Apple Announces MacBook Air

[ungraphic]

It doesn't do it all, doesn't have a Express slot like the MBP, doesn't do gaming anywhere as well as the MBP, doesn't have a backlit keyboard, doesn't have as high a screen res as the MBP, and if you can carry a MacBook you can certainly carry the MBP unless you are a pathetic weakling.

Wait you mean that not all of those things are important to you? Apply some of that clever logic to the AirBook.

1) Ive yet to meat someone who uses express

2) Dont compare a powerhouse laptop as the MBP, that thing pisses all over your airbook and regular macbook. if i were to spend that much money, with the intent of playing games on a laptop, (or not) id get the macbook pro. seeing how most people DONT play games on laptops, because the experience is pretty miserable, and by gaming i dont mean your crappy OS X ports with ****** frame rates, your argument is useless.

3) the high res screen, again, your comparing the MBP, i was not. stay relevant. the airbook doesnt have it either, what are you complaining about?

4) the backlit keyboard....lol, hardly an absolute necessity. why would you even bring it up?



And finally, for logical and rational purposes.....if you can carry any of the mac laptops, you can carry the other two without a problem. if you think the airbook is now the holy grail of laptops because it is so thing and great for your needs, than YOU must be a pathetic weakling.

get real, the ONLY thing that makes the macbook air is its size. apart from that, for that price, the specs are CRAP considering the comparison to a normal macbook.

 

[darngooddesign]

I posted this somewhere before but can't find it anymore: what, in people's opinions, are limiting factors to a notebook such as the MBA, which has been stripped of the optical drive. I mean the fact that it's thicker toward the end than in the front, is this mainly due to a single component, or multiple ones?

Its thicker toward the end because they have to put things under the keyboard. Also, I don't think they could have reduced the size of the bezel around the screen unless there were a larger, higher res 13.3" LCD in production; and as we know from the 14" iBook just increasing the size of the LCD without upping the resolution looks like ass. Most people hated smaller keyboards when Apple last did them, I still have a 2400 that I use and even though I have slender fingers I'm not as accurate on that kb, so without shrinking the keyboard where would they put the ports? Not in the back because people didn't like than on the TiBooks.

 

[ojwk]

No Apple enthusiast wants a MacBook - they are just a poor man's MBP. People try to feel good about themselves that they got the latest santa rosa MacBook and really "thats just as good as the MacBook Pro". They come up with arguments how the MacBook is actually much better for their needs but in the back of their minds they will always wish they could have the MacBook Pro.

That's the impression I get from Apple 'enthusiasts' on this forum and many others. Any comparison between the two ultimately results in the MacBook owner lying that actually they would rather have a MacBook than a Pro because it is down to what they need it for.

Nobody in their right mind would prefer an Intel integrated graphics solution to a proper Nvidia GPU for example. It all comes down to price and that is what MacBook advocates campaign on. Better value etc etc..

Well it seems these MacBook supports are out again to rubbish the MacBook Air - possibly because they are jealous they can't have one but perhaps more likely because they feel resentful for buying a MacBook.

It is therefore the quest of these MacBook owners to attempt any argument that will portray the MacBook Air in a bad light. "MacBook is better value"; "MacBook has better specs" etc etc.. These MacBook owners must defend their decision to buy a MacBook as if they don't they will feel disappointed in themselves and their purchase.

Why can't some people here accept that because a product is sold due to its desirability primarily doesn't make it a bad purchase. Vanity doesn't enter the equation - whilst this may not be the best deal in 'bang for your buck' it is certainly the best option for an ultra portable machine - something the MacBook cannot hope to be. Because somebody buys something because they want one or they like it doesn't make it a bad decision or bad purchase.

In a purely practical sense the MBA has several advantages over the MB. With an average height of 1.17cm (MBA) versus the 2.75cm (MB), you could fit over 2 MBAs in one MB. You may not think the thickness makes a big difference but as the MBA takes up less than half the space of a MB your traveling bag will have a considerable amount of free space.

 

[randyf]

In 1994 I purchased a PB 520 with a 9.5" screen.
In 1999 I purchased a PB 2400 with 10.5" screen.
In 2001 I purchased an iBook with 12" screen.
In 2004 I purchased a PB G4 with 12" screen.

For 2 years now, I have been waiting for a MacBook with:

1. 12" or smaller screen: At home, I port into a beautiful 24" external lcd. On the move, anything over 12" is overkill with diminishing returns (for instance, keeping it open on an airline tray table with the guy in front of you in full recline).

2. All-in-one functionality including ethernet and optical drive: I travel to many places which are not wireless, so I need ethernet capability. I show a number of DVD videos for business, and my customers/clients give me DVDs with corporate information and videos that I need to view/present. And I don't want tote along an external drive or dongles for ethernet. I did that with the PB 2400 which had an external floppy drive and PC card dongle for internet connectivity. Part of being mobile is "grab-and-go" and not having to think twice about whether or not you'll need an optical drive or wired internet – and not taking the extra time to gather up this or that accessory. I want to grab my laptop and have confidence that I won't have to run back to my hotel room for anything I forgot. (Of course need to always have my mini-DVI adaptor on hand, but that and the PB and I'm good to go.)

#1 has been a strike against the MB and MBP. MBA has both strikes against it. Is the market segment I occupy larger or smaller than that of the MBA? Your guess is as good as mine. But Apple did serve my needs with the 12" PB G4. To deny my market segment is to deny the success of the 12" PB G4.

I'll look for some MBA features to show up in the next MB release. I might even have to give up on #1 above and get a 13 incher – the largest laptop in my life.

 

[macdaddy57]

Who cares?

I mean, really, who cares? Yes, it is thin and I give them props for that. But who's this meant for? Based on price, it looks like professionals who travel a lot. But how many of them are there? Most professionals use Windoze. Those that use Macs are gonna need a lot more than 80 gigs of hard drive space. And can you imagine how hot this device will run after streaming videos from YouTube for ten minutes?

I still maintain that the next killer hardware device is an Apple "infotainment" tablet device. It's 8.5" x 11", as thin as the Air (maybe a tad thicker), has built in EVDO/wireless/bluetooth, and can be used for email, webcam, downloading and watching/listening to TV, movies, and music. In addition, you'll use it for reading digital books, magazines, and newspapers. If you see an article of interest, you'll be able to email it to someone and/or save a tagged copy in your digital "file cabinet" which is easily searchable with Spotlight. Add Exchange support and price it around $1,200 and it's "game over." Build a device like that Steve and you'll have to post security guards at every Apple store to keep the crowds back.

All in all, yesterday's keynote was a big disappointment. Unlike previous keynotes in which iPods or iPhones were introduced, I didn't see anything yesterday that I felt I just had to have.

C'mon Steve, think outside the laptop, er, box.

 

[ungraphic]

No Apple enthusiast wants a MacBook - they are just a poor man's MBP.

Wrong.

Processing speed, ram, and mobo are exactly the same on both the macbook and the pro. The only *real* difference is in the video card. If youre working with photoshop, you will not see any performance gain from a MBP.

With that in mind, id get a macbook.

But, that isnt to say the MBP is a ripoff, its got a bunch of other smaller things included with it, its just that things like a backlit keyboard or better graphics card arent exactly what are necessary. The screen resolution though, is rather crucial, id like to see the macbooks get an upgrade in that area.

 

[macbook123]

Its thicker toward the end because they have to put things under the keyboard. Also, I don't think they could have reduced the size of the bezel around the screen unless there were a larger, higher res 13.3" LCD in production; and as we know from the 14" iBook just increasing the size of the LCD without upping the resolution looks like ass. Most people hated smaller keyboards when Apple last did them, I still have a 2400 that I use and even though I have slender fingers I'm not as accurate on that kb, so without shrinking the keyboard where would they put the ports? Not in the back because people didn't like than on the TiBooks.

thanks, but I think this doesn't yet answer my question of why it is thicker toward the back. I'm wondering whether the main limiting factor is the hard drive here. If that's the case, the laptop could have been built even slimmer if it would ONLY come with solid state storage, and perhaps they built it thicker than it had to be because they realized the need for something costing less than $3k, i.e. an option with a hard drive?

 

[darngooddesign]

1) Ive yet to meat someone who uses express

Plenty of my friends use cell cards for access. Not every product is about your needs.

2) Dont compare a powerhouse laptop as the MBP, that thing pisses all over your airbook and regular macbook. if i were to spend that much money, with the intent of playing games on a laptop, (or not) id get the macbook pro. seeing how most people DONT play games on laptops, because the experience is pretty miserable, and by gaming i dont mean your crappy OS X ports with ****** frame rates, your argument is useless.

Lots of people I know run games in emulation on the MBP and the results are great. The results beat the MB hands down. Laptop gaming is fine for me, beats having to pony up for a second system just for games. Just another example of how the MB doesn't do it all. Not every product is about your needs.

OSX ports are completely relevant if you only have the one computer and you want to play all manner of games. Yet another example of your MB not doing it all.

3) the high res screen, again, your comparing the MBP, i was not. stay relevant. the airbook doesnt have it either, what are you complaining about?

You said the MB does it all, I said it doesn't for many reasons.

4) the backlit keyboard....lol, hardly an absolute necessity. why would you even bring it up?

Because its a feature that the MB, "which does it all", doesn't have, and to be perfectly frank its one of the most useful features. I Dj in clubs, I work at night, I am in lots of environments where its a great feature. I would never go back to a laptop without it. Kind of like going back to a laptop that doesn't allow for two finger scrolling.

And finally, for logical and rational purposes.....if you can carry any of the mac laptops, you can carry the other two without a problem. if you think the airbook is now the holy grail of laptops because it is so thing and great for your needs, than YOU must be a pathetic weakling.

That was to counter the mantra that anyone can carry the MB so why would 2#s less matter.

Get real, the ONLY thing that makes the macbook air is its size. apart from that, for that price, the specs are CRAP considering the comparison to a normal macbook.

The size and reduced weight are the main reasons to get it. That's kind of the point behind any ultra portable notebook. Thought that would have been obvious. Backlit kb is really nice as well.

so testy, are you upset that i pointed out how your MB doesn't do it all.

PS. I don't think the Air is the holy grail, but i think a lot of the criticisms I read on here are unfounded. Others are valid. I'm not going to buy one as it doesn't meet my needs, but I do think its great and it hits its mark just about as perfectly as it could have.

 

[darngooddesign]

thanks, but I think this doesn't yet answer my question of why it is thicker toward the back. I'm wondering whether the main limiting factor is the hard drive here. If that's the case, the laptop could have been built even slimmer if it would ONLY come with solid state storage, and perhaps they built it thicker than it had to be because they realized the need for something costing less than $3k, i.e. an option with a hard drive?

Ergonomically it would suck it it were thicker towards the front. There is more under the KB than just the drive. If it were thinner the battery would be even smaller, and when the ports door was open it would be deeper than the Air is thick. I do agree with the cost reason why it didn't come stock with just the SSD.

 

[ungraphic]

darngooddesign; way to take things completely out of context. i said and meant 'does it all' as in, all the things that the macbook air is missing. what the macbook pro has, arent necessities. and playing games on OS X, please, stop right there. This isnt even a valid arguement.

 

[darngooddesign]

darngooddesign; way to take things completely out of context. i said and meant 'does it all' as in, all the things that the macbook air is missing. what the macbook pro has, arent necessities. and playing games on OS X, please, stop right there. This isnt even a valid arguement.

So you mean "does it all" in the things that the MB has but not things the MB is missing? I would argue that a lot of the things the MBP has that the MB is missing are as necessary as an internal optical drive. If you don't have a second computer or want a PC then gaming on OSX is a valid consideration.

These may not be your considerations, but they are perfectly valid considerations.

 

[sdds]

No Apple enthusiast wants a MacBook - they are just a poor man's MBP. People try to feel good about themselves that they got the latest santa rosa MacBook and really "thats just as good as the MacBook Pro". They come up with arguments how the MacBook is actually much better for their needs but in the back of their minds they will always wish they could have the MacBook Pro.[....]

Spot on, exactly my thoughts! Bashing other products has always been a popular form of defending one's investment decisions.

 

[Clive At Five]

Do you honesty think that a bank exec doesn't do her research? The cost of the MB is irrelevant, she wanted the AirBook. She wanted the significantly lighter weight and the overall smaller size. She may not even use the optical drive much, so why should she have to carry one around all the time?

Apparently, no, the bank exec in question does NOT do her research.

The first thing you do when you make an investment is ask whether the benefits justify the costs. You do that be comparing it to your other alternatives:

Benefits of MacBook Air vs MacBook --

2 lbs Lighter.
.5" thinner.
Sexier.
1 - 2 hrs more battery life.
(No optical drive. Benefit if you don't use one, Sacrifice if you do.)

Sacrifices of MacBook Air vs MacBook --

$600+ dollars more expensive.
Less powerful.
Less upgradeable.
(No optical drive. Benefit if you don't use one, Sacrifice if you do.)

From this analysis, we can see that this "cost conscious" lady is certainly not going to put up with those extra 2 lbs and .5 inches, heaven forbid. So obviously the $600 (or more) premium, sacrifice in power & upgradeability and loss of an optical bay is worth saving your back/shoulder from that enormous strain, and backpack/briefcase/whatever from the massive thickness that would've been one inch!

HONESTLY! It's not even a smaller footprint! THAT'S what makes laptops a burden for so many people, NOT thickness.

No one with even an ounce of reasoning ability would determine the MBA to be a cost-effective purchase, I don't care what you say.

There's no use arguing with you though, since you're RDF'd but I'll end this post with something I've said several times, which no one has been able to rebut:

If you couldn't carry a 13.3" laptop before, the MBA doesn't change that. That is why it will fail.

-Clive

 

[Dimwhit]

Congrats, Clive at Five...that may be the most arrogant-minded post I've ever read.

 

[bkvideography]

Tiger on a Intel Macbook Pro was all Apple ever needed. I question sometimes if they are just thinking too much.

 

[darngooddesign]

Apparently, no, the bank exec in question does NOT do her research.

The first thing you do when you make an investment is ask whether the benefits justify the costs...

Obviously the benefits to her justify her costs.

Just because you can't justify the expense doesn't mean she can't. Lets say she keeps it for 2 years, that basically amounts to $25 per month for a significantly less bulky laptop that will make HER life easier. Something she can write off at the end of the year.

Most people can save $25mo be not eating out one night per week.

Do you know for a fact that she isn't going to do that?

Didn't think so.

 

[maxtivoli]

works for me, a fiction writer

My computer is my *entire* business, and that business consists of:

1. taking my laptop to the library, to the office, to readings, and on tour

2. using that laptop for writing novels, email, the web

That's it! I don't use an optical drive; I have never upgraded my old powerbook. It's just not my lifestyle. I haven't bought a new laptop in 5 years because they're too big and heavy to carry everywhere with me (I've got a 12" powerbook now). I've been waiting for something thin, light, and simple--2 pounds lighter means a *lot* when you're standing in the subway, in the stacks, walking home. It's expensive, but it's my only overhead for my business. The main problem is how fragile it is--not how fast it is.

I understand lots of you are developers or gamers. But just because this machine isn't for you doesn't mean it's only for rich snobs. I spend no money on games or extra hardware. I buy used books and clothing. But this--for users like me--might be what I've been saving for. It's not a vanity buy (if I do buy it). For me, it's a practical decision based on very simple needs.

That said, I completely understand why a huge number of buyers would have no use for it. So maybe a little empathy for the other side, eh?

 

[diamond.g]

I did a forum and Google search of this first. It does look like the MacBook Air is using a Penryn processor. The developer notes mention an 800 MHz Front Side Bus and SSE4.

http://developer.apple.com/document...loperNote.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP90004866

See that is odd. From what I have found, the chip is supposed to be of Merom descent. The smaller Penryn flavor hasn't been created as it was supposed to require the Montevina SFF platform. If the MBA in fact can do SSE4 then (unless Intel can retrofit SIMD instruction sets) it may very well be a Penryn chip. Which would mean Apple is being the guinea pig for the transition to the Montevina SFF platform (by using Santa Rosa).

 

[Djspice]

hehe - I am traveling so didnt even discuss the MBA with my wife (who has a MB). I get an email this morning from her with the words, attached to an email from Apple announcing the MBA...

"THIS IS AWESOME!!!! ME WANT!"

I only get emails like this from her regarding Coach purses.

Take it for what its worth...

Are we married to sisters? lol

Does your wife, the banker, realize she could've saved $600 by buying a MacBook; a computer with the same footprint, more power, and Apple's industrial design? Sure you'd have the "burden" of a 1" thick unit and two extra pounds to carry - oh, and having to carry around that darn optical bay... No, certainly that's way too much of a burden to bear for $600, stupid me.

No, DJ Spice, I did not know who this computer was for but now I do: vain fools. Your wife has fallen victim to the RDF and you, being the self-proclaimed "good Apple user" that you are, should be ashamed that you allowed her to do so.

-Clive

Sure she could have saved $600 but that's part of the point, she didn't like the Macbook. It didn't do a single thing for her in the design department. And why, because she appreciates a visually stunning product, does purchasing one make her a "vain fool"? The computer is still functional for her needs. It's not like she's buying a $1700 paperweight. And, finally, I don't know what rednecked part of the world you come from but I don't "allow" my wife to do anything.

Apparently, no, the bank exec in question does NOT do her research.

The first thing you do when you make an investment is ask whether the benefits justify the costs. You do that be comparing it to your other alternatives:

Benefits of MacBook Air vs MacBook --

2 lbs Lighter.
.5" thinner.
Sexier.
1 - 2 hrs more battery life.
(No optical drive. Benefit if you don't use one, Sacrifice if you do.)

Sacrifices of MacBook Air vs MacBook --

$600+ dollars more expensive.
Less powerful.
Less upgradeable.
(No optical drive. Benefit if you don't use one, Sacrifice if you do.)

From this analysis, we can see that this "cost conscious" lady is certainly not going to put up with those extra 2 lbs and .5 inches, heaven forbid. So obviously the $600 (or more) premium, sacrifice in power & upgradeability and loss of an optical bay is worth saving your back/shoulder from that enormous strain, and backpack/briefcase/whatever from the massive thickness that would've been one inch!

HONESTLY! It's not even a smaller footprint! THAT'S what makes laptops a burden for so many people, NOT thickness.

No one with even an ounce of reasoning ability would determine the MBA to be a cost-effective purchase, I don't care what you say.

There's no use arguing with you though, since you're RDF'd but I'll end this post with something I've said several times, which no one has been able to rebut:

If you couldn't carry a 13.3" laptop before, the MBA doesn't change that. That is why it will fail.

-Clive

Clive, this has nothing to do with whether or not she can "lug around" 2 extra pounds. You said it yourself. The MBA is "sexier". Done. That's it. The other offerings from Apple aren't as sexy and that's why she wanted one. What's wrong with that? If I want to buy a pair of Nikes instead of a pair of Reeboks for less money simply because I like the look of them, is that a bad thing? Even if the Reeboks had better tech in them, the Nikes still get the job done but I'm paying a premium for design. What about art? Are you telling me that spending thousands of dollars on a painting that serves no purpose other than to be pleasing to the eye makes me a "vain fool"?

So, I get the fact that this is not the laptop for you. But why does that mean that it can't be the laptop for someone else?

Obviously the benefits to her justify her costs.

Just because you can't justify the expense doesn't mean she can't. Lets say she keeps it for 2 years, that basically amounts to $25 per month for a significantly less bulky laptop that will make HER life easier. Something she can write off at the end of the year.

Most people can save $25mo be not eating out one night per week.

Do you know for a fact that she isn't going to do that?

Didn't think so.

Thanks for the support darngooddesign. It figures that one DJ would come to another's defense.

 

[RoboCop001]

What's that black line on the right side of the front of the MBA?

It's not an IR sensor.... security lock? ... but they don't look like that.

What is it?

 

[Clive At Five]

that basically amounts to $25 per month for a significantly less bulky laptop that will make HER life easier.

Here we go, RDF'ing again.
"significantly less bulky." You're implying the MacBook is a tank when, in fact, it already beats 90% of all laptops for thinness and weight.

So she'll be carrying a cracker that's half as thick and half the weight? It's a cracker already damnitall! "Oh but the new cracker has cut half the bulk! It's WAY better than before." Spin it however you want but anyone with a bit os sense can see that it's idiotic to sacrifice so much for so little.

It's not about weight, it's about IMAGE... just like it was with the Cube. The Cube wasn't a computer. It was a status symbol. "Look at me! I have disposable income!!!"

Vanity. That's all the MBA is.

-Clive

 

[Clive At Five]

What's that black line on the right side of the front of the MBA?

It's not an IR sensor.... security lock? ... but they don't look like that.

What is it?

It's the sleep LED.

You can see it in the "Guided Tour"

-Clive

 

[maverick808]

I fail to see the obsession with making laptops ridiculously small and thin instead of making them better. I think one of the main things anybody wants out of a portable is battery life. Imagine if they took the current MacBook, took out the optical drive and shoved more battery in there instead. The thing would last about 15 hours off one charge. Why is nobody doing this? Am I the only one that cares about battery life on a portable?

 

[RoboCop001]

It's the sleep LED.

You can see it in the "Guided Tour"

-Clive

Are you sure?

When I watched the ad, the sleep light is definitely there but the black line is to the right of the sleep light?

 

[tremendous]

Spot on, exactly my thoughts! Bashing other products has always been a popular form of defending one's investment decisions.

if only ojwk wasn't bashing other products as well...