It has a 13.3" display because Jobs doesnt think anything smaller then that is usable.
The minimalism comes in the limited I/O options and overall uncluttered look.
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15" MacBook Air Under Development?
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It has a 13.3" display because Jobs doesnt think anything smaller then that is usable.
The minimalism comes in the limited I/O options and overall uncluttered look.
Logical in a funny sort of way
I call false but it has an apple-funny sort of logic to it.
Forget about smaller but thicker (aka most sub-notebooks & netbooks) apple's design decision for this part of its portfolio is thin at all costs. I kinda like that move, there's a reason why the Eee's original publicity shot had a model lying face-down on the beach with her head close up to the screen; put a netbook on an airline tray when you're sat upright and you're craning your neck forward like mad to see any detail. (I've used several sub-notebooks back in the day before the netbooks existed: toshiba librettos, sony PC1 picturebooks, etc)
If you accept apple's reasoning (why have something small & chunky at the top of your backpack on top of your other stuff, when you can have something larger but vr.thin slotted down its whole length alongside your other stuff) then a 15'' model makes sorta sense. It gives more room to rearrange the guts, either to put in a long-running, long-life battery (like the new 17'' MBP) or reclaim space for some more ports or even an optical drive if a new smaller motherboard is available. Both of these should improve market-share as they seem to be the trade-off aspects of the MBA that most people complain about, even over and above any views on the form factor.
I call false but it has an apple-funny sort of logic to it.
Forget about smaller but thicker (aka most sub-notebooks & netbooks) apple's design decision for this part of its portfolio is thin at all costs. I kinda like that move, there's a reason why the Eee's original publicity shot had a model lying face-down on the beach with her head close up to the screen; put a netbook on an airline tray when you're sat upright and you're craning your neck forward like mad to see any detail. (I've used several sub-notebooks back in the day before the netbooks existed: toshiba librettos, sony PC1 picturebooks, etc)
If you accept apple's reasoning (why have something small & chunky at the top of your backpack on top of your other stuff, when you can have something larger but vr.thin slotted down its whole length alongside your other stuff) then a 15'' model makes sorta sense. It gives more room to rearrange the guts, either to put in a long-running, long-life battery (like the new 17'' MBP) or reclaim space for some more ports or even an optical drive if a new smaller motherboard is available. Both of these should improve market-share as they seem to be the trade-off aspects of the MBA that most people complain about, even over and above any views on the form factor.
I just want a Mac Mini with a flip up LCD on top and small keyboard right under the LCD. That's all I want. Leave out the optical drive to make it thinner. At home I can use it as a desktop with an external screen and when I need to I can take it with me.
The MB changed my mind.
I'll say this - whatever form the MacBook Air comes in, it's a much better idea than I first gave it credit for. In 2008, I couldn't figure out for the life of me why anyone would spring for an underpowered, feature-light, extremely high priced laptop. After buying a MacBook Pro, however, and toting the thing around on my back for the past several weeks, I totally understand. I spent several hours surveying it the Apple Store and compared to the unibody MacBooks, it's really quite a thing site to behold. When they first game out, Walt Mossberg said that it was "impossible to convey in words just how pleasing and surprising this computer feels in the hand." I must say he was right. For a laptop, it's a totally different experience. If I could get away with using one full time, I totally would.
I'll say this - whatever form the MacBook Air comes in, it's a much better idea than I first gave it credit for. In 2008, I couldn't figure out for the life of me why anyone would spring for an underpowered, feature-light, extremely high priced laptop. After buying a MacBook Pro, however, and toting the thing around on my back for the past several weeks, I totally understand. I spent several hours surveying it the Apple Store and compared to the unibody MacBooks, it's really quite a thing site to behold. When they first game out, Walt Mossberg said that it was "impossible to convey in words just how pleasing and surprising this computer feels in the hand." I must say he was right. For a laptop, it's a totally different experience. If I could get away with using one full time, I totally would.
The Macbook is a much better purchase than the MBA, way more capability for much less cost. It's only a pound and a half heavier than the MBA (and if the next MBA is 15" it won't even have that advantage).
I agree, but those users that think going from the 15" MBP to the 17" MBP is WAY TOO MUCH WEIGHT will be the ones that buy a MBA over the MB.
I agree completely. A couple of weeks ago I actually spent an hour seriously playing with a MBA, and found it's build quality impressive, even compared to the new unibody models. It just feels quality, like Snap-on wrenches compared to lesser stuff, and when it's closed it's just so much easier to haul around. I'm definitely getting one (probably a refurb) to augment my MBP, and it might eventually move me toward getting a MacPro for the desk, and using the MBA for mobile stuff. It's just the perfect machine for my girlfriend, who doesn't need any extra bells and whistles, just something durable, light and reliable running OSX. I honestly think this model will go down as a classic Apple design in the years ahead, even when it's replaced.
The new MBPs...MBs... didn't really grab me that much, I kept going back to the Air.
why do all the "angry professionals" assume that the only pro usersin the world are either artists, musicians, film makers or photographers? Why are all MBA purchases assumed to be executive posers or deluded buyers who are either MB "consumers" or MBP "pros"?
Im a professional, a CORPORATE professional. I need a good screen to work on multiple excel sheets, docs, presetentations and all the other normal things including serious multitasking. I also travel a lot and need to give presentations where projectors may not be available.
MB doesn't cut it. I can't stand the screen and resolution. MBP is way too much power size and weight. I'm about to pick up an iMac for the home and an MBA for my work but don't think I can work productively on such a small screen. So I'm definitely a PRO. What do I buy?
A 15" MBA meets my needs perfectly. I also wanted an apple netbook but my iPhone has met those needs lately. iPhone as my netbook, an iMac or PRO for the house and something light, portable, uncluttered and yes powerful and stylish for my personal work machine.
This is a powerful professional laptop. Different kind of power for a different kind of professional.
eV
Typing this on my iPhone netbook from a remote spot in the deserts of Kuwait on GPRS so pardon language or spelling errors.
Im a professional, a CORPORATE professional. I need a good screen to work on multiple excel sheets, docs, presetentations and all the other normal things including serious multitasking. I also travel a lot and need to give presentations where projectors may not be available.
MB doesn't cut it. I can't stand the screen and resolution. MBP is way too much power size and weight. I'm about to pick up an iMac for the home and an MBA for my work but don't think I can work productively on such a small screen. So I'm definitely a PRO. What do I buy?
A 15" MBA meets my needs perfectly. I also wanted an apple netbook but my iPhone has met those needs lately. iPhone as my netbook, an iMac or PRO for the house and something light, portable, uncluttered and yes powerful and stylish for my personal work machine.
This is a powerful professional laptop. Different kind of power for a different kind of professional.
eV
Typing this on my iPhone netbook from a remote spot in the deserts of Kuwait on GPRS so pardon language or spelling errors.
Further,
I'm slowly becoming a fan of a dual computer household. The family computer for photos, HD movie editing, media server etc and a personal computer bases on your profile and needs which could be either an iPhone, iPod touch, MBA or MBP. I've left the low end consumer MB and the high end professional MBP17 as laptops catering to (for example) college kids or artists that can do double duty with a screen attached. For the rest of us, it's inconvenient to have the family and home computer be the same as the personal one.
In terms of lineup my opinion is that the 13"MB and MBA could be the SAME price and not cannibalize each other. Different sets of buyers. Similar idea for a 15" MBP and MBA. Cater to two types of professionals.
There's certainly some overlap in both ideas but the strategy still works.
eV
I'm slowly becoming a fan of a dual computer household. The family computer for photos, HD movie editing, media server etc and a personal computer bases on your profile and needs which could be either an iPhone, iPod touch, MBA or MBP. I've left the low end consumer MB and the high end professional MBP17 as laptops catering to (for example) college kids or artists that can do double duty with a screen attached. For the rest of us, it's inconvenient to have the family and home computer be the same as the personal one.
In terms of lineup my opinion is that the 13"MB and MBA could be the SAME price and not cannibalize each other. Different sets of buyers. Similar idea for a 15" MBP and MBA. Cater to two types of professionals.
There's certainly some overlap in both ideas but the strategy still works.
eV
How do you define "underpowered"? It's subjective. As long as a computer has enough power to meet the target demographics needs, then it has sufficient power.
Try this. I define power as a great screen, thin and portable to. (assuming I own this mythical 15 MBA). Per MY definition the MB is underpowered in terms of screen and the MBP is underpowered because of weight/size. I don't need the features that make them powerful to OTHER users
Price is an issue but if you make the MBA13 200 more than the MB and the MBA15 200 more than the MBP15, they'd still sell with no canibilisation. Heck , keep them the same price as the fat
equivalent. Different users, different needs.
EV
Try this. I define power as a great screen, thin and portable to. (assuming I own this mythical 15 MBA). Per MY definition the MB is underpowered in terms of screen and the MBP is underpowered because of weight/size. I don't need the features that make them powerful to OTHER users
Price is an issue but if you make the MBA13 200 more than the MB and the MBA15 200 more than the MBP15, they'd still sell with no canibilisation. Heck , keep them the same price as the fat
equivalent. Different users, different needs.EV
It's not subjective. Anyone can compare the MBA's tech specs to the MB and see that the MBA is underpowered.
This wouldn't be bad if it was optional had a 160GB HDD, and a 2GHz processor.
Isn't think kinda straying away from what a lot of people have been wanting, a 9 inch Apple netbook?
Now that I think about that, it would be completely unproportional!
Isn't think kinda straying away from what a lot of people have been wanting, a 9 inch Apple netbook?
Now that I think about that, it would be completely unproportional!
The tech specs that make the MB More powerful don't matter to me or your average consumer so it is subjective. Look I'm on this sure and care about FireWire, graphic cards etc. Most people don't and for the ones that do, buy what you need, right? If I care about a good screen and light weight, the MVA is more powerul for ME.
I think the market thinks in terms of small medium and bug when it comes to laptops. Let's leave the enthusiasts out. Small is MB or MBA, medium is MBP or MBA 15 and large and superpowerful is the 17inch.
iPhone is the netbook. Maybe add a 8 inch iPod touch and there's an easy lineup
eV
I think the market thinks in terms of small medium and bug when it comes to laptops. Let's leave the enthusiasts out. Small is MB or MBA, medium is MBP or MBA 15 and large and superpowerful is the 17inch.
iPhone is the netbook. Maybe add a 8 inch iPod touch and there's an easy lineup
eV
That it doesn't matter to you doesn't make it subjective, it just means that it doesn't matter to you. That the MBA's specs are underpowered compared to a MB is an easily demonstrable fact. You find other factors persuasive enough to buy an underpowered laptop, that's all.
We're quibbling and that isn't my intention. Perhaps someone else can help explain what I'm getting at. Power or specs are variables that make a laptop under or over powered by your definition. Thinking out of the box ... Add weight and portability to the variables in addition to ports, drives, graphic cards etc. The equation changes.
Once you add different consumers with different needs to the mix, the equation changes even more and over or under powered IS subjective based on an individuals perspective.
But again, we're quibbling over details. I do see the point of the 15 inch MBA and would be one of many buying it.
eV
Once you add different consumers with different needs to the mix, the equation changes even more and over or under powered IS subjective based on an individuals perspective.
But again, we're quibbling over details. I do see the point of the 15 inch MBA and would be one of many buying it.
eV
I agree, that saying it's underpowered may be subjective and at the mercy of the user, but the same goes for anything. Like the MBP being too heavy or too much power for you.
I think the MBP is underpowered compared to other machine out there, especially the 17" MBP. The Air may be just what you need, but when you look at the rest of the tech world it is an underpowered machine. For you, myself, and others that have a need for it it's just what we need, but it is overpowered.
The same thing goes for the Mac Pro. It's an overpowered machine, especially given that a good deal of professional graphics and video software can be run on an iMac. But having that "overpowered" tower means more than just having a faster machine. Just like having an underpowered Air means more than having a machine that's clocked slower than a machine almost twice it's weight.
I apologize for the rambling.
I guess the guy who shoveled a 350 cubic inch 350 hp v-8 into a Ford Focus figured it was underpowered... Of course it now can do the quarter-mile much quicker, minus the comfort, handling, economy and reliability...
Sure, I'll get all the comments about the Focus being crap... etc. but then there's the guy who did something similar to his Honda Accord... and we could go on and on... Whether something has enough power all depends on what you're going to do with it... otherwise how much is actually enough? There's always something bigger and more powerful, but does it really matter?
I'd jump on a MBA 15" if they came out with one... it's more "powerful" than an iPhone..
Sure, I'll get all the comments about the Focus being crap... etc. but then there's the guy who did something similar to his Honda Accord... and we could go on and on... Whether something has enough power all depends on what you're going to do with it... otherwise how much is actually enough? There's always something bigger and more powerful, but does it really matter?
I'd jump on a MBA 15" if they came out with one... it's more "powerful" than an iPhone..
I agree with you here.
I would not call it a failure, but it was too minimalist.
And yes, while I think FireWire should have been included (and would have been a much better solution for the external SuperDrive and TargetDisk mode), the point was a small, light, netbook-like product.
Firewire just wouldn't have worked for the MBA. It was 1 USB, 2 USBs, or nothing at all. I'd rather it have an extra USB than a FW400 port, and by this current revision we'd have lost it anyway.
If the MBA OS is corrupted, you are totally screwed, literally.
You have to take it apart to fix.
If it had FW, even the tiny iLink 4 pin connector, you are good to go!
This is very true. I like having the reassurance of a FW port, as TDM has saved my bacon numerous times in the past. Also nice as I still have several FW mobile HDDs.
As for a 15" MBA, I'd just prefer a decent 13" MBA, you know one that supports more than 2GB of RAM, has the option of a 256GB SSD, the same 7-hour battery tech of the 13" MBP, and has a screen unplagued by papyrus-like lines. Is that asking too much of Apple? Apparently so.
I'm about to buy my first unibody. Having said that, I actually prefer the airs design! The matching aluminum bezel, and a normal trackpad FTW!