MacBook Air is a niche solution, but not as niche as the latest Sony compact notebook. You do not have to think about how to extend the time, to clear the memory of the stupid pre-installed applications, to carry unnecessary long cable, long wait for the system to settle down, do not be afraid that the charged laptop sit for a couple of days, although it was off.  

When purchasing, note that this Macbook Air is not for long typing, and it is unlikely for a long work as a whole, this "coupe" is more appropriate for using in the cafe, in meetings or on the road. 

New MacBook Air 11, depending on the installed SSD costs from $1500 to $3000, the secondary market for a used laptop asking about thirty thousand (this applies to younger versions). It is best to buy a laptop in Europe or the U.S., comes cheaper, but this is done only if you are willing to work without a Russian keyboard layout. Engraving, however quality was, still no substitute for normal localization (looks pathetic).

In general, the new Macbook Air is a great way to really spend money if you have nowhere to put them. I am only sure of their opinion: you buy one hundred options, better to choose the right one and versatile tool. And for me at the moment is the latest MacBook Pro 15, custom version (matte screen with a resolution of 1680 x 1050 pixels, the processor Intel Core i7 2,3 GHz, 8 GB of RAM, SSD 512 GB). Flying aircraft aluminum with wild for "tag" operation time, compact, hot and very attractive.