Does the Macbook Air run full, standalone versions of software or does it require special, streamlined apps?

Question

Does the Macbook Air run full, standalone versions of software or does it require special, streamlined apps?

I'm looking to buy a Macbook. Will the Macbook Air load and run full, unabridged versions of Mac-compatible software, such as what I already own, or does it require only special "apps" versions such as the iPad and iPhone do? I realize that the Macbook Air blurb states you can wirelessly use another Mac's drive to load software onto a MBA or buy an add-on drive to connect it up and load software but my question is the performance capability of the MBA to actually run full versions of ALL OS X Mac-compatible software.

MacBook Air

Posted on Feb 17, 2012 6:54 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 17, 2012 8:07 AM in response to vincent from az

The MacBook Air runs the identical operating system as any other Mac, and is subject to no arbitrary limitations imposed on the latest software, or by the latest software.

The only remaining factor is hardware. All Mac software has it's own individual requirements for the system, that being the speed of the processor, the amount of memory, the type of graphics processor required, etc. Some select software, say intense game apps, will not run very well or at all on the MBA, and it simply the lack of a system's component compatibility of performance. But this is a factor present in all computers, nothing special about the MacBook Air.

So, as long as the hardware is sufficient for the system requirements of the software, you can install and use any full version app designed for OS X Lion.

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Answer 2

Feb 17, 2012 8:19 AM in response to SP Forsythe

Thank you for the detailed reply. I don't use any hardware-intensive software or games but wanted to make sure that the full OS X versions of what I already own and use will load and run on the MBA with Lion as well as any new software I might purchase down the road. The streamlined versions of "apps" are nice for most purposes but the full versions of certain software are often essential as in my case and yes, flash storage would be a key limitation.

Again, thanks for the quick reply and information.

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