The Macbook Air: You're all really poor

[meagain]

OP - I agree with your assessment. I bet you're right.

Oh Look what Pogue wrote.....

"The new MacBook also runs cool, can use Windows and wakes from sleep in one second. Finally, of course, it’s free from viruses and spyware, and comes without any installed junk heap of trialware.

Even so, the Air isn’t for everyone. Bargain hunters, feature counters and people who don’t see the value of elegance — in general, the same people who despised the iPhone before it came out — would be better off with a bigger, less expensive, more complete laptop. Thanks to the small drive capacity, limited connectors and missing DVD drive, the Air doesn’t make a great primary computer, either.

But as a satellite machine for travelers, executives and presenters, it’s spectacular. Full-size screen, full-size keyboard and five-hour battery in three-quarters of an inch? Get psyched; this laptop is a razor-thin slice of heaven."

 

[etorres]

Geez, why are people getting all worked up over the price. When compared with most any other ultra portable in the market, which mostly START at around $2,000, it is a good price. Most other ultra portables have chips that are much, much less powerful than the one the MBA has for more money.

Those of you that complain about the "lack" of features miss the point entirely as to what the MBA is all about. The ultra portable has always been geared to a niche market that value style, portability and elegance over performance. The MBA was never meant as a primary computer or as a replacement for the macbook. If you want value for your money then the macbook is for you. If you want power and performance, then the macbook pro is your cup of tea.
As for me, I am just a poor med student who fell in love with the MBA as soon as I saw it. I have an 24" iMac which I use as my primary computer, but I was in desperate need for a laptop. I plan to use the MBA for web surfing and school stuff, so power is not what I'm looking for. I normally have to carry a LOT of books around so weight and portability is important to me. I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination, but I feel the MBA was made for people like me.

 

[v-ault]

Geez, why are people getting all worked up over the price. When compared with most any other ultra portable in the market, which mostly START at around $2,000, it is a good price. Most other ultra portables have chips that are much, much less powerful than the one the MBA has for more money.

Those of you that complain about the "lack" of features miss the point entirely as to what the MBA is all about. The ultra portable has always been geared to a niche market that value style, portability and elegance over performance. The MBA was never meant as a primary computer or as a replacement for the macbook. If you want value for your money then the macbook is for you. If you want power and performance, then the macbook pro is your cup of tea.
As for me, I am just a poor med student who fell in love with the MBA as soon as I saw it. I have an 24" iMac which I use as my primary computer, but I was in desperate need for a laptop. I plan to use the MBA for web surfing and school stuff, so power is not what I'm looking for. I normally have to carry a LOT of books around so weight and portability is important to me. I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination, but I feel the MBA was made for people like me.

I'm in the same boat as you except for the fact I think the Macbook Air is no where near durable enough for my purposes. It's going to dent and it's going to scratch and look ugly after long periods of movement. That's why I went for the Macbook.

 

[bluelight]

@ bluelight

Well I think you're on to something there...

MBA is a statement about where Apple (and SOME of the industry) is headed.
Multi-touch trackpad in all MB and MBP? YES
LED back-lit screens in all MB and MBP? YES
More SSD offerings as it gets better? YES
Non removable battery in all MBP? NOT GOING TO HAPPEN

I think it's reasonable to say MBA will get better, but eventually as tech progresses all MB and MBP are going to get better. I do not see Apple continuing with 3 lines of notebooks in their current form, period. As tech moves forward the Air concept will be absorbed, or the other offerings will be altered in a away that makes them more unique.

...Anyone thinking multi-touch tablet?

Some very fair statements.

BUT PLEASE, NO TABLET! People are calling the MBA a toy... I guess that would make a tablet trash. I just don't like tablets tbh

 

[bluelight]

I'm in the same boat as you except for the fact I think the Macbook Air is no where near durable enough for my purposes. It's going to dent and it's going to scratch and look ugly after long periods of movement. That's why I went for the Macbook.

Do you work construction?

 

[v-ault]

Do you work construction?

Well, no, but I had a MBP (made out of aluminum too) and a year of lugging it all over my campus, inside a case might I add, caused it to get multiple dents and scratches.

 

[davidnaquino]

Some very fair statements.

BUT PLEASE, NO TABLET! People are calling the MBA a toy... I guess that would make a tablet trash. I just don't like tablets tbh

Haha, I don't want one either really. If I have an iPhone, an iMac, and hopefully soon a MBP, then why should I need one?

I'm glad we've come to some agreement.

 

[bluelight]

Well, no, but I had a MBP (made out of aluminum too) and a year of lugging it all over my campus, inside a case might I add, caused it to get multiple dents and scratches.

usually when I buy something, such as the macbook i have now, i treasure it for about 2 months and then start whipping it around like its nothing

you're probably a perfectionist and can't stand to use a damaged computer, and I am too, but i always just replace mine once they're worn

you have to stay up to date anyways

 

[bluelight]

Haha, I don't want one either really. If I have an iPhone, an iMac, and hopefully soon a MBP, then why should I need one?

I'm glad we've come to some agreement.

They remind me of those LeapFrog games for toddlers, and the iPhone is enough touchy fun to last a life time

 

[v-ault]

usually when I buy something, such as the macbook i have now, i treasure it for about 2 months and then start whipping it around like its nothing

you're probably a perfectionist and can't stand to use a damaged computer, and I am too, but i always just replace mine once they're worn

you have to stay up to date anyways

yeah, I guess you could say that. I felt like my MBP was a piece of trash after all the dents and wasn't proud of it.

I don't wanna take that risk with the MBA, especially when I know Rev B, C, etc are going to be much better when those flash drives get cheaper, bigger storage, and are in Apple's base models. The current model at 1.8k is not future proof at all, and I can't afford the 3k model, especially when it is only 64gb. This should all change in the future when flash drives become standard, much cheaper, and when apple shows they can make it work fine with their journalized file system.

 

[bluelight]

yeah, I guess you could say that. I felt like my MBP was a piece of trash after all the dents and wasn't proud of it.

I don't wanna take that risk with the MBA, especially when I know Rev B, C, etc are going to be much better when those flash drives get cheaper, bigger storage, and are in Apple's base models. The current model at 1.8k is not future proof at all, and I can't afford the 3k model, especially when it is only 64gb. This should all change in the future when flash drives become standard, much cheaper, and when apple shows they can make it work fine with their journalized file system.

I feel like I should wait for the next gen, but I just need to have this... now. LOL

 

[meagain]

I'm in the same boat as you except for the fact I think the Macbook Air is no where near durable enough for my purposes. It's going to dent and it's going to scratch and look ugly after long periods of movement. That's why I went for the Macbook.

Wow - were you at MacWorld and handled one already?

 

[sushi]

Um, NO. Some of us will always need the optical drive. some of us won't. We all have different needs. You can't please all of the people, all of the time. Choice is all.

Exactly.

The MBA is not for those who want an internal optical drive. Simple.

Individuals who want an internal optical drive should look at the MB or MBP.

And if you want the MBA and need to have an optical drive, you can either get the external one or connect to a Mac or PC optical drive.

"A fool and his money are soon parted."

When I read these threads I get the feeling that some folks are jealous that others can purchase the MBA and they can't. So they try to justify their view by knocking the MBA.

To these folks I would offer, that regardless of maker, the smaller and lighter type laptops cost more than the mainstream ones for what you get. This is along the same lines as you can purchase a desktop with more power than a laptop at the same price.

But how many want an ultra portable?

I would say that there is a large untapped business market that Apple has been missing.

There are many mobile professionals who need a capable laptop to take with them. The MBA fits this need. And because you can boot directly into Windows, we may see some Windows centric organizations going with the MBA.

 

[bluelight]

@sushi: THANK YOU


When I read these threads I get the feeling that some folks are jealous that others can purchase the MBA and they can't. So they try to justify their view by knocking the MBA.

you got it right on

 

[Engage]

Call me an idiot, but the way everyone is trashing the MBA makes me want to buy it even more.


If you can't afford it, don't try to convince yourself that it is a crappy machine by pointing out all of its flaws. The MacBook Air, when finally shipped, will function perfectly for what it is meant for.

No... that's really not the case. In fact, i've been trying to convince myself why i should buy it. You're right it will function perfectly what its meant for -- reading emails and surfing the web... the same things you can do on an iphone for 400 bucks or a much cheaper laptop. Its not even any more portable than the macbook pro. Its footprint is huge and i don't care how thin it is if it wont fit into my backpack. I'm not looking to carry this thing around in an envelope. I was looking forward to switching to apple this macworld, but apple missed the mark in my eyes and im not so sure im ready to do it. Hopefully they will up the bar, in terms of style (that border around the screen and black keyboard are horrific) and technology in the following revision. In the mean time I'm curious to see what will happen to this thing.

 

[bluelight]

No... that's really not the case. You're right it will function perfectly what its meant for -- reading emails and surfing the web... the same things you can do on an iphone for 400 bucks or a much cheaper laptop. Its not even any more portable than the macbook pro. Its footprint is huge and i don't care how thin it is if it wont fit into my backpack. I'm not looking to carry this thing around in an envelope. I was looking forward to switching to apple this macworld, but apple missed the mark in my eyes and im not so sure im ready to do it. Hopefully they will up the bar, in terms of style (that border around the screen and black keyboard are horrific) and technology in the following revision. In the mean time I'm curious to see what will happen to this thing.

You're entitled to your opinion, but I don't see what the big deal is about the black keyboard and the border around the screen. Oh well, I think it's a brilliant product.

The difference between the iPhone and the MBA is a full sized back lit keyboard, a 13 inch screen, and you're right, a big price tag, but they are two very different products. They can't be grouped together...

 

[angrynrdrckr]

i'm very intrigued by the SSD option, and i am in the market for a new laptop, but unfortunately i will also be running pro tools 7.0 and ableton live 5.0, and basically every way i have sliced it, the MBA just doesn't cut it. bummer.

 

[v-ault]

BTW, a lot of you guys are underestimating the power of this laptop.

A core solo 1.8 ghz was known to outperform 3 ghz Pentium 4, and people used pentium 4s for gaming, photoshop, and all kinds of things.

The Macbook Pro initially came out with a Core Duo chip 2 years ago and was used for professional work, but guess what, the chip in the MBA is more powerful.

The MBA can do much more than just web surfing and email. It'll be able to handle word processing, photoshop and the likes without a problem.

He'll my parents use their core duo Mac Mini to make movies with iMovie, Word, and all kinds of things.

The MB AIR is plenty powerful, but I just don't feel I'm ready for it yet. When it comes with at least 160 gb flash drives (for cheap), I'll be ready to get one. My Macbook should more than suffice until then.

 

[Engage]

You're entitled to your opinion, but I don't see what the big deal is about the black keyboard and the border around the screen. Oh well, I think it's a brilliant product.

The difference between the iPhone and the MBA is a full sized back lit keyboard, a 13 inch screen, and you're right, a big price tag, but they are two very different products. They can't be grouped together...

I agree completely that they shouldn't be grouped together. But, functionality wise (in my eyes) I dont see how the mba has any ups on the iphone. The iphone keyboard is not as convenient, and the screen is a bit small, but you can still get the basic things done. And looking at the boards around here, it looks to me like thats all that people want the mba for -- as a side laptop that they can use to check emails and surf the web that is portable. I just cant see why someone would want the mba over something like the iphone because they both are limited to the same functions (mostly).

 

[HLdan]

What bluelight doesn't realize is that MacBook Air sales will be modest.

Then, in an effort to rejuvenate the Air brand Apple will lower the price and/or beef up it's hardware.

Ha ha, you are so wrong. LOL. You think Air sales will be low based on the amount of whiners on this forum. For every whiner there are 10 more popping out their credit card.
The Air will most certainly be very successful in sales as nearly all of Apple's computers. Just because you don't care much for it don't say sales will be modest. It's not THAT expensive for what it offers.

You need to check out Sony's latest 11" Tx series. $3699 U.S for approximately what the SSD Air offers but it includes a few more ports and a built in hard drive and separate optical drive. Remember this is a Windows only machine against the Air that dual boots.
Sony expects to sell and they will, Apple expects to sell the Air and they most certainly will.
Price is no object to many people. You can get a very fine Mercedes for a lot less than a Bently with the same features but people buy the Bently for status and because they want it.

 

[teleromeo]

lol You mean people actually work for a living here?
(Sorry, couldn't resist)

we all have to work hard to be able to afford our macs ..

 

[bluelight]

I agree completely that they shouldn't be grouped together. But, functionality wise (in my eyes) I dont see how the mba has any ups on the iphone. The iphone keyboard is not as convenient, and the screen is a bit small, but you can still get the basic things done. And looking at the boards around here, it looks to me like thats all that people want the mba for -- as a side laptop that they can use to check emails and surf the web that is portable. I just cant see why someone would want the mba over something like the iphone because they both are limited to the same functions (mostly).

It will appeal to school students who just need to surf the web and do word processing and stuff of that nature. And students don't want to do that stuff on an iPhone screen. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing all of that stuff on the iPhone, that's for sure.

 

[davidnaquino]

Ha ha, you are so wrong. LOL. You think Air sales will be low based on the amount of whiners on this forum. For every whiner there are 10 more popping out their credit card.
The Air will most certainly be very successful in sales as nearly all of Apple's computers. Just because you don't care much for it don't say sales will be modest. It's not THAT expensive for what it offers.

You need to check out Sony's latest 11" Tx series. $3699 U.S for approximately what the SSD Air offers but it includes a few more ports and a built in hard drive and separate optical drive. Remember this is a Windows only machine against the Air that dual boots.
Sony expects to sell and they will, Apple expects to sell the Air and they most certainly will.
Price is no object to many people. You can get a very fine Mercedes for a lot less than a Bently with the same features but people buy the Bently for status and because they want it.

Initial (first 12 months) MacBook Air sales will be modest. My opinion is based on my personal assessment of the facts, not by a forum. In addition, I would be foolish to consider price alone as an inhibitor for any Apple product.

 

[Hmac]

It's going to dent and it's going to scratch and look ugly after long periods of movement. That's why I went for the Macbook......

.....which will crack, discolor (white) or get shiney in various patches (black). Also, your bezel around the keyboard panel will chip off in various sections.

 

[davidnaquino]

And to set the record straight: My opinion is that whether it's perfect or not, the MBA is impressive when taken at face value.