“In my experience, price notwithstanding, the decisions to buy many a gadget starts in the gut. It’s less about need than desire. It’s a question of whether the product leaves you walking away impressed. Or just walking away. Is it something you rave about? Or something you pan? There’s not much middle ground,” Seth Gilbert writes for Seeking Alpha.
Apple’s new MacBook Air “was the show stealer at this Macworld,” Gilbert writes. “It’s another design sensation. With tapered edges and a sleek shape, the design cues remain minimalist, right down to the now classic Apple magnetic power connector…”
“With a 13.4 inch screen, the computer is not a miniature, but in weight and thickness, it is. Its tapered case ranges from 0.76inch to 0.16inch thick. It’s like holding a legal pad. And in weight, it’s not much heavier,” Gilbert writes. “With the user interface, the gesture controls added to the tracking screen are also smooth and easy to adjust to. The rest is classic Apple. For intuitive and elegant design that seems simple, Apple yet again proves it’s in an elite league.”
“All in all, for anyone who travels, for people who like Macs, for gadget freaks, the Macbook Air is wowing. True, the battery is not removable. True, there are things that can be criticized. True, it’s evolutionary. True, it’s not shocking in its feature set, but it’s a product easy to see yourself using (for many). I can picture it on my desk. Or in a bag when I’m on the go. Accompanying me on a plane. Improving my work. I can see it,” Gilbert writes.
“In the past, I have been impressed by Apple computers but not tempted to switch away from the Microsoft world. This is a product that could motivate me to finally change,” Gilbert writes. “From the minds of Steve Jobs, Jonathan Ive and their team, this notebook is a winner… and groans of the unsurprised notwithstanding, on first looks, it impresses. Come June, even with its expense, this is a computer that will sell a lot of units. It won’t be for everyone. It has a niche, but it should capture it with vigor.”
Full article, in which Gilbert also looks at the improved Apple TV, writing that it’s “nice but it doesn’t rise to the standards of a ‘must have’ product, yet,” here.
I used to have to make my switch.
I preferred Willow over Hickory.
My Grandpa caught on quick to that….
With all the great Apple products out BEFORE the intro of the MacBookAir, if the the Windows person hasn´t already been thinking his next computer will be a Mac, this $1700 wallet burner ain´t going to tempt them.
So this breakthrough, powerful, cool and amazing ‘world’s thinnest’ is a ‘gadget’.
I agree. Make the price $899 and I’m all in. That’s the most a gadget is worth and, even then, I’m just showing off – no work to be done on the thing – just take it out of the envelope, put it on the seat back tray table and wait for the swooning from adjacent passengers full of envy for reasons unknown.
“In the past, I have been impressed by Apple computers but not tempted to switch away from the Microsoft world. …”
Even though this is a positive review, the above sentence causes him to lose all credibility.
Now I think he’s just stupid.
Maybe that’s the morning rum talking.
I don’t see this as just a product for “switchers” since it has no disk drive it’s very much a second, portable machine for Mac users and/or windows users. I can’t see too many people using it as their sole machine unless they have very specific (somewhat limited) requirements.
It’s a very interesting combination of being an upgrade from a Macbook in some ways but also lesser in others,
Uninteresting,
Why don’t they just make it $1.99, you stupid fsck?
What a lot of poor trolls there are.
Stick to your 299 self mad PC’s guys..
Funny how all the negative Nancy posters that pop up after SJ keynote are never registered posters on MDN!
I call shenanigans!
Ditto on shenanigans. And some of these angry for a stupid reason posters need to switch.
To decaf.
To M.X.N.T.4.1: “since it has no disk drive”
From Apple:
“The 80GB hard drive provides plenty of storage space. And you have the option to upgrade to a 64GB solid-state drive, which has no moving parts for enhanced durability.”
http://www.apple.com/macbookair/features.html
Air is computationally under powered. It is an under powered MacBook that went to Jenny Craig. This is definitely a wait and see product. MacWorld 2009 will feature the Mac Air we should all buy. I guess I need to save more sheckels and get a Mac Book Pro.
Just my $0.02
Checked out a couple of online “ultra portable laptop” lists & reviews. The price and specs are not so out of whack with the others out there.
I have to admit that I find the 7 inch Asus portable at least equally impressive in its own low cost niche,
The multi touch trackpad is promising. I want a free standing one that would replace my mighty mouse. I prefer my macbook track pad over the iMac’s mouse
I just don’t get. This unit should be priced just under the MacBook, not closer to the MB Pro. Even $999 would be a stretch, but do-able. I just don’t get it. I’m giving up the ability to burn discs, connect to a nice gigabit connection, I’ll have a slower CPU, fewer expansion ports, I can’t buy a separate battery, and no access to RAM slots. Umm, why would I choose to pay almost as much as a MacBook Pro for a system that has far fewer features than the MacBook. Because it’s thin? Really? My Pro is just as portable, I just need a slightly bigger envelope. I say $899 and I’m sold.
I can’t change the bloody battery! Boo F-ing Hoo.
Just curious about the “underpowered” thing. I’ve got the little Asus thing, gave it to my wife because the keyboard is too small to use. Something like an old 900 MHz CPU. That’s underpowered.
The machine I’m typing this on is a 1.6 GHz celeron.
That’s underpowered.
The MBA has, on the base model, a 1.6 MHz core 2 duo processor. Dual processor 1.6 GHz, not single core, not old core duo, not Celeron.
Okay, it isn’t the maximum 2.6 GHz you can get in the MBP, but “underpowered?”
I get the distinct impression that what the whiners on MDN were expected is as follows:
A 10 inch screen with the same number of pixels as a 24″ iMac, a full sized keyboard, a 2.4 or more GHz core 2 duo, memory slots, a 64 GB SSD drive, an independent graphics card, an optical drive along with firewire port, multiple USB ports, card readers, ethernet, a replaceable battery, in a machine the size of the Asus eeepc, but ideally smaller and lighter than that, all for $699. Or maybe $999 with some complaining, and with “its a dealbreaker” at $1299. And they’d like a pony. And for the machine to be hand-delivered by Natalie Portman.
@ Long Time Fanboy
You’re following the script too closely. It’s okay to improvise.
@ OpJ
You’re forgetting the hovercraft and time machine options.
Steve Jobs is definably reaching for a subset of a niche market with this product.
I am completely shocked about the price for what one gets. It’s insulting even to those who can afford it’s steep price tag.
People with money have a problem, getting value for their money. Because once people know you have money, they tend to think they are entitled to charge what ever they can get from you. Just like Apple is with this product.
So the rich have to turn into being “cheap pricks” or else the money will disappear many times faster than it would normally.
If Steve Jobs thinks he can fool enough people with this product and it’s price tag, let him try.
Far as I know, the collective computing community just barfed all over anything Apple with this product announcement.
People need computers for functionality, to get things done. This MacBook Air is all about design and slimness.
Sure one can go into the fancy stores and buy a pair of jeans for $150. To prove only to themselves that they can afford it, because nobody else really cares. Most opt to buy the same jeans for $20 everywhere else.
So what is Cupertino doing with this product? Setting the bar higher in a vain attempt to wrangle and bleed every last dollar from the faithful?
It makes no sense to buy this product for most people. What is scary is that enough could that Apple will charge even more for the MacBook Pro Air and discontinue the MacBook/MacBook Pro in there present configurations.
And it comes with a GOD AWLFUL GLOSSY SCREEN TOO!
Did anyone tell Apple the US economy is headed for a recession?
@ Old Mac Man
Changing your name doesn’t help, either.
Many of you just don’t get it.
This is not for everybody. This is not for the home user.
This is not a primary computer.
Look at the big buisiness suits that travel quite a bit, many are female. I bet they would jump at the chance to lug around half the weight in a laptop. Do presentations, check e-mail or do web research.
When they get back to the office, they use their regular desktop.
People kept asking when is Apple going to come out with a sub notebook, they do, and then everyone whines. Before you bitch about price, compare it to others in the same category. It beats them on price/performance.
I guess Apple could have gone for the 3rd thinest laptop in the world, but then people would bitch about that.
“Sure one can go into the fancy stores and buy a pair of jeans for $150.”
You’ve obviously never owned a really nice pair of jeans. But then, no one is looking at your ass anyway.
Dear whiners like Old Mac Man –
As others have pointed out, for the market the MBA is price effective. It outperforms similar machines from Sony (see the comparison at dealmac.com) and Dell (I priced one out last night – the three pound Dell is a 1.0 GHz system for $1700) for a similar price.
You don’t want to spend $1799 on a three pound Mac? I don’t either – that’s why I bought a MBP 2.2 GHz. For those people that schlep a laptop every day, let them decide with their wallet. Apple has a reason to enter that market, let the market decide if they want it. Don’t complain it’s too expensive, it’s not for what comes with it compared to other machines in that market. Don’t like it – buy a MacBook and enjoy. Sheesh.
C1: You are cracking me up!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” /> Nice work!
“But then, no one is looking at your ass anyway.”
It’s hard to tell on some of these guys that are all ass from head to toe. A six foot tall vertical smile with breath to match.
I agree that the MBA is expensive – but not too expensive, for what one gets.
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Expensive is relative, anyway.
Also, for me, it doesn’t lack much what I would want.
Two USB-ports (or one USB and one IEEE1394-port) would be OK – but why argue over an USB-port?
I could complain equally about the lack of serial ports in the rest of Apples machines.
Currently, I don’t really need a laptop anyway – no big commute, no work-related travel.
But if $work gave me one for free, the MBA would be on my very short shortlist, nevertheless.
“Did anyone tell Apple the US economy is headed for a recession?”
No. Their spam filter must have grabbed that memo by mistake.
Stupid troll.
I paid $1499 for my Macbook. This is priced in the right place unless you want to drop the price of every product Apple makes. This is going to make going into an Apple store even more dramatic than it already is…this is an eye magnet, whether you are buying one or not. Don’t forget there is such thing as a USB adapter hub. I paid $2499 for a Lombard bronze keyboard
Powerbook with an extra battery way back and it is still running Panther. This thing is on a different planet performancewise and footprintwise at a much less price. There is now a new definition of ultra-mobile. I would like to see it at $1599, but WHO is gonna pay Intel for reducing the size of the core2Duo. The cryers will become the rejoicers when that same core2Duo goes in an iPhone or something similar.
It HAS to get paid for…so does the earlyon Flash drives. The price of those two technologies is not Apple’s fault.
You’ve obviously never owned a really nice pair of jeans. But then, no one is looking at your ass anyway.
Yes, I have and they can’t miss yours, people think an eclipse is going on as you pass.
hehe
Kinda the iPhone all over again.
It’s too expensive….
It’ll never sell….
ect….
For history’s sake:
The G4 Cube actually had good selling numbers. It just had the unfortunate time of hitting the market after 2 years of the iMac being sold. The iMac broke all computer selling records, Mac or PC records. It was a blockbuster seller.
Reporters and analysts compared the Cube sales to the iMac sales and declared it a failure. It was not. It sold about what any other tower Mac was selling, maybee a little under. But report something as a failure enough times and eventually everyone believes it. But it was a niche Mac for people to show off and still get serious work done.
We still have one here. Been running regular buisiness hours since we bought it. Not a single problem.
The pricing is consistant with other sub-notebook categories. The price is for craming all that stuff into a tiny light weight package. Look at the price for a Sony TZ.
Apple made the same kind of compromise they did with the iPod, iPhone, iMac, etc. They decided to leave out FireWire, full DVI/VGA, Parallel, Serial, Modem, IR, Audio In, Floppy, DVD/RW, card reader, Ethernet, removable battery… They decided to leave in iSight (think about it!), one single USB, Audio, micro DVI. Much like the iPhone doesn’t have FM tuner, full keyboard, memory card slot, etc.
This laptop has the features that majority of people need most of the time. It doesn’t have those that small minority need very rarely.
Apple never decides arbitrarily about a feature set. Every single feature is carefully researched and scrutinised and the ones that finally make it are the ones that Apple has concluded will be the most frequently needed.
This laptop will be extremely popular with women. It is powerful, full-sized and, most importantly, incredibly light and thin (you cannot believe how many first ask about the weight when buying a laptop!). Today’s consumers use their computers for web and digital media. They use them for their iPods, for their digital pictures, their e-mails and their surfing, skyping, chatting, etc. Vast majority of ordinary consumers do just this and pretty much nothing else. For that, MBA does the job very well.
Never underestimate the power of the decision authority of women! This is one of the most attractive (no pun) demographic groups out there, and they control massive number of wallets (disproportionate to their own numbers). When they buy stuff, they don’t scrutinise the number of ports, the size of the hard drive (no pun here either); they look at the complete package (still no pun). MBA offers an extremely attractive package here.
I have a feeling this laptop will sell very, very well.
Listen to the keynote. Steve says repeatedly that is was designed as a WIRELESS device. That being said, why the hell would they put an ethernet port on it?
Every once in a while, Apple will release a product that really pushes the envelope in design and technology. The MBA defines state of the art. The people bitching have no clue what type of Engineering chops it takes to design a computer of that caliber, at that size, at that price point. I think this was as much of an excercise of “can we do it?” as it was “should we do it?” The MBA sets the stage for things to come. The MBA proves that yes, you can cram that much technology into that small of a package. No one else in the industry does that. The size of the components that are being used to make the motherboard that small are bleeding edge. Intel even admitted what a challenge it was to shrink the Core 2 Duo by 60% and had doubts if they could pull it off. But they did. It was possible. Apple is moving/pushing the industry forward. Others will follow- in a few years…
@ Ampar
“A six foot tall vertical smile with breath to match.”
You reminded me of these guys.
The came to a halloween party as an emoticon.
@ Old Mac Man
“Yes, I have and they can’t miss yours, people think an eclipse is going on as you pass.”
Looks like someone’s never been to MySpace.
I would like any PC or Microsoft fan out there who reads this to find me one article that lambasts the Sony TZ line for being overpriced in the way that the MBA has been on these boards.
I’m not being snarky, I just want to know if such a thing exists, and don’t know where to get the best news about Windows machines.
So go for it. Show me.
Another one for you history buffs. Taken from PCWorld’s review:
1991 era. The $2500 PowerBook 100 sported two features that the rest of the industry quickly cribbed. First, the company pushed the keyboard back toward the screen hinge, freeing up space for a wrist-rest area that made typing more comfortable. And in the center of that wrist rest sat a nice, large trackball, the best mobile pointing device of its era. (At the time, folks who ran Windows on portable computers were still futzing with unwieldy clip-on trackballs.) Those were just two of the more striking innovations in a slick laptop design that, took the company from last place to first in laptop sales.
This was Apples first serious laptop, the previous luggable portable was interesting but not right. The PowerBook design crushed all other laptops. They became the number one selling laptop back then.
At a higher price.
ChrissyOne,
Here are two links but they prove your point. Not much bitchin about the price.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/23/sony-vaio-tz-review-roundup/
This one is rather interesting, they don’t balk at all on the price. Plus read the comments:
http://gizmodo.com/341002/sony-vaio-tz-laptop-gains-64-gb-of-ssd-storage
Later
@C1
I’ll have a glass of kool-aid any day with any mac fan, but you just haven’t thought it through. The Air has fewer features, so what’s so compelling about paying $700 more and getting about $300 less value? That’s an $1100 swing. Enough for another MacBook. I suppose you think that paying $200 for black paint and 40GB is justifiable as well? I don’t need to improvise when I can see the facts. Although, I wouldn’t mind sampling some of your moonshine kool-aid, because I thought mine was strong. Oh, Yeaaaahhh!!
@ Think
Thanks for those, and they were about what I expected.
Seems the MBA is on the cheaper side as this category goes, depending on how much you value that optical drive and a couple of ports. But the $99 external still makes it a bit less than the VAIO.
Where is the outrage at Sony’s extortion pricing?
@ Long Time Fanboy
And it’s a giveaway when you use “Kool-Aid”, ya ninny. Didn’t they teach you anything? Are you this bad at every job you do?
Good day to you.
Zune Tang! Where are you? Where is the rant about it not running Vista? Or it not being able to play games.
I for one thing the other thing this notebook will be remembered for is the gesterpad. I’d expect to see it evolve and become standard equipment for all portable Macs in the next cycle of revisions.
If you have to gripe about the MacBook Air, you are not part of the target market. Apple will have plenty of customers for which this product hits the sweet spot.
@ Long Time Fanboy
It’s kind of subjective on what people will pay for less weight and bulk in a laptop. If that’s what they want, and the missing features don’t impact them, then they will love it.
It’s not for me, I’m a consultant and live off my PowerBook but there are days I wish my laptop bag was lighter.
@ ChrissyOne
“Looks like someone’s never been to MySpace.”
I’ll second that!
or was that Friendster?
Gotta love window reflections.
I think the big problem is that you can’t put in a Cellular Card for travelling. Not everywhere has WiFi.
Even Edge would be appreciated to travelers.
Apple again is pushing the envelope! I look at my MacBook and pictures of the Air, and you can see why it would cost more to make and why it has a higher price than the MB line.
Compared to the “Sony Vaio TZ” it is a better value with better specs, looks nicer, and don’t forget the OS.
If I was a road warrior I would have placed my order today, but my needs are different, I was hoping to see a 12″-10″ MBP that I would use with a monitor and keyboard as my main computer and still have the flexibility to take my main computer with me on the 4-6 trips I make in a year. (now I shuffle between an iMac and MacBook).
Again Apple is showing us the future!
Had to comment– seems the only troll dis is that it does not fit their own blanking needs. They do not have to buy or use it. such silliness. I think it will fit in the lid pocket of my brief case. Gone will be the inconvenience–and non-trivial at that– of shuffling items to make everything fit in one easy to carry package. The utility of the size will probably save me a couple of hours a week. It comes down to not having to accept any more, or put up with for that matter, such a small hither-to-fore quandary of what to pack for the utility in off site work. Got to get me one of those MBAs.
And where are all the fans of the 12″ PowerBook on this? I would think all the people that pissed/moaned about there not being a 12″ MBP would be all over this.
@ Joe
Use a USB Cellular modem. Been using a USB720 with Verizon since we need to swap it between PowerBooks and the new MacBook Pros and we didn’t want to pay for two different cards with two different numbers and bills.
@Geo B
“And where are all the fans of the 12″ PowerBook on this?”
In my case, I wanted a 12″MBP, full featured lap top, to use as main computer hooked to monitor and keyboard when not traveling, for me, it is a different niche, I will be getting a 15″MBP next trip to Miami.
For someone like NeonRed it sounds perfect!
“I think it will fit in the lid pocket of my brief case”
Still can’t wait to play with one!
Here’s a big difference in laptops if you’re constantly running through airports:
MacBook Air – 3 pounds
MacBook – 5 pounds
MacBook Pro – 5.4 (15 inch) or 6.8 (17 inch) pounds
@Think
Thanks… It is an option, however, it is just one more thing to carry or deal with. GSM/GPRS/etc can are now all on a single chip. It would be great if you could just plug in a SIM card into the side and you are done. I have a PCMCIA card where I just insert my SIM card in my old PB. Works great. I can use a local sim card if I travel around europe and keep my costs down.
I don’t see any temptation to buy this. For me it’s not the volume of the computing box so much as the weight to lug around. If it weighs nearly the same as a macbook, then where’s the point?? Macbook outspecs it and is way cheaper so choice is simple. Gimmickry (thinness) is no substitute for a legitimate reason to change. Damn thing looks like something microsh*t would do: try to wow people with somebody whose wow-factor lasts about five seconds. It’s thin, it’s thin and then, okay, lets talk specs and price…oops, starting to go pear shaped right there…
Maybe in a few more iterations….
Why does the author say “come june”…it’s coming in two weeks, not June.
@ChrissyOne:
I’ve just been to MySpace… and it was definitely worth the trip. Thank you – made my afternoon, shame you’re all the way over there.
@c1
Youre a myspacecadet so that clearly explains your depth. Witty, yes. Able to make adult rational choices? Well, its clear now. And you almost had me. Your “friends” like you, but not as much as you.
I’m going out and have been drinking but thought I’d see any new posts before leaving and I have this to say: anyone saying it’s overpriced is just dumb. If it were $1000 or $1400 even, no one would buy the Macbook. I was set to order if it was that expensive but when there were reports of it being competitively priced, they weren’t kidding. I would gladly give up the DVD drive (which I have on my aging powerbook and rarely use) and the built-in ethernet for a USB adapter when I need to plug-in if that’s what it takes to essentially cut a computer in half in terms of thickness. True, you won’t have 1 million college students buying this but this computer serves another purpose which, as another source put it, is solidifying Apple’s position as the purveyor of cool, the company that in the minds of the masses puts out the sleekest, most sophisticated electronics. We all read these Apple news sites daily and as such don’t understand how Apple looks like in the minds of people like my Windows using friends who know think everyone is switching (and which gives them less reason to switch come time to upgrade).
Come Superbowl Sunday, this Macbook Air commercial should be playing hopefully and the millions who see it will again be reminded Apple makes the most jaw-dropping products. It doesn’t have to be bought by the people whining on this and every other site about the price (who, like myself, couldn’t afford such a computer that when combined with the superdrive and USB hub could replace a MBPro) are missing the point.
This computer is Apple’s official entrance into and eventual control of the high-end ultra-portable market. The Asus notebook has its place and I’m almost tempted to buy one if I could justify it but for people with the resources (and reason), the Macbook Air will be *THE* computer to own for its utility and good looks, never mind the fact it, like the iPhone, will be the gadget people will want to own the second they see it.
Apple is moving ahead full force.
If this had “tablet” capabilities, then the price is right. I’ll stick to my ‘Pro since I need to burn DVD’s. Lower the price of a .Mac account, and I’ll need to burn fewer DVD’s. I mean, $99/year for 10GB storage and bandwidth caps? Sigh. I love Apple, but unfortunately this is not a “switcher” computer. I can’t encourage my clients to pay more for a stripped down unit, unless they already have a “base” Mac (OK, a PC if you must) on their network. This one, I’m afraid, is preaching to the choir. No switchers here. I’ll recommend the MacBook for my virgin clients, a Pro for those who need the features and can afford it, and an Air for my… well, those who will buy the Air, don’t need my advice, now do they?
Silly worriers…this is Apple’s stealth entry to the enterprise…every traveling business and sales person would love this…and the MBA’s price is no issue for an M.B.A.
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<b>”In my experience, price notwithstanding, the decisions to buy many a gadget starts in the gut. It’s less about need than desire.<b>
In other words, style more than substance drives Seth’s thinking. I want to be as objective as possible when making a purchase, Seth prefers shininess over functionality. I stopped reading his post after the first two sentences.
Ampar:
Here’s a big difference … if you’re constantly running through airports:
MacBook Air – 3 pounds
MacBook – 5 pounds
MacBook Pro – 5.4 (15 inch) or 6.8 (17 inch) pounds
My large ass: 30 pounds
Seems you ought to lose some weight there, big guy. Maybe all that running around is actually good for ya.