First Impressions: New MacBook Air 13" - 128GB HD - 2GB RAM

Thought I'd post some initial impressions here for those who are asking questions about memory, heat issues, noise, hinges, hard drive space etc.
This week I purchased the 13" MacBook Air, 128GB HD, 2GB RAM config in Apple Retail store. Ultimately a couple days later I ended up returning it and ordering the 2.13GHz upgrade, 256GB HD and 4GB RAM via Apple Store online. I'll tell you why at the end of this post.
Initial impressions:
- Gorgeous, well-designed machine. Feels great to use. Very solid.
- I chose the 13" over the 11" because the resolution seemed slightly higher, it was easier on my eyes and the 11" tended to bounce a bit when used in my lap while the 13" did not.
- I used Dropbox as my drive in the cloud for Documents, Photos and Videos (have been doing that for a while) as it allows you to get away with a smaller drive footprint.
- I did NOT yet have MS Office installed.
- For a mobile laptop, the new MBA cannot be beat. It's sleek and solid. No heat issues. Fan rarely came on if at all.
- I was using about 38GB of the 128GB drive. So I was glad I did not buy the 64GB 11", although I really, really wanted to like that smaller one.
- I installed a RAM monitoring app in it to see how much of the 2GB would be used under normal use (is there even such a thing anymore?). Without using MS Office, just surfing the web and using default OS apps, the lowest amount of RAM I had available was 700MB, so roughly 1.3GB was being used up in the worst scenarios. Despite this, it zipped along with multiple browser tabs open, uber-fast bootup and shutdown and really long battery life.
- I appreciated the fact that the 13" has 2 hours longer battery life than the 11". Ultimately that 7 hours played a big factor in why I bought the 13" instead of the 11".
- Bottom line? Definitely rate this a BUY. In spite of the omission of the backlit keyboard, it's a good machine; though I would NOT recommend it as a replacement for a MacBook Pro. It is a mobile computer. Fully functional, but I would not do heavy video editing or graphics work on it. For everything else it's superb and feels wonderful in your hands.
Why I ultimately took it back to the store.
I liked using it so much that I figured I may be using it more than my MacBook Pro, and as such wanted to max out the chip speed, RAM and HD space on it. Currently as of this post date you cannot get the higher performance MBAs in-store. You can only order them direct through Apple.
I ordered the 2.13GHz MBA with 4GB RAM and 256GB HD. It takes 2-3 bus days for them to configure it at Apple and another 2-3 bus days to ship to you so should get it next week.
For anyone considering buying this machine, I give it a strong thumbs up. For most users, the 13" 128GB and 2GB RAM should be fine. If you're looking to replace an existing MBP (wouldn't recommend it), you probably want to order through Apple and get the upgrades.
HTH,
Adam

After calling the customer service they told me I should receive before the 8 of November that makes 18 days!
Adam, that's nothing. When Apple introduced the liquid-cooled PM G5s, we had to wait over 2 months before Apple shipped them! They may halted production to fix the apparent video flaws a lot of people are experiencing. The longer you wait, the less chance you may get a lemon.
Check out the new remodeled MacOSG website! 24-hour Apple-related news & support.
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I have the new Macbook Air w/128Gb

My wife just gave me a Great Macbook Air w/128Gb & 4Gb, i want to use it at work, but need to use Windows 7 or 8 to access my companies Domain.
Will Parallels or Fusion 5 work on the Air? Are there any drawbacks, and which is best for this?
Thanks, Bob

Parallels will work and is a nearly 'no fuss' installation and more stable for applications from what Ive used in same.
8gig of RAM would have been ideal however, but 4 will work unless its a 'heavy' Win7 program.
I would opt for Win7 for several reasons not mentioned.
Thats one nice gift.

I have a new Macbook Air and for the last few days the fan had run continuously, this is the first time it has ever run, and now it won't stop, the fan starts up as soon as I turn it on. The computer is not hot.Any ideas on how I can fix this please ?

I have a new Macbook Air, 6 months old, and for the last few days the fan had run continuously, this is the first time it has ever run, and now it won't stop, the fan starts up as soon as I turn it on and the computer seems to running more slowy.The computer is not hot but I am worried it may burn out,.Any ideas on how I can fix this please ?

Hello dwb,
Here is the screen shot, just the top half, there are another 10 pages, but I guess this should enough for you to have an idea of waht is going on, bit small I am afraid. No, I don't have any apps setup to run when I open my computer, the kernel, varies between 290 and 305 per cent ish.
Would that PRAM thing help ? I think it may be the computer itself, well something inside, as this the first time that the fan has ever started running since I have this computer, even when I have 3 or 4 apps running.
Thank you again for your advice,
Regard,
Beauty of Bath

Brand new macbook air wont power up first time

Just got my first Mac ever - Macbook Air 13.3. It's been plugged in & charging for almost 4 hours. Upon first plug-in, the light was green for maybe 2 to 3 seconds - then went amber. No matter how many different outlets I used - same result. I figured the unit needed to charge but it's been almost 4 hours and I'm anxious. The light stays amber I just spent 1400 bucks on a unit that I though would start up/be charged or at the very least somewhat charged upon opening. Even my cheapo $750 Dell started up immediately out of the box.
I've tried 4 different outlets - same results (green to amber). Tried with and without the AC adapter - same results (green to amber) - currently it is hooked up with the AC adapter. It just wont start.
Are my expectations too high? I've had this for less than 6 hours and I'm curious if I'm wasting my time continuing to wait. NO where does it say "You will need to charge your new laptop for such and such hours" or "Your new laptop will not come charged" or "Your new laptop - when plugged in for the first time - will go from green to amber within a few seconds - this is normal." Just shows me a pic of the parts with no further information. The instructions are so minimal, but that was okay - I figured I'd get all I needed once I booted up. But it won't boot up! <laughing!>
Please help.

The light changing from green to amber just indicates that it is charging. Tap the power button in the top right of the keyboard one time. If it still doesn't power up, try this procedure.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

I have a new MacBook Air. When I first got it, I migrated some of my files from my PC to the MacBook Air with no issues. Now, I',m trying to migrate more documents, music, etc. and migration assistant won't get past "Looking for Other Computers." Why?

I have new MacBook Air. When I first got it, I migrated some of my files from my PC to the MacBook Air without any problems. Now I'm trying to migrate more files, music, etc. and I keep getting the continuous spining circle with "Looking for Other Computers." I've tried everything and for some reason it is not finding my PC. What am I doing wrong?

Use the trackpad to scroll, thats what it was designed for. The scroll bars automatically disappear when not being used and will appear if you scroll up or down using the trackpad.
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New MacBook Air, iTunes was working at first, now will not play anything

Brand new Macbook Air and after an unnecessarily complicated setup I finally had music playing the first day. Now it will not play music or podcasts. Cleared cache, restarted, up to date. I press play it changes to the pause icon but no time movement, no sound. I went through all the steps to fix the problem of not downloading any of my purchased music, but now that I have it downloaded it won't play, when it had originally.
Downloaded a podcast, won't play. Yay, back on the Apple forum once again.
The original selling point of Apple was simplicity and reliability, now it is more convoluted, un-intuitive and unreliable than any windows product out there and I never thought I'd say that.

you're not dimwitted. I wonder sometimes! lol
just checking on something first. when you try to
play a song in itunes, does that little
diamond-shaped thingy stay firmly stuck to the left? Yes
if so, next let's explicitly doublecheck your precise
itunes version number. in itunes, go "help > about
itunes" and wait for the version number to scroll up
from the bottom of the screen. (for example, mine
says "itunes 6.0.5.20") 6.0.5.2
if you've got an itunes version 5.0.0.35, 5.0.1.4,
6.0.0.18 or 6.0.1.3
... first let's check on this possibility:
iTunes for Windows: Audio files do not play in
iTunes 5 or 6
if you've got an itunes version 6.0.2.23 or
higher, or the compatibility settings thing wasn't a
factor for you
... then first we'll try a careful standalone QT 7.1
reinstall.
download and save a copy of the QT 7.1 standalone
installer to your hard drive. (we'll run the install
from there rather than online.) switch off
antivirus and antispyware applications prior to the
install.
Quicktime 7.1 Standalone Installer
if that install goes through okay, does your itunes
play audio properly again? Yes, this did the trick!
(if you get an error message on the QT standalone
reinstall, let us know what it says. include error
message numbers if you're getting any.)
b noir I thank you so very much for being willing to share your knowledge and lending a helping hand! I am indebted to you!

My new MacBook Air locked up during my first attempt to migrate information from my old PC

I began the set up process for my new MacBook Air (2014). I got as far as the Migration Assistant. At first, my old PC (6 year old HP with Windows Vista) seemed to be communicating with my MacBook and transferring data. There was a lot of time remaining on the countdown to completion of the transfer, so I went to bed while the computers kept migrating data. I woke up, and the migration connection was lost. My MacBook screen is saying it is "transferring data to the Mac"- but the screen is the same, and the connection has obviously been lost. It seems to be locked up. I cannot get out of the screen to do anything! I would rather start the set up process all over without migrating any data at this point, and just start using my new MacBook. Help! How do I turn off the whole MacBook and start again?

Never mind! I realized that I needed to hold the power button down for longer than I thought to get the laptop to turn off. I turned it off, then back on, and was able to begin the process all over and am now up and running! Hoorah!

My Webcam is not recording correctly. When recording directly to youtube, the audio sounds like a robot. It was not doing that when I first got my new MacBook Air last month. What do I do to fix it?

My built-in Webcam is not recording correctly. When recording directly to youtube (upload), the audio sounds like a robot. It was not doing that when I first got my new MacBook Air last month. What do I do to fix it?
I have tested it over several days with different internet connections...and have done it with another notebook computer on the same connection and it the video uploaded and recorded fine. I can also use the video webcam with Google Hangouts and it records and works fine. So I know the problem is not internet connection...and apparantly not even the webcam or mic.

Try using Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings.

Will the new MacBook Air be able to handle what I need it for?

I'm about to buy my first ever Mac, exciting right?
Anywho, I was set on getting a MacBook (or possibly pro) then the new MacBook Air came out, after looking at it and doing a bit of research it seems to be a fantastic computer but I'm not sure if it can handle what I'll be using it for.
On a general day to day basis, I use these programs:
- a Web Browser (surfing the web and watching online video mostly)
- iTunes
- Scrivener (Writing Software)
- Skype
- AIM
- Microsoft Office
On about a weekly+ basis, I'll be using these programs:
- iMovie
- Adobe Flash CS5 Professional
- Adobe Photoshop CS5
- Other Adobe programs?
Other little tidbits that may be helpful:
- I'm a college student (And though I don't write a lot of essays, stupid technical classes, I will next year because...)
- I'll most likely major in Graphic Design, English or both.
- I spend a lot of time on the computer.
- I'm not a gamer, outside of the occasional online game
- I'm not planning on keeping too much on the computer. (Only programs and whatever project(s) I'm currently working on. Everything else will be kept in an external hard drive or Dropbox. Too keep away clutter and because having so many PC's crash on me has made me paranoid.)
I like the new MacBook Air because it's small and light and has the perfect amount of battery to fit my needs (I hardly ever keep my computer away from a plug for more than 7 hours) Also I really never use my CD drive on my laptop, in fact I think I only used it twice this past year. So really my only concern is that I'll buy it and end up discovering that it doesn't fit my needs, hence this post.
Beyond this I only have three questions:
1.) How much memory should I have? (I do want some wiggle room)
2.) Does a mini jack mean I have to buy special headphones or an adapter?
3.) Does the Facetime Camera = Web Cam? Can I use it for the same purposes? (ex. taking photos/videos, video chat through Skype, etc.)
And the main question: Would the New MacBook Air work for me? If not, which Mac should I get instead? (I'm getting a 13" laptop across the board)
And I probably posted way too much information about my computer life, but if there is anything I learned from taking technical classes its that the more information I can give the better suited computer you can advice me to get.
So thanks to anyone who responds!

witsallbeendonebefore wrote:
The extra 2GB would make any computer run faster. Could you maybe explain more?
Absolutely. The 13" MBA (baseline configuration) at $1299 weighs in at $100 more than the 13" MBP, upgrade the MBA to 4GB and it's now $200 more. So you're paying more money for comparable or "slightly" better performance.
There's been a lot of performance benchmarks released over the past 4 days since I made my initial remark. Not to mention in that time I've had the opportunity to use a 13" MBA with 2GB & 4GB of RAM, although I had more time with the 2GB model. Some observations:
1.) What happens when you need to install something that's only available via CD or DVD? Part two of that question, what happens if you don't have access to a computer with an optical drive to share over to the MBA?
2.) What if you require FireWire connectivity or need to troubleshoot your computer via TDM?
3.) How do you manage 128GB?
4.) How do you run a presentation from the machine with an IR-base remote?
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm a big fan of the MBA, I was one of the first in line to buy one when the first generation came out and I made the 2nd generation MBA my "go to" mobile computer for well over a year. I've been very pleased with currently MBA, but it's not a jack of all trades and while it may be faster than my 13" MBP there are still scenarios that require features the MBP has 'standard' that the MBA does not offer or requires more $$ to implement.
My initial comment about "sluggish" performance was in respect to LightRoom3, Starcraft II, World of Warcraft and Adobe Photoshop CS5. I'll absolutely agree that equalizing the RAM would definitely help to level the playing field but thus far in my testing with the 13" MBA @ 4GB versus the 13" MBP @ 4GB there's still some noticeable difference in favor of the MBP.

Phenomenal new MacBook Air! WOW!

I have just received my new MacBook Air 13-inch, and I have written this post to let you know that it is truly amazing.
My heart belongs to the MacBook Pro line, but I just love the Air for short travel.
I have maxed out the specs, which I strongly recommend. It is lightening fast!
I had been really worried about having over 150 GB transferred from my MacBook Pro, as I have always loved FireWire target disk mode, but transferring via the USB Ethernet adapter is impressive. What had taken a little over an hour via FireWire target disk mode had taken me just over three hours via Ethernet.
I do not want to do that everyday, but I am quite happy.
The speed just rocks!
I had purchased the original MacBook Air only to mothball it a few months later. This new MacBook Air works for me very well.
I still do not trust flash/SSD storage, but I am willing to get my feet wet with the new Air.
Anyway, it does not seem that there are differences between the new and old MacBook Air power cords. Is it safe to use a first generation MacBook Air power cord with the new model? One can do this with MacBook Pros, but I just want to make sure.
Thank you!

you can also use any macbook pro power cord with the Air.
If you've afraid of the SSD, checkout this torture test MacWorld ran on the SSD in the Air
http://j.mp/f3wBt9

My New Macbook Air :(

I have just converted from window pc to mac. I got my new macbook air on 21 October 2011, the first day I charging my macbook air I could feel the a light electrical current in my hand, it's serious and horrible. thus, I have contacted apple shop, and they told me it's normal for mac. sometimes, I even got electricity shock, uncomfortable feeling, hate this kind of feeling.
And, I have been to apple shop to do testing on the disply mac there, I realized there's no any mac there has same kind of problem. after telling staff there my mac problem, they said it need to takes one to two weeks for repair.
This problem has spoiled my impression towards apple mac, as a fresh user of apple mac who converted from window pc.
Jett.

The problem is your electrical source not properly grounded. Do a search on 'mac tingle sensation'. You can also do a simple test by getting your feet off the floor while plugging in e.g., try it on your bed. Or, bring your laptop to some other place where the receptacle is properly grounded e.g., the apple shop.

After paying for a new MacBook Air, I still have to purchase an external DVD Player? That *****!, After paying for a new MacBook Air, I still have to purchase an external DVD Player? That *****!

I am confused about the new MacBook Air. It would appear it does not have an internal DVD/CD drive as most computers do. Does this mean after the price of this Mac Air I still would have to purchase an external DVD/CD player to load software or play DVD's and CD's ??? That seems like technology is going backwards and the owners just want more money. If I am wrong, I applogize.
Thanks,
Debbie

Floppy drive? Who has floppy drives in this day and age. Does anyone sell software on that format? I don't think so. At least any software sold today.
I've had my MBA for nearly 6 months now and don't miss having a built-in DVD drive in the least. First of all, with only a 128GB drive, I'm not "porking" it up with a lot of junk.
The form factor of the MBA is beautiful and wouldn't be possible with a internal DVD drive. I wouldn't want one anyway. The only time I've use an external DVD USB drive was to install a few programs that I have on DVDs.
The MBA is about a very light weight computer for use mainly outside of the home. And this is where it excels. If you really want a DVD, get the Apple unit for $79 or a no-namer on ebay for around $25. Then use it and park it. You won't need it very often if ever after the first use or so.

When I login to my bank, I get the message: 403 - Forbidden: Access is denied. You do not have permission to view this directory or page using the credentials that you supplied. Have new MacBook Air with Yosemite. How to solve this problem?

When I try to login to the website of my bank, I get the following error message:
403 - Forbidden: Access is denied.
You do not have permission to view this directory or page using the credentials that you supplied.
I have a new MacBook Air with OS Yosemite installed.
What is the problem and how can I solve it?

Some websites require a special client certficate for access. If you don't have that certficate, you'll have to contact the site operator to find out how to get one.
Sometimes the problem is caused by a web server that is configured to request an optional client certificate. Safari treats the request as mandatory. In that case, other browsers such as Firefox and Chrome may be able to connect to the site, because they ignore the request.
The first time you were prompted for a certificate, you may have clicked through a dialog that requested access to the Apple certificate in your keychain that is used to secure the iMessage service. In that case, you may be able to regain access to the site in Safari by doing as follows.
Back up all data.
Double-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:
com.apple.idms.appleid.prd
Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C.
Launch the Keychain Access application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Keychain Access in the icon grid.
Paste into the search field in the Keychain Access window by clicking in it and pressing the key combination command-V. An item may appear in the list of keychain items. The Name will begin with string you searched for, and the Kind will be "certificate."
Delete the item by selecting it and pressing the delete key. It will be recreated automatically the next time you launch the Messages or FaceTime application.
The next time you visit a site that prompts for an optional client certificate, cancel out of the prompt. You may have to do this several times before the server stops asking.
Credit for this idea to Christian Braukmueller of SAP.

Apple Micro-DVI to Video Adapter New MacBook Air

Hi All,
I am brand new to the Mac world (Been a PC user my entire life). Thought I would take a gamble on a Mac and see how it goes. So far I have been really impressed and happy!
I bought a MacBook Air a few weeks ago. It's a 2.13 GHZ MacBook Air. I would like to connect it to my "old school" standard TV which has S-Video and RCA (Yellow) inputs. I went on the Apple Store and found the Apple Micro-DVI to Video Adapter which says it is designed for a MacBook Air. Previosly though, I saw a discussion on another Mac type site that said this adapter was designed for the old MacBook Air laptops. Does anyone know if this adapter will work on my new MacBook Air? The techspecs call my MacBook Air video output a "MiniDisplay Port". Is this just a new name for Micro-DVI?
Any help would be appreciated.
Peter

No, there is currently no adapter available to go from mini displayport to a compostie or s-video tv. Monoprice.com sells a mini displayport to hdmi cable. That's the closest there is.
Your mba doesn't have a mini-dvi port.
Glor

I have a brand new MacBook Air 11 inch, 4gb RAM and 256 gb SSD where the screen flickered abnormally and got dead all of a sudden while uploading a photograph in FB. Can anybody help?

I have a new MacBook Air 11 inch, 4gb RAM, 256 SSD and use Mavericks OS. It is still under waranty period.
Just few days ago while I was uploading a photograph in facebook, the screen started flickering abnoromally. I tried using the escape button but nothing was working so switched off by pressing the power button.
After few minutes I tried to switch it on but my system never waked up. Called up the Apple Support, did SMC and PRAM but nothing worked. Then I was advised to take it to Apple's authorised service centre.
At the service centre the engineers diagnoised and then said that the MLB/mother board needs to be replaced. Had waited for six-long days and today they had replaced the MLB/mother board. Now, the system came to life but nothing has booted. The screen goes white and a '?' question mark icon keeps on flickering.
After thoroughly diagnoising it the engineer said that now the problem is with the SSD and the worse thing is all my important documents and photographs etc are no more there. And I don't have a backup of the same!
While Apple Support contact centre is assuring they would replace any other parts if found faulty, but I feel differently. First, the MLB/mother board was changed now they say it is SSD problem - so if the SSD too is replaced there are possibilities of more faults coming up. All I can see and feel that this particular machine has turned out to be architectually deffective that calls for immediate replacement.
Right now I am using a friend's windows pc to write this mail.
Feeling completely miserable - all my expectatations gone after investing in such an expensive machine, loss of all my data, wastage of time and energy and to top it all affecting my daily work.
Can anybody please advise what shall I do?

Take the system to an Apple store to be fixed or replaced as the one you have has defective hardware.

First Impressions: New MacBook Air 13" - 128GB HD - 2GB RAM

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