Danny Gorog29 January 2008, 6:41 AM
The MacBook Air, launched almost two weeks ago, has now started shipping and the first reports are rolling in from journos around the world.
The MacBook Air, launched almost two weeks ago, has now started shipping and the first reports are rolling in from the tech journos (not APC yet, unfortunately, as Apple doesn't yet have review units available in Australia).
The general gist is positive, with the standard 'if this isn't your only computer' disclaimer. All the reviewers also seem to agree that when potential buyers actually hold a MacBook Air the details on the spec sheet become less relevant.
Edward Baig from USA Today says the MacBook Air is 'a remarkably sturdy-feeling machine, especially given its size and weight...and will make students and frequent business travelers gush.' But,Baig says 'with too few ports, a sealed battery that you can't replace on your own and no built-in CD/DVD drive, Air is not the ideal laptop for everyone.'
 photo: nytimes.com |
Steven Levy for Newsweek is a little bit more enamoured than Baig and
writes 'The Air is a lithe sheath of aluminum so slim that it can slide under my office door...Most importantly, its diminutive dimensions pretty much evaporate the eternal quandary of whether or not to take your computer along with you. He concedes, like Baig that some of the trade-offs the Air introduces might make the purchasing decision harder for somebody on a tight budget, but finishes with 'Though I can quibble with a few of Apple's choices of what to take off, the product's dimensions and design make the case that the losses were not in vain. The things that Apple left on were the ingredients for a quality computer'
The Wall Street Journals Walt Mossberg, well known for his pro-Apple stance, tested the Air and
concluded 'the MacBook Air's screen and keyboard were a pleasure to use' but noted 'the thin case can't accommodate a larger internal hard disk. And the machine omits many common ports and connectors.
Bloggers are also starting to get their hands on the Air. Ryan Block of Engadget fame says 'the Air is a tough call. On the one hand it proposes to be a no-compromises ultraportable, but on the other hand it compromises many (but not all) the things road warriors want.' but finishes with this 'it's now just a matter of time before other Mac laptop lines benefit from the technical and engineering advances that made this thing so thin and light. Give us the lovechild of the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro, and it's all over.
Got a MacBook Air in Australia? Leave us your feedback in the comments.
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