Footprint vs. Thinness

[kuwisdelu]

Perhaps Apple will add a 10" or 11" MBA Light to the lineup in order to compete more closely with the Sony TZ (and other ultraportables) in terms of footprint.

I don't think Apple will do that, since the focus on thinness over footprint is part of what differentiates the MBA from other ultraportables. Making a smaller footprint would require the MBA to be thicker, which would require a complete redesign. However, I would like to see a 12" MBP as much as everyone in that camp. I think it would be great if Apple came out with a 12" MBP to satisfy the footprint-focused power users and kept improving the MBA as the ultralight, ultrathin laptop that it is. We'd have the best of both worlds. I'd have a hard time deciding between the two when I came to the checkout, though....

 

[wordmunger]

I don't think Apple will do that, since the focus on thinness over footprint is part of what differentiates the MBA from other ultraportables. Making a smaller footprint would require the MBA to be thicker, which would require a complete redesign. However, I would like to see a 12" MBP as much as everyone in that camp. I think it would be great if Apple came out with a 12" MBP to satisfy the footprint-focused power users and kept improving the MBA as the ultralight, ultrathin laptop that it is. We'd have the best of both worlds. I'd have a hard time deciding between the two when I came to the checkout, though....

Given how much apple is focusing on the MBA ads lately, I wouldn't count on that happening.

 

[kuwisdelu]

Given how much apple is focusing on the MBA ads lately, I wouldn't count on that happening.

Certainly not too soon, but they seem to have listened to people's complaints about Leopard and it sounds like they're addressing many of them (menu bar, etc.) in 10.5.2, so if enough people want a 12" MBP, maybe it'll happen. I don't know. But then, I'm not one of the people who'll die without it. I'm fine with my MacBook for a while; hasn't even had its first birthday yet.

 

[mashoutposse]

Where do you come up with this stuff?

Um, actual firsthand experience from ownership of a multitude of "real" ultraportables?

How can you flat-out call someone "wrong" when all you did was give your own opinion, as if, somehow, it's automatically correct? Your entire argument seems to come down to: footprint doesn't matter, because you'll still have to use a bigger bag to hold your files and folders. Right... all of us wanted a 12 inch powerbook replacement simply because we wanted to use smaller bags.

OK, the floor is yours. Name the situations where the smaller PB12" footprint comes in handy.

 

[clevin]

Um, actual firsthand experience from ownership of a multitude of "real" ultraportables?

care to share your "ultraportables"? lets see if its convincing enough for you to make comprehensive summary of this type of computers.

 

[IJ Reilly]

What right do I need?

None I suppose, if you don't mind being a jerk about it.

 

[Eraserhead]

Unless you want to get it in a handbag isn't overall volume the key figure? As the MacBook Air has a lower volume than even the Asus EEE, it looks good from that perspective.

 

[topher2889]

I am sticking with my 26 month-old 12" Powerbook, which is .75GB RAM and .1GHz less powerful than the MBA.

I just want to point out that the C2D 1.6 GHz processor is much more powerful than the 1.5GHz G4 that is in your powerbook.

Thank you for that! What ryan said was bugging me. Of course the C2D is more powerful!

 

[sterlingindigo]

I don't think Apple will do that, since the focus on thinness over footprint is part of what differentiates the MBA from other ultraportables. Making a smaller footprint would require the MBA to be thicker, which would require a complete redesign. However, I would like to see a 12" MBP as much as everyone in that camp. I think it would be great if Apple came out with a 12" MBP to satisfy the footprint-focused power users and kept improving the MBA as the ultralight, ultrathin laptop that it is. We'd have the best of both worlds. I'd have a hard time deciding between the two when I came to the checkout, though....

I can sort of see Apple making a 10" or 11" (maybe smaller) MBA. I think I'd would be sweet! Perhaps wishful thinking. I wouldn't think it would be that much thicker if any. 12" mbp? Another hope so!

 

[deputy_doofy]

I just want to point out that the C2D 1.6 GHz processor is much more powerful than the 1.5GHz G4 that is in your powerbook.

Exactly. In fact, just one core destroys the G4. Hey, I'm a poet and I didn't.... realize it.

 

[clevin]

Unless you want to get it in a handbag isn't overall volume the key figure? As the MacBook Air has a lower volume than even the Asus EEE, it looks good from that perspective.

1. over all volume can be reflected in different ways, two piece of cloth folded together can be a bag, with eee, even thicker, the bag can be smaller. for MBA, you don't have that flexibility

2. MBA's volume is NOT lower than EEE.

 

[mashoutposse]

care to share your "ultraportables"? lets see if its convincing enough for you to make comprehensive summary of this type of computers.

Sure:

Sony X505SP Carbon Fiber model (import from Japan, Sony's first use of CF on a laptop). Cost: $4k. Funny how everyone finally talks it up three years after release

Sony TR3AP 10" Centrino.

Sony UX280P

Sony U3 (never sold here in the US; not my picture)

Each of these were at or very near the top of their respective categories in portability at the times of purchase. I can assure you that I have a deeper understanding about ultraportables than most.

 

[clevin]

Sure:

Each of these were at or very near the top of their respective categories in portability at the times of purchase. I can assure you that I have a deeper understanding about ultraportables than most.

indeed, with so many ultraportables, I didn't find any with larger than 12" screen. right?

 

[mashoutposse]

indeed, with so many ultraportables, I didn't find any with larger than 12" screen. right?

True. But then no previous manufacturer ever thought it wise to miniaturize a computer with such a "large" built-in footprint. The X505 in 13" widescreen would have been bought instantly.

What I learned from those computers is this: Small screens and keyboards suck. Simply making it small enough to take without a second thought isn't enough.

 

[akm3]

dude ... the thing weighs 3 lbs, a macbook weighs a pound or so more. Thats 16 oz, Is that such a difference? The whole point of being ultraportable is that it is small enough to be used in places where conventional laptops cannot be used. On a plane, in class, a small table without much room, etc etc.

Have you ever tried to eat a 16 oz steak? It's a lot. And it's actually 32 ounces.

32 ounces isn't 'heavy', you can certainly pick it up, it's the long term carrying where every ounce makes a difference.

It's the same reason hikers carry super-lightweight (and very expensive!) gear. A thin 'aluminium foil' blanket is a lot easer to carry up a mountain than even a normal, thin blanket.

 

[clevin]

True. But then no previous manufacturer ever thought it wise to miniaturize a computer with such a "large" built-in footprint. The X505 in 13" widescreen would have been bought instantly.

What I learned from those computers is this: Small screens and keyboards suck. Simply making it small enough to take without a second thought isn't enough.

1. As I, and somebody else mentioned above, if you only need 13.3 screen and full keyboard, the MBA could have been shrank even more, since it has so huge borders around screen and keyboard.

2. The whole discussion is about "footprint vs. thinness". Because there might be some conflicts between these two, but from all you mentioned, You do not have this problem at all. Do you care if the MBA has super thin border around the screen and keyboard and thus has smaller footprint, but 0.2" thicker?

3. to Argue that 12.1" screen is too small, thats your own opinion, there is no way that your personal opinion can be cited as an convincing evidence for the necessity of a larger screen. I, for one, think ultraportable with 10~12" screen will be much more attractive.

 

[Eraserhead]

1. over all volume can be reflected in different ways, two piece of cloth folded together can be a bag, with eee, even thicker, the bag can be smaller. for MBA, you don't have that flexibility

That was my point with the handbag comment. I think most buyers of the MBA will have a larger bag or briefcase, which is big enough for a pad of paper. In which case the MacBook Air will also fit.

2. MBA's volume is NOT lower than EEE.

Surprisingly the MBA has a lower volume.

1. As I, and somebody else mentioned above, if you only need 13.3 screen and full keyboard, the MBA could have been shrank even more, since it has so huge borders around screen and keyboard.

True, but I think an A4/US Legal pad of paper is the target size worth going for.

 

[clevin]

Surprisingly the MBA has a lower volume.
.

lol, I can't believe so many people actually believe that crappy calculation. lol

look carefully
This

is different from this

Thinnest part is 0.16", But thats the very end of the front, it represents no realistic value when calculating the volume.

Rather, Most of the MBA's BODY is 0.76" to 0.6", that makes MBA about 70in^3. not 53in^3.

 

[cohibadad]

Thats my point .. Everyone who is so obsessed with weight should hit the gym and do some bench presses.

ITS ONLY 2 POUNDS FOR HEAVENS SAKE!!!! ARE WE ALL SO WEAK THAT WE CANNOT LIFT AN EXTRA 2 POUNDS!!!!!!!!1

if I read this kind of ******* comment one more time I think I'll puke. How bout you think of it this way: it's 40% lighter than a MB. Is that enough of a difference for you?

 

[Eraserhead]

lol, I can't believe so many people actually believe that crappy calculation. lol

The author did a better calculation and got 57 cubic inches.

[ML: Examining the cross-section, and calculating the top, back of the bottom, front, and midsection separately as discrete elements, and accounting for the radius curves along the sides, I get a combined total of 56.81 cubic inches. Larger, but still smaller than the Eee.

 

[gwangung]

3. to Argue that 12.1" screen is too small, thats your own opinion, there is no way that your personal opinion can be cited as an convincing evidence for the necessity of a larger screen. I, for one, think ultraportable with 10~12" screen will be much more attractive.

Are you over 40?

 

[clevin]

Are you over 40?

Im younger than you

The author did a better calculation and got 57 cubic inches.

no, he is still using that 0.16" as a "front section".

there is only one way to measure that thing accurately. and I don't believe he did it.

Sorry I will not buy this type of rough calculation and then turn around to pretend having a accuracy of 0.01 cubic inches.

 

[kockgunner]

if I read this kind of ******* comment one more time I think I'll puke. How bout you think of it this way: it's 40% lighter than a MB. Is that enough of a difference for you?

I think people have a hard time conceiving the actual lightness of the air. Two pounds might not seem like a lot on paper, but for those who have actually held an ultra portable before would know that it makes a big difference. Especially when you're carrying your laptop to work every day. I carry a binder (that's not that heavy) to school every day and my shoulder is always straining (and i'm not weak either). Also, apple made the right decision to go with a 13" screen. When you're carrying a laptop around, weight is a far more important factor than how wide the screen is.

 

[diabolic]

For me weight is far more important than footprint.

I wouldn't buy anything with a small screen again. I used a 12" for a while and it was just a bit too small. My own cutoff based on personal experience is around 13". A full-size keyboard also matters to me.

 

[BWhaler]

For me, weight is the highest priority, followed by how thin it is.

I could care less about the other dimensions since I'm not going to buy a smaller bag.

But taking 3.8 less pounds with me to Asia is a wonderful thing. Sure, it's not the end of the world carrying a 17" MBP, but less weight is often just more convenient.

And thin means I can put more papers, books, etc. in my bag.

Yes, I wish there was a swappable battery. Yes, I wish I had 2 USB ports, And yes, a bigger hard drive would be nice. And no, I don't care that it doesn't have a built in DVD drive.

But the MacBook Air looks to be the perfect companion when I don't need all of the bells and whistles of my MBP. (Which is most of the time when I travel.)

My ONLY fear is Apple's quality. The reports of 8.5 hour battery charge time worry me greatly. And we all know Apple's quality has been on a rapid descent in the past few years, so with the reports of 8 hour batteries and general "the Apple Unboxing Fear," this is what I am worried about.

I just hope I get a solid Mac since I am really fired-up about the MBA. Fingers crossed.