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The Other (Bigger) Market for the MacBook Air
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If anyone thinks this computer doesn't have broad appeal, you're really missing the point. This is a combination of the 1st gen iMac and 1st gen iPod turned into the laptop realm.
Think about it: Apple had a hit with the iPod, a device that cost loads more than any of the other devices on the market in the same niche. But it was implemented in a sexy way with minimal clutter or complication. The iMac dropped the floppy drive in favor of simplicity and this is doing the same for the optical drive, for not only simplicity but for weight and therefore convenience. Anyone who has an iPod doesn't need to put in CDs all the time and Apple's really hoping if you're watching movies on it you're downloading from them. There's no need for it for the "average" consumer anymore.
And that's EXACTLY the target demographic: the image-conscious consumer who is looking for a simple device, but for whom money is not a consideration on a luxury product such as this. If many women fall into this demographic as well, then that's good for Apple, but I hardly think it was designed with women in mind. That seems more than a bit condescending.
Think about it: Apple had a hit with the iPod, a device that cost loads more than any of the other devices on the market in the same niche. But it was implemented in a sexy way with minimal clutter or complication. The iMac dropped the floppy drive in favor of simplicity and this is doing the same for the optical drive, for not only simplicity but for weight and therefore convenience. Anyone who has an iPod doesn't need to put in CDs all the time and Apple's really hoping if you're watching movies on it you're downloading from them. There's no need for it for the "average" consumer anymore.
And that's EXACTLY the target demographic: the image-conscious consumer who is looking for a simple device, but for whom money is not a consideration on a luxury product such as this. If many women fall into this demographic as well, then that's good for Apple, but I hardly think it was designed with women in mind. That seems more than a bit condescending.
I'd made a similar post on another forum. I think the MBA is the first step in the "next generation" of computing where have an iMac, Mac Pro, or PC "home base" computer and then a small, light "satellite" computer that travels around w/them. Hopefully though it follows in the footsteps of the iMac and not the Newton.
Lethal
Agreed. Hell, I thought the 12" PB could have had a smaller footprint.
Thank you.
Yes, well... this year over the holidays, after reading about my wife's cousin's... ahem... substance experimentation all year, we secretly swapped out the fortune in his fortune cookie with one that simply read "Facebook is Not Private!!"
Hey, it was for the greater good, my Mother-In-Law was about to go into smile-shock trying to pretend that she didn't know about certain things... (she's on FB too, we didn't tell her)For the ladies, a selection from the comments on Seth Weintraub's Macworld Round-up (Yee-haw, a roundup!)
So yeah, that pretty much sums up my wife's opinion of the MBA. But she's a power-user, she'll look at specs before cosmetics.
Probably right about the ladies MBA. Light, expensive, kind of useless, but stylish 'til the cows come home. Like a pair of designer shoes. They can check their hair in the glossy screen, too. Should of come in colors, though. Do they still make, what's it called, oh Sex in the City? If so, the main character will have one asap.
I must agree. My GF was asking for a new MBP at work (we both work together) because it's powerful (mostly for Photoshop and Office) and we travel a lot, but when she saw the new MBA, she instantly changed her mind and wanted one!!!! No need to say that I also want one. So this machine will sell very well...
I got a MB a few months ago for home, and I'm already considering selling it to get a MBA...
I got a MB a few months ago for home, and I'm already considering selling it to get a MBA...
why can't apple design a lightweight rendering station for all those times i feel like designing 3d animated shorts on a plane? no maya, no sale!
WTF?
"Women don't use computers?" Who are you, ... the corpse of Thomas Edison?
I'm a guy, but even *I* want to smack you for that comment.
IMO the reason this computer might appeal to a female demographic is likely because it's a simple, and well-designed tool for computing with a minimum of fuss. When you compare that to the typical overpowered, geeked-out, over-accessorised "road warrior" laptop with all the slots, flaps and extra batteries that you don't really need, it seems to me like the "chick" point of view is actually more rational.
WTF?
Who are you, ... the corpse of Thomas Edison?
I'm a guy, but even *I* want to smack you for that comment.
Hear, hear, and the same for me. There's a lot of sexist bull**** being thrown around in this thread. Women do no inherently want a pretty toy of a computer, just like it's stereotypical and insulting to say that all women spend all their money on shoes or something equally insipid. If everyone could stop insinuating that women are somehow lesser computer users, that'd be great.
$1,800. is a chunk of change, so we all are entitled to have some expectations. My personal feelings are that perhaps the naked emperor Steve and his dongle toting minions have become overly focused on the thin thing. The networks have indeed been running quite a lot of lowest common denominator programming on people losing weight and looking thin. Lost in the myopia was any possibility to tailor this take along for our own purposes. Express card slot=3g modem, fire wire card, whatever, etc. Why is the footprint about the same as a 15" MBP? Insanely Steve, I'm totally with you on the optical drive, battery, somewhat reduced processor and graphics, but your pricing says professional and your features, size, expandability scream Amateur. Should I really just consider this thing a first gen. trial for the fat wallets and adopters of the mode? Or, has Apple mania extended to the point of horseshoes and hand grenades? Just get it close and they'll buy! My darling, I've always expected much more.
The same thing was said about the iPod, and about the iPhone (costs too much, does too little) yet both those products seem to be doing fine now. Will the MBA follow the same path? Who knows, but Apple has certainly earned the benefit of the doubt in my eyes.
Lethal
I haven't seen it said yet, but IMO the single USB port is trying to send a message about mice.
A lot of people when they use a laptop, attach a mouse if they can. It's possible to go it alone with the trackpad, but mice are still very popular and another thing you have to carry with you. Personally, I have always hated the trackpad for it's inaccuracy and general "un-handiness." And the worst part about using trackpads are things like selecting the scrollbar in a window, re-sizing images, grabbing vector handles etc.
The multi-touch trackpad addresses and solves exactly those aspects of the trackpad. Scrolling, zooming, and re-sizing are now easier than with a mouse. It's the first time that you seriously, *really* don't need a mouse IMO.
The single USB port on the Air is telling us "you only need one because it won't be filled up with a mouse all the time." You also won't need to carry a mouse in your bag.
It will have a lot appeal to a lot woman-ish men, too. (ha ha just pulling the old feminist leg, as it were...really...oh, don't pout)
(ha ha just pulling the old feminist leg, as it were...really...oh, don't pout)My wife will be in line for one of those Airs, too.
As for me, I couldn't care less. I wanted (and obviously still want) a tablet Mac. I don't care if it's a 12 lb. brick of a machine. As long as I can draw on it with a stylus, I'm sold.
ModBook's lookin' pretty sweet right now...
-Chilton
As for me, I couldn't care less. I wanted (and obviously still want) a tablet Mac. I don't care if it's a 12 lb. brick of a machine. As long as I can draw on it with a stylus, I'm sold.
ModBook's lookin' pretty sweet right now...
-Chilton
I use a mouse with my macbook pro at work all the time and it doesn't take a USB port. That is what bluetooth is for. Who wants another cord anyways.
- James
Mom and Dad
I know for a fact that my father hates his business style notebook, it's slow, it hasn't any battery stamina, and he hates lugging it around on flights to meetings each week. He'd love to get another notebook, but this is the only one approved by his company, as it is company issued. Maybe apple and corporations need to work better together for issues like this? The MB Air seems to solve a lot of the issues my father has with his notebook.
My mother on the other hand, has very little experience with computers, but once I got a MB, she took notice. When I offered to install a desk top on the desk at her home, she said flat out "No" because a big lumbering CPU and monitor would look terrible. I know a mac mini wouldn't look bad at all and I wouldn't have to cut holes for wires so I could hide a CPU in a drawer, but this MB Air would solve all of that! Mom doesn't need peripherals, and I know a regular MB could do the job as well, but something this thin could look like art! She'd impress all of her girlfriends, who then would demand their husbands get them on as well.
I know for a fact that my father hates his business style notebook, it's slow, it hasn't any battery stamina, and he hates lugging it around on flights to meetings each week. He'd love to get another notebook, but this is the only one approved by his company, as it is company issued. Maybe apple and corporations need to work better together for issues like this? The MB Air seems to solve a lot of the issues my father has with his notebook.
My mother on the other hand, has very little experience with computers, but once I got a MB, she took notice. When I offered to install a desk top on the desk at her home, she said flat out "No" because a big lumbering CPU and monitor would look terrible. I know a mac mini wouldn't look bad at all and I wouldn't have to cut holes for wires so I could hide a CPU in a drawer, but this MB Air would solve all of that! Mom doesn't need peripherals, and I know a regular MB could do the job as well, but something this thin could look like art! She'd impress all of her girlfriends, who then would demand their husbands get them on as well.
swingerofbirch
macrumors 68040
WTF?
Who are you, ... the corpse of Thomas Edison?
I'm a guy, but even *I* want to smack you for that comment.
IMO the reason this computer might appeal to a female demographic is likely because it's a simple, and well-designed tool for computing with a minimum of fuss. When you compare that to the typical overpowered, geeked-out, over-accessorised "road warrior" laptop with all the slots, flaps and extra batteries that you don't really need, it seems to me like the "chick" point of view is actually more rational.
I'm not sure whom you're quoting. I didn't say "women don't use computers." It was a quote that came out of the blue. What I said was the opposite of sexist: that computers should NOT specifically be designed for women. And beyond that, I said that I don't see many women using computers. That's not sexist. If it were sexist, I would have to somehow imply that using a computer is virtuous and not using one is a vice.
Hmm not sure what you mean? If I've misspelled something then I'm sorry but I'm from Norway you see!
It's actually not "that" expensive in the base configuration (if you're a girl that don't care about the specs that is)!
Hmm not sure what you mean? If I've misspelled something then I'm sorry but I'm from Norway you see!
Sometimes people forget that not everybody on the internet is a native English speaker. Best to let it go.
What you wanted to say was "if you're a girl that doesn't care about the specs"; "doesn't" being short for "does not." "Don't" is short for "do not"
Girls do not care, a girl does not care.
Don't worry about it, when I try to conjugate verbs in French I sound like a two year old.
I haven't tried Norwegian, but I can order lunch in 17 languages.
I have to agree on his point. I've talked to friends who are young [particularly female] professionals (23-30), and they've mentioned that they want a MBA (without me even bringing it up).
In many ways I think this is the iPhone effect; taking what was previously a very limited, "power user" device (in that case smartphones) for business users and making those features accessible enough to appeal to everyone.
In many ways I think this is the iPhone effect; taking what was previously a very limited, "power user" device (in that case smartphones) for business users and making those features accessible enough to appeal to everyone.
it is amazingly funny how people who are nerdy enough to post messages and blogs about technology are so myopic they can't see there are entirely different demographics out there.
in my family/extended family there are six mac users
wife, mum, dad, sister-in-law, father-in-law and myself
my mum, myself and my father-in-law there's no way the air will work. it's not even an option. nowhere near powerful enough, not enough connections. my sister-in-law is a student and can't blow $1700 on a laptop
however
my dad travels a lot, hates computers, hates wires, hates lugging around a ton of stuff. the air is so perfect for him i'd be surprised if he hasn't already ordered one.
my wife is another; she takes her computer back and forth to work. the printers are wireless, the network is wireless. i'll upgrade he from the macbook later this year.
even i would think about one if my business travels picked up again. dragging around even the macbook is a pain when you travel 3-4 times a month.
in my family/extended family there are six mac users
wife, mum, dad, sister-in-law, father-in-law and myself
my mum, myself and my father-in-law there's no way the air will work. it's not even an option. nowhere near powerful enough, not enough connections. my sister-in-law is a student and can't blow $1700 on a laptop
however
my dad travels a lot, hates computers, hates wires, hates lugging around a ton of stuff. the air is so perfect for him i'd be surprised if he hasn't already ordered one.
my wife is another; she takes her computer back and forth to work. the printers are wireless, the network is wireless. i'll upgrade he from the macbook later this year.
even i would think about one if my business travels picked up again. dragging around even the macbook is a pain when you travel 3-4 times a month.
Macbook Air kinda makes sense now...
Personally, I was disappointed with the MBA because I was so hoping for a replacement to my aging 12" Powerbook. What was Apple thinking? Who was this MBA designed for? It certainly wasnt me.... boo hoo.
After a few days now and reading a score of disappointed opinions, it kinda makes sense. Look, if you first saw it and thought one of the following:
Mmmm, what are the specs? I will have a look on the Apple website.
...then its NOT FOR YOU.
Where is the optical drive!? How am I suppose to play DVDs or burn CDs?
...then its NOT FOR YOU.
Gasp! How am I suppose to replace the battery!?
...then its NOT FOR YOU.
Urrggh! How am I suppose to upgrade the memory!?
...then its NOT FOR YOU.
Glossy screen!? Where is the matte option? How can I design looking at this thing?
...then its NOT FOR YOU.
How will Final Cut Studio perform with this processor?
...then its NOT FOR YOU.
Ive realised, it is neither really for students, mac fans or professionals. If you are a student, it would be wiser to get a Macbook because that is the range that offers the best value. If you are a professional, that is what the pro range is for. As for mac-fans you would be clued up with the latest technology and understand instantly that it is not really a defining and cutting-edge product, and most likely give it a miss.
The Macbook Air is simply a LIFESTYLE product.
It is for the same market who would look at a Bang olufsen and think, wow, thats stylish... I want one!; For those who are simply not interested in the specs, connectivity or even price. It is an intuitive choice -- hence, probably, why so many females would like one at first sight (e.g. my wife was really interested in the advert and wanted to see one straight away) Males, generally, are more power and technically orientated of the human species.
I think Apple designed this specifically for travelling business executives/seniors (light/portable with minimal specs) and the lifestyle conscious (stylish and wireless). For those with high-finances who are willing to pay for style, convenience and would potentially spend lots on the iTunes store -- especially now they have a deal to rent movies from all the major movie heavyweights. Plus, the design of the MBA is funneled for the owner to inevitably spend lots on wireless peripherals it needs since it only has one USB: remote control, airport express or time capsule, wireless might mouse, etc.
So, if you happen to have a business executive wife! It would be an ideal Valentines day present for her ...gift-wrapped with a few-hundred dollars worth of iTunes vouchers would be perfect I think. (I am sure that would make Mr Jobs extremely happy).
As for the rest of us. There is still a void in the pro range: a 12" or 13" Macbook Pro. I am starting to wonder if this will ever be filled. Come on Apple, where is that sub-notebook that packs a punch? A massive market is waiting for this!
Personally, I was disappointed with the MBA because I was so hoping for a replacement to my aging 12" Powerbook. What was Apple thinking? Who was this MBA designed for? It certainly wasnt me.... boo hoo.
After a few days now and reading a score of disappointed opinions, it kinda makes sense. Look, if you first saw it and thought one of the following:
Mmmm, what are the specs? I will have a look on the Apple website.
...then its NOT FOR YOU.
Where is the optical drive!? How am I suppose to play DVDs or burn CDs?
...then its NOT FOR YOU.
Gasp! How am I suppose to replace the battery!?
...then its NOT FOR YOU.
Urrggh! How am I suppose to upgrade the memory!?
...then its NOT FOR YOU.
Glossy screen!? Where is the matte option? How can I design looking at this thing?
...then its NOT FOR YOU.
How will Final Cut Studio perform with this processor?
...then its NOT FOR YOU.
Ive realised, it is neither really for students, mac fans or professionals. If you are a student, it would be wiser to get a Macbook because that is the range that offers the best value. If you are a professional, that is what the pro range is for. As for mac-fans you would be clued up with the latest technology and understand instantly that it is not really a defining and cutting-edge product, and most likely give it a miss.
The Macbook Air is simply a LIFESTYLE product.
It is for the same market who would look at a Bang olufsen and think, wow, thats stylish... I want one!; For those who are simply not interested in the specs, connectivity or even price. It is an intuitive choice -- hence, probably, why so many females would like one at first sight (e.g. my wife was really interested in the advert and wanted to see one straight away) Males, generally, are more power and technically orientated of the human species.
I think Apple designed this specifically for travelling business executives/seniors (light/portable with minimal specs) and the lifestyle conscious (stylish and wireless). For those with high-finances who are willing to pay for style, convenience and would potentially spend lots on the iTunes store -- especially now they have a deal to rent movies from all the major movie heavyweights. Plus, the design of the MBA is funneled for the owner to inevitably spend lots on wireless peripherals it needs since it only has one USB: remote control, airport express or time capsule, wireless might mouse, etc.
So, if you happen to have a business executive wife! It would be an ideal Valentines day present for her ...gift-wrapped with a few-hundred dollars worth of iTunes vouchers would be perfect I think. (I am sure that would make Mr Jobs extremely happy).
As for the rest of us. There is still a void in the pro range: a 12" or 13" Macbook Pro. I am starting to wonder if this will ever be filled. Come on Apple, where is that sub-notebook that packs a punch? A massive market is waiting for this!