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

[iMpathetic]

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.

Oh, I totally know that...
The poster I quoted was ridiculing someone who basically posted the equivalent of "I use my car just to get to work. It's just a car. I'm not too concerned with how beautiful it is. Toyota Camry FTW!"

 

[Capt Underpants]

I love the design of the new MBA. It's incredible.

I recall being even more smitten with the design of the G4 iMac, however.

 

[AppleGoddess]

The net vista was a great machine but the imac flat panel is my favorite ever, also the cube.

 

[rrl]

My unibody Mac mini is a work of art. Silent art. They even got the power supply in there. Nothing comes close.

 

[Mr. Savage]

Still the most iconic of all the Mac desktops IMHO. Sorry for crappy PQ (original iPhone camera)

 

[dukebound85]

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

well they are right? at least that is how i treat my car and watch

 

[LouieSamman]

I believe the MacBook Air is the best look when it comes to laptops.

Now that I have a MacBook Air, all the MacBook Pros and PC Laptops feel like a portable desktop *in reference to weight*.

The MacBook Air is the start of the lightness a laptop should be. Laptops are meant to be portable and the MacBook Air is the best one at being that.

 

[Apple OC]

I do believe the new Airs are the best looking Laptop ... most practical no

but for sure a real looker

 

[drjsway]

I can't believe no one has mentioned the Power Mac G4 Cube. It has the distinction of being displayed at the Museum of Modern Art:

 

[highscheme]

I like them a lot but I don't think they are the most beautiful.

 

[rkb]

This is partially why I buy Apple products, they embody some of the finest in artistic engineering. Of course they work great, but they do so looking and feeling brilliant.

 

[TMRaven]

iMac G4.

The original titanium 17 inch powerbook was astonishing too. It's either one of those two.

 

[iMpathetic]

The original titanium 17 inch powerbook was astonishing too. It's either one of those two.

Don't want to be that guy, but it was a 15". And yes, those were AMAZING. I might have to pick one up just for nostalgia.

 

[paolo-]

Either this one

or this one

Funny how both were made before most people used computers...

 

[cburton]

Still my favorite ..

After all these years the Pismo is still sexy.

Chris

 

[Scottsdale]

I voted no, BUT...

I voted no, but I am assuming the poll refers to the current generation MacBook Airs rather than the prior generation MBAs.

I believe the prior MacBook Airs were much more beautiful until one turns it on and looks at the display that is. The prior MacBook Airs had a much better looking case. The door that hid the ports was much more aesthetically pleasing. The way the prior MBA had no real sides and just curved to the bottom was far more aesthetically pleasing. The extra ports and gigantic SD card slot are terribly ugly. Finally, and most importantly, the old MBA had a beautiful design from any angle, while the new MBA is just plain ugly and wedge-like from both sides.

In my opinion, I think the other MBAs were much nicer looking, but given all of the features of the new MBA I would take the new one any day over the older ones. In addition, the display resolution or glass trackpad alone would cancel out the benefits of the design with the older MBAs. Add to that the 320m, NAND Flash, 4 GB RAM possibility, and 256 GB storage capability, and the new one just makes the design elements rather insignificant as it's so capable and really is better/faster/sleeker/sexier/etc than the 13" MBP for most who would use it.

 

[kryca]

Apple IIc!

 

[soph]

Either this one

Nope, this one:

Got a bit big, that pic...

 

[madoka]

I believe the MacBook Air is the best look when it comes to laptops.

Well clearly you've never seen the Osborne 1 portable computer. Double drives, full size keyboard, available in two colors (tan or blue), storage compartments, ruggedly handsome. . . it was truly ahead of it's time. No wonder it was a sales success.

Behold!

 

[soph]

Finally, and most importantly, the old MBA had a beautiful design from any angle, while the new MBA is just plain ugly and wedge-like from both sides.

I wholeheartedly agree with you, but then I'm biased as a rev C owner

Trying to be as un-biased as possible I still find the new MBA's sides no marvels in art and design.

 

[FAsnakes]

PC-wise, this:

 

[McDughf]

Still the most iconic of all the Mac desktops IMHO. Sorry for crappy PQ (original iPhone camera)

To be honest, I think the iMac G5 is the least iconic of the iMac Range. The iMac G4 is more instantly recognizable with the iMac G3 following close behind.

Getting back on track, Personally I don't really like the flat sides of the new wedge style MacBook Air, preferring the Shape Of the previous generations tapering design :0/

 

[Phil A.]

For me, it has to be the Mac Pro that wins my vote: It is a beautifully engineered machine that is supremely elegant in its design

If we're talking about non-apple computers, then I'd go for the Cray-1: Any computer that comes complete with a comfy seat around it has to be in the running

 

[Wild-Bill]

For me, it's a toss-up between the HAL9000 or the 12" Powerbook G4

 

[miata]

My vote is for the unibody MBP

The MBP has a few pluses over the Air...screen bezel...sleep indicator light..battery indicator lights...power button...backlite keyboard.

I just wish Apple would pull the SuperDrive from the MBP and make it thinner like the Airs.