Which MAB 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz?

Hi,

I am happy with the 1.6 GHz model. you won't feel the difference between 1.6 and 1.8 GHz. Coming from a good old PB myself, the 1.6 feels like a screamer (as Steve Jobs would put it). Get a BT mouse for the money.

Volker

My 1.6GHz MBA feels snappier than my 2.0GB MacBook Pro (first generation Intel Core Duo). I am extremely happy with my choice.

You need to be careful with processor speed - differences can look good on paper but the reality is very different. I paid extra to buy a 2.4GHz iMac over the 2.0GHz model and I honestly cannot tell any difference between that and the 2.0GHz iMacs I use at work.

Depending on how much you want to spend, the SSD model has some advantages. Aside from better data reading speed, the SSD model is totally silent (expect when the fan spins up). It's a big advantage if you use it mostly in very quiet environments. If not, then I'd go for the 1.6 HD model.

I think the 1.8ghz, although with its clock more than 10% higher, isn't necessary.

The Macbook Air is a very snappier machine, but it won't be good for any cpu intensive jobs like video or audio editing. It's a machine mean for internet, office tasks and general entertainment (activities which occupies more than 90% of my time spent on a computer). So, to be honest, it won't make any difference.

Then again, you have a huge benefit for choosing a lower clocked cpu: less power consumption. It will lead you to more battery life, less heat, less noise from cpu fan, faster charging.

Even if the $ wouldn't be a problem, I would prefer a 1.6ghz with a SSD, for the best mobile experience so far on Apple machine.

You got to feel the joys of forgetting your power adapter at home and don't be afraid of doing so. 🙂

I have the 1.6GHz MacBook Air. I'm very happy with it. Having said that, I do have a MacBook Pro 2.4GHz and iMac so can do more "serious" tasks on there. However I have to say, even with that in mind... I wouldn't mind so much having the Air as my main computer, even at 1.6GHz.

Personally speaking, I'd save the money and get the 1.6GHz. I have little interest in the SSD, the only thing I'd ever consider that for would be for the robustness. I've never had any issues with hard drives failing on me so I guess I'm just riding that wave. I hope that wave lasts a long time!

1.6 should be plenty fast enough - if you think the MacBook Air is suitable for your needs then the 1.6GHz is definitely fast enough. The extra 0.2GHz won't make much difference.

I assume you mean the 1.8ghz with SSD and not just 1.6ghz vs. 1.8ghz (i believe you can upgrade the 1.6 model to 1.8). If the SSD is the open question, its pretty expensive (but ultra cool) and that's what put it out of the running for me. I believe the SSD is faster than a hard drive and runs cooler. Lots of laptops are now coming on the market with SSD, it seems that Apple is the highest price. For example, the Lenovo thinkpad x300 (which is the most comparable) to the MBA comes only with SSD. (There is a good comparison between MBA and X300 at http://www.personafile.com/products about 3/4 down the page, in my opinion the MBA wins, but reading this gives you a good idea why the MBA is so great.)

Surely the heat produced by the HDD isn't particularly notable though? It is certainly faster at reads, I'll give it that. It's certainly a better technology than HDD, but it isn't £600/$999 better. If it's going to be y uor primary computer I'd say it might be a little more worthwhile. If, however, you have another computer such as the MacBook Pro/iMac, I'd stick with the 1.6 MacBook Air personally. I don't regret it*

*Hopefully the hard drive won't crash and burn so I don't live to regret that statement!

1.6 for me is alot better than my Powerbook. You will love it