Poll: MacBook Air: Hit or Miss?

[MacRumors]

Vote: Poll: MacBook Air: Hit or Miss? (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=569)

[Domofloge]

Vote: Poll: MacBook Air: Hit or Miss? (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=569)

Ehh. I would say it really depends on the person that wants the MBA. Granted, the MBA ISNT FOR EVERYONE!! With that said, it is a pretty sweet lookin laptop! But there are a lot of drawbacks, but overall the laptop will definately suit people that are on the go. :D

[marykay9507]

not for me, but i am sure they will fly out of the stores:apple:

[Lixivial]

This thing has "hit" written all over it.

Apple have proven countless times that a lack of features isn't a roadblock at all, and in some ways, is preferred. This product takes that to the absolute extreme, and I think it's a better product for it.

[a1016neo]

Macbook Air: 1.6ghz;2gb;80gb;.16"-.76";13.3in screen;external optical= $1898
Macbook Pro: 2.2ghz;2gb;120gb;1";15.4in screen;SuperDrive Built in=$1999

I think that says it all... But hey if you like the form factor of the Air and aready have a pro... Go for it!

[offwidafairies]

way too pricey to be a hit

[CP1091]

way too pricey to be a hit

It's honestly tough to say that though.. Many who actually need the portability do not find it expensive, I guess..

[tennisplaayer11]

There are many sides to this argument. The MacBook Air is a hit and a miss in my opinion.

Like Stuart in Oz said in a different thread, the MacBook Air was intended to show people that Apple is still ahead of the curve in terms of innovation. In that way, it is a hit. Also, for people who want portability and don't mind shelling out $1,799/$3,098, the MacBook Air is a great choice.

Unfortunately, I, like many, was a little disappointed (don't yell at me!) with the features included in the MacBook Air. For many more professional users who need an optical drive, better graphics, more hard drive space, etc., the MacBook Air might not be the best choice, which makes it a miss.

I personally will not be getting a MBA, but I can definitely see it selling big.

[quixotic]

I think it'll be a hit with people with the cash, and who have absolutely zero need for doing professional work (ie. audio/video etc.). It's a status symbol IMHO, a souped up PDA... it'll sell like hot cakes.

I'd never get one. Simply because I wouldn't be able to run Logic in any meaningful way or even watch a DVD on it. The thinness of it's cool, but not pants-wetting cool.

[JDR]

I'm guessing it's going to be a hit. It may not have all the features that we're used to or expect in that class, but thin is in and I'm guessing a lot of people are going to go for it.

[quixotic]

What I really hope is that the top tier MBA is enough of a hit to help drive SSD prices down.

[hexonxonx]

This thing has "hit" written all over it.



Quoted for truth.

[Tokies]

miss... for being over pricey... and a design hit

[stevegmu]

I think it'll be a hit with people with the cash, and who have absolutely zero need for doing professional work (ie. audio/video etc.). It's a status symbol IMHO, a souped up PDA... it'll sell like hot cakes.

I'd never get one. Simply because I wouldn't be able to run Logic in any meaningful way or even watch a DVD on it. The thinness of it's cool, but not pants-wetting cool.

I don't think the MB Air was meant to be a professional-use computer. That's what the Mac Pro and Mac Book Pros are for.

[Topher15]

If I had a few grand to spare I'd get one as I suites my needs as a second computer.

[Airforce]

Miss

for me anyways.

I'd rather have a smaller 10 inch screen and a cd/dvd drive.

[Italy]

Has somebody actually bought this new MacAir?:confused:

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

[Chimpy]

Vote: Poll: MacBook Air: Hit or Miss? (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=569)

We won't be sure until we get our hands on it, but I say hit. People will love the so light it's not there weight of the machine and will find workarounds for the low battery life. Now they need a tablet version.... :)

[sushi]

way too pricey to be a hit
Not really.

The MBA will be a hit for those who are looking at that particular type of a solution.

Those who use/need the power of a MB or MBP probably will not see a need. Others will.

[daneoni]

Will be a hit purely on the reality distortion field/Kool-aid factor

[xjtxbox]

has its appeal to certain people, but not me

[Hummer]

Unfortunately, I, like many, was a little disappointed (don't yell at me!) with the features included in the MacBook Air. For many more professional users who need an optical drive, better graphics, more hard drive space, etc., the MacBook Air might not be the best choice, which makes it a miss.



In my opinion anyone who needs a notebook this portable and can afford this price will need these features. Most likely they'll pass the portability up to the more functional Macbook or Macbook Pro. Otherwise, you just have technophiles purchasing one of these as a novelty or conversation piece.

[Macgirl87]

A hit for the design and for certain uses/times.

[peterjeter26]

if your willing to spend 3K on the premium its a hit but the standard is no way close to a hit

[hexonxonx]

I think I have made up my mind AGAINST buying a MacBook Air.

The two biggest reasons:

1. Screen size. For some reason I thought this was a 15.3 screen size like the MacBook Pro. For a $1799 price tag, I don't think it's worth the money.

2. The hard drive space is just not enough. I know it's not supposed to be your main computer and more for portability, but 80GB gets filled fast. Sure I can connect my external portable drive (I do that with my MBP now) but then if I use my broadband card, I have to unplug the drive to use the card. Same with the Superdrive. Sometimes on the road, there are no WiFi options and at some hotels as well.

For about $200 less, I can get the BlackBook with all the missing features and two USB ports. Sure it has 1GB ram but that is easily replaced and cheap as well.

So for me, it's a miss right now with this version of the MacBook Air.

[MikeTheC]

This thing is the iBook Clamshell Redux. Nothing more, nothing less.

[sushi]

This thing is the iBook Clamshell Redux. Nothing more, nothing less.
You are kidding right?

[desenso]

Hit. It's awesome.

[MikeTheC]

You are kidding right?
Actually, you know, you're right. It isn't the iBook Clamshell Redux.

It's more like the iBook Clamshell Redux Light.

No Ethernet.
No Modem (ok, that's just being nit-picky. But still.)
No Optical Drive.

Sad to say there are things the first model of iBook had that the MBA doesn't. Yikes!

[Chimpy]

Well, to be fair, the Macbook/MBP doesn't have one, and if you have need of a modem you can buy Apple's (shockingly small) USB modem. Funnily enough my mom had need of one of these and I got one for her just the other day. I tested it and it works very well. Browsing the net at 56K was painful, to say the least.

As for optical drive, I so rarely use one in my laptop that I wouldn't miss it. Ethernet, on the other hand, would be nice to have.

[goose1873]

miss for general user...but it is a nice second laptop for travel...

[Deepdale]

I would not purchase one, but acknowledge that it will find a sizable interested audience. The very pale lettering on the keyboard was hard for me to see ... it should be much darker like on Sony laptops.

[R.R.Mac]

i think it at the moment is a miss but has great potential. it is far too expensive and if they can build on this, we may just see the future of notebooks.

[Zwhaler]

I say hit. I would get one myself if I didn't already own so many apple computers. I've seen many people take a look at in the Apple store (first time seeing it), talk to a sales rep, and walk out the door one 15 minutes later.

[GlossyIsBad4U]

Miss Big Time

1: Glossy only option requires attaching a tacky anti-glare filter to the screen which peels and attracts dirt.

2: Vulnerable design just asks for major warping from temperature changes. Sitting on it etc.

3: High Price for the lack of features.

4: Performance hobbled because of no cooling system, it will shut down one core, then the other. So 3D games and multi-tasking is most likely out of the question.

5: Slow USB connection.

6: Requires a special MBA "Superdrive" because the MBA USB port is overpowered to drive it. So it won't work on other Mac's. Forget USB hubs/w MBA Superdrive.

7: Requires a stereo mini extender to fit the port.


On the other hand, I haven't used one yet. Also things are changing, the way we do things is changing. So some resistance and stubbornness from folks will occur.

We will just have to see how things shake out. :D

[teleromeo]

Hit.

It's a fine machine for anyone that just needs a good laptop. And it looks damn good.

[FredSteel]

Of course a Hit! As you can see everywhere the hype is here and it will be a success imho. The whiners will always find a way to discredit something new or other.

It's not the notebook to please everyone, but you won't buy a Hummer either if you were heading for BMW 5 or something like that.

What I mean is: you will inform yourself about the features before buying this thing, and if you think it doesn't fulfil your needs because it for instance lacks a DVD drive, fine, don't buy it. You are not inside the target group probably...

[blairwillis]

Nothing but net.

No, I take that back...

"Airball"

That depends on what you're trying to hit, I guess.

[harrisone23]

The air is a slam dunk for apple. It appeals to the student, the businessman/ women, teens and frequent travelers. Its thin, light, and attractive.

[blairwillis]

I don't think the lack of an optical drive is a big deal at all. Actually, no, it is a big deal. It's as big a deal as when Apple stopped putting 3.5" floppy drives on computers. Literally for years PC users= wtf?!? no floppy drive?!? I'd just laugh, "You actually still use floppies? Don't you know that CDs are the new coasters?"

MBA is just a wee bit ahead of its time in this department. With the prices on flash media dropping so quickly, even CDs are becoming outdated. It's the music industry that's trying (failing) to keep that alive. Of course it's helpful that they are the same form factor as DVDs, so the drive will still exist for some time to come, but it will soon be unimportant except as a fixture at home. I think we'll see more electronic delivery of software... (other than OS X updates and iLife, I can't remember the last software I purchased physically) and even see "reusable" flash media used for physical sales very soon.

It's an idea at the heart of the AIR.

I also think we'll see a nifty app for file transfers (wirelessly) to and from the iPhone/iPodT as a new means of carrying around files, once this SDK gets rolling.

[Digital Skunk]

The product is pretty much like the iPhone when it first came out except there is no hype.

It's limited in hardware
It's expensive
It's missing a lot of features
It could have had much more but Apple left it out because
It will be a hit with those that don't see the benefit of other models.

Pretty much the way Apple kind works now-a-days.

[ghostwriter]

It's a miss for me. Love the design. Dislike both look and feel of keyboard. I was ready to plunk down the cash until I felt the keyboard. My 17" MBP will continue to be my travel companion.

[danidoll521]

Hit...this is an awesome machine. I just wish people would accept if for what it is and realize that it isn't intended for all users.

[Bertmg]

Apple is known for cutting edge technology and a great form factor. Some of the technology introduced by Apple becomes "it". A new standard for others to follow. Although I agree that tons of people will buy it, I think it missed the "it" factor. It is yet another pretty shinny thing to have, it is just bling (kinnda of reminded me of the old toaster product from a while ago). In comparison with not only other brands, but also as an Apple products, it competes against itself. It is expensive and really not feature complete for any specific task (iphone=phone+multimedia, iPhod = multimedia, MacBook Pro= desktop, MacBook = laptop).

There are two features Apple could of added to the MacBook Air to make it the "it" product of the year: MacBook Air should have been a tablet that takes smart media (no cd room needed). Like with the iPhone, the technology has been there, but it was Apple the ones that put it all together in one device and made history. Likewise, Apple has the technology and the means to have made Macbook air an innovation (they could work with Wacon to complete the product if needed). Additionally, they would of break into a new market. MacBook Air tablets would have pass Apple marketshare into new arenas: Medical, retail, travel, and who know what else.


what the hell happened?????:confused::confused::confused:

[Mr. Gollihue]

gotta agree with the guy above. MBA's dart definitely hit the board, but nowhere close to the center...

but i suppose that's better than hitting the wall!

[catfish743]

Pretty much a miss for me, though others may like it.
It sacrifices too much for just 3 lbs. Come on Americans, 5 pounds isn't too much to carry.

[ItTakesII]

In my opinion, the Macbook Air is purely a symbol of wealth or a laptop someone would buy for the "wow" factor. Also, there are so many people with more money than they know what to spend on (believe me, I know someone like this) and they will buy it just because they can and then they get to show it off :D

Also there are the hardcore Apple fans who will buy it out of loyalty haha They have to 'collect them all'.

But I don't know how much of a great step this is for Apple. Shouldn't the amazing part about the computer be that it is thinner than any other computer out there but still works them same if not better than them? Anyone can make a really thin computer if they are just going to 'dumb it down' if you will.

(Please don't flame me, just sharing my thought, no offense to those who bought it)

[netdog]

Clearly, the market has spoken and it is a big time hit.

The "miss" votes have never even used one outside of demoing them at the Apple store.

This machine has exceeded all my expectations. It is the perfect next step from the 12" PB. Love it.


Miss: If you need an ultraportable and need the external USB devices to support your work - ethernet, superdrive, etc.

As we all know, it wasn't designed for those people. It's a miss for people who want a Mac Pro or iMac too. :D

[jeff16years]

miss!!!

i say that because i wanted a 12" MBP and now I know I wont get it.
;)

[ryleguy06]

miss

i dont think the world is ready for computing without an optical drive.. so in my mind its ahead of its time.

[solidgoldmini]

Miss, I agree with ryleguy. A bit ahead of its time, a la, the Newton.

[ydb1914]

Vote: Poll: MacBook Air: Hit or Miss? (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=569)

got the new MBP- i guess it's a miss for me...:apple:

[jeff16years]

I think the MB Air needs to come standard with the external optical drive. I'd be willing to bet that it will be standard in a matter of time.

that's just me.

[Hoo03]

I think it will be a hit once prices are lowered a bit. So I will have to vote "Miss" for now.

[idonotliketostu]

this thing is too wide
this thing is too long


why couldn't they just make the 12" powerbook a widescreen and shrink it?

[Mo Tiggas]

Way too expensive, but it sure did set the bar high for every computer maker out there. Kind of like the USA going to the moon. No real purpose other than exerting dominance over the soviets. Maybe exploration or satellite stuff, but mostly it was an issue of who can do it first. Apple has made a great machine, albeit not perfect, but great. From here, they can only get better.

That said, I'm not buying one for 2700.

[spacecadet610]

it's an awesome computer for the right user; for most people though it has major limitations

[intoxicated662]

it's neutral, goes both ways just depends on that specific persons needs. wants would be more towards someone who wants the full specs with superdrive dl and all the fancy stuff. needs would be for the person who doesn't care about a dvd/cd burner and other features

[spacecadet610]

it's a hit for me

[rico33]

I'm a fan of it, I think that it will sell tons and when the second or third gen comes out I'll save up to get one. Its true it's something for those on the go especially those always walking around with one.

[danvan21]

how could it even come close to a miss? its flying off the shelves and people want them like hot cakes. The general public wants them and apple is making lots of money off them. The first model will have some let downs but after 1 maybe 2 upgrades it will be a great machine. Its not meant to have the power of a macbook pro so people should just drop that argument and flash memory is the future so the heck with the optical drive.

[clevin]

how could it even come close to a miss? its flying off the shelves and people want them like hot cakes. The general public wants them and apple is making lots of money off them.

once you take a good look at what you mentioned, you will find out that you have absolutely no sales numbers to back it up at all.

[hexonxonx]

After doing all this reading day after day since the MBA was released, I still think it's a miss, even more so now.

The over heating problems on the thing causing a core to shut down while watching YouTube videos is a huge miss.

Hard Drive, battery and memory are all things that I would want to be able to change and for now that are not changeable by the average user without voiding warranty.

Hard drive (or SSD) available space disappears very quickly by the time you add apps and other things to it.


Yesterday when I was trying to make up my mind on another Mac to purchase, I thought of getting the Air for a few minutes just because it would be so different. Then I remembered that the screen is really no different than what is included on the MacBooks, just that it is brighter. Also, though I rarely use my laptops on battery power, it is good to know that eventually when the supplied battery on a MacBook goes bad, it can be replaced ever so easily by myself without sending the laptop in for repair for a few days.

So, I think in total, I spent about 15 minutes looking at the MBA on the site before I decided upon the black MacBook.

All I really ever use my Macs for anyways is internet, iTunes, iPhone syncing and bill paying. The MBA has difficulty doing my most frequent activity, the internet (heat problems).

Maybe next version they will have these issues resolved and I will get one after sitting back and reading for a few months about any problems they have. It sounds like they didn't test the thing enough before releasing it for sale.

[danvan21]

once you take a good look at what you mentioned, you will find out that you have absolutely no sales numbers to back it up at all.

macbook air is the highest selling computer for apple right now, as listen in the top seller list on apple's page. if i was so wrong, where are your numbers to refute me?

[netdog]

once you take a good look at what you mentioned, you will find out that you have absolutely no sales numbers to back it up at all.

Except that it has been the number 1 seller at Apple.Com since it came out, and is the 2nd most wished for laptop on Amazon. I'd say those are pretty good indicators.

[sleepingworker]

Hit. Will influence the entire laptop line for Apple for the next two years.

[MattInOz]

Hit, big hit...
Just like Apple's other offerings in the underserviced (the tech has only just caught up to the idea) new market.

Just like the iPod touch and iPhone the Air is for cloud.
It's for people who are supported by full network environments, who are on the move either on the road or around the campus.
Their own or their computers.

[dubhe]

it's very apple, that's for sure, but that seems to make it either a big hit or a big miss...

[twoodcc]

i think it's also a miss. mainly b/c the lack of ports

[cheekybobcat]

I'm gunna say miss.
In all honesty, I don't think that it is a huge difference carrying a MacBook Ait rather than a MacBook or even a MacBook Pro. I mean the MBA is a cool looking laptop and, in theory, it's "better" for traveling.
Personally, I would way rather carry around my MacBook rather than a MacBook Air.
I don't think that the MBA is so much more portable that people should give up performance.

However, it opens the doors for Apple (or even some other computer companies) to start making that tiny thing better so maybe in the long run it will be a hit. We'll see.

For now though, my say is miss.

[atgmac144]

tough one, but it depends on the owner. if you are a person who just uses the internet and ichat and stuff, then it's a huge hit. it's small, light, and it gets the job done. but if you need a lot of space and are doing a lot of things at once it is a miss.

[SDLSteve]

A big hit for those who want the coolest apples and price is not a concern. Personally would go for a macbook but if you want leading edge tech. the air is the way to go.

[birdmangriffin]

Miss. For today's society, which still uses CD's or flash drives, it's really impractical. That and the price is prohibitive to many!

[pilotError]

It's a hit.

It is a computer for people on the go. It's not a desktop replacement, portable video editing studio, portable storage station, etc., it's a second lightweight computer to get things done on the road.

Not every Air overheats or has core shutdowns or drops to 1.2 Ghz when loaded or is warped, etc..

There have been some rediculously bad experiences, I feel for those folks, but it isn't the same with everyone.

I can watch youTube just fine, I can surf the internet just fine, I spent yesterday converting AVI's to MP4's yesterday at work. The fans do kick in, but the CPU ran at about 70% for the good part of the day and didn't break 81 C (as opposed to the 100C that some folks are having issues with).

This machine isn't for everyone. If you want to use it as your only laptop, expect to have to carry around an external drive. If you want to do video editing, it's not even realistic to consider this laptop. If you want it for portable photo management, it works. Not the greatest, but it gets by.

If you carry a laptop all day (sales), use the internet over wifi and do presentations, it's pretty hard to beat.

It's expensive... Yep, you do get hit with the Apple Tax on this one, no argument there.

Macbook good enough, great then buy it, but for some the extra weight does make a difference.

I haven't purchased the Superdrive for mine yet, and haven't really missed it. Overall, I'm very happy with mine. Is it the best thing since sliced bread? No, but it does everything I ask of it, which is all that matters.

[PowerFullMac]

The MacBook Air would be a hit if it had a lower price tag on it, about the same or cheaper than a normal MacBook, but as the price is waaaaayyyy too high (which could be to do with more expensive parts, im not sure) it is a miss for me.

It is, however, definatly useful in some enviroments, I would perfer to carry a Air than a crappy huge Windoze laptop at school!

[SamoanDude]

I love my Air. I didn't think I would like it that much until I saw one at best buy and picked it up. Ever since I am obsessed with it :)

[gkarris]

When I'm at the Apple Store, it's the only one I really like to use there, since I can't afford one...

The SSD model is lightning, for such a slow processor.... :eek:

Have a MacBook instead since I need the hard drive space. Can't wait to see the Aluminum MacBooks - hopefully just a "thicker" version of the MacBook Air.

[Phillyzero]

Miss. Again, if the price was considerably lower there would have been a chance to salvage it, but really after the initial surge of hype and sales in the first two months or so, it's really fallen off the charts. The only thing it has going for it is being so thin, but that can't really compare to a midline macbook with more of everything and is still insanely portable.

[Dont Hurt Me]

Specs suck, what so special its light weight please:rolleyes:

[costabunny]

I love it. It is exaclty what I needed - A lightweight laptop for my mobile tasks. I even edit in CS3 on it and thats cool for me. The only USB port is fine - I carry the superdrive (just in case) and my cable for the Nokon D300. Thats all I need

No masses of obtrusive ports to gather dust and not get used.

Its a sweety indeed. Yes the price tag is a lot (paid £1040 for mine), but thats the price of innovation mixed with early adoption.

if you need a mobile powerhouse, then it isnt for you - but then its not targeted at power users :)

[SFStateStudent]

A hit in every way, except the temperature on the lap & at the airport, (no hard drive? give me a break TSA, you guys are idiots!). :(

[sanPietro98]

I bought the iPhone because I wanted a souped up cell phone. But in the end, it actually changed the way I surf the web, read e-mail, and access information. It has become an indispensable part of my day.

In the same way, the MBA is changing the way I do computing. I got it for its portability -- not so much for travel, but even within the home. I can now (more easily) do some work, surf the web, catch-up on e-mails anytime, anywhere. Of course, I could also do this with my PowerBook G4, but its so much more convenient now. I'm finding that I do more work in more places just because of its portability.

Its a hit for me.

[gkarris]

They're in the refurb stores for a decent price.

I expect the next versions to be 1.8 and 2.0, have 4 Gigs, and a larger hard disc (120 Gig) and a larger SSD (or a big price drop for the current one).

They may even lower the price of the new model $100.

Sweet....

[Primus84]

Hit but far too expensive for the speed processor and RAM limitation.

[teksurv]

It would be a hit at a ~$1100.00 price point I feel. As it is it serves a niche market, time will tell.

[Cloudsurfer]

I don't have the Air myself, but I love using it at the Apple Store. The screen is amazing, the trackpad is huge and the keys type sooo much better than my MBP keyboard.

I'm seriously considering getting one, either by trading my MBP for one with someone or getting one in addition to my MBP... but not until the price drops a little.

[naftalim]

Hit, 1 thing I would like to see improved

WiFi. I find that Airport does a lot of scanning for the network.

[AndyClarke]

Nice idea and lovely to look at but just not practical enough for me to buy one at the moment.

[MacFanatic08]

It's a hit! The coolest laptop Apple has EVER designed, next to the original iBook. ;)

[kabunaru]

A hit. I can see a lot of people buying these.

[idyll]

I've always felt as though this was much like VW's Phaeton in a way. The $3100 MacBook Air's are going for as little as $2100 or less on eBay.. It's amazing.

[MasonS247]

i still dont understand why someone would buy a mba over a regular mb. it just doesnt seem like it is worth the money and lack of performance.

[BongoBanger]

A miss. Too buggy and too pricey.

[a104375]

A miss. Too buggy and too pricey.

definitely a miss with the overheating issue and the cost

[idonotliketostu]

i still dont understand why someone would buy a mba over a regular mb. it just doesnt seem like it is worth the money and lack of performance.


because they can..and don't need all the performance
the mb weights as much as the 15" mbp

[PCMacUser]

As someone else mentioned, this laptop appears to exist purely as a status symbol. I'd rather have an iPhone - it's probably just as powerful and it's even more portable... ;)

[splashnader]

At it's price point it is really too expensive for it's functionality. I mean for people that don't want the size and power of the macbook pro they buy the macbook. With the macbook air you are essentially paying $700 more for a computer that is ultra thin ad lightweight. To me that is just not worth it. I'm not saying that the MBA is a bad computer. But the price to me is wht makes it a deal breaker.

[aapl.jlo]

It's a hit! The coolest laptop Apple has EVER designed, next to the original iBook. ;)

SO true! I had a clamshell for a while, but I didn't get it new, so it had some bugs in it. They should re-release laptops like that (instead of the boring MBs). I miss seeing variety in the Apple computer line, so I say that at least the MBA looks different while the MB and MBP look quite similar.

Who cares about the recyclability, give me the iBook design again!

[Insulin Junkie]

Definite miss for me, I really wouldn't know what to do with the thing.
For plenty of others however, I'm sure it's a hit.

[morgan111]

From the looks of it, the MacBook Air, released by Apple in January 2008, seems to be the best idea for anyone looking to buy a new laptop computer, and for some this may be exactly the case. However, there are things to know about the MacBook Air and it’s technology before splurging on one.

The design is sleek, slim, and light — and creatively advertised as such. Believe me, any laptop that can fit in a manilla envelope sure looks appealing to me! Weighing in at a mere 3 pounds, it has the potential to gain the attention of travelers and many others across the globe.

For the traveler who only uses a laptop for things like spreadsheets, e-mail and the Web, this slim, compact computer is probably by far the best choice. On the other side, for those who enjoy listening to music, uploading pictures, or watching DVDs while traveling, the MacBook Air would be a definite no-go. Unlike other laptops, including other Macs, there is no optical drive.

What’s the big deal, you ask? Think about all of the CDs you’ve ripped onto your computer, or burned to listen to elsewhere, or the DVDs you watched on your last long trip. Think about the data you’ve saved onto CDs for work or personal reasons, or the programs you have installed by simply putting the CD into the drive and clicking “Install.” Now imagine not having the ability to do that.

A new technology called Remote Disc, developed by Apple, is the key to running a MacBook Air. Remote Disc will install anything that can be stored on a CD or DVD. Simply put a disc into another computer (Mac or PC), the MacBook Air will pick up the information and transfer it wirelessly from the other computer.

The larger downfall with the lack of an optical drive is that music, movies or TV shows must be saved on the computer, bringing up even more problems: memory and hard drive space. The MacBook Air wasn’t developed to store as much information as the usual laptop. Apple has tried to back themselves up by now offering the ability to rent movies through iTunes.

There is always the option of spending another $99 on an external MacBook Air Super Drive that connects by a USB 2.0 port. But after buying the laptop (starting) at $1799, this makes the computer less portable, and takes away from it’s main selling point.

As the proud owner of a new iMac, I am a huge fan of Apple products, but I think the MacBook Air is ahead of it’s time. It may be perfect for the traveler who uses their computer strictly for work and uses .Mac or a thumb drive for storage, but if you use your computer for music, movies, pictures, or television, stick with a model that offers more utility.

[coupdetat]

For me, it's a huge miss... as a college student, it's important to have a small footprint for sitting on lecture desks and fitting in small messenger bags, and long battery life for lasting through a day of note-taking and library/cafe usage. It's just a status symbol.

Remember when Apple designs combined form AND function?

[soccersquirt82]

Miss. $700 more for just a little thinner. And no CD drive and ports. Lousy specs. Lousy from Apple.

[bpl323]

I wish I could afford one... so miss?

[haravikk]

I think overall it's a hit, but will wait and see the first revision to it (and what else Apple chooses to offer) before I'll decide if I want it.

I for one would want more ports on the Air, I'm not fussy about Firewire, but minimum two USB ports, an ethernet port (or a third USB), and a better wireless connection would be the biggest issues for me. As I understand it the wireless 801.11n connection in the air isn't great due to the lack of an external aerial. I know a protruding aerial would ruin the aesthetics a bit, but there must be a way to neatly package one. For example; as a discrete plastic strip on the side/rear since plastic presumably is less affected by interference than aluminium. Make it similar in colour and it's not noticeable enough to be a big disadvantage for better wireless connectivity.

Otherwise; I'd like bigger hard-drive options, a DVD drive and an easy to replace battery, but recognise that these are all restricted by the Air's size/weight so can live without as 80gb of hard drive space is fine, I rarely need DVDs and there are plenty of charger options for it anyway. An express-card slot (I think that's the laptop expansion port's name?) would be great too, mainly for an optional 3G connection if I ever really need one, though I think you can get USB ones (straight back to more USB ports here hehe, maybe give me four =)

[dnguyen]

personally i think it's a miss -- mainly due to the pricing

to me, it "looks" like it is a lot smaller, but that isn't really the case. combine that will poor specs and not enough ports bleh. overpriced a few hundred imo.

[Nicolecat]

but my main guffaw is the fact that if you want an optical drive, it comes separately...so, how is that convenient again? :(

[Enigmafan420]

As a first computer-or even a first laptop-Miss-slow, small HD, no optical drive.

That being said-if you really need to pack thin and light and you have time to plan ahead (i.e. get all your software and documents installed)-it is a hit-a full fledged (unlike the PC mini laptops) computer that will do anything a regular laptop will do (include run Windows if you need it to) at about 1/2 the weight. These are compelling arguments to those of us that choose not to check baggage anymore when we fly.

[champ01]

its not a hit yet

what it needs is a price cut, now its just way to expansive
i think it needs to be cheaper than a normal macbook to be fair

[Nicolecat]

Now...if this new apple conference...launches new air's with optical drives, it then becomes a hit. :D

[milatchi]

Miss.

[Sesshi]

I suppose - as with so many Apple products - it depends on what you want out of it.

As a vacuous fashionista's plaything - spot-on hit.
As a business tool for people who actually do stuff of consequence - total miss.

However, for those who're saying it's too expensive, specs are bad, etc - it's a bit like being angry that a BMW coupe isn't priced like a Hyundai. The specs are OK for the money. It's how it (doesn't) all works together that's the problem.

I suppose however Apple has to tread a fine line bearing in mind just how much of their clientele just doesn't understand real everyday computing needs because they have zero experience while being unaware of their own particularly entitled breed of ignorance - something I don't see with users of other OS's.

[sra. Aguirre]

I think it'll be a hit with people with the cash, and who have absolutely zero need for doing professional work (ie. audio/video etc.). It's a status symbol IMHO, a souped up PDA... it'll sell like hot cakes.

I'd never get one. Simply because I wouldn't be able to run Logic in any meaningful way or even watch a DVD on it. The thinness of it's cool, but not pants-wetting cool.

Totally agreeing that it is a status symbol and IMO one with style:D, but I am biased cause I like the :apple: design style..... When I have the money I'd buy one, just for travel......those babies R LIGHT!:cool:

[MacGeekDC]

miss

[Col127]

Vote: Poll: MacBook Air: Hit or Miss? (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=569)

i think it's a hit. the portability and compactness is amazing. :) though i find it very pricey.

[chrisiw]

Miss! overpriced

[Bargsbeer]

I think it's a miss in the short run.But in the long run it's a hit. I say that because I think in time with revisions it will become better priced and more practical i.e. internal CD drive. I think like the Newton from the 90's it's a little before it's time. But it's a start.

[da2005pizimp]

big miss, cool concept but overpriced. it it were cheaper then it would be better.

[chrisiw]

big miss, cool concept but overpriced. it it were cheaper then it would be better.
Yes! and with a CD drive, it could be a hit

[da2005pizimp]

totally agree, it needs an optical drive no matter what it is.

[Techguy172]

I think it's a hit, It has it's uses with people who require light computers.

[nplima]

Hit.

A company like apple probably would not have much motivation to compete in the low end netbook market. The MBA just illustrates that if they wanted, they could fit everything they wanted in a small box, but they choose to remain in the high end of the market.

It's a cool product, if they made it with a 10" screen I don't know if a lot of people would be able to understand that the MBA was not a normal netbook.

[Jack Comrie]

Hit. stunning design with superior power. Light yet strong. Johnny Ive and his crew are geniuses.

[TalandurFTW]

it was a fail waiting to happen lulz

[autobotjones]

has its appeal to certain people, but to pricey for me
so miss

[themacman112]

I like it! I would get it but I dont have any spare cash

[hootywho]

It all depends on your needs. MBA is nice and small, but I rather have the MBP for a little more.

[wolfgang91]

They improved the Air more than I had thought they would.

[SFStateStudent]

Definitely a HIT; I'm gettin' me a new one real soon...:p

[1969cj5]

big miss, cool concept but overpriced. it it were cheaper then it would be better.
I can afford i so I am going to pick up a reva this week at bes buy for 1299

[1969cj5]

From the looks of it, the MacBook Air, released by Apple in January 2008, seems to be the best idea for anyone looking to buy a new laptop computer, and for some this may be exactly the case. However, there are things to know about the MacBook Air and it’s technology before splurging on one.

The design is sleek, slim, and light — and creatively advertised as such. Believe me, any laptop that can fit in a manilla envelope sure looks appealing to me! Weighing in at a mere 3 pounds, it has the potential to gain the attention of travelers and many others across the globe.

For the traveler who only uses a laptop for things like spreadsheets, e-mail and the Web, this slim, compact computer is probably by far the best choice. On the other side, for those who enjoy listening to music, uploading pictures, or watching DVDs while traveling, the MacBook Air would be a definite no-go. Unlike other laptops, including other Macs, there is no optical drive.

What’s the big deal, you ask? Think about all of the CDs you’ve ripped onto your computer, or burned to listen to elsewhere, or the DVDs you watched on your last long trip. Think about the data you’ve saved onto CDs for work or personal reasons, or the programs you have installed by simply putting the CD into the drive and clicking “Install.” Now imagine not having the ability to do that.

A new technology called Remote Disc, developed by Apple, is the key to running a MacBook Air. Remote Disc will install anything that can be stored on a CD or DVD. Simply put a disc into another computer (Mac or PC), the MacBook Air will pick up the information and transfer it wirelessly from the other computer.

The larger downfall with the lack of an optical drive is that music, movies or TV shows must be saved on the computer, bringing up even more problems: memory and hard drive space. The MacBook Air wasn’t developed to store as much information as the usual laptop. Apple has tried to back themselves up by now offering the ability to rent movies through iTunes.

There is always the option of spending another $99 on an external MacBook Air Super Drive that connects by a USB 2.0 port. But after buying the laptop (starting) at $1799, this makes the computer less portable, and takes away from it’s main selling point.

As the proud owner of a new iMac, I am a huge fan of Apple products, but I think the MacBook Air is ahead of it’s time. It may be perfect for the traveler who uses their computer strictly for work and uses .Mac or a thumb drive for storage, but if you use your computer for music, movies, pictures, or television, stick with a model that offers more utility.

thats what delete is for. I find I wach something and delete it afterwards since it is on my main machine. easy resoluton. Keep in mind this is a design for a second machine...not primary

[1nteresting]

Miss: It's a pretty slab of aluminum. That is all.

[Telp]

It all depends on your needs. MBA is nice and small, but I rather have the MBP for a little more.

Agreed 100%!

[coupdetat]

I've had my MBA 1.6/80gb for about 3 months now and so here are a few thoughts...

-The form factor is obviously great for a student. I carry it around with me 100% of the time at school in my messenger bag, and don't feel the weight.

-There are some serious issues with media playback. My Powerbook G4 plays DivX files smoothly, yet the MBA can't. Thankfully I only watch a movie once every few weeks, so it's not a killer issue but it's still kind of shameful. I called Apple and the advisor said it was a known issue, but the only advice she could give me was to keep my eyes peeled on the MBA updates website.

-Apple tech support is a lot worse. In addition to the situation above, I downloaded an iTunes video which couldn't play on the MBA without serious choppiness. I emailed Apple and they would not give me a refund.

-It runs extremely cool, until you do anything intense and then the whole case heats up. However, since my usage tends to be light, I love the thermal performance.

-It gets lots of looks and people often ask me about it if I'm using it at the library or a café. It's definitely an attention-getter and I love how the design is reminiscent of the TiBook.

-Battery life is bad, but the charger is really small and convenient. Less convenient is the fact that some idiot designed our school library without nearly enough wall plugs...

-Working with complex MatLab scripts = don't do it.

-Working with large Excel files = don't do it.

-Working with ANYTHING in Office 2008 = don't do it.

-The screen is the nicest I've ever seen. The Vaio TZ seems to have a brighter one, but it's too small.

In fact, my general experience is that a $200 P4 laptop running XP will smoke the MBA in most productivity tasks. It's not entirely Apple's fault, however--some companies just don't optimize software properly. With that said, the video playback issue is DEFINITELY Apple's fault.

I paid $1300 for the MBA including 3 year AppleCare, so I'm not upset. Had I paid full price, I would definitely be. There are lots of intangibles like the amazing screen, design, and of course, OSX. Overall, I'm happy because I tend to hate computers due to their complexity. The MBA is beautiful, and more importantly, I know 100% of the time I will flip open the cover and it will turn on and let me do my work. That knowledge is worth a lot to me since I don't have time to troubleshoot computers.

[coffey7]

total miss.

[jdd08]

The MBA pushes the envelope of what's possible, and has nice features, but for me its not practical yet.

[therealdt]

eye candy with a hefty price tag.

miss

[RoboCop1]

I say, if you hate it, then Apple didn't make it for you. I'd have to say it is in between a hit and a miss.

[ntrigue]

Straight brilliant device! I can't belive they've improved it so radically as my 1.8HDD is wonderful. Early Febuary I will have the perfect laptop: 1.86GHz - 4GB DDR3 - Intel 120 SSD output to 24" LED.

[Michael CM1]

It's a nice feat of design and all that, but the price tag makes it a severe MISS.

When it was first released, I thought it was kind of a weird thing to make. People threw the term "subnotebook" around at it, and the same is now done at "netbooks" (which really are "subnotebook").

When I saw the price tag after seeing all the specs, I thought Jobs had gone crazy. $1799 for a stripped-down computer just so you could show off how thin it is. For another $200, you get the MacBook Pro -- another 800Mhz of CPU, double the hard drive (plus faster), a much better GPU option, AN OPTICAL DRIVE, a larger screen, and an extra 30 minutes of battery life.

In other words, this is the biggest "toy" I have ever seen. If you have a lot of money and want this as a convenience, I get it. But in the age where people are starting to use only notebook PCs, such a concept is a little crazy. It obviously can't be a standalone computer at your house unless you pop on the external SuperDrive.

But then you have no more USB ports!

I know Apple has a tendency to push technology before it's really popularly accepted (FireWire, DisplayPort, not needing a frickin' optical drive), but this is just an overpriced strikeout in my opinion. Looks nice, it looks about $1200 nice.

[ntrigue]

I don't think people that haven't owned an Air appreciate the daily advantage of a laptop this thin and light.

Pricing? I just bought a NEW MBA 1.86GHz w/ 128SSD for $2049 out the door!

[StuBeck]

There is definitely a market for it, and I would like one, but not as new. This is my issue though, if I can get a first gen for £500 I'd be severely tempted. As it is, I'll probably buy an MSI wind and put OS X on it. I don't care that its really thin, I just want something which is light.

[FlyParrotHead]

I think it is a huge hit. We have one here at work and I love using it. I am looking forward to purchasing one, hopefully before the start of Macworld 2009.

[chrisiw]

There is definitely a market for it, and I would like one, but not as new. This is my issue though, if I can get a first gen for £500 I'd be severely tempted. As it is, I'll probably buy an MSI wind and put OS X on it. I don't care that its really thin, I just want something which is light.I have a iMac, a MacBook, and I purchased a MSI Wind for when away from home, and i have to say that I have never been so impressed with any laptop as much as the MSI, the display beats the MacBook hands down, and is as fast, I am running XP on it.:)

[Sehnsucht]

For me, a miss. I think Apple COULD HAVE squeezed in an extra USB and ethernet port, not to mention an optical drive. 'Cmon....it's APPLE we're talking about, here...Apple is the one company who could make this thing with a 3.2GHz processor and 8 gigabytes of RAM if they really wanted to. I took one look at the specs and stopped on "2 gigabytes of RAM soldered to the motherboard." Ummm...WTF. :rolleyes:

[Among-Us]

miss because why would anyone pay anything over $100 for a 1.6Ghz processor thats really slow i think my old gateway with windows 95 has a faster processor.:cool:

[QueenZ]

I will not be getting it if i don't become some kind of huge travelling person :D So far MBP way to go for me ;)

[gmecca2]

I like it but don't feel the need to upgrade from my G4 Powerbook at the current price point it is listed.

[Quad_Pro]

I own a first generation quad pro that I have beefed to all you know what. When it comes to my Macs They have to be the best and the top end models because I do things In Final Cut and other advanced intensive programs that require allot of processor and ram and video card.

I own a MacBook first generation also and I can't say I hate it but it is now useless to me because of the 60 gig hard drive in it. On my quad I have all four bays full with Identical Sea Gate Barracudas 750 gig hard drives at 32 m.b. buffer cache. I am nearing the 300 gig mark on my quad. The only way I can make any use of my MacBook when I am out of town is to hook up my external Sea Gate 500 gig that is bootable.

I bet allot of you are wondering what does he need four internal 750 gig hard drives for. bay 1 is main os, bay 2 is time machine, bay three is clone done by "super duper" bay four.. well I have not made it there yet!lol.

So I am not saying the MacBook air is junk, I am just saying It is not for me. I think for the average person that does allot of business and travels around the world via plane then yes it's a Mac for you as long as your not trying to run Final Cut express or run 15 different executable programs at once.

I don't like the fact that the battery is integrated. What where they thinking? I feel the same way about the Iphone but it does not stop me from owning one.

My two cents. :D

[Quad_Pro]

For me, a miss. I think Apple COULD HAVE squeezed in an extra USB and ethernet port, not to mention an optical drive. 'Cmon....it's APPLE we're talking about, here...Apple is the one company who could make this thing with a 3.2GHz processor and 8 gigabytes of RAM if they really wanted to. I took one look at the specs and stopped on "2 gigabytes of RAM soldered to the motherboard." Ummm...WTF. :rolleyes:

Yikes I did not know the ram was integrated also. I agree WTF! Not for me, I think Apple made a major Oops on this one folks. By the way I am new here, just left Mac360 after a year and a half of membership. I love it here because I am finding I get myself lost in the forums for hours if I don't pay attention to time. Hope you don't mind me adding this into your forum reply there "Sehnsucht!"

By the way anybody know if Apple is making money off of these things? :D

[Quad_Pro]

miss because why would anyone pay anything over $100 for a 1.6Ghz processor thats really slow i think my old gateway with windows 95 has a faster processor.:cool:

I thought it had the same processor as my first generation white MacBook, a 1.8Ghz processor. I could be wrong though. You won't catch me carrying one of those things around in my computer backpack pack. :D

[queshy]

MBA is a huge hit imo.

[dvdhsu]

What?
I don't see anything wrong.

[K3mp]

It is a hit if you need to go portable. It is not meant to be a primary computer. When people understand that they would agree it is a hit.

[Piaget]

It's neither or both, depending on how you look at it.
Hit because it's easily the best looking laptop on the market right now and is superportable. But a miss because of it's price and lack of optical drive (compared to the only slightly thicker Thinkpad X300).

Interested in seeing how the Dell Adamo, which claims to be thinner than the MBA yet still have an optical drive and decent connectivity, will turn out.

[wawanarchist]

If I had an extra $2,000 lying around I'd pick one up in a second, the idea of a tiny powerful machine I could take anywhere is amazing, but definitely not worth the hefty price tag

[leishan]

I think it depends on what you are using it for. I think it is a hit.

[chrisiw]

If I had an extra $2,000 lying around I'd pick one up in a second, the idea of a tiny powerful machine I could take anywhere is amazing, but definitely not worth the hefty price tag
Agree! I love the look of it, but when I travel i have my MSI Wind, and for me it does all I want and its price was £275.00 UK, if the Air had been around £550 I would have gone for one, but at the price it is, its just too much for me

[suburbia]

It's not for me, but it's definitely a hit. It's the most beautiful laptop out there, and perfect for those who don't require a workhorse of a machine.

[Alan Taylor]

Well, I love mine! I don't get people knocking the Air - if you need something else then buy it, but don't berate other people's choices :P

[GotMyOrangeCrus]

Well I honestly think its a miss in regards to the entire market however I love mine as it has shaved a few more pounds off my location kit for my large format photography. That may not seem like much but when you add that to the other upgrades I have made with other equipment, it has become substantial. I have shaved at least 13-15 pounds off my pack in the last year with equipment upgrades so by itself it may not seem like much but in the big picture, its worth it.

[zap2]

Hmm, well I guess sales speak best

But from what I see it came into the market right as netbooks took off(around). A while its a fast computer, and in a very different price range, you'll see comparisons(and for good reasons)


I think some of those who buy a MacBook Air could do just fine 10'' (dual core?) atom MacBook Air, a true netbook, and those who needs the extra power could look to a MacBook.

Yes, there would be people who need the ultra portable, and still fast computer, but I'll wager that market is smaller then the netbook market(although who about profits from each of those markets)

[butchseaman]

I think it is sort of a hit... I would love to have one, but only after I have my MBP. It is a sweet machine for those that need to travel light...:)

[rj-300zx]

How about bringing the Powerbook G4 12" back apple. It had a built in optical drive :rolleyes:

[MacAgent84]

It is a hit if you want to use the machine as it was intended to be used: as a thin primarily wireless portable machine. Meaning no optical drive, not a big storage device, mostly relying on all those services wirelessly. If you can work with this than this machine is great and totally a hit. Not to mention it is innovative and beautiful to see.

[PowerFullMac]

It is a hit if you need to go portable. It is not meant to be a primary computer. When people understand that they would agree it is a hit.

Not at the stupid price Apple sells them for.

[Macjames]

perfect for those who don't require a workhorse of a machine.

Thats why i bought mine as my primary computer :eek: My computer must be very portable for my writing, hold my iTunes and iPhoto library and be able to do some casual web browsing, oh and be a Mac :D

I own a macbook as well, but when traveling you notice the weight difference!

So for me its a massive hit.

[DiamondMac]

Having spent some time around those with it, I am very impressed with it. Those that have it LOVE IT

But I come on here and see many disappointed with it

So, maybe I am just stuck around a few who seem to love it.

[maestro55]

The MBA is designed for road warriors. The one person that I personally know who uses one is always traveling and he loves his MBA. For now, I am happy with what I have. The MBP is mostly stationary and then I have my MacBook which I take around with me. Unless I am going on a longer trip and then I take the MBP (which also has all my work stuff on it that isn't on my my MacBook).

Anyhow, like with anything the MBA has a market and a lot of people are glad it is there and others wouldn't care less.

[Asher215]

I'm not too excited by it, but I can definitely see its utility. It seems like an Apple "netbook," but with all those peripherals like the external superdrive...you wouldn't really want to be lugging all that stuff around all the time. I'd probably lose it.

[Street Dude]

The MBA is sexy.

Perfect for writers.

[Mintin8]

MBA is cool. Great for portability.

[maclover13]

ok, so me and my friend were discussing the macbook air vs macbook
we both agreed that while the two were great products which are better then stuff with vista that sucks
so here are what we think the pros/cons are for the laptops:
macbook-
pros: fairly light, a lot of GB, built in ISight, fast, awesome for people like us who play laggy games like world of warcraft and runescape which really doesnt suck
cons: no click on scrolly thingy like mb pro which sucks, can scratch easily which sucks, sort of expensive
macbook air-
pros: super duper light, ultra thin, built in ISight, awesome if you travel a lot, is the first laptop to fit in a manila envelope that i know of
cons: super duper slow, expensive as hell which sorta sucks depending how much $$ you has, what really sucks is you cant put in CDs, sucks with games like world of warcraft
final word- macbook air- get if you travel a lot or it will just suck
macbook- get if you play games a lot becuse they dont suck on it

[aiterum]

its like a regular macbook
but dumb

[wangchunggti337]

The MBA is great, plenty of power in a small package. It could use some more inputs, better battery, and a cheaper pricetag. I think an Apple netbook would do quite well. I would probably buy it :)

[Miker2k]

I love mine. It's my first Mac and I bought it so I could toss it into my bag along with my work issued laptop. Portability and overall size were major factors in the selection process. A Macbook added enough size that it made it tougher to toss into an already gigantic bag.

[macstevie]

Difficult one this - I'm going to say Hit just because it's so light and a cool piece of kit :apple:

[scottness]

It was a hit for me last year when I was traveling a lot. Huge improvement as a carry-on, etc. It was absolutely wonderful during my trip to Vietnam where you don't want to leave a computer in your hotel room and need to carry it with you everywhere. Now that I'm not traveling as much, it's good for the occasional work outside of the office, but I do most of my real work on an iMac.

Anybody wanna buy an MBA? 64 Gig ssd. GREAT for traveling. For everything else, there's MacBook Pro.

[michael.lauden]

it's a hit for everything. i love the MBA and i will be upgrading to one in the near future. yes. upgrading.

[California]

A lot of people I know really like having small lightweight computers.

I know someone with a back injury that turned down a 14" ibook a few years ago because of size and weight... I mean a free one.

I think the MBA is perfect for the user who isn't using it for anything other than basics.

[darklighter]

I really think they should lower the price to $1099. The Macbook which isn't that much heavier or thicker is packed full of features at $1299.

The Macbook air is selling less than the Mac Pro right now. Check Apple's website. Lower the price Apple.

[dmmcintyre3]

The 12 inch PB was better other than the junk screen. (1024x768? WHAT?) 13 inch MacBook Pro would be better.

[cjm3113]

A lot of people I know really like having small lightweight computers.

I know someone with a back injury that turned down a 14" ibook a few years ago because of size and weight... I mean a free one.

I think the MBA is perfect for the user who isn't using it for anything other than basics.

That's ridiculous. No matter how bad my back is I could not justify spending a grand to drop a pound and a half.

[scottness]

That's ridiculous. No matter how bad my back is I could not justify spending a grand to drop a pound and a half.

It does make a big difference. It's expensive, and I concede, if you've never had serious back problems, it's probably not worth it. It's worth it to me.

I can't blame anyone for not understanding if they've never had a back surgery. I may have thought the same thing before my accident.

[iPhoneNYC]

Without a DVD player it's more like an over priced netbook to me. Give me a thin little Apple netbook - like a shrunken Air - at netbook prices and I'd be all over it...

[AxisOfBeagles]

For the record .. I have both a MacBook Pro, and an Air. The Pro is my personal machine, used for many things but really tuned to support my photo habit.

My Air is my business machine. It's lean - both physically and in terms of what apps are necessary on it. It's light - which is great for keeping my carry on luggage also light, and it is easy to work with on the little tray that drops off the setback in front of me on airplanes.

For business travelers like myself, the air is fantastic. In the office, I hook it up to a large monitor and external keyboard, and don't notice it's size at all. A simple 4-port USB hub allows me to hook up things such as a hard rive for backups.

I can tell you that many other business associates envy my air we we travel. Naysayers can argue all they wish - for some of us, the Air is a great machine.

[scottness]

I can tell you that many other business associates envy my air we we travel. Naysayers can argue all they wish - for some of us, the Air is a great machine.

+1

The only thing I wish it had were Firewire.

[Benguitar]

I think the MacBook Air was a hit for the traveling business man but not for the average or professional user. The average user needs the CD drive and the professional needs the other inputs.

In other words you don't see audio engineers working on a MacBook Air because there aren't any FireWire ports and only 1 USB port. Photographers need large screens for photo editing, you can get an external display but the MacBook Air also doesn't have the power to carry a photo library with 1000's of RAW photos. Nor do I believe the MacBook Air has the power to do "professional" video editing, yes you can use Final Cut on it but as far as carrying a large HD with many hours of video the MacBook Air isn't the right computer for you.

I have had this conversation with many Macintosh users, "The MacBook Air is made to carry documents and a small photo/music/video library.

[lftrghtparadigm]

I have had this conversation with many Macintosh users, "The MacBook Air is made to carry documents and a small photo/music/video library.

This is accurate. It also makes the machine almost 100% completely useless. The following are ALSO accurate:

- Its the most expensive product that just barely meets the needs of netbook users.

- Its the biggest mistake Apple has ever made in terms of stand-alone hardware release.

- It is NOT overpriced for what it is, its over priced for what it can do.

[Benguitar]

This is accurate. It also makes the machine almost 100% completely useless. The following are ALSO accurate:

- Its the most expensive product that just barely meets the needs of netbook users.

- Its the biggest mistake Apple has ever made in terms of stand-alone hardware release.

- It is NOT overpriced for what it is, its over priced for what it can do.

Thank you, Glad you agree. ;)

[scottness]

This is accurate. It also makes the machine almost 100% completely useless. The following are ALSO accurate:

- Its the most expensive product that just barely meets the needs of netbook users.

- Its the biggest mistake Apple has ever made in terms of stand-alone hardware release.

- It is NOT overpriced for what it is, its over priced for what it can do.

I find the Air incredibly valuable, albeit overpriced. If I did the type of work you might do, perhaps I would find it useless as well. You must not be in the same field I am in to find it useless. I don't think Apple would have brought an updated model to the table if everyone thought it were useless.

This would be like me saying the Mac Pro is useless... Totally useless if I am in economy class and need to conjure up bids and a keynote for the potential client I am traveling to see.

"Almost 100% completely useless." I generally shy away from using percentages (especially the absolute) when preceded by almost. lol.

[Jamesl94]

I think they are awesome little things.

My school teacher has one, he has a Imac at home and he brings his MBA to school.

In that situation that you don't need a cd drive or much memory, it's fine but I would never go out and buy one as a main computer.


James

[scottness]

I think they are awesome little things.

My school teacher has one, he has a Imac at home and he brings his MBA to school.

In that situation that you don't need a cd drive or much memory, it's fine but I would never go out and buy one as a main computer.


James

Exactly. As long as it's used as a supplemental computer, it's perfect for those who need to be mobile and running lower-end apps.

[michael.lauden]

hit! by far!

[Benguitar]

Exactly. As long as it's used as a supplemental computer, it's perfect for those who need to be mobile and running lower-end apps.

I'd buy one only if I had a Mac Pro at home.

Although the type of career I am in I would be better off with a MacBook Pro

[trent0090]

Vote: Poll: MacBook Air: Hit or Miss? (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=569)
Before the upgrade I would say miss, but now with the larger HD I say hit. The Air was a very ambitious product to say the least.

[scottness]

Before the upgrade I would say miss, but now with the larger HD I say hit. The Air was a very ambitious product to say the least.

I realize most may not agree, but I found the HD size of the 1st gen MBA to be fine as long as I didn't put iTunes, movies, etc. on it. I keep all that stuff on the iMac. The graphics update was what impressed me most. I still use my MBA every day, and I've got 20GB of free space... And I have the 64 GB SSD. (I don't need any more people telling me I got ripped off--I've heard it enough, thank you).

I concede, my usage may not be typical, however. If I'm not currently using it, I move it off the MBA. It's perfect for on the road work--for what I do anyway.

[PaperMacWriter]

I think its a hit-in-progress. I feel extremely envious of those who own it, but I have a few issues with it the way it is. In my view, one of these options would stretch the market out to those who complain that the Air is "underpowered":

1) I feel the price is perfectly reasonable, but needs a faster CPU. 2.0GHz would be good for the higher end model, I just think that people should feel that they don't lose anything from the MacBook with it. Seems reasonable since they are paying $750 more for the Air.

2) As great and thin as it is, it costs to much for what you get. If Apple offered a built to order downgrade that could lower the price a little($100 would be good), or just lower the price without loosing anything(again, $100 would be good).

I doubt #2, as Apple is not one to give price cuts(but a little change never hurts), but I feel we can expect to see faster CPUs. My projection for MacBook Air is to see the 1.86GHz *and maybe a 250GB HDD* a processor at the $1,800 price point, and a 2.0GHz *and maybe a 256GB SSD* at the $2,500 price point.
If this happens, its a dead on hit.
SG :apple:

[jamesryanbell]

I think its a hit-in-progress. I feel extremely envious of those who own it, but I have a few issues with it the way it is. In my view, one of these options would stretch the market out to those who complain that the Air is "underpowered":

1) I feel the price is perfectly reasonable, but needs a faster CPU. 2.0GHz would be good for the higher end model, I just think that people should feel that they don't lose anything from the MacBook with it. Seems reasonable since they are paying $750 more for the Air.

2) As great and thin as it is, it costs to much for what you get. If Apple offered a built to order downgrade that could lower the price a little($100 would be good), or just lower the price without loosing anything(again, $100 would be good).

I doubt #2, as Apple is not one to give price cuts(but a little change never hurts), but I feel we can expect to see faster CPUs. My projection for MacBook Air is to see the 1.86GHz *and maybe a 250GB HDD* a processor at the $1,800 price point, and a 2.0GHz *and maybe a 256GB SSD* at the $2,500 price point.
If this happens, its a dead on hit.
SG :apple:

These are pretty much my thoughts almost exactly.

[PaperMacWriter]

These are pretty much my thoughts almost exactly.
Sorry if you posted this earlier, I didn't feel like reading all the pages... But just curious, you said you had almost the same thoughts - what would you do differently? Just curious.
SG :apple:

[appledyl]

Macbook airs are great laptops. Sure, they might not have a cd drive but you could just use another laptop's drive using jollysfastvnc. mbas are great.:apple:

[iPhoneNYC]

Given the price, I think I have to say Miss.

[Goona]

Hit since we see other companies making similar models and in some cases more expensive.

[armoguy94]

It's honestly tough to say that though.. Many who actually need the portability do not find it expensive, I guess.. People who find that affordable regardless of the reason should be donating more to charity than buying a computer that is priced at the extreme and lacks so many features.

[michael.lauden]

People who find that affordable regardless of the reason should be donating more to charity than buying a computer that is priced at the extreme and lacks so many features.

i think you are paying for the design. not the features on this computer.

it still runs fine. and it looks beautiful. so if that's something you can live. i'd definitely upgrade from my MacBook to the MBA

[rwilliams]

I could never see myself buying an Air, even if I had the money to spare. I don't travel nearly enough to justify the cost of that when I can get a MacBook with the same screen size and better specs for much less. Sure, it's gorgeous and lightweight, but it just feels like an overly expensive "toy" to me. But I can definitely see what people love about them.

[macgrl]

Miss for the size get a mb for the price get a mbp:)

[Digital Skunk]

Miss for the size get a mb for the price get a mbp:)

I would have to agree. I don't remember what I may have written almost a year or more ago, but that was when the Macbook was plastic with no backlit keyboard.

Now, with the aluminum, glass, and backlit keys I say get a MB and save $200 for software and such.

Especially if a user is only looking for a portable machine.... 4 lbs isn't that much.

The Air is really only good for showing off and those that JUST NEED an ultra thin portable.

[dkh587]

epic miss. the macbook air is a huge waste of money. it's only to show off to friends. macbooks are just as portable as macbook air, they are a little bit thicker, that's all. for the price of the top of the line macbook air, you could get a macbook pro.

[sn00pie]

The Macbook Air was a hit as far as technologically and innovation wise, however the price point that it was set for was a total miss.

Give me the same package, minus the LED display and backlit keyboard for $999 and you have me sold. Apple totally went wrong with where they priced this laptop in my opinion.

[Digital Skunk]

The Macbook Air was a hit as far as technologically and innovation wise, however the price point that it was set for was a total miss.

Give me the same package, minus the LED display and backlit keyboard for $999 and you have me sold. Apple totally went wrong with where they priced this laptop in my opinion.

If you find a refurbished Rev A you can have all of that and it'll still be $999 in the US anyway.

Give me a Sony TZ Apple Style and keep at the same price for the same specs as the Sony and then it'll be a real ultra portable.

[Sesshi]

Especially if a user is only looking for a portable machine.... 4 lbs isn't that much.

Well - it helps to put it into perspective. The Macbook is a whole Sony P heavier than an Air.

[Digital Skunk]

Well - it helps to put it into perspective. The Macbook is a whole Sony P heavier than an Air.

Hmm. What really brings it to the point is that the P has two USB ports, SD/MS Duo media card reader, and display port inside of that "slightly over a pound" weight.

[akm3]

People who find that affordable regardless of the reason should be donating more to charity than buying a computer that is priced at the extreme and lacks so many features.

And no one should ever buy anything unless it has all possible features, even the ones you don't need, at the lowest possible price. And no one should ever buy art. Or waste any money. They should give it away to needy people.

I agree, Komrade.

[Insulin Junkie]

Interesting that 40% think it's a miss. Maybe that'll change when rev. C rolls around, and its specs will start rivaling that of the macbook.

[jessica.]

Interesting that 40% think it's a miss. Maybe that'll change when rev. C rolls around, and its specs will start rivaling that of the macbook.

I'd venture to guess that many of those 40% don't own or never owned one.
I call it a hit. It does exactly what I need it to do and more. I knew it wasn't a heavy-lifter and therefore, I don't treat it as such.

It is people with these unreal expectations that cannot accept that this is not a MBP.

[ZeroCorpse]

I wouldn't want one. It's too limited for the price. I imagine it's perfect for people who do a lot of traveling, but for me it would be a waste.

[mikes70mustang]

Miss!!!!!!!

[RaskinLives]

Got a refurb model, a great value...given its size and weight, first laptop with unibody construction, great screen, a definite, definite HIT!

[crackbookpro]

miss...I really think if they could stick a CD drive in its' compact design it would be make me think otherwise.

CrackBookPro:cool:

[yizzle0912]

Miss. Would have been better to introduce a 12" MBP for cheaper instead. I wouldn't be holding on to my 12 inch albook if I loved the MBA.

[Saladinos]

Well wide of the target. Small, low-powered PCs should be cheaper. Apple followed the logic of wanting to improve it by having a full-size screen, so the only thing left to improve was to make it thin. Unfortunately, small screens are why ultraportables are popular - that's not the thing to improve on.

Apple would have done better with something like the VAIO P with a smaller bezel.

[puffnstuff]

miss - too big and too heavy

[tempusfugit]

miss

too little power/memory/hd for the price, and without a cd or dvd drive I could personally never reconcile getting one

my macbook is plenty small, and is also faster, has more memory, bigger hd all for 400 dollars less than the lowest end macbook air

[hulugu]

I'm still on the fence on the MacBook Air.

Previously, I thought the MBA was a sexy but doomed piece of machinery similar to the 'flower' iMac and the Cube. However, not only I have observed a surprising number of them at cafes and other places, but I've been riding my bike for fun and exercise and I can say that after a few miles, the weight of my MBP becomes noticeable.

I'm also impressed by the form-factor of the MSI wind and the new HP that has a cellular modem.

So, while the MBA in it's current incarnation might not be right, I wouldn't mind owing something with the weight and screen real-estate, but maybe with an AT&T card.
My iPhone has spoiled me, I expect connectivity everywhere and not just at work, at home, or in a cafe.

[crackbookpro]

miss miss miss...They need an optical disc drive.

thing is junk!

CrackBookPro:cool:

[crackbookpro]

Miss. Would have been better to introduce a 12" MBP for cheaper instead.

They should have/still :confused:

[andyjam]

At first, they hit... Apple's so good at finding the holes in the market, and filling them with irresistible products. But like always, other companies have tapped in, and now the MBA seems like a pretty useless product. All it has on its side is the screen size, processor, graphics and OS. But all the other have the edge with the pricing.

Apple needs something else, and you can bet that it will be different to everything else in the market today. I love my MBA, but a 8-10 inch tablet would really do it for me. Something with everything. eBook, music, HD video, fun solitaire (using the touch screen), WIFI and 3G internet, diary, notepad etc. It would be the product of choice for busy execs, combining everything they need on the move in a small, easy to use package. Great for students, great for everyone else. Imagine leaving home with a small laptop with everything on it!! No other diaries, laptops, notes etc.

AND it would tie in with all the services. A new MobileMe newspapers services. Extended diary and notes capabilities etc...

[fef714]

I can't say hit or miss, but of all the apple products out there, this has the LEAST band per buck.

I know it costs a lot to manufacture, but feature wise, this should be priced around $600. Not the current $1,800

For me a big miss, but I can't speak for others

[Macgirl87]

I like the MBA, but I have to say that my new MB is so light and easy...and doesn't require me to carry around much else, so all in all, I think the MBA was a mistake.

[DunkM]

I say it's a miss. It seems to have just fizzled away.

[janedoe1111]

I want to buy that so bad.

[InvalidUserID]

Miss.

[indiankid]

I'd say it's a miss but thanks to apple's flawless marketing, people are buying it!

[anamznazn]

It's a miss. I'm trying to sell mines off.

[EngramAgility]

miss if it is your only computer

hit if you have another mac and if you use it for travel or using around the house to use the internets and for itunes

[Steven89]

Miss-- with the 13" now in the MP Pro family, anyone who's a traveler would be better off with it (for the most part) as opposed to buying a MacBook Air.

[Not Available]

Well... I'm not satisfied with the fact that my MBP has only 2 USB ports. Four would have been better suited (three left, one right), as one takes my Memory Stick, one my iPod Touch, one my mouse and another one just in case. Also, because I've placed it alone on the right side, a hub can easily be connected to it, without obstructing another port near the one the hub is plugged into. So I could never be satisfied with the MBA which has only got one USB port.

Also, the weight is much more important than thickness in my opinion, so I would have liked it to focus more on dropping weight than making it thin.

Oh, and... by the way, speaking of misses, how are you about Time Capsule? I personally think it's HORRIBLE simply because of the lack of firewire.

[shivermetimbers]

Not much of a fan for the macbook air. Just have little appeal I guess in my eyes.

[rcf-dds]

i really like the "hit-in-progress" stamp:

-I definitely agree with those that say that the MBA was more or less a "flexing of muscle" by Apple just to show how "ahead" they are in the industry... really is an amazing feat of engineering finally having something so thin, yet so powerful

-I'm hoping that the MBA is a glimpse into the future of ALL notebooks, more specifically the MB/MBP lineup where their unibody frame will be as thin as the MBA (in all sizes 13"-17") w/ of course the juiced up computing power respectively for each