11.6 MBA Build Quality

I just got my built to order 11.6 MBA today, and wow, I'm thoroughly impressed. I got it to use for a while and see if it can replace my Alienware M11x R2, which I've had numerous build quality issues with (3 screens, one keyboard and now the hinges are failing). This machine feels so sturdy, the hinges are rock solid and the screen is great. After my experience with the M11x, I can't tell you how nice it feels to hold a notebook this sturdy. Everything about it seems of higher build quality, and while I do think it's overpriced, right now I'm inclined to think its worth it.

The only thing I'm worried about is how this will game. I got the M11x because there's nothing that powerful in such a small package, and I know the MBA won't be as good a gaming machine. As long as I can get decent frame rates on medium settings for the games I play, I'll be happy. Less gaming performance but better build quality and less weight might be a compromise I'm willing to make.

I've never owned a Mac before or even used OS X beyond playing with it at an Apple store, so I'm looking forward to learning my way around the OS. So far I'm thinking this may replace my M11x (though I'll miss the backlight keyboard), but I'll have to use it a bit first before I make a final judgment.

Anyway, I just wanted to share how pleased I am with the build quality of this machine. So far my first Apple computer has been a blast, and I'm looking forward to using this little computer on my trip abroad next week.

 

Nope... it will not game, not really. Older games? Maybe on low settings.

I do know our Airs will be able to play Diablo 3 when it comes out, that's all that really matters

 

Yeah, I'm not expecting it to game well, but if I can get a few old games and some new, not so demanding ones (i.e. Amnesia and Monkey Island) here and there, I'll be happy. I'm going to try it out while I'm gone and see how it works. I'm just impressed with the build quality compared to my M11x. All the reviews I read of the M11x said it was built so well, but both my machines have had lots of problems.

 

I did a graphics test on the MBP 13, which has the same GPU: http://forum.notebookreview.com/apple-mac-os-x/527864-2010-macbook-pro-13-graphics.html

 

The Airs have much slower CPUs which would cut all those frames in half, which is a big reason why Airs don't do as well.

 

how is the screen of MBA ?
Is it as good as TOUGHBOOK MATTE screens for outdoor use ?
I prefer MATTE (anti-glare) screens since I use my laptops outside a lot.

 

Better than everything else in a nutshell

 

Don't believe the crap you hear about the Air not able to game. I am playing Mass Effect 2 and Modern Warfare 2 at full resolution and low to medium settings. The framerate is smooth. The CPU is actually clocked higher than the stick M11x R1, so it's not about the CPU for every game. The GPU is fine and can handle plenty of games on the Air.

 

That's still fairly low resolution and low and medium settings and old games... they should play fine for sure.

 

Nope, not much will match a toughbook for outdoor readability. especially anything with a gloss screen.

 

I think a lot of people underestimate what ATI/Nvidia IGPs can do. Sure, its not going to be playing Crysis at Ultra-high, but I could be fairly certain it could handle all of the Call of Duty games, for example (this is based off of my Lenovo experiences, which is actually worse for gameplay. It cant really play Black Ops, but having an IGP with ~2x the power should make it playable).

It would be a different story if we were talking about Intel IGPs though.

 

M11x is a joke, it made by a 14 size+weight body but only 11inch screen and less performance than 14 inch notebook ( too many, hard to list)

It's almost no need to design the internal components, since it is super thick enough to just put every parts in it w/o thinking about how to manage.

 

I've been traveling with the 11.6 MBA for the past four days now, and this machine is simply amazing. I've never owned a Mac before and the only Apple product I've previously purchased was an iPod, so I'm far from a fanboy, but I am loving this little computer and it's nearly perfect for my needs.

After lugging around the M11x since August, it is so nice to have a machine I barely notice in my bag. The difference in weight has really made traveling a lot easier. The overall build quality is fantastic and I've had no problems yet. Apple definitely has better quality control than Dell, and I'm happy to pay a little extra for it. The screen is really great, too. Putting the MBA next to the M11x is just sad. I always felt the M11x's screen was too dim and disliked lowering the brightness to get better battery life. The MBA's screen has the opposite problem: it's so bright that I have to dim it.

As for gaming, I know this thing will not perform nearly as well as the M11x, but for my purposes it's okay. I looked at my real world usage of the M11x over the past 3 1/2 months and realized that I really only gamed with it a handful of times. I have an Envy 14 (which is a great machine) at home that I use for gaming, and when I'm traveling I usually am not spending that much time gaming. So for me, it became hard to justify putting up with the build quality issues of the M11x and the weight of the machine plus the massive power brick while traveling.

I've been able to get in a bit of gaming on this thing, and it actually works quite well. Sure, it's not as pretty as on my Envy, but I put some time in with Starcraft II, Amnesia and Splinter Cell: Conviction and they all worked fine on low to medium settings, which is more than enough for me while I'm on the go.

I wouldn't use the 11.6 MBA as my primary machine, but I think I've finally found the perfect traveling computer for my needs. Sure, it's overpriced, a bit underpowered and I really miss the backlight keyboard. But the combination of excellent build quality and above average performance in such a small and light package has really won me over.

 

I am very interested regarding how well it plays ME2. There are not many settings in the video options - are you just turning down AF and lights?

Would you be able to start a new game and play through the initial space station until you meet Miranda while recording the framerate in FRAPS ( www.fraps.com)? Start the benchmarking when you right after you get your stuff from the locker.

The M11x usually gets about 45 fps with everything maxed.

It is still pretty amazing for an ultralight to be able to run those games. But 'smooth' is super subjective.

this is the killer for me:



bummer

 

The build quality is pretty much fantastic, however, they are still more fragile than many notebooks.

Case (ha!) in point: I just finished a Slappa HardBody Pro review, and the case failed and destroyed my 11.6-inch MacBook Air. Out a thousand bucks.

 

How did that happen?

I can't stand cases, seems to add way too much ugliness and bulk. I keep mine in a skin and a sleeve (the sleeve has a friggin zipper ugh these stupid designers)

 

The so-called "rugged" 13-inch HardBody Pro has a few serious structural flaws which open it up serious damage.

 

Oh my lord, I think I would cry.
Have you contacted Dominick (sp?) at Slappa regarding that issue? I've talked to him casually in the past, and he seems like a nice guy. Not sure if they'd be able to do anything to help, but it might be worth a shot. At the very least, I can guarantee that they'd want to know that their product is defective.

 

Well, the review will be going up soon, afaik. We'll see what Jerry decides to do.

 

The frame couldn't even fit a 13.1" screen (cutting away bezels)... where are you getting the info that it's a 14" ??

 

The guys just ignorant. The mx11 and air are two totally different products. The mx11 is a great portable gaming computer, just plug in anywhere, connect to 3g and you have an great gaming set up anywhere. Or an easy to transport rig if you plug into an external monitor.

The air is an ultra thin vogue comp, with the main intention of being as thin as possible with a luxurious design. Two completely different products, both good products, but high markup as both are in sort of niche markets with big brand names. So of course traditional 13 inch laptops will offer much more value.

Both alienware and apple has medium build quality, so whatever way you treated an alienware to get so much damage, I cant see the mac book air being much more resiliant.

 

:O
May I ask what that flaw is? I have the same case and haven't used it extensively yet, but don't want to risk it.

 

when determining if a machine can game or not you have to take into account if you can be competitive with me anyway. This laptop wont run any new games competitively. It may be able to start them and you may be able to move around but all the fun that challenge brings with playing others wont be there.

I did see a video where this guy was able to start final fantasy 14 up and start crafting with his character. FF14 is a very system hungry game that most desktps have trouble with. Even so, hes not going to be playing the game with any sort of competitive nature.

 

thats very true.. if that is what you look for in a game... to many people, including myself a competitive aspect with others is not important at all.