Is the MacBook Air the most beautiful computer ever created? And if not, what is?

[Jobsian]

Listen, I think Jobs hit it right out of the park with the first MBA, and even moreso with this one. I think it's the best looking notebook and computer ever created. It's also my favorite computer of all time with its size/power ratio closest to what I'd like, but that's besides this thread, this is about looks alone.

For my taste, the Sony Vaio X and the Dell Adamo (not XPS) come closest. But for me, the MBA takes the gold.

The king, thin and powerful MBA. Note how solid it looks

The astonishingly thin Sony Vaio X

Dell's best design yet:

 

[Jobsian]

I have to add, I have not seen an inside of a computer I like nearly as much either! It looks so satisfyingly clean and high-calibre:

 

[Mr. Savage]

I, for one, do not recall ever being quite so smitten with an inanimate object, so...yes.

 

[darngooddesign]

The Pismo Powerbook.

 

[Bluemeanie1976]

The Dell Adamo XPS is very nice looking. Nice idea with the hinge, and keyboard angle

 

[maflynn]

Call me crazy but I generally buy computers as a tool, and for filling a need. Its not a work of art, nor do I treat it as such

 

[Mr. Savage]

The Dell Adamo XPS is very nice looking. Nice idea with the hinge, and keyboard angle

That thing, to me, always looks like it's about to collapse, tip over, or like a couple of dominos in mid-fall. Also, I wonder what it'd be like using that there laptop on, you know, your lap. Can't be comfortable.

 

[zumiker]

Double Post

 

[zumiker]

Call me crazy but I generally buy computers as a tool, and for filling a need. Its not a work of art, nor do I treat it as such

Thats like saying a car is JUST to get from point A to B or a watch is JUST for telling the time.

 

[Merthyrboy]

The Dell Adamo XPS looks as if it would get on my nerves on my lap but it is a good idea for like table use. The MBA though is really quite nice looking. Just looks clean and stuff.

 

[YMark]

Damn, what is it with YOU and these polls, and your constant drooling over the Apple and the MBA? It is a flipp'n computer. You're not reviewing a blow-up doll.

 

[iRun26.2]

Which Model (or both)?

I think the 11" model looks especially cute!

 

[neteng101]

Thing of beauty it is to me... especially seeing what's inside it too and how its all so well packaged together. Quite an engineering integration marvel IMO... I was indeed smitten by the effort they took for the insides of the MBA.

Love the wedge slice profile and lines - no more spaceship dropdown doors like the old MBAs had (I guess its the evolution, remember when cars had those dinky flip up headlights that were all the rage years ago?).

 

[Chimera-se]

Although some wouldn't call it a computer, the iPad was the most beautiful anything (inanimate thing, let's keep it clean...) I'd seen until the new MBA! I'm calling the Apple Store daily waiting for them to get more of the one I want!

 

[tim100]

macbook pro

 

[iMpathetic]

Thats like saying a car is JUST to get from point A to B or a watch is JUST for telling the time.

Or like saying bread is JUST for eating. Sure, you can make a sculpture out of bread, or use it as a hat, but that's not its intended purpose.

EDIT: Apple-wise I would have to say this:

PC-wise, this:

 

[tim100]

i like the current mbp design black boarder, glass, and backlit keyboard makes it a better desing than the mba.

 

[iBookG4user]

I really like the design of the non-unibody MacBook Pro. If I could get a new MacBook Pro with the non-unibody design I would definitely go for that

 

[lilo777]

That thing, to me, always looks like it's about to collapse, tip over, or like a couple of dominos in mid-fall. Also, I wonder what it'd be like using that there laptop on, you know, your lap. Can't be comfortable.

Executives never put their laptops on the laps

 

[maflynn]

Thats like saying a car is JUST to get from point A to B or a watch is JUST for telling the time.

Yep, thats all both are.

 

[iMpathetic]

Yep, thats all both are.

Even as a car nut, that's true. I was about to agree with him because of that part and then I thought about it.... even drag racers need to drive to point B 1320 feet away.

 

[Bluemeanie1976]

That thing, to me, always looks like it's about to collapse, tip over, or like a couple of dominos in mid-fall. Also, I wonder what it'd be like using that there laptop on, you know, your lap. Can't be comfortable.

Ah, but this is about beauty, not comfort. It;s the difference between utterly kinky 9" high kinky leather thigh high boots, and a pair of tartan slippers... One is beautiful, the other is comfy...

 

[ATHmathieu]

My favorite designs through the years:

1) IBM NetVista X41 (years ahead of the all-in-one iMacs)

2) IBM TransNote

3) IBM X41 Tablet (started using IPS panels almost 6 years ago)

4) iMac white (the 20" G5 with IPS display is one sexy machine)

 

[Carouser]

Even as a car nut, that's true. I was about to agree with him because of that part and then I thought about it.... even drag racers need to drive to point B 1320 feet away.

Yes, but that's not all a car is. Cars are cultural artifacts, commodities, and aesthetic objects (to only state the most obvious). Same with computers. Besides, form is not separate from function, and often pleasing forms end up being used more/better/more efficiently. So computers can look good, and it's perfectly fine to talk about which computers, according to various opinions, look the best.

 

[craig1410]

Call me crazy but I generally buy computers as a tool, and for filling a need. Its not a work of art, nor do I treat it as such

Good for you, I'm sure you drive a Kia too.

For many of us, great design matters and should not be condescended upon. It saddens me that people like you are so blasé about computers. If you only had some comprehension about the numerous scientific advances which have come together to allow you to read your email and browse the web in the way that you do today, you might not roll your eyes at someone who does appreciate it.

I suspect that more blood, sweat and tears has gone into producing the MBA than went into producing the Mona Lisa. Does that make the MBA a work of art? In my opinion, absolutely *********g A it does!!