Apple’s MacBook Air is “a 3-pound ultralight computer that’s gorgeous but not competitive,” John C. Dvorak for MarketWatch.
“The trend in laptops that overrides all other trends is the basic landscape change, where powerful portables are used instead of desktop machines in both homes and offices,” Dvorak explains. “This only works when the laptop has as much or more capability than a desktop. The MacBook Air does not.”
“While light and cool-looking, the machine suffers from lack of connectivity and the ability for expansion. It doesn’t have a PC Card slot and sports but a single USB connector. The batteries cannot be removed or swapped out, and the machine is just underpowered,” Dvorak bloviates.
Dvorak concludes, “There are a lot of flaws with the MacBook Air, and it is unlikely to be much of a success.”
Full article, Think Before You Click™, here.
MacDailyNews Take: iCal’ed. In fact, our iCal has its very own Dvorak calendar: “Bloated Gas Bag” in a lovely shade of brown. It gets a lot of use. So, Apple should be very happy, with Dvorak weighing in (and, boy, does he weigh in), MacBook Air is virtually certain to become a wild success! Now, what was that we wrote on Tuesday? Oh, right: “Those who critique MacBook Air as if it’s designed to serve the entire portable market are fools.”
Why is this guy still allowed to write anything? Just to touch on everyones comment regarding this FUDMASTER, I agree with all your points regarding this so called technology expert.
I agree with C1 on this usefulness of ports on a laptop.
In fours years of owning a PB:
I never have used the PC card slot (I tried to look for a WiFi “n” card to no avail).
I rarely use the firewire or USB ports (only when backing up)
Sometimes have used the Ethernet port for troubleshooting the network or when traveling
DVI port is used for connecting sometimes to a TV
Rarely use the DVD drive also.
If I were traveling a lot I doubt I would miss FW, Ethernet or the DVD. The adaptors obsviously would be important to have just in case
Dvorak is a spoiled kid who looks for what MBA is not. I am pretty sure that Dvorak doesn’t do much with a computer when he reviews it. He look at the specs and start writing. What an idiot.
But hey! He’s doing his best! With the brain he has. Not his fault if he can’t catch on the new wave of electronics.
Idiocracy rules!
@Old Mac Man
I think you are jumping the gun on this one. At the very least when it comes to transferring a large job, CD are still indispensable. FTP can be good for the occasional job and technology and bandwidth will make large file transfers though FTP even more feasible in the future. But today, you better hang on to that Superdrive, at least if you are in the DTP industry.
While Dvorak is a bit of a putz he is spot on with his analysis in one way..the MBA is NOT going to be much of a success and is a niche product. They will sell a lot over the first 3 months but it’s too damn expensive and to devoid of features to justify the price. I love Mac Daily News but according to this site Apple can never do any wrong
Dvorak is old he doesn’t get the concept nor does he understand the future trend of laptop computers.
He’s so concerned about this is where technology is that he’s not looking at were it’s going.
In the next rev., or so, of the Air it will slide into a iMac Monitor docking station that will have extra USB ports, Ethernet and a super drive. But Apple as to take one step at a time to get to that point.
I’ve always wondered… just how do you pronounce this guy’s last name? Like the composer – Dvor-zhäk – or just as it looks?
I just read his column and he is spot on this time. There was a major disappointment at Macworld and the MBA is overpriced for what it offers. I have an iPhone and although it is far superior to anything on the market, the lack of high speed web access and eMail is a major hinderence.
As someone who goes on the road quite a bit and had to make and remake presentations the MBA does not offer me ANYTHING. A lot of hotels do not have wireless access and when they do it doesn’t work correctly, When you’re doing and redoing Powerpoints for clients you need processor speed and there is no way that I would sacrifice a slower processor for lighter laptop, especially for $1700 !!
JD should get a gov’ment job. He’d fit right in… system of tubes or pipes or whatever, marvel of tech those supermarket scanners….geez.
He probably still wonders where the floppy is!
Just another pundit who thinks old… time to retire and let the next gen takeover. they couldn’t do any worse!
Dvorak has a few points, but Macdailynews is right, this isn’t for everyone. Same thing is being said, but in two different ways. Dvorak wants to spin it negative so people say his name. Macdailynews wants to tell the truth – which, shockingly, is not what most reporters are in to. Sad.
The MBA is not for my work due to lack of ethernet jack and underpowered nature of processor. But – with a big price drop – it’d be perfect for that second home machine or personal travel. Great for most college students (wireless rules) as well.
Dvorak is Dvorak. I find him humorous, and he always takes a unique position. ever listen to him on the TWiT podcast? his wife uses an Apple. you people are too serious. the market will prove him right or wrong. personally, i think this will sell relatively well, but it won’t be a blowout product, and it essentially takes sales away from MacBooks and MacBook Pros. when you account for the R&D;that went into this, the margins must be low. still, i think Apple’s learned to do something new here, and that knowledge will go into the touch internet everywhere tablet we’ve all been waiting for. plus, it is a great show product for the stores. yeah, we make those kinds of computers. we’re eccentrics! i love it.
Dvorak loosens his sphincter: No surprise at what oozes out.
I can’t imagine that I will feel the need for a Macbook Air anytime soon; if I do, however, it will be long before I even feel the need to read any of Dvorak’s blather.
“bloviates”
Great word!
He says a laptop only succeeds when it equals or betters a desktop in features??? Show me one laptop that is better than any desktop (assuming you’re not comparing new laptops to old desktops).
A desktop has huge advantages over laptops: more room for storage, more memory expansion, more powerful processors due to less heat concerns, more room for ports, video cards, etc.
Laptops are a compromise from the start – smaller screens, fewer keys, less space for storage, memory and less room to cool processors.
Complaining that the MacBookAir doesn’t have an optical drive, express card slot, etc. is lunacy. The ONLY reason I would have to use an express or PC card slot is for a wireless card from AT&T;, and I don’t need one. So for me, the express card slot is wasted space and more weight.
Thank God Dvorak doesn’t like the MBA. His opinion has just confirmed that it is EXACTLY the product Apple needs in its lineup.
I hope he doesn’t like AppleTV either.
@Macfan: “Great for most college students (wireless rules) as well.”
I’m not sure how long it’s been since you’ve been in a college classroom, but most students are watching DVDs or playing games while in class; MBA excels at neither. They should have no problem accessing their Facebook accounts, though.
This guy keeps taking the blue pill. What a troll.
I agree with Dvorak (hate to say it). The Air is lovely but I’d never buy one at that price point when I can get a laptop that isn’t that much bigger, but much more powerful.
You know, the more we don’t actually pay attention to his “writing”, the less credibility he gets.
With his track record, does anyone really listen to Dvorak any more?
The Air is not meant to be every person’s solution, but as long as you don’t transport tons of data or need heavy graphics, it does fine as a portable solution that also looks like a work of art.
“The problem with those kind of writers is that they think everybody thinks geeky…. get over yourselves.”
like almost all the recent posters on many boards about Apple when it comes to the MBA.
if you could wear a “geekier than thou” tee-shirt, this is not aimed at you… and even then you may want it.
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ahh, wouldn’t it suck if he was right!
Ampar: Chainsaw sans chain.
Almost spit up my coffee.
Very funny.
I wonder what a “PC Card” was?
SIGH! I suppose we will never know now.
Sad how old things just disappear.
Unlike Dvojak of course. Or am I speaking too soon?
As for poor Mittens Romney… he sounds like the kind of guy who wouldn’t buy a Walkman because his 1979 Phillips portable cassette recorder had plenty of power and a big 3 inch speaker, and the Walkman only had silly little earphones… like who would ever use them?
Dvorak’s cluelessness aside, I’m disappointed with the way the Air is being reviewed pretty much across the board:
I’m Getting (MacBook) Air Sick.