New Macbook Air

Posted by: Tog on 20 October 2010

A 11 inch Macbook Air with flash memory attached to an nDac or Uniti. Digital connection or streaming - anyone other than me tempted?

Tog
Posted on: 20 October 2010 by garyi
I don't personally see the point of tethering a portable laptop in this way. Mac minis are far better suited.
Posted on: 20 October 2010 by Ballan
It looks like a great product. The only issue I have is that it "appears" to not have an optical output, so USB, AirPort Express or Apple TV is the only "native" way to get a digital audio output.
Posted on: 20 October 2010 by Guido Fawkes
quote:
it "appears" to not have an optical output
which is no loss IMHO

I prefer the laptop to a MacMini because it has a screen and keyboard and means I don't need to remote control anything; I can easily plug it a USB lead to connect it to hi-fi,
Posted on: 20 October 2010 by jadip
If streaming is your objective, why not an Apple TV? Or is there something I am missing?
Posted on: 20 October 2010 by Tog
Apple TV is a great product but isi limited to Redbook resolutions and may have sampling issues.

Tog
Posted on: 21 October 2010 by Joe Bibb
quote:
Originally posted by ROTF:
quote:
it "appears" to not have an optical output
which is no loss IMHO

I prefer the laptop to a MacMini because it has a screen and keyboard and means I don't need to remote control anything; I can easily plug it a USB lead to connect it to hi-fi,


Agreed. I also use a MacBook by preference over the Mini.

Too many people I know seem to have occasional issues and need to access the Mini, a couple have also had reliability issues with the Minis and had to return them which put me off. I also like the music on board as long as it's backed up elsewhere, that eliminates any NAS complication in operation and is easy to take around when visiting.

Joe
Posted on: 21 October 2010 by Guido Fawkes
quote:
Originally posted by jadip:
If streaming is your objective, why not an Apple TV? Or is there something I am missing?
Streaming is not really my objective - though I use iTunes sharing for non-locally stored music.

New MacBook Air takes SD cards so music storage is becoming easier without the need for a NAS.

I agree with Joe - when playing locally I don't need any networking services at all which I think is advantageous.
Posted on: 21 October 2010 by realhifi
Helluva computer. Brightest kids in class right now. I dig the idea of cards and maybe having a external disc drive that would be attached USB. If mine had a bigger HD it would be all I'd use.
Posted on: 21 October 2010 by winkyincanada
My mini does just fine. iPad control is as close to perfect as I can imagine. You can get a mini and iPad for about the same price as the Air.

But in an unrelated development, I have a goal of persuading my IT guy to get me an "Air" as my work machine for travel.
Posted on: 22 October 2010 by Guido Fawkes
quote:
Originally posted by realhifi:
Helluva computer. Brightest kids in class right now. I dig the idea of cards and maybe having a external disc drive that would be attached USB. If mine had a bigger HD it would be all I'd use.
You don't need HDs - just SD cards as these get bigger disks will go the way of paper tape for storage.