What market, exactly, are they going for? If THAT is their market, they botched the pricing. College kids will pay $1000, $1300 for a computer. NOT $1800, at least, not me. My limit was $1300. A lot of $1000 dells, etc. I think you're judging this based on the wrong market.
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First Look at the MacBook Air
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What market, exactly, are they going for? If THAT is their market, they botched the pricing. College kids will pay $1000, $1300 for a computer. NOT $1800, at least, not me. My limit was $1300. A lot of $1000 dells, etc. I think you're judging this based on the wrong market.
2 Words
"No Thanks"...
Portability is great and all, but not at the expense of... built in battery (replaced one on this Macbook already)... soldered RAM (upgraded mine to 2GB)... no optical drive... Only 1 USB... No Firewire... no swappable HD (upgraded to a 200GB in Oct.)
I'll take my 1.08 inch, 5 pound, Macbook ANYDAY!!! Then again, thats just me. Can I get an amen??
"No Thanks"...
Portability is great and all, but not at the expense of... built in battery (replaced one on this Macbook already)... soldered RAM (upgraded mine to 2GB)... no optical drive... Only 1 USB... No Firewire... no swappable HD (upgraded to a 200GB in Oct.)
I'll take my 1.08 inch, 5 pound, Macbook ANYDAY!!! Then again, thats just me. Can I get an amen??
Meh - fanboy statement.
We have all expected alot from Apple in the past and still do. This machine while looks nice is lacking in hardware performance and included technology. They are a little ahead of themselves I think.
Ram is soldered to MB - no upgrade.
Battery is inbuilt - no upgrade.
1 Usb port - should have at least 2.
Mono Sound.
HD -1.8 inch PATA - 80 GB. Why not the Samsung 160GB?
No CD - U need an external APPLE drive. Also I am not too keen on installing software over wireless.... This functionality pretty much requires you to have a draft N router. Not everybody has these.
So, when you buy this , be ready for buying an external CD, a new router and Applecare for sure. Too much $$$ - Over $3k here in au incl all the upgrades / warranty accessories that would make this computer complete.
The price you pay for new tech. Don't get me wrong, it is a nice looking computer and it will sell well. Not for me though - and going by the negative votes on the thread here at MR it is a definite no vote from the majority of forum members.
When it has USER REPLACEABLE Ram up to 4GB, at least a 2GHz core 2 , and a replaceable battery I may be interested. Version 2 will be out for XMAS me thinks.
Also, Apple has blown their trumpet about it being more recyclable / environmentally friendly. This is literally a throw away computer. What about all those chemicals in the battery that will end up in landfill. I suppose , when the battery dies you could run it off mains power as a desktop but the thought of having a dead Lithium Polymer battery in your house always hooked up to a power source is asking for an inferno.
aussie_geek
to tell you the truth i dont think it is going to sell. Many college students these day and many average people, which the world is made up of is not going to spend 3 grand on a notebook that is 10 years old of tech. I think you are right apple has the right ideas but they are way way way ahead of themselves right here. It is like the ipod! When it was first introduced it sucked because it was ahead of its time, the hardrives were too big and the ipod was clunk however, it became popular with the nano. I think as technology improves this machine will be perfected. I would highly recomend not to buy this machines, unless your rich, but I think it wont sell well not until a few years. It certianly will not top in any shape and form the macbook sales. I think apples problem is that they need to focus on the products that make them money, and there is only four currently! Iphone, Ipod, macbook and imac.
This is good how?
How any of you see this product as good I have no idea. I see people talking about the portability and whatnot. Let's look at the facts here:
MacBook Air ($1800)
============================
Height: 0.16-0.76"
Width: 12.8"
Depth: 8.94"
Weight: 5.0 pounds
MacBook ($1100)
============================
Height: 1.08"
Width: 2.78"
Depth: 8.92"
Weight: 5.0lbs
So the MacBook Air is a little lighter, and a little thinner. Otherwise it's technically wider and deeper. Not to mention $700 more. No optical drive. Non-user upgradeable/replaceable ram. 4200rpm drive. No optical drive nor even the option for one internally. Slower processor. Non-user replaceable/swappable battery that according to tech specs, lasts 1 hour shorter than the MacBook. One USB port and no FireWire ports. $700 more.
Sounds like a steal to me! Also, 2gb memory? Really? They designed an underpowered machine to target portability but see the need to make 2gb standard? I'm sure that'll come in handy with all the gaming/photoshopping people will do on a 13" screen and integrated graphics.
Why in the heck didn't Apple just update the MacBook line? Integrate the multi-touch pad and LED backlighting. Otherwise this seems entirely pointless to me. It's a bit thinner and lighter.
Save yourself $700 and put up with 2 extra pounds and buy the better spec'd machine.
How any of you see this product as good I have no idea. I see people talking about the portability and whatnot. Let's look at the facts here:
MacBook Air ($1800)
============================
Height: 0.16-0.76"
Width: 12.8"
Depth: 8.94"
Weight: 5.0 pounds
MacBook ($1100)
============================
Height: 1.08"
Width: 2.78"
Depth: 8.92"
Weight: 5.0lbs
So the MacBook Air is a little lighter, and a little thinner. Otherwise it's technically wider and deeper. Not to mention $700 more. No optical drive. Non-user upgradeable/replaceable ram. 4200rpm drive. No optical drive nor even the option for one internally. Slower processor. Non-user replaceable/swappable battery that according to tech specs, lasts 1 hour shorter than the MacBook. One USB port and no FireWire ports. $700 more.
Sounds like a steal to me! Also, 2gb memory? Really? They designed an underpowered machine to target portability but see the need to make 2gb standard? I'm sure that'll come in handy with all the gaming/photoshopping people will do on a 13" screen and integrated graphics.
Why in the heck didn't Apple just update the MacBook line? Integrate the multi-touch pad and LED backlighting. Otherwise this seems entirely pointless to me. It's a bit thinner and lighter.
Save yourself $700 and put up with 2 extra pounds and buy the better spec'd machine.
I think I like it - after looking at 4087 pics....
I would really like it if it was about 2 -3 inches smaller in its length and width.
It isnt a breakthrough in size, its more like a breakthrough in how to flatten something.
Thats my feeling - its just too big. Have to see one in the flesh though.
I agree. If it was a 10" screen then it would BE an ultraportable, as opposed to the just the featureset of one.
I was SO ready to buy this, and the battery issue, large width, has really put me off. I want something in my shoulder satchel, not a laptop-width bag.
See my other post for your other points, but:
-Footprint? Who cares about the footprint? It is about WEIGHT and BULK.
About 350,000 ASUS Eee users, that's who.
First time the guy in front of you on the plane reclines his seat and tweaks the aluminum frame on the MBA, you'll care about footprint too...
As someone said earlier, its not that this is junk or anything like that, it just seems likely that any ultraportable PB replacement will not be coming our way now.
Probably about £300 once you've paid tax and import duty.
Blame our arse-raping government, not the American companies
Yeah, VAT is a bitch.
My boss is heading out to NYC in Feb, so hopefully it will be available by then so he can pick me one up. Is nearly $2000 by the time you add the sales tax though, so the £1200 price tag here isn't so bad... especially considering the weak $ and how much that must be costing Apple in the revenue they would normally generate.
I have owned 4 Apple laptops to date and the only time I ever removed the original battery was when one of them was faulty. I realize different people have different needs, but what do you use it for where you will need 10 hours of battery life? Just curious as I think allot of people on this thread are confused about the target audience for this thing. Surely power users have options on Apple laptops already?
Regards,
C
I was expecting nothing. I was hoping for a MacBook Pro with a MacBook form factor. But I was also hoping to win the lottery, get Spiderman's powers, learn to fly a helicopter, and have steak and eggs for breakfast.
We can't always get what we hope for, but nobody can fault anyone for hoping.
It's when they get pissed about not getting what they hoped for that you can find fault with 'em. Inflated sense of entitlement!
Stupid dumb lottery, not picking my numbers... again!
settle grettle
Wow, not many people are impessed with the MBA. I am amazed and impressed. For those it doesn't suit, don't buy it. It is obviously aimed at a particular type of person or one with certain needs. There is still plenty of choice if it doesn't suit you.
Enjoy the release, marvel at the product and critique where necessary. But don't be disappointed, just choose another amazing mac!
Wow, not many people are impessed with the MBA. I am amazed and impressed. For those it doesn't suit, don't buy it. It is obviously aimed at a particular type of person or one with certain needs. There is still plenty of choice if it doesn't suit you.
Enjoy the release, marvel at the product and critique where necessary. But don't be disappointed, just choose another amazing mac!
Meh......
I'll just keep my 12" Powerbook, thanks but no thanks steve....
No upgradeable memory
No user-replaceable battery
PATA drive??? Guess they made a deal with HDD manufacturers to offload some of their excess PATA stock??
I'll just bust out the iKlear and shine my Powerbook up and all will be right with the world once again.
I'll just keep my 12" Powerbook, thanks but no thanks steve....
No upgradeable memory
No user-replaceable battery
PATA drive??? Guess they made a deal with HDD manufacturers to offload some of their excess PATA stock??
I'll just bust out the iKlear and shine my Powerbook up and all will be right with the world once again.
So your saying this is the 30th anniversary version of the 20th anniversary Mac.
And we know how well that one sold.
After reading a lot of posts here, its somewhat obvious that this thing does NOT have mass market appeal.
The price doesnt matter - it MUST appeal to everyone, even if they can NEVER afford it.
And the problem with the thing is the SIZE.
Its the biggest thin laptop ever made. Great. Thats exactly WRONG.
So forget the price, forget the specs - it is too damn BIG! If were in the market for a PB 12 replacement, this isnt it.
Seems to me, someone got tunnel vision here. There is no way this thing will sell, or more importantly, be a desired object. There is too much to complain about, not enough innovation to rejoice about.
Its too BIG, and it doesnt have enough NEW features.
Thats a killer combination. Its a bloody cubetop.
The price doesnt matter - it MUST appeal to everyone, even if they can NEVER afford it.
And the problem with the thing is the SIZE.
Its the biggest thin laptop ever made. Great. Thats exactly WRONG.
So forget the price, forget the specs - it is too damn BIG! If were in the market for a PB 12 replacement, this isnt it.
Seems to me, someone got tunnel vision here. There is no way this thing will sell, or more importantly, be a desired object. There is too much to complain about, not enough innovation to rejoice about.
Its too BIG, and it doesnt have enough NEW features.
Thats a killer combination. Its a bloody cubetop.
Not sure if anyone else has mentioned this, but I am a little disappointed their is no microphone line in jack
well we are all disappointed. We are working class people who can not afford this machine. I mean it is not like I can not afford it, but who cares its 2.5 pounds lighter???? I mean if I can get a mac book with more power why would I ever consider this? This is aimed at business folks. However, I dont even think they would buy this ebcause you have to lug around an external cd driver and it doenst even play dvd's. This is a total piece of shi* save your money and spend it elsewhere.
Why are people so convinced that a quarter inch thinner and 2 lbs makes it so much more portable? Overall I am pretty disappointed. No one will buy this thing- yea its awesome but its awesome in that sort of "wow thats awesome" kinda way. I guarantee people will walk by the store, say holy S thats awesome and then keep walking because no one in their right mind would ever want to drop so many features just to save a little less than an inch in thickness. Unless you really need to look that cool at the coffee shop. This has to be some sort of novelty attention getter for Apple. There is no way they actually could expect this to be a hit.
I think this would be a big success in two years, not right now. But apple never gives up. Maybe by this Christmas they would have enough technology to include more usb, dual link dvi, and maybe a cd rom drive (not dvd). Maybe it will take a while for people to accept. It has to grow on you.
Well, I'm not dissapointed in the MBA...I'm dissapointed this is all we got for portable mac's...I wanted a MBP update aswell... I realy don't know what to do next...
iMac-like Docking Unit?
Perhaps the limitations and size of this beastie are better understood if there is indeed a docking station that looks like an iMac that this thing slides into from the side. There have been rumors about such a product in the works. However, the combined cost of this pricey laptop and I would guess at least $800 for the docking unit is too rich for my blood. I do, however, think there's more to this story than we have at present.
Perhaps the limitations and size of this beastie are better understood if there is indeed a docking station that looks like an iMac that this thing slides into from the side. There have been rumors about such a product in the works. However, the combined cost of this pricey laptop and I would guess at least $800 for the docking unit is too rich for my blood. I do, however, think there's more to this story than we have at present.