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MacBook Airs On Display at Apple Stores, Disassembly Photos
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There's truth in what you say....
The people still bickering about features or the lack thereof forget that today's computers offer VASTLY more capability for the dollar than in years past. We've really reached a point where for most needs, any new computer you can purchase, at ANY price-point, is sufficient to handle them.
Sure, the "power users" and "hardware geeks" out there (and I even count myself in that crowd!) will still be interested in all the technical details. But that's just like with automobiles today, you've got some "gearheads" around who want the best possible performance, and do their car shopping based on 0-60 times, stopping distances, and cornering capabilities. But MOST car shoppers just need something that gets from point A to B. So the decisions come down to things like "price", "style" and perceived "quality of construction".
A lot of the Windows PC makers have figured out how to be successful selling primarily on "low price". (Did wonders for Dell, right?) But few have really grasped the fact that "style" is also important to many customers. I see some attempts made at it, but it probably can't always be done successfully by certain manufacturers. (EG. No matter how stylish and impressive-looking a new desktop PC is, if it's got a Gateway/e-Machines logo on the front of it, people will still ignore it as "questionable in quality". It might well be a really GOOD system, but their legacy overshadows it.)
Apple has the combo of a reputation for decent quality and customer service/satisfaction, AND a good grasp of what makes a computer look "attractive" physically.
The people still bickering about features or the lack thereof forget that today's computers offer VASTLY more capability for the dollar than in years past. We've really reached a point where for most needs, any new computer you can purchase, at ANY price-point, is sufficient to handle them.
Sure, the "power users" and "hardware geeks" out there (and I even count myself in that crowd!) will still be interested in all the technical details. But that's just like with automobiles today, you've got some "gearheads" around who want the best possible performance, and do their car shopping based on 0-60 times, stopping distances, and cornering capabilities. But MOST car shoppers just need something that gets from point A to B. So the decisions come down to things like "price", "style" and perceived "quality of construction".
A lot of the Windows PC makers have figured out how to be successful selling primarily on "low price". (Did wonders for Dell, right?) But few have really grasped the fact that "style" is also important to many customers. I see some attempts made at it, but it probably can't always be done successfully by certain manufacturers. (EG. No matter how stylish and impressive-looking a new desktop PC is, if it's got a Gateway/e-Machines logo on the front of it, people will still ignore it as "questionable in quality". It might well be a really GOOD system, but their legacy overshadows it.)
Apple has the combo of a reputation for decent quality and customer service/satisfaction, AND a good grasp of what makes a computer look "attractive" physically.
I noticed bestbuy.com has removed the MBA from their website. There used to be an ad for MBA with an estimated shipping date of 02/05-02/07 and three shipping choices but their ad for the MBA has completely dissapeared into thin air. Perhaps they are updating their website as the MBA's have now 'arrived' in store. Any sightings at Best Buy stores, anyone? I'm going in tonight to check it out since my nearest Apple store is an hour away.
Just got back from the 
Store.
The MacBook Air is indeed very nice. Very, very thin, and very, very light. The hinges are very easy-going, the screen feels very light when opening or closing the laptop, not like the MacBooks and MacBook Pro's at all.
And the magnet latch is very weak, which means you can open the laptop without lifting it up off the table (in other words, they made the magnet weak enough so that it's strong enough to hold the laptop closed, but weak enough so that it doesn't hold the bottom to the screen when you try to open it).
The keyboard is very nice (I liked the MacBooks' keyboard, so this is no surprise) and does look better in person than it does in pictures.
The screen is just about equal to my MacBook Pro's display. Much better than the MacBooks' display, which is one of the things I disliked about my previous black MacBook.
Overall, very impressive!
Store.The MacBook Air is indeed very nice. Very, very thin, and very, very light. The hinges are very easy-going, the screen feels very light when opening or closing the laptop, not like the MacBooks and MacBook Pro's at all.
And the magnet latch is very weak, which means you can open the laptop without lifting it up off the table (in other words, they made the magnet weak enough so that it's strong enough to hold the laptop closed, but weak enough so that it doesn't hold the bottom to the screen when you try to open it).
The keyboard is very nice (I liked the MacBooks' keyboard, so this is no surprise) and does look better in person than it does in pictures.
The screen is just about equal to my MacBook Pro's display. Much better than the MacBooks' display, which is one of the things I disliked about my previous black MacBook.
Overall, very impressive!
yep yep
you're right on the money!!! I've used the car analogy before, if you have the money you will always go with the Benz even though it doesn't provide all the features of a Honda Civic...if you provide decent specs and a great look you have a GREAT SELLING PRODUCT! it's the American way
you're right on the money!!! I've used the car analogy before, if you have the money you will always go with the Benz even though it doesn't provide all the features of a Honda Civic...if you provide decent specs and a great look you have a GREAT SELLING PRODUCT! it's the American way
I just got back from checking it out at the 14th street store here in NY. It's thin...and...?
It's nice but I got over it in roughly 1.5 minutes. I picked it up, closed it, opened it and then walked away. Totally underwhelming experience. No matter how I slice it, if I purchased the MBA, i'd be paying $300-$400 to DOWNGRADE from my black macbook. I think Apple is seriously misleading the consumer when they position this machine between a macbook and macbook pro. It might be in between in price. But in performance, its the mac mini of laptops. If Apple made a black aluminum 13.3 inch macbook pro, I'll be the first one in line.
I agree that style means a lot, but if I had to use the car comparison as pointed out above, your "simple and basic" car should also equal inexpensive. But if it looks like a ferrari, it should perform like one. I dig my Macbook. I use it at work and at home. And in a sea of Dell laptops, my mac crushes in style. Its is a solid balance between style and performance and price. Apple is is banking heavily that there is a market to sell a Ferrari with a 4 cylinder engine in it.
Sorry folks, I am a huge fan of all things apple. But I need to come to grips with this...the emperor indeed has no clothes.
It's nice but I got over it in roughly 1.5 minutes. I picked it up, closed it, opened it and then walked away. Totally underwhelming experience. No matter how I slice it, if I purchased the MBA, i'd be paying $300-$400 to DOWNGRADE from my black macbook. I think Apple is seriously misleading the consumer when they position this machine between a macbook and macbook pro. It might be in between in price. But in performance, its the mac mini of laptops. If Apple made a black aluminum 13.3 inch macbook pro, I'll be the first one in line.
I agree that style means a lot, but if I had to use the car comparison as pointed out above, your "simple and basic" car should also equal inexpensive. But if it looks like a ferrari, it should perform like one. I dig my Macbook. I use it at work and at home. And in a sea of Dell laptops, my mac crushes in style. Its is a solid balance between style and performance and price. Apple is is banking heavily that there is a market to sell a Ferrari with a 4 cylinder engine in it.
Sorry folks, I am a huge fan of all things apple. But I need to come to grips with this...the emperor indeed has no clothes.
Yes, SSDs are either PATA (the one used in the MBA 1.8 for example) or SATA as some 2.5 inch form factor ones are.
The flash memory in iPods, iPhone, etc. are not the same as an SSD device. An SSD device includes a regular HD type interface.
So you want a black MB clad in aluminium, one pound lighter, as thin as the MBP but please with only a $100 premium over the black MB?
If they priced this $400 more, you would probably cry murder.
And who would buy a 15" MBP if they could get the same thinness, material and specs in a 13.3" package? Quite a few people less. So, Apple should spend money on engineering to produce a product that canibalizes its own higher-margin products with a lower-margin ones?
For the moment. People said similar things about 1.8" hard drives - and it was true until Apple started shipping iPods in record quantities.
The MacBook Air is the first consumer device to offer a large SSD. Until now, there has been no way to judge consumer demand. Now, we will see consumer sales (amount to be determined, of course), and we'll start getting reliability figures, etc.
As consumer demand goes up, the manufacturers will increase production, and prices will come down. Probably not in a few months, but in a year or two, I'd count on it.
Here's just a few pictures of the MBA set-up and USB alarm:
Taken at the Michigan Ave. Apple Store (Chicago) yesterday.
-JDR
P.S. A shout-out for Mac Rumors
:
If you people want to see more pictures, I have a bunch more if you all are interested...
Taken at the Michigan Ave. Apple Store (Chicago) yesterday.
-JDR
P.S. A shout-out for Mac Rumors
:
If you people want to see more pictures, I have a bunch more if you all are interested...
Sweet, its a pretty straightforward swap then when SSD drives come down in price.
I think I'm just about sold on this laptop now, I was concerned about the ability to replace the battery/HD when either got outdated.
The sheer sleekness of this machine makes up for the lack of an optical drive IMO.
None on display or available at Regents Street yesterday. I asked " A week or so "
Don't actually want one, but thought I'd ask for people here.
Doug
Don't actually want one, but thought I'd ask for people here.
Doug
Don't want one either lol - but still want to get my hands on one and have a play.
Also noticed as a side note - that since the 1.1.3 update on the Touch, there are countless pre-pubescent teens now messing up all the iPods in store. Just annoyed me lol.
Also noticed as a side note - that since the 1.1.3 update on the Touch, there are countless pre-pubescent teens now messing up all the iPods in store. Just annoyed me lol.