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Apple Announces MacBook Air

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My feelings are mixed on the Macbook Air.

This notebook is designed for style rather than function.

I have watched the MacBook Air video guide and this notebook is not a desktop PC replacement.

I find it amusing, the video speaker used a Windows Computer to remotely install CD software for the MacBook Air.

Pros:
-Nice design
-Large Trackpad

Cons:
-No built-in optical drive
-No Firewire
-Only one USB port
-No Enternet port
-No replaceable battery
-Small 80 GB hard drive
-Very expensive
-What happens if the whole OS is messed up? How can Macbook Air connect to a CD drive wireless for a full install?

If I wanted a subcompact that does less than a normal notebook, I would have gotten the Asus EEE notebook.
 
Klaxons2012 said:
steve_ballmer_tongue_funny_nasdaq.jpg


macsrsocool = steve ballmer.
Click to expand...

LOL

I wish this was a little cheaper... but portability comes at a price. I thought the Sony TZ started at $1,999, so $1,799 ($1,899 if you buy the superdrive) isn't *too* bad? I dunno.
 
I want one of these. Only one thing has me hesitating.

RAM: "2GB (onboard)"

The RAM is soldered into the motherboard. No upgrade path, at all.

2GB is enough for what I would be doing with it (this is a PERFECT laptop for writing), but I'm concerned that the hard drive and batter is the same way -- all locked into the aluminum enclosure with no way to get them out and replace them.

I want to start with the regular hard drive and upgrade to SSD as the prices on SSD drop (Newegg has a 32GB SSD drive for laptops for $399, which I'd buy in a heartbeat if I could put it in this myself)... and if the batter is not user-replaceable, then ... well, that's going to make it hard for me to buy, unless its some brand new laptop battery technology they will 1000% GUARANTEE me will be able to last 5-6 years with no possibility of recalls or defects in manufacturing.

But I want one, that's for sure. I think whether or not the hard drive is permanently installed is the deciding factor.
 
The good thing about this is that Apple now has their foot in the door. With this notebook out, they will be able to gain knowledge about this market, and in the future that knowledge will be used for a most-likely better done and more mature lightweight notebook.

I'm disappointed with some of the specs, no firewire, for instance, but I understand that some compromises had to be made. Regardless, this is a step in the right direction.
 
On order

Mine is on order. Basic 80GB 1.6...

I travel allot - with carry on only. Where I travel there is not only restrictions on size of carry-ons, but also weight. I had to leave a camera lens at home because of this restriction.

Now I can take the lens and my computer!

-Brian
 
Ordered 2 units with 1.8ghz / 64GB SSD

I am freakin $6,880 poorer :-(

Anybody knows if the 1-click ordering reserves your place in the Queue even though its an "active-order" only after 90-minutes?


I own a Sony TZ for the past 33months, and its been 20-months since I started my F5-refresh addiction, on MacRumors.com, hoping to switch to an Apple Ultra-Portable :)
 
Heart attack!

If someone sent me one of these in an interoffice mail envelope, I think I would have a heart attack!

Very slick looking. Don't know if it would be my main everyday Mac, but it sure would be nice to lug around.
 
I don't get the people that excuse the missing internals by pointing out you can get the same functionality with an add-on.

Great, I can carry around a ethernet dongle in my bag, an external optical drive, a USB hub, micro DVI adapter, DVI to VGA adapter, external USB sound card, ect. By the time you add on all that gack, you're damn near back to where the standard MacBook is.

It's like the cube all over again.

The average consumer will see it as too expensive.

The professionals will see it as useless.
 
How long before the MacBook Pros get the magnetic latch, multi-touch trackpad and (maybe) black keyboard? I'm waiting with credit card in hand Steve! :mad:
 
FoxyKaye said:
A USB/Ethernet (RJ45) adapter - they're like $30 and an option to buy with the MBA.

Though an ExpressCard slot would have been nice.
Click to expand...

Ethernet doesn't solve the main problem. For those who use computers on the road, being able to get on anywhere can only be done (on a mac) with an express card modem. This machine, beautiful as it may be, is crippled. Ubiquitous WiFi just isn't a reality yet.
 
Dammit, as I expected this thing has gotten me doubting. I was going to sell off my iMac and get a MacBook Pro, but this thing is so awesome... I'm gonna try one out first, see how I like it.

The only bummer seems to be the 1,6 GHz processor... I wonder if it's fast enough.
 
guess I'm not sure who they are targeting with this design.

1. it's going to be SLOW as the reduced heat dissipation simply won't allow full speed for very long. The processor speed curve will resemble a rollercoaster profile

2. it's going to be very fragile. I predict a lot of people stoked when they get it and peeved when they break it

3. limited ports is a bit of a drawback, but i don't see it as being a deal breaker.

I think I just need to hold one in my hands.

However kudos to apple IF their environmental statements are true. I'd like to see that claim analyzed and independently verified.
 
Who would buy it?

Four executives at my company just ordered the SSD version and are dumping their Thinkpads, most are new to Mac. If this is any indication, this thing will be huge.
 
this laptop is just odd, what kind of target audience is this reaching? Why is it between the macbook and the macbook pros? The macbooks and the macbook pros should have just been replaced with the design of this laptop (as close as they could have gotten it)

imagine being a consumer walking into an apple store and never hearing of the "Air", there is not enough there to pursuade anyone to purchase this that is not out of their mind (mac head)

To top it off i think the black keyboard is just wrong,

this is going to come back to bite Apple in the ass, they could have done this a whole lot differently and made a lot more people happy (current and new apple customers)
 
Is it really an integrated battery? Isn't the whole point of a subnotebook for the ease of traveling? What's the point if you can't carry a spare battery. Looks like my next laptop will be a 12" Dell with extra battery and Ubuntu.
 
RZetlin said:
-No replaceable battery
Click to expand...


The footnotes on the MacBook Air specifications page clearly states the batter is replaceable.

"Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. "
 
RZetlin said:
-What happens if the whole OS is messed up? How can Macbook Air connect to a CD drive wireless for a full install?
Click to expand...

Could be either a restore partition on the hard drive, or OS X on a USB stick. Network booting has been possible for decades too...
 
macsrsocool said:
It is too expensive for what you actually get. IMO.
Click to expand...

Try looking at the price of a Vaio TZ though although I agree at $1199 it would have been far more appealing.

On reflection I do wonder who it's aimed at, the MacBook is a pretty small notebook in itself? It's higher specification and has an integrated drive. The only real difference is the half inch in depth and the several hundred dollars extra for the Macbook Air.

When buyers go into an Apple store and look at these two machines next to each other, both with the lid open, will they even notice the difference?

They will sure notice the price difference.
 
Slip said:
Um, no, the MB's is 80GB as well.
Click to expand...

Thank you. Um, you are in fact correct. However, do you have any comments on the actual point of my post? That it's a worse performer than the macbook?

The more expensive macbook comes with the 120gb, but is still cheaper than the air. And, at 4200 rpm it's slower than the MB's drive.
 
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