“We were sceptical about the Air when it was announced, back in January. But now it’s available there was nothing for it: we had to try it out ourselves,” Tony Smith reports for Register Hardware.
“There’s no denying the Air’s beauty, even if aesthetics don’t matter to you. Closed, the laptop’s lid and base are gracefully curved, a trick that accentuates its incredible thinness, making it stand out even alongside Apple’s still-pretty-thin MacBook Pro,” Smith reports. “The Air’s perhaps the wrong side of a kilo… but the weight comes from its aluminium shell, which gives the Air a reassuring solidity. It’s not a ruggedised machine, sure, but the lid doesn’t flex like the R500’s does, and being metal it’ll be more resistant to the bumps and scrapes a laptop taken on the road will inevitably take.”
“The touchpad is big because Apple’s enabled iPhone-stye gesture input: draw two fingers apart to zoom into pictures and the like, then turn them to rotate images. It works as well as it does on the iPhone – pictures zoom and rotate smoothly and without lag – but where it’s essential on the handheld, here it seems a gimmick,” Smith reports. “The keyboard’s lozenge keys are very good to type on, and there’s none of the bend you get with some laptop keyboards – the Air’s keyboard is mounted solidly. The keyboard backlight – activated manually or whenever the light around you dims – is welcome, as is the addition of dedicated keys for Mac OS X’s Exposé and Dashboard features.”
“The Air is a ‘love it or loathe it’ machine, but don’t let the naysayers put you off if it offers the form factor you prefer. Of course it’s not going to be the laptop to suit everyone – you can buy cheaper or more capable Macs and PCs – so it’s not a must have for the price-conscious buyer or the power-hungry,” Smith reports. “If form-factor is your prime concern, then the Air provides a good computing experience, and if our time with it is anything to go by, its port and optical disc limitations proved no handicap at all.”
“For us, price notwithstanding, the Air hits the mark… This is style over substance in the very best possible way,” Smith reports.
More in the full review here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Linux Guy And Mac Prodigal Son” for the heads up.]
Thank you for a simple, reasoned review.
How did this rational review slip through the rest of the FUD?
I’ve never really understood the frothing and gnashing of teeth in regards to the MB Air. It either fits one’s needs or doesn’t. It’s existence harms no one, nor does it hinder anyone from selecting a different laptop. Yet the uproar after its release was deafening. In auto magazines I don’t see reader comments after a review of, say, the new Smart Car, snickering that it can’t tow a boat or haul a ton of lumber. Why is it in the computer market, so many cannot recognize and appreciate the value of niche products. Weird.
@Spark
Nicely summed up.
A good review, but I don’t think it’s “love it or loathe it”. I had my first play with a MB Air a week ago. A very nice piece of hardware, no question, and it obviously suits many people (the salesman said it was selling well).
But I’m the wrong demographic for it. If I was in the market for another laptop (my daughter’s finally inherited my old iBook), I’d never sacrifice features for looks. I’d fork out the extra for a MacBook Pro.
To me, the MB Air represents an exciting future; it’s just not the present for me.
I agree with Spark. Each to their own.
I just sold a MacBook Air to a client this morning. I told her that in my opinion it fit her needs.
She’s a wealthy older actress. She doesn’t want to play games or run multiple operating systems in virtualization. She wants to send e-mail, surf the web, write, do online financial stuff, watch movies.
She’s heard nothing but bad things from people about the MacBook Air. I explained that if I had the extra cash, I’d buy one for myself, but since I don’t I need to get the most bang for my buck and that’s not the MBA.
I told her the MBA meets her requirements perfectly, but for many of us it’s an over priced, under powered luxury. One that we’d like to own, just can’t justify.
Amazing! So many reviewers who just don’t get it, now, finally, we’ve had a couple from those who do!
“Of course it’s not going to be the laptop to suit everyone – you can buy cheaper or more capable Macs and PCs – so it’s not a must have for the price-conscious buyer or the power-hungry,” Smith reports. “If form-factor is your prime concern, then the Air provides a good computing experience”
Precisely! Although, I wouldn’t have called “ultra-portable” a “form factor”. Still, no ultra-portable stands up well – either for price or for power – to a heavier portable. To that I say “so what?”
Bring back floppy disk drives, I say
If I was afib I would be upset at the fact that all of you would be happy with the fact that this writer didn’t take the time to review every single laptop out there before pointing out the flaws and benefits of the MBA.
I am absolutely shocked (and rather pleased I might add) that Afib hasn’t come on here and started arguing with everyone.
But, but, but, but the MacBook AIr makes a *terrible* frisbee and the balance is all wrong. You can actually decapitate small dogs with it! My neighbor’s cat just had his tail cut off by a rampant Apple fanbois — how horrible! Apple must be sued! This laptop must be stopped!
I would have preferred Apple to release a new 12″ PowerBook style MBP, but having played on an Air down the Apple Store and more importantly seen the crowds it attracted when I was doing the multi-touch stuff I now see it as the right machine for the range.
Sadly not for me, but I’m gradually getting to like the 15″ MBP I bought instead. Not as portable, but far more relevant to my needs.
And I think that’s the point. Apple are giving people a bit of choice.
“Style over substance!” <b/b>
What a perfect description of MBA, succinct and to the point.
Spark, Crabs, et al:
<b>”I’ve never really understood the frothing and gnashing of teeth in regards to the MB Air.”
Weird, defines you perfectly, Spar. When some persons point out MBA’s deficiencies and explain how MBA is not THEIR ideal notebook the MDN fanbois generally become utterly irrational and apoplectic.
” It either fits one’s needs or doesn’t.”
Really? So you agree with me that there ARE legitimate reasons NOT to purchase MBA? How did YOU come this conclusion?
” It’s existence harms no one, nor does it hinder anyone from selecting a different laptop.”
Who said that MBA’s existence “harms” anyone? Who said MBA “hinders” anyone selecting another notebook. Your fondness for hyperbole confirms your fanboi bias.
” I don’t see reader comments after a review of, say, the new Smart Car, snickering that it can’t tow a boat or haul a ton of lumber.”
Spark compares the MBA with the Smart Car acknowledging that MBA has lackluster power. However, Spark, you forgot to mention MBA’s smaller and slower hard drive, limited and non-upgradeable RAM, and limited connectivity (no Ethernet or FireWire ports). Fortunately, the author does an excellent job of listing and describing all the numerous deficiencies of MBA.
” Why is it in the computer market, so many cannot recognize and appreciate the value of niche products. Weird.”<b>
Again, you exhibit your profound bias by assuming that those who <b>DON’T desire to purchase MBA are unable to recognize or appreciate the value of ”niche products”. Maybe persons who eschew MBA do so because they “recognize” MBA as being too slow, too limited, and too deficient to be their notebook of choice. Maybe persons who reject MBA “appreciate” the fact that MBA is too little computer for their needs: overpriced for the deficiencies in MBA’s design and incapable of performing the required tasks as a stand alone machine.
” I am absolutely shocked (and rather pleased I might add) that Afib hasn’t come on here and started arguing with everyone.”
I see no need to apologize to you, Crabs. How is it that when Tony Smith states that MBA is best suited “as a secondary machine not your prime computer, unless your performance and/or storage demands are small” you agree with him wholeheartedly, but when I make the same evaluation you get your panties in a bind? Pathetic fanboi.
Afib you are an asshole…stfu.
?what?
“Afib you are an asshole…stfu.”
If that ALL you can thread you really have a problem with interacting intelligently with people.
Let me help you. Do have a specific point related to my thread or a question that I can answer for you?
@Afib.
Man, you really need to see someone about your issues – maybe an anger management course would suite?
Re: “Fortunately, the author does an excellent job of listing and describing all the numerous deficiencies of MBA”
Ahhhh, the MBA doesn’t have deficiencies. Needs and wants are in the eye of the beholder. If it doesn’t suite your needs, such is life – that doesn’t make it deficient (btw, it didn’t suite my needs either – but its still an awesome piece of hardware – for some people).
Oh, and ?what? was wrong. You’re not an asshole – you’re obviously just very angry. Chill out – this is a discussion, not a ranting/shouting board – if you would prefer just windows, then I could recommend any number of very good windows fanboi sites. As such (as ?what? said), STFU!!!
Rossco:
“Man, you really need to see someone about your issues – maybe an anger management course would suite?”
Thanks for your concern – even if it isn’t genuine or objective.
“Ahhhh, the MBA doesn’t have deficiencies. Needs and wants are in the eye of the beholder. If it doesn’t suite your needs, such is life – that doesn’t make it deficient (btw, it didn’t suite my needs either – but its still an awesome piece of hardware – for some people).”
Firstly, if MBA doesn’t satisfy the needs of certain people, MBA is deficient.To choose one notebook over another is evidence that one model is deficient compared to another.
Secondly, if MBA met everyone’s needs Apple would not be manufacturing more than one notebook, right?
Thirdly, you yourself chose not to purchase MBA because MBA failed to meet your desired specifications. If MBA was not deficient according to your unnamed specifications you would have bought one, right?
“STFU!!!”
You think that I have anger issues? Pathetic fanboi, reality escapes you.
Darn. I was so hopeful. Oh well…
Crabs:
Just think, Crabs, I can thread at anytime. You see, you weren’t hopeful, your are simply deluded. That’s a common character flaw among fanbois.
Later, Crabs.
You really ought to listen to people. You don’t thread. You post. Well, I guess you could thread, I don’t know, do you sew? All of the comments on this story are together a thread. What you just wrote is a post. You post on a thread, you don’t thread on a thread. Come on, now, get it right.
And again, for someone who says that we are so unwilling to accept that someone else thinks differently than you, then why do you respond to every single story about the Air, and go on a tirade? We think differently than you. To put it as eloquently as you did: “Get over it.”
Oh, and I must also reiterate that if you truly are a teacher, then I’m far more worried about and disgusted with America’s school system than I previously was.
One more thing. Many say that those who hope for someone with an advanced stage of cancer to survive are delusional. Does that mean they’re not hopeful? No.
Another scenario. Someone says a year ago, “I hope REM will come out with new music.” At that point, that was highly unlikely. Many would call them delusional. But they still hoped. And REM came out with a new CD.
Many hopes are seen as delusional. That doesn’t stop them from being hopes. Sure, perhaps it was a bit far-fetched of me to think that you’d finally given up on trying to make everyone agree with you on your opinion on the Air, perhaps even delusional. Did that stop it from being a hope? No.
You can’t say someone’s not hopeful unless you are that person. You have no idea what’s in my brain, so you can’t say I wasn’t hopeful. Again, true, it may have been a delusional hope that you would stop. But I was still hopeful.
How’s about you learn what state of mind a word means before you say people are or not in that state of mind. Cuz here’s the thing: hope and delusion are perfectly compatible.
I lied, that wasn’t the last thing.
Here’s the thing that you don’t seem to understand. No one who has argued with you has ever said the Air was for everyone.
What we have all been upset with you from the start was the fact that you called people “desperate,” and said that they were “seeking validation” for buying or liking the Air.
Show me where someone ever told you to go out and by an Air. Oh, no one has? Hmmm.
And yet you, from your first post, insulted people for their preference of the Air. And then, in the same post, say that they can’t accept that people think differently from them? Do you not see the contradiction there? I mean, honestly, can you not see it?
Listen, Afib, do us all a favor, and stop trying to convince us that the Air isn’t right for you. We got that already. You don’t like it. You won’t buy one. That’s fine. And you’re even welcome, at least to me, to opine about how much you dislike it. That’s just fine.
What isn’t fine is insulting others because they like it. They think differently than you. That’s no reason to insult them.
Crabs:
You mentioned that you hoped that I would never post at MDN again, but here I am – again. Observe, Crabs, that I have communicated here at MDN unimpeded for months despite the wailings, groanings, insults, and rages of the resident fanbois. For you to miss these very clear and conspicuous historical facts proves that you have no grasp on reality. So, you see, you are delusional not hopeful, because you have no legitimate reason to expect anything different.
“What we have all been upset with you from the start was the fact that you called people “desperate,” and said that they were “seeking validation” for buying or liking the Air.”
Here are some words of advice from your fanboi friends, “Get over it.”
If, as you suggest, that MBA is the best notebook on the planet, who would really care what anyone else has to say about it. It’s obvious, Crabs, people like you, who are racked with insecurity, doubt, and worry would be so anxious and upset when confronted with an alternative opinion about MBA. Your slavish devotion to all Apple products indicates a suspension of common sense and rationality – the exact definition of fanboi.
Additionally, since you and other fanbois do not own a MBA you have no credibility. That is, you exemplify the lowest form of MBA fanboism – preaching the good news of MBA and encouraging other to purchase one, but not actually owning one yourselves.
By the way, Crabs, you might want to reconsider comparing MBA with Smart Car. Consumer Reports does not recommend the Smart Car as an intelligent choice for transportation. According to your logic, MBA would not be an intelligent choice for computing.
Thirteen reasons to purchase MBA:
1. Slowest processors of all Apple products.
2. Smallest and slowest hard drive of all Apple products.
3. For nearly $1,000 more you can actually get a faster and smaller SSD.
4. Only 2 GB of RAM.
5. No capacity to upgrade RAM.
6. Integrated graphics processing only.
7. Like to carry a screwdriver to loosen and/or remove 19 screws to replace battery.
8. If you don’t want to have ready access to a screwdriver to replace the battery, simple ship MBA to Apple and WAIT for its return.
9. Don’t mind lack of alternate internet connectivity when WiFi is down or out of range. You can buy a dongle for Ethernet connectivity, but cannot use an Express card, too bad.
10. Its lightweight won’t cause you to break your wrist, crush your vertebrae, or rips your muscles from their tendons.
11. I was going to add that MBA has multi-touch track pad, but so do all other Apple notebooks – so the multi-touch track pad isn’t a bonus.
12. It’s so, so pretty. In fact, you can spend hours just gazing at MBA without actually using it. This is really handy when WiFi is down or out of range.
13. It fits inside a standard business-sized manila envelope.
So, if have 100% WiFi connectivity 24/7 and relish the idea of having a moderately to exorbitantly priced pretty, little notebook with minimal power and performance, no upgradeability, tedious battery replacement, and fits inside an plain paper wrapper MBA is right choice for you.
Welcome to the niche.
Crabs wrote, “What isn’t fine is insulting others because they like it. They think differently than you. That’s no reason to insult them.”
Characterizing a person’s boosterism of MBA “desperate” or clamoring for external support to “validate” their purchase is not insulting. It is describing a person’s behavior, not impugning their person. If Macs are all so wonderful and if all Mac users are so smart, why would they feel so insecure about their purchases? MBA proponents do not seem to have the ever present smugness associated with all other users of Apple products. Have you ever wondered why? Would it be that MBA owners might actually feel some measure of buyer’s remorse?
Calling a person a “fucktard” or “asshole” or telling them to “STFU” are clearly examples of insults and lower forms of intelligence. However, you have conspicuously failed to chasten your fanboi friends for their repeated use of profanity, so, again, you have no credibility as a prophet or morality. In fact, your hypocritical attitude confirms your fanboi bias and bigotry, fanboi.
Just to let you know, Crabs, I live in a metropolitan community of 1.7 million people and haven’t seen one MBA yet. Not one. How could so many people be so wrong, Crabs? Or, maybe, the correct question is, how could so many people be so right?
What are your thoughts, Crabs? But before you answer, remember, I will have to answer your post. How would that reconcile with your wish that I never post a MDN ever again?