First Look at the MacBook Air

[capoditutti]

MacBook Air - maybe all it is...

How do i move my user profile from my current machine to this teeny thing if i can't use firewire? Is Apple now firmly heading towards forcing subscription models onto all its product branches (line rental for iPhone, .mac for MacBook Air, software update for iPod Touch,which made me cough violently)???

Not good Stevo, not good at all!!!

 

[Bababasjd]

Not one of those has an accurate price. You've selectively picked out various upgrade options and not changed the price.

The Dell you mention does not come with an LED-backlit display ($150 option), nor does it come with a modem ($29), nor does it come with wireless-N ($25), nor does the stock battery advertise a 7-hr life ($110). The base price also reflects not Dell's normal price, but a promotional one--configured as you've described, it lists for $2033, and even on sale, comes in at $1684. It is also substantially thicker.

Your Toshiba doesn't exist, as their Protege is not an ultraportable according to their site. They don't make Proteges in that segment, only Satellites and Tecras (M200/M8).

The Sony SZ 680, at factory, needs to add RAM ($110), needs hard drive bump to match your claimed 160 GB ($130), and says nothing about having a modem onboard. It comes to $2298.98 to match what you describe (including a temporary $100 price break).

More spurious claims.

Even accepting your figures, you've handedly demonstrated that MBA is competitively priced in the segment, even when you toss in the $99 optical drive to catch up. It is also substantially thinner and lower in volume than any you've suggested, which as anyone can tell you, is where the real price hikes come from.

As much as a fan boy you are the dell is only 1499 with the 2ghz led and all other options included. The dell is .867 inches at its thinnest length and up to 1.3. Being that the dell has 8400m it is a much better buy than buy MBA that has tech that is almost a decade old. THe only thing that is modern is the Core2duo. Dell does not have temporarily discounts, either. They alsoways have coupons and you know that as well as i do. two weeks ago this comuter was 800 dollars off!!! Anyways getting back to your macboish argument, the MBA is aging tech, it does not justify a large price for a slim deisgn. My mom who own multi million dollar corporation says that is not something that will help her. Being that my mom needs windows and being that my mom needs a cd drive this is irrelevant. This will be the case with many many more bussiness people. THis has no target audience, except Fanboys, once that is gone apples sales will take a steep dive. It will be years before this is actually popualr.

 

[bobob]

What an amazing amount of complaining about a product, by people who don't want it's primary feature - a full-size ultraportable that runs OSX...



"This dang MacBook Air is ridiculous! There's no slot for me to play my collection of 78 rpm records!!! Apple has abandoned all that is right and just!!!!!"

 

[takao]

haven't read through all the comments (after all i have a life)
but the fact that it the only advantage towards the macbook is that it is thinner and 900g lighter is simply too little ... you still need a bag with the same length and depth
the screen doesn't have a higher resolution
then all the dropped ports (1 USB simply isn't enough)
and of course only a 1.8 drive and lesser CPU

so for paying hundreds less i can get a laptop only 900g heavier but has a dvd drive, faster cpu, faster harddisk, extendable memory, built in ethernetport,fire wire, more USB etc. connections, replaceable battery

seriously this thing is the very definition of a niche since it only appeals to apple desktop users who have a very capable machine (big imac or mac pro) and who also need a very light portable machine for traveling where power doesn't really matter

if it at least were a 12" or 11,1" machine... so it's mostly a machine for showing off and nothing more IMHO

ironically in retroperspective i'm much more impressed by the apple tv upgrade even though the renting price is still too high for me: price drop and free, pretty awesome, upgrade for current users ? hdtv downloads ? directly with apple TV and no need for PC anymore ?

 

[myeggsareboiled]

"This dang MacBook Air is ridiculous! There's no slot for me to play my collection of 78 rpm records!!! Apple has abandoned all that is right and just!!!!!"

I agree, and there is also no cassette tape drive or coffee maker in it. What are Apple thinking these days.
I am looking forward to making my first grilled cheese sandwich with it however.

 

[daferrisda]

Apple have lost it

OK, it's a great looking bit of kit, while the spec isn't great, for most users it's not to bad. The reasons I won't be buying are:

- Mono Speaker, I like to listen to music while using my Macbook, mono just isn't an option

- Sealed battery, this is a big draw back. Knowing how quickly the batteries die I wont look forward to the hassle and cost of a replacement.

- Small hard drive, 80gb just isn't enough

- the price, man the price. OK it's new and yer it looks great, however for the same price you can get the Macbook Pro, ok not as small but is the Air worth the premium just for a thin Macbook.

Personally I like the Macbook Air, however bring the price down by around %30 and the compromises above seem a little easier to live with.

 

[matticus008]

As much as a fan boy you are the dell is only 1499 with the 2ghz led and all other options included.

Did it again and it came out to $1684/2033 list, just as before ($1729 from the business site). You're missing something(s) in your configuration.

The dell is .867 inches at its thinnest length and up to 1.3.

About twice as thick throughout, exactly.

Dell does not have temporarily discounts, either.

Sure they do. Their prices change daily, sometimes hundreds of dollars, and sometimes based on where in the site you start. That's why their list prices are the only consistent one to track. If they didn't play games with how much their computers cost, maybe people would be more inclined to look into them.

 

[Bababasjd]

Did it again and it came out to $1684/2033 list, just as before ($1729 from the business site). You're missing something(s) in your configuration.

About twice as thick throughout, exactly.

Sure they do. Their prices change daily, sometimes hundreds of dollars, and sometimes based on where in the site you start. That's why their list prices are the only consistent one to track. If they didn't play games with how much their computers cost, maybe people would be more inclined to look into them.

Okay I am not going to even read your post after I read business center. Go to the home center where everyone including people for business shop because they have the best deal and you will see that default price. It is 1499. The dell is a better deal even if it was 2200. That is why dell owns the market share for computers. IT WILL BE LIKE THAT FOR A LONG LONG TIME! People are just not going to wake up and say wow, I really want a MBA with no cd drive, no speakers, no upgradeable battery that will lose have its charge in less than a year, soldered ram. Apple has gone to far. Expect big, and I mean Expect big criticism from every computer mag and no one will ever buy this. Unless if you are a MAC FAN BOY!!!! OMG i must have this....grow up please what are you 14? anyway I have a life I have to go run with my "real" friends! And I am not anti-mac and pc pro. I own a pc and I own a apple 30inch LCD waiting to be hooked up with a notebook. I am not some fan boy that goes and glorifies anyone unless you are extrempley honest and sucessful and there have been only three people to this date 1. President Turman 2 Carnegie 3 President Lincoln Steve jobs is no where near this list. He made this product, so you can use all of the other apple products, any dam moron with brains can figure this out, but you cant because you are a MAC FAN BOY! Get over your self! Yes I have high expectations, that is why I am a lawyer who makes a good salary and has supportive people around me. If I said well apple this is really good then my expectations wouldnt be so high now would it. SO FAR MAC PRO (WASTE OF MONEY GPU TOTALLY OUTDATED) NOW (MAC BOOK AIR PIECE OF GARBAGE) This wont be such as good year for apple

 

[nomad01]

Anyone see any reasons why the DVD SuperDrive wouldn't work on any old Mac with USB 2.0??

My internal macbook drive is on its last legs and I don't want to pay over £200 for Apple to fit a new one.

 

[EagerDragon]

All this gloom and doom.

Please remember that this system is targeted at a specific type of user, not many of us posting here are in that group.

I think it will do well for the targeted audience: heavy travelers that are away from a power source a good percent of the time. This type of traveller spends most of its time editing documents, creating presentations, and doing email. With little to no photo, and very little if any video editing. Non computer consultants will also do well with this.

Wife is not a heavy traveller yet she wants one because it looks kool and kute. Maybe this will do well with women, not sure but the wife already told me what she is upgrading to, and Air is it.

 

[gas24]

MacBook Air - Cutting edge but...

I think the lack of an optical drive is a real step forward and the idea of setting up a 3rd laptop niche line with it's own sub brand that fits in between the MacBook and MacBook Pro is good for choice. Something I dont think many people expected.

The design of the MacBook Air is overall gorgeous in my opinion, but one thing that I just cant get my head around is all that space around the screen - for me that design detail alone is enough to put me off pre-ordering it, I actually think that this makes it look slightly dated! (gasp). Otherwise it's literally cutting egde.

I really would have thought that with all the manilla envelope visuals and the hovering/thinovation marketing that it would have an ultra skinny edge around the new led screen (the skiniest of any laptop) or even no-edge(!) at the sides, imagine that - black glass to the edges! But maybe that's for the fortcoming MacBook Pro?

Anyway, the MBA's a fairly bold move - ideal for some people who wanna look cool, but I'm really looking forward to seeing a truly revolutionary update to the MacBook - hopefully an ultra-potable MacBook (something you could fit in an A5 Jiffy Bag!)

 

[fiftydollarshoe]

I don't really care if no one buys it. What I am grateful is that Apple is pushing and challenging companies like INTEL to make smaller and smaller heat resistant chips….. to think the next iPhone could have the power of a Core Duo 2 ! That’s a good thing. Yes the Air is right out there but its advances in miniature technology will only benefit consumers in future products. Tech companies don’t make every product to have the same stellar success as the iPod. However they do have a responsibly to bring some products to the market which can be of use to some users but more importantly the technology being used in these “niche” products will be mainstream in 3 years time.

Your alternative is to get into a situation we had in the 90’s with the WINTEL collaboration where both companies slowly pushed out upgrades to software and hardware to which each required the other forcing continued upgrade process.

To think that if every band that produced music to reach the top 10 it would all sound the same. Thankfully there are some pioneers in the music industry who stray from their former formulae to success to make new and exciting music. These “new” styles and less commercially successful music is what the bands 10 years down the line try to copy - for mainstream success.

So the MacBook Air is not what everybody wants right now but in 3 years time we’ll be very thankful that the device came to market.

Okay I am not going to even read your post after I read business center. Go to the home center where everyone including people for business shop because they have the best deal and you will see that default price. It is 1499. The dell is a better deal even if it was 2200. That is why dell owns the market share for computers. IT WILL BE LIKE THAT FOR A LONG LONG TIME! People are just not going to wake up and say wow, I really want a MBA with no cd drive, no speakers, no upgradeable battery that will lose have its charge in less than a year, soldered ram. Apple has gone to far. Expect big, and I mean Expect big criticism from every computer mag and no one will ever buy this. Unless if you are a MAC FAN BOY!!!! OMG i must have this....grow up please what are you 14? anyway I have a life I have to go run with my "real" friends! And I am not anti-mac and pc pro. I own a pc and I own a apple 30inch LCD waiting to be hooked up with a notebook. I am not some fan boy that goes and glorifies anyone unless you are extrempley honest and sucessful and there have been only three people to this date 1. President Turman 2 Carnegie 3 President Lincoln Steve jobs is no where near this list. He made this product, so you can use all of the other apple products, any dam moron with brains can figure this out, but you cant because you are a MAC FAN BOY! Get over your self! Yes I have high expectations, that is why I am a lawyer who makes a good salary and has supportive people around me. If I said well apple this is really good then my expectations wouldnt be so high now would it. SO FAR MAC PRO (WASTE OF MONEY GPU TOTALLY OUTDATED) NOW (MAC BOOK AIR PIECE OF GARBAGE) This wont be such as good year for apple

 

[brilami]

How do i move my user profile from my current machine to this teeny thing if i can't use firewire? Is Apple now firmly heading towards forcing subscription models onto all its product branches (line rental for iPhone, .mac for MacBook Air, software update for iPod Touch,which made me cough violently)???

Not good Stevo, not good at all!!!

wireless ! new option in migration ! - now, that's what i am talking about

 

[Padraig]

So the battery is not removeable.. so what? I've owned 5 laptops in my life, and I haven't had the need to ever have two batteries for a laptop NOR have I ever had the need to have a battery replaced on ANY of my 5 laptops. How many people keep their laptops for longer than it takes for their Li-Ion batteries to become unusable? The typical lifetime for one of my laptops is two years tops.

And what if the batteries are found to be defective and there is a recall. It has happened to me three times so far with Apple batteries.

 

[omemedia]

Looks great, but ...

... it's not for me! Apple has done a superb job, yet again, with the design. No one can take that away from them, but it looks quite fragile ... like it could break any second. Not so good. I need a more sturdy computer for my work, like a MacBook Pro. The specs for MacBook Air aren't very impressive, I'm sorry to say, but I suppose you can't really expect to much from a super thin computer.

Off course, this said, I wouldn't turn it down!

 

[Leemo]

And what if the batteries are found to be defective and there is a recall. It has happened to me three times so far with Apple batteries.

Then surely they'll replace the battery (or indeed the laptop) free of charge?

 

[tremendous]

Then surely they'll replace the battery (or indeed the laptop) free of charge?

yeah but previously you could just send the battery back and at least still use the laptop with a power supply. Also, returning a complete laptop to be taken apart - hello risk of data loss if it all goes tits up.

 

[captain kaos]

Just one small problem with macbook air....!

One thing i thought when i first spotted the lack of optical drive. Its all fine and dandy to install software wirelessly from another PC or MAC but what happens is the air really crashes and needs a full OS intall, ie OS disk in rebooting and holding down C? If it really dies things such as WI-FI and USB wont be switched on. Now i cant see apple not thinking about this small point.....unless im missing something!

 

[zedsdead]

One thing i thought when i first spotted the lack of optical drive. Its all fine and dandy to install software wirelessly from another PC or MAC but what happens is the air really crashes and needs a full OS intall, ie OS disk in rebooting and holding down C? If it really dies things such as WI-FI and USB wont be switched on. Now i cant see apple not thinking about this small point.....unless im missing something!

If that happens, which is probably unlikely...you just go to your Apple Store and they will have to service or replace it.

 

[captain kaos]

Macbook air no optical drive!

If that happens, which is probably unlikely...you just go to your Apple Store and they will have to service or replace it.

Nice idea, i can see lots of people having to take out Applecare (how much will that be!!) just for a simple reinstall that you could do by yourself!

 

[capoditutti]

wireless ! new option in migration ! - now, that's what i am talking about

Have you seen this feature or are you assuming?

 

[Stella]

If that happens, which is probably unlikely...you just go to your Apple Store and they will have to service or replace it.

1. Your assuming everyone has an Apple store close to them.
2. Your assuming "unlikely"... which isn't realistic.

What I find strange is that people didn't mind the non replaceable battery in the iPhone, yet, non replaceable batteries in the Air isn't good - despite having the exact same problems!!

 

[Neuro]

Crap for games!

<runs and hides>

 

[gnasher729]

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

-- Is the 64 SSD Flash that much faster?

1.8" hard drives are not fast. On the other hand, you have 2GB of memory, which compensates a lot for that (MacOS X keeps remembering everything it reads from your hard disk until its RAM is full).

If you do things that you should have bought a Mac Pro for, then you'll be in trouble and the SSD drive won't save you. If you do things that people tend to do on the road, then you should be fine with the 1.8" drive. In many cases all you need is "fast enough", and 1.8" is fast enough to playback videos.

 

[Padraig]

yeah but previously you could just send the battery back and at least still use the laptop with a power supply. Also, returning a complete laptop to be taken apart - hello risk of data loss if it all goes tits up.

Apple never left me without a battery. They would send out the replacement first and you'd return the old one in the same box.

Also, taking the laptop to an Applestore isn't an option for some people. Despite the fact that I live within 3 miles of Apple's European Headquarters, there still isn't any Applestore in the country.