More MacBook Air Details and Notes

[Diversion]

I've never been around for an apple product release (yeah, I'm that much of a newb) so, when will we see these things in the Apple stores to play with? Would they be there now? I live a couple hours away from my closest store, so I need to know when to plan my visit.

Probably in 2 weeks from now you should see them showing up in the Apple stores.

 

[motomullet]

51 years is a huge life span on the SSD. now if only flash memory was cheaper.

 

[nbs2]

Those numbers don't make sense to me. For the 64GB drive they are assuming higher endurance specs than with the 160GB. It's a silly comparison. Using the 64GB numbers with the 160GB should yield something closer to 125 years. After all, with the larger drive, you are even less likely to write to the same block.

More importantly, for users who aren't continually re-writing to the entire disk, the numbers must be even higher. Imagine folks that never let their travel HD exceed 40-50GB of data because they replace the computer soon enough. Their lifetimes would be significantly extended - especially if they are good about creating new versions rather than overwriting a previous version.

 

[abijnk]

They will be in the stores in 2 weeks when they are available to the public.

Right on, I should/could have guessed that, but better to ask the more knowledgable... Thanks

I want to know if there is any play in this thing to where they could put in the 160GB hard drive in the future as another option. I've heard people say the 160s are thicker than the 80s, but how much??

 

[emotion]

Anybody know of Apple's history of updating the MBP? I need to replace my old-as-dirt 12" Powerbook and want to wait for the multi-touch track pad.

Is it possible they will release an update in the next 2 months? And is it even remotely possible they they will release a 13" MBP with a decent number of ports, dedicated graphics, and an optical drive? The MBA is awesome - but not what I need.

I think they'll wait for a significant update until Intel's Montevina platform comes out (mid 2008, maybe a little earlier).

I'm waiting for that now.

btw.I went with a black c2d macbook to replace my 12" powerbook. The macbook has the power i need but I wanted something smaller but still with some features left so it could be used as an everyday computer. The MBA isn't it either.

 

[jlwillia]

more comparisons....

I would like to see some speed comparisons between the MB and MBA. I doubt Apple would make this thing if it were much slower than the Macbook. The processor speed doesn't bother me, but the harddrive may be an issue. Anyone have any input?

 

[emotion]

I would like to see some speed comparisons between the MB and MBA. I doubt Apple would make this thing if it were much slower than the Macbook. The processor speed doesn't bother me, but the harddrive may be an issue. Anyone have any input?

It likely has the L7700 in it so the cache size is the same as the current MB/MBP. The HD version is likely to be slowed by that PATA 4200rpm drive (just like my Rev A powerbook funnily enough).

 

[tcoleman]

Not having a replaceable battery on an iPod is annoying
Not having a replaceable battery on an iPhone is very annoying
Not having a replaceable battery on a laptop is unacceptable and down right idiotic

Fixed that for ya.

 

[impierced]

- The MacBook Air battery will be a $129 replacement, requiring Apple to replace it.

Should also be noted that it'll take 5 business days to replace it.

http://www.apple.com/support/macbookair/service/battery/

 

[aaarrrgggh]

Removable Battery

With the stink that TSA and DOT are causing over Lithium batteries, I imagine more manufacturers will be forced to go this route over time. Shorting battery terminals is really dangerous with this type of battery, so keep it isolated from touch.

It basically rules it out for me, but I understand the logic.

Really surprised they didn't make a port replicator with an ethernet jack, extra USB ports, and maybe even firewire and a supplemental battery. OK, so the extra battery is a stretch, but...

 

[Sannekita]

I just went to the apple store in belgium, they said they would have a "demo" Macbook Air in ONE WEEK

 

[porky]

I just went to the apple store in belgium, they said they would have a "demo" Macbook Air in ONE WEEK

Where? ITPro? thanks

 

[digitalbiker]

51 years is a huge life span on the SSD. now if only flash memory was cheaper.

There is no way that those numbers are accurate. Life span of an ssd is an unknown quantity right now because they have not been in the market long enough to have complete field testing.

There are only a limited number of read & writes. Your mac with HFS+ journaling turned on is randomly hitting your disk. Increased activity results in increased disk access. If your OS tends to hit a particular storage space on the SSD over and over again it will eventually fail. once the storage spaces fail the drive will fail. A 64 GB SSD should not last any longer than a 128 GB SSD. I would almost assume the opposite because there is less chance for hitting the same storage space multiple time.

 

[imwoblin]

Should also be noted that it'll take 5 business days to replace it.

http://www.apple.com/support/macbookair/service/battery/

This is a main reason for me to not want a MacCrook Air. My 06 Macbook Pro
has had 4 defective batteries since new. I don't think the mfgrs have sorted out all of the issues with lithium - polymer battery technology.
I would be really cranky having to keep sending the MacCrook back to Apple for battery issues.

 

[imwoblin]

This is a main reason for me to not want a MacCrook Air. My 06 Macbook Pro
has had 4 defective batteries since new. I don't think the mfgrs have sorted out all of the issues with lithium - polymer battery technology.
I would be really cranky having to keep sending the MacCrook back to Apple for battery issues.

Ahem, I mean MacBook Air

 

[bcsmith]

Mr Jobs, please remove your head from your arse. We need replaceable batteries.

Not having a replaceable battery on an iPod is acceptable
Not having a replaceable battery on an iPhone is very annoying
Not having a replaceable battery on a laptop is unacceptable and down right idiotic

I have had 7 replacement batteries in 2 laptops in 2 years. Obviously, they have some serious issues when it comes to having good batteries. Why does he think its ok to have a laptop that can't have its battery replaced by the user, and they charge $129 for a new one. This is going to kill most people who would purchase it for travel. I know many sales guys who carry extra batteries for everything from their phone, DVD player, laptop, etc. When I travel, I carry 2 batteries for my laptop.

Its going to kill sales.

If you want a replaceable battery, Apple still makes 2 models of laptops that allow you to do this. I don't think that this will be as big of an issue as everyone is making it out to be.

 

[zimtheinvader]

interesting

wow they seem rather similar when placed like that. And I hate the bevelled edges, I still love the original 15" PB with its hard corners, classic like a volvo lol...

 

[Lestdog]

I don't get it. Other than than a great exercise in making MBP thinner. What's so great about this? I think this is a big miss by Apple. I bet they'll be disappointed in the sales of this thing.

 

[chr1s60]

I actually like the look of the MacBook Air, I just think it is a little overpriced. After adding the super drive and upgrading to the 1.8GHz, it is actually cheaper to purchase a MacBook Pro. The only thing the Air has as an advantage is the size and "cool" factor. Any person seriously looking to buy an Apple notebook that doesn't have storage and weight as a top priority should go with a MacBook Pro instead.

 

[Slip]

I don't get it. Other than than a great exercise in making MBP thinner. What's so great about this? I think this is a big miss by Apple. I bet they'll be disappointed in the sales of this thing.

Here you go https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=4771463#post4771463

 

[irbdavid]

Also:

MacBook Air battery replacement service - $129
MacBook (regular) replacement battery - $129

So yeah...

 

[BWhaler]

Mr Jobs, please remove your head from your arse. We need replaceable batteries.

Not having a replaceable battery on an iPod is acceptable
Not having a replaceable battery on an iPhone is very annoying
Not having a replaceable battery on a laptop is unacceptable and down right idiotic

Its going to kill sales.

I agree.

I was in for 1, maybe two of these until I heard about the non-replaceable battery.

I don't think it will "kill" sales outright, but these was definitely a loss of orders.

The bottom of the Air is beautiful. I get it.

But business travelers need more than 5 hours when they are on the road. Heck, parents need more than 5 hours when playing videos for the kids.

This was a big miss by Apple.

 

[Claytoniss]

It's perfect for a select group of consumers, but not those who have high hopes and wine in forums!

 

[JW8725]

Do we know if this thing has a FAN inside? With the SSD option would it be completely silent?

 

[/dev/toaster]

If you want a replaceable battery, Apple still makes 2 models of laptops that allow you to do this. I don't think that this will be as big of an issue as everyone is making it out to be.

Pointless ... why have a ultra portable version thats not fully suitable to those on the road.

Those who aren't making a big deal about it don't travel for business