The Macbook Air: You're all really poor

[bluelight]

I was about to clarify the actual purpose of this thread, but it seems that this person has done it for me very accurately.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=4788126&postcount=246

I'm sorry if anyone took this post offensively, that was not my intention.



Original Post Below

Call me an idiot, but the way everyone is trashing the MBA makes me want to buy it even more.

A lot of people are complaining about the border around the screen, the battery, the speakers, the keyboard colour, and nitpicking at every other component of the MBA, but I think what everyone is really mad about is the price.

If you can't afford it, don't try to convince yourself that it is a crappy machine by pointing out all of its flaws. The MacBook Air, when finally shipped, will function perfectly for what it is meant for.

SO STOP COMPLAINING. There is nothing wrong with it. It was introduced as the world's thinnest laptop, not the world's most powerful laptop. TOO BAD IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT.

Can't wait to buy it when they have it in stores :)

[tersono]

hehehehehe - nothing in life is perfect, but the MBA is a sweet little machine, despite a few minor gotchas.

I'll admit I'm tempted, too :D

[skyrider007]

I want one too but unfortunately it doesn't really fit my bill.

[SoLibertyDies]

amen man, I'm sick of these mba trashing threads, either get one or don't. geez.

kids these days.

like we're trying to make them buy it or something.

[Dan0903]

same here, yes, its a nice looking machine, but for a £100 more you can buy a mobile powerhouse instead of a gimmick.

which is what im doing :D

[PlaceofDis]

no its not for everyone. its amazingly well priced though imo.

the only one thing that bothers me is the battery.

[bluelight]

same here, yes, its a nice looking machine, but for a £100 more you can buy a mobile powerhouse instead of a gimmick.

which is what im doing :D


At least you can take it for what it is - a nice looking machine. Remember that everyone :) Apple is a trend setter, and that's what you're paying for.

[Andy-V]

It's a forum. People can express their views and opinions. Surely?

[grooveattack]

as an engineering exercise the macbook air is amazing. the thinnest in the world and still quite powerful. as a product i think it fails abit. quite basic, spend less money get more computer in a macbook or macbook pro, just does not make sense. ''spend more money and we will take away the superdrive, a usb port, a firewire port and some processor speed'' i can see people new to mac thinking ''wow macbook air..its so thin... oh wait i can get a better one for less money...?''

[SoLibertyDies]

surely we don't need a new thread for each person's opinion on the same Mono Speaker lol.

[Queso]

SO STOP COMPLAINING. There is nothing wrong with it. It was introduced as the world's thinnest laptop, not the world's most powerful laptop. TOO BAD IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT.
LOL. I'm not poor. I have Euros.

But I'm still not going to buy one. :D

[bluelight]

It's a forum. People can express their views and opinions. Surely?


I agree with you, continue complaining, but remember that you're really just mad about the price. Nothing else... and that is the point of this thread.

[j26]

I'm not poor by any stretch of the imagination.

It just doesn't represent value to me.



Edit: And some of the features would annoy me given the price of it. Lower the price and I could forgive the limitations, but at that price its defects tend to come to the fore.

[GfulDedFan]

I'd love to get one but my MacBook still runs great. The MacBook Air* would work perfect for what I do and I don't think the price is out of whack.
When my MB's kaput..........MBA me :apple:

* Envelope not included

[j26]

I'd love to get one but my MacBook still runs great. The MacBook Air* would work perfect for what I do and I don't think the price is out of whack.
When my MB's kaput..........MBA me :apple:

* Envelope $20 optional extra

Fixed it for ya

[Rich89]

The Air does look interesting and im sure everyone, no matter how much hey complained, was really impressed when they first saw it. I'm not sure it's that people can't afford it, i mean, i've just ordered a macbook pro which set me back much more than the air, its a niche i'll admit. I can tell that there are gonna be tons of rich kids buying them becase they are thin and pretty, and then afterwards realizing theres nowhere to play their latest 50 cent CD, or no way of listening to it without external speakers/phones, actually, i think i quite like that idea ;)

[bluelight]

I'm not poor by any stretch of the imagination.

It just doesn't represent value to me.



Edit: And some of the features would annoy me given the price of it. Lower the price and I could forgive the limitations, but at that price its defects tend to come to the fore.


That's fair. And the thread title is not to be taken personally.

I guess in your case you could say that you don't have money that you want to throw around.

[neiltc13]

The MacBook Air is billed as an ultraportable yet it requires the same size of bag as a MacBook to carry.

I call that failure.

[bluelight]

The Air does look interesting and im sure everyone, no matter how much hey complained, was really impressed when they first saw it. I'm not sure it's that people can't afford it, i mean, i've just ordered a macbook pro which set me back much more than the air, its a niche i'll admit. I can tell that there are gonna be tons of rich kids buying them becase they are thin and pretty, and then afterwards realizing theres nowhere to play their latest 50 cent CD, or no way of listening to it without external speakers/phones, actually, i think i quite like that idea ;)

I completely agree and I laughed at the end.

[j26]

That's fair. And the thread title is not to be taken personally.

I guess in your case you could say that you don't have money that you want to throw around.

It's all a case of priorities. It's not high enough on my list to justify that price.

And no offence taken.

[bluelight]

The MacBook Air is billed as an ultraportable yet it requires the same size of bag as a MacBook to carry.

I call that failure.

To be portable is to be easily or conveniently transported, so at 3 pounds, I would say that the MBA is pretty portable. You're right though, ultra takes it a bit too far.

[Anthony8720]

Call me an idiot, but the way everyone is trashing the MBA makes me want to buy it even more.

A lot of people are complaining about the border around the screen, the battery, the speakers, the keyboard colour, and nitpicking at every other component of the MBA, but I think what everyone is really mad about is the price.

If you can't afford it, don't try to convince yourself that it is a crappy machine by pointing out all of its flaws. The MacBook Air, when finally shipped, will function perfectly for what it is meant for.

SO STOP COMPLAINING. There is nothing wrong with it. It was introduced as the world's thinnest laptop, not the world's most powerful laptop. TOO BAD IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT.

Can't wait to buy it when they have it in stores :)

I personally make quite a good living. I have a lot of money in the bank. Why do I have a lot of money? Because I don't waste it on products that are overpriced and offer no bang for the buck. Also, many people who are trashing the MBA have a MBP....which of course, costs more. Being a smart consumer means spending wisely. If the MBA is a wise buy for you, great. Just keep in mind that it isn't for everyone. And also keep in mind that most poor people aren't on the cutting edge of electronics, and probably don't browse macrumors ;).

[bmcgrath]

I'd love to get one!

Man it really does rock. But it wouldn't do for me as I need that extra bit of horsepower of my MBP for photoshop and Aperture.

Maybe one day.... :D

[Bababasjd]

Call me an idiot, but the way everyone is trashing the MBA makes me want to buy it even more.

A lot of people are complaining about the border around the screen, the battery, the speakers, the keyboard colour, and nitpicking at every other component of the MBA, but I think what everyone is really mad about is the price.

If you can't afford it, don't try to convince yourself that it is a crappy machine by pointing out all of its flaws. The MacBook Air, when finally shipped, will function perfectly for what it is meant for.

SO STOP COMPLAINING. There is nothing wrong with it. It was introduced as the world's thinnest laptop, not the world's most powerful laptop. TOO BAD IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT.

Can't wait to buy it when they have it in stores :)

No what everyone is mad is that apple produces crap and sells it at premium. Right like im going to buy a 1.6ghz core 2 duo for 2 grand, no cd drvie, no gpu, soldered ram. Do you think im retarted? Honestly, being serious I showed this to the distrcit attorney and he could not stop laughing. Any person who is educated know this is directed towards mac fans and idiots.

[RHD]

I'd buy one like a shot and the extras but I don't have the reddies for such pretty things and I need a high power system for 3D StudioMax and rendering.
Still holding out for an updated Macbook Pro but not for much longer so may have to rethink.

[bluelight]

I personally make quite a good living. I have a lot of money in the bank. Why do I have a lot of money? Because I don't waste it on products that are overpriced and offer no bang for the buck. Also, many people who are trashing the MBA have a MBP....which of course, costs more. Being a smart consumer means spending wisely. If the MBA is a wise buy for you, great. Just keep in mind that it isn't for everyone. And also keep in mind that most poor people aren't on the cutting edge of electronics, and probably don't browse macrumors ;).

I didn't mean 'poor' in the literal sense.

IMO, the opposite of poor in the context I used it in is carelessly spending money the way I'm going to do when I buy my MBA. Do I care that I'm spending 2K on a laptop that doesn't meet the standards set my the MBP? No... because I see past the price which is what I want a lot of people to do. Criticize the MBA all you want, but don't criticize it in relation to price.

[teleromeo]

I can afford more than one but I'm happy with my powerbook and my iMac G3. I'm only waiting until apple brings new displays to buy a macpro. It looks like a very nice machine and if everything here was to replace I bought one to sit next to a macpro. The new time capsule would be the ultimate machine to complete the setup.

[RHD]

No what everyone is mad is that apple produces crap and sells it at premium. Right like im going to buy a 1.6ghz core 2 duo for 2 grand, no cd drvie, no gpu, soldered ram. Do you think im retarted? Honestly, being serious I showed this to the distrcit attorney and he could not stop laughing. Any person who is educated know this is directed towards mac fans and idiots.

MacbookAir is a very forward thinking machine and best aimed at someone with a desktop system who wants a cute portable for meetings etc. The really clever thing is it will will work with a PC desktop as well as a Mac.


Edited??? Who's "yellow" and why can't I criticize Bababasjd's grammar and seriously lousy spelling?

[bluelight]

I can afford more than one but I'm happy with my powerbook and my iMac G3. I'm only waiting until apple brings new displays to buy a macpro. It looks like a very nice machine and if everything here was to replace I bought one to sit next to a macpro. The new time capsule would be the ultimate machine to complete the setup.


That's fine, and glad to see you're not bashing the MBA just because you are happy with your powerbook and iMac.

[jackc]

Stupid poor people, I'm buying three of them and stack them together, and I'll still have room in my backpack for my cashmere sweater.

[bluelight]

Stupid poor people, I'm buying three of them and stack them together, and I'll still have room in my backpack for my cashmere sweater.

ROFL. It's a funny picture... stacked MBAs.

[RHD]

Stupid poor people, I'm buying three of them and stack them together, and I'll still have room in my backpack for my cashmere sweater.

Rock and Roll!!!

[Cybergypsy]

Mine will be here soon :)

[trancepriest]

I'm too poor to afford it... my $5000 8 core mac pro, $3600 2 30" displays, 23" display, quad g5, macbook pro, powerbook, mac pro raid card, $1600 kona lhe hd capture card, $1500 2x4gb memory expensive crucial memory, $3000 panasonic broadcast monitor, $11,000 2 hvx200's, redrock micro, $1550 32gb p2 card, $1900 firestore fs-100, $4000 glidecam, $1200 2 kits of sennheiser wireless mics, $50,000 RED camera, iphone, ipod nano, 3g ipod, nikon, bt kb & mouse, lacie hard tb drives, $1200 4x750GB hd's for mac pro, isight camera, bogen tripod, camera lights, epson stylus photo 2200 printer, 50mm & 25mm zeiss prime lenses, apple tv, airport base station.... set me back. LOL.

Darn sucky ass MBA.... I can't afford it.

[teleromeo]

Stupid poor people, I'm buying three of them and stack them together, and I'll still have room in my backpack for my cashmere sweater.

any chance apple develops a macpro that fits in a backpack ?

[RHD]

I'm too poor to afford it... my 8 core mac pro, 2 30" displays, 23" display, quad g5, macbook pro, powerbook, mac pro raid card, kona lhe hd capture card, 2x4gb memory expensive crucial memory, panasonic broadcast monitor, 2 hvx200's, redrock micro, $1550 32gb p2 card, $1900 firestore fs-100, glidecam, 2 kits of sennheiser wireless mics, $50,000 RED camera, iphone, ipod nano, 3g ipod, nikon, bt kb & mouse, lacie hard tb drives, 4x750GB hd's for mac pro, isight camera, bogen tripod, camera lights, epson stylus photo 2200 printer, 50mm & 25mm zeiss prime lenses, apple tv, airport base station.... set me back. LOL.

Darn sucky ass MBA.... I can't afford it.

OK, give my your system and I'll buy you an MBA!
Really!

[GimmeSlack12]

The OP apparently hasn't been on MR very long or he would know better than to try and stop the complaining that occurs after every product released by Apple.

Just a waste of time being bothered by it.

[Justinerator]

the title of this thread just made me laugh really hard lol :D

What you're saying may be true for some, but I assume the main reasons they won't be buying it is because although it has a few compelling features (osx, multitouch, "portability", decent processor, ssd if you pay an extra $1000, etc...), it is not bang-for-its-buck. If I were to pay a couple hundred more than the base model, I could get an mbp with twice as many compelling features. Or, if you look at it the other way, you could pay less than the $3000 model mbair and get a max'd out mbp instead. So unless you really, really need the multitouch and the ssd and the "portability", it doesn't really make financial sense to buy it.

So what you're saying is partly true, if I were made out of money, I would definitely get this, but let's just say it wouldn't be first on my list of things to buy. :apple:

[glocke12]

I can afford to buy any computer I want, but for me personally, the MBA just doesnt do it. I dont like the aesthetics, I dont like the keyboard, and I think alot of features were sacrificed for the sake of the making it thin. Furthermore, for the features that it does have, it is overpriced. IMHO, the MBA is a prime example of Apple favoring form over function.

That being said, I can see how the MBA is attractive to a some people, and I wish those people luck and happiness with their prchase.

[trancepriest]

Bluelight... that was your first post on the forums... do you even own a Mac?

[jessica.]

This seems like the most unproductive post (the OP) ever.
"You're all really poor" shut it! Seriously, in the event I complain about something it is never because I cannot afford it. I value the machine based on my needs. It presents no value to me because I do not need it. When I need it, it will be of value and I will buy. This has nothing to do with being poor.

[trancepriest]

This seems like the most unproductive post (the OP) ever.
"You're all really poor" shut it! Seriously, in the event I complain about something it is never because I cannot afford it. I value the machine based on my needs. It presents no value to me because I do not need it. When I need it, it will be of value and I will buy. This has nothing to do with being poor.

He's probably poor and looking for his first apple status symbol.

[bluelight]

@ trancepriest... let's read the thread and not the post count next time? ignorant fool

This seems like the most unproductive post (the OP) ever.
"You're all really poor" shut it! Seriously, in the event I complain about something it is never because I cannot afford it. I value the machine based on my needs. It presents no value to me because I do not need it. When I need it, it will be of value and I will buy. This has nothing to do with being poor.

I think this post was very productive. It bought out a lot of people who like the MBA and don't think its overpriced.

... for your information, the thread title is a bit of a joke to draw attention to the thread. I see it worked on you.

[trancepriest]

Call me an idiot

IDIOT

[Marky_Mark]

No what everyone is mad is that apple produces crap and sells it at premium. Right like im going to buy a 1.6ghz core 2 duo for 2 grand, no cd drvie, no gpu, soldered ram. Do you think im retarted? Honestly, being serious I showed this to the distrcit attorney and he could not stop laughing. Any person who is educated know this is directed towards mac fans and idiots.

You might not be 'retarted' but you can't type! :D ;)

[mr.light]

I can afford it. In fact I plan on buying a MBP. The MBA is a very nice machine. However, compared to a MBP, the MBA is (imo) an overpriced (though really cool) computer. It does not suit my needs at all unfortunately because I do not have a wireless network at work.

PS. I get the joke but the only problem I see with the MBA is the price. You are gaining a really slim machine but you are giving up way to much when compared to a MBP for an extra $300.

[RHD]

@ trancepriest... let's read the thread and not the post count next time? ignorant fool



I think this post was very productive. It bought out a lot of people who like the MBA and don't think its overpriced.

... for your information, the thread title is a bit of a joke to draw attention to the thread. I see it worked on you.

Yes. Let us be mean to the Newbies with a grasp of sarcasm!

MacBook Air is the first generation of a new thing and I approve. Not buying one only because I need something else and can't hack both, but I would if I could, it is beautiful.

[jessica.]

@ trancepriest... let's read the thread and not the post count next time? ignorant fool



I think this post was very productive. It bought out a lot of people who like the MBA and don't think its overpriced.

... for your information, the thread title is a bit of a joke to draw attention to the thread. I see it worked on you.

Trust me sweetie, you'll have to do a whole lot better than that if you're going to think something works on me. It is always a joke when it doesn't provoke the response you so desired. ;) You started a thread, not everyone agreed with your views, welcome to the age of internet forums.

I for one didn't know or did not perhaps care to research prior to posting that there was some hatred for the MB Air, there is your typical ranting about the price/value aspect but it's all very subjective. $2k could possibly be more than a months salary for some people here. :shrug:

[Watermonkey]

I'd just like to chime in here for a moment and type up about two cents worth of opinion. I don't post much, never have, but I do own a 15 month old MBP. What was most disappointing to me about yesterdays announcement by the big hairy guy, Steve, was that he didn't do one of his "and one more thing..." and announce a newly redesigned Rev A MBP with a new case making swapping out the HD easier and maybe some other hardware changes too. Is there some metal that's as light as Aluminum but not as prone to warpage or bending? Hell, I'd be excited as can be if they announced they were building a new factory just for Apple in South Dakota or anywhere else in the United States of America. They would get my business in the future just based on that, even if their products continued to be overpriced. This new computer platform is for the future anyway. It'll be all flash, little substance until the hardware can catch up with the novilty. Like a 200 GB Hard drive (or why not stuff multiple drives in that thin case?) that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, good RAM capacity, an OLED screen with a long life expentancy, and a much more powerful chip. Getting it out of the door, though, ups the antie for the other companies like Sony to compete, and that's what drives innovation. That and Steve's rather large ego.

Right now, though, I'm personally happy with my 17" screen and I wouldn't change a thing except I wouldn't mind if the MB would recognize more than 3.3GB of RAM, and I wouldn't mind a brighter screen with much higher pixel resolution... But, that'll come too...

[RHD]

Trust me sweetie, you'll have to do a whole lot better than that if you're going to think something works on me. It is always a joke when it doesn't provoke the response you so desired. ;) You started a thread, not everyone agreed with your views, welcome to the age of internet forums.

I for one didn't know or did not perhaps care to research prior to posting that there was some hatred for the MB Air, there is your typical ranting about the price/value aspect but it's all very subjective. $2k could possibly be more than a months salary for some people here. :shrug:

Wow, feel the bitter and twistedness of the 4773199ers!
Hadn't actually felt that from Bluelight or his/her posts about the MacbookAir which seemed lighthearted and genuine, and feel Jessica millionposts shoots before asking questions. Is this the spirit of MacRumors?

[Stampyhead]

No what everyone is mad is that apple produces crap and sells it at premium. Right like im going to buy a 1.6ghz core 2 duo for 2 grand, no cd drvie, no gpu, soldered ram. Do you think im retarted? Honestly, being serious I showed this to the distrcit attorney and he could not stop laughing. Any person who is educated know this is directed towards mac fans and idiots.

Oh, well in that case Apple may as well stop selling them, since we all care so much what the ******* district attorney thinks...

[Spongey817]

With respect to the OP, your opinion on why people are hating on the Macbook Air is completely wrong.

There's no doubting that the Macbook Air might just be the best looking notebook Apple has ever released...I'm not saying it isn't.

As for its price and your (irrelevant) comment insisting that people are poor...that's idiotic, really. No offense.

I may be overlooking this here, but this is my logic. Not every consumer out there is as computer savvy as the average MR forum user. To them, computers don't matter nearly as much. As long as their machine completes tasks at a sufficient speed, there aren't really any complaints. That said, the MPA really isn't worth it.

I know its been said before...but there is no real bang for the buck in terms of reasons why the average consumer would buy one. A faster processor, more HD space, and included superdrive exist in a machine for $500 less in the Macbook.

I can guarantee you this...any AVERAGE laptop buyer would be more interested in keeping five bills in their pocket than slimming their notebook down a few centimeters. Not to mention the lack of features.

All in all...think before you post. Your opinion will be respected, but not when such comments are made. I have more than enough money to spend, and I consider myself an avid computer user and pretty tech savvy...if I had to make the decision of which Apple to buy...the MPA would probably be last on my list.

[bluelight]

Trust me sweetie, you'll have to do a whole lot better than that if you're going to think something works on me. It is always a joke when it doesn't provoke the response you so desired. ;) You started a thread, not everyone agreed with your views, welcome to the age of internet forums.

I for one didn't know or did not perhaps care to research prior to posting that there was some hatred for the MB Air, there is your typical ranting about the price/value aspect but it's all very subjective. $2k could possibly be more than a months salary for some people here. :shrug:


i did get the response i wanted, and the title served its job correctly

you have yourself misunderstood

bye now

[bluelight]

Wow, feel the bitter and twistedness of the 4773199ers!
Hadn't actually felt that from Bluelight or his/her posts about the MacbookAir which seemed lighthearted and genuine, and feel Jessica millionposts shoots before asking questions. Is this the spirit of MacRumors?

RHD for the win.

[bluelight]

I can afford it. In fact I plan on buying a MBP. The MBA is a very nice machine. However, compared to a MBP, the MBA is (imo) an overpriced (though really cool) computer. It does not suit my needs at all unfortunately because I do not have a wireless network at work.

PS. I get the joke but the only problem I see with the MBA is the price. You are gaining a really slim machine but you are giving up way to much when compared to a MBP for an extra $300.

I agree, but I also believe that consumers are paying for the style and innovation of the MBA. When you compare the MBA to the MBP, the MBP surely wins in regards to specs, but at the same time, many people are now wishing to see the MBP specs in the MBA. The style of the MBP and MB has lost some of its appeal, just as older iPods lost their appeal when newer ones are released.

[milesdavis]

You're right. If It was under $200 I might be able to afford it on layaway, shoot...oh well, if I didn't have to eat and wear a jacket in the snow I might actually like it more. Thanks for showing me what it means to be me.

Signed, your friend MD

[RHD]

Call me an idiot, but the way everyone is trashing the MBA makes me want to buy it even more.

A lot of people are complaining about the border around the screen, the battery, the speakers, the keyboard colour, and nitpicking at every other component of the MBA, but I think what everyone is really mad about is the price.

If you can't afford it, don't try to convince yourself that it is a crappy machine by pointing out all of its flaws. The MacBook Air, when finally shipped, will function perfectly for what it is meant for.

SO STOP COMPLAINING. There is nothing wrong with it. It was introduced as the world's thinnest laptop, not the world's most powerful laptop. TOO BAD IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT.Can't wait to buy it when they have it in stores :)


OK so seeing as none of the recent posters seem to have read the original post I'm quoting it.

I bought the original Bondi iMac, which I still have.
This machine is like that.
It is the first generation of a new way of thinking.
This time it is not for me because I need a big screen with a big graphics card and a seriously big processor in a laptop but that doesn't mean I don't want a MBA, just that I can't have one.
Yet.

[cohibadad]

MBA is gorgeous and the CPU is actually quite powerful for what the device is intended. I assume I will get one eventually. If I travelled more I would have ordered it already. If the business software/web interfaces I use worked natively with Macs (stupid IE only software) I would have ordered one already. I don't think most people who don't buy it do so because of price. MBA is intended as an additional portable device and most people look to buy the device that will meet all of their needs.

[RHD]

I agree, but I also believe that consumers are paying for the style and innovation of the MBA. When you compare the MBA to the MBP, the MBP surely wins in regards to specs, but at the same time, many people are now wishing to see the MBP specs in the MBA. The style of the MBP and MB has lost some of its appeal, just as older iPods lost their appeal when newer ones are released.

Totally!
The MBP is now behind the MBA, not in power or graphics but in looks and innovation and if you are a graphics/3D pro and paying the premium for the performance you want the best, not the 5 minutes ago.

[MacsAttack]

Call me an idiot, but the way everyone is trashing the MBA makes me want to buy it even more.

A lot of people are complaining about the border around the screen, the battery, the speakers, the keyboard colour, and nitpicking at every other component of the MBA, but I think what everyone is really mad about is the price.

If you can't afford it, don't try to convince yourself that it is a crappy machine by pointing out all of its flaws. The MacBook Air, when finally shipped, will function perfectly for what it is meant for.

SO STOP COMPLAINING. There is nothing wrong with it. It was introduced as the world's thinnest laptop, not the world's most powerful laptop. TOO BAD IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT.

Can't wait to buy it when they have it in stores :)


Some time ago "back in the day" I bought myself a laptop. It cost more than the MacBook Air. If I were in the market today, I'd pick up the 1.8 SSD and be more or less happy about it - though the thought that SSD drive prices are going to fall quite a bit this year because of the increased competition would makes me hold off recommending the Air as a "no brainer" purchase for anyone who needs a light-but-powerful notebook.

[We Healthy]

With the $1799 model you never really experience the MBA. You want the $2798 model with the SSD. You can then reap the benefits of near instant boot times. This is the price that keeps me from purchasing the beaut. SSD's are just too expensive.

Aww... beaten to the point.

[MacsAttack]

Totally!
The MBP is now behind the MBA, not in power or graphics but in looks and innovation and if you are a graphics/3D pro and paying the premium for the performance you want the best, not the 5 minutes ago.

I suspect it will not be too long before the MBAs looks, keyboard, and trackpad migrate to the MacBook Pro...

[trancepriest]

Innovation??? You do know that they have sub notebooks... less than 3 pounds with firewire, ethernet, multiple usb ports, built in EVDO, finger print sensor, media cards, mic/line -in, 5-9 hours of battery power?

[bluelight]

@MacsAttack: and if the MBA is priced as it is now, how much will the MBP be priced at?

Innovation??? You do know that they have sub notebooks... less than 3 pounds with firewire, ethernet, multiple usb ports, built in EVDO, finger print sensor, media cards, mic -in, 5-9 hours of battery power?

And how much do these cost? Find me a laptop that meets all your specifications, beats the cost of the MBA, and appeals to people who actually have good taste (unlike you with your choice of music).

[mr.light]

I suspect it will not be too long before the MBAs looks, keyboard, and trackpad migrate to the MacBook Pro...

I can guaranty that happening for everyone next week. All I need to do is order my MBP today and the announcement will happen.:o That's the way my luck has been lately. :rolleyes::p

[bluelight]

I can guaranty that happening for everyone next week. All I need to do is order my MBP today and the announcement will happen.:o That's the way my luck has been lately. :rolleyes::p

ORDER AND SHARE YOUR LUCK

[RHD]

I suspect it will not be too long before the MBAs looks, keyboard, and trackpad migrate to the MacBook Pro...

Oh PLEASE! I really need to update, it's taking hours to render 3D on my blessed old TiBook which has done me proud round the clock these five years. I've been holding on for the next generation of top end MacBook Pros for months now!

On one recent render test, every other system was taking 3 to 5 minutes on a test render, mine was taking 2 hours. It got there though. I just have to make a LOT of coffee.
The fan is now making some scary noises though.

[pksweedflame]

Everyone knows how ridiculously the Macbook Air is priced. It's similar to the iphone when it first came out: the $599 price tag dropped by ONE THIRD in 2 months to $399. Will we see a similar price drop? Obviously, everyone wants one, but isn't getting one for a simple reason: price.

The price is even more incongruent when compared with the MBP. In New Zealand, I can get a 2.2ghz MBP CHEAPER than a 1.8ghz MBA... And the 2.2ghz is a PRO machine...

Any thoughts on the possibility of Steve changing those prices so I can buy one?

[MacsAttack]

@MacsAttack: and if the MBA is priced as it is now, how much will the MBP be priced at?


Based on Apple's record, about the same as now. New processors. Slight speed bump. knock the drive size up a little. perhaps more memory. Offer an SSD option. Intel will be offering quad core notebook CPUs at some point (figure end of the year perhaps). I could see those working their way into the 17 inch MBP. Would be nice if Apple could come up with an LED backlit display for that one.

[Queso]

Any thoughts on the possibility of Steve changing those prices so I can buy one?
Are you new to Macs or something? :p

[QCassidy352]

No what everyone is mad is that apple produces crap and sells it at premium. Right like im going to buy a 1.6ghz core 2 duo for 2 grand, no cd drvie, no gpu, soldered ram. Do you think im retarted? Honestly, being serious I showed this to the distrcit attorney and he could not stop laughing. Any person who is educated know this is directed towards mac fans and idiots.

Any person who is educated knows that design is a feature that costs money, and plenty of it. It costs money when your buying houses, cars, furniture, and yes, computers. You don't care about design? Fine, don't buy it. But don't act like design is something that only a fool would spend money on because it's a feature that people pay for in all areas of life every day.

(and don't even get me started on what an educated person would say about your spelling :p)

[MacsAttack]

I can guaranty that happening for everyone next week. All I need to do is order my MBP today and the announcement will happen.:o That's the way my luck has been lately. :rolleyes::p

Ohhh... Noooo... *** rubs crystal balls *** I figure Apple will want to get the MBA out and selling (2 weeks or so) and get as many suckers... errr customers to buy into it before hitting us with an MBP update. As the big event in Feb is the iPhone SDK, I reckon Apple will wait until March...

[jlwillia]

I'm too poor to afford it... my $5000 8 core mac pro, $3600 2 30" displays, 23" display, quad g5, macbook pro, powerbook, mac pro raid card, $1600 kona lhe hd capture card, $1500 2x4gb memory expensive crucial memory, $3000 panasonic broadcast monitor, $11,000 2 hvx200's, redrock micro, $1550 32gb p2 card, $1900 firestore fs-100, $4000 glidecam, $1200 2 kits of sennheiser wireless mics, $50,000 RED camera, iphone, ipod nano, 3g ipod, nikon, bt kb & mouse, lacie hard tb drives, $1200 4x750GB hd's for mac pro, isight camera, bogen tripod, camera lights, epson stylus photo 2200 printer, 50mm & 25mm zeiss prime lenses, apple tv, airport base station.... set me back. LOL.

Darn sucky ass MBA.... I can't afford it.

You are either completely full of it or have wayyyy too much time and money on your hands. For your sake, I hope you're full of it because you can't possibly have enough time to use all of these gadgets and have anything resembling a social life.

[bluelight]

Everyone knows how ridiculously the Macbook Air is priced. It's similar to the iphone when it first came out: the $599 price tag dropped by ONE THIRD in 2 months to $399. Will we see a similar price drop? Obviously, everyone wants one, but isn't getting one for a simple reason: price.

The price is even more incongruent when compared with the MBP. In New Zealand, I can get a 2.2ghz MBP CHEAPER than a 1.8ghz MBA... And the 2.2ghz is a PRO machine...

Any thoughts on the possibility of Steve changing those prices so I can buy one?

The price is low as it is... a lot of what's in the MBA is custom designed and custom is always expensive. Apple won't lower the price of the MBA... but in the future you could expect an MBA with more functionality for a similar price.
No one really cares to wait though, everyone one is caught up in the hype.

[bluelight]

Any person who is educated knows that design is a feature that costs money, and plenty of it. It costs money when your buying houses, cars, furniture, and yes, computers. You don't care about design? Fine, don't buy it. But don't act like design is something that only a fool would spend money on because it's a feature that people pay for in all areas of life every day.

(and don't even get me started on what an educated person would say about your spelling :p)

Well said.

[bluelight]

You are either completely full of it or have wayyyy too much time and money on your hands. For your sake, I hope you're full of it because you can't possibly have enough time to use all of these gadgets and have anything resembling a social life.

sounds like he has some sort of studio going on *cough*

[trancepriest]

You are either completely full of it or have wayyyy too much time and money on your hands. For your sake, I hope you're full of it because you can't possibly have enough time to use all of these gadgets and have anything resembling a social life.

Perhaps I have a multimedia production business??? You do know that some people run businesses right?

[mr.light]

Perhaps I have a multimedia production business??? You do know that some people run businesses right?

lol You mean people actually work for a living here? :eek:
(Sorry, couldn't resist)

[Slip]

Im an Apple fan like the rest of you and TBF, if I had 1500 quid to burn I would probably buy one. As of now, I don't. I'm not saying that it's overpriced or how I hate it's under powered performance, it's just not right for me. Now, if you could squeeze the MB in a year or two down to that size I'd be right in there ;)

[RHD]

No what everyone is mad is that apple produces crap and sells it at premium. Right like im going to buy a 1.6ghz core 2 duo for 2 grand, no cd drvie, no gpu, soldered ram. Do you think im retarted? Honestly, being serious I showed this to the distrcit attorney and he could not stop laughing. Any person who is educated know this is directed towards mac fans and idiots.

OK, so explain how Bababasjd can say "Apple produces crap" and my posts get edited for complaining he can't spell "retarted"?
Unless he means he's recently been given a makeover as a ladyboy?

[bluelight]

@Slip... I'd be there too

But if Apple ever puts an optical drive into an MBA sized laptop, it will lose some of its appeal. The wireless capabilities more than compensate for the lack of an optical drive - to me, it makes the MBA worth buying.

I'd like to see Apple remove the optical drive from their entire line of portables

[trancepriest]

And how much do these cost?

Are you poor? The VAIO® TZ Series Notebook - Premium Model: blueballs is really poor

[Phil A.]

Personally, I think the OP is miles away on their assertions. The MBA is not about "bling" or being a status symbol and to say people who don't like it are jealous because they can't afford it is disingenuous and, frankly, distasteful: You can't measure the worth of a person by the size of their bank account (or the thinness of their laptop).
The MBA fits a particular niche in the market for an ultra-portable, ultra-light notebook and for the people who want that type of computer it's a good (maybe not perfect) match and definitely the best match in Apple's line-up (which is the killer: I don't care about Windows laptops: I'm only interested in Apple's kit). I know this because I fit in that niche: I have a powerful Mac Pro for my workhorse and need a small, light notebook for visits to client sites, etc. I'm currently using a MacBook Pro and find it a bit on the large side so this is absolutely perfect for me. Would I get one as my only computer? No way! Would I get one if I had to do heavyweight work on it in the field? No way!
Is it an absolutely perfect tool for writing up reports on the train and doing Keynote Presentations to corporate types? You Betcha!
I'm also in the fortunate position of owning my own company. This mean I get the VAT (sales tax) back and can write off the cost against my corporation tax, bringing the true cost to me down quite a bit. This means I can afford and justify the SSD version with it's associated performance benefits to counteract the slowish processor.
Does this make me a better person than someone who either doesn't want one or can't afford one? Does it hell. It just makes me someone who this computer is targeted at!

[RHD]

@Slip... I'd be there too

But if Apple ever puts an optical drive into an MBA sized laptop, it will lose some of its appeal. The wireless capabilities more than compensate for the lack of an optical drive - to me, it makes the MBA worth buying.

I'd like to see Apple remove the optical drive from their entire line of portables

Um, NO. Some of us will always need the optical drive. some of us won't.
We all have different needs. You can't please all of the people, all of the time.
Choice is all.

[bluelight]

Are you poor? The VAIO® TZ Series Notebook - Premium Model: blueballs is really poor

What? I asked how much they cost...?

Usually when someone asks that, it means 'how much does it cost?'

ok bye.

[bluelight]

Personally, I think the OP is miles away on their assertions. The MBA is not about "bling" or being a status symbol and to say people who don't like it are jealous because they can't afford it is disingenuous and, frankly, distasteful: You can't measure the worth of a person by the size of their bank account (or the thinness of their laptop).
The MBA fits a particular niche in the market for an ultra-portable, ultra-light notebook and for the people who want that type of computer it's a good (maybe not perfect) match and definitely the best match in Apple's line-up. I know because I fit in that niche: I have a powerful Mac Pro for my workhorse and need a small, light notebook for visits to client sites, etc. I'm currently using a MacBook Pro and find it a bit on the large side so this is absolutely perfect for me. Would I get one as my only computer? No way! Would I get one if I had to do heavyweight work on it in the field? No way!
Is it an absolutely perfect tool for writing up reports on the train and doing Keynote Presentations to corporate types? You Betcha!
I'm also in the fortunate position of owning my own company so I get the VAT (sales tax) back and can write off the cost against my corporation tax, so the true price comes down quite a bit, to the extent I can afford the SSD version with it's associated performance benefits to counteract the slowish processor.
Does this make me a better person than someone who either doesn't want one or can't afford one? Does it hell. It just makes me someone who this computer is targeted at!

in some twisted way, you just disagreed and then agreed with everything i said...

glad to see you understand my pov

[bluelight]

Um, NO. Some of us will always need the optical drive. some of us won't.
We all have different needs. You can't please all of the people, all of the time.
Choice is all.

yes, its just my opinion though

i'm caught up with appearance and i like how the superdrive looks... seperate from the MBA. it also makes the MBA simpler

and i was also under the assumption that everyone would have an mba as well as a desktop machine that would serve as the optical drive via wireless capabilites

[RHD]

yes, its just my opinion though

i'm caught up with appearance and i like how the superdrive looks... seperate from the MBA. it also makes the MBA simpler

and i was also under the assumption that everyone would have an mba as well as a desktop machine that would serve as the optical drive via wireless capabilites

It does make the MBA simpler but the higher end laptops will need it for a while I think, plus not everyone can afford the desktop and the MBA so a big laptop has to do for both.
Well, for me anyway. Unless they replace it with something really amazing and at the moment the higher end laptops are a bit behind.

The MBA looks fantastic though and I think it's the way forward.
Signing off for tonight, it's late here.

[HLdan]

I'm not poor by any stretch of the imagination.

It just doesn't represent value to me.



Edit: And some of the features would annoy me given the price of it. Lower the price and I could forgive the limitations, but at that price its defects tend to come to the fore.

Pardon my french but you're fulla B.S. Apple could price the Air at almost free and you would whine. It's never the price or the features or the lack thereof. People love drama, praise is just too hard, if any other company made the Air then you would complain that Apple should've thought of it.

Wha wha wha, Apple doesn't care about their customers, they should've made the Air and not such and such a company. That's what this thread is about, you guys never stop creating misery.

[gescom]

I wouldn't say poor so much as frugal. I want the most bang for my buck and this product has merit to some however for me it is MBP all the way.

[j26]

Pardon my french but you're fulla B.S. Apple could price the Air at almost free and you would whine. It's never the price or the features or the lack thereof. People love drama, praise is just too hard, if any other company made the Air then you would complain that Apple should've thought of it.

Wha wha wha, Apple doesn't care about their customers, they should've made the Air and not such and such a company. That's what this thread is about, you guys never stop creating misery.

Don't try to predict what I'd do.

I like the MBA, but wouldn't pay that much for it in view of the drawbacks it has. I would pay less - about 1,200-1,300 would be a decent price for me.


PS where am I whining?

[uNext]

No what everyone is mad is that apple produces crap and sells it at premium. Right like im going to buy a 1.6ghz core 2 duo for 2 grand, no cd drvie, no gpu, soldered ram. Do you think im retarted? Honestly, being serious I showed this to the distrcit attorney and he could not stop laughing. Any person who is educated know this is directed towards mac fans and idiots.

On another thread i read a post by a macrumors member saying
that 4 executives from teh company he work for ditched their current laptops and ordered the macbook air.

Tht goes to show you that no matter how educated or succesful you are
when your stupid your stupid....Unfortunetaly when i see a person owning this laptop my first reaction will be....

so you paid 2k + for a 1.6,mono sound, 1 usb thin computer? Or worst yet 3k for a 1.8, 64gb ssd,1 usb mono sound computer?

Just naming what this computer will offer makes me feel stupid saying it in 2008.

I dont think im poor....my 08 mazda cx9 and bmw eat well never on empty.

[hydrokayak]

Um, NO. Some of us will always need the optical drive. some of us won't.
We all have different needs. You can't please all of the people, all of the time.
Choice is all.

I ordered my first ever Mac computer. I purchased a Macbook -white- with a 250Gb HD, the superdrive, and 1Gb RAM (already have 4Gb from NewEgg). I asked myself if I should wait for the keynote, and decided to just buy the thing two days before Job's address. I took the chance that there'd be something I didn't need... and out came the MacBook Air.

It's not here yet, as it's in the dreaded "Int'l Shipment Release", but I'm still stoked! I just can't afford the MBA, and I really do need an optical drive internally. It's just for schoolwork, and an excuse to get a mac. I think I'm in love.

[HLdan]

Tht goes to show you that no matter how educated or succesful you are
when your stupid your stupid....Unfortunetaly when i see a person owning this laptop my first reaction will be....

so you paid 2k + for a 1.6,mono sound, 1 usb thin computer? Or worst yet 3k for a 1.8, 64gb ssd,1 usb mono sound computer?

Just naming what this computer will offer makes me feel stupid saying it in 2008.

I dont think im poor....my 08 mazda cx9 and bmw eat well never on empty.

Wow, I'm glad you are not the computer police. Who are you to call someone stupid for their purchasing choices? You as well as the rest of us have spent money on something that someone else would have thought was stupid but it doesn't mean they have the right to voice it.
I'm saying this because there are people on this forum (myself excluded) that bought the Air and it fits their needs. There's no such thing as a stupid purchase.
I used to work at an electronics store and customers would buy VCR's for $150.00 U.S and buy the extended warranty that cost $200.00 U.S.
To some that's stupid because you could have bought 2 machines and kept one in the closet until the other one breaks but the customer doesn't see it that way, the extended warranty can offer an upgrade in the future.

Again, there's no such thing as a stupid purchase if it fits the needs of that consumer. Be fair.

[Dybbuk]

Way to put an end to the "Mac users are snobby elitists" stereotypes, guys.

[bluelight]

Way to put an end to the "Mac users are snobby elitists" stereotypes, guys.


Well I didn't mean to enforce that stereotype at all. I'm just trying to prove a point which is somewhat buried in a thread of arguments and poor English.

[jlwillia]

Perhaps I have a multimedia production business??? You do know that some people run businesses right?

so what you are saying is that you are willing to spend that kind of money on business expenses, but not willing to spend $1800 for the MBA for personal use. This is much more logical and understandable. However, you made it sound like you bought all that stuff for personal use but somehow just couldn't justify the MBA. That's why I was being a little critical.

I mean if we want to go by that logic, I certainly can afford a MBA since I spend about $40k a year on tuition and related expenses. You see how this is a little misleading? Business expenses and human capital investments (education) is much different than the amount we are willing to spend on consumer electronics.

[Hmac]

It's a forum. People can express their views and opinions. Surely?


You bet. People can piss and moan and whine all they want to.

[sas76]

I agree with you, continue complaining, but remember that you're really just mad about the price. Nothing else... and that is the point of this thread.

Price no.
To big yes.

Buy a macbook or macbook pro, who is going to bother with this toy. Does it come with iMovie, no fire wire to import/export ? It is a large (and true expensive) second computer.
I

ss

[glhiii]

I don't think many of the people writing here have actually seen or held the MBA. I have -- and I just ordered one. However negative you are (and I know it has its drawbacks,esp. the battery) the thing itself is so beautifully designed that you'll want one, and you'll want to work on it. It's a work of art and I think it has the most esthetic and pleasing design of any Apple product. The fact that you can actually do work on it is almost superfluous.

[Dagless]

Thanks for generalising...

I can afford a MBA no probs, but the screen bezel, mono speaker put me off it. Would it be that much to put a full sized headphone/line out port on it? I'd rather not use adapters. Not keen on that battery life either and I can't say I'm sold on the multitouch touchpad. 2 finger scrolling worked great but to trust something as inaccurate as that with rotations in iPhoto? Nah.

I don't even know if it would replace my PowerBook since I still need to burn CD's from time to time :o

[kashik]

I don't think many of the people writing here have actually seen or held the MBA. I have -- and I just ordered one. However negative you are (and I know it has its drawbacks,esp. the battery) the thing itself is so beautifully designed that you'll want one, and you'll want to work on it. It's a work of art and I think it has the most esthetic and pleasing design of any Apple product. The fact that you can actually do work on it is almost superfluous.

Do you buy a computer because it is a work of art or because it is functional? I believe the Air is functional, but far below what its price would suggest. Do you need to hold a computer to decide whether it is functional or not?

[davidnaquino]

Yes bluelight, that's exactly it, people are complaining because they're poor.

Imagine with me for a moment...

What bluelight doesn't realize is that MacBook Air sales will be modest.

Then, in an effort to rejuvenate the Air brand Apple will lower the price and/or beef up it's hardware.

Years later, the MacBook Air will vanish mainly because they were found to be faulty and costly to fix. Apple releases MacBook and MacBook Pro models both sub-inch thickness (with optical drives). The MacBook Air begins to be referred to as Apple's MacBook Error.

But have fun! By all means. :)

[Shackler]

the thread starter is right. ppl want MBA size with MBP performance, its just not happening.
but it is quite expensive IMO

[bluelight]

Yes bluelight, that's exactly it, people are complaining because they're poor.

Imagine with me for a moment...

What bluelight doesn't realize is that MacBook Air sales will be modest.

Then, in an effort to rejuvenate the Air brand Apple will lower the price and/or beef up it's hardware.

Years later, the MacBook Air will vanish mainly because they were found to be faulty and costly to fix. Apple releases MacBook and MacBook Pro models both sub-inch thickness (with optical drives). The MacBook Air begins to be referred to as Apple's MacBook Error.

But have fun! By all means. :)

no, you are completely wrong. the macbook air is the new standard, everything new will be working up towards the appearance and design of the MBA. watch.

[kashik]

the thread starter is right. ppl want MBA size with MBP performance, its just not happening.
but it is quite expensive IMO

I don't think people necessarily want MBA with MBP performance, they just want MBA with $1800 performance/features. It is completely unreasonable to have MBP performance, but definitely they could have adjusted the price. As it is now, the looks are what keeps people from wanting to get something else. With MBP/MB the looks were there, but they also had the performance that kept people from wanting something else.

To me, it seems like the MBA charges above and beyond the usual premium you should expect to pay for an apple product.

[davidnaquino]

no, you are completely wrong. the macbook air is the new standard, everything new will be working up towards the appearance and design of the MBA. watch.

Hmm... You just agreed with me. Now you're just getting out of control. :p

[EricNau]

the only one thing that bothers me is the battery.
What's so bad about the battery? It's a $129 replacement (just like the MBP), with free installation. Granted, you'll be without your computer for a short time, but that shouldn't be too big of a problem every few years.

[bluelight]

Hmm... You just agreed with me. Now you're just getting out of control. :p

I meant this part:

Years later, the MacBook Air will vanish mainly because they were found to be faulty and costly to fix.

That is not going to happen ^ The MacBook Air will remain and other companies will look to it for inspiration.

You should know better than to think that I would contradict myself...

[iAmLegend]

"A fool and his money are soon parted."

[bluelight]

"A fool and his money are soon parted."

"Money is no object."

[kashik]

"A fool and his money are soon parted.".

[kaiwai]

To be portable is to be easily or conveniently transported, so at 3 pounds, I would say that the MBA is pretty portable. You're right though, ultra takes it a bit too far.

But how many want an ultra portable? don't get me wrong, I'm no MacBook Air fan by any stretch of the imagination but lets look at the reality of the situation. People don't want necessarily some microscopic laptop, they want a laptop that is lighter than MacBook but isn't castrated to the same degree which the ultra portable laptops are. MacBook delivers on that.

With that being said, however, if the flash prices weren't so high it would be awesome if the default low end model included a 64G drive - it would really push it in terms of being competitive. The fact that the ultra portable still relies on a microscopic hard disk doesn't give me the wow factor.

With that being, I'm hoping that SSD will eventually come down in price; like I said to a mate, once 64G comes down to $300, I'll purchase it, but not a moment before.

[pr5owner]

The MacBook Air begins to be referred to as Apple's MacBook Error.

lol whats funny is when my coworker told me about the mac book air i thought he actaully said mac book "error" then when i told my dad he googled the same thing "mac book error"


and yes i can afford 2K worth of laptopness, however i would expect a LOT more for my money. i expect my laptop to return 2K worth of computing power not $300

the MBA is a joke, but dont stop buying them, i enjoy when people get ripped off by apple, i can laugh at you after when your holding your overpriced useless MBA and im holding my 3lbs 12" Asus with an optical drive, dual core 2.2GHz, 2GB ram, 8400GS video card 128MB, and 2 year warranty with free life time phone support. (dont need support unless its for RMA purposes)

[davidnaquino]

Ah yes bluelight, but what did the next line say?

[kaiwai]

lol whats funny is when my coworker told me about the mac book air i thought he actaully said mac book "error" then when i told my dad he googled the same thing "mac book error"


and yes i can afford 2K worth of laptopness, however i would expect a LOT more for my money. i expect my laptop to return 2K worth of computing power not $300

the MBA is a joke, but dont stop buying them, i enjoy when people get ripped off by apple, i can laugh at you after when your holding your overpriced useless MBA and im holding my 3lbs 12" Asus with an optical drive, dual core 2.2GHz, 2GB ram, 8400GS video card 128MB, and 2 year warranty with free life time phone support. (dont need support unless its for RMA purposes)

That sounds like a nice ASUS notebook - too bad Windows is loaded onto it, talk about a waste.

[bluelight]

But how many want an ultra portable? don't get me wrong, I'm no MacBook Air fan by any stretch of the imagination but lets look at the reality of the situation. People don't want necessarily some microscopic laptop, they want a laptop that is lighter than MacBook but isn't castrated to the same degree which the ultra portable laptops are. MacBook delivers on that.

With that being said, however, if the flash prices weren't so high it would be awesome if the default low end model included a 64G drive - it would really push it in terms of being competitive. The fact that the ultra portable still relies on a microscopic hard disk doesn't give me the wow factor.

With that being, I'm hoping that SSD will eventually come down in price; like I said to a mate, once 64G comes down to $300, I'll purchase it, but not a moment before.

Live in the now!

[bluelight]

Ah yes bluelight, but what did the next line say?

Yes, but now that I think about it, it is also possible that the MacBook air will continue to receive updates and eventually outshine the PRO.

[pr5owner]

That sounds like a nice ASUS notebook - too bad Windows is loaded onto it, talk about a waste.

vista business by default yes, but when you load ubuntu or dualboot any flavor of linux, it becomes kick ass again. personally i wont even let vista load for the first time, ill do a DBAN on the HDD before it can startup then install XP for games and ubuntu for regular surfing, etc. (DBAN = deriks boot and nuke, HDD eraser basically)

also that Asus notebook i mentioned is only $1100 for the Turion and ~$1250 for the core 2 duo, the turion is only SLIGHTLY slower but it makes more heat.

[ClassicMac247]

I totally agree, but you also have to agree with some of the flaws.
Call me an idiot, but the way everyone is trashing the MBA makes me want to buy it even more.

A lot of people are complaining about the border around the screen, the battery, the speakers, the keyboard colour, and nitpicking at every other component of the MBA, but I think what everyone is really mad about is the price.

If you can't afford it, don't try to convince yourself that it is a crappy machine by pointing out all of its flaws. The MacBook Air, when finally shipped, will function perfectly for what it is meant for.

SO STOP COMPLAINING. There is nothing wrong with it. It was introduced as the world's thinnest laptop, not the world's most powerful laptop. TOO BAD IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT.

Can't wait to buy it when they have it in stores :)

[sundancekid]

Alright, well these are my initial thoughts before reading every single post. The macbook air is a cool machine. Its really thin and yes you can even use an envelop as a carrying case. But to even really turn it into the computer it was meant to be you have to pay at least $3000 to get it. For the average person this is not a reasonable request and to me this greatly diminishes its practicality and therefore its "coolness".

[pr5owner]

"Money is no object."

well even if i was rich, i dont think i would throw away money even if i had a near unlimited amount. i would make my money make more of itself :D

The macbook air is a cool machine. Its really thin and yes you can even use an envelop as a carrying case

why would anyone carry a $1800+ laptop in a plain paper envelope? not even padded? and an envelope will make you look like a cheap ass that cant afford a $40 laptop bag.

[kaiwai]

vista business by default yes, but when you load ubuntu or dualboot any flavor of linux, it becomes kick ass again. personally i wont even let vista load for the first time, ill do a DBAN on the HDD before it can startup then install XP for games and ubuntu for regular surfing, etc. (DBAN = deriks boot and nuke, HDD eraser basically)

also that Asus notebook i mentioned is only $1100 for the Turion and ~$1250 for the core 2 duo, the turion is only SLIGHTLY slower but it makes more heat.

True; for me, I'd put OpenSolaris on there, or even FreeBSD would be a great thing to run. GNOME is becoming really easily to use, hopefully the touch screen capabilities of Xorg will improve as well.

[bluelight]

well even if i was rich, i dont think i would throw away money even if i had a near unlimited amount. i would make my money make more of itself :D



why would anyone carry a $1800+ laptop in a plain paper envelope? not even padded? and an envelope will make you look like a cheap ass that cant afford a $40 laptop bag.


the envelope is the best idea ever... and i'm not joking

[davidnaquino]

@ bluelight

Well I think you're on to something there...

MBA is a statement about where Apple (and SOME of the industry) is headed.
Multi-touch trackpad in all MB and MBP? YES
LED back-lit screens in all MB and MBP? YES
More SSD offerings as it gets better? YES
Non removable battery in all MBP? NOT GOING TO HAPPEN

I think it's reasonable to say MBA will get better, but eventually as tech progresses all MB and MBP are going to get better. I do not see Apple continuing with 3 lines of notebooks in their current form, period. As tech moves forward the Air concept will be absorbed, or the other offerings will be altered in a away that makes them more unique.

...Anyone thinking multi-touch tablet? :rolleyes:

[meagain]

OP - I agree with your assessment. I bet you're right.

Oh Look what Pogue wrote.....

"The new MacBook also runs cool, can use Windows and wakes from sleep in one second. Finally, of course, it’s free from viruses and spyware, and comes without any installed junk heap of trialware.

Even so, the Air isn’t for everyone. Bargain hunters, feature counters and people who don’t see the value of elegance — in general, the same people who despised the iPhone before it came out — would be better off with a bigger, less expensive, more complete laptop. Thanks to the small drive capacity, limited connectors and missing DVD drive, the Air doesn’t make a great primary computer, either.

But as a satellite machine for travelers, executives and presenters, it’s spectacular. Full-size screen, full-size keyboard and five-hour battery in three-quarters of an inch? Get psyched; this laptop is a razor-thin slice of heaven."

[etorres]

Geez, why are people getting all worked up over the price. When compared with most any other ultra portable in the market, which mostly START at around $2,000, it is a good price. Most other ultra portables have chips that are much, much less powerful than the one the MBA has for more money.

Those of you that complain about the "lack" of features miss the point entirely as to what the MBA is all about. The ultra portable has always been geared to a niche market that value style, portability and elegance over performance. The MBA was never meant as a primary computer or as a replacement for the macbook. If you want value for your money then the macbook is for you. If you want power and performance, then the macbook pro is your cup of tea.
As for me, I am just a poor med student who fell in love with the MBA as soon as I saw it. I have an 24" iMac which I use as my primary computer, but I was in desperate need for a laptop. I plan to use the MBA for web surfing and school stuff, so power is not what I'm looking for. I normally have to carry a LOT of books around so weight and portability is important to me. I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination, but I feel the MBA was made for people like me.

[v-ault]

Geez, why are people getting all worked up over the price. When compared with most any other ultra portable in the market, which mostly START at around $2,000, it is a good price. Most other ultra portables have chips that are much, much less powerful than the one the MBA has for more money.

Those of you that complain about the "lack" of features miss the point entirely as to what the MBA is all about. The ultra portable has always been geared to a niche market that value style, portability and elegance over performance. The MBA was never meant as a primary computer or as a replacement for the macbook. If you want value for your money then the macbook is for you. If you want power and performance, then the macbook pro is your cup of tea.
As for me, I am just a poor med student who fell in love with the MBA as soon as I saw it. I have an 24" iMac which I use as my primary computer, but I was in desperate need for a laptop. I plan to use the MBA for web surfing and school stuff, so power is not what I'm looking for. I normally have to carry a LOT of books around so weight and portability is important to me. I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination, but I feel the MBA was made for people like me.


I'm in the same boat as you except for the fact I think the Macbook Air is no where near durable enough for my purposes. It's going to dent and it's going to scratch and look ugly after long periods of movement. That's why I went for the Macbook.

[bluelight]

@ bluelight

Well I think you're on to something there...

MBA is a statement about where Apple (and SOME of the industry) is headed.
Multi-touch trackpad in all MB and MBP? YES
LED back-lit screens in all MB and MBP? YES
More SSD offerings as it gets better? YES
Non removable battery in all MBP? NOT GOING TO HAPPEN

I think it's reasonable to say MBA will get better, but eventually as tech progresses all MB and MBP are going to get better. I do not see Apple continuing with 3 lines of notebooks in their current form, period. As tech moves forward the Air concept will be absorbed, or the other offerings will be altered in a away that makes them more unique.

...Anyone thinking multi-touch tablet? :rolleyes:

Some very fair statements.

BUT PLEASE, NO TABLET! People are calling the MBA a toy... I guess that would make a tablet trash. I just don't like tablets tbh

[bluelight]

I'm in the same boat as you except for the fact I think the Macbook Air is no where near durable enough for my purposes. It's going to dent and it's going to scratch and look ugly after long periods of movement. That's why I went for the Macbook.

Do you work construction?

[v-ault]

Do you work construction?


Well, no, but I had a MBP (made out of aluminum too) and a year of lugging it all over my campus, inside a case might I add, caused it to get multiple dents and scratches.

[davidnaquino]

Some very fair statements.

BUT PLEASE, NO TABLET! People are calling the MBA a toy... I guess that would make a tablet trash. I just don't like tablets tbh

Haha, I don't want one either really. If I have an iPhone, an iMac, and hopefully soon a MBP, then why should I need one?

I'm glad we've come to some agreement. :)

[bluelight]

Well, no, but I had a MBP (made out of aluminum too) and a year of lugging it all over my campus, inside a case might I add, caused it to get multiple dents and scratches.

usually when I buy something, such as the macbook i have now, i treasure it for about 2 months and then start whipping it around like its nothing

you're probably a perfectionist and can't stand to use a damaged computer, and I am too, but i always just replace mine once they're worn

you have to stay up to date anyways

[bluelight]

Haha, I don't want one either really. If I have an iPhone, an iMac, and hopefully soon a MBP, then why should I need one?

I'm glad we've come to some agreement. :)

They remind me of those LeapFrog games for toddlers, and the iPhone is enough touchy fun to last a life time

[v-ault]

usually when I buy something, such as the macbook i have now, i treasure it for about 2 months and then start whipping it around like its nothing

you're probably a perfectionist and can't stand to use a damaged computer, and I am too, but i always just replace mine once they're worn

you have to stay up to date anyways


yeah, I guess you could say that. I felt like my MBP was a piece of trash after all the dents and wasn't proud of it.

I don't wanna take that risk with the MBA, especially when I know Rev B, C, etc are going to be much better when those flash drives get cheaper, bigger storage, and are in Apple's base models. The current model at 1.8k is not future proof at all, and I can't afford the 3k model, especially when it is only 64gb. This should all change in the future when flash drives become standard, much cheaper, and when apple shows they can make it work fine with their journalized file system.

[bluelight]

yeah, I guess you could say that. I felt like my MBP was a piece of trash after all the dents and wasn't proud of it.

I don't wanna take that risk with the MBA, especially when I know Rev B, C, etc are going to be much better when those flash drives get cheaper, bigger storage, and are in Apple's base models. The current model at 1.8k is not future proof at all, and I can't afford the 3k model, especially when it is only 64gb. This should all change in the future when flash drives become standard, much cheaper, and when apple shows they can make it work fine with their journalized file system.

I feel like I should wait for the next gen, but I just need to have this... now. LOL

[meagain]

I'm in the same boat as you except for the fact I think the Macbook Air is no where near durable enough for my purposes. It's going to dent and it's going to scratch and look ugly after long periods of movement. That's why I went for the Macbook.

Wow - were you at MacWorld and handled one already?

[sushi]

Um, NO. Some of us will always need the optical drive. some of us won't. We all have different needs. You can't please all of the people, all of the time. Choice is all.
Exactly.

The MBA is not for those who want an internal optical drive. Simple.

Individuals who want an internal optical drive should look at the MB or MBP.

And if you want the MBA and need to have an optical drive, you can either get the external one or connect to a Mac or PC optical drive.

"A fool and his money are soon parted."
When I read these threads I get the feeling that some folks are jealous that others can purchase the MBA and they can't. So they try to justify their view by knocking the MBA.

To these folks I would offer, that regardless of maker, the smaller and lighter type laptops cost more than the mainstream ones for what you get. This is along the same lines as you can purchase a desktop with more power than a laptop at the same price.

But how many want an ultra portable?
I would say that there is a large untapped business market that Apple has been missing.

There are many mobile professionals who need a capable laptop to take with them. The MBA fits this need. And because you can boot directly into Windows, we may see some Windows centric organizations going with the MBA.

[bluelight]

@sushi: THANK YOU


When I read these threads I get the feeling that some folks are jealous that others can purchase the MBA and they can't. So they try to justify their view by knocking the MBA.

you got it right on

[Engage]

Call me an idiot, but the way everyone is trashing the MBA makes me want to buy it even more.


If you can't afford it, don't try to convince yourself that it is a crappy machine by pointing out all of its flaws. The MacBook Air, when finally shipped, will function perfectly for what it is meant for.


No... that's really not the case. In fact, i've been trying to convince myself why i should buy it. You're right it will function perfectly what its meant for -- reading emails and surfing the web... the same things you can do on an iphone for 400 bucks or a much cheaper laptop. Its not even any more portable than the macbook pro. Its footprint is huge and i don't care how thin it is if it wont fit into my backpack. I'm not looking to carry this thing around in an envelope. I was looking forward to switching to apple this macworld, but apple missed the mark in my eyes and im not so sure im ready to do it. Hopefully they will up the bar, in terms of style (that border around the screen and black keyboard are horrific) and technology in the following revision. In the mean time I'm curious to see what will happen to this thing.

[bluelight]

No... that's really not the case. You're right it will function perfectly what its meant for -- reading emails and surfing the web... the same things you can do on an iphone for 400 bucks or a much cheaper laptop. Its not even any more portable than the macbook pro. Its footprint is huge and i don't care how thin it is if it wont fit into my backpack. I'm not looking to carry this thing around in an envelope. I was looking forward to switching to apple this macworld, but apple missed the mark in my eyes and im not so sure im ready to do it. Hopefully they will up the bar, in terms of style (that border around the screen and black keyboard are horrific) and technology in the following revision. In the mean time I'm curious to see what will happen to this thing.

You're entitled to your opinion, but I don't see what the big deal is about the black keyboard and the border around the screen. Oh well, I think it's a brilliant product.

The difference between the iPhone and the MBA is a full sized back lit keyboard, a 13 inch screen, and you're right, a big price tag, but they are two very different products. They can't be grouped together...

[angrynrdrckr]

i'm very intrigued by the SSD option, and i am in the market for a new laptop, but unfortunately i will also be running pro tools 7.0 and ableton live 5.0, and basically every way i have sliced it, the MBA just doesn't cut it. bummer.

[v-ault]

BTW, a lot of you guys are underestimating the power of this laptop.

A core solo 1.8 ghz was known to outperform 3 ghz Pentium 4, and people used pentium 4s for gaming, photoshop, and all kinds of things.

The Macbook Pro initially came out with a Core Duo chip 2 years ago and was used for professional work, but guess what, the chip in the MBA is more powerful.

The MBA can do much more than just web surfing and email. It'll be able to handle word processing, photoshop and the likes without a problem.

He'll my parents use their core duo Mac Mini to make movies with iMovie, Word, and all kinds of things.

The MB AIR is plenty powerful, but I just don't feel I'm ready for it yet. When it comes with at least 160 gb flash drives (for cheap), I'll be ready to get one. My Macbook should more than suffice until then.

[Engage]

You're entitled to your opinion, but I don't see what the big deal is about the black keyboard and the border around the screen. Oh well, I think it's a brilliant product.

The difference between the iPhone and the MBA is a full sized back lit keyboard, a 13 inch screen, and you're right, a big price tag, but they are two very different products. They can't be grouped together...

I agree completely that they shouldn't be grouped together. But, functionality wise (in my eyes) I dont see how the mba has any ups on the iphone. The iphone keyboard is not as convenient, and the screen is a bit small, but you can still get the basic things done. And looking at the boards around here, it looks to me like thats all that people want the mba for -- as a side laptop that they can use to check emails and surf the web that is portable. I just cant see why someone would want the mba over something like the iphone because they both are limited to the same functions (mostly).

[HLdan]

What bluelight doesn't realize is that MacBook Air sales will be modest.

Then, in an effort to rejuvenate the Air brand Apple will lower the price and/or beef up it's hardware.



Ha ha, you are so wrong. LOL. You think Air sales will be low based on the amount of whiners on this forum. For every whiner there are 10 more popping out their credit card.
The Air will most certainly be very successful in sales as nearly all of Apple's computers. Just because you don't care much for it don't say sales will be modest. It's not THAT expensive for what it offers.

You need to check out Sony's latest 11" Tx series. $3699 U.S for approximately what the SSD Air offers but it includes a few more ports and a built in hard drive and separate optical drive. Remember this is a Windows only machine against the Air that dual boots.
Sony expects to sell and they will, Apple expects to sell the Air and they most certainly will.
Price is no object to many people. You can get a very fine Mercedes for a lot less than a Bently with the same features but people buy the Bently for status and because they want it.

[teleromeo]

lol You mean people actually work for a living here? :eek:
(Sorry, couldn't resist)

we all have to work hard to be able to afford our macs ..

[bluelight]

I agree completely that they shouldn't be grouped together. But, functionality wise (in my eyes) I dont see how the mba has any ups on the iphone. The iphone keyboard is not as convenient, and the screen is a bit small, but you can still get the basic things done. And looking at the boards around here, it looks to me like thats all that people want the mba for -- as a side laptop that they can use to check emails and surf the web that is portable. I just cant see why someone would want the mba over something like the iphone because they both are limited to the same functions (mostly).

It will appeal to school students who just need to surf the web and do word processing and stuff of that nature. And students don't want to do that stuff on an iPhone screen. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing all of that stuff on the iPhone, that's for sure.

[davidnaquino]

Ha ha, you are so wrong. LOL. You think Air sales will be low based on the amount of whiners on this forum. For every whiner there are 10 more popping out their credit card.
The Air will most certainly be very successful in sales as nearly all of Apple's computers. Just because you don't care much for it don't say sales will be modest. It's not THAT expensive for what it offers.

You need to check out Sony's latest 11" Tx series. $3699 U.S for approximately what the SSD Air offers but it includes a few more ports and a built in hard drive and separate optical drive. Remember this is a Windows only machine against the Air that dual boots.
Sony expects to sell and they will, Apple expects to sell the Air and they most certainly will.
Price is no object to many people. You can get a very fine Mercedes for a lot less than a Bently with the same features but people buy the Bently for status and because they want it.


Initial (first 12 months) MacBook Air sales will be modest. My opinion is based on my personal assessment of the facts, not by a forum. In addition, I would be foolish to consider price alone as an inhibitor for any Apple product.

[Hmac]

It's going to dent and it's going to scratch and look ugly after long periods of movement. That's why I went for the Macbook......

.....which will crack, discolor (white) or get shiney in various patches (black). Also, your bezel around the keyboard panel will chip off in various sections.

[davidnaquino]

And to set the record straight: My opinion is that whether it's perfect or not, the MBA is impressive when taken at face value.

[heatmiser]

It will appeal to school students who just need to surf the web and do word processing and stuff of that nature. And students don't want to do that stuff on an iPhone screen. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing all of that stuff on the iPhone, that's for sure.

Students who do that stuff will almost (99%) always go with a Macbook instead. It's $700 cheaper, and that's a lot of books, pizza, and other fun stuff. In most cases, the only students who'll pick the Air over the regular will be the ones whose parents foot the bill.

[edcoche]

And to set the record straight: My opinion is that whether it's perfect or not, the MBA is impressive when taken at face value.

I'm impressed with the MBA. If you get an educational discount I think it's a decent value as well. :cool:

[EvilDoc]

Oh i so i called this, complaining about the price that is. More to the point though, for me i see the MacBook Air as a luxury item (speaking solely for my self), i have a Macbook from early 2006 and the specs are not that wowing nor jaw dropping enough for me to even consider a MacBook Air. I don't think that makes me cheap, but for my needs i dont need to have "the worlds thinest notebook". A plain old Macbook soots my needs just fine, plus i am pretty sure i can find a large fedex envelope i could fit it in ;)... if i even needed to mail a notebook. Now if the price had been say, $1299 then i would be all over it. It could be the size of a sheet of plain paper and i wouldn't pay $1799 for it, call to me cheap but i couldnt justify purchasing it. Dont get me wrong it looks awesome, i will definitely be playing with it for a while when i manage to go into my local Apple store :D

[bsmack]

Does anyone know what graphics chipset this uses? I've looked all over and can't find any information pertaining to it.

[bombboy]

Does anyone know what graphics chipset this uses? I've looked all over and can't find any information pertaining to it.

GMA X3100, same as the latest Macbook refresh

[iW00t]

Call me an idiot, but the way everyone is trashing the MBA makes me want to buy it even more.

A lot of people are complaining about the border around the screen, the battery, the speakers, the keyboard colour, and nitpicking at every other component of the MBA, but I think what everyone is really mad about is the price.

If you can't afford it, don't try to convince yourself that it is a crappy machine by pointing out all of its flaws. The MacBook Air, when finally shipped, will function perfectly for what it is meant for.

SO STOP COMPLAINING. There is nothing wrong with it. It was introduced as the world's thinnest laptop, not the world's most powerful laptop. TOO BAD IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT.

Can't wait to buy it when they have it in stores :)

I can afford it, easily.

Claimed against tax it is only around A$1500 for me, hardly expensive.

It sucks. No option for additional batteries? Seriously? They did it with the iPods, fine. Then the iPhones, which was pushing it. Now this, no ********** way.

[MacsAttack]

Exactly.

When I read these threads I get the feeling that some folks are jealous that others can purchase the MBA and they can't. So they try to justify their view by knocking the MBA.



You get this all the time with the iPhone envy as well. Now those folks have a bad case of MBA envy too :D

[MacsAttack]

we all have to work hard to be able to afford our macs ..

... or get our companies to pay for them ... or lump the cost into a contract and get the customer to foot the bill... :D

[RichL]

or maybe its a CD/DVD driveless paper weight. We aren't in a time where downloads are 100% mainstream. Screw borrowing a drive. I want one built in.

[Sceneshifter]

What I don't understand, is how Apple can afford to attack a niche of a niche here. I mean, great they're growing again, I'm very happy for it, super nice stuff coming out in the hard & software department. But they're still tiny, no? I don't know about you "rich guys" (gogo dollar gogo) in the US (as the OP was so nice to point out), but here (Western Europe) SOME people have macs, as in 1 on 20/30.

Business people, other then designer related stuff (and art, you know what I mean), don't even look at Apple. So then comes an OS X targeted at business consumers (obviously as looking at the MBA you're basically living on the road and typing on your computer in very close quarters, with no light to see your keyboard, and carrying your laptop 24/7 justifying the weight vs functionality loss. That or you're in jail and really don't have space/light for a normal laptop and might piss off your cellmate cause you too up that extra inch of roomspace!)

Ok so there you are on your airplane with your (pretty) MBA. Since the entire business world runs Windows, of course I'll have a little problem to run those apps in OS X, and for some of you who care, in giant businesses where people allow you to buy MBA's and whatever laptop you wish (not many businesses would even give you the choice of an Apple laptop, too expensive and not compatible in their eyes) they probably write their OWN software, which I guarantee you will run only on Windows or their custom OS. Then you'd have to install XP on your MBA, taking quite a bite in your already small HD, and XP doesn't come for free last time I checked.

While on the road, again, sitting in a tiny space with no light and all that stuff, you are for sure going to want to use that CD drive. I'm the definition of a road "warrior", better yet, a sky warrior if you wish. That means my 'base' machine is a luxury more then it is a basemachine. Your portable becomes your reliable little partner. People handing out CDs at meetings, conferences, happens ALL the time! Do you seriously consider that everyone gets a USB stick at every conference, meeting,..
And then you arrive back in your tiny little hotel room where they charge you by how big your laptop is, and you can't even pick up a DVD to watch in peace before falling asleep.

Then you wake up, in freaking Waikiki and your battery dies, and no way to replace it yourself. Looks like you'll have to wait till you get home, and then some, to get that fixed Bob! But yeah, we're all poor. For the niche it's supposed to fill, good luck.

[mrsk]

Whooo, first post. Been reading the forums for a while and decided it might be time to speak up, seeing as I'm one of the people disappointed by the MBA.

I still don't a Mac and have to use Windows. I'm tired of Windows. I'm tired of my old Dell laptop, which isn't really what I've been looking for. I'm longing to own a "real" computer now to do everything I want, and not have to do different tasks on separate computers.
I've been waiting to buy a Mac for half a year now (first friends told me to wait until Leopard is released, then they told me to wait for MacBook Pro updates - which didn't happen). So a large part of me being grumpy about the MBA is - to be perfectly honest, I'd rather have had a MBP redesign than have a design study of how thin a computer Apple can build.

Anyway, I'm a uni student. I've saved up around €2500 for a new computer, so it's not the cash I lack, but rather a motivation to buy an MBA instead of an MBP. I'll grant you that the MBA is in fact a sexy computer, but apart from that I don;t really see the appeal of the MBA.

As an example... I never bothered to upgrade the RAM or HDD or had to get another battery for my Dell. But the idea that I easily could if I wanted or needed to is quite assuring. You can't do that with the MBA. That kind of makes the MBA more of a disposable toy for me. Use it until it breaks and just throw it away.
Another reason I'm not really getting warm fuzzy feelings i that I'd still need my desktop PC to handle most stuff, which is what I wanted to avoid by getting an MBP. The huge benefit of a MacBook Pro is that it's really powerful for a laptop computer. It doesn't need that much space on your desk either and - let's admit it - even though it's not ultra-slim, the MBP still is really sexy to look at.

And generally that's the attitude of a lot of students. Which is why I see a ton of MacBooks around. It's powerful enough to get the work done. It's small and light enough to be carried to wherever you need it. Speaking of which, the MBA isn't even that portable to justify buying one over a standard MacBook IMHO.

Although I can perfectly see that there are people who fell in love with the design, I fail to see who really needs a computer like this. It just seems like it's some manager toy, some kind of "I'm richer than you" gadget. Although a lot of people could theoretically afford to buy one, quite few like the idea to spend €1600 on a mere toy. At least that's the case for me. If I'm going to spend €1600-1800, I might as well just get a real computer whose only setback is the "huge" 15" footprint and the "huge" MBP weight (which - for a 15" laptop - is still incredibly lightweight).

Oh well, to each their own, but I don't think the MBA will be very popular among students at all.

[pksweedflame]

So if the Macbook Air isn't going to drop in price, when will we see Macbook Pro updates? Is it going to be as unofficial as the Mac Pro updates one week prior to MacWorld? I'd rather spend a couple of hundred more than get a fancy Macbook Air...

[mrsk]

So if the Macbook Air isn't going to drop in price, when will we see Macbook Pro updates? Is it going to be as unofficial as the Mac Pro updates one week prior to MacWorld? I'd rather spend a couple of hundred more than get a fancy Macbook Air...
Yeah, I think they might be upgraded silently within the next month. Nothing huge though, probably introducing Penryns and maybe a slight GPU upgrade along with bigger HDDs?

I'd really love to get the most out of my new computer, after buying cheap rubbish for quite some time now. I know MBPs are still relatively good, but it's still last year's tech for this year's price, so I'd rather wait some more.
My Dell kind of sucks, though... so having to wait even longer (after waiting for half a year now) really puts a strain on me :(

[UltraNEO*]

Honestly people, I don't know why there is so much hostility regarding the new MacBook Air. I for one agree and think this new system won't appeal to everyone regardless of the price! And for those of you who seem to moan and whine about the lack of ports just goes to prove one thing... You're new to Apple!

As for the rest of us who's been using Mac since System 7 or prior will remember the beautifully crafted, light weight and certainly compact PowerBook Duo (http://www.apple-history.com/body.php?page=gallery&model=210&performa=off&sort=family&order=DESC) series which did everything their bigger brother could do though it's but slightly underpowered, it lacked all the ports, except a serial and a expansion port for a dock.

Today's the new MBA has many more ports and lots of expansion possibilities via the USB2. Unlike the original Apple Serial Bus, the USB will support multiple devices via a hub. Then a digital video port for presentation/projectors plus the super fast 802.11n! And your still feckin' moaning. Jesus! :mad:

Seriously, this machine isn't for the mainstream crowd. It's target are those who really miss the Duo and would like an updated model that'll handle everything they need without the excess weight and useless accessories such as a DVD drive.

On a down side, I dunno why Apple couldn't make the system battery break the five hour barrier :confused: it seems PC sub-notebooks are going towards double figures and all the Apple range are still hovering around five. It's not like we don't have the technology to achieve this, the technology is here, we've seen it on non-apple machines. Perhaps it's more to do with compactness and cost? Whatever the reason, Apple did archive one thing, the thinest most compact yet useable laptop - it's still not the lightest! :rolleyes:

[invigorated]

Wow how things change in the apple-sphere. The outrage and the perceived lack of "value" in a new product. Hello, when was Apple ever, ever, known for releasing value products? In the last year their stuff has become semi-competitive in price, but it's hardly put in the "value" category.

You pay a premium for Apple stuff because it looks good and does what its designed to do very well. If you want "value" go and buy a freaking Dell. I want one of these for the cool factor alone, even though I can see the drawbacks with their omissions. The portability combined with the fact that this thing looks beautiful makes those omissions almost irrelevant.

I've already planned various ways to get around the omissions, I'll get the external superdrive because it solves the whole no disk drive problem. I'll take the external drive if I know I'm going to be needing it, most of the time it'll probably sit in a drawer. I can plug all my accessories into a usb hub and set it up at my desk. I can walk in, plonk down my Air and plug in one plug and I'm good to go. I don't really need my Music/Music collection with me so I can setup my massive itunes library on another machine and sync my ipods with that, therefor storage on the Air won't really be an issue.

I've never ever changed the battery on a laptop. I see a problem with the machine as a problem with the machine, battery or component. It doesn't matter what's broken because with Apple support I lose it for to weeks. I'm not going to buy another battery to test it out myself first. I'm just going to send it back. The whole integrated battery drama show going on at the moment is silly.

I thought not having a firewire port is a little painful, but with the slow hard drive in these you'd be pretty silly to do much video editing on it anyway.

The size of this thing is what does it for me, I just want to throw it in a bag and go, some people wine about the 13-inch size and that its to big to throw in a bag. It's less than an A4 page guys, come on! What kind of bag are you carrying that you can't fit a freaking A4 page in? Put down the man purse. I'll throw this in a small satchel bag and be out the door, light weight equals win!

Oh and for the "it's a laptop, not a fashion statement" crowd, your clearly shopping at the wrong store, because you don't buy an Apple if you don't care how it looks at least on some level.

Did I miss anything? I'm going to have to start saving I think...

[bluelight]

Wow how things change in the apple-sphere. The outrage and the perceived lack of "value" in a new product. Hello, when was Apple ever, ever, known for releasing value products? In the last year their stuff has become semi-competitive in price, but it's hardly put in the "value" category.

You pay a premium for Apple stuff because it looks good and does what its designed to do very well. If you want "value" go and buy a freaking Dell. I want one of these for the cool factor alone, even though I can see the drawbacks with their omissions. The portability combined with the fact that this thing looks beautiful makes those omissions almost irrelevant.

I've already planned various ways to get around the omissions, I'll get the external superdrive because it solves the whole no disk drive problem. I'll take the external drive if I know I'm going to be needing it, most of the time it'll probably sit in a drawer. I can plug all my accessories into a usb hub and set it up at my desk. I can walk in, plonk down my Air and plug in one plug and I'm good to go. I don't really need my Music/Music collection with me so I can setup my massive itunes library on another machine and sync my ipods with that, therefor storage on the Air won't really be an issue.

I've never ever changed the battery on a laptop. I see a problem with the machine as a problem with the machine, battery or component. It doesn't matter what's broken because with Apple support I lose it for to weeks. I'm not going to buy another battery to test it out myself first. I'm just going to send it back. The whole integrated battery drama show going on at the moment is silly.

I thought not having a firewire port is a little painful, but with the slow hard drive in these you'd be pretty silly to do much video editing on it anyway.

The size of this thing is what does it for me, I just want to throw it in a bag and go, some people wine about the 13-inch size and that its to big to throw in a bag. It's less than an A4 page guys, come on! What kind of bag are you carrying that you can't fit a freaking A4 page in? Put down the man purse. I'll throw this in a small satchel bag and be out the door, light weight equals win!

Oh and for the "it's a laptop, not a fashion statement" crowd, your clearly shopping at the wrong store, because you don't buy an Apple if you don't care how it looks at least on some level.

Did I miss anything? I'm going to have to start saving I think...

I agree completely.

[Macula]

Call me an idiot, but the way everyone is trashing the MBA makes me want to buy it even more...
but I think what everyone is really mad about is the price...
SO STOP COMPLAINING. There is nothing wrong with it

Well, there certainly is a fair amount of idiocy in what you wrote. You may be interested in knowing that all economic decisions, including all purchase decisions, are based on a utility vs. price relationship. When people trash the MBA, they implicitly judge it in relation to its price. There is nothing wrong in complaining about this. It is called rational economic behaviour.

[bluelight]

Well, there certainly is a fair amount of idiocy in what you wrote. You may be interested in knowing that all economic decisions, including all purchase decisions, are based on a utility vs. price relationship. When people trash the MBA, they implicitly judge it in relation to its price. There is nothing wrong in complaining about this. It is called rational economic behaviour.

I respect the use of your big words, or whatever, but you over thought everything. No one thinks about that when they begin to complain. You may be an expert in economic behavior, but you are certainly not an expert in psychology.

[Macula]

I respect the use of your big words, or whatever, but you over thought everything. No one thinks about that when they begin to complain. You may be an expert in economic behavior, but you are certainly not an expert in psychology.

They all think that when they complain. Simple proof: No one would complain if the MBA sold for $100.

[flieschut]

This thread is an embarrassment. Are you in high school? Are you spoiled? WTF? I don't care much whether you do or don't have money to throw around, I care about the technology, and discussing the merits of it.

And all this "Oh, I have money" defensiveness is just pathetic. It reminds me of being in high school, the school I went to really wasn't that great at sports and so when losing, some of the spoiled brats that went there would chant "that's alright, that's okay, you're going to work for me some day."

Get a grip, experience humility.

[Thomas Davie]

Call me an idiot, but the way everyone is trashing the MBA makes me want to buy it even more.

A lot of people are complaining about the border around the screen, the battery, the speakers, the keyboard colour, and nitpicking at every other component of the MBA, but I think what everyone is really mad about is the price.

If you can't afford it, don't try to convince yourself that it is a crappy machine by pointing out all of its flaws. The MacBook Air, when finally shipped, will function perfectly for what it is meant for.

SO STOP COMPLAINING. There is nothing wrong with it. It was introduced as the world's thinnest laptop, not the world's most powerful laptop. TOO BAD IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT.

Can't wait to buy it when they have it in stores :)

I can afford it, and as a matter of fact I am buying a Macbook and iMac. Why not an airfarce?

1 USB
no firewire
no ethernet
no expresscard 34
max of 2 gb ram
mono sound

I'm going to end up spending more money on a MB or MBP so dollars aren't an issue; capability is. It just isn't powerful enough and has several severe limitations. I typically go on vacation with a DV camcorder and a laptop, and as time the mood permits, I dumpt off the video to the laptop. No go with the MBA.

regards

Tom

[Catch]

Business people, other then designer related stuff (and art, you know what I mean), don't even look at Apple. So then comes an OS X targeted at business consumers (obviously as looking at the MBA you're basically living on the road and typing on your computer in very close quarters, with no light to see your keyboard, and carrying your laptop 24/7 justifying the weight vs functionality loss. That or you're in jail and really don't have space/light for a normal laptop and might piss off your cellmate cause you too up that extra inch of roomspace!)


Hehe thats a pretty funny post mate...

For your information my company is not in an "arts" related field. It employs over 200 people. We are OSX only. Even our accounts department is running on Xserve/Xraid under OSX with Parallels for the accounts software. We use Tas Books and Sage which unfortunately is non OSX.

All offsite management use MacBookPros. We will place an order for six MBAs for the senior execs (some that have waited some time on the strength of rumors to upgrade). I am the CFO for the group and I just ordered mine a bit ahead of time with the SSD, as my birthday is on the 11th February and I could not wait for this thing to hit retail :D

Furthermore, we use a legal team based in Madeira (Portugal), and another in London, that are also OSX based. One of our financial consultants is OSX based and he is in his 60s.

I agree it is not mainstream, but many company execs I have spoken to are actively looking into shifting to OSX.

Regards,

C

[maceleven]

:cool:

[biturbomunkie]

when making a $500+ purchase, i try to ask myself - is it gonna be useful?

i had one of those cutting edge 3lb laptops back in '98. it had everything that you'd expect a laptop would have except an optical drive, which came free w/ the $3k price tag. granted, at just under 1", it was a lot thicker than an MBA, but i didn't have to mess around w/ adapters. it had everything - standard vga port, usb, ethernet, and even a single pcmcia slot. to top it off, both the hdd and the ram were easily accessible.

while affordability is a consideration for most folks, i think a lot of MBP users will be willing to spend $2.5k+ on a full-featured laptop that is < 3lbs. in addition, the aesthetic of the MBA is non-offensive at best. i just don't see myself spending $3k+, give up a few hundred mhz, and carry a few adapters on the road. also, the non-expandable memory is like a time bomb waiting to explode - i'm struggling w/ 2gb ram as we speak.

in any case, SJ has smartly priced the 1.6ghz at $1800, which is quite appealing to non-demanding users.

[bluelight]

They all think that when they complain. Simple proof: No one would complain if the MBA sold for $100.


No, I think people would be saying: "i know it's only $100, but I would be willing to may an extra 200 if they added this, this, and this."

[j26]

Wow how things change in the apple-sphere. The outrage and the perceived lack of "value" in a new product. Hello, when was Apple ever, ever, known for releasing value products? In the last year their stuff has become semi-competitive in price, but it's hardly put in the "value" category...

Have you ever thought that value means more than cheap? Value is the worth of ALL aspect of the product. Apple make very attractive products - that is beyond doubt. The question is how much the aesthetics are worth to people.

IMO people factor in the Apple factor when deciding what price they are willing to pay. It's just that in this case, the premium is too high for a lot of people, including me. I'm sure it will sell okay, but for those needing/wanting higher performance, or who have some must have feature like firewire or replaceable battery, the MBA doesn't represent value. You also have to factor in the cost of workarounds both in time, hassle and money, which reduces the attraction significantly.

It does encourage me that the future direction of Apple is right. However at this price point and with the given set of features, it doesn't represent value to me and many others (that's not saying its bad, merely that to me it's not good enough for the price they want). I'm sure that future iterations of this will be far superior and in a couple of years I'll probably get one. But for now, no.

Plus the bezel being the same size as the Macbook puts me off :p

[invigorated]

Have you ever thought that value means more than cheap? Value is the worth of ALL aspect of the product. Apple make very attractive products - that is beyond doubt. The question is how much the aesthetics are worth to people.

IMO people factor in the Apple factor when deciding what price they are willing to pay. It's just that in this case, the premium is too high for a lot of people, including me. I'm sure it will sell okay, but for those needing/wanting higher performance, or who have some must have feature like firewire or replaceable battery, the MBA doesn't represent value. You also have to factor in the cost of workarounds both in time, hassle and money, which reduces the attraction significantly.

It does encourage me that the future direction of Apple is right. However at this price point and with the given set of features, it doesn't represent value to me and many others (that's not saying its bad, merely that to me it's not good enough for the price they want). I'm sure that future iterations of this will be far superior and in a couple of years I'll probably get one. But for now, no.

Plus the bezel being the same size as the Macbook puts me off :p

Ah, but hardware features alone are to often being used to dictate value here. Your not awarding enough to the portability and aesthetics of the device. It's quite clear Apple came up with a stunning package and then worked miracles getting everything they possibly could to fit inside it. Your paying for that magic, which is why it costs more than computers built from standard components. I think people are willing to pay for a computer that looks so much better than anything else out there.

[trancepriest]

And how much do these cost? Find me a laptop that meets all your specifications, beats the cost of the MBA, and appeals to people who actually have good taste


http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2008/01/vaiox505.jpeg
Carbon fiber notebook released in January, 2004. 1.73 pounds, .3" thick at the thinnest segment. Apple coming out with a thinner notebook 4 years later is barely innovation. This is going for $1399 on ebay with a "buy it now".

[Catch]

Ah, but hardware features alone are to often being used to dictate value here. Your not awarding enough to the portability and aesthetics of the device. It's quite clear Apple came up with a stunning package and then worked miracles getting everything they possibly could to fit inside it. Your paying for that magic, which is why it costs more than computers built from standard components. I think people are willing to pay for a computer that looks so much better than anything else out there.

Yes... Intel even helped manufacture a "special" processor to fit with it! Even if its upcoming tech, its pretty amazing to me that they would do that... I guess Intel and Apple think the product might sell to a few people :)

C

[bluelight]

http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2008/01/vaiox505.jpeg
Carbon fiber notebook released in 2004. 1.73 pounds, .3" thick at the thinnest segment. Apple coming out with a thin notebook is barely innovation. This is going for $1400 on ebay with a "buy it now".

thats certainly not recent... and it isn't apple

no osx, no backlit keyboard, no mouse pad


find something more recent...

How long ago was that made? It seems like Apple is the only one innovative enough to follow up on it

[MacsAttack]

Interesting thing is that Apple appears to have got Intel to make them a semi-custom CPU (the packaging is a format that Intel had on their roadmap down the line a bit - but Apple are getting it now).

Also - Apple don't appear to be slapping on the usual Uber-markup on the SSD.

Anyone got a pic of the underside - cause I thought I saw a little hatch in one of the vids. Perhaps the drive is accessible after all...

[Catch]

Anyone got a pic of the underside - cause I thought I saw a little hatch in one of the vids. Perhaps the drive is accessible after all...

The "hatch" is for the usb, etc...

C

[trancepriest]

It seems like Apple is the only one innovative enough to follow up on it

LOL... innovative to follow? :D Do you understand the foolishness of what you just said? The Sony Vaio x505 was released 4 years ago... January 2004. Sony stopped making them because they realized that thinnest was not the sweet spot.

"Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing, thought the engineering to get a laptop that thin was extremely impressive. But Sony had a similiar vision for an ultraportable once, a carbon fiber notebook in 2004 called the X505 (above) that eschewed the optical and was 0.3 inches thick (compared to 0.16 of the Air) at its thinnest segment. It wasn't that well received, and research later pointed out that "Thinness is not the holy grail". Making something that thin and sexy cost it too much usability."

http://gizmodo.com/345829/interview-sonys-thoughts-on-the-macbook-air

[bluelight]

LOL... innovative to follow? :D Do you understand the foolishness of what you just said? That sony Vaio x505 was released 4 years ago... January 2004. Sony stopped making them because they realized that thinnest was not the sweet spot.

http://gizmodo.com/345829/interview-sonys-thoughts-on-the-macbook-air

Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing, thought the engineering to get a laptop that thin was extremely impressive. But Sony had a similiar vision for an ultraportable once, a carbon fiber notebook in 2004 called the X505 (above) that eschewed the optical and was 0.3 inches thick (compared to 0.16 of the Air) at its thinnest segment. It wasn't that well received, and research later pointed out that "Thinness is not the holy grail". Making something that thin and sexy cost it too much usability. (Many of you agree in the comments on Giz.)

FOLLOW UP

THE WORD UP CHANGES THE WHOLE CONTEXT OF WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

[Catch]

LOL... innovative to follow? :D Do you understand the foolishness of what you just said? The Sony Vaio x505 was released 4 years ago... January 2004. Sony stopped making them because they realized that thinnest was not the sweet spot.

"Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing, thought the engineering to get a laptop that thin was extremely impressive. But Sony had a similiar vision for an ultraportable once, a carbon fiber notebook in 2004 called the X505 (above) that eschewed the optical and was 0.3 inches thick (compared to 0.16 of the Air) at its thinnest segment. It wasn't that well received, and research later pointed out that "Thinness is not the holy grail". Making something that thin and sexy cost it too much usability. (Many of you agree in the comments on Giz.)"

http://gizmodo.com/345829/interview-sonys-thoughts-on-the-macbook-air

In 2004 the performance of that laptop was probably pretty bad compared to a heavy beast.

The MBA with a C2D 'CLEARLY' has masses of usability. Especially coupled with a full size keyboard and a 13" screen.

Its like the C2D has all of a sudden become a slow and obsolete processor. Whats up with that? People are still happily working away on their 12" PowerBooks!

I am truly amazed at this whole usability problem people seem to have with a product that has not even shipped yet!

Regards,

C

[trancepriest]

FOLLOW UP

THE WORD UP CHANGES THE WHOLE CONTEXT OF WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

Cupertino start your copiers.

[bluelight]

and also, since when are sony laptops "well received"

an apple product is easily recognizable, a sony product is simply... not.

[trancepriest]

In 2004 the performance of that laptop was probably pretty bad compared to a heavy beast.C

In 2004 Apple did not have a sub notebook and the performance of the iBooks and Powerbooks were terrible... period.

[MacsAttack]

The "hatch" is for the usb, etc...

C

Yah... Just watched the ad again. Oh - well. Shame, as it needs an SSD to make this work. I'm not holding out great hopes for the 1.8 inch spiny drive.

Specs of the top of the range model more or less match my MacBook - so I know it would be usable (don't use optical drive of wired network). And it has a better screen. Less size and weight would be perfect as I already have to lug a Dell around for the office - that MacBook just about eats up the rest of the hand baggage allowance if I want to take it with me to do freelance work when traveling. A MBA would slip into the Dell case real easy.

Give it some time. Let the SSDs get a bit bigger. May be a worthwhile replacement for my MacBook.

[diabolic]

Its like the C2D has all of a sudden become a slow and obsolete processor. Whats up with that? People are still happily working away on their 12" PowerBooks!

I actually read a post on another site that said something like "The problem with the MBA is how long will it last before its specs make it obsolete? With web pages getting more involved graphics wise I do not think it will last long with its specs."

What?

[diabolic]

"following up" is innovation. LOL.

Personally, I'd say the innovation is removing the optical drive and only having one USB port. While others might say it's going backward, I am sure they said the same thing when Apple removed floppy drives from the Mac.

[Catch]

In 2004 Apple did not have a sub notebook and the performance of the iBooks and Powerbooks were terrible... period.

They still don't have a sub-notebook as far as I am concerned. I would call the MBA an ultra portable... That was not the point of my post however. The point was that in 2004 productivity on ultra portable computers was not great... technology is making ultra portables extremely capable in 2008 and the MBA is certainly that. :)

The PowerBooks were ace computers and powerful enough in those days. Apples laptops have always been well received considering how small their market share is across the whole computer line...

C

[bluelight]

I actually read a post on another site that said something like "The problem with the MBA is how long will it last before its specs make it obsolete? With web pages getting more involved graphics wise I do not think it will last long with its specs."

What?

I would say web pages are slowly becoming simpler and simpler... take google for example. and apple.

[MacsAttack]

The MBA with a C2D 'CLEARLY' has masses of usability. Especially coupled with a full size keyboard and a 13" screen.


I've used a MacBook - which processor and memory wise is more or less what the top end MBA packs. Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign work for the most part. Works just fine. The MBA has better graphics and probably a far better screen. Of course I was able to plug away on an old Mac Mini for eighteen months. Not flashy, but it got the job done and brought in the money for a nice upgrade to a Mac Pro when they launched. The MacBook was bought later for when i needed to work on the move (or get a little freelance work done in the lunch break).

If I were in the market, i'd probably get the 1.8 SSD. If they were offering a 128GB SSD in it at the current price I would be tempted just to get it now anyway. As it is - I'll probably run the MacBook for another year and see what is on offer (or until SSD price/size sorts itself out - or I get an real nice cheque in the post - blew the last one on an iPhone and the phone bill is covered by the office - hahahah).

[Catch]

I actually read a post on another site that said something like "The problem with the MBA is how long will it last before its specs make it obsolete? With web pages getting more involved graphics wise I do not think it will last long with its specs."

What?

You are kidding right? Who wrote that?! Pictures on a website? thats the stupidest thing I have ever heard. The MBA can play back video! I think the internet connection speed would be a much bigger problem than the MBA rendering web photos! :D

As for becoming obsolete. Ultra Portable computers always suffer from this in my opinion. People that spend the extra money on cutting edge tech knows this. These machines are not a cheap option for mobility. Being fragile is another problem I am sure. Again, people that buy them will be aware of this. I replace my laptops pretty much every year. I just pass them down the food chain in the company so I guess I am lucky like that. :)

Regards,

C

[bluelight]

Following up is completely different than following... lol.. please explain the definition of following up? In the context of the MBA does that mean following Sony design from 4 years a go and then making it thinner and if so.. is that innovation? Is that a new idea?


You keep rephrasing following up with the word following. It doesn't work like that. to follow is to copy or mimick, but to follow up is to take something and improve it and make it your own. Apple is the only one who did that, and thus the MBA was born.

You can't call it following. Just because most computers switched to core 2 duo processors after apple did does not make it following... it is following up on the newest technology while at the same time using innovation to make that technology appeal to a specific group of people.

enough lessons in english though, we have schools for this

[GoodWatch]

Call me an idiot, but the way everyone is trashing the MBA makes me want to buy it even more.

A lot of people are complaining about the border around the screen, the battery, the speakers, the keyboard colour, and nitpicking at every other component of the MBA, but I think what everyone is really mad about is the price.

If you can't afford it, don't try to convince yourself that it is a crappy machine by pointing out all of its flaws. The MacBook Air, when finally shipped, will function perfectly for what it is meant for.

SO STOP COMPLAINING. There is nothing wrong with it. It was introduced as the world's thinnest laptop, not the world's most powerful laptop. TOO BAD IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT.

Can't wait to buy it when they have it in stores :)

I'm not trashing it but why the "TOO BAD IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT" remark? That's a bit snooty, don't you think? Or dare I say arrogant? Learn to count your blessings.

[MacsAttack]

They still don't have a sub-notebook as far as I am concerned.

Interestingly enough, I've got this iPhone thingy that does just about everything I'd want to do on a sub-notebook.

I would call the MBA an ultra portable...


Which is exactly the kind of thing I'd want to work on. The most important part is the bit I have to touch all the time - the keyboard. Then the next bit is the screen. Performance is not such an issue because there is no such thing as a slow processor these days. The bottleneck on performance is the storage system - and SSD technology is rapidly solving that one.

[iToaster]

Despite the slow processor and small HD, I would totally buy one if I came up with $10,000. I'd buy a Mac Pro for storage and heavy processing (I do HD) and use the MBA (with the SSD) for portability and back to my mac file usage. I've grown a little fond of the thing, but the one major flaw I see is there is no FW. I use FW all the time and USB for my iPod. Ah well, if only, if only...

[trancepriest]

Apple is the only one who did that, and thus the MBA was born.

follow something up pursue or investigate something further : I decided to follow up the letters with phone calls.

So for 4 years Apple has been pursuing Sony? That sounds like Microsoft following up on Apple. Is that innovation? Hey I'm going by the dictionary definition here buddy.

[bluelight]

follow something up pursue or investigate something further : I decided to follow up the letters with phone calls.

So for 4 years Apple has been pursuing Sony? That sounds like Microsoft following up on Apple. Is that innovation? Hey I'm going by the dictionary definition here buddy.

you have to look past the dictionary definition. that's the problem with you, you're way too literal

[Catch]

follow something up pursue or investigate something further : I decided to follow up the letters with phone calls.

So for 4 years Apple has been pursuing Sony? That sounds like Microsoft following up on Apple. Is that innovation? Hey I'm going by the dictionary definition here buddy.

How about... "thats a great idea! Something is missing/it could be done allot better! Let me follow up on that and improve upon it..."

ALL companies do it. You can't re-invent the wheel every time you make a new model car...

C

[bluelight]

How about... "thats a great idea! Something is missing/it could be done allot better! Let me follow up on that and improve upon it..."

ALL companies do it. You can't re-invent the wheel every time you make a new model car...

C

thank you catch.

go team smart.

[trancepriest]

improve upon it..."C

Improve and following up... is two different things. Of course 4 years later Apple is going to improve on a sub notebook.. heck 2 months from now Sony could have the thinnest sub notebook (once again) with more features than the MBA. Where's the innovation in that?

[direzz]

Improve and following up... is two different things. Of course 4 years later Apple is going to improve on a sub notebook.. heck 2 months from now Sony could have the thinnest sub notebook (once again) with more features than the MBA. Where's the innovation in that?

too much about "4 years"

fact of the matter is, apple will still have OSX, something sony does not.
i'd take an apple that has less hardware than a sony because im getting a stable operating system.

and innovation? remote disk seems pretty innovative to me.

[trancepriest]

and innovation? remote disk seems pretty innovative to me.

LOL... before the MBA no one was using the optical drive from another computer? That's called computer networking to me. Is that innovative?

[direzz]

LOL... before the MBA no one was using the optical drive from another computer? That's called computer networking to me. Is that innovative?


innovation is developing a piece of software to do computer networking with ease.
remote networking between macs and pc's is not always easy for begginner users.
apple makes it easier to do that, and share optical drives through that software.

[Catch]

Improve and following up... is two different things. Of course 4 years later Apple is going to improve on a sub notebook.. heck 2 months from now Sony could have the thinnest sub notebook (once again) with more features than the MBA. Where's the innovation in that?

I am not going to try to convince you that Apple is an innovative company with exceptional industrial design. At the end of the day you see what you want to see. Halving the thickness of an already thin notebook takes incredible engineering. For Sony to produce a laptop with the same features even 0.1" thinner is innovative. Hey you know what? Maybe they will follow up on apples design and take it a step further? :)

C

[trancepriest]

Hey you know what? Maybe they will follow up on apples design and take it a step further? :)

C

and take it a step further... glad you added that into it.. because following up doesn't mean progressing, improving or innovating.... like some people here were insinuating.

[trancepriest]

Semantics... I think we have beaten that one to death to be honest...

C

Of course its semantics... proper meaning in language is everything... without shared meaning how will I know what the heck you just said? Microsoft following up on Apple does not mean improving, progressing or innovating... all it means is pursuing. Like I said a few posts back. You are the one that added... and take it a step further... in your post.

I'm going to follow up on my workout routine from yesterday by going walking today. I may even take it further by jogging a lil today. See you guys in 2 hours.

[Catch]

Of course its semantics... proper meaning in language is everything... without shared meaning how will I know what the heck you just said? Microsoft following up on Apple does not mean improving, progressing or innovating... all it means is pursuing. Like I said a few posts back. You are the one that added... and take it a step further... in your post.

It does not explicitly mean that, I can give you that. However, in the context it was written it was implied... Thus my use of the word semantics. Therefore, anyone but you that read the text knew what the poster meant. You are just twisting his words to fit your purpose. There was nothing wrong with using follow up in the original post to imply they improved upon it. I just added the extra to make it more obvious to you my friend. :)

Why would someone follow up on something not to improve upon it, clarify it, or take it forward?

C

[trancepriest]

Why would someone follow up on something not to improve upon it, clarify it, or take it forward?

C

Following up on an investigation does not mean the investigation was solved or even progressed. Someone could follow up an on investigation and it would still lead to a dead end.... lol. You guys are idiots. :D I'm back from my workout... I followed up on it but did not work out as hard as yesterday... my time was slower today. Following up is the same as following. So Apple followed Sony and created a bigger and heavier sub notebook with less i/o ports.... 4 years later. I followed up on the lead in the investigation... I followed the lead in the investigation. Apple followed Sony... Apple followed up on Sony. :D How can I even argue with you MBA buying fools when you don't know the meaning of english words? :)

Hey did I mention my business partner is buying me one. I'm getting one for free you poor.... trivial status seeking... depraved... blueball... follow up suckers. I figure this is a good computer for six year old kids... disney.com.

[RichL]

lol bluelight got banned.

[trancepriest]

lol bluelight got banned.

I can go back to being the nice person I normally am now. This thread is incendiary.

[yellow]

I would say web pages are slowly becoming simpler and simpler... take google for example. and apple.

I would have to strongly disagree with this, mainly as I am trapped in a dial-up world and it gets harder and harder to deal with how slow web surfing is.

[Rotary8]

I surfed through every page not to read whatever he wrote (his title was enough for me to know what it was about) but actually wanted to see where he got banned. lol

[Wallace86]

if you dislike hearing people complain, i would highly reccomend you NOT come to this website.....complaining is the DNA of this website.

[sWaltuo]

Yes Sir!!

I can't wait to get my hands on the MBA! I was in love with the thing when I first saw Steve pull it out of the envelope (or even before when I was dreaming of what it could look like for weeks b4 MacWorld). Yes it is a little underpowered, but it is not meant to be a over powering machine. It will fit my needs perfectly. A second computer to sit beside my iMac so I can take it to classes and trips home when I need to.

The most amazing part is that I haven't even got to get my hands on one. It is hard to imagine a laptop smaller than a MacBook. It is thinner than the new iPod nano at its smallest point!!!!!! The nano dimension, correct me if I'm wrong, is .26 inches thick compared to .16 inches!! AMAZING!!!

[Zwhaler]

To be portable is to be easily or conveniently transported, so at 3 pounds, I would say that the MBA is pretty portable. You're right though, ultra takes it a bit too far.

Ehh I don't know, did you go to MacWorld? After using it I definitely think it is an ultraportable. Its width really isn't as big of an issue as I thought it would be. Its weight (or lack thereof) makes up for its size.

[trancepriest]

I can't wait to visit the Apple store and see the MacBook Air in the kids section. It's a great computer for kids when you think about it... light weight, no optical drives for johnny to screw up, no need for higher end features that adults would need like firewire or EVDO. The higher end SSD version would be perfect for toddlers... no spinning hard drives for kids to mess up.

[diabolic]

no spinning hard drives for kids to mess up.

Thanks for the idea. I have 3 kids under 5 years old. I'll buy 3 more for them.

[trancepriest]

Thanks for the idea. I have 3 kids under 5 years old. I'll buy 3 more for them.

I'll hand mine down to my future 2 year old. Expensive...blah... this is the perfect system for kids. A 2 year old should be able to carry around 3 pounds right? Nothing says status more... than starbucks, my 2 year old with a latte on disney.com with his self colored macbook air.

[Caris]

I can imagine that aswell :D

[xlii]

I'll hand mine down to my future 2 year old. Expensive...blah... this is the perfect system for kids. A 2 year old should be able to carry around 3 pounds right? Nothing says status more... than starbucks, my 2 year old with a latte on disney.com with his self colored macbook air.


Little kids shouldn't be a-usin' computers they should be sat in front of the TV and watchin' Popeye, The Three Stooges, and the Little Rascals... like I did when I wuz a kid...

[trancepriest]

Thanks for the idea. I have 3 kids under 5 years old. I'll buy 3 more for them.

We really should petition Apple for a mickey mouse version... shouldn't we? Well when you think about it... an assortment of cartoon characters is needed. Also I should be able to get Johnny's name engraved on the top lid... just like the iPod. The real market for this thing is kids... Apple should get on the ball.

[RichL]

Rename it Macbook Toddler.

[trancepriest]

Rename it Macbook Toddler.

LOL... that's real good. I may have to start up a new company making custom versions... spongebob, mickey mouse. What cartoons are popular with the kids? Heck I'm not even joking anymore... the macbook toddler is perfect for kids.

[mojohojo]

Im buying 3 of these. because of its thinness, i putting one in my toilet, one in kitchen, and one in my car.

hopefully with time capsule. i can access the same files from my toilet and kitchen using different laptop.

[KingYaba]

thank you catch.

go team smart.

He was banned for that statement?

[Cybergypsy]

I think you guys lost the point, it perfect for some people, as in me!!!

[Keane Fan]

So no one would recommend this to a future college student?

[Catch]

LOL... that's real good. I may have to start up a new company making custom versions... spongebob, mickey mouse. What cartoons are popular with the kids? Heck I'm not even joking anymore... the macbook toddler is perfect for kids.

Should be perfect for you then :) Glad you finally realized it suits your needs!

This thread has really got the worst out of people.

Regardless of what you think of the MBA you have to agree that Apple has managed to produce a product that stirs up emotions like no other!

Regards,

C

[teleromeo]

I think you guys lost the point, it perfect for some people, as in me!!!

I agree.

I see a lot of people who have computers and do not know how to burn a CD/DVD and are not able to do all sort of other things because what we think is simple isn't that simple. As owner of a photo shop I even know people that do not know how to wipe photo's of their camera.

Apple created a simple and beautifull computer for that kind of people.

[saltyzoo]

I can afford a $50,000 diamond studded rollerskate. But I can also spend that $50,000 on a BMW. Both have 4 wheels and provide transportation.

I have no use for a $50,000 diamond studded rollerskate. It's cool as heck and some people would love one. But personally, I have no use for one.

The OP is wrong. It's not the money. It's the fact that a small machine must have compromises. There's no way around it. Like a diamond studded rollerskate, it's going to only appeal to certain people. Sure, price is one of the compromises, but it's not the main one.

Where my analogy falls apart is that the MBA in a lot of ways is heading in the direction we all want to go, unlike a fancy rollerskate.

It's a cool machine, with a reasonable price for what you get. I just have no need for it.

[zepharus]

Call me an idiot, but the way everyone is trashing the MBA makes me want to buy it even more.

A lot of people are complaining about the border around the screen, the battery, the speakers, the keyboard colour, and nitpicking at every other component of the MBA, but I think what everyone is really mad about is the price.

If you can't afford it, don't try to convince yourself that it is a crappy machine by pointing out all of its flaws. The MacBook Air, when finally shipped, will function perfectly for what it is meant for.

SO STOP COMPLAINING. There is nothing wrong with it. It was introduced as the world's thinnest laptop, not the world's most powerful laptop. TOO BAD IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT.

Can't wait to buy it when they have it in stores :)

its not that people cannot afford it.. It is that it is an incredibly poor VALUE. Lackluster features ETC... Stop acting like an Eliteist

[Catch]

its not that people cannot afford it.. It is that it is an incredibly poor VALUE. Lackluster features ETC... Stop acting like an Eliteist

I agree with you that the title of this thread is an incredibly poor choice.

I disagree that it is not value for money. To people that care about the weight and volume, it represents excellent value for money. It is common knowledge that you pay more for 'less' when it comes to ultra portable computing. It is also common knowledge that this technology ages allot faster than other computing platforms. Usually becasue of the very limited upgrade paths...

Would I like it to be $999. Absolutely, but its pretty unrealistic to hope for it...

C

[Rotary8]

So no one would recommend this to a future college student?

if you're studying graphics and such, hell no.

A little pricy for students anyway (unless mommy and daddy can get it for you)

[Catch]

So no one would recommend this to a future college student?

I think it will make a totally fantastic laptop for a student. Especially if you do allot of travel!

C

[shoppy]

I can afford to, I already own a17" MBP and am waiting for a new imac 2.8, but I can't see any point with out a drive. I used to own many ultra portables, but never really liked them.

[ahaxton]

I think it will make a totally fantastic laptop for a student. Especially if you do allot of travel!

C


Definitely. It's a great laptop for a student. Quite a few college students have been saying they are going to get it. As for price I don't think its out of college students budgets. More and more college students have more money to spend. I don't think its a reality anymore where every college student works serving tables making a very average income.

[mick4394]

The OP is wrong. It's not the money. It's the fact that a small machine must have compromises. There's no way around it. Like a diamond studded rollerskate, it's going to only appeal to certain people. Sure, price is one of the compromises, but it's not the main one.
.

I can live with compromises on a small machine.

The problem is, with the MBA, Apple has compromised the one thing that you cannot compromise in a small machine. The size.

It's not a small machine.

[saltyzoo]

I can live with compromises on a small machine.

The problem is, with the MBA, Apple has compromised the one thing that you cannot compromise in a small machine. The size.

It's not a small machine.

Perhaps not by your definition (which is why it may not be a good machine for you), but it is certainly small from a "where the hell do I fit gadget x" point of view.

[Cloudsurfer]

How am I poor if I don't want to spend 1699€ on a notebook that compromises so much in order to make it thin and light? I'd rather spend 200€ more and have a mobile powerhouse, than be stuck with a notebook that only has a single USB port and no Firewire.

There are tons of reasons for someone not to go for an Air, like there are tons of reasons for someone to go for an Air.

[mick4394]

Perhaps not by your definition (which is why it may not be a good machine for you), but it is certainly small from a "where the hell do I fit gadget x" point of view.

That all depends on where you're trying to fit gadget X. Often times, the thickness of an object is the least important dimension.

You are right, though, different people have different ideas of what "small" is. I guess if I were typing this post on a 17 inch MBP, the MBA would look pretty small to me. But, I'm typing this on an Eee PC, and the MBA looks pretty huge, to me.

[Catch]

How am I poor if I don't want to spend 1699€ on a notebook that compromises so much in order to make it thin and light?

Again I agree the title of this thread is very poor (no pun intended!). I think only the guy that started this thread, and since banned for some reason, suggested that. Even then, I think he titled it the way he did to provoke the people complaining about the machine...


C

[HLdan]

How am I poor if I don't want to spend 1699€ on a notebook that compromises so much in order to make it thin and light? I'd rather spend 200€ more and have a mobile powerhouse, than be stuck with a notebook that only has a single USB port and no Firewire.

There are tons of reasons for someone not to go for an Air, like there are tons of reasons for someone to go for an Air.

It's not that the OP is calling you poor in a sense but rather he is saying that people who tend to bitch and whine about something and say they have no intention of buying is essentially blowing a smoke screen when in essence they really want it but hide the fact they can't afford.

And before you rebuttal saying "I'm entitled to your voice my opinions about Apple's products", it doesn't just end up being an opinion, it's almost like Apple pissed some of the forum members off or something.

A company is entitled to make whatever they want and if the consumer doesn't like or want it just simply say, "It's not for me", rather than waste time acting pissed off or whine and nitpick everything as if you want to C-Block the next buyer since you cant' afford it.

[dziewuliz]

I'm not sure about you guys, but i've been expecting something like this to come up:
http://www.deepapple.com/images/news/102007/aircraft00.jpg
ain't this gorgeous? it's a pity, it doesn't have a COM port :/

[bijou]

"Too bad if you can't afford it."

Jeez, my MBP cost 2 grand (refurb), not including the upgrades and software (another 2 grand at least). It's not a question of whether or not it's affordable, but whether or not it'll do the job which needs to be done. I know the MBP I have will kick it's ass, so no jealousy on my part.

[jmre5150]

It was uncalled for an immature for the OP to bash folks who aren't at his level of financial prowess. I'm sure he could have made his point about pricing without hitting some folks below the belt.

Anyway, I think I'll stick with my MBP. The MBA didn't really impress me. Its a notebook, not a laptop. Notebooks have too many compromises for my liking.

Peace.

[GoodWatch]

It's not that the OP is calling you poor in a sense but rather he is saying that people who tend to bitch and whine about something and say they have no intention of buying is essentially blowing a smoke screen when in essence they really want it but hide the fact they can't afford.

And before you rebuttal saying "I'm entitled to your voice my opinions about Apple's products", it doesn't just end up being an opinion, it's almost like Apple pissed some of the forum members off or something.

A company is entitled to make whatever they want and if the consumer doesn't like or want it just simply say, "It's not for me", rather than waste time acting pissed off or whine and nitpick everything as if you want to C-Block the next buyer since you cant' afford it.

Let the OP speak for himself. His remarks were uncalled for. But the pattern is clear: if a person expresses valid objections to an Apple product, he or she will receive a clear message: "you can't afford it", "don't whine", "you're a looser". If he or she suggest another (non Apple) product it is crap. Thought police in full swing.