A thin Mac with either an 11-inch or 13-inch screen and no optical drive.
26
votes
3answers
4k views
How do I silently start up my MacBook Air?
When I start up my MacBook Air, it makes a loud startup sound unless I muted the computer prior to shutting down last time.
However, I cannot guarantee that I had muted the computer last time before ...
25
votes
7answers
14k views
As a developer, what will I miss on a Macbook Air? [MBA vs MBP] [closed]
I am an indie game developer. I am in love with the Mackbook Air [13 inch], and want to buy it. I was wondering:
Will I miss the DVD drive, and upgradability if I am choosing a Macbook Air over ...
18
votes
7answers
16k views
Is there a way to securely erase an SSD on my MacBook Air?
I have a late 2011 MacBook Air with an SSD and Lion. I used it for a while and then I activated File Vault 2. Now the data is encrypted, but I need to securely erase it so I can sell the computer.
I ...
16
votes
6answers
10k views
Is it bad that my MacBook Air is passing me electricity?
Whenever my MacBook Air is connected to the AC power and I have my hands on the palm rest, I feel it passes some electricity to me. If I unplug it from the AC power it stops doing that.
This has ...
15
votes
4answers
6k views
Delay in keyboard responsiveness after wake with Mountain Lion?
After upgrading to Mountain Lion, now when I open the lid to my 2010 13" MacBook Air, there is a 3-5 second delay between when the screen powers on and when the keyboard will respond to key presses in ...
14
votes
6answers
6k views
Keyboard shortcut to turn off display not possible with MacBook Air
Shift + Control + Eject will turn off a Mac's display.
I just bought a new MacBook Air. It has a power button instead of an Eject key:
Besides a hot corner or turning down the screen brightness, ...
13
votes
4answers
2k views
Is there any way to output to two 1920x1200 external monitors with any of MacBook Pro or Air?
I understand that you can output to one 1920x1200 monitor while still using the laptop's screen, and one 2560x1600 monitor using the dual-DVI adapter.
But can you output to two external 1920x1200 ...
12
votes
4answers
14k views
MacBook Air with small SSD, BootCamp, Windows 7. Can I use an external hard disk for dual boot?
I'd like to setup a dual boot onto my MacBookAir 128GB, with Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate in BootCamp. However, I'm already close to the 128GB limit (games + CS suite + Eclipse + XCode + a lot of Web ...
12
votes
1answer
4k views
Do MacBook Air's SSDs fail?
I have seen many discussions describing SSD as fail-prone. I have read Jeff Atwood's warnings. Portman Wills' experiment looks alarming:
Super Talent 32 GB SSD, failed after 137 days
OCZ Vertex 1 ...
11
votes
5answers
387 views
How can I rename multiple pictures simultaneously?
For example,I have 20 pictures downloaded from the Internet. They have some crazy names like "XFGHDHR345" or "SDEREWQ230", and I want to name them:
"Picture 1"
"Picture 2"
"Picture 3"
"Picture 4"
...
11
votes
1answer
1k views
Why is my Mac's CPU throttled? (Turbo Boost Ratio)
AnandTech has a instructions1 on how you can check the Turbo Ratios for the Mac's CPU. Since they are logged, the information is very easy to find.
In Mountain Lion you can do this the following ...
10
votes
4answers
7k views
Charging iPhone 4S from closed MacBook Air
Should an iPhone recharge when plugged in to a MacBook Air which itself is plugged into its wall charger?
My MacBook Air was closed and plugged into its wall charger. The green light on the power ...
10
votes
3answers
10k views
Can I connect more than one external monitor to the late 2010 MacBook Air?
I am thinking about buying the new MacBook Air as a primary desktop replacement. One of the things I have on my desktop which I like is two large monitors. Does anyone know whether the new MacBook ...
10
votes
13answers
13k views
Wi-Fi connection randomly disconnects on 2012 MacBook Air
My 2012 MacBook Air has problems with Wi-Fi – random disconnections, every few minutes.
The problems occurred with Lion, and persist after an upgrade to Mountain Lion.
It seems the Wi-Fi drops ...
9
votes
9answers
3k views
What is the benefit of using flash memory in the Macbook Air?
I don't understand why Apple does not use SSD drives in the Macbook Air like some other manufacturers to (e.g. Asus, Samsung). The technical specifications of the Macbook Air on Apple's website never ...
9
votes
7answers
13k views
Upgrade to higher memory or faster processor on MacBook Air
I'm zeroing on buying the 2012 MacBook Air. My usage of the machine will be mostly for development work (MySQL, Eclipse, Xcode, Android, etc.). I will also be running Windows 7 with SQL Server in a ...
8
votes
7answers
5k views
Is there a similarly fast alternative to Crtl + Shift + Eject for new Macbook that lack eject keys?
The new MacBook Air and Pro without optical drives lack an Eject key.
I use Ctrl + Shift + Eject a lot to put my display to sleep at the simple press of three keys. Without the Eject key being there ...
8
votes
6answers
17k views
Have to reconnect to WiFi every time computer goes to sleep
I recently purchased a new MacBook Air (2011) with Lion preinstalled. There is this persistent and incredibly annoying problem that is occurring with the WiFi. Every time I close the lid or let the ...
8
votes
2answers
860 views
Does the Apple Genius Bar replace Macbook Air battery on site?
I called Apple's toll free number but wasn't able to get a clear answer from them.
My 2011 MacBook Air's battery is dying and I would like to have it replaced. The only problem is that I am ...
8
votes
2answers
484 views
mid-2011 Macbook Air changes applications on wake from sleep
When my new Macbook Air (13" mid-2011, Lion) wakes from sleep (by opening the lid, clicking the mouse or pressing the space bar), it usually wakes to the last application I was using, then changes ...
7
votes
4answers
23k views
How to Connect Multiple Monitors to a MacBook Air
Usually I connect my MacBook Air 11" to a secondary display via the Thunderbolt port.
What do I need to connect it to two external monitors?
7
votes
4answers
3k views
What's the purpose of the eject button on the MacBook Air?
I was interested to see that the power button on the new Airs has been moved to the keyboard, and was anticipating that it would just replace the eject key that has traditionally taken up that ...
7
votes
5answers
4k views
Keyboard shortcut to sleep a MacBook Air with Lion
I am looking for a quick way to sleep without closing the lid, or using the mouse.
7
votes
3answers
6k views
Using FaceTime without the video
I have a first generation MacBook Air that heats up a lot when playing videos, and almost grinds to a halt after a few minutes of playback.
Is there a way I could turn off the video during FaceTime ...
7
votes
4answers
25k views
How do I make a bootable USB flash drive for a MacBook Air?
Does anyone have a Terminal command-line recipe for making a new bootable USB flash drive for one of the new MacBook Air's? Is there a way to dd copy the USB boot device that comes in the box and ...
7
votes
2answers
454 views
Arranging an external monitor for Macbook Air
I connected an external monitor to my Macbook Air, and arranged it above the MBA display. See this screen arrangement.
In the above screenshot, the up-display is the external display, and the ...
7
votes
2answers
17k views
How do Apple engineers reset EFI password on new MacBooks?
Apple state:
Only Apple retail stores or Apple Authorized Service Providers can unlock these computers protected by a firmware password.
If you cannot remember the firmware password for your ...
7
votes
1answer
14k views
How to enable USB tethering on your Android phone to Mac OS X Lion
I want to tether an unlimited data plan on a Nexus S (with Android 2.3.6) via USB cable to a MacBook Air (with OS X Lion). Both on Windows and Ubuntu, it works like a charm, so I'm wondering if ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
MacBook Air takes an eternity to come out of sleep
For the past few years I've been using a 2008 aluminum MacBook. The day the new airs came out I decided to switch so I purchased one to replace my well used MB. Lion has had its bugs, most of which ...
6
votes
8answers
3k views
For equal cost, why would you select the MacBook Air over the MacBook Pro? [closed]
I can see that the 13" version of MacBook Pro and MacBook Air is same $1199, but the Pro is more feature-loaded than Macbook Air. Why would anyone buy MacBook Air? What's the catch in this?
I was ...
6
votes
1answer
5k views
How to format the OS X installer USB stick that comes with MacBook Air?
When you purchase a new MacBook Air they give you a mini-USB drive that is used to reinstall OS X and iLife '11.
How can I format this USB stick and put whatever I want on it?
The option to format ...
6
votes
4answers
12k views
Simplest way to record voice on Macbook Air
I'm looking for the simplest way to record voice -- a two people conversation -- with a Macbook Air. The goal is then later to listen to it on the Mac and transcribe it.
6
votes
3answers
11k views
What is the new turbo boost in the MacBook line?
The new MacBook line has a new turbo boost added to the processor:
What exactly does this mean? From what I've heard, the processor can runs above the clocked speed for a short period of time. ...
6
votes
3answers
7k views
Can I install Windows 7 on a MacBook Air without a SuperDrive?
Is it possible to install Windows 7 as a second OS on a Macbook Air with no access to a superdrive? And if it is, how?
6
votes
2answers
4k views
How can I clean a MagSafe power port on my MacBook Air
There appears to be a few small metallic fragments clinging to the magnet around the port where the MagSafe power connecter attaches to my MacBook Air. I can still get the cord to (mostly) seat, ...
6
votes
1answer
3k views
How can I preserve the battery cycles on my MacBook Air?
I recently got my MacBook Air, and the battery cycles is already at 12. Is this good/average? I don't know if I am not charging it properly or something, because I don't want to ruin my battery in the ...
6
votes
4answers
4k views
MacBook Air has delay when waking from sleep
I have a MacBook Air (11-inch, Late 2010).
Ever since I purchased it, I have noticed that it has quite a delay waking from sleep. It takes sometimes up to 5-10 seconds to fully wake up and allow me ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Can my Thunderbolt Macbook Air drive my Mini DisplayPort iMac as an external display?
I've run an iMac as an external display for a Mac laptop before, but am wondering if my new setup can work like that. I have:
2011 Macbook Air with Thunderbolt
2009 iMac with Mini DisplayPort
mini ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Macbook Air - i5 vs i7
I am buying a Macbook Air and would like to know about the difference between the i5 and the i7 option. The i7 is only 100mhz faster and has 1mb of extra cache on the CPU. Does that small difference ...
6
votes
5answers
7k views
Where is the insert key on a MacBook Air?
I am trying to edit a line of code within a program that I use for work.
I need to use the insert key to be able to add additional spaces that I can then type letters, numbers or characters.
How to ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
How can I open the 2011 MacBook Air without damaging the screws?
I would like to open the MBA, i don't have the screwdriver that fits this:
Is there a way to remove the screws without the 5 points pentalobe required?
The ideal solution would be to do this ...
5
votes
4answers
4k views
How long does the battery last on mid-2011 MacBook Airs?
I know that one of the big innovations in the MacBook Air was in the battery (which gets most of the internal volume of the computer!)
What is a normal loss of battery life (change in usable time on ...
5
votes
2answers
366 views
Is something missing from my Macbook Air package?
Should my brand new Macbook Air 13'' have come with a CD/DVD in that black booklet included in the package?
5
votes
1answer
708 views
Are the mid-2012 Macbook Air compatible with older MagSafe adapters?
Will the mid-2012 Macbook Air models be compatible with the MagSafe power supply of the previous generations?
5
votes
3answers
5k views
Do 64gb and 128gb SDXC cards work on the Macbook Air 2011?
I'm considering getting a SDXC card to extend the drive space of my Macbook Air. I just want to make sure both the 64 GB and 128 GB SDXC cards work on the 2011 Macbook Air.
5
votes
2answers
1k views
Disable the “None of your preferred networks are available” dialog on OS X
How do I disable that horribly annoying dialog that tells me I am not connected to any wifi network?
None of your preferred networks are available.
Choose the Wi-Fi network you want to join ...
5
votes
1answer
518 views
How to securely restore new MacBook air after someone else was first admin user
I've just received my new MacBook Air. (my first Apple computer in 15 years!) Unfortunately, I had it sent to work on a day I wasn't in, and it was mistaken for the new intern's computer. He proceeded ...
5
votes
1answer
4k views
Is it possible to get digital audio output from a MacBook Air (2011), like on other Macs?
I know the audio line-out port on the MacBook Pro – and even older MacBooks and the Mac mini – sport a dual capability: in addition to providing the expected and obvious 3.5mm analog ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
When my external display is on, my Mac thinks it's off. When it's off, on
Hardware details:
MacBook Air, Mac OS X Lion 10.7.2
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter
Standard HDMI cable
Famous Maker 23” Ultra-Slim LED Display, 1080p
Yesterday everything worked fine. Today when ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
How can I use Wireshark on a MacBook Air?
I have a new MacBook Air. I would like to run Wireshark on it. But when I choose capture in Wireshark there is no interfaces to capture from. Doesn't Wireshark have support for the MacBook Air WiFi ...
