“Who else but Apple could launch a product like the MacBook Air? With its focus on form over function, it is destined for the niche of early Apple adopters, sure to get burned on price and features when Apple upgrades to at least include a bigger hard drive than 80GB, ethernet, Firewire and a user-replaceable battery,” Mike Barton blogs for PC World.
MacDailyNews Take: Why would Apple do that? Did they discontinue their MacBook and MacBook Pro lines that already include larger hard drives, Firewire, and user-replaceable batteries for those that want them? No, they did not. Different products for different users and uses. It sounds like the imagination-bereft Barton wants a MacBook, at least; or maybe a MacBook Pro.
Barton continues, “I say let early adopters get burned. This product begs a bigger question of Apple: When will you stop holding back the Mac OS and start licensing the OS?”
MacDailyNews Take: Oh, for fsck’s sake. Because Barton can’t wrap his unmalleable mind around a certain Apple product that just might be a bridge to the future, now Apple must license Mac OS X to every Tom, Dick and Harry, so that these licensees can sell the cheapest possible hardware they can find. cram the junk into their fugly cases, festoon them with garish stickers, install at least 50 gigs of crapware (gotta get paid, you know), fail to support their customers properly, introduce all kinds of driver issues, and drag Apple Mac’s reputation into the sewer. Great idea, Mike!
Barton continues, “Apple’s monopoly power over the Mac OS is holding back better software. If you want Mac OS, Apple says, love it or leave it. Apple fanboys and girls are always ready to point this out, saying you don’t have to buy it if you don’t like it. But defending this monopoly is holding back personal computing. I like the Mac OS (which is more advanced than Windows), and I love the idea of being able to have a dual boot Windows machine. I am not in the market for an ultraportable, but Apple doesn’t offer one laptop I would buy. While the price parity issue has waned, the fact remains: Apple doesn’t make a laptop under $1000.”
MacDailyNews Take: Not only does Barton lack imagination, he’s cheap, too! Don’t kill yourselves lining up to meet him, girls.
We can’t ship junk. There are thresholds we can’t cross because of who we are. The difference is, we don’t offer stripped-down, lousy products. – Apple CEO Steve Jobs, August 7, 2007
Barton continues, “A 13.3-inch screen but no optical drive? Thin but not that light at three pounds? Maybe a boardroom or flashy sales-force machine, but no user-replaceable battery? And Intel custom-designed the CPU to fit, but Apple is not even using a energy-miserly 45nm Penryn chip (with its deep power-down technology to squeeze more battery life out).”
MacDailyNews Take: We half expected Barton to be screaming for his floppy drive. The MacBook Air is meant to appeal to a certain type of user. Whether this market is large enough to support such a computer is anybody’s guess; obviously, Apple thinks there is a large enough market for it to have been developed and produced. MacBook Air challenges a lot of assumptions. Mac users are much better at tackling those challenges than the types that can’t even get past the lack of a parallel port, much less dealing with the concept of no built-in optical drive.
Barton continues, “Apple is missing so much opportunity to grow market share with the Mac OS… Why doesn’t Apple at least offer the Mac OS to business-focused companies, especially if it is going to continue to develop niche products like the MacBook Air when there are big holes in its lineup?”
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dennis” for the heads up.]
We do not believe that the MacBook Air battery is an issue. As for the form factor, MacBook Air offers a large-ish screen and a very thin profile. Apple does not offer, say, a 12-inch MacBook Pro. Would Apple have more success with a 12-inch MacBook Pro? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe it would impact Apple’s other Mac lines in negative ways. Every new Mac line has the capability to affect existing Mac product lines (see below about how the MacBook Air debut has us now considering Mac Pro). Also, Apple’s not big on giving the market what they want today, they’re looking to give the market what they’ll want in the future. If that adds risk to new products’ viability, so be it. It’s far better than the alternative.
We are MacBook Pro users. 17-inch MacBook Pro users, no less. So, if you want to know how we’d use the MacBook Air, please keep in mind that our perspective is coming from large-screened, full-featured, very fast notebook users.
What are the drawbacks to using a 17-inch MacBook Pro when out and about using it as a portable (as opposed to being on our desks connected to second monitors, external drives, speakers, etc.)?
• Weight
• Size: Too big for economy class tray table (we know, fly business class)
• Storage space limited to MBP’s drive or external drive that we’d have to carry
So, how would we be able to affect these issues by taking along MacBook Air units and still using them similarly to how we use our 17-inch MacBook Pros?
• Weight would go from 6.8 pounds to 3 pounds
• Size: Would fit on the tray nicely
• Storage space: still limited, would still have to carry external drive, would still have to be judicious about what to keep on our internal hard drive
• EVDO: We’d have to get a USB EVDO card for the Air as our ExpressCard/34 EVDO cards would be useless. (Cost = negligible)
• Optical drive: We do not use our MBP’s optical drives (music and video come from the ‘Net, live on hard drive). We last used the drives to install Leopard. Software installs for the Air would be done either by using Apple’s $99 external SuperDrive or via the Air’s Remote Disc (allows wireless use of Mac or PC optical drive).
• We would take along our little USB travel hubs that we currently leave behind
• We would buy and carry Apple’s $29 USB 10/100BASE-T Ethernet Adapter, just in case we ran into a situation where both Wi-Fi and EVDO didn’t work, but Ethernet did (extremely rare situation in our experience).
That’s about it, except that we would be giving up some video and processor performance with the Air vs. the MBP. So, our conclusion is that, for us specifically, we would consider buying MacBook Air as a second, traveling laptop along with seriously considering Mac Pro desktops instead of MacBook Pros for the next round of upgrades. If we did the later, we would go from using 17-inch MacBook Pros as our primary computers (both for desktop and portable use) and move to Mac Pros on the desktop and MacBook Air units for the road. We would gain much greater power on the desktop and greatly lessen our travel loads if we did so. Before the Air was introduced, the Mac Pro was not even in our equation. Now, along with MacBook Air, it is being seriously considered as part of a two unit home/road solution. The MacBook Pro’s advantage is cost: a maxed-out MacBook Pro used at home and on the road is more cost-effective than a Mac Pro+MacBook Air combo (but, you have to lug it around while living with less power on the desktop). As with everything, there are pros and cons to both choices.
What do you think about the MacBook Air and how would you use it in your Mac arsenal, if at all?
MacDailyNews Note: Today is Martin Luther King Day, a U.S. federal holiday. The markets are closed today in the U.S. Many people in the U.S. have the day off. Consequently we expect news to be light, although we do hope to bring you Apple-related news throughout the day.
I agree with G-Man in B’ham. I have bought extra batteries in the past, but really did not do much good. You can not store Li-ion batteries fully charged, so you must charge it before you know you need extra battery. When was last time I knew I needed an extra battery. With the new FAA regulation, I’m not sure if I can bring an extra Li-ion battery for a long flight either (which is only time I know I could use an extra battery).
The battery issue is as important to the MacBook Air as it is with an iPod: it’s a non-issue.
I’ve had an original tangerine iBook, PowerBook G4, my wife has a MacBook Pro 15″, and in none of them did we carry a second battery. I use my PowerBook G4 as my data gathering laptop when meeting with clients, and occasionally I plug in during the day for a quick charge. Frankly, I would rather carry my power cable than an extra battery.
As for an optical drive, I never use it. Documents are transfered via email/network connection, or USB drive. Music, video, photos, etc. are on the hard drive. I’m getting by with a 60 GB drive, and I have a TON of data which I need to clean off of it but haven’t gotten around to doing so yet.
I will strongly consider the MacBook Air as my next portable. However, I do expect a price drop in the next 6 months, once the early adopters have jumped on it.
The reader’s comments after the blog were much more entertaining and insightful.
I agree with MDN’s take on the Air: I was considering replacing my now 3 year old powermac with a new Mac Book Pro (15″), but buying a desktop Mac Pro + a Macbook Air is very tempting instead and solves the issue of getting that “hunchback” feeling after lugging my powermac around all day
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />
This product has definitely had an effect on the way I’m considering future purchases, which is quite interesting, I think.
I had a 17″ PowerBook for several years (until stolen from my home). When on the road it was too big and heavy to lug around. At home it was great but I kept having to unplug it to cycle the battery to drain and recharge. I never once, however, changed the battery.
I replaced the single 17″ PowerBook with a 20″ intel iMac for home use and a 12″ PowerBook for school & travel. What a great decision. The 12″ PB is much easier to carry around but it is still heavier and bulkier than I like. I’ve had it for two years now and have had no need to change the battery out. The MBA will be a great replacement for the G4-based PB — it will serve me well in completing grad school and for travel.
I use the optical drive only for software updates and I can do that through my iMac. My current G4 PB has only 512mb of RAM and a 60gb hard drive — the MPA will be a great improvement for me. Yes, the price is a bit steep for my use but I’m hoping the next version (out before the fall semester?) will be a bit cheaper.
I updated my Touch after the Macworld announcement. That update was probably the best $20 I’ve spent in a long time. What a difference. It’s like have a new device.
uh, “having” vs “have.”
Barton doesn’t understand the product positioning of the MacBk Air.
It’s positioned as a road warrior machine. It’s for folks that already have a full featured desktop workhorse at home that need something lightweight and small for the road. As far as licensing the OS is concerned … want to use the Mac OS ? …buy a Mac.
As Steve has basically said ” we don’t sell junk “.Period.
I won’t even dignify ericdano’s “lowend crap” assertion with an answer other than to say my Ditty which is chock full of 80’s power ballads in glorious WMA format runs circles around your sissy Shuffle. Dork.
Surprisingly a PC World blogger has it wrong. The only OS worth licensing already is: magnificent Microsoft Windows Vista. The MacBook Air should ship pre-loaded with Windows Vista Pretentious Edition for the superficial MAC lemmings who go through life showing off their designer toys. At least then the MacBook Air would feed MAC sheep’s egos and get important business tasks accomplished.
And it should be priced around $600 US like the equally stylish ThinkPad R61 the blogger discusses in his post. You can see it’s the coolest and quietest R Series notebook ever! Nice try, Apple.
Your potential. Our passion.™
Macintosh like the iPod is Apples business. They only make the software so good to sell their amazing hardware. OS X just like iTunes is made to sell hardware. Once these bloggers understand that, then the licensing of OS X question will fade forever. Both the HD and SW are part of the package. They are two pillars that hold Apple up, one with out the other will not work. If you don’t believe me ask any Windows user.
That moron gets paid real money to write? It’s only a blog but Jesus Christ…. this fool loves taking trips to the retarded side a little too often.
I think Barton is right. Macbook Air (lousy name) is form over function and I really don’t see how it really fits or fills a niche that really needs filling. It’s not that light, has the same monitor size as the MacBook and is underpowered.
Why not just buy the macbook at a much lower price? This product doesn’t make sense though a small niche will buy this product for it’s beauty just like the cube.
And ultimately, Apple’s market share will top out at low number – maybe 20% – if they don’t license OSX. And if they actually go higher than that, the government will force them to license.
I think MDN are the ones with the unmalleable minds.
Blogs worldwide are moaning about the MacBook Air’s deficiencies, ranging from its slow processor, its lack of an optical drive and wired ethernet, its lack of a user-replaceable battery, and of course, its high price. All we need now is someone predicting that it will be the death of Apple (AAPL) and the second coming of Microsoft (MSFT), and the moaning will be complete.
What a moron. Howe characterizes anyone who doesn’t like the MBA as an enemy of Apple. I suppose his take home message is, “No dissent will be tolerated.” So much for the aforementioned study posted at MDN that identified Mac owners as “open-minded”. Of course, Howe also counters Steve Job’s assertion that Apple doesn’t “don’t offer stripped-down” products since Howe so carefully lists all the MBA “deficiencies”.
Frankly, it strikes me that these people who about the feature set are a bit like the thsose (sic) who complain that Ferraris don’t have enough trunk space.
I would like to know what vehicle Howe drives to work. My guess it ain’t a Fiorano.
Apple’s going to sell if not a gazillion, at least a few million MacBook Airs in its first year. Why? Because Apple has identified an untapped and very profitable market niche for the MacBook Air that will expand its market share: fashion designers and luxury hospitality companies.
It was interesting to read that Howe believes that millions of fashion designers and concierges populate the planet. Really, that many? These are hardly the people that I would classify as “road warriors”, the purported niche market for MBA. I think that those that stuff their closets with haute couture and sip Krug from crystal glasses are not the least bit concerned what computers their valets or manservants use.
I would like to think that there are one-hundred times more students, professors, businessmen and businesswomen, physicians, and others who aren’t familiar with the crowd that wear $660 shoes, eat $225 meals, and relax after a $125 lavender salt scrub.
Looks like Mac has forgotten its roots as “The computer for the rest of us.” Steve, you should have introduced MacBooks and MacBook Pros with multi-touch track pads and LED monitors, too.
Steve, have you lost connection with the people who supported and defended Apple through thick and thin? Are you abandoning the people that proudly attached Apple decals to their Hondas, Fords, and Chevys?
This is just more fanatical anti-fanaticism. Some people are just so used to “making” things work that they’ve finally come to believe that hardware doesn’t matter.
Apple has a “monopoly” on OS X? Kind of like Ford has a monopoly on Ford products, Sony has a monopoly on Sony products, and IBM has a monopoly on IBM products. This guy is a joke. He accuses Apple of exerting their monopoly power over one of their products and defending it. Yeah, it’s one of their products. They made it and they own it. Since they are the only ones who made it and own it and have their brand on it then you could say they have a monopoly on it in the same way Ford is has a monopoly on Explorers. Ridiculous.
“And ultimately, Apple’s market share will top out at low number – maybe 20% – if they don’t license OSX. And if they actually go higher than that, the government will force them to license.”
First off 20% is not a low number in terms of computer sales. it’s pretty high actually, and would mean more than doubling its current marketshare, which would mean BILLIONS in revenue for the company. Their market cap would most likely exceed Microsoft’s at that point.
Second, Apple will not license OSX. OSX is the heart of Apple’s product, and they will not allow third party hardware makers to ruin the experience on subpar hardware.
Third, the govt will not mandate Apple license OSX. Not at 20% 40% or even 51%. There are alternatives. Not a monopoly.
@ GMan
So true. Maybe you sissy MAC dorks should go to the gym if your toy computers are too heavy. Of course, you might not have time for exercise with all the time you waste removing viruses, updating virus removal and spyware detetction software and finally reinstalling your pansy OS when you can’t fully remove the MAC viruses. Too bad MAC users are weak little losers.
And my Dell costs less than a MAC Book Air.
Your potential. Our passion.™
Okay…How many people actually swap out their laptop batteries on a regular basis? Anyone!?!? Show of hands?!?
Have a 12″ PowerBook G4. Have had it for at least 5 or 6 years. Number of times a disk was burned: 1 (one). Glad I carried it around for all that time – SOOO necessary!
I read through the comments on both sites for this article. Like ‘Ampar’, I found PC World’s readers’ comments much more interesting than here, with idiots like ‘zune bung’ and the rest. But, ‘Ampar’, you are responsible for a good deal of the bs too. No clear insightful comments, just one liners and vitriol.
MDN’s ‘Apple or nothing’ attitude is just plain dense, ripping anyone that doesn’t embrace the perfection of Apple as blinkered myopic fools. Half the time they sound like Mormons, who hold on to the scam with no regard for plain reality.
It’s no wonder PC heads think Apple fans are nut jobs. All they need do is read an MDN article (with the vacuous “Think Before You Click” warning) and the gab that follows for concrete proof.
How about, “Think Before You Write”?
“No clear insightful comments, just one liners and vitriol.”
How about, “No one gives a shit about your pompous attitude and editorial requirements”?
Why are you here if you find MDN so objectionable?
Thank you for proving my point with a one liner and more vitriol.
Sure thing, Phred the Shoeman.
But again, why are you here? Especially if it pisses you off so much? Are you a glutton for punishment?
Apple has usually shown that it knows what it is doing when it puts out a new product. Failures can be counted on one hand – in fact, one finger (the Cube) – and lukewarm response (Apple TV) on another.
So this is so obviously a company that knows it’s market inside and out. I would not try to second-guess them.
Having acknowledged that, I do have some doubts about the Air. Basically, at the price it’s going for, I don’t see the point in buying it other than the fact that it is the thinnest notebook around, and has 2 gigs of RAM.
Probably Apple knows something I don’t but why would someone looking for features and usefulness, with the Air’s price being at roughly the same point as other Apple notebooks, choose the Air other than for its looks?
Granted, the absence of an optical drive may not be a big deal, but I’d rather have that drive in for the price I pay. It is still an extremely useful feature to have in a notebook, and Air owners are bound to run into situations, no matter how occasionally, where the absence of a DVD/CD drive will be a big setback.
The only really great feature the Air offers, other than form, is the option of a solid-state hard drive. But putting in that option takes the Air’s price to stratospheric levels, relatively speaking, and that basically negates whatever advantages a 64-gig solid-state drive would offer.
Apple has proven most naysayers wrong, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they do so again. But how the Air does is worth watching.
.
Abdullah:
You forgot Lisa, Newton, 20th Anniversary Mac, Motorola ROKR.