Apple Announces MacBook Air

[wrightc23]

13" is not ultraportable... I don't care what anyone says.

I agree it definitely isn't an ultraportable. In terms of height and width it's largely the same size as a MacBook. A Sony TZ is physically far smaller. An ultranotebook is defined by it's weight, height, width as well as depth.

Steve Job's would probably have been more accurate comparing it to the MacBook or Vaio SZ.

That's not intended as a criticism, I'm sure it will sell. It's a niche product which falls somewhere between a sub and ultranotebook and I can see it for many being an ideal compromise.

Still disappointed no MBP update. I'm guessing a spec bump will probably happen within the next couple of weeks along with 10.5.2. I guess it makes commercial sense not to announce all your updates in one day but rather it allows Apple to gain prominent publicity over several weeks.

 

[bmk]

Off topic - but anyone noticed in all the hullaballo over the Air that there's a bunch of updates available in Software update (Quicktime, iTunes, FrontRow iMovie)?

 

[macsrsocool]

Apple performed a major ripoff.

Once again, Steve Jobs goes back to his million dollar home in a Rolls Royce laughing his butt off because he just fooled thousands into buying a MBA that:

1. Will warp and break easier than the MBP.

2. Has no wifi coverage setup

3. Lame battery life all things considering. (Heck, I get 5 hours on my SR MB...)

 

[tirant]

No ethernet
No Firewire
Just 1 USB port.

Not for me...

I need an ultra-portable Computer, but with a mininum number of connections. Having just USB and Audio Out is ok for a casual user... but I don't think the price really is. $1799 is on professional price segment, and this mac lacks everthing a pro needs.

 

[sharpeiboy]

Lost me on no optical!

No optical drive included, but only a $99 accessory for external.

And small.

I don't like the OPTINOAL optical... seems sort of junky, and NECESSARY (for me at least):


1. How would I install new software?
2. I travel and watch DVDs on my current laptop all the time.

 

[Spritey]

Apple is out of touch with what actual computer users need in terms of hardware.

Apple stock is not reacting well to this turd of a computer.

It's obviously geared towards people who aren't power users involved with gaming, video editing or large-scale image editing, but primarily use their computer to surf the net, send e-mails, create presentations, write reports and that happens to carry it around a bunch from meeting to meeting, or from home to office. Moreover, they don't need a lot of storage, as most of their files are probably going to be powerpoint, keynote or word files... Also, they probably have secondary storage on some office intranet...

That's who I think this computer is geared towards... I know a whole lot of people this computer would be perfect for.

And students (i.e in management, political science etc who primarily write papers and reports) who can afford to fork up the money to buy MBA versus the MB. Most students have an iPod where they can put their songs and movies on, and that's really the most space consuming items in the average student's computer.

Apple's obviously not targeting the same crowd with the MBA as they are with the MBP - it's called cannibalizing... And soonish, I believe, the MBA's innovative solutions will spill over onto the MBP, and eventually the MB.

 

[bjdku]

Wireless Data Cards?

Why didn't they include a way to use AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, or any wireless data network? There are SOOOOO many people in the ultraportable world that depend on those services to get internet connections, not WiFi.

 

[darthvedder81]

Not a fan of the name at all. "MacBook Nano" would've been a better choice and fit in with the already existing Apple naming scheme.

As for the product itself, the MacBook Air is underpowered and waaaaaaay overpriced. It literally should be $1000 cheaper than it is. I'm not sure the market Apple is going after here. It's too expensive to be a consumer device and too underpowered and feature-deprived to be a viable option for a pro user. It does look cool and I'm sure it's well designed and constructed but that's about all that's going for it. It's a perfectly good idea for Apple to ditch the optical drive and ports and go after the Web browsing/Email/Word processing crowd, I'm just not sure you can charge $1800 for something like that.

Maybe I'm just bitter that we still don't have a 16 gig iPhone. It's your call Apple, I'm holding out until you make one...

 

[pjrobertson]

Uk Store back up,

Pricing is £1200!!! That's $2370. No fair

 

[recordprod]

$1799 = £900 roughly yet on Apple Store in the UK it's £1200.

 

[JesterJJZ]

Meh...too little for too much. I see no point in such a product.

 

[Klaxons2012]

It is so small it will break easily. You watch. This forum will be flooded with "I broke my MBA and I only opened it slowly!" threads.

macsrsocool = steve ballmer.

mods, get the ban hammer.

 

[sk8ordie]

Would have been nice to have ONE firewire port. At least you can daisy chain firewire. Just because of that I'd have to pass.

Yes, the Air is quite amazing but no firewire is the deal killer for me.

I am in need of a laptop and was waiting for today to see what was announced. I think a 15" MBP will suit my needs better.

 

[macsrsocool]

It's going to break easier than the MBP!!

MacRumors will be flooded with threads like:

"OMG my Macbook Air is warped and bent up but I just opened the screen slowly, honest!!"

 

[zoozx]

Can't see why anyone would buy this instead of a macpro if they do there homework. Just silly.

 

[Jonny427]

Honestly though I think this MBA is a beast, ugly as sin. It looks like an HP in terms of coloring.

Who at Apple thought a black keyboard was a good idea on a machine that isn't black?

Lame.

The screen is very unattractive too.

Jesus Christ, you have commented 10 times in this thread about how much you hate it. Please move on...

 

[stevesidea]

It's super sexy .

Too bad it's also super useless; at the exact same size of a MB it's a little thinner and lighter, both doesn't really improve portability by much, if at all. You'll need a really strong and well padded sleeve to keep it safe.

No firewire, integrated graphics, slow HD and processor, big size at a fairly high prize; it can't be used by professionals, who but Apple nerds and trust-fund kids will buy that thing ?

A successor of the 12" PB, now that would have been something to drool over; this Air is one to go with the other gadgets in Apple's lineup, an overprized, oversized internet toy.

Poor example of form over function all the way...

Sadly, I agree.

Not to discount this amazing achievement in portability (and saving on shipping costs, etc.) but its usefulness escapes me right now. But I love the track pad... I wish they'd just include a track pad to the right of all keyboards (for imacs, etc.) and throw the mouse away forever.

 

[xVeinx]

To all the naysayers:

This is designed for a specific market. This is for people who need basic functionality from a computer but need it to be light and small. The keyboard and size are a big improvement over previous subnotebooks! These are not for people who need a pocket 48-node cluster. Even then, these processors will be penryns, and as such will have an increase in performance of about 5% at equivalent clocks over the previous generation. Whether 1.8 Ghz or no, they will be just fine in terms of performance. The ONLY problem mentioned that I think holds water is the Ethernet comment, although the people who would use this probably wouldn't have access to wired ports anyhow. Having some sort of Edge or other inclusion might be nice, but all that is very company specific. My guess is that you will see a USB attachment come out that allows for either ethernet or wireless tech.

 

[djinn]

The Idea is great! but the functionality is lame.

It would've been sweet if they announced iphone tether. That would've completed the AIR concept.

 

[julianbc]

I wonder if it would be possible to enable the MB and MBP with the same multi function touch pad capabilities via software update. That would be big time!

 

[Jonny427]

With respect (seriously), a little bit more...perspective...is in order.

Why does Apple make the MacBook and MacBook Pro? Why not just one model?

Why do they make the Mac Mini and the Mac Pro? Why not just one model?

Why not just offer the iMac instead of the MM and MP since it's all-in-one which is the simplicity and ease of use that are Apple design hallmarks?

Why do they make the iPod Shuffle, the iPod Nano, the iPod Classic, and the iPod Touch? Why not just one model?

Because each device appeals to a different market.

Just because someone does not see a need for it where others do, this does not mean the product itself sucks. It just means it's not for them.

A number of people were arguing for just this form factor and feature-set and if Apple had come out with something bigger and heavier and more capable, they'd be in here bitching about it, instead.

Apple chooses not to please everyone all the time.

If you really want "something for everyone", run Windows on a PC.

Perfectly said, thank you. The Macbook Air is definitely not for me, but I can understand who its for.

 

[hierobryan]

no its not, your macbook is faster, and has more storage space, how is that obsolete?

exactly. my thoughts of macbook regret are gone. all that extra $$$ for what? thinness? hahaha... no thanks. i'd take a plain macbook over the Air any day.

 

[Small White Car]

I don't like the OPTINOAL optical... seems sort of junky, and NECESSARY (for me at least):

1. How would I install new software?

You use your desktop's drive.

 

[Ugg]

It's amazing how MWSF announcements always bring out the long term newbie trolls.

On topic. This is way cool and only the beginning of Apple's push to create the wireless home or office.

 

[karleaglemac]

.
Just because someone does not see a need for it where others do, this does not mean the product itself sucks. It just means it's not for them.

A number of people were arguing for just this form factor and feature-set and if Apple had come out with something bigger and heavier and more capable, they'd be in here bitching about it, instead.

Apple chooses not to please everyone all the time.

If you really want "something for everyone", run Windows on a PC.

Well said.