AVP - Air vs. xPs

But Reid, what that sweet apple icon. With the little bite taken out of it? I mean, it's so cute and... upright.

Good comparison Reid. I must say that I made fun of people who used Apple's when I was in high school and college (yes, really I did), but when I used one on a day-to-day basis at a job, I was hooked. I've never looked back and I am starting to convert the rest of my family as well.

I've read some interesting surveys that show that Apple users have a sense of elitism about them -- I don't doubt that. I'm guilty of feeling it a bit myself. Every once-in-a-while I get the "aww, that's too bad you still have to use a PC" in my head and have to shake it off. It really comes down to a difference of opinion.

In response to your post, I'm linking to a great post that basically sums up what I feel about all these comparisons: http://fishbowl.pastiche.org/2008/01/22/heavier_than_air

Keep up the good posts!

Geo, thanks brother. I am actually NOT anti Mac or Apple as our family owns several iPods and I use iTunes daily. What I do see is that Mac people do not understand why someone would actually choose to joyfully use a PC. Since OS X when UNIX the MAC became a serious machine for the serious geeks. To be honest I will price, look at and consider iMac when our family upgrades our 4.5 year old home computer here soon. I actually know how to use PCs, can get way more for my money and keeps the family on a consistent platform. To go Mac personally I would have to wait and see if Logos is any good on the Mac once it ships version 1.0. I would have to buy a copy of Windows to run in virtualization to open the huge amount of stuff I have in MS Publisher. I would also have to own a copy of said software. It would be hugely expensive for me to switch.

And Mac people are arrogant - those great marketing commercials have a young, hip, cool guy poking at the nerdy PC guy - very arrogant. But when you have 5% and growing market share and a monopoly in MP3 players it is easy to be arrogant. Having Jobs as your "humble leader" does not help I'm sure.

Finally, Mac people act like cult people, so I am just trying to care for their immortal souls.

Miss you man - I pray you are well. Don't buy a MacBook AIR - MacBooks are a better way to go and cheaper as well.

Reid - thanks for the breakdown, my friend. Good stuff.

I actually work on an iMac, but have a personal PC laptop. I might eventually switch to a Macbook... but I don't think I want to become a "Mac person." I hate those Mac/PC commercials. Every time it comes on, I look at my wife and say, "Have I mentioned how much that Mac guy annoys me? He is so obnoxious."

Kim usually replies, "Don't you think the PC guy is obnoxious, too? I think he is more annoying than the Mac guy."

Then, I say, "Yeah, but the PC guy is SUPPOSED to be annoying. That's the difference. The Mac guy is supposed to be trendy and hip and cool. I'd like to punch him in the neck."

We've had that conversation dozens of times.

Just my thoughts... I'm going to go be cool now - first I have to go put on dark colored pants and a dark colored, lightweight zip-up shirt. Then, I'll stand around with my hands in my pockets (with my thumbs sticking out) and make smug commentary on computers. That's what cool people do.

Seville - if you do go Mac get the MacBook or MacBook Pro not the air - the air is at best good as someone's secondary machine. I like Mac's but the arrogance is there for real.

The commercials...I couldn't agree more. The Mac go is a snotty elitist and the PC guy is kinda nerdy but in a lovable way. I kind of feel sorry for PC guy...but to be honest, Windows VISTA has been great - if not Mac cool :) It is way slicker than XP and I recommend it highly for those buying a new PC (I don't recommmend buying the ugrade as most older machines don't have the mojo to run it.

But if you become Mac cool soon - just don't look down on me :)

Later brother

Let's not forget that the AIR isn't supposed to be a primary machine. It's specific purpose is for high portability and wireless connectivity.

On another note, to compare products, the fastest machine running vista is---a mac. I've ran vista on three different PC's and it is nowhere near as fast or efficient as a mac. Also, out of the box--you don't have to delete 17 pre-installed demo softwares.

ugh.

Definitely a matter of preference--so let's love each other--after all, the mac people have to have someone to pity and serve :)

Mike, I agree that this should only be considered as a 2nd machine for high portability. My point is that 1800 bucks for a slow processor, small and slow hard drive, no ports, no removable battery is just expensive for a 2nd machine...and forget it as a primary machine. My Dell was cheaper, has waaaay more horse, ports, flexibility AND is pretty freakin small to boot. Maybe the AIR will be a run away hit - I just have my doubts as to the purpose of it. I would buy a MacBook before that every day of the week.

Also, my XPS had zero bloatware to remove. The only thing preinstalled was Acrobat Reader and some DVD software which I requested. Now, cheap PCs at Staples or Best Buy will likely have 17 apps to remove :)

As to the speed isssue - a good Mac and a good PC are the same on the inside. Ever since Mac went Intel you have had well built PCs by a company that makes sexy hardware and a good OS - but the components are pretty much the same under the hood. Processors, Ram, Hard Disks, Video cards etc - same stuff available everywhere.

But yes, our family has two iPods, and before Dell's XPS line was refreshed(the XPS ONE looks very cool on the desktop) I was looking Mac for our home PC...but now, not so sure.

I like the Mac, think it is a good product etc. The crazy thing is that Mac people seem unable to see any blessing in the PC camp. Maybe PC guy will get a break one day...but then again Mikeysoft camp does need to be mocked and OS X is so good it makes them try harder with Windows.

Thanks brother

Okay, you really woowed when you saw the MacBook Air and did a comparision to make yourself feel better. I get it, that's what airphobes do. But as with gayphobes it only takes time before they out themselves.
No need to be jealous anymore now, you've got the better machine.
And I've ordered my Macbook Air nonetheless :-B

Benny, that is some funny stuff. Airphobes...Actually I recommend the Crackbook Air under the following situations:
1) You are a Mac guy who has a real computer already - Macbook Pro, iMac
2) You need a good second computer
3) You have lots of cash
OR
1) You just do e-mail, web and basic computing and don't need a real hard disk, DVD, ports or ability to swap the battery

But enjoy your Air - and I do have the better machine.

Now MacBook vs. XPS m1330 would be a tougher battle.

Let's hope then that the next XPS can run MacOS and has the far superior trackpad (MULTITOUCH) that the Macbook Air has - I do not even need a mouse anymore and the screen + keyboard the Macbook Air is just .... superb.

Yeah, the Mac is the best computer ever! Yesterday a guy gave me a DVD with some pdfs on it...I then went to a guy in the coffee shop and asked could he put it in his computer, then have me through WiFi, connect to his computer so I could read it. Oh yeah, instead of that I just decided to stick in my DVD drive.

I love OSX and the multi-touch deal - but still could never use an AIR as anything but a 2nd computer. Tiny, slow hard drives, no optical drive, no ports, no extra battery. The AIR is a very cool toy - which if I used Macs and was RICH...I would certainly buy.

Glad you like it though...everyone will think you are much cooler than me as well. Who thinks Dell is cool? Nobody!

As if the XPS is your primary system.
But it was a good thing they did not provide those PDF's on a floppy or on a bluray DVD :-)
IF you had a MacAir then you would have asked them to provided via email OR on a USB Stick.
The future is catching up with you, my friend. Does your XPS have a PSTN Modem or did they finally get rid of it ?
And VISTA needs more processor power and a memory so I am not so sure that XPS is in fact faster.
Are you sure you don't want XP instead, it is bound to run a lot faster on that XPS ?

In conclusion 'le coupe de gras'. From your own comments you are actually saying that ... :
1) 1799$ is expensive,wheras 1739$ is cheap.
2) Exchanging files via (write-once) DVD's is a great practice.
3) A 13.3inch screen portable can make a great primary machine.
4) MacOS X laptops are only for MacOS users. (d'uh)
5) and you "love the multitouch deal" but ... "learning track chords are stupid"

And with that I end my comments on your dumb biased futile comparision (one runs MAC the other Vista, you can't compare them, get the clue , it's a different market !).

Finally your Mac friend will laugh with you, ... my Vista friend.

Hahahahahaha...Benny, you are a fun guy. I don't concede your argument (ie - how do you "give" 500 mb of pdfs/InDesign source files, graphics to someone on a USB key or via e-mail, my XPS IS my primary system - with an external LCD...but 7200 RPM hard disks can do video editing...iPod hard disks cannot, DVDs are the past...maybe 5 years from now, but not today)but your rhetoric is outstanding...so I concede that the Mac is the best computer EVER!

Just admit you like the AIR because it is little - that is the real reason to like it.

In all honesty - I enjoyed this.

I like the Macbook Air because I want a laptop that runs MacOS and then the choice is limited.
IF the XPS would run MacOS then I would definately have considered it but it does not, it would have been pointless, as is your review.
I have an iMac so I did not need the Macbook Pro's power and the white Macbook looks ugly whereas the black one is nearly as expensive as a Macbook Air but lacks the superb screen and the multitouch trackpad. I do not have the SuperDrive and I do not ever expect to need it, I'm a unix sysadmin and in that setting I have been doing installs of software and backups over the network.

And if you are wondering why I got on your case so strong ... a lot of people that are not in the market for a Macbook Air at all feel like they have to get on it's case. It's odd. I wonder why that need exists, we sure don't get on the case of an expensive new Ferrari ... so what is the deal there.
I think I know what it is : profileing oneself as anti-MacAir says as much about a person as having one ! Yep. It's all about showing your Identity. It's all a "mine is bigger than yours" thing but with a twist : it is impossible to compare a banana with a cucumber, and it is pointless.

And a 1GB USB key costs less than 10$ these days...
and it is a lot more fun copying files to a USB key than having to write a DVD.

My whole point in the comparison was in response to the initial ridiculous AIR hype. Your situation is one that is perfect for AIR. Btw, you are a knowledgeable person on this stuff whereas many simply are not and are just Apple freaks. I was an Applied Computer Science major for my undergrad so I tend to know the scene a bit as well.

Some Mac people cannot believe that I chose a Windows machine in this day and age :) I have to confess I just bought my fam a Dell XPS One - it is pretty freakin sweet on the PC side. If I was doing your job - working with UNIX I would have a Mac as well. I would choose OSX over Ubuntu any day.

I wouldn't be surprised if I end up on a Mac someday...Mikesoft has quite a chore with the windows code base. Its own success is its worse enemy here. They have such a massive installed base (the reason why corporations have wanted to stay XP for a season) that radical departures are difficult. Think about it - Apple just has everyone recompile their code when they make a major architectural change (like the INTEL move). If Mikeysoft did that all sort of people running mission critical legacy apps would be pissed beyond measure.

But seriously - you are exactly the guy I said the AIR is perfect for - already have another high powered machine, like the MAC, looking for a cool second machine that is sexy. ..I support it even more knowing you are a UNIX guy.

As to your thoughts about identity as being an AIR hata - my blog has some dedication to bringing sanity to MacIdolaters (see my Technology category page) - this is a known fact. Either I am a gift to their humility, a balance to the force...or I secretly covet their coolness and despise my PC life...maybe both.

Take care and thanks for giving me hell...knowing that you are a real tech guy makes it feel even better.

I enjoyed the discussion too. Not every day someone appreciates getting toasted like you did ;-)
But I am definatly not a mac lover, I used Linux during most of the last decade and a half. In order of appearance : slackware, redhat, debian and eventually ubuntu. Win95 and WinNT are the only Windows version that I have actively used over a reasonable period of time. Ubuntu is really great, I would advise it for most people over Windows and price/quality it beats MacOS hands down. But on the other hand I know Linux like the back of my hand and a couple of other Unix versions too but not BSD. A year ago I started my own company and this gave me the financial freedom to experiment with BSD and since MacOS is a great shell around BSD AND with my own company the rediculous cost of Apple stuff was no longer an issue I decided that it was time to say bye to the OS that has me the most pleasure of all : GNU/Linux.
In fact, in MacOS I was hopeing NOT to be frustrated about anything anymore only to find that I missed my gcc compiler and all those lovely little tools like wget ... it all has a GUI now. Yuck. But I also love to push myself slightly out of my comfort zone because that is where you learn the most... and maybe that is also why I got the Macbook Air.
Mind you, I ordered it, then the next morning canceled the order. Ordered a Macbook Pro... canceled it. Took a deep breath and ordered the Macbook Air (and waited a month to get it) but I am really happy with it and I DO hope you will be happy with your XPS and Vista :-) And I'll check back on you regularly , not for your opinion , it sucks but I suspect you are just a misguided really cool guy :-)