Poll: Did you Buy a MacBook Air?

[MacRumors]

Vote: Poll: Did you Buy a MacBook Air? (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=567)

[LizKat]

The top of the line for me is perfect. I'll have three pounds of various Leopard spaces quietly on the run with me from 6am to quittin' time. Wirelessly connected to my network and the world at large, room for project specs, design revisions, workarounds, bright ideas, desperate reaches... spreadsheets with scaled block component cutting instructions, fabric swatch photos, layouts for pieced quilt backings... address book and calendars, email... lots of music, the Ratatouille movie, a few podcasts and TV shows, Sudoku widget, ideas for dinner, shopping lists, newsclips and photos, snapshots of stuff that piqued my interest while I was surfing for something else.. and a picture of my jealous Powerbooks, the poor tremblin' things.

Well I haven't been this psyched since I first clipped a shuffle onto my shirt. Even the iPhone didn't beat that moment for some reason. FREEDOM.

My MacBook Air will be here before Valentine's Day. I will have the heart stickers ready!

[Silentwave]

I did too. it's just too perfect for my needs to not immediately buy.

I do wish that SSDs were cheaper right now, or that there were other HD options larger than 80GB, but I suppose if it really is that easy to open up, I might be able to swap it out later when prices and availability are better. Or I could always get a new one and pass this one down to someone else in the family, like I did with my first MBP. Always a workaround for minor niggles.

Even if it didn't serve a glorious purpose in my life that has been making me jump at the mere mention of an apple ultraportable, the battery life and multi-touch gestures would have done it.

That and no stupid slot loading drive sounds when the computer wakes from sleep or boots :D
I always end up with the drive models that make the most noise :rolleyes:

[indiekiduk]

Will not be buying one. Too slow CPU, too slow 4200rpm ipod harddrive and too little max ram. My next upgrade will likely be the Penryn MBP, and if its thinner and the optical drive is gone then sweeet.

[gavd]

I ordered one. I've got a 12" PowerBook which I'm now going to sell and replace with an Air. It's perfect for me as I've got a 5 month old iMac for anything heavier than the Air can cope with.

Will not be buying one. Too slow CPU, too slow 4200rpm ipod harddrive and too little max ram. My next upgrade will likely be the Penryn MBP, and if its thinner and the optical drive is gone then sweeet.

I don't think they'll ever take the optical drive out of the MBP. It's a Pro machine and I would think most of that market need an optical drive.

[pubius]

I ordered one. I've got a 12" PowerBook which I'm now going to sell and replace with an Air. It's perfect for me as I've got a 5 month old iMac for anything heavier than the Air can cope with.



I don't think they'll ever take the optical drive out of the MBP. It's a Pro machine and I would think most of that market need an optical drive.

ever is a strong word. at some point (soon), optical drives will go the way of the floppy drive. and we will embrace the new. we'll want it anyway.

[itickings]

No, the Air actually made me order the regular MacBook instead...

Interesting piece of hardware for sure. I actually like the Air - the specs are OK for my needs, I don't need optical on the go etc... But the weight/height difference compared to the MacBook is currently not worth the extra money to me.

[Draythor]

I'll hopefully get the current version if the MacBook when the next ones come out. I can love without multi-touch for a fairly fast, fairly up to date mac. The air is far too much of a buisiness machine for my needs.

[samh004]

Not interested at the moment, but looking forward to future revisions and where they're going with this product.

[boyhandsome]

I have ordered and will buy whatever that can be first-time available.

[Foxglove9]

No plans to buy one, unless they cut the screen size down a few inches (and shave a little bit off the price). Otherwise I'm happy with my current Macbook.

[dibara2003]

they should have sent their retail store advance releases to demo ahead of delivery. if i could test one right now... i think it would push me over to preorder

[Isidore]

It's very nice but too crippled- it really needs an express cad slot or at least firewire for syncing to a desktop machine. I would also prefer a smaller machine

[inmyname]

I'm afraid it doesn't meet my requirements of costing far more money than anyone else would be willing to spend on it. At the current price it represents too good value for money and I risk meeting someone else who agrees with me on that matter and as a result may have purchased one for themselves.

I will wait for the model that is at least 1mm thinner. I'm sure it will make all the difference.

[tronnolon2]

:confused:


How much longer before we have full-size multitouch laptop screens? The tech is already there (see FingerWorks, also Jeff Han's parallel work from a different approach), and for the premium already laid out for this laptop it would appeal to the same market segment and even more. This was what many were hoping for this MacWorld, and is what I'm personally waiting for, given the inevitable flexibility garnered for professional photo editing and music production. Hopefully the next MacBook Pro revision or next-gen Cinema Displays? Any ideas/input on ETA for this?

Also, why the thick bezel around the screen? This OLED laptop (http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/02/lg-debuts-ebook-concept-laptop-with-oled-screen-liquid-fuel/) debuted by LG last year has no bezel at all – which makes the form factor and aesthetics all that more attractive. With LED the bezel becomes a redundant artifact.


http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2006/12/lg_e_book2.jpg

[Detlev_73]

:eek:

Wow! Now THAT is a sexy laptop! Apple, what is wrong with you? Just take out the tacky blue glowing thing in the middle under the display, and boom, that's something completely Apple-looking. :apple:

:confused:


How much longer before we have full-size multitouch laptop screens? The tech is already there (see FingerWorks, also Jeff Han's parallel work from a different approach), and for the premium already laid out for this laptop it would appeal to the same market segment and even more. This was what many were hoping for this MacWorld, and is what I'm personally waiting for, given the inevitable flexibility garnered for professional photo editing and music production. Hopefully the next MacBook Pro revision or next-gen Cinema Displays? Any ideas/input on ETA for this?

Also, why the thick bezel around the screen? This OLED laptop (http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/02/lg-debuts-ebook-concept-laptop-with-oled-screen-liquid-fuel/) debuted by LG last year has no bezel at all – which makes the form factor and aesthetics all that more attractive. With LED the bezel becomes a redundant artifact.


http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2006/12/lg_e_book2.jpg

[Strigoi]

There are a few things I want to know.

Battery life?
Specs?
Price?

I can make a nice looking 0.1 inch thin touchscreen notebook in Cinema 4D aswell. I assume you find all the technological stuff floating in the blue-ish goo @ the center of the laptop or is that a small core-fusion to power up the notebook untill the end of days? ^^

[UnclePaulie]

I ordered the 1.6 GHz with 64GB SSD. I decided that I'd rather have the SSD drive than an extra 0.2 GHz and I couldn't afford both. I know this is a downgrade in performance from my current MBP but I don't really need a powerful machine for what I do.

[MacMyDay]

I ordered the 1.8GHz, 64GB SSD and external Superdrive with Time Capsule. Currently have a Macbook that I only use to work in bed or go to meetings with and it aches walking around London with it after a while.

[pesc]

I'm currently using a G4 PB 12" as my main machine. When I am at a desk I use a large external display and a large keyboard and mouse. I travel a lot and really need a MOBILE laptop. I think the MacBook is too big.

The footprint of the Mac Air is exactly the same as the MacBook. WTF?

I have been waiting for Apple to release something to replace my 12" PB. They still haven't.

The weight is really nice. Removing the optical drive is OK. I could live without a FW. I could live with having a USB dongle for ethernet. I could even live with turning the machine in for battery replacement (if it is quick).

Dealbreakers:
- Too big (in the dimensions that matter)
- 80 GB HD is the same as my 3 year old PB. I want the double.
- 2G RAM is on the small end as it cannot be upgraded.
- Only one USB port
- Glossy

I have SEK 25,000 (3,800 USD) waiting to buy a PB replacement. The Air doesn't cut it. If my PB would break down tomorrow, I would buy a used 12" G4 PB.

Still waiting....

[kenstee]

I too was waiting for a true 12" replacement. This isn't even close. Granted, i am looking more for a desktop replacement rather than a second portable machine.

- 80 GB HD is way too small
- Underpowered
- No optical drive IS a negative for me. Want ability to watch DVDs and burn.
- No, I don't want to be carrying various dongles and a separate optical drive unit. All of that really defeats the purpose.
- No wired Ethernet (without a dongle) is a huge liability. Contrary to popular belief wireless is not everywhere (especially overseas) and many times it is slow and unreliable no matter where you are.

Anyway, hopefully some of this technology will make it into a 12"/13" MBP!!

[Yankees 4 Life]

i will buy the next version of the macbook, whatever that is....

[MrCrowbar]

Also, why the thick bezel around the screen? This OLED laptop (http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/02/lg-debuts-ebook-concept-laptop-with-oled-screen-liquid-fuel/) debuted by LG last year has no bezel at all – which makes the form factor and aesthetics all that more attractive. With LED the bezel becomes a redundant artifact.


http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2006/12/lg_e_book2.jpg



Now that thing looks sweet. I also like the handle, makes the portable actually portable. Apple, give us a 12" like that, please!

[Curtis72]

I would love too get an MacBook Air. I can spend a cool $3000, but I dont' travel enough to justify it and there other things I want (and need).

[Yvan256]

Now that Apple finally released Mail, Maps and Notes (along with Weather and Stocks) for the iPod touch, I've upgraded from a 3rd gen 10GB iPod to a 16GB iPod touch! :cool:

Music, videos, Web, email and notes in my shirt pocket? Now, THAT is what I call a sub-notebook. :D

And when I need a real, full-sized laptop, my 12" PowerBook is still smaller than the MacBook Air. :P

[ucfgrad93]

No I did not, and I do not plan on buying one. It doesn't fit my needs. Instead, I just ordered a MBP on Thursday.

[dagger01]

I don't understand this product. It makes no sense in the product mix. I haven't drank the Kool-Aid so I didn't see all the media on this thing. What is the target market? This seems like a product that should have come out when wireless was new and we didn't know how incredibly insecure it is, especially in the wild.

Don't get me wrong. It's a cool product for it's design and engineering alone, but I don't get who's supposed to use this thing. With the SSD drive it's ridiculously expensive. My guess is this is something Steve wanted for himself, a few friends of his saw it and wanted one, so he turned it into a product. This smells of the Cube.

IMHO, JMTCW

[MrCrowbar]

I agree this thing might be small, but not small in the right way for most people. Here's what it would look like if the Macbook Air and the 12" powerbook had a baby:

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/3305/macbookpro1201cg4.jpg
The keys here are supposed to look like Macbook keys in a silver (powerbook) styling. The screen would be sunken in it's frame so the keys don't touch the display when the lid is closed.

[atlendor]

No, I wont be buying either as I recently purchased a Black MacBook. The air is excellent but the footprint is to big for the price/performance for me (to many features and ports removed!). :rolleyes:

[~Shard~]

I have no plans to buy one, as I just purchased a new 24" iMac, but I will definitely consider it as an option if I have a requirement for a mobile computing solution in the future. From what I've seen so far, it looks like a very slick unit.

[Irishman2k6]

I don't think the MBP will ever get down to the size of an Air, and this is the closest we'll get to a 12" MBP. Apple's not known for having multiple products competing in the same size/performance market.

Having said that, since my 15" AlBook is on its dying legs, I was waiting for an ultraportable to replace it with. Especially once the PB was downgraded from daily computer when I bought a badass desktop, I don't need full functionality from my laptop.

I think Apple is brilliant for finally tapping this market. Multi-computer owners who want something to use when not sitting at the desk.

[7031]

I don't understand this product. It makes no sense in the product mix. I haven't drank the Kool-Aid so I didn't see all the media on this thing. What is the target market? This seems like a product that should have come out when wireless was new and we didn't know how incredibly insecure it is, especially in the wild.

Don't get me wrong. It's a cool product for it's design and engineering alone, but I don't get who's supposed to use this thing. With the SSD drive it's ridiculously expensive. My guess is this is something Steve wanted for himself, a few friends of his saw it and wanted one, so he turned it into a product. This smells of the Cube.

IMHO, JMTCW
I think they do have a target audience. Just not a very large one. I think this is aimed at people who travel a lot, but don't really mind the lack of power. Also, this is very light, so it's easy to carry around.

I don't think I'll buy one though...

[MacMyDay]

I don't understand this product. It makes no sense in the product mix. I haven't drank the Kool-Aid so I didn't see all the media on this thing. What is the target market? This seems like a product that should have come out when wireless was new and we didn't know how incredibly insecure it is, especially in the wild.

Don't get me wrong. It's a cool product for it's design and engineering alone, but I don't get who's supposed to use this thing. With the SSD drive it's ridiculously expensive. My guess is this is something Steve wanted for himself, a few friends of his saw it and wanted one, so he turned it into a product. This smells of the Cube.

IMHO, JMTCW

If there was no target market, no one here would have bought one. I bought one because of the mobility. A laptop to me is purely that - something that sits on your lap for you to work on. Seeing that I run a company and my core skill is programming, the most power hungry application I run is Word. Also, because of the wonders of Apple's leasing system, the extra cost spread over 2 years really isn't a great issue regarding the price.

[mashinhead]

Will not be buying one. Too slow CPU, too slow 4200rpm ipod harddrive and too little max ram. My next upgrade will likely be the Penryn MBP, and if its thinner and the optical drive is gone then sweeet.

agreed i like it and all but it's just too half way there for my needs. I would love a new macbook pro, minus the optical drive i don't mind losing that as i rarely use it.

but the MBA just seems like a companion to a companion computer to me. too many compromises for me. I need way more HD space and at least 5400 rpm, I'd like 4 gb of ram (that increase has nothing to do with physical space so idon't see why that's not in there). Ad finally the ports. The processor is almost negligableto me. As everything uses the same processor and unless there is a HUGE difference you wouldn't really notice it anyway. I guess i just want a MBA Pro version.

[Bern]

This poll is a little bias. There should be a choice "No" but every choice indicates either buying one or the intention to buy.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Is the graphics card better on the Air than the macbook?

[pjarvi]

Undecided - I would only want to buy one with a SSD, but they're too expensive at this time. I'm also quite happy with my CoreDuo BlackBook, so I have no reason to buy a new laptop at this time. Maybe in 2-3 years.

[DrEasy]

My MacBook Air will be here before Valentine's Day. I will have the heart stickers ready!
But applying stickers will double the thickness of the MBA! :eek: :D

[elmo151]

seems a perfect fit for my needs. Some airplane travel; lots of time on the road(car); mixed up in a lawsuit(and will need AirBook if it gets to trial).

Something to throw in the Backpack and have the world(internet) available all the time:).

[jhande]

Feel the freedom of the wireless world, there's something in the Air.

Yeah, the power-cord I'll be tripping over, that you'll need to have to overcome the pathetic battery life.

They could have made it MB thickness, yanked out the optical drive, and stuffed it with power, bringing it up to a 10 hour battery life. Then I'd buy one in a flash.

As it is, looks beat pragmatism. No thanks.

[jhande]

Now that Apple finally released Mail, Maps and Notes (along with Weather and Stocks) for the iPod touch, I've upgraded from a 3rd gen 10GB iPod to a 16GB iPod touch! :cool:

Music, videos, Web, email and notes in my shirt pocket? Now, THAT is what I call a sub-notebook. :D

And when I need a real, full-sized laptop, my 12" PowerBook is still smaller than the MacBook Air. :P

Now there's an interesting concept. Must investigate further. :D

[Frisco]

Looking at the Poll numbers it doesn't look promising for the MBA.

[LizKat]

Looking at the Poll numbers it doesn't look promising for the MBA.

Looking at the death knell counter, Apple had one foot in the grave years ago.

Looking at the troll numbers, oh excuse me, the POLL numbers.. ;) ... gee it does kinda look like the sum of Sony Vaio engineers and Vista bug checkers may not be planning to get a MacBook Air. Hmm... one can lead a horse to water but not make it drink, eh?

Well I don't know how much weight I'd give that poll. Maybe it's just that lately even some so-called scientific polls (re 2008 primaries in the USA) haven't seemed very securely grounded vs consequent realities.

Time will tell, won't it? The poll that counts is the one where Apple corporate beancounters inquire who bought the thing so they know how to tweak the suppply lines.

I look at how far the iPhone has come in such a short time, with the SDK about to bring us the opportunity for developers to bring us more enhancements. Apple will continue to move along yet more roads in yet more directions that we're not even aware of yet. The MacBook Air machine seems to me a wonderful start to a new part of the journey Apple has offered to take us along on if we want to go.

[neutrino23]

A few years back I was begging Apple to make a machine like this. I had a tower and large screen at my desk and needed something light to travel with to customers. My needs have changed now and I use a 17" MBP, however, the MBA is still a sweet machine.

It is not suitable as the only machine for a power user. However, for office work (document creation, web browsing, email, presentations) it has more than enough power and memory. The weight and size are fantastic. This is a machine that one can carry around all day.

[bennyclark1]

No, the Air actually made me order the regular MacBook instead...

Interesting piece of hardware for sure. I actually like the Air - the specs are OK for my needs, I don't need optical on the go etc... But the weight/height difference compared to the MacBook is currently not worth the extra money to me.

i was really hoping that apple would announce a good, solid, product that would look good and be a good computer at the same time - something apple is good at. but it really seems like the air's features aren't up to par, besides the actual physical design. i just don't see how the air is better than just the regular macbook.

[twoodcc]

i am undecided

[thejadedmonkey]

I agree this thing might be small, but not small in the right way for most people. Here's what it would look like if the Macbook Air and the 12" powerbook had a baby:

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/3305/macbookpro1201cg4.jpg
The keys here are supposed to look like Macbook keys in a silver (powerbook) styling. The screen would be sunken in it's frame so the keys don't touch the display when the lid is closed.

That is a work of beauty. <3

[winterspan]

Will not be buying one. Too slow CPU, too slow 4200rpm ipod harddrive and too little max ram. My next upgrade will likely be the Penryn MBP, and if its thinner and the optical drive is gone then sweeet.

I agree on the HDD, I wish they would have added a 32GB SSD option for ~$350-400. 2GB should be fine for now at least for what this is intended for.
However, Apple went above and beyond (except for not having a penryn... which most likely wasn't ready yet) with the processor in this, they could have easily just thrown in a 1.2ghz Ultra Low Voltage, gotten better battery life and less heat, and called it a day. I'm currently typing this message on a Dell E1705/9400 laptop that has a Intel Core("1") Duo 1.86ghz/2GB RAM which is nearly the same specs as the Macbook Air, and it runs incredibly well. I can have VS2005 compiling, 30 open tabs in 3 firefox windows all loading simultaneously, Syncing Itunes with my Touch, while I'm in Photoshop editing 100MB files. For the intended purpose of the Air as an ultra-light machine for on-the-go work, it should easily satisfy >90% of prospective buyers.

Final Cut, Maya? Get a Macbook pro.

[winterspan]

Not interested at the moment, but looking forward to future revisions and where they're going with this product.

1) 45nm low voltage Penryn, 6MB cache, 1066mhz FSB.
2) 2GB, expandable to 4GB RAM
3) 64/128 GB SSDs
4) Built in WiMAX/LTE combo chip on new Intel Centrino platform, OR
option for an internal 3G or LTE card for sprint, verizon, or AT&T. Like how Dell does it.
5) removable battery

= I take out a new credit card :eek::D:D


ever is a strong word. at some point (soon), optical drives will go the way of the floppy drive. and we will embrace the new. we'll want it anyway.
I agree, but I bet we see a Blu-ray drive before then. In a few years once AT&T has their faster 3G (maybe 4G by then.. lol) network rolled out in the whole country like Verizon and Sprint do, and the monthly prices come down, I envision most laptops will come standard with a broadband card, and ubiquitous internet will finally be here. I think that could kill most needs for optical media.
Maybe Sprint will even cave on the WIMAX build out and actually go the common 4G/LTE route, which would have Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint all on the same technology allowing Intel to build in a LTE chip right into the motherboard of their Centrino platform. That would be GREAT!

It's very nice but too crippled- it really needs an express cad slot or at least firewire for syncing to a desktop machine. I would also prefer a smaller machine

Definitely should have included Firewire. I can't imagine it would be THAT difficult to have a small form factor firewire slot/chip. They could use that 4pin mini-plug and include a 4pin to 6pin cable. I HATE USB for connecting to drives, etc.

I also totally agree about the expresscard slot. Leaving out an expresscard slot and not having a built-in broadband card custom option was a MAJOR ERROR, especially when you take into consideration that mobile business professionals are the target market.
Mobile broadband will surely see massive adoption in the next few years. Alot of vendors like Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc are already building them into their new laptops as a BTO. Hopefully Apple gets it together on the second version.

I'm afraid it doesn't meet my requirements of costing far more money than anyone else would be willing to spend on it. At the current price it represents too good value for money and I risk meeting someone else who agrees with me on that matter and as a result may have purchased one for themselves. I will wait for the model that is at least 1mm thinner. I'm sure it will make all the difference.

It's actually not a bad price when compared to Japanese competitors it's market segment.


I don't understand this product. It makes no sense in the product mix. I haven't drank the Kool-Aid so I didn't see all the media on this thing. What is the target market? .....
.....My guess is this is something Steve wanted for himself, a few friends of his saw it and wanted one, so he turned it into a product. This smells of the Cube.
IMHO, JMTCW

No offense, but I think it's somewhat obvious that the targeted demographic for the Air is road warriors, mobile business professionals, and definitely wealthy, chic/style conscious consumers. Despite the shortcomings of not having an expresscard slot for mobile broadband, and a fixed battery, I think it will do quite well among the business travel crowd, especially wealthy executive-types. I also see many well off, urban artist/hipster types buying these up by the truckload.

Feel the freedom of the wireless world, there's something in the Air.
Yeah, the power-cord I'll be tripping over, that you'll need to have to overcome the pathetic battery life.
They could have made it MB thickness, yanked out the optical drive, and stuffed it with power, bringing it up to a 10 hour battery life. Then I'd buy one in a flash.
As it is, looks beat pragmatism. No thanks.
Yeah I too am disappointed with the 3 or 4 cell battery they used. Granted, most of them use Ultra low voltage chips, but a lot of the Japanese subnotebooks from Sony,Toshiba,Panasonic can get 6-9 hours of REAL WORLD battery life with 4 and 6 cell batteries.
This was definitely a compromise for aesthetic purposes. Also compounded by the fact its not swappable. boooo.



...I use a 17" MBP, however, the MBA is still a sweet machine.
It is not suitable as the only machine for a power user. However, for office work (document creation, web browsing, email, presentations) it has more than enough power and memory. The weight and size are fantastic. This is a machine that one can carry around all day.

I agree, but I would like to add that it can EASILY handle more than just web browsing and a word document. I'm typing on a Dell E1705 1.86ghz Core Duo with 2GB RAM and it does just fine with most everything I throw at it. I'm always compiling apps in VS2005, working with large SQL DBs, editing large image sets in Photoshop, Encoding H264, Cinema4D, etc, and it does pretty well.
I just want to emphasize to people not in the know that nearly ALL subnotebooks in the same class coming out of Japan use Intel Core2 Duo Ultra Low Voltage chips @ 1.06/1.2ghz, and THOSE are slow. I applaud Apple for doing the nonconventional and working with Intel to ensure this thing has some decent power.


I assume you find all the technological stuff floating in the blue-ish goo @ the center of the laptop or is that a small core-fusion to power up the notebook untill the end of days? ^^

I think that blue mass is a matter-antimatter battery. Goes 760 billion years between charging!

[stealthsniper96]

i would buy one if i had the money.

[pubwvj]

The MacBook Air is nice but I want something smaller. Pocket sized. Flips open like a paperback book so both sides are screens. No keyboard. Just touch. Syncs to become a drive of my desktop machine, Powerbook, etc.

[V.K.]

The results of this poll confirm what was pretty clear from the beginning -
for all its sleekness and visual appeal, MBA is a niche product.

Despite clearly being an amazing feat of engineering it seems clear that the current technology is not there yet to make MBA truly appealing. Just look at the hard drive: it's either small and slow or even smaller, fast but bloody expensive. That's not a good choice. No dedicated ethernet, no firewire and of course no optical drive.
Too many sacrifices for too high a price.

And how about a glossy screen! Grrr. You can see a reflection in it even on the demo on the Apple site!

Maybe in a couple of years when the technology matures they can make it widely appealing but not just yet.

[jnc]

The results of this poll confirm what was pretty clear from the beginning -
for all its sleekness and visual appeal, MBA is a niche product.

Well, wait up. 20% of the voters have bought or are planning to buy, and 20% more are fence sitting. 30-40% of voters is some amount, bearing in mind the "no" vote is encapsulating more people than the "was prepared to buy, but didn't like it" crowd. ... "no plans" could mean "I would, but... not at that price / I just bought a MacBook" etc.

tl;dr online polls are poor indicators (http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/15/poll-did-you-pre-order-a-macbook-air/http://) - think of the audience that participate!

[V.K.]

Well, wait up. 20% of the voters have bought or are planning to buy, and 20% more are fence sitting. 30-40% of voters is some amount, bearing in mind the "no" vote is encapsulating more people than the "was prepared to buy, but didn't like it" crowd. ... "no plans" could mean "I would, but... not at that price / I just bought a MacBook" etc.

tl;dr online polls are poor indicators (http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/15/poll-did-you-pre-order-a-macbook-air/http://) - think of the audience that participate!

I'm not familiar with the endgadget site but I would guess that vast majority of macrumors members are real mac enthusiasts and at a minimum are Mac users. (I know I am. I've got 2 macs already and I've just ordered a new mac pro.). In that light the poll numbers are not very impressive and probably somewhat skewed up.

[surgedc5]

sup, mba is dope but to pricey for me, would rather upgrade my mb to a mbp :cool:

[jnc]

I'm not familiar with the endgadget site but I would guess that vast majority of macrumors members are real mac enthusiasts and at a minimum are Mac users. (I know I am. I've got 2 macs already and I've just ordered a new mac pro.). In that light the poll numbers are not very impressive and probably somewhat skewed up.

The "newer, more power, more speed" clientele that frequent sites like this one clearly weren't catered to with this update, and I think this is reflected in the poll figures.

As for the "niche" appeal: Remember the iPod's inital frosty reception on this very site? I can see the MacBook Air also becoming a hit with the "wider world" audience; those who couldn't care less about L2 cache, FSBs, soldered SO-DIMMs and such.

"Ooh it's so shiny and thin, must buy three!" Cha-ching. ;)

[flyinmac]

Of course... NOT

Sure, it's pretty. Sure, it's sleek looking. But, that's where it ends.

Sure, lot's of people will buy it because they like it. Sure, lot's of people will buy it because it's pretty.

But, those who want power for their money will likely get a MacBook or MacBook Pro.

The MacBook is more powerful and a lot cheaper.

The MacBook Pro is considerably more powerful, and about the same price.

The machine is not really as slim as it looks. It's slim on one edge, and almost as thick as everything else on the other edge. That doesn't really mean it's going to be more "portable".

Now, if you want a slim notebook, you should see what my wife's doctor's office uses. The nurses all carry one. It's about half as deep as a regular laptop, it's about three quarters as wide, and it's about as thick as a CD case. And, it's got a full standard keyboard with real keys and a touch screen that uses a stylus.

Every nurse has one, and they carry it around and use it instead of the big massive file folders that other offices use. It sends everything to their central server for storage.

Now, that's an ultra-portable. And, they use them all day long. So, it's obviously got excellent battery life.

For something like that, I could sacrifice the stuff Apple's left-out of the MacBook Air.

But, in Apple's case, they've made it smaller and sacrificed all the features just to brag that they made it skinnier. Although it's effectively as thick as the other machines. Just tapered towards the edges.

Sure, it's pretty. But, I think they really missed the mark.

[flyinmac]

Oh, forgot to mention, the number of people responding that poll is absolutely impressive. I can't recall another recent poll with that kind of response.

Even more amazing (and I think this should say something to Apple), is how many of the respondents have no interest in the machine.

[jnc]

But, in Apple's case, they've made it smaller and sacrificed all the features just to brag that they made it skinnier. Although it's effectively as thick as the other machines. Just tapered towards the edges.

"The thickest part of the Macbook Air is still thinner than the thinnest side of the Sony TZ"


Even more amazing (and I think this should say something to Apple), is how many of the respondents have no interest in the machine.

It just confirms this product is intended for a broader audience than the spec-obsessed gadget geeks who participate in nerdy online opinion polls.

[krye]

Will not be buying one. Too slow CPU, too slow 4200rpm ipod harddrive and too little max ram. My next upgrade will likely be the Penryn MBP, and if its thinner and the optical drive is gone then sweeet.

Sure, it's no 7200, but I heard that 4200 PATA has the same transfer rate as 5400 SATA, so it's not a total turn-off.

[krye]

Of course... NOT

Now, if you want a slim notebook, you should see what my wife's doctor's office uses. The nurses all carry one. It's about half as deep as a regular laptop, it's about three quarters as wide, and it's about as thick as a CD case. And, it's got a full standard keyboard with real keys and a touch screen that uses a stylus.

Every nurse has one, and they carry it around and use it instead of the big massive file folders that other offices use. It sends everything to their central server for storage.

Now, that's an ultra-portable. And, they use them all day long. So, it's obviously got excellent battery life.

For something like that, I could sacrifice the stuff Apple's left-out of the MacBook Air.


Yeh, and those medical-class devices are probably $5000 a pop. I work for a medical device company and our patient monitors are $20,000 a pop. You have to compromise somewhere.

At least Apple didn't on the keyboard and screen, and I think that's where all the other guys screw the pooch. This light-weight computer will actually be comfortable to use. I think the MBA will be a real winner. You have to keep the target end user in mind here, it is not a desktop replacement or for the power user. It is a portable, light-weight computer for the masses; for that everyday-keep-in-touch-with-the world around you stuff.

I think it is the perfect computer for a lot of people, and the answer to a lot of needs. Someone who just needs a laptop and not a work horse. When I'm on the road, I don't need a server in my pocket. I want to carry a laptop, without carrying a laptop, and I think this computer will fit the bill for a lot of people.

Also, I saw in another post that I think will be true, that the MBA will be very popular with the ladies too since it's not as big and bulky as even the smallest of notebooks.

[Yvan256]

The MacBook Air is a thin laptop, not a sub-notebook.

The footprint of my 12" PowerBook G4 is still smaller than the MacBook Air. :p

P.S.: yes I know I'm repeating myself, but some people seem to think that a 17" laptop would magically turn into a sub-notebook if it was 0.10" thick.

[terryzx]

Can’t see getting the MacBook Air unless the hard drive is a LOT bigger and faster. So while I wait for the iPhone to come to Version I guess I will wait for this also.

[a1016neo]

Bought a Pro instead of air. Better features in pro for me!!!

[zlinger]

Ordered an MBA 1.8GHZ with 80GB hard drive. Should be a sweet setup for a few years at least while I undertake graduate studies, work, travel, and play.:)

[jnc]

Bought a Pro instead of air. Better features in pro for me!!!

That's my issue! I have a Mac Pro at home, do I really need MBP specs on the move? The Air is half the weight almost... decisions!

[thegman1234]

Will not be buying one. Too slow CPU, too slow 4200rpm ipod harddrive and too little max ram. My next upgrade will likely be the Penryn MBP, and if its thinner and the optical drive is gone then sweeet.

Agreed. As a graphic designer a 1.6 or 1.8 just isn't gonna cut it. And a 13 inch screen is just too small. I love my MBP, it's great! The 15.4 inch screen gets the job done (23 inch ACD is better but hey that's just not portable lol), and it's not like it weighs 15 pounds. It weighs 5.4 pounds, only 2.4 more than the Air. It's not for someone like me, therefore I will not be buying one.

[ivan1234]

Iam currently running a high res 17'' mbp as a desktop replacement and have a 13'' mb as a portable and as soon as my mba arrives I will be putting the mb for sale :D I can't wait! :cool:

[djellison]

No. I did not buy one, and I strongly resent the insinuation across most of this forum that the only reason a person wouldn't buy one is the price or that they're anti-apple.

It would serve no purpose for me. My main and only Mac is a laptop, an MB, and I intend to replace it with an MBP. An MBA would be a £1200 paperweight for me.

That's not to say I don't like it. Despite the exceptionally missleading way in which Apple have sold it's thickness, and indeed the missguided approach that thin=small (it does not), I like it as a piece of design. Intel need a LOT of credit for getting that CPU in there. But it's not for me.

Doug

[jnc]

No. I did not buy one, and I strongly resent the insinuation across most of this forum that the only reason a person wouldn't buy one is the price or that they're anti-apple.

It would serve no purpose for me. My main and only Mac is a laptop, an MB, and I intend to replace it with an MBP. An MBA would be a £1200 paperweight for me.

That's not to say I don't like it. Despite the exceptionally missleading way in which Apple have sold it's thickness, and indeed the missguided approach that thin=small (it does not), I like it as a piece of design. Intel need a LOT of credit for getting that CPU in there. But it's not for me.

Doug

Just curious - price aside then, what stops the MBA being a viable MB alternative? I've been using a mid 2007 2GHz MacBook and find myself rarely using the disc drive so the MBA seems like a good fit, especially thanks to the reduced weight and I can always grab the SD later if I really miss it!

2GB ram will be plenty sufficient seeing as I've been using 1GB with little issue... which leaves what? Fw400, an extra USB (I have a hub) and removable battery, right?

[djellison]

Well - it doesn't replace the MB as it doesn't have an optical drive, a firewire port, a big enough hard drive, gigabit networking or a Mic socket. Any one of those would render it essentially useless as far as I'm concerned.

If it's OK for you - get it. If you don't mind paying a £300+ premium for a slower, less able computer that is, practically speaking, little smaller than a normal MB - get it. Personally, for me, it's a pointless product. Does that mean it's pointless for everyone, hell no. If it suits you - get it, enjoy it. It's not for me though.

Doug

[jnc]

Well - it doesn't replace the MB as it doesn't have an optical drive, a firewire port, a big enough hard drive, gigabit networking or a Mic socket. Any one of those would render it essentially useless as far as I'm concerned.

I didn't say replacement, I said alternative.

I'd be getting the 1.8 model and I'm sure with a newer gpu and 2gb I won't notice the 200MHz difference between it and my current 2GHz 1GB MacBook.
The hard drive is the same size :confused::confused::confused:

If it's OK for you - get it. If you don't mind paying a £300+ premium for a slower, less able computer that is, practically speaking, little smaller than a normal MB - get it. Personally, for me, it's a pointless product. Does that mean it's pointless for everyone, hell no. If it suits you - get it, enjoy it. It's not for me though.

Doug

As far as I can tell, all that's missing from the MacBook Air is stuff I never use/notice (or can still use through a USB attachment) on my MacBook, with the benefit of LED screen and crazy weight loss, taking "should I bring my computer with me?" out of the equation: It's okay for me, so price (or value) is the only issue.

It does irritate me that the MBA is in the same price ballpark as the MBP... not that I need an MBP's performance with a new Mac Pro at home. So yeah, I think I will get it... provided MBPs haven't been updated by the time I wanna buy.

[Maldini]

No i did not buy a MBA.
I wish there was a MBP instead :(

[brad1240]

I travel a lot and have to carry a windows laptop for work. All of my home computers are apple and I carry a Macbook Pro on he road with me also. So both computers get to be pretty heavy and I have to carry 2 laptop bags. This is where I think the Air will be great that i can put both in one bag. I will be checking the air out ASAP. I love the macbookpro and would stay with that if I did not travel every week.

[Tokies]

i wish i could have afford it... voted no tho

[Italy]

I had a much loved 12" Powerbook which i really adored but need more power. I waited and waited for a 12" replacement but then was "obliged" to buy the 15" MBPro, which works marvelouly but is a little heavy to travel with.

When the MacAir came out i thought of a new generation 12" but no, overall its just a thiner 13.3" MacBook with many less features. What a disappointment!

Plus the lack of the DVD drive has kept me away from buying it and "downgrading" from my current MacBook Pro...

Maybe i will change my mind and buy it as soon as i travel to the US and see it live in a Apple Store, but it would only be for its looks and "love" for Apple i have.... we'll see!

[Father Jack]

Although it's certainly lacking depth and weight, I didn't buy one because of all the other things it's lacking ...... :eek:

e.g. Power & ports

[Chimpy]

Vote: Poll: Did you Buy a MacBook Air? (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=567)

No :(. It calls to me, my precious. It is so sexy and yet so expensive. I have a Macbook which perfectly suits my needs, so it's really, really hard to justify a MBA purchase.

Maybe someday I'll grab a used one....

[blairwillis]

No.

Not yet... ;)

[iphonesrq]

Not yet...i've got my 12" PB!

[blackbelt]

Macbook Air is amazing, I think that i am going to wait for the new MBP though. Should be worth it to have the extra strength!

[Mushrooshi]

:eek:

Wow! Now THAT is a sexy laptop! Apple, what is wrong with you? Just take out the tacky blue glowing thing in the middle under the display, and boom, that's something completely Apple-looking. :apple:

That "tacky blue glowing thing" is the battery, you nut!

:p

[StefRobinson]

I have been waiting to buy my first Mac for a while now, and have been waiting to see what is going to be released. I was very interested by the MBA. Unfortunately, it doesnt quite suit my needs. The hard drive just isn't large enough, I need an optical drive, more processing power would be nice and I would prefer a 15" screen. I only want it to use at home, and I dont take it around with me, so the MBP is actually the machine for me...

I am now waiting for this to be updated so I can go and buy one of the new ones. Hopefully it will be just attractive as the current MBP, if not more so!

[ryleguy06]

no way, apple didnt exactly price this one for college students :/

[solidgoldmini]

No. Not really worth the price tag. It is beautiful though. But like so many others, I'm still using my 12" Powerbook!

[idonotliketostu]

No, the Air actually made me order the regular MacBook instead...

Interesting piece of hardware for sure. I actually like the Air - the specs are OK for my needs, I don't need optical on the go etc... But the weight/height difference compared to the MacBook is currently not worth the extra money to me.



Yea.. the air made me order the regular macbook as well.

Its just too wide to be conisdered ultra portable!

[optigrab]

Its nice and everything, just doesnt fit my needs at the moment. College Student with no cd drive? not for me. Dont even want to talk about the price tag.

[TFM]

Nope - still using an old laptop for the few times i actually need one - don't really need to have the versatility this unit provides

[jnc]

Its nice and everything, just doesnt fit my needs at the moment. College Student with no cd drive? not for me. Dont even want to talk about the price tag.

I don't have a MBA, but regardless my optical drive sees no action apart from the occasional CD burnt for long car journeys...

[sleepingworker]

No. But I did go to the Apple store with my father to buy one. He left for Paris with it last week so the MBA begins its travels.

[spacecadet610]

No but i will as soon as they update them to 4gb RAM capacity!

[SFStateStudent]

and the external Superdrive to go! I like it but I'm not loving the 80GB thing. Sure, that's why I got the external SD, but I've not seen 80GB hard drives on a laptop since 2-3 years ago! My BlackBook 2.4 Penryn 250GB is standing in the wings! :p

[intoxicated662]

for the cost, i'd rather get a macbook or mbp and have the few extra lbs along with the more features

[jnc]

for the cost, i'd rather get a macbook or mbp and have the few extra lbs along with the more features

Yeah, get a MacBook and enjoy the illuminated keyboard, LED backlighting and multitouch... oh, wait... :D

[Westsider 4 Mac]

... the MBA is nice to look at, but give up too many of the features that apple consumers use daily. If Apple would only update the 12 inch Pb to MBP standards! Instant classic and huge $$ maker.:apple:

[spacecadet610]

just bought one in the forum. can't wait to receive it!

[sleepingworker]

Yeah, get a MacBook and enjoy the illuminated keyboard, LED backlighting and multitouch... oh, wait... :D

exactly what I was thinking ... oh, and the extra 2-3 pounds.

[Jack Flash]

exactly what I was thinking ... oh, and the extra 2-3 pounds.

Or the 320GB HDD, 2.4 GHz Processor, Superdrive, 4GB of RAM....

[spacecadet610]

Now i got one! woo!

[jnc]

Or the 320GB HDD, 2.4 GHz Processor, Superdrive, 4GB of RAM....

Nice standard specs you're flaunting, there.