Why do some people appear to HATE the MBA?

[diabolic]

It would explain why so many people feel the need not merely to express why it's not for them (perfectly fine and acceptable to voice such opinions) and, instead, insult people who do find it's for them ("Your girly arms can't handle 2 more pounds!") (Honestly, what does it matter whether anyone can "handle" 2 more pounds or not? It's completely irrelevant as you don't know what else they have to haul around or if they're disabled or elderly and need as light a load as possible, or if they have to haul this load for many hours over many miles. All of which would, indeed, make a person want the lightest possible computer, no need to insult them over such a rational and wise decision. Why haul a heavier computer when a lighter one will do?).

It's hilarious that the post following yours did exactly what you wrote.

 

[MazingerZ]

Hate is such a strong word. It isn't so much the "Air". The biggest problem is the people that lost muscle capacity overnight, and 2lbs turned into 20lbs.
Additionally, the Macbook Air isn't more portable than the Macbook. You will primarily use the same cases for each. If you have to tote several items around while commuting back and forth, that $2k would be better invested in a vehicle.

There simply is too much self-convincing going on with Macbook Air owners/hopefuls. You have $2k-$3k to burn on an over-priced product, which is fine. Avoid being on the forums embarrasing yourself talking about how 2lbs almost broke your arm.

What self-convincing are you talking about? In this day and age, any tech mistake I make is easily remedied by selling on ebay/craigslist.

As for being overpriced, well, value is in the eye of the beholder. Just look at Apple's sales in the last 3 years.

 

[ob81]

It's hilarious that the post following yours did exactly what you wrote.

What is hilarious is the fact that people in large numbers do complain about the 2lbs.

 

[thirteen1031]

To add, as an opinion and pure speculation: I suspect that the MBA and the iPhone are heading towards each other. As elements of each get integrated into each, you move, closer and closer, to that magical "Tablet" that everyone is talking about.

What I suspect is that there isn't a big market for the tablet as yet. And I also suspect that Apple is *wisely* exploring what people want and need and would use or not use if such a devise existed. That they're watching other companies with their incarnations of it, how well they do, and how good their product is--just as they watched other MP3 players before bringing out the iPod.

As the iPhone moves one way (more computer-like) and the MBA moves the other way (more portable) you get closer and closer to a tablet where a lot of problems and necessary functions have already been worked out and tested, like the touch screen which is part of the MBA's trackpad. I wonder if people who are dissing the MBA are, perhaps, being a little short-sighted. I think there's the belief that this is it, this is all Apple can offer. But I think that there's a long, looooong term plan in the iPhone and MBA that may lead to that magic item. You can be angry that it isn't here yet, but be thankful for some caution. If the iPhone had some out and not worked well, it would have been a big bust. Better Apple inch toward this magical item, step by step, working out all the kinks and problems along the way, then try to bring it out and have it end up like the Newton.

That is, no market for it yet, and it doesn't work well enough for those who do want it. A wise business creates a market (or nurtures as market) for a product, and brings out that product when it's sure the technology is there to give people what they want/need, and that it will work out well and not flop like Edsel.

It's hilarious that the post following yours did exactly what you wrote.

LOL! Timing is everything

 

[ob81]

What self-convincing are you talking about? In this day and age, any tech mistake I make is easily remedied by selling on ebay/craigslist.

As for being overpriced, well, value is in the eye of the beholder. Just look at Apple's sales in the last 3 years.

The Air's biggest perk is it's thinness, hands down. This thinness comes at a compromise of features for some, and for others, they don't need some of the missing features anyway. Former Macbook owners, who have previously adored the Macbook in the same fashion that they do the Air, all of a sudden started downing the Macbook and the Macbook pro. Overnight. People seem to overlook this due to the amount of "Air haters", but look at the Macbook/Macbook pro haters that spawned from the mist. I figure they are downing the other models to convince themselves that they would have passed out if they carried a macbook/macbook pro another day.

You are right though. The premium on ultraportables is pretty unmeasurable, and to someone that isn't in the market, the price may seem steep. The Macbook Air isn't an ultraportable though. It is an attempt to re-define what ultraportable is. There are ultraportables smaller than the Air with more features. The only downfall to those units is that they don't run OSX.

 

[Mitch1984]

If it was cheaper than a MacBook then it wouldn't seem pointless.

 

[thirteen1031]

What is hilarious is the fact that people in large numbers do complain about the 2lbs.

Not hilarious at all. Like I said, if you're carrying around 50lbs in books and other crap, then lightening that load by even 2lb is desirable. If you have to haul something around for hours, then 2lbs can start to feel like 20 and getting rid of that 2lbs can make a difference--just ask long distance runners, or swimmers or hikers or rock climbers. The lighter the load the better, and every ounce you lighten up allows you to concentrate on other things. More important things, be it climbing that mountain or getting through an airport and to an urgent business meeting on time and breathing easy.

Rushing about from meeting to meeting isn't about building up your muscles. If a lighter computer allows you to do this better, why should it be heavier just because you can "handle it" if you have to?

Why should anyone haul a heavier computer if a lighter one will suffice? And if a lighter one does make a difference to them, why should that be mocked? Do you know enough about them, about their lives, about their disabilities and illnesses and how much they haul about daily on their backs to justify finding their complaint "Hilarious?"

 

[NAG]

The Air's biggest perk is it's thinness, hands down. This thinness comes at a compromise of features for some, and for others, they don't need some of the missing features anyway. Former Macbook owners, who have previously adored the Macbook in the same fashion that they do the Air, all of a sudden started downing the Macbook and the Macbook pro. Overnight. People seem to overlook this due to the amount of "Air haters", but look at the Macbook/Macbook pro haters that spawned from the mist. I figure they are downing the other models to convince themselves that they would have passed out if they carried a macbook/macbook pro another day.

You are right though. The premium on ultraportables is pretty unmeasurable, and to someone that isn't in the market, the price may seem steep. The Macbook Air isn't an ultraportable though. It is an attempt to re-define what ultraportable is. There are ultraportables smaller than the Air with more features. The only downfall to those units is that they don't run OSX.

Again, attacking people personally because you don't agree. I would have thought we would be above this. Apparently, you are not. Why don't you bring something actually productive to the discussion rather than continue to attack people who ask why so many people are so irrationally opposed to the Macbook air even existing.

 

[ob81]

Not hilarious at all. Like I said, if you're carrying around 50lbs in books and other crap, then lightening that load by even 2lb is desirable. If you have to haul something around for hours, then 2lbs can start to feel like 20 and getting rid of that 2lbs can make a difference--just ask long distance runners, or swimmers or hikers or rock climbers. The lighter the load the better, and every ounce you lighten up allows you to concentrate on other things. More important things, be it climbing that mountain or getting through an airport and to an urgent business meeting on time and breathing easy.

Rushing about from meeting to meeting isn't about building up your muscles. If a lighter computer allows you to do this better, why should it be heavier just because you can "handle it" if you have to?

Why should anyone haul a heavier computer if a lighter one will suffice? And if a lighter one does make a difference to them, why should that be mocked? Do you know enough about them, about their lives, about their disabilities and illnesses and how much they haul about daily on their backs to justify finding their complaint "Hilarious?"

Everything you mentioned is spot on. I stress again, why DOWN the Macbook/Macbook pro now that the Air has arrived? Read through the Air forums. People complain about the Air haters, when most of the Air adopters that previously owned Macbook/Macbook pros, are acting like they were on their last leg with the Macbook/MBP's after previously praising them. Ok. You can't lug the 2lbs. The Air came and saved your life. There are still tons of people that beleive that the Macbook/MBP are great systems. Stop trying to convince yourself that they aren't and that is why you bought the pro.

 

[MazingerZ]

Everything you mentioned is spot on. I stress again, why DOWN the Macbook/Macbook pro now that the Air has arrived? Read through the Air forums. People complain about the Air haters, when most of the Air adopters that previously owned Macbook/Macbook pros, are acting like they were on their last leg with the Macbook/MBP's after previously praising them. Ok. You can't lug the 2lbs. The Air came and saved your life. There are still tons of people that beleive that the Macbook/MBP are great systems. Stop trying to convince yourself that they aren't and that is why you bought the pro.

I must have missed all the post dissing the mbp's. I think most owners of MBP's are keeping them while making their MBA their travel laptop as I am doing.

 

[ob81]

Again, attacking people personally because you don't agree. I would have thought we would be above this. Apparently, you are not. Why don't you bring something actually productive to the discussion rather than continue to attack people who ask why so many people are so irrationally opposed to the Macbook air even existing.

I don't think I attacked anyone presonally anywhere in my post. I find that on forums, when people have nothing to say, they use phrases like "attack". Who did I attack? I mean really.

 

[NAG]

Care to provide links to these supposed macbook and macbook pro haters? Anyone actually "down" on the products existing? All I've ever seen is people saying they prefer the air over the other lines. Last time I checked, preference does not mean they are running around calling people names (such as implying wanting a lighter notebook means you're weak) or posting trolls in the macbook/macbook pro forum.

I don't think I attacked anyone presonally anywhere in my post. I find that on forums, when people have nothing to say, they use phrases like "attack". Who did I attack? I mean really.

Ah yes, denying the existence of bad form in argument as a defense of it. I was hoping for something a little more creative but I guess the tried and true trolling is out in force here.

How about this, I'll answer your question once you've answered mine. Who are the people who are "down" on the macbook and macbook pro? It is easy to use phrases like "down on" on the internet. Who is down on it? I mean really.

 

[thirteen1031]

People complain about the Air haters, when most of the Air adopters that previously owned Macbook/Macbook pros, are acting like they were on their last leg with the Macbook/MBP's after previously praising them.

If they offer a reasoned preference for the MBA over the others, lightness included, than I see nothing wrong with that. And if they offer reasons, such as weight, as a reason for switching, and do so in response to those who demand to know why they're buying it at all, then I still don't see anything wrong with that. Sometimes a strong reply comes in response to a strong question, like "Why are you being so stupid and buying an MBA!" In that case, I can understand if their response is less reasoned and more emotional, even to disrespecting the Macbook/Macbook pro.

If, however, without provocation, they're spitting troll-like vitriol at the regular sized notebooks and mocking those who are keeping their Pros and MacBooks rather than adopting the MBA's then that's wrong.

So. Please show me threads where people are doing this, and I'll happily take the to task for it. That's only fair.

 

[mashoutposse]

-custom-made Intel C2D full-voltage CPU
-aluminum chassis
-excellent screen (MBP-quality)
-excellent keyboard (backlit)
-all of the engineering required to make this fit in a chassis less than half the volume of a MacBook

Does this sound cheap to anyone?

Check out the product lines of practically all of the other manufacturers: You will discover that the smallest laptops carry the biggest price tags and the lowest performance. The MBA is a bargain in comparison.

There have always been both a price and performance premium on portability -- compare a $3k MBP to a $3k Mac Pro.

Nothing wrong with complaining about the price, but at the very least educate yourselves about the conventions of the ultraportable segment.

 

[zap2]

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

Very few people think that MacBook Air is a bad computer, they think its not worth 1800(they don't get the whole Sub NoteBook thing...)...so it being free would negate the one big negative(in their eyes)....so of course they'd take it!

 

[diabolic]

You know what? I think you're absolutely right. I think people pissed at Apple for the MBA and hating the MBA--that's HATING the MBA, not merely "disappointed in," or not interested in buying it, or not having the money for it yet--HATING the MBA because Apple didn't listen to them.

I also think there's an element that is mad that they can't have the newest cool thing from Apple, because they want a higher spec system. The only thing they can do is say they don't really want the MBA, and it upsets them when they read people talking about how great it is.

They really wanted the next Apple thing to be a top end fast laptop or ultraportable with a zillion ports so THEY could talk about how great it is. Now that I think about it, they'd probably complain about those too.

 

[TechHistorian]

The premium on ultraportables is pretty unmeasurable, and to someone that isn't in the market, the price may seem steep. The Macbook Air isn't an ultraportable though. It is an attempt to re-define what ultraportable is. There are ultraportables smaller than the Air with more features. The only downfall to those units is that they don't run OSX.

Smallness isn't necessarily a positive. Some posters have mentioned the Asus EEE as better than the MBA: more features, smaller size, lower price. Of course, if you write for a living, the smaller keyboard and screen of the EEE are a huge negative. The drawback of most ultraportables (for me, at least) is the screen/keyboard. The MBA's "redefinition" is thus actually a fairly big positive ... as is the OS

 

[fewture]

I was an initial MBA hater, now Ive changed:

People forget the following:

1. its not actually more expensive than other ultraportables. In many cases it costs less. DO NOT compare it to the Macbook. All ultraportables are much more expensive than faster computers
2. not everyone wants to work on a 11" screen - me included.
3. MBA gives you light and thin with 13" and proper size keyboard
4. MBA is much faster than other ultraportables and costs less than the mid to top range of Sony and Toshibas.

My predictions:

MBA2 with
2 usb ports (to shut everyone up)
3g modem option
replaceable battery (Ie, one sliding switch and its out)

I think the hate - is just Apple hate.


AND yes, it is ultraportable. Have you picked one up yet? Its so light and thin - a few inches shaved off the screen size would not make much difference. The weight and thinness make it ultra portable, as in the meaning of that word. I think they have redefined it.

 

[fewture]

Care to provide links to these supposed macbook and macbook pro haters? Anyone actually "down" on the products existing? All I've ever seen is people saying they prefer the air over the other lines. Last time I checked, preference does not mean they are running around calling people names (such as implying wanting a lighter notebook means you're weak) or posting trolls in the macbook/macbook pro forum.

ummm you are not reading enough. The initial reaction when it came out was negative. Look at all the PC Forums, most people hate it. Everywhere you go there is a split about it. But I have a feeling that its going to change, when people realise its actually a good ultraportable.

 

[cedar]

Hate is such a strong word. It isn't so much the "Air". The biggest problem is the people that lost muscle capacity overnight, and 2lbs turned into 20lbs.
Additionally, the Macbook Air isn't more portable than the Macbook. You will primarily use the same cases for each. If you have to tote several items around while commuting back and forth, that $2k would be better invested in a vehicle.

There simply is too much self-convincing going on with Macbook Air owners/hopefuls. You have $2k-$3k to burn on an over-priced product, which is fine. Avoid being on the forums embarrasing yourself talking about how 2lbs almost broke your arm.

There are probably a lot of PC-users that would argue that, based on specs, all Apple products are over-priced.

 

[mashoutposse]

There simply is too much self-convincing going on with Macbook Air owners/hopefuls.

There's far more "self-convincing" going on amongst the MBA haters. I'm going to explain to you EXACTLY what's going on in the minds of these people.

They are desperately trying to convince themselves that the MBA appeals to no one and that Apple f'ed up by not giving them their personal dream machine. It's that simple. These are the people who visit this subsection in the hopes of seeing lots of negative feedback from the owners. Upon learning that most owners are satisfied and some even highly! satisfied, they do all they can to rain on the parade, not realizing that changing someone's mind on the internet is one of the hardest things one can do

 

[cedar]

There's far more "self-convincing" going on amongst the MBA haters. I'm going to explain to you EXACTLY what's going on in the minds of these people.

They are desperately trying to convince themselves that the MBA appeals to no one and that Apple f'ed up by not giving them their personal dream machine. It's that simple. These are the people who visit this subsection in the hopes of seeing lots of negative feedback from the owners. Upon learning that most owners are satisfied and some even highly! satisfied, they do all they can to rain on the parade, not realizing that changing someone's mind on the internet is one of the hardest things one can do

lol Some folks are, frankly, rude. It's like getting a new car and your neighbor coming over and telling you what a piece of crap it is and that you got ripped off. I would never go over to the Macbook forum and start telling everybody that their machine was an overpriced piece of crap, even if I thought it was true (which I don't by the way).

 

[eric55lv]

I hate it. MacBook Air?Who f***ing names a notebook Air? I would have gone with MacBook Slim or Thin. Second One USB port? Is it still the 90s?

 

[ob81]

There's far more "self-convincing" going on amongst the MBA haters. I'm going to explain to you EXACTLY what's going on in the minds of these people.

They are desperately trying to convince themselves that the MBA appeals to no one and that Apple f'ed up by not giving them their personal dream machine. It's that simple. These are the people who visit this subsection in the hopes of seeing lots of negative feedback from the owners. Upon learning that most owners are satisfied and some even highly! satisfied, they do all they can to rain on the parade, not realizing that changing someone's mind on the internet is one of the hardest things one can do

I agree to an extent, but you have to admit that some Macbook air users have been praising their systems, when in fact, there are some serious flaws with it. Can't install windows on bootcamp via remote disk (learned this after purchase). Battery not operating as advertised. The battery is the KEY aspect of an ultra-portable. The list goes on. None of these are fatal of course, but when a new problem comes up, MBA owners work extra hard to act as if it doesn't affect them.

I don't think anyone wants to change any minds here. At least that isn't my goal. I just feel a tad weird being a Mac fan right now with the way people are acting, to the point of feeling uncomfortable. My problem may be having Macrumors as my only apple community though.

 

[kyleen66]

It's like getting a new car and your neighbor coming over and telling you what a piece of crap it is and that you got ripped off.

I know people like that.