MacBook Air: top 10 things wrong with it

Dan Warne
15 January 2008, 11:43 PM


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ANALYSIS |Like an anorexic fashion model, Apple's new super-thin MacBook Air has made too many compromises for the sake of being skinny.


MacBook Anorexic: too many compromises means it will appeal to less potential buyersMacBook Anorexic: too many compromises means it will appeal to less potential buyers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like an anorexic fashion model, Apple's new super-thin MacBook Air has made too many compromises for the sake of being skinny.

For example:

1. 80GB iPod hard drive being used as a system drive. It's 4200 RPM slow and after years of encouraging people to amass a horde of digital media, how can Apple really expect people to fit their iTunes library, digital videos and so on onto 80GB? With notebook hard drive capacities topping 500GB in a single 2.5" drive, surely Apple's customers would have preferred a slightly thicker form factor with a beefier drive?

2. Non-expandable memory: 2GB of RAM soldered onto the motherboard... sure, that's a lot of RAM today, but if I were buying a notebook worth between $AUD2500 and $AUD4300, I'd sure as hell want the ability to add some extra RAM in later to cater for future Mac OS X upgrades, virtualisation and memory hungry apps like the Adobe suite. (To be fair, other subnotebooks also have soldered RAM, and sometimes have only 1GB, but still... looking at this from the perspective of someone looking for a thinner, lighter MacBook Pro, this is a significant limitation.)

3. 64GB flash-memory as an option in place of the hard drive is nice, but for $AUD1400 more, it seems unlikely many people will take it up. (Update: reader Jeff Singleton points out that the SSD drive is more than "just a flash drive" -- SSD disks offer greatly enhanced reliability and much faster throughput than mechanical media can, which is a fair point.)

4. One USB port: not only is the MacBook Air expansion-limited on the inside, it can't connect to many things at once on the outside, unless, of course, you carry a USB hub with you, which kinda defeats the purpose of having an ultraportable notebook to begin with. And since it's a recessed design (a flap on the side of the notebook has to pop open for you to access the port), quite a few USB accessories aren't going to be able to plug in there without the use of a USB extension cord.

5. No wireless broadband: if anyone's going to buy this notebook, it's the regular traveller who is tired of toting 3KG of extra cabin baggage everywhere. These people are also exactly the same people who find wireless broadband really, really useful. But despite the fact that HSDPA modules can be manufactured as small as a postage stamp, Apple didn't include one. Guess what you'll be using that one USB port for? A soap-on-a-rope style wireless broadband dongle, or a fat broadband stick. It's not a very elegant accompaniment to the world's thinnest notebook.

6. Underpowered, last-gen processor: despite Apple claiming the MacBook Air has the 'latest' processor in it, it's actually a slow old 65nm version of the Core 2 Duo, topping out at 1.8GHz. Presumably Apple's legal eagles would argue that since Intel made a special version of the processor that has a smaller chip casing than others, it is literally using the "latest" release from Intel. But in this case, "latest" certainly doesn't mean "better".

7. No microphone port: sure, it's not the most essential feature given the proliferation of USB microphones, but again, I'll point out: one ... USB ... port.

8. Non-replaceable battery: you have to send the entire notebook back to Apple for replacement of the battery. Which will have attrocious battery life within about two years. Note to Steve Jobs: this is not an iPod.

9. Thin but not that thin: Steve Jobs says the MacBook Air is thinner at its thickest point than competing notebooks. But the Fujitsu Q2010 is only 19.9mm thick at its thickest point, and that's 0.5mm -- yes half a millimetre -- thicker. However, in the Lifebook, you get integrated HSDPA/3G/GPRS, an ExpressCard slot (34/54), SD card slot, two USB ports, inbuilt VGA out, Ethernet, Firewire, fingerprint sensor. I'd say that functionality is worth an extra half millimetre.

10. Oh, and no Ethernet port: yeah, OK, you can order the optional USB Ethernet adaptor, but that one time your router stops working wirelessly and you really need to log in via Ethernet to fix the configuration... hope you've got that USB adaptor with you.

Post mortem: Yes, there are some really nice features of the MacBook Air: the multi-touch trackpad, the fact that it doesn't have a tiny, cramped keyboard like many ultraportables, some clever workarounds for the fact that it doesn't have an optical drive -- the ability to comandeer another Mac's drive over a network, and so on.

But the fact is, apart from the screen and keyboard size, everything else in the MacBook Air is a big compromise.

People who were looking for a viable "pro" upgrade path for their PowerBook G4 12" will be disappointed, as will anyone who wanted a lighter version of the MacBook Pro.

Will it be a success? I'm willing to bet that there will be an initial rush of sales from people who want the hottest, latest, slimmest thing in the airport gate lounge, but for the rest of us, who are balancing the specs with the portability, the MacBook Air will ultimately turn out to be a sales dud.

(Please note: pricing in the article is listed in Australian dollars since APC is an Australian website.) 

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Briggs:



I guess you really don't understand what people want. The last time my mother plugged anything into a USB port? Oh, never happened. The last time my father wanted to render high quality 3D animation? Hmm, never happened. The last time my wife carried an extra battery for her laptop? Hasn't. Nor have they ever plugged into an ethernet port. Or used their CD/DVD drives. But, they love taking their notebooks where they want. They want to use it. They want it to work. They want to do what they need to do. That is what the consumer wants. They aren't computer geeks. They are device users; plain and simple.

You are obviously a nay-sayer. The notebook is quite innovative. It's lightweight, low power, efficient, portable. Hmm, isn't that what it claims to be?

Also, what is the with the misleading price point you mention? You say "but if I were buying a notebook worth between $2500 and $4300...", where did this come from? You are almost $1000 higher than the $1,799 beginning price for the traditional HDD model. Sure, the solid state hard drive model is 3.1K but, this definitely does not fit your pricing. You are a poor editorialist. You mislead people.

I'll admit that I haven't used one, I am quite excited about trying one out. After spending a few days at another conference recently, I would have loved something as portable as this.

Pooh on you.






29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Geriatric:

So your mother won't plug anything inside a USB port and your father never renders high quality 3D animation, BUT they need to have an extremely expensive apple laptop to take around? Man, I wish I could have such hip parents. Do they sell them in apple stores or did you just decide to make up stupid crap?

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Briggs:

No idea what your comment about "Do they sell them in apple stores or did you just decide to make up stupid crap" is suppose to mean.

It's amazing what people call expensive. Value is value. A cheap 600 Dell is bulky, heavy, slow and runs Windows. Some of use don't like that.

My parents are retired. They can afford the cost. Or I can buy one for them.







29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Justin:

Since when do your parents need an ultra-thin notebook? And I don't think Job's is aiming his demographic buyers towards 50 and 60 year olds.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Paul:

What's an 'editorialist'?

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Sue:

Wow there are some really, really scathing responses to this article! What did the writer ever do to you guys??

First of all: there were so many misinterpretations of the costs that I had to go back and check if the article mentioned the currency. This is what I found:
"between $AUD2500 and $AUD4300"
AUD stands for Australian Dollar! (And no, the Vienna Boys Choir does not reside here *smirk*)

Personally, as someone in the market for a new laptop, this article was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to know all the pros and cons from an honest viewpoint. And the debate that it sparked certainly gave me that!

I also agree with the article - I was waiting (and waiting) for Apple to bring out a lighter Macbook. The Macbook was EXACTLY what I wanted, just a little too heavy. I'm a little broken hearted with all the Air's shortcomings.

Don't get me wrong! I'm still buying it! I just can't go past the portabilty of it. But at least I'll have some idea of what I'm getting myself into.

PS - lets see if cop any flack for this. Grr! ;-)

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

ImAwesomeYouFail (New user):

so people are going to want to pay about $1,500 dollars more than something they can get that is exactly the same but a little thicker and actually has a dvd drive? I like how you think.

23 August 2008, 1:47 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

William Lauritzen:

watch out if u drop it lol that could really damage it seeing how small it is,

i dropped my apple ibook once sadly it had the flash drive in at the time and i lost my only USB port (ibook se 466mhz) i can get a laptop from the school so i think ill get the mac book air too bad i cant keep it after i leave lol (reason it hasnt been upgraded is coz i use a pc desktop)

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

SupaFly:

I can tell you like it. You are trying so hard to hide the fact, but it still shines through. It's okay though.

Why would you think that this would be any sort of a pro upgrade anyway? Would you think that a MacBook would be a pro upgrade for your PowerBook? No. So why would an ultra-portable be a pro upgrade. Its not a "MacBook Air Pro" after all.

Anyway. Go and get one, tell all your friends its for your wife, or kids. Carry it with you where ever you go. And when you complain how it lacks some of the features of your old PowerBook, just hope no one asks why you aren't lugging that around anymore.

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

KingKong:

The Macbook Air is a joke. Only people with money and no use for it will ever buy such a plank of slim wood. I'd sacrifice design over practicality, any day. Seems like most wouldn't. This just appeals to the "Air"heads. Get more work done using a less "blingy" PC with Linux or Windows folks.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

HelmutS:

Well, it's compromising all over, for sure, but so what? It is NOT a replacement for a Macbook Pro, which is more like a one laptop does it all (I use mine as main computer, with external display etc)
AND: it is Micro$oft Windows free! That alone places it head and shoulders above any Fujitsu, Sony, what-have-you competition :)

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

AnonymousCowRd:

I'd much rather the world be Apple-Free than Microsoft-Free.

If you're insinuating by your use of "$" that Microsoft is somehow more expensive, I urge you to look again at the price of Apple's hardware and software. Or look at trying to manage an enterprise of 1000s of Apple computers.

Speaking just about notebooks, a Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, Fujitsu, or any other laptop with Microsoft Windows and Office is still cheaper than a base MacBook and usually carries a better warranty.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Doctor:

To be fair though, of those brands you listed, at least two of them aren't reliable to begin with.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Mike Hansen:

Seriously. Microphone... Have you ever heard about Bluetooth headsets? They come in stereo as well if you like music.

Ethernet adapter... Oh man... WiFi works quite nicely and this is not your main computer. It's your traveling computer, so you can get some work done on the road.

Ok... 3G support I could have used too, but nothing I can't fix with a Bluetooth connection over to my cellphone, but still.

It goes for the 'lag of ports' too. Even digital cameras are now showing up with bluetooth so one connector is fine for me.

This machine is a sub-notebook that looks awesome and that you can have with you everywhere you go, if you need to get work done. It is also heck of a lot easier to have with you on a train or in the plain.

5 hours of battery life is nice and SSD is nice too, but yes expensive. BUt again these things cost a lot in the size that are used in the Air.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Doctor:

Ethernet is still very useful. Particularly since there are several wifi cards these days that aren't reliable.

The way you go on about bluetooth, people would think you were married to it. =P

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

shame apc u milked the article:



NUMBER 1 2 3

This laptop was made to be ultra portable not something that your going to compose movies and songs with or play high end games so 2GB AND 80GB Hard Drive is more then enough

NUMBER 4

one usb port, on the go how often to you plug in a usb? mabey for your 3g modem, what else are you going to plug in while your in the car or airplane. once again its supposed to be ultra portable

Number 5

No wireless broadband: how many laptop on the market give wireless broadband

NUMBER 6

Underpowered, last-gen processor: lets compare to laptops the size of the air. we have 1.2GHz - 1.6GHz. MacBook air:
HALF THE SIZE PREDECESSOR MADE 60% SMALLER and you have 1.6 - 1.8GHZ.
Once again your not composing a movie on this your a traveler

7. No microphone port: BUILT IN D!%^HEADS

8. Non-replaceable battery: well you ask for alot considering the size of the laptop and chances of having replaced are slim there made to last longer then 5 years

9. Thin but not that thin:
this has been typed because apc carn't find anything else to type about so they write this bullshit

10. Oh, and no Ethernet port: well last time i checked this was for portability and everyone these days has wireless so get over it





I AGREE WITH THESE COMMENTS

"ITS NOT A MACBOOK AIR PRO, IF YOU WANT TO COMPOSE MOVIES AND HAVE HEAPS OF USB AND AN ETHERNET U BUY A MAC BOOK PRO.

IF YOU A TRAVELER THAT NEEDS INTERNET AND CHECKS EMAIL THE MAC AIR IS IDEAL'


also you guys are selfish you try fit more usbs and all the other shit you will use once inn there come on lets see you try.

and for those saying underpowered processor u fit 2.4ghz on a chip 60% smaller thats what i thought


STOP YOUR COMPLAINING AND APPRECIATE WHAT APPLE WAS ABLE TO CREATE


29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Dan Warne:

I'll just briefly respond to your point 6 -- just about all notebook manufacturers have models with built-in wireless broadband as an option. Especially in ultraportable notebooks, since this is the perfect target market for people who need broadband access on the go. 

I actually think -you- miss the point of people's criticism of the Air. People are not saying that the Air needs to be stuffed full with all the same stuff as a MacBook Pro, just that TOO MANY compromises have been made to get it down to the ultra-slim form factor. Give it one more USB port, a 2.5" hard drive (so we could have upgrade capacities beyond 80GB) and make it a couple of millimetres thicker, and it would have been a far superior notebook.

People who travel a lot but want a Mac laptop that's not hopelessly feature-hampered currently have to lug a pretty heavy, hefty notebook. What people want is something a BIT thinner/smaller and lighter than the current MacBook/MacBook Pro range, but not necessarily "the world's thinnest notebook". 



29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Andrew L:

You are right, it will be a dud.

i know, because I worked at an Apple Premium reseller, and believe me, every salesperson out there will just tell ppl to get a macBook.

You also forgot to mention that Apple fails to show any benchmarks on their site this time, which they happily do for all of their products, which leaves everyone a bit suspicious.

A macbook is half the cost, and significantly better specs. Furthermore, u can change the battery, and the warranty costs the same on both of them. And at the end,you cant carry either model in your pocket. Can you imagine ordering 50 of these things for a business, and having to send them off in 2 years time for battery replacement. Thats a lot of profit potentially lost in the businesses where this thing belongs. Especially since I have seen cases where apple takes a week to get things replaced.

The funniest part of all? For $2499,you may just as well get a Macbook pro. For the same cost as a macbook, you can get the equivilent of a Macbook pro from Dell.

I'm sorry, has Apple thought about the target market? Surely Apple thinks that they can stooge everyone with the massive pricetag on this. This thing costs less then a Mac Mini to manufacture undoubtably.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

B. Thornton:

Mate, I think you're just assuming that he likes it, trying to hide the fact that you're slightly upset that not everyone likes the next 'big' thing from Apple like you.

Don't get me wrong, it's one sexy laptop, but the limited functionality is really going to put off some, though some heavy travelers might still find it awesome.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

I like gelato:

I find that Apple like to put asthetics in front of functionality, and in this case it looks like they have gone a bit far here. But I guess that's what the Apple market wants, simple and un-upgradable machines... but this isnt for me, i lye in the Windows market. I find that a good dell notebook would be much more to peoples tastes. I understand that this is a neat notebook, but it lacks the features I would expect in a high-priced notebook.

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Kevin:

I find it interesting that you compare this to the Fujitsu Q2010. For example at PC Mall you can buy the Fujitsu with a 1.2 GHz core solo processor, a 40GB hard drive, 512MB RAM a 12.1" screen and the built-in NIC (could not find the 3G option) all for only $2400. Sounds to me Apple is offering a great deal for the price. Although I will not be buying one soon (just bought a 17" MBP 3 months ago), where I work and travel I always have wireless available to me, I have no need of recording sound nor do I edit videos. So this would meet my needs perfectly. I do not believe this is for everyone, but I do believe it will remain a strong seller for a long time.

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

dboy:

No way :-)

He is just trying to say there are always some people who worship Apple will still go and buy regardless all the Negative that he has mentioned.

One thing for sure:
1. If I spend so much $$, I am sure I want to get a 7200 RPM hard-disk. But to get a 4200 rpm by default, err...Nope. I will pass.

It looks beautiful but it will be slow like a turtle due to the hard-disk.



29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

ro:

Regardless of what you think, it's sexy and people will buy it in droves.

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

I like gelato:

I guess it may look kinda sexy, but to me it really isnt that good looking... it's kinda like saying an anerexic model looks hot, when on the other hand many people would say she looks sickening. But it's personal preference here. :)

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

GSavage777:

Anorexic?
More like current laptops are BBLs... Big Beautiful Laptops. If you like your women big as well that's ok.

BTW, 5 hours of battery life and better screen are great features.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Adam Williamson:

I don't know who writes the captions, but:

"MacBook Anorexic: too many compromises means it will appeal to less potential buyers"

is wrong. You have "less" of a *quantity* - less milk, less sugar, etc. For a *number* (like the number of potential buyers), you have "fewer". Should be:

"MacBook Anorexic: too many compromises means it will appeal to fewer potential buyers"

give your sub a slap. :)

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

nairra:


That sounds ridiculous over confidence on the part of Steve . He would be counting on the headless MAC Fans ( a bounty of them) to make this another hit prodcut .

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Peter Thompson:

i like the look of it. for some people though the functionality of such a small laptop with a good size keyboard would be good. apple keep releasing great technology that is more innovative than pc. i think the selling factor will be it's size and weight.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Hugo van Rhijn:

The eleventh item that I feel is REALLY missing is a Firewire connection. You cannot hook up your HDV camera to the MB Air...
Would a small 4 pin FW input really have made a difference?
And the only Firewire to USB Converter/Adapter currently on the market is Windows only....

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

David Choy:

OK dan, lets take this on one by one. Can Ipreface my comments with the point that this computer is NOT aimed at PC geeks or IT professionals, but rather the professionals that need a second computer to carry in their already burgeoning business cases. Me being one of them. I have a desktop to do the dirty work but I want my data with me. This fits the bill perfectly. And it doesn't compromise on screen on keyboard like the eeePC (saying that the eeePC would be a killer as a mac)

(1)80GB iPod drive. - you're missing the point. what does the eeePC have? 4GB. This is NOT designed as a main computer replacement. 80GB is fine for the intended use. It's not your main archive for everything. If you want that and a "Slightly thicker form factor" - apple already have that - the Macbook. Duh.

(2) Non expandable memory. First time ever I've heard someonebitch about 2GB as standard. How many computers come with 2GB? YOu're lucky if you get 1GB. Frankly, if you need more than 2GB, you bought the wrong computer. Seriously, add a spare slot = adding bulk. Apple did the right thing - 2GB as standard was right. i'm glad they didn't do 1GB non upgradeable. that would definitely be a mistake.
(3) Yep 64GB SSD at $1400 is not value for money but the option is there. Better than no option, hopefully upgradeable later.

(4)One USB port - Heard of thumb sized USB hubs? I have. Even if this is a problem, once again the target market doesn't want this for bristling ports. I have a macbook for that. this is for those times you want your computer with you but wouldn't normally because ofa computer's size.

(5) Built in HSDPA is a dumb idea - the standards are different and eg telstra's 850mhz wouldn't be represented. And that's betting on HSDPA as being the prevalent standard. You'll be singing a different tune if WiMAX gains traction

(6)Last gen processor - this is your funniest statement. You compare the Macbook air (core duo) with the Fujitsu Q2010 - which has a Intel Core SOLO processor. Similarly the Sony TZ series also has core solo processors. Please try comparing apples with apples (no pun intended) And let's not go talk about the eeePC and it's processor.

(7)No microphone port. - non issue. Built in mic. Bluetooth headset. Nothing more complex required in this kind of computer. People said the same thing (a mic) was required for the ipod (along with FM radio.) I think you realise that nobody really cared about this omission on the iPod and it defintiely didn't impact sales. Geeks of course go buy iriver for that, but the same applise to the macbook air. Please please remember this is not targeted at geeks. They can go buy a nice big dell.

(8)Non USER REPLACEABLE battery - agreed this would be nice but would add bulk (battery door etc). I am sure this will be replacebale via return to apple like the iPOD but to most will not be an issue. Target market consumers are upgraders within the useful life. But I take your point this is a significant factor.

(9)Thin but not that thin - once again a big laugh for me. You compare the macbook air with the Fujitsu Q2010 and gleefully mention the extra ports. But you forget to mention the Core solo processor, the lower res and size screen, the 1GB ram (which, by the way, is not upgradeable, as it is the MAX supported), the 1.7 hour battery, the old gen graphics chip and the non N wireless. and no illuminated keyboard.

(10) What if - yeah you can keep going with that one. what if bluetooth, wirelss and USB all fail? Please.

YOu can pooh pooh it all you like but it will sell because people want it. It's not perfect but it's the closest to what I've been looking for for hte last 3 years.

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Me:

Only Diehard Mac Fanboys with more money then sense will buy it, David Choy.
The response to this article is yet another example of the Mac Brigade taking every little criticism about the mighty Apple personally and having the need to defend this company with all their blood and sweat !!! ... Wake up you morons. Apple is just trying to gouge every drop of blood out of you ... And all you can do is show them the veins and then paying through you noses for it ... Geez !!!

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

applelabotomy:

OMG it's soooo cooool...NOT!

Am I the only one who finds the rounded corners reminiscent of the gen 1 ibook?
Black keyboard is ugly. And the FAT-ASSED bezel around the screen looks awful. Why didn't they shave down the bezel to reduce the footprint by at least 1" diagonally? Oh yeah, because this had to be the "thinnest" laptop instead of a viable replacement for the 12" Powerbook.

pros
light and thin.

cons.
no optical
1 USB port
bigger footprint
built-in battery
soldered RAM
1.8 80G PATA HD

Innovations? an old ipod HDD and a multitouch trackpad...whoopty.

Note to readers: this isn't a SUB NOTEBOOK, it's a THIN NOTEBOOK. There's a difference:

MacBook Air ($1800)
============================
Height: 0.16-0.76"
Width: 12.8"
Depth: 8.94"
Weight: 3.0 pounds


MacBook ($1100)
============================
Height: 1.08"
Width: 12.78"
Depth: 8.92"
Weight: 5.0lbs

Have at you fanboys.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

MikeSocokid:

First of all, dumbest article ever. The arguments are seriously flawed, but what do you expect from a Microsoft web site, looking for hits by bashing AppleHeads. Whatever...

But, no. people like you just don't get it. This MacBook Air ($1799) is for a certain market, and it's been well researched. This computer is an ultra-portable, NOT a desktop replacement. How does this escape the article writer? I don't think it does, I think he's just "flaming" to get hits to this site. Nice job... (and last time I visit, BTW). It's not meant to hold all of your music (#1), it's not meant to render the next Star Wars movie (#2), it's only $1300 more for the SDD (and you also get a faster processor), so I don't think the article writer can add ($1799 - $3099) (#4), wireless broadband is STILL for very few people... contracts, service provider, etc... no thanks. If I need it, I'll plug in the little USB adapter, my goodness (#5), this is the fastest processor in any machine of this size. Small enough to still be fit in one of these and not have heat be an issue (#6), is this guy for real? Again, I don't think so. MIcrophone... you've got to be kidding me... (#7), I agree, I don't like the non-replaceable battery (#8), the Fujitsu he points out as being .5 mm smaller (OMG!) has an old, much slower processor in it, he should go post about that in an article to get hits from Fujitsu fans! (#9), no ethernet (holy cow, this is why they call it "Air" for god's sake!) is simply not an issue. Buy the very small adapter and keep it in your new laptop bag. "Hope you've got that USB adapter with you"? (#10) Seriously, I think the article writer is on some really good drugs...

This sub-notebook is for travelers that want something powerful yet small. It's a niche, and Apple will (as it always does) make this market bigger by making it easy to use (also to note the Fujitsu will only run Windows... ugh), and can fit into an envelope, all for $1799. No, you're the moron. You're the crotchety old guy standing on the corner yelling at the kids to get off your lawn. If you don't want one, then don't buy it (and you aren't in their market).

This will sell like hotcakes, and it should. Remember, the other half of the "hook" here is OS X (Leopard) and the iLife suite. Yes, this will sell just fine...

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

monkeyc:

Mike it seems comprehension is a problem here so maybe some help.

"First of all, dumbest article ever. The arguments are seriously flawed, but what do you expect from a Microsoft web site, looking for hits by bashing AppleHeads. Whatever..."

The arguments are the same ones many tech journalists are making. Oh and Dan is anything but a Microsoft Head and this is the website of APC which is a Respected computer magazine known in Australia for being more than wiling to take on MS and also for being very pro linux and mac.

"But, no. people like you just don't get it."

Nor it seems do people like me with over 20 years in the industry... But then i suspect you get it fine - im sure you are sitting there with your iPod, iPhone, iBook etc etc.

"This MacBook Air ($1799) is for a certain market, and it's been well researched. "

Says who? Apple. Yes its for a certain market - apple fanbois and college kids with more money that sense - hang on I will explain why as we go along..

"This computer is an ultra-portable, NOT a desktop replacement. How does this escape the article writer? I don't think it does, I think he's just "flaming" to get hits to this site. Nice job... (and last time I visit, BTW)."

yes yes the flaming for hits argument - working well for you. I own 2 Ultra Portables - A Sony X505 and an ASUS EEE - both nice machines and both cost less than this - the sony offers far more features than the Apple BTW and is about a hair fatter. But apple look cool so im sure thats irrelevant to you.

" It's not meant to hold all of your music (#1), it's not meant to render the next Star Wars movie (#2),"

I see no where Dan said it was. But allow me to comment, as someone who does travel for a living - I like taking movies and MP3's along with me work, I do not like taking along external HDD's, Media drives, USB Hubs and 20 other accesories just so I can do that. 80gb in this modern day is too small, its what Dell shipped 2 years ago with their entry level Latitude series machines.

" it's only $1300 more for the SDD (and you also get a faster processor), so I don't think the article writer can add ($1799 - $3099) "

The writer is in Australia. The price is Australia, the magazine is Australian Personal Computer. A google can show you where Australia is. HINT : Its not in America and its not Austria (which is in Europe if you are confused)

Oh and only $1300.. You know for most people $1300 still means something - people with real lives that is who have to pay bills and the like. Oh and the faster processor is a joke BTW - the increment is pointless.

"(#4), wireless broadband is STILL for very few people... contracts, service provider, etc... no thanks. "

Yet lots of people will pay that $1300. Sorry spurious argument - Wireless Broadband is growing rapidly and especially in the Asia Pacific and European regions - down under you can get a wireless 3G for under $30 a month - so no its not for very few people and its an essential for frequent travellers - you know the very people who apple claim are its target market.

"If I need it, I'll plug in the little USB adapter"

Hope you dont need a mouse to work, or that file on the external HDD or watch a DVD etc etc etc. Compromises - some products have them and some are them.

" my goodness (#5), this is the fastest processor in any machine of this size. Small enough to still be fit in one of these and not have heat be an issue "

Says who? Apple have produced no benchmark figures, I can find no information on heat usage and the first models havent even shipped - on paper it might look fast but that claim is pure fanboy and nothing else.

"(#6), is this guy for real? Again, I don't think so. MIcrophone... you've got to be kidding me... "

Thus proving youre not in that special market for a UP laptop - I use mine all the time for Video Conferences ad the built in mic gets a crapload of use - Bluetooth can be a total pain in the butt and its not remotely always perfect.

"(#7), I agree, I don't like the non-replaceable battery (#8),"

My god a concession

" the Fujitsu he points out as being .5 mm smaller (OMG!)"

5mm bigger actually - but hey you missed that.

" has an old, much slower processor in it,"

Yep and its more feature packed - tradeoffs. And we havent seen benchmark so we dont know how much slower. Yes it is slower but this is a mac and ive been using them long enough to know the truth about macs and processor and memory..

" he should go post about that in an article to get hits from Fujitsu fans! "

It worked to draw in the mac nuts like you didnt it? I agree it was bad choice. the VAIO would hav been much better as its both faster, cheaper and morfe fully featured..

"(#9), no ethernet (holy cow, this is why they call it "Air" for god's sake!) is simply not an issue. "

To who? To you? Its an issue to pretty much everyone ive seen commenting on it and its a totally stupid decision akin with the decision to kill floppies from apple thus creating a market for third party manufacturers who made out quite nicely on Appls - everyone hated it but they all bought FDD's because they needed the.

"Buy the very small adapter and keep it in your new laptop bag."

Yet another useless accessory and hey it costs $30US so apple make yet more money on the back of an already overpriced sale.

" "Hope you've got that USB adapter with you"? (#10) Seriously, I think the article writer is on some really good drugs..."

So far your argument makes it seem youre on the payroll at apple. Horses for courses

"This sub-notebook is for travelers that want something powerful yet small. "

Nope. Im in that market and this is not for me - In a discussion yesterday at a conference for my employer its clear its not going to get much excitment from those people either.

"It's a niche, and Apple will (as it always does) make this market bigger by making it easy to use (also to note the Fujitsu will only run Windows... ugh),"

Oh how the Fanbois forget that Apple is not infallible. Oh and Fujitsu will run Linux, unix and even OSX if you know how. Lame attempt to use MS loving as a defence but what can we expect from someone who is clearly a college kid.

" and can fit into an envelope, all for $1799."

Cause when I buy my laptops its important they can fit in an envelope.. It also astounds me how well the apple fanbois swallow the marketing line - always has really.

"No, you're the moron. You're the crotchety old guy standing on the corner yelling at the kids to get off your lawn. If you don't want one, then don't buy it (and you aren't in their market)."

Ahh intelligence, restraint and reasoned argument. Which college do you attend by the way? Freshman or Sophomore?

"This will sell like hotcakes, and it should. Remember, the other half of the "hook" here is OS X (Leopard) and the iLife suite. Yes, this will sell just fine..."

Sounding a bit desperate there? I agree it will sell like hotcakes. For 3 months. Then when the early adopters have all bought in and the fanbois its going to be a VERY hard sell convincing professional travellers to buy what is essentially an under specced and over priced toy which their corporate IT depts wont touch as it hasnt got ethernet and they dont use wireless in most corporates heavily (security risks).....

Me thinks you protest too much. Its a product. not a religion.


29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Coin:

Well said Me. People have eyes but cannot see. I don't understand this whole brand loyalty when they are just trying to screw you blind, and Apple are the biggest offenders because they target the moron market.

And as for the response from David Choy, I agree with some of your points, but you keep saying "this isn't your main computer". It's base price is $2500 for something that can't really do much, how many computers are you supposed to have? A desktop to do your 'dirty work', another laptop that you can actually do real work on at the home and office AND your little MacBook Air for travel. I'm afraid most people don't have that sort of coin to fork out on computers or work for such generous companies that will pay for it all.

I think it's a neat little thing, but for the price it's a little limiting when you can't even watch a DVD on the road.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ric:

Looks like your coin landed tails and that meant a negative article it was to be.

Yes, it's cutting edge technology so it's going to have 'wow' and 'huh?' factors.

Give Apple some credit for their ideas and innovation.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Dan Warne:

I can assure you my sentiment expressed in the article wasn't decided on a (metaphorical) coin toss. 

It came from the pain of really wanting to buy one and realising I simply couldn't do it because of the many limitations.

I don't think technology innovation necessarily equates to massively reduced feature sets. Since when did "0.5mm thinner than the thinnest competitor" equate to enormous technology innovation?



29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

MikeSocokid:

"Since when did "0.5mm thinner than the thinnest competitor" equate to enormous technology innovation?"

When they put a Core DUO in it, a bigger and better screen, a better graphics chip, more memory, and can run OS X...

Are you daft man?

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

David Flynn:

David, I'm over here at Macworld and am also the sort of target audience that Apple might have had in mind for this -- a 'mobile professional' power user with desire for a small form factor and long battery life.

I travel a lot, I've used a laptop as my primary maching since around 1994, and my BIGGEST concern during yesterday's keynote was that the Air would be such a fantastic package that I'd find it hard to resist plonking down the folding green (and hey, a guy's gotta have a budget!)

But like many journalists I've spoken with here, the question about the Air is mostly about those compromises - and that's always going to be a tough one, because any compromise is subjective. What might stay in the mix to please one person could easily be dropped for another. (After that there seem to be two resounding comments: Apple would have sold more if it was available today in the US rather than 'in two weeks' in the US, because they could have capitalised on the headstrong rush, whereas prospective buyers must cool their heels and their hearts for two weeks and in that time they may lose that must-have passion after reading analysis pieces such as these; and, the other thing is that I wonder if this won't be a bit like Apple's portable equivalent to the Mac Cube. The Cube was a stunningly small and elegant desktop box, very very close to Jobs' heart [he brought the concept over with him from NeXT] that made a lot of sense from a design and marketing perspective but still had a few too many compromises).

Anyway, one by one:

80G hard drive: I agree with you that it's ample for a secondary system. if you have a desktop, and most Air wonders would, then you might not need to load all your data onto this. But it would have come down to the best size for the pricepoint at which the Air is targetted. (I think a lot of concerns are also over the speed of the drive, actually).

Non expandable memory: 'First time ever I've heard someone bitch about 2GB as standard. How many computers come with 2GB? YOu're lucky if you get 1GB'. The issue isn't how much memory is standard, David. It's about how much you can pack into the system. 2GB is standard on the Air because you cannot get any more. And a lot of users would want more. I surely would, if only to be able to run XP under Parallels at top speed while also being able to have other Mac apps open.

One USB port: "Heard of thumb sized USB hubs? I have." Heard of thumb-sized hubs that can supply enough juice for an external hard drive? I haven't. If you need to plug an ext drive into the Air, your sole USB port is gone. Two ports really is the miniumum.

Last gen processor: doesn't bother me as much as one might expect. I'd have LOVED for this to have been Penryn, but that version in the Air's small form factor won't be available until much later this year.

Non USER REPLACEABLE battery: "agreed this would be nice but would add bulk (battery door etc)." Yes, and so the Air might not have been the thinnest in the world. I'd rather have seen Jobs back down from his obvious ego trip to create the thinnest notebook, and have the best, most fully-featured thin notebook in the world -- one with a few less compromises, such as an extra USB port and a replaceable battery. "I am sure this will be replacebale via return to apple like the iPOD but to most will not be an issue." You'd be happy to hand over your Air to Apple service and not have it for two or more weeks? Not me, that's for sure!
David


29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Paul:

3) David, I think you'll find that at least one manufacturer (Dell) has been able to achieve the technical marvel of supporting mobile broadband from more than one carrier (Telstra and Vodafone).
Personally, if I was going to buy 'the world's thinnest notebook' I'd prefer not to have to drag along a soap-on-a-rope USB 3G modem in order to stay connected.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Krugeri:

The MSN in your masthead stands for Microsoft Network, right?

The audacity of your FUD is striking. You haven't seen one, used one or even talked to someone who used one and you already have a list of 10 things you, in our infinite wisdom, just know they did wrong?

First, the entry level MacBook Air is $1799, not $2500 you stated. Then you are angry about 2GB of soldered RAM but then mention that many subs are sold with 1GB.

The LifeBook you hold up as an example of no compromises uses a slower processor, has a smaller screen, less (and slower) RAM, the same 80GB 4200 RPM HD, 1.7 hours of standard battery life, a standard backlit screen, and comes saddled with MS Windows!!

Other than that... everything else you said was right. Oh, except that the MacBook Air has a built in microphone. It is next to the built in web cam.

My guess is that the MacBook Air will be a huge success, and will continue Apple's recent phenomenal market share advances. What you see as unacceptable trade-offs others see as acceptable trade-offs. The Toshiba is wonderful hardware but I'd take the MacBook Air, personally.

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

ant:

>>First, the entry level MacBook Air is $1799, not $2500 you stated.

This website is Australian Personal Computer. The price quoted is Australian dollars. In Australia, the starting price is AUD2499. Perhaps Dan could have been more explicit in the type of currency he was quoting prices in, but he was not wrong.

Having said that, at today's exchange rate, US$1799 is equal to about AU$2030, and we are paying AU$2499?? Seems like a hefty price difference for living in Australia.....and you couldn't say it's the cost of the extra freight. Most of this stuff is made in Asia.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

David Flynn:

Ant, don't forget that Apple's US price does not account for the sales tax levied in the state in which you buy the notebook (or the address it;s shipped to), wheras the Aussie rrp includes the standard 10% GST. So to the US$1799, add 10% GST of $179, which reduces the gap to around $290. While that's still a little higher than any prospective buyer may wish, it's not insane for a local markup given our smaller market.


29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Edu:

And what about europe?? Starting from $2425.

And also ... no Cd/Dvd reader included. To use one, you need another Mac to use a "shared" drive. Yes, I know, future is "no CD or DVD" ... but today is still a big need, overall if you manage a big amount of data.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

GSavage777:

YOU'RE WRONG!
The Air ships with software that you can install on a PC that lets you use a PC CD/DVD drive!

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Doctor:

That's still not very convenient.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Discosis:

I don't think the issue is that the MacBook Air is supposed to be a Pro model, its that the last small laptop Apple made is *quite* old now, and this isn't a suitable upgrade to it.

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ahmed El Zein:

Some of the things you say are true, others are a bit distorted!

The fact is thought that it is becoming very difficult to create a products that suits a lot of people.

I would say that Air will suit just about anyone with a desktop machine. If you ONLY own a laptop then more of your argument makes sense.

That said I am amazed that after all, I have no urge to have one of these. I am after an Asus EeePC. There is no way to compare these 2 laptops (because the are aimed at to different niches) I just want it.

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Keith:

If I wanted small and solid state, I'd rather buy an Asus EEE pc instead. Compromises, yes, but at a fraction of the cost and with more expandability too, it'd get my money before I fork out for this new Apple laptop. In fact, I could buy one for each of the family for the price of one MacBook Air. Cool design factor aside, this seems to be a rather expensive toy from Apple.

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

David Johnston:

I certainly agree with you. I'm suprised you stopped at 10. I'm sure you could have made this a "top 20".

To add to the above... Again Apple has made the mistakes of a keyboard with flat keys (that reduces the tactile feedback to the point where touch-typists fingers become "lost") and a glossy screen (which makes it difficult to use in a room flooded with fluorescent lighting). Also there's no Firewire: so no importing of video, and no use of reliable external drives. Also in a computer that's as expensive as this is, I'm disappointed with the continued use of DDR2-667 RAM (as well 65nm CPUs as you mentioned).

This laptop cannot act as a primary computer, it must act as an extension to a far more capable machine.

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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