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Apple Announces MacBook Air
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maverick808
macrumors 65816
I'm quite disappointed. I have an MBP just now and I was hoping for a smaller one. What I would of loved is if they had taken the 13" MacBook, removed the optical drive and put more battery in instead so it lasts 10 hours or more, made it aluminium to match the pro, shoved in a backlit keyboard, that new multitouch trackpad and voila! 13" MacBook Pro.
Mac OS X Ocelot
macrumors 6502a
A quandary: I can pay too much for a tiny laptop, or I can buy an actual computer, like a macbook pro, and spend the next month working out so I don't have to bitch about carrying my oh-so-heavy laptop around.
Don't you think they make the MBP as small as they can make it? If this is a mini-MB and costs $700 more, don't you think a mini-MBP would be an even higher premium (if it's even possible to make)?
UGLY. The Macbook Air is so freakin UGLY. I don't like the color of the keyboard. I don't like that it says "Air" on the screen, very very tacky name and even tackier Apple thought it was ok to plaster it on the screen. I will NOT be buying this.
Sticking with my SR blackbook thank you!!
Sticking with my SR blackbook thank you!!
Well if a MB won't fit in your briefcase, making it thinner isn't gunna help.
Um, no, the MB's is 80GB as well.
That massive screen bezel is heinous. They could have chopped an inch of width and depth off the Air if the screen was more flush to the case edge.
Dimwhit
macrumors 68020
Now, c'mon. Really? You're telling everyone to buy an EEE-PC and you have the gumption to call this a piece of junk? This is a great product, but it's too pricey for it's features. But this is lightyears better than the EEE-PC. That's just straight hating right there.
happydude
macrumors 65816
not from today, the entire market is down today. can we say, recession. thanks, bush.
You're kidding right?
Apple would be stupid to only release a $2700 ultra portable. What's smart is to give people a $1700 laptop, or raise the price by a grand for the SSD.
At least there's one logical post in the middle of this debacle.
This is exactly the niche apple is after. I'll be buying a laptop to complement my iMac and will be considering the Air. Perfect device to throw in a backpack and take with you or lounge on the couch with to browse the net.
One USB port isn't great, but will suffice when using the Air for what it is intended for.
As far as footprint goes, I don't care whether it is a 10", 12" or 13" display as it will have to get put in a bag regardless.
I just ordered one with the SSD.
It fits perfectly with what I need.
BTW, Apple stock always drops after announcements.
It fits perfectly with what I need.
BTW, Apple stock always drops after announcements.
motulist
macrumors 601
Intended market for the MBA = not your typical tech forum member
Yes, for the type of people that are likely to comment in a tech forum, this device probably won't be for you. But that doesn't mean there aren't lots of people who are different than you who are going to be interested in buying this machine.
Basically it's for any group that doesn't have heavy power needs but require a machine that has a great usability interface (i.e. not a 7 inch screen or mini keyboard) and need the machine's design to be stylish for personal or business reasons.
Right off the top of my head I can think of several large demographic groups that'll want to buy this machine.
1) Business executives - need a full keyboard and decent sized screen to do serious business work, but need it to be as small and light as possible because they're always on the go, and need it to look stylish because image is a huge part of the competition in the business world.
2) Personal machines for non-tech people, such as housewives - they wouldn't even consider a laptop that didn't have a decent sized screen and a regular keyboard, but they don't want something to heavy or imposing, and attractive styling is perhaps the most important criteria to this group
3) Secondary machines for desktop users - their heavier computing is already done with their iMac or Mac Pro, but they need a reasonably capable laptop that is so portable that they feel like they can just chuck it in their bag whenever they leave the house.
and many more.
Just because it's not right for the people in the demographic group that frequents tech forums doesn't mean that there aren't tons of other groups of people that this will be perfect for.
Yes, for the type of people that are likely to comment in a tech forum, this device probably won't be for you. But that doesn't mean there aren't lots of people who are different than you who are going to be interested in buying this machine.
Basically it's for any group that doesn't have heavy power needs but require a machine that has a great usability interface (i.e. not a 7 inch screen or mini keyboard) and need the machine's design to be stylish for personal or business reasons.
Right off the top of my head I can think of several large demographic groups that'll want to buy this machine.
1) Business executives - need a full keyboard and decent sized screen to do serious business work, but need it to be as small and light as possible because they're always on the go, and need it to look stylish because image is a huge part of the competition in the business world.
2) Personal machines for non-tech people, such as housewives - they wouldn't even consider a laptop that didn't have a decent sized screen and a regular keyboard, but they don't want something to heavy or imposing, and attractive styling is perhaps the most important criteria to this group
3) Secondary machines for desktop users - their heavier computing is already done with their iMac or Mac Pro, but they need a reasonably capable laptop that is so portable that they feel like they can just chuck it in their bag whenever they leave the house.
and many more.
Just because it's not right for the people in the demographic group that frequents tech forums doesn't mean that there aren't tons of other groups of people that this will be perfect for.
I think alot of people are missing the point comparing it to the MacBook Pro and MacBook, its not suppose to be used as an "Main" computer...😕
I have my MacPro with a 23inch cinema display for games/dvd ripping/work in general....i only use my laptop to drowse the net/ edit powerpoint presentations/ occasionally take it to work at the weekends(A job which my 8 year old G3 Pismo has been doing perfectly)
For some one like me the MacBook Air is perfect!! Nor do i think its over priced, i don't need extra power/weight/cost of a MacBook Pro, yet i really didn't fancy the plastic MacBook (no matter how cheap it is). For £1170 (am in the UK) i can guarantee apple will sell plenty 😎
I have my MacPro with a 23inch cinema display for games/dvd ripping/work in general....i only use my laptop to drowse the net/ edit powerpoint presentations/ occasionally take it to work at the weekends(A job which my 8 year old G3 Pismo has been doing perfectly)
For some one like me the MacBook Air is perfect!! Nor do i think its over priced, i don't need extra power/weight/cost of a MacBook Pro, yet i really didn't fancy the plastic MacBook (no matter how cheap it is). For £1170 (am in the UK) i can guarantee apple will sell plenty 😎
CWallace
macrumors G5
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. 😛
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. 😛
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