Why do some people appear to HATE the MBA?

[kuwisdelu]

The basic, fundamental issue, in my opinion, is that APPLE decided what they considered important in the design versus asking their customers.

They decided that they weren't going to compromise the screen and keyboard size, and defined ultraportable as thin and 3 lbs of weight.

To meet that, something had to be compromised, so goodbye ports, optical drive, use an iPod hard drive, etc.

The problem - many of Apple's loyal customers looked at the 12" PowerBook as a great size, and wanted a current technology replacement for that. Take away an optical drive and make it external, thin it out a little, and give it that Powerbook form factor, along with the current crop of ports found in other laptops, and I think many, many people would gladly hand over money to upgrade their PowerBooks. That design would also still attract a whole new group of customers looking for something thinner and lighter than the MacBook or MacBook Pro.

So, Apple comes out and says "we created the world's thinnest notebook" and alot of customers are saying "so what - its not what I want. Too many compromises to get that sales moniker"

You can easily dismiss them and say "if you don't like it, don't buy it." How does this help Apple? They just lost a potential sale from somebody who WANTS to buy a product from them, if only it was the right product.

The Air is creating a lot of controversy simply because there are customers who have their own design ideas on what constitutes an ultraportable, versus Apple's own ideas. A little bit of communication up front on Apple's part to talk to their customers to find out WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO THEM would've produced a laptop that got much broader market acceptance on its introduction, in my opinion, and created an instant hit. Instead, they get division and controversy.

How is this good for the Air and Apple?

Yes, they missed out on some sales from the people who were hoping for a 12" MBP. But the people who wanted that still aren't the only market for small, portable computers. Apple also opened up the idea of an ultraportable to people like me--those who never wanted one before, because the undersized screen and keyboards on them were too restrictive, and never used the ports that the MBA doesn't have anyway.

Apple gave its own interpretation of an ultraportable, and offered us something other ultraportables don't. For people wanting the same old ultraportable they had before, that sucks. I know. But for those who like the new spin on the idea, it's great.

Personally, I hope Apple releases a 13" MBP. 12" is just too small for me. The choice between a 13" MBP powerhouse and a freakishly thin, portable MBA would be a hard one for me....

 

[macsensei]

the truth is as soon as Apple comes out with the new MBP, people will love the Air. To many are trying to make the MBA a pro machine. Alot of my friends were disappointed at Macworld because of the lack of a new MBP.

 

[Gunga Din]

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....?

Exactly. I have the money as well. Everyone that owns an Apple product knows damn well how expensive they are. Most of us know our tech and perhaps we just look at the Mac Air differently. I looked at all factors: price, form, OS, components and decided the Mac Air wasnt worth it.

I think the Mac Air is just pushing the limits on what the consumer is willing to spend on a product like this. There is noway I can justify buying the Mac Air with SSD vs a top end Macbook Pro (loaded). Maybe someone can, but thats gonna be a small percentage compared those looking for the most bang for the buck.

 

[Gunga Din]

the truth is as soon as Apple comes out with the new MBP, people will love the Air. To many are trying to make the MBA a pro machine. Alot of my friends were disappointed at Macworld because of the lack of a new MBP.

Right, and I'll be the first to admit i'm pissed about the Mac Air for taking time and development from the MBP. However, I still would never buy the Mac Air as is.

 

[kuwisdelu]

I think the Mac Air is just pushing the limits on what the consumer is willing to spend on a product like this. There is noway I can justify buying the Mac Air with SSD vs a top end Macbook Pro (loaded). Maybe someone can, but thats gonna be a small percentage compared those looking for the most bang for the buck.

Small percentage or not, that's always how it's been with ultraportables, and I think it will sell better than most ultraportables because it appeals to the average consumer more who is just wanting more portability without sacrificing tooo much. Maybe some see the MBA as sacrificing too much, and even more so than other ultraportables, but I think it makes its sacrifices in the right places. It doesn't feel too different than a normal MacBook as far as day-to-day performance goes, whereas with other ultraportables, you're going to KNOW you're using an ultraportable that's made some major performance trade-offs.

But anyone who's looking for "the most bang for the buck" is never going to buy an ultraportable in the first place, so I don't see why its an issue with the Air.

 

[DanBUK]

Why people hate the Air:

1) People are impatient for an update MBP
2)People were hoping for a 12" PB replacement which it isn't
3) People were hoping for a new form of interface/input mode
4)Big bezel
5) People are miserable
6) No appreciation of beauty or innovation
7) Difficult marital situation- frustration poured out on inanimate object
8)People hate Apple and all it stands for
9)[insert USB/FW/battery/dvd whinging]

Take your pick.

 

[NAG]

Right, and I'll be the first to admit i'm pissed about the Mac Air for taking time and development from the MBP.

Huh? That is as silly as the people that say the iPod is killing the mac.

 

[weckart]

Well, coming here and bitching about it seems pretty silly to many people.

Whereas coming here bitching about people bitching about it seems like genius to many people, I suppose.

 

[ctt1wbw]

Whereas coming here bitching about people bitching about it seems like genius to many people, I suppose.

Some people might come here to try to read adult posts, instead of people complaining about ports/bezel/optical drive/et al.

 

[netdog]

This thing is selling like wildfire. People swarm around it in Apple Stores here in London. Whinge away all you like, but this IS what a lot of people want.

 

[shadowfax]

The basic, fundamental issue, in my opinion, is that APPLE decided what they considered important in the design versus asking their customers.

From what I have read, Apple is one of the few tech corporation that has absolutely no record of ever doing polling or focus groups, etc. to find out what their users want in a product. They take feedback from their current products, of course, but they follow the principle, in designing products, that if they like it, people will like it. They're not always right, but their successes outweigh their failures by a unbelievable margin, and I think they are really at the top of their game.

I don't want Apple to ask customers... customers as a people group have little taste or class--other organizations don't have "designers" in the sense that Apple does, they formulate requirements for a product based on consumer polling and business requirements, and they throw things together based on that. Apple is a "lifestyle" company, like Ralph Lauren or Gucci. They sell products that are part of a larger design/functionality philosophy, and if you're not on board with that, that's cool--probably a good thing. But Apple makes stuff within their little world, not from focus groups or contracts with large corporations.

This thing is selling like wildfire. People swarm around it in Apple Stores here in London. Whinge away all you like, but this IS what a lot of people want.

This is what I am saying--Apple said the MBA had great preordering at the conference call last month, and all the reports I have read say that people are all over the thing in the stores. That's not concrete sales figures, but you would think it would shut people up about how badly it is going to sell. But then, I'd be curious about how the Cube sold initially. Maybe it was as hyped at the beginning.

 

[kuwisdelu]

From what I have read, Apple is one of the few tech corporation that has absolutely no record of ever doing polling or focus groups, etc. to find out what their users want in a product. They take feedback from their current products, of course, but they follow the principle, in designing products, that if they like it, people will like it. They're not always right, but their successes outweigh their failures by a unbelievable margin, and I think they are really at the top of their game.

I don't want Apple to ask customers... customers as a people group have little taste or class--other organizations don't have "designers" in the sense that Apple does, they formulate requirements for a product based on consumer polling and business requirements, and they throw things together based on that. Apple is a "lifestyle" company, like Ralph Lauren or Gucci. They sell products that are part of a larger design/functionality philosophy, and if you're not on board with that, that's cool--probably a good thing. But Apple makes stuff within their little world, not from focus groups or contracts with large corporations.

And let's keep it that way! Despite what many may think, products that try to please everyone rarely end up being good, because you just can't please everyone. Most people don't really have good taste when it comes to designing computers, and most people don't really know what they want/need until presented with it. That sounds like a really dumb, non-intuitive thing to say, but it's how Apple has always worked, and it's one of the things that allows them to deliver us such great products. Just think how many people thought they "needed" floppies, and how many people today think they "need" optical drives, etc. Look at someone who tries to design his own UI or changes around their menu bars, etc. to his own liking: they're rarely good, and are often quite ugly. Apple doesn't make what people think is a great product, they make what they think is a great product, and very often they're more right. I trust them, and when they're wrong, I just won't buy it. No big deal. But when they're right, they're a very, very right. The people there know what they're doing.

No, I'm not a fanboy. There are plenty of Apple products I don't have, because I have no use for them. I'm not buying an MBA because I don't need one right now. I'm just an extremely satisfied customer happy with products from a company that isn't afraid to pave its own way

 

[barijazz]

I hear a lot of news people warning people about the MBA's flaws, but what I can't understand and what no one seems to realize is that none of those "flaws" appear in the MBP or the MB models. Those "flaws" are intended for a specific group of people, and it urks me when someone has to go and bitch about features that don't fit their needs.

 

[NAG]

Exactly, they're complaining about diversity in Apple's product lineup, which makes no sense at all.

 

[pesc]

This thing is selling like wildfire. People swarm around it in Apple Stores here in London. Whinge away all you like, but this IS what a lot of people want.

Hmmm... I just bought some Apple stock for some of the money I put aside for a 12" PB replacement. I wonder how that move will turn out by the time MBA mark II arrives.

Well, coming here and bitching about it seems pretty silly to many people.

Please read the topic of this thread.

 

[weckart]

No, they are complaining about the lack of diversity in Apple's lineup that this laptop confirms. It is too close to the current Macbooks without offering any convincing advantageous differentiation. Being a bit thinner/lighter does not cut it, because that is the direction, in which all of Apple's portables have been going the past few years.

And it pretty much closes the door on any realistic worthwhile addition to the portable range for the foreseeable future.

As for the sales in Regent Street; well, this vanity product was made for that shop. I would be curious to see how well it sells in Southampton, Bolton or Sunderland to be honest.

 

[iEric007]

I don't understand what the big fuss is with the hard drive space available on the MBA. It's a portable computer, not a desktop - not designed to keep all your files (like all music, pictures, and videos.) Also, 80GB hard drive is not that bad. The first MacBooks weren't that big and after partitioning the hard drive for use with Boot Camp, about 80GBs were left for MacOS X. On my current MBP, I have it partitioned with Boot Camp and my OS X partition is 90GBs (yes, only 10 GBs more than the MBA). I have tons of apps on this machine, with plenty of space for all my music, pictures, and more. I guess I am just confused why people are being so hard on the amount of space the MBA provides. It seems fine to me. No need to have compression software, nor anything of sorts.

Anyways - these are my two cents! Don't flame me, just giving a different opinion.

 

[applestew]

to those who say that apple does not listen to their customers, who are the "customers" you are referring to? You?

well the MBA works real fine, just what I hoped for. They probably listened to other customers, not you.

Quit complaining you guys who want a decked up laptop, just wait for the updated MBP and then have fun lugging the weight.

 

[drchipinski]

One word..price.

I was looking for one and priced one out.

BASIC specs.

1.6/80 - 1800
iWork- 70
time capsule - 300
dvd drive- 100
sleeve- 30
tax in Ohio is 7.5%

total is around- $2475......that is not a cheap latptop for a basic one that is thin.

Don't get me wrong, I love the thing...just not worth my $2,500 yet

 

[chrono1081]

People are silly.

I don't get what the fuss is about. If the MBA isn't for you, don't buy it.

When my mom saw this she wanted one immediately cause she travels, she only uses office and the internet, and she doesn't want some fat laptop to lug around or one with a super small screen. The MBA is exactly what she needs.

Me on the other hand, I'm very impressed with it, but its not what I need. Do I think its crap? Absolutely not. Is it for me? No. I need a MBP thats a 13 inch screen but unfortunately apple doesn't make that :/

Buy what YOU need. Don't get pissed off if a product comes out that caters to someone else, Apple will take turns with everyone.

 

[NAG]

No, they are complaining about the lack of diversity in Apple's lineup that this laptop confirms. It is too close to the current Macbooks without offering any convincing advantageous differentiation. Being a bit thinner/lighter does not cut it, because that is the direction, in which all of Apple's portables have been going the past few years.

And it pretty much closes the door on any realistic worthwhile addition to the portable range for the foreseeable future.

As for the sales in Regent Street; well, this vanity product was made for that shop. I would be curious to see how well it sells in Southampton, Bolton or Sunderland to be honest.

So in other words, it isn't diverse because you don't want it. Why don't you explain to us what would make this laptop a worthy (in your eyes) addition to the Apple lineup?

 

[ctt1wbw]

2 usb ports. Oh, plus the ability to not get hot when you put it on a pillow.

 

[Catch]

2 usb ports. Oh, plus the ability to not get hot when you put it on a pillow.

Personally I don't understand why they can't make them waterproof. As it is they are missing out on a HUGE amount of professional divers.

C

 

[NAG]

Personally I think it needs to also have a holographic projector and be wrist mounted.

 

[LizKat]

<snip> I think a lot of people trying to justify this design are Prada-Starbucks bloggers and not people who do serious tours on the road.

Just fell off the couch laughing. Wearing long john bottoms, jeans, long john top, turtleneck, sweatshirt with holes and axle grease mark on it, old wool sweater because it's 21 outside and probably 57 in here, which is where I came to drink an ordinary coffeemaker kinda coffee...

Now as to justification: Why should a consumer JUSTIFY a DESIGN, hello? A consumer gets to ratify it with bucks on the countertop, or not.

The design went through rigorous justification way back at the conclusion of the brainstorming phase of the projects that brought the MB Air to market. And, market research was big in the mix during that justification process.

Otherwise the MacBook Air would have become SOMETHING ELSE.

It's not up to us as individual consumers to define what the rest of the planet is up to whenever they happen to buy what we don't buy. I could suggest to you that anyone who walks into a Starbucks and orders a latte is not going to be the same person who will later that day go muck out a horse stall but I'm not that stupid because that particular example is false.

I don't know who is buying all those Mac Book Airs and I don't know if Apple thought I would be a buyer and it doesn't concern me. Apple thought enough people would buy it to bother making it.

My purchase washes your decision not to purchase. So maybe it's the guy down the road who matters to Apple. (heh, of course he got one)

Of course I hope they eventually find the techno to make a 12" MBP or equivalent because I too like that footprint (but don't require it).

Back to my axle grease and a long suffering 25-year-old wood cart.