If Macbook Air was $999, would you buy one?

[sushi]

This makes the assumption that most won't buy it for $1799 and don't like it priced as such. I think that assumption is faulty.

It is well priced in its market (sorry, but this isn't an EEE). It's market is going to really appreciate it.

If you travel and need to be connected, this is a great machine.

Spot on!

no. it still wouldn't have the features that i wanted (larger and faster HD, superdrive)

The MBA is not for you. You need either a MB or MBP.

especially when an EEE would be just as useful.

Yeah right. It depends on what you want to do.

The EEE cannot run the Mac OS nor Windows. So in that regard, it is useless to folks like me.

Duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Obviously this is a ultra-portable notebook, that sacrifices some features for others.

Good points.

I would add, IMHO, the MBA is not an ultra-portable. Rather it is a light laptop. For me, ultra-portables are under 2 pounds.

Don't get me wrong, I like the MBA and may be getting one. Want to see it in person first. But I also like the OQO Model 02 as well. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

 

[macjay]

I have no interest in a MBA at any price. The 12" iBook and PB form factors are superior IMO. Small footprint is what defines portable to me -- not thinness and weight.

When will Apple make a true compact laptop again?

The EEE cannot run the Mac OS nor Windows. So in that regard, it is useless to folks like me.

The EEE can run Windows.

 

[flyinmac]

$999 would still be too much for it's specs.

 

[jnc]

$999 would still be too much for it's specs.

I'm guessing you're thinking "its CPU isn't as fast as the MacBook, and the MacBook's $1099". Once you factor in the usual premiums for new technology and the convenience factor of the MBA's form, plus the offset costs for R&D on this thing - it's a brand new product, not an existing one with new innards - $999 is way too low.

That said, price is my only barrier from already ordering. I'd been gunning for a lighter MacBook sans optical drive. Thought it would carry MBP-style specs however, rather than going ultra-thin and low energy.

$999 is stupidly unrealistic but perhaps something like $1549/£999 (not $1799/£1199) for the 1.6 and $2749/£1749 (not $3098/£2028) for the 1.8 would have made it an easier pill to swallow.

I'm guessing Apple's 'inflated' MSRP incorporates a certain amount of risk protection as it is a new enterprise - once the stiff reception calms down and they start moving a few units we'll hopefully see a price drop.

 

[zephead]

I'd only buy it if it had FireWire and if it was as user-serviceable as the MacBook.

Speaking of FireWire, would this be the first Mac to not have FW since Apple started outfitting all of them with FW?

 

[ntrigue]

I would have bought the SSD with 1.8GHz for $2600 MAX

 

[me_94501]

I use my MacBook as my main machine, so I don't need another laptop. So no, it wouldn't make a difference.

 

[jnc]

I would have bought the SSD with 1.8GHz for $2600 MAX

1.6 with SSD is $2598 with Edu discount if you could survive without the extra 200MHz and can find someone eligible for that who'd buy it on your behalf... you could be onto something!

 

[morethanblood]

the mba would seem way more reasonable with a price tag of $999. however i don't value portability to the point where i would compromise the speed and basic feature of a computer.

 

[sushi]

The EEE can run Windows.

Technically, yes.

But practically, no.

When someone refers to running Windows, they are usually referring to XP or Vista. Additionally, when you run Windows, you want to run Windows apps like Office 2007 and similar.

The EEE PC as it is today, cannot do this.

I would have bought the SSD with 1.8GHz for $2600 MAX

Somehow I find this hard to believe.

 

[MediaRyan]

At first I thought, "Here is apple, at it again, creating amazing new things"

Then I took a step back and thought, "Wait, this thing doesn't even have a friggin optical drive" I hope people "on the go" enjoy hooking up an external drive to install or burn things. Less ports, etc...

However, I've come back again to seeing this from the big picture and realizing this is great to see more innovation and beautiful design from Apple. This is the beginning of something beautiful. Someday we'll be on "MBPs" the size of (or smaller than) the MBA.

Besides that perspective, $999 would not make me get it due to my interest in firewire ports, an optical drive and a dedicated video card. For a person that wants something on the go...3 pounds? Get out of here. Who else makes a laptop that weighs 3 pounds?

Kudos to Apple.

 

[pr5owner]

$1K? no, not when laptops like this are out,

http://www.cendirect.com/main_en/tech_specs_NF5477468.html
this is a canadian price too, not USD

i would buy it if it was $600-$700. but knowing apple they wont dip below 1K probably even after 2 years, if it lasts that long\

but for $700 you can get 2 eee pc's and run any flavor of linux. with upgrades

 

[pr5owner]

Technically, yes.

But practically, no.

When someone refers to running Windows, they are usually referring to XP or Vista. Additionally, when you run Windows, you want to run Windows apps like Office 2007 and similar.

The EEE PC as it is today, cannot do this.


Somehow I find this hard to believe.

not with the 2GB version yes, but most people get the 4GB and the 8GB, on 4GB you can have...

FULL XP, Office 2007 (outlook, ppt, word, excel), nero buring software, antivirus (nod32), bittorrent, skype, MSN/Pidgin, KMPlayer (plays any format known to man kind)

this comes out to about 3GB, and i know this because i just imaged 2 machines and 1 HTPC, the HTPC i used office 2003 and it came out to 2GB and the other machines came out to about 2.9something GB.

NOW.. if you used tinxy XP or Nlite you can get your OS install under 1.5Gb and still fully functional, just without MS's BS, i really dont think Asus is dumb enough to include the XP drivers on the Cd as well as a full how to for the XP install on their eee if the eee wasnt capable of it

 

[iMacZealot]

No. I personally think it's a cool machine, but I need much more power and frills to run Final Cut on a portable.

The size is really its greatest feature. I would assume that most people buying this are buying it mainly for the size and don't need more power.

For example, my dad is interested in giving his MBP to my sister (whose PowerBook is in the iMausoleum) and buying a MBA for himself because he's a doctor and carries his computer around the office, and he doesn't even bring his MBP to work because it's too heavy (and too valuable.) I think an MBA would be perfect for him because he needs something small and all he uses it for is internet.

 

[sushi]

not with the 2GB version yes, but most people get the 4GB and the 8GB, on 4GB you can have...

FULL XP, Office 2007 (outlook, ppt, word, excel), nero buring software, antivirus (nod32), bittorrent, skype, MSN/Pidgin, KMPlayer (plays any format known to man kind)

this comes out to about 3GB, and i know this because i just imaged 2 machines and 1 HTPC, the HTPC i used office 2003 and it came out to 2GB and the other machines came out to about 2.9something GB.

NOW.. if you used tinxy XP or Nlite you can get your OS install under 1.5Gb and still fully functional, just without MS's BS, i really dont think Asus is dumb enough to include the XP drivers on the Cd as well as a full how to for the XP install on their eee if the eee wasnt capable of it

Don't forget your files and other apps that will take up more space. Personally, I carry around more than will fit on the 8GB model.

As a minimalist system, the EEE PC is okay. No argument there.

However, it is not even in the same ballpark as the MBA. Rather than put money towards something like this, I would rather save and have a MBA from Apple. So much more powerful and complete. Plus I can run Mac OS X.

But that's just me.