“Apple finally has entered the subnotebook market, introducing a lightweight laptop meant to please road warriors. But, typical of Apple, the company took a different approach from its competitors. The result is a beautiful, amazingly thin computer, but one whose unusual trade-offs may turn off some frequent travelers,” Walter S. Mossberg reports for The Wall Street Journal.
“It’s impossible to convey in words just how pleasing and surprising this computer feels in the hand. It’s so svelte when closed that it’s a real shock to discover the big screen and keyboard inside,” Mossberg reports. “But there’s a price for this laptop’s daring design: Apple had to give up some features road warriors consider standard in a subnotebook, and certain of these omissions are radical. Chief among them is the lack of a removable battery. So, while the MacBook Air will be a perfect choice for some travelers, I can’t recommend it for all. It really depends on your style of working on the road and what features you value most.”
“In my tests, the MacBook Air’s screen and keyboard were a pleasure to use. The machine felt speedy, even with multiple programs running. And the laptop has the same Leopard operating system, superior built-in software, and paucity of viruses and spyware that I believe generally give the Mac an edge. I was able to install and run Windows XP using the third-party Parallels software,” Mossberg reports.
“But then there are those trade-offs. The sealed-in battery means you can’t carry a spare in case you run out of juice,” Mossberg reports.
MacDailyNews Take: There must be solutions for people trying to use an Air in ways it was not intended to be used, right? Well, you could carry an external battery for MacBook Air, which, we suspect, will soon become available. It’s pretty much the same as having to carry a second battery, except you’ll have to live with it not being stuck into the Air itself. If this is untenable, you’re probably more of a MacBook or MacBook Pro user.
Mossberg continues, “There’s no Ethernet jack for wired broadband Internet connections and no dedicated slot for the most common types of external cellphone modems. That means that out of the box, the MacBook Air has only one way to get on the Internet — through its fast, built-in Wi-Fi connection. If you’re out of Wi-Fi range, you’re out of luck, unless you buy an optional, $30 add-on Ethernet connector or a cellphone modem that connects via USB.”
Mossberg writes, “That single USB port is a problem, because so many peripherals use USB. You can buy a tiny, cheap USB hub that adds three more ports, but that’s yet another item to carry.”
MacDailyNews Take: So, it’s not really much a a problem at all. If a tiny, cheap USB hub is untenable, you’re probably more of a MacBook or MacBook Pro user.
Mossberg continues, “In my standard battery test, where I disable all power-saving features, set the screen brightness at maximum, turn on the Wi-Fi and play an endless loop of music, the MacBook Air’s battery lasted 3 hours, 24 minutes. That means you could likely get 4.5 hours in a normal work pattern, almost the five hours Apple claims.”
Mossberg writes, “If you value thinness, and a large screen and keyboard in a subnotebook, and don’t watch DVDs on planes or require spare batteries, the MacBook Air might be just the ticket. But if you rely on spare batteries, expect the usual array of ports, or like to play DVDs on planes, this isn’t the computer to buy.”
More in Mossberg’s full review here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Too Hot!” for the heads up.]
Just as Apple’s Mac Pro is not designed to serve the entire desktop market, Apple’s MacBook Air is not designed to serve the entire portable market. However, if you’re intent on trying to convert a MacBook Air into a thin pseudo-MacBook, read on:
If you rely on spare batteries, wait a bit for the external batteries to debut. If you expect the usual array of ports, you’ll want to invest in an inexpensive USB travel hub and an Apple’s USB 10/100BASE-T Ethernet Adapter (US$29). You’re out of luck on the FIreWire front. If you like to play DVDs on planes, you should really consider dumping the battery-draining practice of spinning shiny discs and play movies off your drive (internal or external; for example, an iPod in Disk Mode) instead. If any or all of that fails to work for you, you’re probably more of a MacBook or MacBook Pro user.
Just caught him on Charlie Rose. He left no doubt as to his allegiance, or why.
Thin is in. Walt the check’s in the mail.
Yeah, but I can’t play all those great Zune Media things…….wait……what the hell……..
External batteries aren’t the wonder you describe here. On a plane, the external battery would go where your drink goes.
Kind of annoying. Better to have a battery bay.
Any speculation on what was the exact thing that killed a replaceable battery in the Air?
Sag on the bottom of the machine? Lack of smooth lines? Heat?
Don’t see the upside.
And yes *all at once*: “Then this isn’t the machine for you.” Yeah, whatever. Could almost do it, but some plane flights are long, man, and externals blow.
You get an Apple for a sleek machine, not a dongle battery!
If you need to use a spare battery, just get an external one.
If you need an ethernet port, just use a USB adapter.
If you need more hard drive space, just get an external one.
If you need a modem, just get a USB adapter.
If you need FireWire, just use USB instead.
If you need to use multiple USB devices, just get a minihub.
If you need a CD/DVD drive, just get an external one or use RemoteDrive.
Or just get a MacBook.
Oh yeah, we are supposed to be arguing about the Air. I forgot.
Mmm, OK. If you don’t like it or need it, then I wouldn’t get it.
If you have a Time Capsule, main desktop, Wi-Fi at most places you go, use an airline with power outlets, don’t need ten things plugged in at once nor Firewire, then you might enjoy this.
I wouldn’t mind having one at all. I just don’t need it.
Wow, Moss is fixated on the shiny plastic discs.
“There’s no Ethernet jack for wired broadband Internet connections and no dedicated slot for the most common types of external cellphone modems. That means that out of the box, the MacBook Air has only one way to get on the Internet — through its fast, built-in Wi-Fi connection.”
There is another built-in way to get online. I use my SonyEricsson S710a with its bluetooth modem and my PowerBook G4 to get internet access via EDGE anywhere I have cell service but can’t find Wi-Fi. It works great, and I average about 220kbps. That’s only about 4 times faster than dial-up, but it beats a kick in the head when Wi-Fi isn’t around.
Now think of a 3G iPhone with a Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR modem feeding your brand new MacBook air with all the internet access you can consume! Sweet!
The function of its design is to fit into the file fold of a briefcase. Its a business push
It’s your SECOND machine.
The MB Air is NOT meant to replace a full-featured machine, but MANY people really have extremely simple and limited computing needs. Something like this would be just enough.
It’s thin, light and beautiful.
I think it would be perfect for wirelessly drifting around the house, or office or the yard or tar beach (rooftop).
You’re probably NOT going to be running CS3 or VectorWorks or Final Cut Pro on one of these things. iWork or Office, FileMaker Pro or Bento, Mail, Safari, some GTD app, a simple game or two and that’s about it. You’ve already got an iPod for music, so what else do you need?
Mossberg: Apple’s favorite sycophant.
People will buy this machine, just not very many of them. I would use it as my only portable if I could afford to buy an iMac and the MBA to replace my ancient Powerbook, but for now, I won’t be getting one of these any time soon.
I hope Apple doesn’t expect strong sales of these. It will sell in limited numbers, I think they know that.
As for all the “missing” features, most people don’t need those, I know I don’t use dvds, replace my battery or plug my computer into an ethernet port. It’s just not a big deal.
As observed earlier, MacBook Air is an elegant place holder for something more to come. A tablet perhaps?
MDN take : Transparent denial. Everything Apple does is great.
“Particularly if that used up the only USB port available. You can have a battery or a hub. Nice. Last time I looked, hubs weren’t too useful when the computer was out of power.”
External batteries would attach to… drum roll please… the power port. Not the USB port.
Think before you knee-jerk
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
(Why is that anti-Apple folks are SO upset over this product? It really has them in a state! HIstorically, that has been a symptom of a great product.)
The only thing that is really missing is the FireWire, kind of limits dumping the videos on the HD for quick edit up to YouTube. But then those people carry MacBooks anyway.
How long it will take for somebody to come up with a case mod, where you can plug in an external battery on it, 2 minutes? There are lot of different power drill, photolight, laptop etc. rechargeables available, just need to find the suitable one.
MacBook Air seems to be a perfect product for a un-geek person living in hi-tech world.
Oh jesus, MacDailyNews. Stop trying to blindly support Apple and defending the MacBook Air. It’s getting REALLY tiring for you to NEVER have a critical eye about ANYTHING THAT APPLE EVER DOES. Apple is not a flawless company, even though you derive all of your income from people clicking on Apple ads on your website. There is barely a market for the MacBook Air yet you keep defending all of its gigantic limitations. If any PC manufacturer came out with a product like the MacBook Air, you’d be jumping down their throats and attacking them for putting out such crap. But since its Apple, you keep defending it — along with AN EXTERNAL BATTERY THAT DOESN’T EVEN EXIST?? MDN, maybe you should try OBJECTIVELY reporting the news instead of tooting Apple’s horn nonstop.
This product id grate i’ve ordered one. If you price up the black macbook with 2GB of RAM the pricing isnt that different (i got me MBA on educational). The only difference in performance is a slower CPU and a smaller and slower hard drive.
The trade off = Ultra cool ultra slim macbook air that looks way better.
How many people use there DVD drive anymore. I have a DVD player hooked up to my HD TV and I have a Xbox 360, Both those devices can play DVDs. And to install software well use remote disk. This whole thing happened when apple got rid of the floppy drive in there iMac (everyone was angry and confused). This time instead of going to DVD and CD we will turn to fast Internet for movies and music. Apple are just pushing technology to advances that if microsoft had anything to do with would be shut down and we still wouldn’t have a Graphical interface and machines would be boxes with lights. So stop complaining this device is perfect for what anyone needs. It just means you may need to get some accessories and invest in a wireless 802.11 N Network. (its a better life) i haven’t used an Ethernet cable for 4 months now and I don’t plan on changing.
Form follows function…MBA is Cube Part Deux.
MacBill:
You don’t like what MDN says on their own site, you’re welcome to leave.
You know, I really like this site, and mostly I like MDN’s snarky take on things. But I don’t think it’s at all necessary for MDN to be such an Apple boot licker. The sycophantic twist to every article makes MDN sound like an Apple apologist. And Apple totally doesn’t need apologists. Objective reporting is Apples greatest friend.
I am pleased that Apple has only a small percentage of faithful, its about the same percentage of the general people that i am suppost to like. .
As always, while the lemmings fight it out about whether leaving out a FDD was wise or not, Apple pushes our whole civilisation up a technological rung, and forces us to revaluate what we consider important in computing. They force us to move irrevocably towards an all wireless internet, you know why? because the IDEA of it is better, more seamless, perfect.
Apple runs technology like governments are *supposed* to run society … ie they make the hard decisions for us, for the greater good of all.
What everybody seems to forget when considering the Macbook Air is the following:
1) Many Airlines will not let you take a spare battery into the cabin. You have to check it in with the hold luggage. I know this has happened to me on every flight I have made overseas last year with my spare battery for the MBP.
2) When you travel and are using external devices you generally like to keep the number down. The only time you really need lots of external devices simultaneously connected is if you are using the laptop as a desktop replacement. In that situation you have the mains, so battery not relevant. You could use a USB Hub, so ports not relevant. Certainly when travelling every external device you would want to plug into a port is yet another device you have to carry. Get realistic. If you need a bag full of external devices when you travel then you are the wrong type of user for an MBA and should be looking at the other MB’s.
3) Apple have never indicated in any way that the MBA is supposed to be a desktop replacement. It is clearly a machine aimed squarely at those who need portability and light weight. I see the typical user falling into one of two categories. Either a frequent traveller whop through experience will have cut down the external devices they need when on the move. Or the corporate type who spends half their life in meetings and needs access to the corporate network at the same time. As many corporations now allow wi-fi in meeting rooms to reduce cable clutter from the attendees the MBA is perfect in these situations.
So many people look at light weight laptops as if they should be full on desktop replacements. By their very nature they are a compromise in one way or another. Apple have chosen different compromises than most other manufacturers and this is okay. The market will say whether it likes what Apple have done. Personally as someone who travels overseas at least 10 times a year, I prefer the course Apple has chosen with the MBA because it more closely fits my needs when on the move.
It is funny. I read forum and blog posts all the time wishing for two things… the return of the 12″ laptop and a cut down Mac Pro.
What do we get?
A cut down laptop! LOL.