Apple Announces MacBook Air

[homeboy]

Thin = Best

Apple has manged to create zoombies who are noncritical and fall in love with everything that's thin. What many people don't have in the back of their minds is that:


Thin = Scarifies

Not only that but in most cases thin doesn't mean smallest either. This laptop is thin but is by no means the most portable laptop on the market. It might fit in a large A4 document envelope but it doesn't fit in a small bag like many of the 11 and 12 inch laptops out there.

 

[janstett]

Shoot your employer for using 802.1x for basic authentication. Your backbone at work should be broken down by various levels of security, each inside it's own DMZ. Then using wireless isn't as much of a security risk.

My employer invented 802.11. They're too cheap to change the infrastructure. And from what I understand, a lot of universities are still using 802.1x.

It worked in Tiger, they broke it in Leopard. It's Apple's problem to fix.

 

[Selenolycus]

By the way, I really love the software they created that lets you "borrow" the optical drive of another computer. How cool is that!

I've been able to do this forever... it's just not as cutesy as it is with MBA.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Two:
1. It should have a longer battery life over HDD. So maybe 6 or 7 hours for SSD. Oddly Apple hasn't broken this out.
2. Saves a few more ounces in weight. So will the SSD be more like 2.7 or is the SSD 3.0 and the HDD more like 3.3. (I forget the actual weight savings in ounces of the SSD or a 1.8 HDD.)

So then for an extra $100 you can get an extra hour or two battery life. You know if they just made the battery user accessible like a normal laptop you could get 6-7 extra batteries for $1000.

 

[bloodycape]

But isn't the Sony UMPC very very expensive as it is? For that tiny screen ... prohibitively small for computing for me.

The Sony can start around around $1500(for a new but slightly older model with like a 30 or was it 40gb hd) and can go up to about $2800 for a 64gb ssd model(hard to find state side). However, you can get one with a 48gb ssd for $2500. My point is that the 64gb SSD option(and even the 32gb ssd when that was new) was like $700 extra over the 60gb(currently).

 

[meagain]

Not exactly:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...io+tz&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1179877038490

At $1850 with an optical drive, better battery life, and 100GB HDD (though missing some neat-o Air features), they're both quite comparable, depending on your needs. Though people seem to be forgetting the Toshiba Portege R500 ( http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/pdet.to?seg=HHO&poid=385257&coid=-33781 ) among others.

I really like the apple design and the price-point makes sense, but the large screen bezel, lack of at least one more USB 2.0, lack of ethernet without adapter, lack of mic in, black keyboard instead of white, and questionable iPod HDD have me thinking twice.

-Ado

"I'm" not forgetting the Toshiba r500. My husband has one and it's total cr*p. The display is so bad I deem it as defective/inexcusable (it's how it's supposed to be). He paid $3k for the thing. Apple's version will smoke it.

I think people aren't getting the fact that those who'll buy this have a beefy computer somewhere in their home. Shaving 2+ pounds off the weight is a big deal IMO.

And, what about the touchpad - multi-touch. No one's talking about that for some reason. An awesome feature I personally didn't expect to see today.

 

[Horst]

Posted this in another forum as well, and am partly repeating myself, but what the heck .

What surprises me is how people consider the MBA ultraportable, it's exactly the same size as the MacBook .

A little thinner, a little lighter than the MB, but not even close to the 12" PB where it matters in terms of portability, especially since you need a big fat sleeve to protect it anyways.

It's just a luxury gadget, overprized, underpowered and under-speced; I hope it will fail and we'll see a really ultraportable, usable, full-featured laptop in the future, where thickness and design aren't the only virtues.

A big step back in Apple technology, imho, just when I thought they have become competitive - and then some - with the PC market.

Imagine the MBA, a little thicker, with external optical drive (99$ extra ? No problem with that), decent harddrive and CPU plus graphics card, firewire and more USB slots, 12" display with a thin bezel for real portability. Would it be heavier ? Hardly; what does an HD, CPU, GPU weigh ?
The extra ports (FW) will increase thickness a tad, like a PB Ti maybe ?

A lot more powerful, usable by both pros and consumers, sturdier, a lot smaller than the MBA, approx. same weight, same keyboard size.
Compared to the MBA SSD option, cheaper too.

Just realized I'm describing a 12" MacBookPro ...

And to all the people who reject opinions of those who this MBA thing 'is not made for', that's not only a lame argument on a forum meant for open discussion, it also ignores the likelyness that this strongly anticipated product is wrong not only for those who have an interested in decent computing hardware, but for the 'avarage' consumer as well.

Those just don't realize they are getting screwed by getting sold a pricey, stylish laptop that might satisfy their basic needs now, but will not allow for anything beyond that .

They might also soon realize that 2 pounds of weight saved isn't that much really, and the MBA takes up just as much space in their bags as most other laptops with up to 15" displays.

Only those other laptops are both a lot more functional and powerful.

 

[macenforcer]

I'm sorry but this macbook air is useless.

- Only 2gb memory
- ipod hard drive
- no firewire
- 1 usb port
- huge screen bezel
- not really that thin, its tapered.
- battery not replaceable


TOOO EXPENSIVE!

Looks like the only thing I am buying is the new airport with hard drive. Now thats a nice product.

Apple really screwed up here. They should have atleast updated the macbook pro with a new casing and gesture touchpad. The non removeable nature of the macbook pro's hard drive is a deal breaker. I swap them alot.

 

[clevin]

By the way, I really love the software they created that lets you "borrow" the optical drive of another computer. How cool is that!

it is cool, it also means you need to buy another computer to support a already over priced MBA. Its strange....

 

[puffnstuff]

I don't even get why he used the sony tz to compare to the dell xps would have made more sense. I do not care about the optical drive although it really would have been nice better yet have the option for an extra battery or optical (but that would have ruined the thinness). The 13.3" screen size is just to0 much if it was 11" the price would have been justified.

 

[Digital Skunk]

someone tell me....what's the point of having a SOLID STATE drive when:

1. i don't plan on dropping my Air...and i probably will never drop it since i'm THAT careful with my laptops.

2. the Air has 5 hour battery life versus the Macbook's quoted "6 hours".

3. It costs over $1,000 extra.

??????

the only PROs I can think of are:

1. maybe better read/write time

2. less chance of physical HD failure

3. less heat (whoop-dee-doo).


edit: Apple's stock be dropping, yo!

SSD makes the notebook go MUCH faster.... not like that crap iPod HDD that runs at 4200 rpm. That is a backwards step in drive technology. I found that the SSD Apple is offering for a grand is smaller than the ones that are 2.5".... Apple's is 1.8"

PROS:

1. Cool looking.
2. Didn't go with an ultralow processor
3. Full size keyboard for those of us that do a lot of typing
4. Full size screen for those that don't like squinting

CONS:

1. Could have been a touch lighter (competitors have beaten 3.0 lbs with an internal drive).
2. Could have had a touch more battery life.
(Cons 1 and 2 may be ameliorated with SSD, will see).
3. Could have squeezed in one more port.
4. Non replaceable battery (totally understand why this is the case however).
5. Curious why it could not have been closer to 11.5 inches in width.

ANNOYANCES:

1. Lack of detail on spec differences
2. Lack of detail on battery size and weight
3. Two week wait with lack of preview at present in stores (to check things like how hot it is underneath or get a sense of build quality).
4. No sense of sound quality.

Come on.... I am no big Air Book (that's what I will forever call it) supporter but I can guarantee you that it will suck worse than even the 15" MBP.

This is why I am going for a larger MBP though... the 17" is hopefully going to be a beast in the next 6 months.

 

[ywshang]

I absolutely agree with you, but I don't think people want to spend $1,800 to check their email. The problem is the price vs. performance - it's fine to offer a lightweight, stripped down option - but then you can't charge "pro" prices for it. I think that's where most of the disconnect stems from.

Well, slim version laptops, despite its stripped down settings, do usually get a higher price. Take sony ones for example. But I did hope as well that Apple could have done better than the rest. If the price was set lower, the air certainly would sell a whole lot better. Right now, it's just an Apple version of the eye catching but seriously not quite worthy Vaio. A bit disappointing.

I guess what they were thinking was if the price of Macbook Air matches that of the macbook, it would leave people almost no reasons to buy a macbook then. I actually had hoped that they could replace the macbook with the macbook air at the same price, and promote the macbook into a pro version while maintaining its current form factor (ideally updated with an aluminum case and a dedicated video card) and enjoying a slight price increase. Then everything would be just right.

 

[Jonny427]

And Apple gets away with charging $1000 for a 64GB SSD.

Newegg has a 64gb SSD for $1533. $1000 is a steal, especially coming from Apple.

Since I DO work with video however, I am VERY disappointed that Apple didn't update the now 4 years old displays or lower their prices,

Yes i'm quite disappointed too. Just a lower price would help me feel better.

 

[Nausicaa]

Man, I can't believe the complaints here. They make one thing clear to me though. Apple's big mistake wasn't announcing the MacBook Air - it was not updating their other product lines to satisfy the broader market.

Clearly though, some of you need to calm down and wrap your minds around the fact that this product DOES have a market. I'm a college student living in the city studying Accounting, and I know that this product will be useful to me, and people like me. I've been using my old 12" iBook G4 (800 mhz!!) at school because it's a small machine, and it does what I need it to do (spreadsheets, documents, presentations, music, internet). I honestly can't believe people are saying this machine, at 1.6 GHZ with 2 GB of RAM is going to be too slow. Maybe for Final Cut HD and some high end Photoshop work, but I can personally say that after using a machine less than half as fast as the Air for the last 5 years that it will be more than fast enough for me. Honestly, when Steve started talking about the speed, I was surprised by how fast it was!

Laptops don't HAVE to be desktop replacements, and in fact it makes more sense if they aren't. I have a nice iMac as well - and that's how I've dealt with the iBook for so long. I have no need for 3ghz quad core processors and a gazzilion USB ports while in class or in the library.

Regarding the size. Obviously, a lot of you don't live in the city. I can see how if your idea of "portability" is just throwing your laptop in the backseat of your car and driving around, the logic behind designing something thin but with otherwise average dimensions might escape you. The fact is, I carry huge textbooks (2000+ pages) around all day, and the 1" G4 is pretty bulky and adds a lot of bulge to my shoulder bag. The reduced weight and thinner profile will make it much easier to slip into a bag, and be much kinder to my shoulder. It doesn't matter if the height and width dimensions aren't tiny, because NO MATTER WHAT, I"m gonna have to put it in a bag - and the Air fits in any normal sized bag easily without sacrificing keyboard functionality and screen size at all.

Some of you also need to understand that this is the FIRST product of many. I think this product has vision more than anything. Despite my defense, I don't plan on buying one of these because of the price, and the small harddrive. BUT, I can appreciate the fact that in a couple of years the Air could be a fantastic product for everyone. Apple is just getting their foot in the door early, and trying to establish a name for themselves in an up and coming market. And while the price is high, I am positive it will drop significantly within the next 6-8 months.

 

[clevin]

SSD makes the notebook go MUCH faster.... not like that crap iPod HDD that runs at 4200 rpm. That is a backwards step in drive technology. I found that the SSD Apple is offering for a grand is smaller than the ones that are 2.5".... Apple's is 1.8"

.... MBA's default 80g HDD is 4200rpm, $1799

 

[Hmm]

it is cool, it also means you need to buy another computer to support a already over priced MBA. Its strange....

I believe that feature of the MBA was designed for people who already have another computer, or at least have access to one.

 

[erik.wahlstrom]

Apple or Dell?

Lets see I could buy a Dell xps M1330 or for another $500 I get:
-1/2 an innch thinner
-1 lb lighter
-crappier CPU
-1/2 the hard disk space
-slow as hell disk
-poorer video card
-no DVD drive
-non-replaceable battery
-poorer battery life
-no ports
-no exernal display capability
-no upgradeable parts

Yeah yeah, but "it fits in an envelope"TM!

 

[Macinva]

macsrsocool....

Christ, would you shut the hell up with your stupid posts? You've posted like 20 times in this thread and contributed nothing. I'm sick of seeing your negative crap every other response.

I for one like it but have no room for it in my line up at this point. It's an engineering work of art though.

 

[Digital Skunk]

I'm sorry but this macbook air is useless.

- Only 2gb memory
- ipod hard drive
- no firewire
- 1 usb port
- huge screen bezel
- not really that thin, its tapered.


TOOO EXPENSIVE!

Looks like the only thing I am buying is the new airport with hard drive. Now thats a nice product.

Apple really screwed up here. They should have atleast updated the macbook pro with a new casing and gesture touchpad. The non removeable nature of the macbook pro's hard drive is a deal breaker. I swap them alot.

I don't think the Air Book is useless, it's just REALLY REALLY NICHE.... which means I won't be buying one for myself.... EVER. I'd rather get a super Black Book with an user upgraded 7200 rpm drive.

Either way... I agree that the Time Capsule is the most useful and Professional product released. I wish they gave the MacBook Pro as much attention as the iPhone.... they would really increase other's interest in the MacBook line.

They could have given users a 14.1" widescreen MacBook.... that may have helped them as well.

 

[sdds]

Hell compared to the sony,,, it is a freaking steal!

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...Id=8198552921644507782&parentCategoryId=16154

A-***ing-MEN, brother! Their top model sport the same SSD as the MBA top model, but a 1.33 GHZ processor, looks effing cheap and only ships in like 2 months. Nice try, Sony!

 

[gkarris]

Lets see I could buy a Dell xps M1330 or for another $500 I get:
-1/2 an innch thinner
-1 lb lighter
-crappier CPU
-1/2 the hard disk space
-slow as hell disk
-poorer video card
-no DVD drive
-non-replaceable battery
-poorer battery life
-no ports
-no exernal display capability
-no upgradeable parts

Yeah yeah, but "it fits in an envelope"TM!

Congratulations. You have posted yet another reason the mods should ban "Dells are better" posts.

http://www.ihatedell.net

 

[hobbbz]

I wonder, do you think there'd be a way to hack an AEBS or TimeCapsule to have the external superdrive be accessible by the MBA? That would be ideal for me, then I know I always have access to a drive at home without having to plug it into the MBA.

 

[darngooddesign]

Why would you need a massive sleeve? Apple's laptops are very sturdy. My iPhone has lived in my pocket, sans case, for the past six months and it still looks new. My Powerbook G4 was taken all manner of abuse and still looks great. I have no problem believing that the MBA will be fine is whatever bag you would have bought for a thicker and smaller laptop.

The only real dowside is the sealed battery. Everything else is perfectly acceptable for a thin laptop.

 

[Gurutech]

I think that, in the airplane scenario, the non-removable battery is a valid criticism. But I can't see this as a deal-breaker strictly speaking. It is a potential weakness for frequent fliers who use their laptops at more than 4 hours at a stretch.

with frequent moving around, extra battery can provide peace of mind.

A totally subjective criticism - unless you provide us with a specific temperature. Everyone has a different tolerance for heat dissipation, unless your legs are made of wax.

With no hand on experience with MBA, I understand your criticism. Nobody knows how hot it gets. My concerning is based wholey on my expectation. I understand that it's subjective in nature. I expect MBA to be more heat producing than my MBP but no one knows for sure yet.

Get a USB adapter? The lack of built-in slot is not ideal, but it doesn't shut the door on EVDO use entirely.

There's a USB adapter. More bulky and cumbersome than express card adapter and integrated one. But with only one USB port, having to occupy that one port is quite problematic.
That's why I listed heat problem and EVDO under personal preference.

You aren't giving me much credit...you imply that I or others just don't "get it"...maybe you aren't explaining yourself very well? Or perhaps the MacBook Air's attraction lies primarily in it's design rather than it's spec sheet and "tech gurus" are the ones who aren't "getting it", Gurutech.

My point is that Apple doesn't have to make it so thinner with so much sacrifice. They can keep same weight while making it better.
As far as balancing "making it thinner" and "sacrifice", I think Apple went too far for this product.
People have own preference, but the deal breaker for me is non user replaceable battery.

 

[vassillios]

Colour me underwhelmed.

But then again, I have never seen the point of paying (what is likely to be) a huge premium for a vastly inferior machine technology-wise. And by the looks of it, one that's going to be so utterly breakable and snapable that you'll pay a fortune on repairs. At 6'2" and 220 pounds my 17" MBP is almost entirely useless without an external keyboard/mouse. I can imagine trying to do anything useful on this machine. Makes a nice portable DVD player though... oh wait... not unless you buy an external Superdrive that takes up the only USB port and costs an extra $100.

The MacBook Air sounds nice... but the reality of the situation leaves quite a bit to be desired.

what the hell does height and weight have to do with how uselful the keyboard and trackpad are??? I'm 6'3 and I occasionally use an external mouse on my 15" mbp...and that's only for gaming...oh wait...I only weigh 190 pounds....i guess that's the reason.