Returning MacBook Air

[chris]

It's with much pain and regret that I've decided to say goodbye to my MacBook Air. This will be the first Apple product that I am returning. It's probably not so much the fault of the product, as it is me. The MBA is just not the right laptop for me. I tried to convince myself that I could find a way to make it work, but I found myself consistently second guessing my purchase. I think the MacBook Air is great for a specific audience. I just couldn't justify the price of an MBA when you compare it to the MBP. It was tough, because you cannot put a price on beauty. No doubt about it, it's well built and super slim. Once you get past the beauty, I was met with one too many spinning beach balls and missed the real estate of the 15". I'm the type of user that craves power, even I'm not using it all the time. I ordered a MacBook Pro to replace my MacBook Air.

One day I'll be back, when they release a MacBook Air Pro. For now, it's back to lugging that 5.4 lbs of pure computing power that is the MacBook Pro.

-Chris

[acosmichippo]

yeah... i know the MBA is super-slim and all, but it's not like the MBPs are ball-and-chains. It's nice knowing you have a laptop that can outperform most desktops out there.

[chris]

Getting rid of my MacBook Air is like dating a super model and then telling her it's just not working out.:tounge:

[chris]

If they ever beef it up (graphics card, RAM, hard drive), then I'll be back with the MBA. It's not so much the ports that I miss, but the raw computing power. And for the record, it is crap that they make you spend $30 on an Ethernet dongle.

[macgirl]

oh, no! i'm sorry it didn't work out for you, Chris! but i know what you mean - it was a step back for you in terms of processing power.

i think i'm going to wait it out until september to see if there are any updates to the air before the holiday shopping season, if i can hold out that long... ;)

[acosmichippo]

Getting rid of my MacBook Air is like dating a super model and then telling her it's just not working out.:tounge:

But you're going to a Triathlete that can do anything you ask her to. And has more inputs. ;)

[chris]

oh, no! i'm sorry it didn't work out for you, Chris! but i know what you mean - it was a step back for you in terms of processing power.

i think i'm going to wait it out until september to see if there are any updates to the air before the holiday shopping season, if i can hold out that long... ;)

I will miss the size and the keyboard of the Air. The keyboard is excellent. I never did get a chance to travel with just the MBA. I went to Chicago a few weeks ago, but we carried on. My wife didn't understand why I wanted to check our bags, considering it was only a 2 day trip. I told her I wanted to experience the lightness of traveling with the MacBook Air. That didn't fly.

I'd wait and see if they update some things in the Air. I wouldn't be surprised if there was an update by year's end.

-Chris

[Saverino]

Sorry it didnt work out, but I think you would probably be a lot happier with the MacBook Pro. I think you made the right decision by returning it for the MBP.

[jnowaczyk]

I did the same Chris .. for the same reason buts its nice but not for the power user ... im sure in time they will come out with a pro power version.

[Lincoln]

Yeah, I can see why you did it. I've used them in the Apple Store, and despite the slim beauty, they just aren't for people that are used to power. My new MacBook, however, is both more powerful (more memory) and more beautiful than my Pro.

- John

[aggieman]

Yeah, I can see why you did it. I've used them in the Apple Store, and despite the slim beauty, they just aren't for people that are used to power. My new MacBook, however, is both more powerful (more memory) and more beautiful than my Pro.

- John

as far as looks go it does not get much better than the BlackBook. just be sure to stock up on iKlear to clean the smudges with! I want a Pro when I decide to get a new one, but I honestly don't like the brushed aluminum look.

[chris]

I want a Pro when I decide to get a new one, but I honestly don't like the brushed aluminum look.

So you're the one.:laugh2: How can you not like the aluminum?

I gotta say that I love the black keyboard on the Air. That's just all kinds of awesome.

[macgirl]

as far as looks go it does not get much better than the BlackBook. just be sure to stock up on iKlear to clean the smudges with! I want a Pro when I decide to get a new one, but I honestly don't like the brushed aluminum look.

what? you don't like the aluminum look? how is that possible? :eek::tounge:

i'm a bit of a neat freak with my gadgets and the smudgeableness of my blackbook drives me nuts. plus, it scratches much more easily than my 12" powerbook did. i loved how my powerbook always looked so sharp and professional, and i can't wait to get my hands on a macbook air and sell my smudgy (no matter how often i clean it), cheap-plastic-looking macbook! :angry:

[jpmihalk]

When I was looking at them back in January, I looked long and hard at the MBP and the MBA... and I just couldn't justify the MBA. The MBP is just so much more for the price.

Maybe someday, when the MBA has the larger SSD standard and a faster processor, it may be a great choice. But for now, I am very happy with my MBP.

[chris]

When I was looking at them back in January, I looked long and hard at the MBP and the MBA... and I just couldn't justify the MBA. The MBP is just so much more for the price.

Maybe someday, when the MBA has the larger SSD standard and a faster processor, it may be a great choice. But for now, I am very happy with my MBP.

I fell for the marketing spiel... hook, line and manila envelope.

[ravman]

Get one of these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7zsEKHDl1s

[chris]

I heard that music and I reached for my credit card. See, it works. Damn those marketing gurus.

[Lincoln]

Don't worry Aggie, this thing has not been set on rough surfaces and will not be, and I've already wiped it five gajillionmillionbazilliontillion times. And while the I do love the Pro's aluminum look, the black MacBook wins over it in design. It's just too damn sexy.

- John

[geordisjd]

Sorry to hear that. It's like somebody died in the family:angry:.
I (almost) feel guilty I can choose between the MBA and the MBP as I walk out the door in the morning. And almost every time, I choose the MBA. I really don't need "raw power" at the office. Between checking my mail, using Safari, using iPhoto, iTunes, Photoshop, Panoramaker, Word, VLC, watching TV and occasionally watching movies, I don't do much.

The heavy stuff is up to the Mac Pro.

What exactly did you have to do on the go that the MBA wasn't able to do?

[ravman]

Did you have to take a 10% hit on the restocking fee?

Loads of people just end up selling their Apples on eBay/craigslist, to avoid the 10% fee.

We will all see your MBA in the refurb section in the Apple store soon.


It's with much pain and regret that I've decided to say goodbye to my MacBook Air. This will be the first Apple product that I am returning. It's probably not so much the fault of the product, as it is me. The MBA is just not the right laptop for me. I tried to convince myself that I could find a way to make it work, but I found myself consistently second guessing my purchase. I think the MacBook Air is great for a specific audience. I just couldn't justify the price of an MBA when you compare it to the MBP. It was tough, because you cannot put a price on beauty. No doubt about it, it's well built and super slim. Once you get past the beauty, I was met with one too many spinning beach balls and missed the real estate of the 15". I'm the type of user that craves power, even I'm not using it all the time. I ordered a MacBook Pro to replace my MacBook Air.

One day I'll be back, when they release a MacBook Air Pro. For now, it's back to lugging that 5.4 lbs of pure computing power that is the MacBook Pro.

-Chris

[chris]

Did you have to take a 10% hit on the restocking fee?

Loads of people just end up selling their Apples on eBay/craigslist, to avoid the 10% fee.

We will all see your MBA in the refurb section in the Apple store soon.

Amazon typically has a 15% restocking fee. I emailed them saying the MBA performance wasn't where I needed it to be and that I was frustrated. I asked to return the item, but addressed my concerns regarding the restocking fee. They assured me that I could "return the PC without a restocking fee". Just to be sure, I contacted them via phone and received the same confirmation.

We'll see, but from what I've read Amazon has stellar customer service. I don't expect to be charged and I will certainly breathe a sigh of relief once it gets credited.

[Hayesimus]

ya know what. just send it to my house. I promise I won't charge a restocking fee. I'd be glad to take it off your hands :p




but you will need to pay for shipping and handling... lol

[connie]

Get one of these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7zsEKHDl1s

OMG! That was too funny!!!:laugh2:

[Lincoln]

Forget Hayes, I could use another MacBook. :)

- John

[geordisjd]

Don't listen to them, Hayes.

I'm older and wiser. This MBA on my lap, while watching Planet of the Apes, processing 40 MB pics, is incredible. Maybe they didn't get the SSD drive! But everything is faster, unless it requires MAJOR processing, like rotating a 60 MB pic...

http://gallery.mac.com/jacdem/100330/b/web.jpg

[Elbacanazo920]

Now with how cheap Companies like Toshiba and Samsung are making SSD drives the next update should be a great one.