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?

I am using the hi2tech (??) usb/spdif converter. I do not have a firewire dac and really have no plans of purchasing one as i still like silver disks and will keep my cd player(i think..).

Pros of the AIR:
small, absolutely noise free (no fans)
Cons: would need optional external cd/burner drive, small storage capacity- max of 256GB internal- this would probably be OK for a while. No remote capability to my knowledge.

Macbook pro Pros:
Faster (this may or may not be an issue with what I am doing with the machine), firewire out, upgradable RAM and storage, can use Iphone as remote.
Cons: price, fan noise, heavier, not as pretty.

I really do not know enough about computers to judge which is a more stable platform.

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.

I just read the specs on the usb outs at apple.com

says it provides up to 1100 mA @ 5v basically upon need otherwise it is 500mA @ 5v all the time.

The according to M2tech the converter requires 5v from usb 2.0. No other info is given.

I thought I read somewhere that the air will not function with iphone remote..... I'll have to dig a little deeper.

Thanks.

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.