It's really thin, so thin that it fit's inside an envelope. So, yes Apple, you have our attention with the Macbook Air.
The thin, lightweight, yet extremely capable machine that Apple launched today proves to set a standard in portable devices. The obvious question, how did they do it? Well, they got Intel to redesign the Core 2 processor for them, shrinking it by 60%. They've left out an optical drive, but have you given you ways to gain access to a CD/DVD drive if you need to. The Macbook Air has two storage solutions, a standard 80GB hard drive version, which retails for $1799, and a pricier 64GB solid state device retailing for over $3000.
Yes, it's really portable, but how does that translate to its use in our home? The overwhelming criticism we keep hearing is, well for only a few hundred dollars more, I could get a much more equipped machine. But, we can't help but emphasize the form factor, this thing is small and extremely capable, and with a few additional devices, could be a powerful and flexible machine for your home.
No question about it - Apple notebooks are beautifully designed. I almost purchased a mac book; however, I just had difficulty swallowing the paltry 90-day warranty that would have effectively forced me to purchase an additional 4 year warranty for $250. If I were to purchase the mac air, the base cost would, in essence, cost around $2,000.
I ended up purchasing a dell xps m1330 instead with more memory, more power, longer warranty, and less cost.
view david's profile
$2000.00 and no optical drive...yeah, it looks good, but looks aren't everything. I'll keep my big clunky Toshiba.
view hdtex's profile
I think that the Macbook Air is not very "unpluggd" seeing that one has to buy an external drive, external Ethernet dongle, potentially a keyboard, mouse, display. Not to mention a USB hub to plug all that in. No definitely not "unpluggd".
view jeredb's profile
The warranty is not 90 days its one year. You have 90 days to decide whether you want to upgrade the warranty via AppleCare Plus (2 or 3 years, I can't remember).
view SeanG's profile
Actually you're both wrong regarding the Apple warranty.
The 90 days of free AppleCare is in regards to software support. You still get a full year of hardware support and if you wish to purchase the extended AppleCare support you may do so within the first year of your warranty.
view yakimushi's profile
I've been following MacWorld and as pretty as this laptop is, it's not very functional. I need ports for video and at least 3 usb ports for peripherals. This won't really accomodate me.
The battery has to be replaced by apple and the user can't do it at home. And for people who plan to use this at the office, there is no ethernet included.....you'll have to purchas Apple's RJ45 dongle which plugs into the MacAir's only available USB poort.
Apple, really dropped the ball on this one. This thing is meant to be a status symbol so for those who are more concerned with form and not too concerned with funtion will love it. It's geared towards the latte sipping users who plan to only use this thing at the coffee shops.
I'm a power user....so I will stick to my Sony Vaio.
view Keisha Kornbread's profile
Bah, the only people who are posting are not the people who are going to buy this. Let's say you already sprang for an iMac so that you have a nice compromise on apple appeal and performance without the extra cost of a laptop. Or you already have a desktop computer. The Air could be GREAT.
It's kind of getting at the "universal device" from the other side of the equation as the iPhone or iPod touch. While those allow internet usage anywhere, I could never type this comment on one. The Air is something that will appeal to many of the new users Apple is attracting, and to the average user who just want to watch DVDs, play mp3s, and surf the internet from anywhere.
Seriously, how many people really need "at least three usb ports," especially since the Air connects to everything wirelessly. Want to play mp3s to your stereo? Why use USB when you can get an airport extreme base station and do without? Same goes for storing to an external hard drive. Or a printer. And of course you wouldn't want to plug a keyboard and mouse into this thing...seriously, when the touchpad is so useful? When it's made to be small and portable enough that you're ONLY using it on your lap?
Email. Word Processing. Music. Internet. Video. Wireless printing. Excel? Keynote/Powerpoint? I'm running out of things the typical computer user does on a regular basis, but not out of htings you can do on the Air. Yes yes, I know everyone here is a "very serious" computer user and needs all that processing "power" or all that awesome video editing, audio editing, photoshopping, and weather simulation software they run sumultaneously in order to need the newest and highest computer specs. But my sister just wants to check her myspace and download music and maybe proofread a paper she's writing for school before printing it. And she wants to do it at her local coffee shop with free wifi. Damn, the Air is sweet for her.
view ervington's profile
ervington is right on. People who are whining about the "unusability" of the MBA are missing the point.
The MBA is not supposed to be the end-all all in one machine. Seriously, how many times haves you used your CD/DVD drive? How many USB devices do you need when you're taking notes in class?
For people who already have a desktop, the MBA would the perfect companion for road travel. For students, what more can you ask for? It's lightweight (less strain on your back), power efficient (for the long days at school), business (who wants to lug a 5-7 lb machine everywhere?)
This machine is perfect for 90% of people who just use a computer to check email, surf, write, and read. Looking forward to getting mine.
view dakman's profile
to the last 2 post?
You want a laptop that ONLY does those few things for $1800?
Be my guests.....
view Keisha Kornbread's profile
Also, a MacBook Pro that is more powerful and more functional and only a little bit thicker will run you $1200......
Help me to understand the logic of purchasing this...when you have to purchase the other perpipherals that you will need to buy from apple like the time capsule, dongles, etc.?
view Keisha Kornbread's profile
It fits into a niche that's been absent since Apple stopped making the 2400C - a lightweight portable machine.
Things have moved on since the 2400C - more powerful processors, extremely lightweight, wireless backup. When the new Macbook first came out, look how many people complained about it - too big, too small, too slow, integrated graphics, too white, too plastic - but now it's accepted as a pretty good machine.
Granted, the MBA's price is a bit high, but for new technology it's not that bad. Instead of looking at what's not there, look at the overall picture and view it as another step forward.
view dakman's profile
I agree that this is a "limited" computer, but would actually be perfect for someone like me. I have an iMac desktop (G5) and a G4 powerbook, that I use solely for travel - it functions essentially as a satellite to my desktop computer for when I travel. If I were to replace the powerbook, this would be a serious option for me.
Definitely not for everyone, but for those looking for a computer with an optical drive and multiple ports, it's not like this is a replacement for the MacBook/MacBook Pro lines, it serves a different type of user, and I don't think it's even intended to be a "sole" home computer.
view sam1's profile