MacBook Air

[Numbers]

http://gizmodo.com/345115/macbook-air-hands+on

Yes plz.

[Latrinsorm]

Because nothing's more fun than a broken motherboard.

[BigWorm]

3lbs is ridiculous

[nocturnix]

Hope it comes with an equally amazing warranty.

[fallenSaint]

Its seks that fits in a manila envelope, sign me up for one. Thank God I can install Windows on the little bastard too.

[Apotheosis]

That is a ridiculously small computer.

[BigWorm]

So, maybe this isn't as cool as I thought at first. Reading on Slashdot, even lots of the apple fanbois are down on this because they see it as overpriced.


I'll summarize another post I made along the same lines.

First, I wholeheartedly agree that there is a market for sub-notebooks. I've been wanting to pick one up myself. I consider the Macbook to be on the larger side of the sub-notebook class of computers. What I was talking about was specifically the Macbook Air, specifically compared to Apple's next smallest notebook.

Here's what you get going from the stock Macbook to the Macbook Air:
2 pounds lighter.
0.25 inches thinner, at its thickest.
Spiffy new touchpad.
OLED screen, meaning that the LCD should last longer (this is a marginal improvement)
1 extra gb of RAM, base (costs $150 to add to the Macbook on Apple's website, $50 to add after-market)
Trendy new computer that few other people have.

Here's what you give up:
1 optical drive
1 USB port
1 Firewire port (probably not a big deal to travelers)
1 replaceable battery (meaning that your travelers won't be able to carry a spare)
1 hour of battery life (even worse considering the lack of a replaceable battery)
1 ethernet jack (probably not a big deal, since wireless is slowly becoming ubiquitous)
400mhz on the low end, 200mhz on the high end.
Replaceable RAM (RAM starts going bad? Your Mac is going in for service. Hope it doesn't go bad after the warranty is up.)
Stereo speakers
Optical audio out
$600

I simply can't believe that the things you get are highly sought after.

[kheldarin]

http://culturegarage.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/macbookair.jpg

[Numbers]

Since when has an Apple product NOT been overpriced?

[BigWorm]

What I'm saying that its overpriced compared to other Apple offerings. You pay a big premium and give up a good amount of features for a laptop that is 2lbs lighter and .25 inches thinner.

[Jayvn]

who said being trendy and fashionable had anything to do with logic.... those air jordans really did make you jump higher....right?

[Xaerve]

I'll take my Lenovo t-series that weights 4lbs, and runs circles around that piece of shit.

[Keller]

who said being trendy and fashionable had anything to do with logic.... those air jordans really did make you jump higher....right?

But the Reebok Pumps did cut off circulation!

[Clove]

What I'm saying that its overpriced compared to other Apple offerings. You pay a big premium and give up a good amount of features for a laptop that is 2lbs lighter and .25 inches thinner.

If you are on business travel constantly every lb. or fraction of an inch in bulk counts bigtime. I can see that type of user willing to give up extra ports, some RAM, clockspeed, or an optical drive; if you're a biz traveller it's not like you need to run Halo3 while you burn your latest torent to DVD. What I can't see them giving up is battery life and/or a swichable battery- What good is more portability if you have to plug in more often? It's my hunch that the diminished battery features will be the deal-breaker for what in my opinion would be the target consumer of this silly little laptop.

[Brattt8525]

The battery has a longer span then 1 hour BTW. I had mine on the other day <forgot to shut it down> on my way back from a horse show.

I can live without some of the extras though, it is perfect for traveling. I carry my superdrive with me as well as pendrives for whatever extra I may need.

I give it 2 thumbs up, it took me awhile to get used to the differences with Mac's but I like them now. My IMAC's screen is so clear and its nice to not have a tower.

[BigWorm]

I know reading is hard, but the point was that it has a 1 hour shorter battery life than the standard MacBook.

[Sean]

She's Texan..

[Drew2]

She's a woman..

fixed.

Not all Texan's can't read.

<---

[Brattt8525]

I know reading is hard, but the point was that it has a 1 hour shorter battery life than the standard MacBook.

>>1 hour of battery life (even worse considering the lack of a replaceable battery)<<

Does that say 1 hour SHORTER battery life?

No, and no I have no problem with reading comprehension I even cut and paste what was said. Color me silly but that does say 1 hour battery life does it not and THAT is what i was replying to.

[Bobmuhthol]

I'd rather have an Eee PC.

And so would most people with a brain.

[Latrinsorm]

>>1 hour of battery life (even worse considering the lack of a replaceable battery)<<

Does that say 1 hour SHORTER battery life?

No, and no I have no problem with reading comprehension I even cut and paste what was said. Color me silly but that does say 1 hour battery life does it not and THAT is what i was replying to.It says you GIVE UP 1 hour of battery life, meaning you have one less.

[Brattt8525]

Most people with a brain? Ok I am far from a computer guru but how does the Eeee compare in quality etc to the notebook air? I know I love it for its design and portablity since I needed something to take with me when I travel.

Is the Eee as good? what features make it better in your opinion then the Air? I already have my notebook but am interested in why you think this Eee is a better buy other then the drastic price difference.

[Bobmuhthol]

1) Eee PC doesn't have Mac OS.
2) It uses a solid state drive.
3) It's awesome.

[BigWorm]

1) Eee PC doesn't have Mac OS.
2) It uses a solid state drive.
3) It's awesome.

Have you seen the new Eee 900 version? They finally put a bigger screen on there that fills the cover.

Another reason the Eee PC is better is that you can one for like 1/4th the price of a MacBook Air.

[Clove]

1) Eee PC doesn't have Mac OS.
Which makes it bloat-ware and virus bait. No thanks. Linux and XP runs just fine on a MacBook (if you just have to have it). And WTF are you going to do with an 8GB solid state drive?!!!1!11!!

[fallenSaint]

Eh the Eee PC has its place in the market, I wouldn't pin that thing at a full utility machine but they are certainly fun to toy with. I'm most certainly enjoying the MBA enough to not regret its price at all... then again I didn't pay retail for it either.

[Lucas]

Unless that thing is made out of some new durable titanium alloy it's so going to break when I use it. I've broken 3 laptops in the past 9 months. I eventually got one of these...

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/latit_xfr_d630?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&ST=durable%20laptop&dgc=ST&cid=14754&lid=650040

[fallenSaint]

Wow yea if you have a tendency on breaking laptops that's probably a good call. It really feels pretty sturdy for its measurements. Definitely feels better than my Lenovo.

Oh and because there are some serious times when it might come in handy:

http://gizmodo.com/346856/4-reasons-you-absolutely-need-the-macbook-air

[AnticorRifling]

I stick with my HP 8710p thank you.