Apple MacBook Air Announced at MacWorld '08

And so, people have to buy another laptop for other purposes of use .
Even you're on the go, you just don't buy a laptop that lack of features for that price tag, and like I said, it's nothing more like a kid toy, which surfing internet is the only thing they know. They weight is nice but is it worth it ? Certainly not, 3-4 pounds heavier doesn't hurt anything, and when you're on the go, the MBA is more likely has a chance of being broken than any other notebooks. (not to mention the footprint is big, which is more important than weight.)

 

Yes, the MacBook Air is thinner.... but by a mere 0.07 inches from what I've read.
(That's not a typo either, that's seven one-hundredths of an inch.)

Here's a YouTube Link to the VAIO X505: Sony Vaio X505 Extreme

 

Unbelievable! Just one day and already 26 pages worth of replies!

 

I use my notebook to make money. Here is what I do on my machine.
1. Email
2. Lotus notes
3. Excel / spreadsheet
4. Access
5. Word processing
6. Internet access

All totally run fine on the machines I mentioned earlier. No they won't play Crysis, but playing games doesn't pay my bills.

Footprint is important, but IMHO it isn't as important as depth. In particular depth of the machine when the display is opened. I'm curious how the MBA fairs when sitting on a airplane tray table (econo class) with the seat (in front) leaned fully back. That is the true test.

I owned one of those. Nice machine, but far from perfect. I had to sell mine when I discovered I couldn't lock it down at work (no Kensington lock). I guarantee it would have disappeared faster than you can say five finger discount. My biggest issue was the slow as snail HDD, and I hated how the keyboard/trackpoint/buttons were shifted forward. Made for some uncomfortable typing sessions in bed.

 

I know! Its like...did I read that number right?

 

Well, that's you, like I said, you don't know what other people would use it for. Other people may want to watch a movie on the go, or do some other stuff that need more than one USB...further more it's not worth the money for the tasks that the MBA can only do. Realistically, you don't have the wireless on the plane either, what if you're on the plane or the train for more than 5 hours, certainly the battery life is not enough, for the less than 3-4 hours...well, who would want to buy a $1800 computer just because it's thin, can only use the internet. 2-3 pounds more with other features doesn't hurt anything. And the MBA looks just so fragile.

And I use my Thinkpad on the plane just as comfortably, Sure enough my thinkpad does more things for me than that MBA. As I have to do stuff with network managing, the lack of the ethernet port is just simply not acceptable. (personal preference)

 

The reason why we argue is Apple seems to be confused at which group the Macbook Air is targeted to. It doesn't seem to satisfy anyone... only Apple apologists.

 

It's better to be called Macpaper......

 

Eh, I'd rather have an HP 2510p. Yea, it's a whopping .97in thick, but it's also got an optical drive, ports, replaceable batteries, smaller footprint, bigger HD, competitive pricing.......etc.

This macbookair looks like an awesome machine if you value style above all else. Owners will surely get a lot of compliments on the machine and attention when they pull it out of their bags at Starbucks. But if this is your sole reason to spending a large sum of money for an admittedly lackluster machine, then you might as well save your cash and send in for some of those male enhancement pills.

Whew. Bring on the angry responses.

 

Speaking of the kensington lock...I've been looking at this thing all day and havent noticed one on it....maybe I need to look harder or maybe I need to think about getting a different laptop. That would be the deal breaker there...

 

The mac book air is not for me, but then again mac has a full line of products that bring choice. The Mac Pro is more my speed... and I accept that.

Guess we will know in a year if this will go the way of the cube or ipod.

It is nice to see them pushing the envelope on development which will in turn make their other products better in the long run....

 

you people who are talking about this as if it won't sell are crazy.
the look is sleek and impressive. sure anyone who knows jack about computers knows this is extraordinarily lacking in features and overpriced( what apple products do you know that aren't)..
you guys say it has a limited target group as if that is not expected. although i don't know one university girl who knows about this that didn't act like they wanted it..

 

I know at least one notebook which gives more value for your cash...A SONY VAIO TZ-190! It has everything I need for my work. With the Airbook you cant not replace the battery, for business that's really important. When they mention 5 hours, for standard use - 3 hours.
With my TZ I work for around 5 hours before...then I have an extra battery

Go and buy a Vaio TZ! I am very proud owner of one!

 

Yup I was kidding I do believe it will sell more then ten units....the iPhone in terms of how well it would do I was unsure of because it was actually pretty nice and it is like having an iPod and a phone all at the same time. I just wish it had more space.

Working as a TSA screener (Yes I know I said a very evil thing now and what little respect I had is also probably gone) I have seen a many buisness people whose office is their breifcase and you are right I see a lot of Thinkpad X's out there but more often then not when I do I often see an assortment of portable hard drives, optical drives, and actually more wires and accessories then I would know what to do with. I also notice that all these things end up taking more space then the laptop does in the bag. So while you are on a plane or sitting waiting for a plane you won't use any of these really. But if they carry it all with them then there seems to be a need. Since a lot of these devices are USB based it is even of more importance to have multiple ports.

In addition you mentioned wireless and yup a lot of new things are coming out....unfortunately anyone with a MacBook Air will be watching from the sideline due to a lack of an expansion slot. I do not feel there is a market for this yet not one that is really viable but down the road? I think we will see a re-hash of this when optical is less important and a newer smaller medium takes over. And when wireless is everywhere I think this thing would be awesome. But seeing how WiFi is at its limits and thats all this supports I just think its ahead of its time.

Oh for being on an airplane. I think this would perform similarly to a macbook pro because the footprint is similar. After all on a plane a lot of it has to do with the foot print more then the thickneess although it does help a little.

 

And these people won't be using the MBA since it is too big to be an ultraportable. What's required in machines that serve a purpose such as this is not thinness; most notebooks can fit in an average briefcase; but rather footprint (I'm beginning to sound like a broken record but some people just still don't get it). Its important that the notebook fit on small desks, is small enough to be carried around with other items and is durable. The MBA has neither the footprint to be classified as ultraportable nor does it appear to have the durability needed.

For all the MBA wants to be one, its not an ultraportable. I think we can scratch that part of the market off for it.

 

Apple means rip off business.

It should have been priced 1200 US ,similar PCs are much cheaper, and this toy like design is disgusting.

I like the Thinkpad X61 , it is cool nothing like a toy , Iphone , Mac , Ipod , I hate all apples.

HP business note book with T7500 is much cheaper than this and much faster for sure , plus Apples have horrible LCDs.

I wonder if some one else also make macs , they will be cheaper in order to compete ?

Maybe not since Apple is so arrogant , I am sure it will sell well in the USA, but not out side of it.....bye bye Jobs , I love Gates that I saw last year more than Jobs that I do for living , well I am a fan of Bill Gates any way.

Good nite to all.

 

The price is not very reasonable, contrary to what people have said. For the cost of the lowest end model, you can get the highest-end MacBook or even the lowest-end MacBook Pro, both of which are far more powerful computers than the Air. And while people may argue that its an ultraportable, its not going to be very durable; somebody on this thread said they would be hesitant to stuff a $2000 laptop together with their textbooks in a backpack. Not very portable, is it?

While it is a very aesthetically pleasing and glamorous machine, I have doubts of its ability to perform, sell (among more tech-savvy users), and survive the life of a laptop.

 

I couldn't agree more. Macs are really just a product for Americans still stuck in their bubble. I love seeing apple fanboys on here trying to defend silly products like these. Always a great laugh.

 

I don't think there has never been a true definition of what qualifies as an ultraportable notebook. What does it mean to be ultraportable?

If you stopped 100 people on the street and asked them a question. If asked if they thought a notebook that was approximately the same width, depth, and height as a standard paper writing tablet was ultraportable what do you think they would say? A standard letter size notepad is about 8.5" X 11.5" (or 9" X 11" depending on where the binding is) the MBA is (8.94" X 12.8").

I have actually owned a few ultraportables (TZ, TX, U1, X1, X40, X60, X61, OQO2..the list goes on) myself so I have my own definition of an ultraportable. I think the MBA can qualify as an ultraportable due to the weight and height. It wouldn't be a great device if you were backpacking, but if a person needs to do a lot of keyboarding and manipulation of data on-screen the MBA would be more user friendly than say a TZ on a train or in a meeting. If you need something that can be tucked away in a backpack and is used to watch movies, listen to music, or minor keyboarding work the TZ would be a better fit.

There aren't many ultraportables I would consider very durable. The Thinkpad X series and the Panny R series being the exceptions. When I had my TZ a couple of months ago I was always paranoid about scratching the carbon fiber casing. It felt fragile to me, but ultraportables are not meant to be treated roughly. I'm sure the MBA will stand up to some punishment, but I would not want to be the guy that drops it onto one of its corners from a couple feet up.

 

Dare I ask what do BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Ferrari, Audi, Lamborghini mean to you?

Similar PCs are much cheaper?? So the Sony TZ, Tosh R500, Panny R series, etc. are cheaper. Man where do you live...Bizzaro world?

So you dislike a company that has without doubt had a direct positive influence on many of the tech items you own? Or do you mean Apple like the kind that fall from the tree? I'll have to introduce you to Newton.

You having a bad day?

Sounds like you are the person to get the ball rolling. You might want to give Motorola a call first.

Good nite to you. Please take a Prozac in the morning.

 

And how many students do you know that don't have a techie friend or can even afford this?

 

Whilst you raise some very valid points duffy, I'm pretty sure that most people will agree with me that the most important aspect of an ultraportable laptop is it's footprint (something I am now growing very weary of saying). I'm not going to go over my reasons for believing so again since I am sick and tired of doing so. Reread over the thread and you'll see many reasons as to why the MBA is not an ultraportable.

 

We're in a bubble? Since when was being the largest purchaser of consumer electronics in the world a bad thing?

It will sell well in Japan.

The only thing more funny than the Apple fanboys are people that have nothing better to do than spew out total FUD.

 

So if it isn't durable enough to stuff in a bag with books, then what good is it being so thin?

And how would it be better to use on a plane/train where lap space is limited? Being thin does absolutely nothing for it here, except allow the horror of horrors to happen when someone puts their seat back, taps the edge of the case and puts a permanent 10 degree warp in it forever.

I would MUCH rather have the sony or the asus eee (i REALIZE not in the same class, i mean the form factor) than this thing.

 

I've actually read your posts and as I said prior you have very valid points. But did you read my part that shows that the footprint of the MBA is nearly the same size as a writing tablet? So you're saying that a writing tablet is too large to fit on a desk?

You know we could do this all day? But I do understand your point. BTW, I really don't intend on purchasing a MBA anytime soon. I'm not an Apple fanboy. I am actually platform agnostic. Personally, yesterday was a bit of a let down.

 

The definition of an ultraportable is very subjective but I think classifying an laptop with a footprint larger than that of the standard MacBook is a bit rich considering most people do not consider the MacBook itself ultraportable. I see the limitation of calling something ultraportable as being a 12.1" screen. Any higher and it can't comfortably fit on any type of desk or into any bag.

I agree that MacWorld was a let down. I was hoping for an iTablet to be honest.

 

I was envisioning something like a touch with a 10 or 12" screen. Large on screen keyboard for typing when necessary. I've used an iphone, I end up turning it sideways because I can't hit the letters.

It would have been great to play dvds, surf the web, etc. and they surely could have done that for ~<$1000, I think.

 

Lewdvig you're about a year and a half late in updating your Italia shield, we now have four stars.

 

Yes, like I mentioned earlier, regardless of whether you like Apple's products or not, they sure do know how to cause a stir and gain publicity.

 

So far the only one spewing out "FUD" is none other then yourself. Just show me the proof it will sell well in Japan, a country that produces 1000x better products then any apple could hope for.

And by we, I do not include all Americans ((I'm American myself)). I just refer to the sadly misinformed ones ((yourself included)).

 

It seem perfect,however I suspect it thin battery could support this powerfull laptop 5hours.And unchangable battery,also,need you do charge that after use up.Personally,I think take DELL or Thinkpad,which more weight than this one,could help me lose weight.~~~haaaaa

 

Apple, the trendsetter, took right decision by NOT including any DVD/HD drive. Jobs foreseeing a WiMax revolution in 2008 and thereafter. Renting HD movie just $4.99!!! WOW! Who needs a DVD player to watch movie?

We may not need more than 1 USB port as most next-gen devices gonna exploit wireless (wifi/wimax/bluetooth/...) technologies. Just 1 USB for backward compatibility...I guess!

I also liked the new location map application (Google Maps) in iPhone. Just awesome!! Waiting for iPhone SDK...

 

FUD - Fear Uncertainty Doubt

Now show me where I wrote FUD?

The Japanese buying public has traditionally shown that they love small gadgets and in particular small notebooks. They also value good aesthetics. I can't guarantee that the MBA will sell big in Japan no one can. I believe that the MBA will sell better than the traditional Apple notebook.

You ask me for proof? How about backing up the claim that the Japanese produce 1000x better products than Apple?

Technically, Japan doesn't produce a lot of the electronics it designs China and Taiwan do. If you take a look at Japan over the past few decades you'll see that Japan doesn't do much in the way creating new technology. They have a very good knack for improving existing technology. That isn't a knock on them, because they have single handily driven the world to improve product quality. Implementation of ideas from Taguchi was instrumental in saving American automobile manufacturers in the early 80's. Six sigma and quality control was first implemented and driven by the Japanese. We as a buying public can thank the Japanese for improving our lives and the items that we use on a daily basis. But I don't think that is what you were referring to.

Sorry that you think I am misinformed. I actually purchase ultraportable notebooks and use them on a daily basis. If anyone I think I have a pretty good grasp on how I interact with them.

 

Unfortuantly the MBA does not support WiMax (and I do believe you were being sarcastic in either case)

 

I agree with you on your take on the Japanese market, but I do not think that the MBA is small enough (by far) to satisfy the needs of the many Japanese consumers looking for ultraportables. It is very thin yes, but I believe it will be much too big and thinness is not as important as width and length IMO. And I don't think the otherwise nice and stylish design is going to make up for the aforementioned.

Also look at ultraportables like the Panasonic Let's Note R-series (which you mentioned yourself) and W/T/Y-series which are selling very well in Japan. They come with small foot prints, thin bezels and low weight, but are quite thick.

 

Yeah we're probably a several years away from having widespread WiMax coverage. Until then it's still WiFi and WWAN.

 

I am truely surprised that not one of you people mentioned the great feat apple and intel over came when trying to make this computer as powerful as it is sexy. 1.6 to 1.8 core 2 duo chip with 800 mhz front side bus speed. this chip was custom built specifically for this notebook. took 2 years and 100 prototypes to go through to get this perfect specimen. Show me one ultraportable laptop that is as power full as this sucker and as thin.

Another fact for all who knock this down that you seem to missing is that it was meant to have a full sized screen and keyboard, hence that 13.3" Jobs did not want to take screen space from you and keyboard space. He wanted you to have a full fledged screen and fully blown keyboard, all at the same time making this thin as hell and light as hell.

By the way, this is an ultra portable, it is an ultraportable 13.3" laptop. For cryin out loud it slides into an envelope!!!! You can pick it up with two fingers. its under 4 pounds, to be exact its 3 pounds. IT IS AN ULTRA PORTABLE!!!!!!!

 

You could be right. We'll have to wait and see. Looking at Job's track record it would be foolish to bet against him. The reality distortion field is strong with this one.

 

I find it amusing that for all the comments about how thin it is we are talking about slightly more then a 1/4" difference between it and the macbook and the macbook pros....or about the thickness of a CD case. I mean thinness is nice to a degree....but I would rather have hoped for a tablet being that thin....

 

I was hoping for a 13" MBP preferably in black.

 

WiFi seems to have failed for any large area coverage. I mean look at all the city projects that have basically failed. I have no idea to the success or failures of WiMax I barely know what it is. It will be nice the day I can walk around and get the internet from anywehere though.

 

Indeed! The distortion field is off the charts

I was hoping for a 11" MBP with a thin bezel, MB keyboard and a maximum weight of 3 lbs. I got the weight, but on most other accounts I am quite disappointed.

 

not to be offensive, but i think your analysis of the japanese market is somewhat flawed. it was definitely true in the past....but these days, it seems the japanese market (as well as the korean market) are more about having more features than just being thin. for example, look at the cell phone market, you don't see many japanese with tiny phones anymore but phones that have 5 mp cameras and video recorders that can do so many more things than your average american phone. hell, i bet they even have a function that gives a full body massage. anyway, although aesthetics are definitely important, i believe more emphasis has been shifted to functionality in the current asian market. it's kind of funny that i have relatives in asia that don't even have a bathtub, but they totally have dsl internet.

 

No offense taken. You may be right. I am referring to my own experiences with mostly business people in Tokyo and Osaka. Maybe the trend is going the other way in general, but I do know that most of my former Japanese colleagues still very much have a preference for ultraportables. As for the general consumer market, I am not sure which direction it is heading.

 

its a toy, an expensive one.

 

in weight it might be, but not size

but ultraportables have screens under 13"

 

I'm not sure if someone has already mentioned this, but why doesn't the Macbook Air use LV cpu's? It is designed as an ultra-portable and it'd make sense to put a processor that fits. This would reduce the heat output (considering the thinness of the laptop, I high doubt there's much of an active cooling system) and extend the battery.

 

Because apple wants to charge as much as they can without providing the specs to back it?

Just like the iPhone impressed the **** outta me but they cheaped out on the internal wireless and expected me not to notice

 

maybe because it uses penryn, and there arent an lv chips of it yet

 

Heh, I think I know what it is It should be pretty friggin awesome, eh?