“Want the thinnest, best-designed ultra-portable computer money can buy? Plunk down $1,800 and pick up the MacBook Air,” Tom Rose reports for The Boston Herald.
“The new MacBook air is a marvel of design. Without giving up the comfort of a full-sized keyboard or the pleasure of a 13.3-inch widescreen display, Apple has produced a laptop that is absurdly thin,” Rose reports. “While it seems odd to say it for such a sleek device, the Air feels solid and sturdy. It sports the same aluminum casing as the MacBook Pro.”
Much of the early criticism of the Air — which was announced in January but didn’t hit stores until last month — has centered on ‘missing’ features. Critics who lament that Apple missed the mark clearly do not understand that this laptop is aimed at a select group.,” Rose reports.
“If the lack of an optical drive or Ethernet port causes concern for a potential buyer, then Apple believes a different MacBook is a wiser choice. In terms of computing bang for the buck, the faster, feature-packed MacBook Pro is a better value,” Rose reports.The group the Air is designed for includes college students and traveling professionals who want style and portability. It is a premium ultraportable that best serves those who will use it as a second computer; the one they grab when on the run.”
Full review here.
“Want the thinnest, best-designed ultra-portable computer money can buy?”
That’s a strange expression. I suppose you could try to trade chickens, celebrity baby photos or a nice camel for one.
“Much of the early criticism of the Air — which was announced in January but didn’t hit stores until last month — has centered on ‘missing’ features. Critics who lament that Apple missed the mark clearly do not understand that this laptop is aimed at a select group.”
This guy gets it. Funny how so many other reporters/writers overlook that very key point.
To be fair, there are thinner, better designed ultra-portables money can’t buy.
They exist in Apple’s labs.
“They exist in Apple’s labs.”
Right next to a real time machine, a holodeck, Asteroid, the frozen head of Walt Disney and Flubber.
“It sports the same aluminum casing as the MacBook Pro.”
Don’t tell Jonathan Ive that.
It’s nice to see a reporter that ” gets it ” and understands the market this product is intended to sell to. It’s not a Photoshop workhorse and it’s not intended to replace your desktop computer. It’s a great portable computer !
“That’s a strange expression. I suppose you could try to trade chickens, celebrity baby photos or a nice camel for one.”
actually, i traded the third child for a Mac Mini over a year ago. still trying to figure out what kind of package deal i can swing for an iPhone and an MBA…….
MBA may be the “thinnest, best-designed ultra-portable computer money can buy”, but it is definitely not the best notebook for me. I see no reason to “plunk down $1,800” for a notebook that sacrifices too much functionality for a mere 2.5 pounds of weight saving.
MBA seems to be the notebook of choice for those that favor aestheticism over practicality or have a desktop as their primary machine. MBA cannot compete as a stand alone machine and its elegance does not compensate for its deficiencies in processor speed, slower and smaller hard drive, and inability of the user to swap batteries easily.
To MBA aficionados, these repeated threads for MBA seem nothing less than a desperate attempt to secure validation for your purchase. I won’t provide approval for your purchase. Get over it, not everyone thinks like you.
Finally, someone who actually thinks before they write junk. Someone with the ability to understand what the product was designed for.
The MBA is perfect for me. The approximately 50% less weight and thinness have made carrying it around everywhere a joy.
For work, I used to have a 12″ Thinkpad X60, which had an extra battery and optical drive in the dock, which I never carried with me, and almost never used. And the only place I ever used wired Ethernet was at my desk at work. So it was very clear to me that an MBA would be better. The extra screen real estate and full size keyboard are a real benefit.
So to MBA aficionados, I will provide validation and approval for your purchase. No need to get over it, since you already know that everyone thinks like you as you see the millions of sufferers using XP or Vista…
“i traded the third child for a Mac Mini over a year ago”
That explains where Mac Geniuses come from. They’re bred!
__________________
“I won’t provide approval for your purchase.”
The Mighty Afib has spoken. That’s it then. We’re done. Thanks.
(Actually, I think it would be hysterical if someone bought you one just to piss you off.)
@Afib,
“To MBA aficionados, these repeated threads for MBA seem nothing less than a desperate attempt to secure validation for your purchase. I won’t provide approval for your purchase. Get over it, not everyone thinks like you.”
Is it me or do you just not get it??
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” /> The comments above clearly pointed out that its a computer with a special purpose and audience, just like other Macs.
“MBA cannot compete as a stand alone machine “….. Yep, I guess you just do not get it. LOL
Let me help. The MBA is NOT:
A means of transportation,
Does not fly,
Will not teleport you anywhere….
Will not cloth, wash, or dress you…
etc.
Have a nice day.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />\
en
Here is the link again: http://www.maclife.com/article/apple_1_6g_hz_macbook_air
Just my $0.02
DH and Slappy:
According to the article the demographic for who the MBA is designed are those who do not need a machine with a built in Ethernet port, already have a primary computer, are not the least concerned about poor battery life and difficulties of swapping a battery themselves, and are more concerned with style than functionality.
Apple could design a Macbook Pro without an optical drive and with one USB, Ethernet, DVI, and audio port. This would possibly reduce the weight of a 15-inch Macbook Pro by a minimum of 0.8 to 1 pound. This would be my ideal notebook because it could easily function as my standalone computer, and would still be faster and equally portable in my estimation compared to MBA. In this case, I would not need to purchase another machine, but could an external display for home and office use.
ElderNorm:
Yes, it’s obvious, you don’t think like me. I don’t buy a computer for what it doesn’t do, I buy a machine for what it does do. If MBA serves your needs “Whoopee, for you!” Happy now?
It’s amazing how defensive MBA fanbois can be when someone threads a negative opinion of the MBA. What is it that make you think that your choice in a notebook is more intelligent or more reasonable than anyone else? Even you admit that Apple designed MBA for a specific niche. it is obvious then that MBA would NOT be appealing to everyone. The fact that some persons do not fit this niche is a logical deduction. Is this simple understanding to difficult for you to grasp? Do you need to receive unanimous approval for your purchase of MBA to feel validation? If so, you and the other MBA fanbois are a truly pathetic bunch.
It seems that those who favor the MBA admit that MBA comes with some deficiencies, but somehow seem downright reactionary when these deficiencies are pointed out. An astute consumer weighs the advantages and disadvantages of each notebook and makes a decision which machine provides the optimal service.
Afib,
Everyone here already understands the tradeoffs Apple made. Some are okay with it and have bought or will buy one. Others won’t. No need for you to point them out in a defensive and huffy tone (i.e. reference to fanbois). Get over it.
If you had just said, like many other posters in previous threads, that those tradeoffs made the MBA not the computer for you, nobody would’ve bothered to respond to or mock you. As it is, you cemented the view that you’re an idiot who won’t acknowledge that there are many who like and rationally choose the MBA just the way it is. Get over it.
Afib: One more thing, as I said in my previous post, the MBA is plenty practical for me, even as a primary computer. (I don’t do Photoship.) So your need to denigrate the motive for my choice by implying I must’ve chose aestheticism over practicality is just offensive.
Afib: And by the way, I think of myself as a very astute customer who has chosen what is optimal, and don’t need you to point out that I somehow stupidly missed the MBA’s “deficiencies.”
Every laptop has deficiencies. Even the new Lenovo X300 has severe deficiencies but it may be perfect for a whole bunch of users.
Afib
To MBA aficionados, these repeated threads for MBA seem nothing less than a desperate attempt to secure validation for your purchase. I won’t provide approval for your purchase. Get over it, not everyone thinks like you.
Pot. Kettle. Black.
Get over the fact that not everyone thinks like *you*. The MBA doesn’t have the features you need?
DON”T BUY IT! BUY ONE OF THE OTHER MAC LAPTOPS!
How hard is this to comprehend? The Air suits many thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of people for the exact reason the article mentions. No one needs to “validate” a purchase that fits their needs and requirements. It’s that simple.
@Afib
Are you simply a complete and utter ass, or are you just dense? Guess what, the MBA is NOT the right machine for almost everyone on the planet. That doesn’t mean each and everyone of you need to post here telling us something we already know. Your disdain for those that actually have a use for the MBA only underscores my original question to you.
mark:
“you cemented the view that you’re an idiot who won’t acknowledge that there are many who like and rationally choose the MBA just the way it is. Get over it.”
Not so, mark. As I have repeated many times, to each his own. It’s simply that MBA is not the machine for me. Read my threads again, if you have any questions, I’ll be glad to explain them to you.
Anyhow, thanks for being so generous with your opinions, mark. Your uninhibited resentment towards those who won’t spend the cash for MBA underscores your personal bias and prejudices towards those that do “Think Different” from you.
How often do you consider those who share opposite opinions to you “idiots”? What makes your thinking more sensible than someone else? How does insulting another person strengthen your argument that you are an objective and thoughtful person?
Explain yourself, mark.
Personally, mark, I think that your acrimony and venom is positive proof that you have a desperate need for approval for purchasing MBA. You seem to lack the calm and collected assurance of a person who is confident in his thinking processes. That would make you a fanboi by any definition.
@ Afib
“Get over it, not everyone thinks like you.”
Practice what you preach, pal.
Quit condemning those that buy Airs, just because you don’t fit into its demographic, and possibly don’t understand it.
Me, I fit into the demographic (except I can’t afford one). I’m a college-student, with PM G4 as my primary computer. The only time I use my disc drive is to rip CDs or DVDs to my computer, or to install software. The Air has a way to install software, and I wouldn’t rip my whole music library to the Air if I had one, so there’s no reason for me to have a disc drive.
The only reason I use ethernet, is because I can’t find a wireless card that will work with this computer (predates AirPort. If anyone knows of one, that isn’t 100 bux, let me know, I’ll love you forever). If my computer had a wireless card, and no ethernet jack, I would NEVER need ethernet.
The one USB port? Let’s see, my USB attachments…my mouse, hmm, wouldn’t use that. My keyboard, hey wouldn’t use that. My printer, can hook up to that over Bonjour through my primary computer. My iPod, which I wouldn’t sync to my Air because my PM has all my music on it, my Air wouldn’t, and if I’m on the road, I’ll plug my iPod into the wall.
Its processor? Well, right now, I’m running on a 400 MHz processor, with 768 K of RAM. Which is too slow for me, I’ve been needing to upgrade it forever, but can’t afford to. But 1.6 or 1.8 GHz on a dual core, with 2 GB of RAM? That’d be just fine for me. Perfect.
So while you may see it as “form over function,” to some people, apparently a lot of people seeing as the Airs are flying off the shelves (still #1 seller on the Apple Online Store), it’s the perfect functionality encased in a gorgeous form. There is no trade off for some people. Sure, for you, there are a ton of trade-offs. But…
“Get over it, not everyone thinks like you.”
Afib, bullshit.
“As I have repeated many times, to each his own.”
Combine that with this gem,
“I won’t provide approval for your purchase.”
Flip much?
Oh, and Afib. Go back and read your first post. It was EXTREMELY rude to people who buy the Airs. And if you didn’t mean it that way, then maybe you ought to examine the way you say certain things, because it honestly sounds like you are making fun of, and being extremely condescending to anyone that buys an Air.
You were almost fine, until this: “To MBA aficionados, these repeated threads for MBA seem nothing less than a desperate attempt to secure validation for your purchase. I won’t provide approval for your purchase. Get over it, not everyone thinks like you.”
Calling people desperate, accusing them of seeking to secure validation, and saying get over it, are just not the ways to politely say the Air is not for me. Sorry, but it isn’t.
To all fanbois:
You seem perturbed that someone doesn’t wholeheartedly agree with you. Hmmm, why is that?
I suppose that some of your haven’t lost all reason, because it is true that I haven’t purchased a MBA. That should have been obvious.
I also won’t buy MBA and thanks for your advice not to purchase MBA. I really appreciate your recommendations not to buy MBA; however, I am certain that MBA is NOT the notebook for me and I made this decision months ago. I reckon that others debating whether to buy or not to buy MBA may find your suggestion that MBA is NOT the optimal notebook for some persons very helpful.
So, MBA purchasers, if you are the niche that Apple designed MBA, why feel so threatened or insecure when a person not in your exclusive demographic doesn’t fall in lock step with your thinking? Maybe those who are not confident in their purchase of MBA are probably not self-assured in their thinking processes and likely feel a strong sense of buyer’s remorse.
I repeat, “Whoopee!” for all MBA purchasers.
To all those who haven’t purchased MBA, “Whoopee, to you, too!”