someone posted a video showing their macbook pro booting up with an ssd drive... it was significantly fast. i'm assuming there'll also be a difference in battery life as well
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First Look at the MacBook Air
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someone posted a video showing their macbook pro booting up with an ssd drive... it was significantly fast. i'm assuming there'll also be a difference in battery life as well
The jury is still out on that. Recent test between HDD and SSD have shown inconclusive evidence that the SSD is "remarkably faster" at loading the OS. I am sure it will be faster than the HDD that Apple will install into the MBA- they are going to use the slower 4200rpm 1.8" HDD that you find in iPods. Saves power and money, but performance will suffer a lot.
I would say no in my opinion. The processor, RAM, and the HD (even a SSD) will not be sufficient enough to do something as resource-hungry as HD on a regular basis. (the SSD's handicap would be capacity). Basic editing will probably be such a pain that I wouldn't recommend it. Look at a high-end MB or the entry-level MBP if you are looking for a notebook that could handle HD video. If you want to do HD video once in a while, it probably would be fine.
Doubt Apple will do it for you, but just like the iPod, i think in a couple months you will find local techies and online companies that will offer to mod your MBA any way you like in this respect. If you plan on doing this, don't buy a AppleCare package- having it done by a third party will deffinetly void a warranty. Apple just might let you change it with them and keep the warranty later on in the future, but don't expect it to be cheaper anytime soon.
I am not sure about the 3-GB part. I am pretty sure I can only get 2GB into my MB, that's all that was available when I ordered it (if I remember correctly)... it's a 1st gen C2D. I deffinetly remember not doing 4GB, because I saw it on the MBP and it wasnt available on the MB
Ah, I have a 1st gen C2D, the chipset can see 3 GB. You can put 4GB in the system but you will be wasting 1GB.
I somehow must have missed the "self-levitation" feature introduced during the keynote, please forgive me. I was not aware that that extra 2.5 pounds was what was keeping my MBP from defeating the bounds of gravity. I suppose that could justify the $1799 price tag.
Yeah, it's in every MBA. If you dont get it with yours, call Apple tech support- if you see all the pictures of the MBA it's always in the air, never touches the ground.
I agree with your point about the CD drive in that respect, but I feel that the iPod dock should also be included with every iPod- alas, it's a expensive crappy accessory now. Apple seems to have gremlin's working in it's marketing and sales department. As I've said before, I think Apple is pretty greedy too, but between the two evils of Microsoft and Apple, I'd rather be with apple. At least I dont always get charged an arm and a leg for something that EVERYONE is going to buy (like an OS or productivity suite)
just checked out the sony site, anyone complaining about how the MBA is overpriced needs to go look at sony's specs.
1.06 core 2 duo :O
1gb ram
integrated graphics
100gb HDD
$2099
Yeah, apple has a premium on its computers.
1.06 core 2 duo :O
1gb ram
integrated graphics
100gb HDD
$2099
Yeah, apple has a premium on its computers.
Maybe they put that around the screen because they couldn't trim off anymore from the bottom. I'm sure if they could have trimmed anymore off they would have.
Yes this is a beautiful machine and I was looking forward to buy a smaller new laptop (still have my 12" Powerbook) but I agree that it is not really the slimness I want (which is great) but rather a smaller footprint. A 12" screen and ethernet port is what I want.
Reminds me of an article in the NY Times when CDs first came out. It was an article how "Compact" discs in reality did not take up any less space than LPs. That they really were not smaller (of course the actual disc is) but when you put them on shelves with those stupid wide jewel cases, they take up more linear space than a slim LP (they should had started it all with cardboard sleeves just like LPs) Yes you can put them behind each other, but then you can't see your entire collection.
Anyway I hope if this is a success, they do make a small version with an 11 or 12" screen.
Reminds me of an article in the NY Times when CDs first came out. It was an article how "Compact" discs in reality did not take up any less space than LPs. That they really were not smaller (of course the actual disc is) but when you put them on shelves with those stupid wide jewel cases, they take up more linear space than a slim LP (they should had started it all with cardboard sleeves just like LPs) Yes you can put them behind each other, but then you can't see your entire collection.
Anyway I hope if this is a success, they do make a small version with an 11 or 12" screen.
Thanks. A couple of people replied so thanks everyone. I will by no means be editing HD video all the time. But once every couple of months i imagine i'd upload stuff to imovie. i don't use my camera that much. It would be a shame not being able to shoot in HD... do you really think it'll be ok though for some "light" importing and burning to superdrive. I'd save the content on an external HD. Is USB fast enough to edit from the external drive?
Well its USB 2 which is akin to the FW400 you get on the regular MB so you should be fine with either.
The SSD has significantly quicker read and access times so things like booting and opening apps will be a lot quicker, however, where it is slower than a standard hard drive is in write performance so copying your music content from an external HD to the drive will be slower than if it were a regular hard drive
In real world performance such as importing from a DV cam, Firewire is much better, though USB would be usable
So instead can you be the guy on the plane with the MBA who wants to borrow his neighbor's optical drive to watch a DVD?
Spot on...
Spot on... Spot on...
So instead can you be the guy on the plane with the MBA who wants to borrow his neighbor's optical drive to watch a DVD?
Spot on... Spot on...
Looking at the practical side
First of all, let me say that I think this is an achievement in making something thin. I can't take that away from Apple.
But I am an independent Apple certified technician and I look at the MBA not as a user, but as someone who will have to repair it for a user (software repairs only, of course. Hardware repairs will have to be sent to Apple due to warranty).
The lack of both a firewire port and an optical drive will make this a little more difficult to troubleshoot and repair. Sure, I can pack my own external out onsite, and even boot to my usb hard drive, so it's not horrible, but I'm afraid that many people who buy this are not going to know what they're missing until they need it. This is truly going to be a "depot repair" computer in that any hardware issue will need to go back to Apple to have repaired. That will make a difference in places where I am (literally) the only Apple tech for 100 miles.
Also, the supposed target group for this machine is the same group (generally in my experience) who isn't going to know how to set up remote disk to install software, or have a N router to get the full benefit of the wireless on this machine (yes, I know it works on other wireless networks). There's a lot of people who may buy this as their primary computer that are really going to be turned off by how much setup they might need. And you can be reasonably assured that the customers won't be told all of these things before they buy it (but that's the same with electronics in general, so I'm not bagging on Apple for that flaw).
This one also really defeats the "ready out of the box" idea that Apple has courted the last couple of years, because this one really isn't ready out of the box, like most people think that it will be.
So, for what it's worth, that's my two cents. I think it's an interesting idea and that it does have some market, but I'm still not sold that it's a good idea.
EDITED: Another thing I'm interested in is if the MBA can bootcamp windows? Could you install Windows using a wireless remote disk? That might actually necessitate the need for an optical drive. The only reason I ask is because that has been another of Apple's selling points the last few years. This might take away from some of it's usefulness if it's a pain in the ass to install windows onto.
Also, if the optical drive is dead why can't you download Leopard? (maybe you can and I just don't know about it.)
First of all, let me say that I think this is an achievement in making something thin. I can't take that away from Apple.
But I am an independent Apple certified technician and I look at the MBA not as a user, but as someone who will have to repair it for a user (software repairs only, of course. Hardware repairs will have to be sent to Apple due to warranty).
The lack of both a firewire port and an optical drive will make this a little more difficult to troubleshoot and repair. Sure, I can pack my own external out onsite, and even boot to my usb hard drive, so it's not horrible, but I'm afraid that many people who buy this are not going to know what they're missing until they need it. This is truly going to be a "depot repair" computer in that any hardware issue will need to go back to Apple to have repaired. That will make a difference in places where I am (literally) the only Apple tech for 100 miles.
Also, the supposed target group for this machine is the same group (generally in my experience) who isn't going to know how to set up remote disk to install software, or have a N router to get the full benefit of the wireless on this machine (yes, I know it works on other wireless networks). There's a lot of people who may buy this as their primary computer that are really going to be turned off by how much setup they might need. And you can be reasonably assured that the customers won't be told all of these things before they buy it (but that's the same with electronics in general, so I'm not bagging on Apple for that flaw).
This one also really defeats the "ready out of the box" idea that Apple has courted the last couple of years, because this one really isn't ready out of the box, like most people think that it will be.
So, for what it's worth, that's my two cents. I think it's an interesting idea and that it does have some market, but I'm still not sold that it's a good idea.
EDITED: Another thing I'm interested in is if the MBA can bootcamp windows? Could you install Windows using a wireless remote disk? That might actually necessitate the need for an optical drive. The only reason I ask is because that has been another of Apple's selling points the last few years. This might take away from some of it's usefulness if it's a pain in the ass to install windows onto.
Also, if the optical drive is dead why can't you download Leopard? (maybe you can and I just don't know about it.)
You know, the more and more I think about this product, the more and more I think it's slight of hand on Apples part. I mean there was nothing earth shattering at this keynote and something was required to draw attention from that point alone.
So it looks like an exercise in 'Look What We Can Do' rather than 'should we really be doing this'
It just doesn't feel complete, perhaps a little unclear regarding 'target'. It's a filler and it creates the space required by
to come up with the real innovation that they are bound to be working on.
Just my view on things.........
So it looks like an exercise in 'Look What We Can Do' rather than 'should we really be doing this'
It just doesn't feel complete, perhaps a little unclear regarding 'target'. It's a filler and it creates the space required by
to come up with the real innovation that they are bound to be working on.Just my view on things.........
well its obvious this won't be used by anyone to replace their everyday computer...I personally don't know why people would owe two personal computers I'd rather have one single computer with everything organized:..having said that I think people would buy this as a mere luxury or because they are morally tied to the appple brand. Its obvious why most of us are dissapointed ; we are all geeks that depend on the most complicated comptuting needs to make us satisfied. This laptop only offers basic and as much as we say no it has its target and it would sell, even though its expensive as hell. I know lots of people who know nothing about a computer or even how to turn on...i think this is perfect for those. Sometimes computing becomes too complicated for the most simplistic things like surfing the net.
I really like the new MacBook Air. As a Canadian, here are a few "smaller" notebooks that are available for me to choose from (this is by no means an exhaustive comparison, but just a quick look at what other laptops I could get):
MacBook Air, C2D 1.6 GHz, 2 GB Ram, X3100, 80 GB 4200 RPM HD, $1799
Sony VAIO VGNSZ650QC, 13.3", C2D 2.2 GHz, 2 GB Ram, GeForce 8400M, 160 GB 5400 RPM HD, DVD Burner, $1999 (no bluetooth"
Panasonic CFY5, 14.1", "Intel, Low Power L2400 Duo Core and 1.66GHz Processor Speed", 1 GB Ram, DVD burner, Intel 945 graphics, "Weighs only 1.5 kg and measures just 3.3cm thin for easy portability", $2499. (no "n" networking, no bluetooth).
Dell XPS M1330, 13.3", C2D 2 GHz, 2 GB Ram, LED screen, 120 GB HD, X3100, wireless N, etc., $1489.
ThinkPad X61, 12.1", integrated graphics, 2 GB ram, bluetooth + 802.11n, $1403 (no optical drive)
I just glossed quickly at some specs/prices to see what I could find (in Canada). I work at Futureshop and there's a 12.1" LG Laptop with a DVD Burner, C2D, 2 Gb ram, and windows "sideshow" on the lid, and it goes for $1999. There's also a similar Sony going for $1999 but I can't find either on the website...Hmm..
So yes, while the MacBook Air may be pricey with not as many features as the other notebooks, it gains in some areas (wireless N networking + ultrathinness)
It's not a "travesty" what apple is doing - their price is competitive, but the X61 is a better "deal" in that it pretty much has the same features yet it is cheaper.
The Panasonic is a crazy rip off if you ask me. The Dell and the Thinkpad probably offer the best "value". The Apple premium comes in when you look at the design - the MBA is undoubtedly nicer and cooler, and you can expect to pay for that.
I've never used more than one USB port at once on my MacBook Pro, and have only used the ethernet jack when testing out a new router. I've never used the express slot, and have only used my optical drive to install software really. The MacBook Air would have been a nice machine for me at the time, but when I bought the pro, it was so much of a better value than the MacBook. I think to be more competitive, Apple should include the external superdrive, the ethernet adapter, and the Apple remote.
MacBook Air, C2D 1.6 GHz, 2 GB Ram, X3100, 80 GB 4200 RPM HD, $1799
Sony VAIO VGNSZ650QC, 13.3", C2D 2.2 GHz, 2 GB Ram, GeForce 8400M, 160 GB 5400 RPM HD, DVD Burner, $1999 (no bluetooth"
Panasonic CFY5, 14.1", "Intel, Low Power L2400 Duo Core and 1.66GHz Processor Speed", 1 GB Ram, DVD burner, Intel 945 graphics, "Weighs only 1.5 kg and measures just 3.3cm thin for easy portability", $2499. (no "n" networking, no bluetooth).
Dell XPS M1330, 13.3", C2D 2 GHz, 2 GB Ram, LED screen, 120 GB HD, X3100, wireless N, etc., $1489.
ThinkPad X61, 12.1", integrated graphics, 2 GB ram, bluetooth + 802.11n, $1403 (no optical drive)
I just glossed quickly at some specs/prices to see what I could find (in Canada). I work at Futureshop and there's a 12.1" LG Laptop with a DVD Burner, C2D, 2 Gb ram, and windows "sideshow" on the lid, and it goes for $1999. There's also a similar Sony going for $1999 but I can't find either on the website...Hmm..
So yes, while the MacBook Air may be pricey with not as many features as the other notebooks, it gains in some areas (wireless N networking + ultrathinness)
It's not a "travesty" what apple is doing - their price is competitive, but the X61 is a better "deal" in that it pretty much has the same features yet it is cheaper.
The Panasonic is a crazy rip off if you ask me. The Dell and the Thinkpad probably offer the best "value". The Apple premium comes in when you look at the design - the MBA is undoubtedly nicer and cooler, and you can expect to pay for that.
I've never used more than one USB port at once on my MacBook Pro, and have only used the ethernet jack when testing out a new router. I've never used the express slot, and have only used my optical drive to install software really. The MacBook Air would have been a nice machine for me at the time, but when I bought the pro, it was so much of a better value than the MacBook. I think to be more competitive, Apple should include the external superdrive, the ethernet adapter, and the Apple remote.
