Why do some people appear to HATE the MBA?

[Mr.Green]

I've been reading a lot of discussion about the MBA and it appear that there are some people who just want to hate it even before seeing it real life. I just don't get it. I don't see why people need to "warn" or tell someone else why they're not going to buy something.

One person even started several threads on Amazon discussion about it and appears to be obsessively replying and defending their position:

MacBook Air and the real notebook market

Here is one guy who posts "a warning" on every single configuration of the MBA on Amazon:

Keep in mind a serious design flaw

I pre-ordered mine from the Applestore on the keynote day, but later changed my mind and decided to save the tax money and order from Amazon prime. I find it funny that the wackos come out whenever Apple has something new, but hardly any bashers for crappy PC laptops.

 

[happyslayer]

I have been wondering this as well. I am, at heart, a PC guy. In fact, it is and has been my job to setup, build and repair PC's with Windows, XP. Server, and even Vista for the last 13 years. I do accasionally work on Macs and I have owned a Macbook - although only for about 6 months - it was just too heavy to carry with me all the time.

The MacbookAir is by far one of the coolest new computers to come out in a long time. It is however, made for a specific group of laptop users... the Ultraportable users. It is made to be very thin and light. Yes it is expensive... but so are the Sony, Dell and Lenovo laptops that weigh in at 3 lbs or less and come with SSD drives.

Yes they do not come with optical drives... well so what, niether do most other ultraportable laptops. And if they do, they are usually external. (I have had 3 Sony Vaio ultraportables, and two Dell 3 pounders over the last 8 years and all of them had or have external Optical drives - heck my first Sony Pent300 Vaio had an external floppy drive also There is a USB superdrive available for $99.00. That is really not a bad price. I had to pay like $200 for my external CD (not CDR or DVD) drive for one of my past Vaio's. For comparision, I just bought a Samsung external USB DVDRW drive for my PC that is full sized with an external power brick and that cost $118.00 from Fry's. So again, $99.00 is not that bad.

Yes it only has one USB port... again so what?! My last two Dells (X300 and current D410) have had 2 USB ports. So far, I have never needed both at the same time... ever. If more then one USB port is necessary for what you do and a hub wont cut it for you... then do not buy an MBA.

Why some people are just hating it is so beyond me. Again, if they don't like it, they should just not buy one. Spending so much time and effort to spew negative comments and hate about the MacbookAir is just amazing to me.

My guess is that they may really want one, but cannot afford one and therefore just say negative things about them to try to keep those of us that can afford one from considering it.

Either way, I will definitely be getting one in the near future - and yes it will be the 1.8/SSD model. I can't decide whether I should order one or just wait for them to actually be available for sale in the Apple Store. ( I hate mail order... checking everyday at my door wondering will today be the day it shows up... I want to buy it, open it and use it within the same day

Just my thoughts...

 

[eddietr]

It's definitely caused some strong opinions.

I was playing around with one at the Apple Store, and there were several other people playing with the other MBA's at the same table or waiting behind to play with one.

And there were two guys over at the next table holding a couple of MBs and loudly talking about how ridiculous the MBA is and "how could anybody want that?", "It's not that much smaller?", "It doesn't even have firewire, can you believe that!", "Those people are being duped.", "It's not like these aren't thin", "I guess if all you do is word processing and you have money to burn", etc.

They kept looking at us to see the reaction. It was weird, almost like a protest.

I guess people get passionate about their computers.

 

[mcdj]

Playground psychology 101; sour grapes. I bet if you presented any hater with a free MBA, they'd gush.

 

[ubercool]

Playground psychology 101; sour grapes. I bet if you presented any hater with a free MBA, they'd gush.

Hehe, that would be very funny. Wish I could arrange it.

 

[richard.mac]

lack of optical drive and smaller cpu is perfect. however i dont like that it has a 13" screen (hoping for 10-12), large bezel, no firewire, only 1 USB port, black keyboard, more expensive than it should be. i would never buy one.

 

[cenetti]

Playground psychology 101; sour grapes. I bet if you presented any hater with a free MBA, they'd gush.

so you think people express negative opinions because they can't afford it?

I am a "air" hater...and have 3K ready to burn....waiting for the new pro...

maybe we just know where the real value is....?

 

[LizKat]

so you think people express negative opinions because they can't afford it?

I am a "air" hater...and have 3K ready to burn....waiting for the new pro...

maybe we just know where the real value is....?

It's pretty optional to "hate" a machine one can simply choose not to buy.

Posting that one "hates" a machine and suggesting that "real" value lies elsewhere seem to solicit some sort of backlash from people who have purchased that machine and consider the thing worth what they paid for it.

Soliciting a backlash = trolling. Only you know for sure if you seek to inflame purchasers of the MacBook Air.

 

[miniConvert]

The problem folks have with the Air is that it isn't a conventional ultraportable, and that's what a lot of people were waiting for.

It may be very thin, but the 13" screen means it's much bigger than any other ultraportable on the market. The Sony TZ may be thicker, but it's smaller and has a vast amount of extra functionality, not to mention a removable battery (which some folk seem to really need... I guess for long trips, I don't know, I've never needed one), integrated 3G HSDPA, and an integrated optical drive.

I can understand these people's frustration and I too am a little disappointed that we got an ultra-thin laptop rather than an ultraportable. However, I do think the Air makes a lot more sense in terms of portability than a MB or MBP while remaining far more usable than a Sony TZ due to its larger screen and keyboard. Plus it has a better processor than the TZ, so it's going to feel really nippy, even if it is at the expense of some battery life.

The Air will find its own market, and some ultraportable die-hards will also come to realise that they don't need a Swiss army knife of a laptop and that the Air is actually a much better compromise than what's on the market already. The rest will go on to buy PC ultraportables and so their shouting voices will gradually fade.

Me? Well, I'd love a Sony TZ but it's useless to me without OS X. So, an Air is a real possibility going forward. Yes, I'd need to carry my external 3G HSDPA modem with me, but other than that it's all good.

 

[southcounty949]

Because people have different needs. I for one will get a new MBA laptop, and will probably get another new laptop next year, or a "second" one aside from the MacBook Air. Yeah, it's expensive ... It's Apple. I've read all the put downs (frankly, one too many times). It's not going to stop me from buying a MacBook Air. I love my toys. In the end, I'd rather feel happy about buying what I really wanted (MBA) rather than sitting there with a new MB or MBP wishing that I had bought the MBA. I surf the net, e-mail, and use iChat. I ocassionally use CS3, which I wouldn't want to use on a laptop full time in the first place!

And YES, I DID DRINK THE KOOL-AID and it taste damn good !

 

[ctt1wbw]

so you think people express negative opinions because they can't afford it?

I am a "air" hater...and have 3K ready to burn....waiting for the new pro...

maybe we just know where the real value is....?

The base model of the Air is not three thousand.

 

[ctt1wbw]

The problem folks have with the Air is that it isn't a conventional ultraportable, and that's what a lot of people were waiting for.

It may be very thin, but the 13" screen means it's much bigger than any other ultraportable on the market. The Sony TZ may be thicker, but it's smaller and has a vast amount of extra functionality, not to mention a removable battery (which some folk seem to really need... I guess for long trips, I don't know, I've never needed one), integrated 3G HSDPA, and an integrated optical drive.

I can understand these people's frustration and I too am a little disappointed that we got an ultra-thin laptop rather than an ultraportable. However, I do think the Air makes a lot more sense in terms of portability than a MB or MBP while remaining far more usable than a Sony TZ due to its larger screen and keyboard. Plus it has a better processor than the TZ, so it's going to feel really nippy, even if it is at the expense of some battery life.

The Air will find its own market, and some ultraportable die-hards will also come to realise that they don't need a Swiss army knife of a laptop and that the Air is actually a much better compromise than what's on the market already. The rest will go on to buy PC ultraportables and so their shouting voices will gradually fade.

Me? Well, I'd love a Sony TZ but it's useless to me without OS X. So, an Air is a real possibility going forward. Yes, I'd need to carry my external 3G HSDPA modem with me, but other than that it's all good.

Do you really think that a 12" screen is the only criteria to meeting the term "ultra portable"? I am pretty sure there are some "ultra portables" on the market that weigh the same as an Air, but can you really truly use a computer with an 11" screen? Really?

 

[beast]

the great apple ripoff

I'm not an air hater.... i'm actually waiting for delivery.... however i am shocked that the air does not come with an apple remote as standard

Come Apple, how cheap do you want to be?????? Every other mac (bar the pro) comes this cheap plastic remote..... grrrrrrrrrrr

 

[LizKat]

I'm not an air hater.... i'm actually waiting for delivery.... however i am shocked that the air does not come with an apple remote as standard

Come Apple, how cheap do you want to be?????? Every other mac (bar the pro) comes this cheap plastic remote..... grrrrrrrrrrr

yeh but we all have them already it's like one more iPod usb cable geez

maybe some mac user groups of the bricks and mortar variety have a trading table! dock adapters, remotes and etc.

 

[MacBiscuit]

Why? Because they wanted something genuinely innovative perhaps?

I don't think it's just sour grapes. I for one would love a MBA if someone gave it to me. But at the price there are too many compromises. Yes, it's niche, but many in that niche also would like one or more of the following

- More expandability
- Smaller footprint
- Higher performance
- Swappable battery

So those that argue that the naysayers should just buy a MB or MBP are missing the point. Many wanted something different to those machines, just not what Apple delivered.

I don't want to get embroiled in the 'is it overpriced' debate - after all nobody has to buy one. However, if it had been cheap, light and cut down - like a souped up ASUS EEE I'd definitely want one. If it were premium priced and higher specced, I might also have wanted one.

So to sum up: We wanted something genuinely different, not just thinner - so people are airing their disappointment. Doesn't mean it's a bad machine though...

 

[weckart]

The base model of the Air is not three thousand.

Where did anyone say or even imply that it is?

Why are so many people fed up with Apple and its lame new offering? Let me count the ways.

a) Gaps in Apple's line up still include the business ultra-portable aka PB 12" successor and the upgradeable mid-range desktop. Still.
b) Leopard is still full of holes, after coming late to the table. Priorities?
c) Apple's devoting too many resources to flashy new products, spreading itself too thinly, neglecting its bread and butter range and not always understanding its target markets (iPhone outside the US, anyone?)
d) After finally understanding that form should not always precede function, we get this undernourished Macbook? Why, Apple, why?

 

[dsnort]

Where did anyone say or even imply that it is?

Right here.

so you think people express negative opinions because they can't afford it?

I am a "air" hater...and have 3K ready to burn....waiting for the new pro...

maybe we just know where the real value is....?

I think a lot of the backlash against the MBA is from Mac Fans who expected Apple's new "ultraportable" to be a replacement for their beloved 12" PB's, and are disappointed that Apple went a different way.

 

[Cybergypsy]

Its not for everyone....but why Hate.....I think the MBP is junky just sold mine.... But don,t hate it....just would not buy another....

 

[Colman]

Because Uncle Steve didn't bring the present *they* wanted

I get the impression it's because they were waiting for the laptop of their dreams and are hurt and upset that Apple built something they don't want.

As per usual, people assume that if they don't want it no-one else could want it for good reasons. Standard Internet nonsense.

 

[NickFalk]

Ok I don't hate the 'Air'. I did however give it a hard time in my blog mostly because I have a hard time seeing where the machine actually fits. It confuses Apple's line-up and might end up confusing the customers as well. Simplifying the product-line was one of the first and most important things Jobs did when returning to the mothership.

Before the 'air' there were two lines of portables. The consumer-models: MacBook and the pro-models: MacBook Pro. When the customers arrived in the store to buy a new portable it's was a fairly easy choice. You choose the line-up you felt most comfortable with and then bought it with the specs you wanted/could afford.

Research has shown that too many choices can actually lead to customers not buying anything. Customers might walk into the store, fall in love with the looks of the 'Air' which looks to be in the same family as the pro machines. When starting to look at the specs they'll find that the consumer models are actually more powerful and cheaper. But, the air is so thin! But it's slower!

It just spells confusion and that could easily harm Apple's business.

 

[weckart]

Right here.

Could not disagree more. Cenetti merely pointed out that he had 3k at his disposal FOR A MAC (Book?) PRO and therefore could not belong to the generalisation that people hated the MBA because they could not afford it.

How you extrapolate that to mean that the MBA costs all of 3k is down to your reading and comprehension skills.

 

[devilot]

"Why do some people appear to HATE the MBA?"


Because everyone wants something that perfectly suits them.
Because everyone wants all the power of an MBP squeezed into something like the Air.

So basically, because it's impossible to please everyone.

And I think it's terribly difficult for some people to swallow the fact that smaller does not necessarily mean cheaper and can often mean the inverse.

And yet others refuse to get it through their thick skulls that not everyone needs soooo much power on-the-go. And to be fair, the Air's CPU if faster than the rev. A MBs and even the rev A MBPS since those were CD and not C2D, no? Seems plenty snappy if you're gonna be doing simpler things like MS Office, 'net browsing... video playback (er, like if you have ripped movies on the HD).

Whatever, it's annoying when people are too thick to realize people have different needs and wants. Just gotta do your best to filter 'em out.


:super late edit: As far as the footprint goes, I went from a 12" PB, to a 12" iBook, and then to a 13" MB. Weight-wise all very comparable. Is the footprint bigger? Obviously. And believe me, I was v reluctant to go bigger. But now? I quite like the resolution afforded by the bigger screen and admittedly, would have a difficult time going back to a smaller screen. So yes, the MBA sounds lovely to me (which isn't to say I don't wish it was cheaper ).

 

[adeinov]

My first post here. Normally I lurk and read and enjoy some of the posts. Decided to step in with my viewpoint

What I've seen is with the MacBook Air there are two polar opposites in terms of what people think about it. On the negative side of things there are people who dislike it because they feel Apple are trying to push this new device as something it is not (and I partly agree with them here) as well as the glossing over of items which some people feel they really require from an ultraportable. Some people just don't "get it" with the machine, however I think there are a group of people - myself included - who understand what the machine is about but who are still a little disappointed with it.

I have a trusty 12" PowerBook and I've been waiting and waiting for Apple to replace it. I bought a black MacBook and whilst its a better machine in terms of processor, screen etc it just doesn't feel right to me and is too large for my needs. When Apple released the MacBook Air I didn't care about lack of DVD drive (I used to own a PowerBook Duo!), the lack or swappable batteries or the lack of ports (though the firewire one was a shame). What I was disappointed with was the footprint and this is where a lot of people are coming from with it. I'm still buying one - just waiting for them to appear in the shops here in the UK - as my 12" PowerBook is on its last legs. I've sold my black MacBook (yay!) and am just waiting to buy. Hopefully we'll not be the only ones watching these conversations and maybe Apple will go back and design what the majority of people will need. In the meantime I'll buy this MacBook Air and enjoy it until it comes time to parting with it for something better

Ade

 

[NickFalk]

And yet others refuse to get it through their thick skulls that not everyone needs soooo much power on-the-go. And to be fair, the Air's CPU if faster than the rev. A MBs and even the rev A MBPS since those were CD and not C2D, no? Seems plenty snappy if you're gonna be doing simpler things like MS Office, 'net browsing... video playback (er, like if you have ripped movies on the HD).

Whatever, it's annoying when people are too thick to realize people have different needs and wants. Just gotta do your best to filter 'em out.

Well them thick-skulls are still a big part of the potential market. As I said in my last post here the Air is obviously causing confusion and that should worry Apple...

 

[MacBiscuit]

Research has shown that too many choices can actually lead to customers not buying anything.

This is a really good point. I was really happy with the Macbook design until the Air came along, but won't spend extra money for an inferior spec. So I'm tempted to wait for a later model with the best of both worlds, whereas previously I'd have just bought a MacBook and been happy.

Consumers are a fickle bunch!