“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.]
Ah, the troll spent another weekend here at MDN.
Cha-ching! MDN, please do post another MBA review before next weekend. Cha-ching!
Hey, I don’t care if you post on MDN! That’s your right, and your choice. Just leave the Air issue alone. You’ve made your position well-known. So leave it at that, and talk about something else for once.
And the difference between you calling people desperate, and the other people using all forms of stupidity to insult you is: They’re reacting to your criticism. To put it in extremely childish terms “You started it!”
And you can’t say that you’re describing a person’s character when all you have to go on is the fact that they support the MacBook Air, or that when they read an article on MDN, they comment about it, especially when they’re the type of person to comment on every post on MDN.
How do you know they’re insecure? That’s my question. You think you know them, based on reading a couple posts? Delving into that, I’d like to apologize to you for some of the things I’ve said to you based on your posts. I don’t know you, yet I’ve claimed to know your character based on your few posts on here. I apologize for that. You are definitely opinionated and stubborn, but so am I. So I apologize for that.
And the fact that I don’t call out every person who uses profanity has nothing to do with me supporting them. It’s because I simply skip over their posts as soon as I read it, and don’t even pay attention to what they said.
I didn’t notice that you posted twice, btw.
When did I ever say that the MBA is the best notebook on the planet? NEVER. I said I like it, it’s good for someone with needs similar to mine.
And again, I don’t have one because I’m a poor, starving college student. Not really starving, but quite literally poor. I’ve said that so many times it’s just not funny anymore. I run a nine-year old computer that is so slow that I had to hack it to get Leopard to run on it (PS, worth it). Why do I do that? Because I’m poor!
And, uh, check who you’re arguing with. I never said anything about the Smart Car. And the reason they’re not good cars is because they have a horrible crash test rating. They’re not sturdy. And the Air is sturdy. Oops, looks like it’s a bad connection.
Oh, and if we are not credible because we don’t own them, what does that mean for you, precisely?
“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.”
It appears that you are the one who can’t get over it. If there are so many people on here with “fanboi” attitudes, then as an intelligent person, that would tell me you’re in the minority here.
If people haven’t gotten it by now, they aren’t going to. All your espousing incites more comments; were you really trying to instigate problems with others?
From this statement
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.
Again, it’s not that you have a different opinion. It’s that your “in your face, blunt” disregard for others is what’s being reacted to. If you don’t like the MBA, then fine. Just say so. It’s the off color remarks that people are taking issue with, not your opinon.
Additionally, since you and other fanbois do not own a MBA you have no credibility.
I take issue with that. I own one. I can espouse it’s features and functions because I took the time out to buy one and use on. But so can others that may not own one. Their opinions are no less valuable than mine, which is really more towards the issues they have with you.
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.
This is a personal attack. Real or perceived, this is a personal attack and this is uncalled for.
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.
I’ll give you this one. This was a proper refutation of his argument on Smart Cars. Respectful.
According to your logic, MBA would not be an intelligent choice for computing.
This was not needed; again this incites negative responses.
”Hey, I don’t care if you post on MDN! That’s your right, and your choice. Just leave the Air issue alone. You’ve made your position well-known. So leave it at that, and talk about something else for once.”
Make up your mind, Crabs. Freedom of speech or censorship, just pick one.
Or, as you mentioned later in your post, “simply skip over (Afib’s) posts as soon as I read it, and don’t even pay attention to what (Afib) said.” You really didn’t need me to bring peace and tranquility back into your life, you solved your own problem!
”And the difference between you calling people desperate, and the other people using all forms of stupidity to insult you is: They’re reacting to your criticism. To put it in extremely childish terms “You started it!””
Firstly, fanbois are indeed childish. Most of the fanbois are profane and unintelligent. And, as I have made clear before, calling someone’s behavior “desperate” and calling them “fucktard” and “asshole” or to “STFU” are NOT equivalent – no matter how many times you insist that it is.
Secondly, to suggest that the words “desperate” and “validation” are excessive is ridiculous. If someone finds these words provocative they are overly sensitive and immature. I can’t change how another person thinks, that is their own business.
”And you can’t say that you’re describing a person’s character when all you have to go on is the fact that they support the MacBook Air,…”
Firstly, I never suggested that a person had a character flaw for buying a MBA. I have, however, listed many of the deficiencies of MBA that have kept me from purchasing one.
Secondly, I infer that many don’t like my pointing out the deficiencies that I see in the MBA. It is obvious that the profanity, rudeness, rancor, and bias are clear indicators that these fanbois are indeed “desperate” and seeking “validation”. Case closed. Obviously, an intelligent and secure person would not resort to such profanity when discussing the flaws and virtues of MBA.
Thirdly, some of the resident fanbois have not even purchased a MBA. Obviously the words “desperate” and “validation” would not apply to them. You would have to ask them why they feel so offended when the text was not directed toward them who never actually own a MBA.
”… or that when they read an article on MDN, they comment about it, especially when they’re the type of person to comment on every post on MDN.”
Are you suggesting that only those who support MBA have the right to comment about MBA? Explain what you mean, Crabs.
”How do you know they’re insecure? That’s my question. You think you know them, based on reading a couple posts?”
Again, it seems that when I post or even quote about the restrictive design or limited functionality of MBA – which is not opinion but fact – the rage and insults ensure. If that isn’t evidence of insecurity how else would you define it?
”Delving into that, I’d like to apologize to you for some of the things I’ve said to you based on your posts. I don’t know you, yet I’ve claimed to know your character based on your few posts on here. I apologize for that. You are definitely opinionated and stubborn, but so am I. So I apologize for that.”
Firstly, you state earlier that I was wrong “describing a person’s character”, but now you are characterizing me as being “stubborn … based on reading a couple posts”. Either it is reasonable to infer a person’s character from their writing or it is not. If it is reasonable, then don’t insist that I can’t, but you can. If it is not reasonable, then don’t suggest that only you have the ability to do so.
Secondly, I have been repetitive in my posts. Do not confuse stubbornness with repetition. Obviously, this has been a futile attempt to explain my thoughts more clearly to those who have disagreed with me.
”And the fact that I don’t call out every person who uses profanity has nothing to do with me supporting them. It’s because I simply skip over their posts as soon as I read it, and don’t even pay attention to what they said.”
Well, Crabs, here’s your golden opportunity to chastise those who do use profanity. Go ahead, please be as generous with your criticism of them as you have been of me. Name them, call them out, and rebuke them. That would certainly bolster your credibility as a rational and fair-minded person.
Fine, it’s stupid and childish of people to use profanity in any way. To call someone stupid and telling them to STFU is rude and shows only your own lack of intellect. But that’s the internet for you. 95% of the people would rather throw out vulgarities than have a level-headed argument. Such is life.
But excuse me, why can you not accept an apology? Why can you not just move on, forgive and forget? If you would stop attacking everything I write, I’d be perfectly willing to move on, maybe actually find something I agree with you on, and talk about that instead. Your anger at me is not hurting me. Really, it’s not. Other than when I’m bored with nothing better to do, or waiting on some process on my computer, you have no effect on my life. But anger always hurts the person who is angry. Don’t believe me, go talk to a shrink. Or a proponent of almost any mainstream religion. Anger’s bad. Stop being so angry.
And if you’re not angry, then fine. But I wasn’t ever trying to censor you. I asked you, I even said please, to stop ranting about how much you hate the Air, and how everyone who buys it is a “fanboi.” I asked. There’s a big difference between asking someone to stop and censoring someone. Censoring involves some way of forcing someone to stop. I can’t force you to stop. I wouldn’t if I could. I simply am asking that you be polite, and move on from this topic, because we all know your point of view by now, you’ve drilled it into our brains. You don’t think like us.
We got over it.
”When did I ever say that the MBA is the best notebook on the planet? NEVER. I said I like it, it’s good for someone with needs similar to mine.”
When did I state that you said “MBA is the best notebook on the planet?” MBA is certainly not sufficiently designed “for someone with needs similar to mine.”
”And again, I don’t have one because I’m a poor, starving college student. Not really starving, but quite literally poor. I’ve said that so many times it’s just not funny anymore. I run a nine-year old computer that is so slow that I had to hack it to get Leopard to run on it (PS, worth it). Why do I do that? Because I’m poor!”<b>
Firstly, Crabs, your not getting anywhere attempting to tug at my heartstrings. I attended university for four years on a $700 a month budget.
Secondly, if you can’t afford MBA why even care what another person’s opinion is about MBA? If you can’t afford to purchase MBA, discussions about MBA are irrelevant. MBA costs you <b>ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Chances are, by the time you do graduate MBA will be supplanted by another machine.
Thirdly, if someone made an “objective” evaluation of the flaws and virtues of MBA and actually purchased one, why would they feel so insecure about some else’s contrary evaluation? Would they really feel less intelligent and confident about their purchase? If so, maybe they would be projecting their self-loathing and self contempt onto someone else. That would be pathetic, right?
”And, uh, check who you’re arguing with. I never said anything about the Smart Car.”<b>
Poor editing on my part. My bad. By the way, I would not purchase a Smart Car either.
<b>”And the reason they’re not good cars is because they have a horrible crash test rating. They’re not sturdy. And the Air is sturdy.”<.b>
Define sturdy in objective terms, Crabs, otherwise I won’t know what you mean. Also, would you agree than Smart Car is also under powered and mechanically deficient?
<b>”Oh, and if we are not credible because we don’t own them, what does that mean for you, precisely?”
A man is hungry and has the money to buy a bowl of soup. He stands in front of a restaurant. Two people on the street give him their opinion about the restaurant. One person is a prominent food critic who has eaten soup at the same restaurant for many years. The other person has never purchased a bowl of soup from the restaurant. Who would you consider the most credible person?
“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.” Right there. That’s where.
But I never said that it was. A MacBook Pro is a far more powerful machine. But I don’t need or want power. I don’t need or want a 15″ or 17″ screen. I want a laptop I can carry around to classes without too much effort.
But, I can’t afford any laptop, which was never an attempt to “pull at your heartstrings,” you merely said that because I didn’t have an Air, that I must have chosen something else over it. I didn’t. I’m just poor. It’s not a pity party. It’s a statement of the truth.
If you won’t buy an MBA, then your arguments about it are worthless, because it costs you ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. And I have looked at them, and researched it out, because I do that all the time, looking at potential things, if I end up getting some random amount of cash. And if I didn’t have $1700 (student discount), then I would buy a MacBook. But if I randomly ended up with that much money, I’d buy one. It’s a better machine for my needs. Not for yours. I understand that. But for mine, it’s a better machine.
And as for your asking why someone who had made an objective decision on buying an Air would be insecure, well…you’re the only one who says they are. No one else seems to find them insecure. So…what makes you so sure they are?
Sturdiness isn’t exactly an objective measurement. You could measure how many pounds per square inch the case could withstand, but there’s no tests for that. You could do drop tests, but no one’s done those for the Air. What I can say is that when comparing it to how a MacBook or a MacBook Pro, it feels more sturdy. It doesn’t flex as much. It’s more dense, giving it a sturdier feel. I’m sorry not everything in the world can be objectified, but a subjective measurement can sometimes be a good thing still.
Neither of those people is credible. I would try the soup, and if I liked it, I’d eat there again. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t. But see, taste, and preference in laptops, is subjective. What I think tastes good doesn’t necessarily taste good to someone else. What laptops I like, others won’t necessarily like. I know you say that’s what you’ve been trying to say, but you’ve been arguing that people who buy or like the Air have either not researched it out or are mentally deficient. Neither of those has to be true. Really, they don’t.
And honestly, I’m so tired of this argument. Can we agree to disagree? You can make your final argument, I don’t care, but I won’t argue with you anymore. I’m just done with that. I know I said I was before, but oh well. If you have to say, yes, I beat Crabs in the argument, fine, you win. I lose. The Air is only for stupid fanboys. I’ll let you keep that opinion. Just…enough argument. It’s not good on anyone. It’s really just…not.