The MacBook Air Turns 17 Today

[MacRumors]

Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the MacBook Air 17 years ago today at the Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco, captivating audiences with a groundbreaking design that set new industry standards.

Jobs famously revealed the MacBook Air by pulling it out of an interoffice envelope to emphasize its unprecedentedly slim profile. The original model featured a 13.3-inch display, Intel Core 2 Duo processor, and an optional 64GB solid-state drive, which was a rarity for consumer laptops in 2008, in a sleek aluminum unibody design. It lacked features considered standard at the time, such as an optical drive and Ethernet port. The single headphone, USB, and Micro-DVI ports popped out of a small door on the right of the machine. Jobs said:

We've built the world's thinnest notebook — without sacrificing a full-size keyboard or a full-size 13-inch display. When you first see MacBook Air, it's hard to believe it's a high-performance notebook with a full-size keyboard and display. But it is.

Seventeen years later, the MacBook Air remains a cornerstone of the Mac lineup, providing the entry-level point for customers who want an Apple laptop. In 2020, Apple brought its own custom silicon processor to the MacBook Air in the form of the M1 chip, enabling a massive leap in performance and energy efficiency. It completely redesigned the machine in 2022, and added a 15-inch model in 2024. In the first half of this year, Apple is expected to bring its latest-generation M-series chips to the device.

Article Link: The MacBook Air Turns 17 Today

 

[captain kaos]

The days of exciting new hardware, shown to us in a really entertaining way....

 

[BelgianChoklit]

I'm sad they got rid of the tapered design. The new MacBook Airs are fantastic, but I did prefer the old design.

 

[Tig_one]

Incredible how a 17 year old design is still better than today's "design".

 

[Godspeed8230]

I really miss this design. I also miss the backlit Apple logo, the LED indicator on the charging cable, even those tiny little flaps for winding the power cord around the adapter. And I also miss an actual power button.

 

[TurboJobo]

I dont think Apple or anyone on tech has reveal products like steve jobs. I know it sounds dumb in these days but when he took the laptop out of the yellow envelop that was jaw dropping. The same way he took the iPod out of the small jean pocket asking who ever uses that. We need that again....

 

[elessar7]

Bought the original back in the day (2008) Got stopped at JFK airport and security was really puzzled about what was that laptop 😂

Sold it 3 years later because the battery swelled and twisted the keyboard. My experience was mild, cool laptop for everyday tasks, but was too limited for video editing and such.

 

[IbisDoc]

Worst computer ever. Couldn't handle video playback without overheating and stuttering. Criminally underpowered. It was the classic Apple first generation product.

 

[Johnny907]

Incredible how a 17 year old design is still better than today's "design".

Everything but the ports. That was trash. There’s a reason they abandoned that nonsense as quickly as they did.

 

[Johnny907]

Well, would be a great day to announce new M4 MBA line, huh?

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

I remember being at the mall and being gobsmacked on seeing such a thin laptop, compared to my then Dell studio which felt like an ancient brick.

 

[CharlieBoyWoof]

Apple has sure lost its way with Tim

 

[cicalinarrot]

Every time someone gets mad at something Apple removes from products, I remind them that a full-size laptop without a DVD player was considered complete madness back then.
Such a trailblazer.

 

[iBluetooth]

Worst computer ever. Couldn't handle video playback without overheating and stuttering. Criminally underpowered. It was the classic Apple first generation product.

I owned one of the 11" ones and I don't remember that video playback was ever an issue. In fact I bought it out of curiosity of how small it was and realized that after a month that I rather use this small laptop at home, as by the time the Windows tower had spun up and ready for work, I had already finished doing what I needed to do on that small laptop.

 

[Icelus]

 

[contacos]

I miss it. Now it is pretty much the size of a MacBook Pro. At least it "feels" that way without the tapered design.

 

[contacos]

Everything but the ports. That was trash. There’s a reason they abandoned that nonsense as quickly as they did.

Quickly? The tapered design was replaced in 2022.

 

[Mac mini power user]

Every time someone gets mad at something Apple removes from products, I remind them that a full-size laptop without a DVD player was considered complete madness back then.
Such a trailblazer.

Yes. You could actually install programs on a disc by using the DVD-drive of another computer on the same network. It wasn't until 2010 that the rest of the Mac lineup started following the MacBook Air in removing the SuperDrive. Once again setting a trend for the industry.

 

[Mac mini power user]

I owned one of the 11" ones and I don't remember that video playback was ever an issue. In fact I bought it out of curiosity of how small it was and realized that after a month that I rather use this small laptop at home, as by the time the Windows tower had spun up and ready for work, I had already finished doing what I needed to do on that small laptop.

The 11 inch debuted as part of the second generation, which was released in October 2010. That's the model that most people got to know and love, as it had a lower price, SSD as standard, and more ports on the sides of the Air.

 

[DMG35]

If it had ProMotion it would be the perfect laptop.

 

[alphaod]

The first gen MacBook Air was such a horrible computer but the design of it was really unique and kicked off so many good copies that followed... and now companies actually producing competitive thin-and-light powerhouse laptops to this day.

I had the 80GB HDD version. The SSD version way too crazy priced for me. Even crazy is the I sold that same machine in 2010 for $1000!

 

[iBluetooth]

If it had ProMotion it would be the perfect laptop.

Also more expensive. You need to weigh the value for the customers that are targeted

 

[muasachi]

I still own the first design but with 128GB SSD (Mid 2009).
And it still works great!!!!
I keep it with Snow Leopard, and it works like a charm.

Never regret owning one

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I really miss this design. I also miss the backlit Apple logo, the LED indicator on the charging cable, even those tiny little flaps for winding the power cord around the adapter. And I also miss an actual power button.

Beancounter: cost savings here, cost savings there, more cost savings if we cut that, and still more if we cut that. Now offer what is left at “same great price” or higher so we can bask in the glory of “another record quarter.” Some fans may not like some of these “nice touches” cuts- some may even complain about it- but they always roll over and buy anyway. 💰💰💰

Create some accessories so that customers can buy back utility we cut out, charge hefty premiums to maximize profit, knowing that at least some customers will assume they should just buy such accessories from us. 💰💰💰

Other fans will rationalize anything we do… evangelize it… defend us against the personal opinions of the first group (for zero comp by the way)… and call us geniuses. We ARE geniuses! Geniu$e$!

 

[green_diyos]

The laptop that popularized / made mainstream: ultrabooks.