New macbook air for computer audio

What software will you use and how will you use it?

I've integrated a few new MB Airs into music systems over the last week. Very nice computer. It's definitely snappy and responsive. Overall it should work for your needs, but be aware of a couple issues....

1. It does not have a mini toslink optical output like the other MacBooks and Macs. The audio jack is only analog.

2. I haven't tested the USB ports yet. Sometimes USB jacks don't have enough power to allow use of some USB adaptors and converters. For example, the HagUSB USB to SPDIF converter requires a fully powered USB output, and some of the USB ports on MacBooks don't power these devices correctly. Hopefully the new MB Air has fully powered USB jacks.

Has anyone tested the USB jacks on the new McBook Air for audio applications?

The MacBook Air will allow you to use the iPhone and the Apple Remote app. (I assume you are using iTunes.)

You might want to take a serious look at the Apple Time Capsule. Not only does it allow automatic and wireless backup with Time Machine, but it can act as a wireless hard drive. This would allow you to have access to a large hard drive without external boxes and cables, and noisy spinning platters which can "tax" the power supply of the Air. What's the use in having solid state storage, if your going to directly connect a "spinning platter" drive? Time Capsules and NASs allow more flexibility and quality when setup correctly. This especially has merit since you are using a USB audio connection. It's usually best to keep the audio connection and storage connection on different protocols.

I would also recommend testing your USB to SPDIF converter to make sure it will be powered correctly by the Air. I don't think your converter requires much, if any, power.

Your thinking is right, you just need to make sure you do it correctly to benefit from what the Air can offer.

Good, it looks like your USB converter will work.

The Apple Remote "app" will work, without a doubt. I've set a few of the new Airs up and they work fine with the Remote "app".

The new Air does not have an IR receiver, so the "physical" Apple Remote will not work. Note, there is a difference between the Remote "app" and the "physical" Remote.

The Air will work with most iLife apps, including iMovie and GarageBand, just fine. Even though it has a "slower" processor, the way it's designed with solid state storage and an integrated GPU allows it to perform just fine with what most of us use a Mac for. The only reason to have concern would be if you are using "pro" apps such as Final Cut and Logic.

I'm dealing with the same issue, and helping some clients decide which is best for them, so this is something that is fresh in my thought process. It really comes down to whether or not your willing to pay for the sleekness of the Air. The solid state storage also has some benefits, both with performance and sound quality. I'm a big believer that SSDs allow a Mac to sound better for music playback, and most people who have used (listened) to an SSD Mac find it difficult to go back to a standard hard drive. Adding a SSD to a MacBook Pro is not cheap, so in that regard, the Air isn't as expensive. Decisions, decisions, decisions....