First Look at the MacBook Air

[jlwillia]

This Macbook is for students like me!

Most people on this forum seem to be young professionals. Many of you are complaining that the MBA isn't for you (although the degree might be). You all are overlooking the fact that there are millions of people out there who need exactly this product: the students of the world.

I am a college student who needs a new laptop. I carry around a backpack everyday with books and whatnot so my laptop has to easily fit in the backpack. So I was going to go with the MB until today; now I have a difficult decision to make. Many of you are overlooking the fact that the thinness really does matter. A smaller footprint doesn't really make it easier to fit in a backpack, but a thinner laptop means I can fit more stuff in the same space. In fact, I like the size of the MB's footprint.

And just to address all the other "negatives" of the Macbook Air.....The lack of optical drive isn't too important. I'll spend the $100 for the external one. Only having one USB is fine for my needs. I'll get an adapter if I find I need it. Firewire-don't need it. It won't perform like the MBP and I don't need it to. The inability to upgrade the RAM and batter are a little concerning. I can address those issues in a year or two though.

So here's the real decision breaker for me....the speaker. I'm not looking for much, but I still need to be able to hear sounds on the web and the occasional song on itunes. I mean nothing is better than checking out Youtube on a 15 minute study break. I don't want to have to connect earphones all the time. I need to see one in a retail store and play around with the sound before deciding if it would be sufficient.

And the consensus is.......I'll wait to see one in a retail store to be sure, but......I will probably be the proud new owner of a Macbook Air.

 

[MrCrowbar]

The answer to your question is quite simple: Apple would have no longer had the title of "world's thinnest notebook"

Being able to make that claim is worth gold.

Agreed. The Macbook thin is probably great for Pros on the go, I'm thinking photographers, college students etc. Professionals can afford the luxury of a lightweight notebook, so can students who can afford $40.000 a year for college. Universities got WIFI and this thing is probably great for taking notes in class and watching some por... I mean iTunes rental movies in the dorm.

I like my Macbook better, but I'm a techie and actually use firewire, gigabit ethernet and the Superdrive on an almost daily basis. I also like storage and user replacable parts. To me, the Macbook Thin is pretty much a bigger iPod Touch with a keyboard.

I'd rather have the same hardware, but as a 13" tablet. Wanna type? Get the wireless keyboard. Price would be adequate then. I'd like a 12" Macbook Pro even more but that seems to be a goner. Apple loves widescreens.

One note about the multitouch trackpad: Try doing the rotate gesture on a regular Macbook like it's shown in the keynote, i.e. using your thumb and index finger. It feels very awkward because the button is in the way. Also am I the only person to think the swipe gesture fore "previous" and "next" is the wrong way? The Macbook Pro will probably get new Trackpads when the case is redone. Macbooks are the "cheaper" series and have been redesigned from the ground up, so I think that case will stay for a while.

 

[Bregalad]

All I have to say is that I hate the 'it's thinner, it must be newer/better/more expensive!' culture mac has created with the ipods. Why the hell would anyone pay a premium for a device that is for all intents and purposes the same size as a MB and nearly a MBP, but thinner? By that argument, it's ok if it's poster sized and 1mm thick. Makes. No. Sense. Go away. I'm done.

Steve Jobs correctly realized that making a sub-notebook with an 11" screen and miniature keyboard would've produced even more whining about the size of the screen and the difficulty of adapting to a non-standard KB. I've been around this business long enough to remember people whining that the PowerBook 2400 keyboard was too small for non-Japanese hands.

For those who really want to save a couple of pounds weight, enough to pay more, give up performance and options, etc. this is a great machine.

If you think there isn't value for the money here, do what I'm doing: don't buy one.
I carry around a 17" MacBook Pro. It doesn't fit in many bags and weighs a "ton", but I'm not willing to give up the screen real estate.

 

[Reason077]

Sorry if answered prior -- how (un)bearable is the 80GB hard drive speed

-- Is the 64 SSD Flash that much faster?

The latest SSDs are dramatically faster than ANY laptop hard drive when it comes to random reads, so things like booting and application startup tend to be significantly improved. Sustained write speeds, however, are only on-par with a good laptop HDD. Since 1.8" HDDs tend to be slower than 2.5" drives to begin with, I'd guess that there will be a significant performance reduction without the SSD.

There are other benefits to a SSD too, of course - they are completely silent, much more reliable, and use less power.

 

[NYCMacFan]

I'm fine with absolutely everything the Macbook Air has to offer except for the price --

The potential is very high IMO but they just have to drop the damn price down
-- I don't see anything internally or externally about this machine that justifies the price tag -- If this product were marketed more aggressively (i.e. priced at or around $1,200) it would certainly sell like hot cakes

I'm absolutely fine, but don't understand why it isn't 2.5lbs and a bit narrower. Looking at a Toshiba r500 or Panasonic offerings this seems comparatively heavy with lots of useless space to the left and right of the keyboard and screen.

 

[pyrophite]

For me it's crystal clear.

Apple is not even thinking about reaching either the consumers or the "pro mac" users at all. Even Steve was clear on the segment for the MacBook Air.

it seems like most of the people here just want a new MacBook or MacBook Pro and where disappointed, that's fair. But it's not MacBook Air's fault and would never be. It's an entirely new product.

Drive: Most 13" "lightweight" laptops comes with an external drive, why? because it wont fit.

RAM: Yes i agree that a laptop that size should have expandable ram. Even apple realised that so they went with the 2GB option. It's a compromise

Battery: I don't have strong feelings about a replaceable battery. It's not a PRO computer that would require a battery change ever 12 months.

GFX: Apple is a friend of Intel, and everyone has to accept that. Sony uses nVIDIA instead of an integrated chipset like the 1300 that Apples does. Same with MacBook.

Personally I'm selling my MacBook now and upgrading to the Air as I want save some extra Kg's while travelling (Around 100 days / year). It will be a perfect word and powerpoint friend for me, nothing more, nothing less. And it's about €500 cheaper than a Sony.

you mention the battery and say that a "PRO" computer would need one...... what do you mean by that? You DO realize the market that NEEDS the replaceable battery the most is the people constantly on the move right? Every time you plug in a laptop that hasn't been completely drained and completely charged it loses some of it's maximum battery life right? If you're doing that much traveling, your battery will probably be at 50% maximum life within 18 months. If you're a traveler that likes to replace an overpriced laptop every 18 months then be my guest, but there's a lot of travelers and businesspeople out there that do not fit into this category.

Caveat Emptor

 

[NYCMacFan]

The latest SSDs are dramatically faster than ANY laptop hard drive when it comes to random reads, so things like booting and application startup tend to be significantly improved. Sustained write speeds, however, are only on-par with a good laptop HDD.

There are other benefits to a SSD too, of course - they are completely silent, much more reliable, and use less power.

And lighter. Still curious why apple doesn't list the battery and weight differences for SSD vs. HDD. Odd considering one is asked to pre-order it...

 

[MrCrowbar]

You probably are. Lenovo has it right. I have a T61 right now and it has everything except the DVI port. Oh, I paid $1000 for it new from Lenovo thank you. Corporate discount with additional holiday savings.

T61
- 15" 1680x1050 screen
- 2.2ghz C2D
- Best keyboard in the world
- Upgradeable battery
- Superdrive (removable bay) I have 2 hard drives in there now.
- Docking port
- Multiple options for navigation like trackpad and trackpoint
- SD SLOT
- PCMCIA and ExpressCard slots
- 3 usb ports
- Firewire port
- Fan NEVER comes on
- Fingerprint reader
- Modem, Ethernet
- 802.11n
- Bluetooth
- Carbon shell, very strong
- Keyboard light

- OH AND UPGRADEABLE CPU BABY.




Optional stuff I didn't get...

Higher rez screen, cellular, faster video cards, camera, faster cpu.


Apple needs and attitude adjustment. If my thinkpad had OS X running it would be the best laptop EVER.

That's pretty much the 15" Macbook Pro, isn't it?
PS: In my test, one of 20 people have the same fingerprint as I do when swiping the Lenovo scanners, so I wouldn't rely 100% on it

 

[macenforcer]

That's pretty much the 15" Macbook Pro, isn't it?

Ummm, no, its absolutely not.

 

[uNext]

Most people on this forum seem to be young professionals. Many of you are complaining that the MBA isn't for you (although the degree might be). You all are overlooking the fact that there are millions of people out there who need exactly this product: the students of the world.

I am a college student who needs a new laptop. I carry around a backpack everyday with books and whatnot so my laptop has to easily fit in the backpack. So I was going to go with the MB until today; now I have a difficult decision to make. Many of you are overlooking the fact that the thinness really does matter. A smaller footprint doesn't really make it easier to fit in a backpack, but a thinner laptop means I can fit more stuff in the same space. In fact, I like the size of the MB's footprint.

And just to address all the other "negatives" of the Macbook Air.....The lack of optical drive isn't too important. I'll spend the $100 for the external one. Only having one USB is fine for my needs. I'll get an adapter if I find I need it. Firewire-don't need it. It won't perform like the MBP and I don't need it to. The inability to upgrade the RAM and batter are a little concerning. I can address those issues in a year or two though.

So here's the real decision breaker for me....the speaker. I'm not looking for much, but I still need to be able to hear sounds on the web and the occasional song on itunes. I mean nothing is better than checking out Youtube on a 15 minute study break. I don't want to have to connect earphones all the time. I need to see one in a retail store and play around with the sound before deciding if it would be sufficient.

And the consensus is.......I'll wait to see one in a retail store to be sure, but......I will probably be the proud new owner of a Macbook Air.

So you will pay 1600+ for a computer that is extremely limited to word processing and your pockets aiming towards digital content from itunes.
Then to get a macbook that will do everything you want it and then some
for a coule of kg added? Times have changed collegue students now a days dont bargain shop i see. I rather save some money and to have my options wide open then to sacrifice perfomance and options for slimness. MY 2 CENTS

 

[carrjar]

"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??

AMEN! So excited...until the price, and I'm willing to pay a little more for Apple. At $1800, why not go Pro? What, not portable enough?

 

[NYCMacFan]

So you will pay 1600+ for a computer that is extremely limited to word processing and your pockets aiming towards digital content from itunes.
Then to get a macbook that will do everything you want it and then some
for a coule of kg added? Times have changed collegue students now a days dont bargain shop i see. I rather save some money and to have my options wide open then to sacrifice perfomance and options for slimness. MY 2 CENTS

How is the computer limited with a 1.6 or 1.8 core 2 duo. This is faster than anything used a few years ago. 98% of programs have not had much of a change in processor requirements. Only matters if you are a gamer or do video/image editing. Respectfully, this is not the market for this machine.

PS Will sound like a broken record, but my concern is weight. Will forgive foot print, can't forgive weight. Should be closer to 2.5lbs.

 

[Lonon]

Poor Name Choice. Should be the "MacBook Toy."

Where is my F****** Mid Range Tower? Dam you Apple!!!!!

Apple is not going to make a stupid tower. Get over it.

 

[wendyw]

looks cool. no user replaceable battery bad. Does that mean we would have to swap it out every 2 years like an iPod? I'm already afraid of having to do that with my iPhone!

oh, and, I was hoping for a touch tablet, or an large palm type computer - bigger than a Touch, but a "full" pocket computer - maybe a pocketMac? that would be cool. This is a nice touch. My husband already asked me if I want one.

 

[macidiot]

Of all the announcements today, here is one where the positives definitely overwhelm the negatives. Ok, internal battery. This is expected in such a small device. Hopefully they will have a battery replacement program. Choice of 1.8" drive or solid state is pretty good, although pricey on the latter. Anyway, the laptop is beautiful and something beyond what other manufacturers offer. I have lived with a glossy display on my MacBook for over a year and it has mostly been good. All said and done I don't think I am going to buy one as I prefer performance over size. I would expect this device to be most popular with women and wealthy students.

Conclusion: Kudos to Apple for producing this breakthrough slim laptop.

A fixed battery is expected in such a small device? lol, this is a laptop, not a keyring flashlight. And even in those, you can often replace the battery yourself. Seriously, you must have connections, because your obviously getting hooked up with the high grade kool-aid.

 

[mark88]

It's extremely sexy, no doubt. But to me this is a style of substance product. I'd only buy it to show off.

I'd much rather have a smaller sub note book to replace my 12" PB. I have Macbook and it's still pretty large as it has a large bezel and widescreen.

I never heard anyone complaining their Macbook or MBP was too thick so I don't get this product. Can't see from a practical POV why anyone would downgrade to a MBA apart from being able to show off.

Very nice product but just too much of a compromise for me sadly.

 

[SqB]

Is it always like this here after a product release?

I'm surprised.

I like it. I wouldn't buy it for myself, but it is the computer that will finally get my wife converted to a Mac. She carries back and forth to school and is set on light and durable.

As for the replaceable battery, who actually removes their battery until it's time to replace it at it's EOL anyway. Worst case scenario, that's about 1 year. A good reason to visit the Apple Store and pick up my new updated MBP while I'm there.

I think the specs on this are perfect for a market segment that's probably not the same one that couldn't wait to watch the keynote and definitely not the same demographic of folks that spend lots of time on Mac content boards talking about performance and specs.


Now, on a totally unrelated side note...Am I the only one who got excited about that small MOBO? I can see a couple of those on PCI slots in a MacPRO. You know, for when 8 cores is not enough . I hope that thought occurred to somebody at apple.

 

[wendyw]

This is a pretty good product for some people and a great leap forward in terms of miniturisation of notebooks.

This product doesn't make me want to fork out money at all though. It's completely 'un-upgradable', with the RAM soldered to the motherboard and baaaaad graphics card.

Not a good investment at all, in my opinion - it will be a clunky piece pretty damn fast. Don't get me wrong, i think it IS a good product, just definitely not for anyone interested in doing more than email/web/word processing.

I'm most interested in how this miniturisation will play out in terms of the inevitable multi-touch tablet, which i'm guessing will be released next macworld or sometime later in 2009.

I really see the MBA as a gap filler - a way to use the micro technology they have been developing for a tablet, without having to let it sit there for 12 months while the rest of the issues around a tablet are resolved.

Also, it will basically be a beta-tester for this micro technology, so they know what works and what needs improving.

My very early guess is that 2009 Macworld we will see the release of a 12" Multitouch tablet with a 2.0-2.4ghz C2D processor incorporating a lot of the patents we have seen filed in the last 3 months or so (elevating tactile keyboard and maybe - very big maybe - the imac docking concept).

Well, there's my thoughts.

agreed. much better wording, but my thoughts exactly.

 

[wavelayer]

And I thought I was the only one
Macbook air review,

"Overall, I love Apple and I would rather a Mac over a PC any day, any time, but today was just disappointing….I will be sticking with my Macbook Pro and Mac Pro until Apple decides to bring out something worth upgrading too (High Definition Video Drive?!)."

Why don't you just use your computers that you have. It's not like you have a g3 clamshell or something.

 

[NYCMacFan]

AMEN! So excited...until the price, and I'm willing to pay a little more for Apple. At $1800, why not go Pro? What, not portable enough?

Odd you get nearly an identical foot print, faster processor, internal drive and ports all for a mere 2.3 lbs....

I still want this MBA and will probably buy, but odd to me if you compare the weight savings and footprint with an old 12inch PB. Not a lot of progress in 3 years...

 

[ImageWrangler]

You probably are. Lenovo has it right. I have a T61 right now and it has everything except the DVI port. Oh, I paid $1000 for it new from Lenovo thank you. Corporate discount with additional holiday savings.

T61
- 15" 1680x1050 screen
- 2.2ghz C2D
- Best keyboard in the world
- Upgradeable battery
- Superdrive (removable bay) I have 2 hard drives in there now.
- Docking port
- Multiple options for navigation like trackpad and trackpoint
- SD SLOT
- PCMCIA and ExpressCard slots
- 3 usb ports
- Firewire port
- Fan NEVER comes on
- Fingerprint reader
- Modem, Ethernet
- 802.11n
- Bluetooth
- Carbon shell, very strong
- Keyboard light

- OH AND UPGRADEABLE CPU BABY.




Optional stuff I didn't get...

Higher rez screen, cellular, faster video cards, camera, faster cpu.


Apple needs and attitude adjustment. If my thinkpad had OS X running it would be the best laptop EVER.

Um, dude, the T61 IS a MBP, though I applaud your attempt at FUD in the forums here.

We use a bunch of those at the University, they're a luggable, they're not a ultraportable, or in the same genre as the MBA. The T61 may be a swiss army knife for sure but it's over 5 pounds, is over an inch thick, it's bricklike with big thick corners. It's not in the same category as the Macbook Air, it's in the same category as the Macbook Pro, and much cheaper, but definitely not nearly as attractive, in fact it's old school laptop ugly. I'm looking right at one with it's cheesy color coded audio ports and clunky sides right now next to my MBP, yeah, I'll keep my more expensive MBP.

T61... NOT anything like a Macbook Air.

 

[sbaik]

!!

wow a laptop with an replaceable battery became an option! I think dell and hp should advertise this now " buy the latest technology! a laptop with a battery that u can change it yourself" l!!! wow can't believe it apple really did them a big favor!
I think the next step will be removing the screen..and mr. steve says "who needs a screen anymore"..or maybe "who needs a laptop anymore"

 

[Fast Shadow]

Hi Folks;

Let me first say that I'm impressed in many ways, the machine is certainly an excellent engineering effort. But that doesn't make up for Apple's greed.

First; this guy is way to expensive by at least $1000. You simply get to little for your hard earned dollar.

The chief competitor of the MBAir is the Sony TZ series. Compare where the TZ is priced at and and what you get vs. the MBAir.

 

[elgruga]

Who do you mean by we? You and your wife? Because you certainly aren't including me.

Two pounds is a big deal depending upon the traveling you do.

You've made some major errors and omissions in your specs of the 12" PB.

It came with 512 megs of ram compared to 2 gigs with the MBA.

It had a G4 processor and it couldn't run windows.

The stock HDD on the PB 12" was 60 gigs. 20% less than the MBA.

The 12" PB did not have a widescreen.


Voice your own opinions but at least have the intellectual honesty to do an apple to apple comparison. The MBA is the future of mobile computing.

Intellectual honesty is a bit of a contradiction in terms, but anyway:

The PB12" had 1.25 gb ram and an 80 gb hard drive in its last incarnation.
Of course the screen was smaller - thats the POINT, man!
It didnt run Windows - well not quite true, there is/was Virtual PC, but then running windows isnt an advantage to some of us.....(just me and my wife, that is)

The Airbook is more powerful - well after two years of progress it should be, but it isnt a substantial improvement at all.

I think you got tangled up in the 'we' issue - read my post again, please, or my wife will be round to torture you with her PB 12".....that 2 pounds of extra weight can be deadly.

Seriously, you give a **** about TWO pounds?

This MacBook Air is NOT a standalone computer - it needs plug-in dongles, whatever.
It will get smacked by the press because its specs are not up to the Dell equivalent. (Yes, I hate Dell too,)
Apple to Apple? I did. The PB 12" is Apple and so is the MBA.

Its going to have trouble because the only stand-out is that its thin.
THIN.

THIN is NOT a feature.

THIN does not get the job done.

THIN cant pick up an extra two pounds without complaining, it seems.

THIN has a poor sense of humor, and has a problem of a solipsistic nature.
(dont 'we' all?)

Oh and thanks for your permission to voice my own opinion - I was kinda worried about that....

 

[macenforcer]

Um, dude, the T61 IS a MBP, though I applaud your attempt at FUD in the forums here.

We use a bunch of those at the University, they're a luggable, they're not a ultraportable, or in the same genre as the MBA. The T61 may be a swiss army knife for sure but it's over 5 pounds, is over an inch thick, it's bricklike with big thick corners. It's not in the same category as the Macbook Air, it's in the same category as the Macbook Pro, and much cheaper, but definitely not nearly as attractive, in fact it's old school laptop ugly. I'm looking right at one with it's cheesy color coded audio ports and clunky sides right now next to my MBP, yeah, I'll keep my more expensive MBP.

T61... NOT anything like a Macbook Air.

You can't read I guess. Is it a macbook pro because the screen size is the same? LOL. Re-read the post dude. Oh, never said the T61 was a airbook. The T61 is what the next Macbook Pro needs to be. Oh yeah but with an apple logo on it.