Like an anorexic fashion model, Apple's new super-thin MacBook Air has made too many compromises for the sake of being skinny. With such emaciated specs, many are asking: who would buy it?
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Member since:
2005-07-06
This is a slick looking laptop but it just isn't worth the $1799 Apple wants for it. A thin light portable laptop is great but with the stripped out features most people find essential I just can't see the price for the performance. The article does point out some of the drawbacks to this laptop.
Member since:2005-07-07
Member since:2007-12-13
The price is still notably less than the competition (namely Sony). Sony's super-slim notebook is $2500 with 60% of the battery life and half the RAM. Also, Apple offers the SSD option at ~30% less ($999 versus $1300 on NewEgg, and the $1300 drive is physically more than twice the size).
I'm not saying that I'm likely to be satisfied with a MacBook Air (I wouldn't), but, as far as features and price go -- it's actually very competitive in its market segment.
Member since:2006-01-17
I'm not saying that I'm likely to be satisfied with a MacBook Air (I wouldn't), but, as far as features and price go -- it's actually very competitive in its market segment.
People keep comparing this to Sony's very expensive 11.1" notebook. Why? The better comparison is their 13.3", 3.8 pound Vaio SZ. Whose base model has better features than this Air and is $1400.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2005-07-06
My gf has one of the 11-inch Sonys. It has a built-in optical drive, fits in a lot smaller spaces than the Air can (partially because the screen's bevel doesn't extend much beyond the screen, and partially because it's 11 inches), has 2 USB ports, microphone and Firewire ports, and both the RAM and HD are upgradeable. If Sony could fit everything into such a small package and still have it be upgradeable (did I mention it has a built-in optical drive?), there's no reason Apple shouldn't be able to (aside from the fact that they want to make you buy a new machine when you realize how tiny and slow the 4200rpm 80GB hard drive is).
P.S. The Sony cost exactly the same as the entry-level Air--it was the slightly older model with Core2Duo 1.6GHz instead of 1.8, and was completely brand-new, including a 2-year warranty.
Edited 2008-01-16 17:58 UTC
Member since:2005-07-06
Newegg must be a ripoff or have old expensive stock. Go to Dell and configure yourself and XPS M1330. I started with the expensive $1499 model. The SSD drive is a $750 upgrade over a 160Gig 7200RPM drive. So the Apple upgrade is actually expensive
Member since:
2005-07-06
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2005-12-17
According to Apple's site, it does have built in wifi and bluetooth.
http://www.apple.com/macbookair/wireless.html
Member since:2006-07-16
You may want to correct yourself again, as the specs state this:
"Built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on IEEE 802.11n draft specification); IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible"
(http://www.apple.com/macbookair/specs.html)
Where I come from, that's Wi-Fi. Perhaps you mean "wired ethernet"?
Member since:2005-07-14
Member since:2007-04-05
Member since:2007-12-13
Member since:
2005-06-30
The articles ten points are certainly spot on, they are all notable compromises that any prospective purchaser should be aware of, and in some cases might be tough to justify.
The conclusion however is absurd to the point of being delusional. A sales dud? REALLY? You do realize that this is A) an Apple product, B) drop-dead sexy, and C) a drop-dead sexy Apple product?
Mark my words, these compromises aren't even near enough to prevent this thing from selling like gang-busters and sweeping the tech word. Heard of the Jesus-phone? Meet the Jesus-notebook.
Member since:2005-07-30
Don't take the success of Apple products for granted. The reason that Apple products are successfully is that they provide a computing experience that is desirable (no messing with BS, just do stuff) to large portion of the public. Just the Apple brand alone isn't good enough to make a successfully product, just look at the Apple TV. Don't forget that most people in the USA (let alone the rest of the world) are not blind Apple fanboys. They will not be paying $1800 for a 'sexy' brick.
Member since:2005-06-30
Certainly true, however the Apple TV had massive, eventually crippling, artificial restrictions on its functionality. The point I was making is that the Air's compromises, even if not completely justifiable, are no where near the same level. Im not saying they will buy it because its Apple(TM) and pretty regardless of too much compromise, Im saying they will buy it because its that, and manages to do it without too much compromise.
The author is simply blowing the compromises way out of proportion.
Member since:2005-07-06
Certainly true, however the Apple TV had massive, eventually crippling, artificial restrictions on its functionality.
I'd call non-removable battery, 1 USB port, non-upgradeable RAM and a max storage capacity of 80gb massive, eventually crippling restrictions to its functionality.
Member since:
2006-07-26
who would buy it
The same people who pay too much for their macbook's, macbook pro's, and iMacs.
They same people who pay for DRM'd music in a lossy format that can't transfer it to other devices.
The same people who pay for movies on iTunes.
The same people who don't care the the iMac doesn't have a connector for it to work like a regular monitor for hooking up a laptop or a new computer after it is obsolete in 3 years.
I have come to the realization that this world is full of stupid people who don't know any better.
I equate those people to the ones who pay $30,000 for a Harley Davidson that breaks down on them all the time.
And guess what!...the world is full of them.
All of that being said...I am thinking about buying some Apple stock. I watched the keynote....genius.
Charge $20 to early iPod adopters for software that comes free on new ones. If I was sitting at the keynote as a consumer I would boo. If I was sitting there as a stock owner I would cheer.
Come out with a new laptop missing a bunch of features but charge a price like it has all of them....genius.
The best part is that they can sell you all the stuff that it is missing afterwards as peripherals. They'll probably even sell you a bag to carry all of that stuff in.
Just one USB port?....genius! Sell more USB hubs.
I thought apple is just as Evil as Microsoft. Then the iPhone came out and I realized they were more evil, but they're better at it. While I don't use any of their products (my iPod runs rockbox and I won it at a holiday party) I'm pretty sure their stuff works great.
Member since:2005-07-12
Yeah, after 3 years, iMacs are totally just paperweights, I mean they can't do ANYTHING, and would better be used as monitors.
Come on, you got some valid complaints there, but a lot of people genuinely never even encounter any of the DRM limits on music bought from iTunes. I haven't.
Member since:2005-08-26
Member since:2006-11-01
Member since:2005-07-05
The same people who pay too much for their macbook's, macbook pro's, and iMacs.
I bought a MacBook Pro precisely because it was cheaper (and better) than both of the Dell and HP machines I was also looking at at the time. Some of Apple's prices are high, but not all of them.
I can transfer all my iTunes purchases to other devices. Just because you don't know how to do it doesn't mean it can't be done.
That doesn't even make sense. Who would do that, really?
The point of the laptop is to be ultra light and ultra portable. Other laptops focusing on the same market are just as sparse; they have to be.
If you want more USB ports, get a MacBook Pro.
Member since:2005-07-06
"The same people who don't care the the iMac doesn't have a connector for it to work like a regular monitor for hooking up a laptop or a new computer after it is obsolete in 3 years.
That doesn't even make sense. Who would do that, really? "
I would LIKE to do that. If I have a 22" screen on my room I'd like to connect it to something else once the hardware it has is obsolete. Apple is free to not let me use it in that way but for me it would be a plus point if I were looking for a compact PC.
Member since:2006-06-27
Without bypassing the DRM (via QTFairUse or something similar), you can't transfer the music to another portable music player (see: non-iPods) while maintaing the same quality as the original. You'd have to burn it to CD, and re-rip as MP3/AAC/etc. In doing this, you're basically transcoding from one lossy codec to another, in effect, losing more and more information along the way.
Member since:2005-07-05
I like how you say it can't be done without taking certain steps. Well, would it make sense to take those steps then?
I agree that re-ripping something is dumb, but there are several options that don't require re-ripping the song and leave you with the ability you are looking for.
Edited 2008-01-16 18:34 UTC
Member since:2006-06-27
Depending on the country, there are no legal steps that you can take, aside from burning and re-ripping (which, if you read in the fine print, probably isn't allowed either).
QT FairUse is nice, and I've recommended it to some friends who bought songs from iTunes, and then wanted to use a different player (such as foobar2000).
Member since:2005-10-12
FunkyELF says only idiots would buy it. Its not the best way to look at it. Its more about how Apple is positioning itself. This device reminds one rather of the Cube or the Mini. You have a set of features which other manufacturers have not combined because they would not accept the tradeoffs - in this case, low power and lack of ports etc.
This is really Bang and Olafson or Louis Vuitton in computing. You want hard nosed and practical and very portable, you go for the Lenovo X series or similar. What you get with this is a certain consumer image at the price of practicality and performance. Same exact thing happens with the Mini: its not about carrying it around in a coat pocket, its about making compromises on power for the sake of form factor, when the form factor achieved has no real utility other than image.
Its not clear that the people who buy this stuff are silly, its rather that their priorities are different, and Apple is marketing to them, as Louis Vuitton does to its chosen segment, with great success.
In the end, its not really about computing any more than (for instance) a mobile phone with a solid silver case is really about mobiles. Its about the luxury goods market. Apple's great genius has been to find and exploit the luxury goods segment of the personal computing market. No, its not what FunkyELF or I want from our computers, but it is what some people want.
As to whether its going to be good for shareholders, one has some doubts going forward. It might just turn into another Cube. Wait and see how warm it runs!
Member since:2006-01-23
"You have a set of features which other manufacturers have not combined"
You obviously did not read the article as it cites an example of a computer that combines all the features, plus many more...
"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."
I have seen ultraportable laptops like this long before Apple got involved.
Member since:2005-07-06
However, at least here in Sweden, the MacBook Air is an absolute bargain compared to the Q2010. Even with the SSD and optical drive the Air is $500 cheaper than the entry level Q2010.
The extra functionality may be worth an extra half milimeter, but is it worth a much slower hard drive and $500?
Member since:2005-07-07
When I was shopping for a Macbook about a year and a half ago, I did a lot of searching. I was already working on Linux quite a bit so what I needed was a Linux laptop. Nothing on the market came close to the Macbook in terms of price/specs. The closest at the time was some Dell system which cost exactly the same as the Macbook. Given those options, the Macbook was a no brainer.
Apple may overcharge for their Power Macs and iMacs, but their laptop line is very very competitive.
Member since:2005-07-06
At least the last time I checked, the PowerMacs were ridiculously competitive too. Apple seems to have a pretty high margin on the MacBook Pros, but then again, a lot of manufacturers have a "high margin" laptop product like that. A corresponding Sony probably costs you just as much as an MBP.
Member since:2006-05-11
I wouldn't go as far as calling people stupid for buying apple products. But they are suckers for propaganda. 
Otherwise I agree with your post. The success of this new product mostly depends on how much money will apple put into advertising which translates into people paying way too much for a thing such as this. As per its performance: nothing special. Except the price.:)
How Apple product function can be seen on the case of iPhone. being a great success in USA it totally flopped in Europe. Why? Well, there are several reasons. But one of the most important ones was that they were not able to build such a hype around it. It just shows that the phone itself is nothing special. And the same goes for this new gizmo.
P.S. Writing this from a wonderful asus eee. Price 299 euros.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2005-08-18
I don't want to shatter your illusion or anything but if you use an iPod you're using an Apple product. Running Rockbox just mean you're not using their software.
Member since:2005-07-06
The same people who pay too much for their macbook's, macbook pro's, and iMacs.
They same people who pay for DRM'd music in a lossy format that can't transfer it to other devices.
The same people who pay for movies on iTunes.
The same people who don't care the the iMac doesn't have a connector for it to work like a regular monitor for hooking up a laptop or a new computer after it is obsolete in 3 years.
I have come to the realization that this world is full of stupid people who don't know any better.
I equate those people to the ones who pay $30,000 for a Harley Davidson that breaks down on them all the time.
People like you that make such broad sweeping generalizations about a set of users is just as bad as the people you describe.
It's quite possible to enjoy most Apple products while simultaneously thinking the Air is a bad idea.
Let's start making other broad generalizations.....all Linux users are geeks that live in their parents' basements. All Windows users are idiots with spyware-infested computers....shall I go on?
Member since:2007-09-06
That's the corner stone of marketing. Whatever your selling, there's someone out there dumb enough to buy. Sexy sells even if it's that kind of Kate Moss sexy; it'll sell.
The only point I'd question is your Apple is more expensive myth. Apple has never skimped on the quality hardware components even if they did skimp on the catagories of components in this machine. A machine from any other manufacturer build with comparible quality parts is going to be in the same price range as an Apple machine in general.
Now, if your getting your prices from the Apple Store then your getting gutted but reasonable prices from a third party reseller tend to be competitive. (300$ for a gig of ram from Apple, 80$ for the same stick of ram from a third party.. hm...) But then, the Sony store is the same way from what I've seen.
Granted, it's not like the people who just gotta have the latest Apple gadget or there not cool are going to shop around for pricing. I just question the basis of the pricing myth in general is it seems to have long since lost it's basis in reality.
Member since:2005-07-06
I think you are partially right. The SSD drive for the XPS M1330 is $750 and Apple's is $999. That's quite a premium and I really cannot see there being any quality difference - the market for these things is so small right now. Apple's RAM upgrades are also ridiculously expensive normally. Again its not a question of quality its just them ripping you off.
Apple is absolutely brilliant at positioning their products and they know the sticker price is the important one.
Member since:
2006-10-06
If I had the cash, the Macbook Air would definitely be mine. It is a "dead sexy machine" as a previous commenter pointed out.
Yeah, I was disappointed that the processor was a little low at 1.6 Ghz. The SSD drive is also super expensive. But, I haven't been enamored (for a while anyway) on any Windows laptops available. They tend to offer all these seemingly cool features (flash card readers? rs232 ports? ugly vga ports?) - that end up just being annoyances. I'd prefer a machine that just worked and looked good. Looks like the Macbook Air has those two things going for it - looks + Leopard.
Plus, the Macbook Air would be perfect to take advantage of the new Time Capsule and AppleTV - why store all that video and music on the MBA anyway?
This is the way computers are moving - less cables all around please.
Edited 2008-01-16 02:10 UTC
Member since:2006-06-19
Sorry, nothing that is comosed of a few chips, an LCD screen and pcb can be described as "sexy". Just as Politics is not "sexy". Doesn't matter how shiny a case you put it in.
For god sake everyone was saying that about the iPod nano when it first came out. Now the old form factor seems decidedly average. This thing will also be fairly average in a couple of years.
Member since:2007-09-06
Think of them as Laptops rather than Windows Laptops. Apple is a special case since they've always been a hardware company that happened to produce there own software too.
If you simply think of notebooks as hardware platforms independent of any brand of OS you may find something out there that better fits your needs. My personal order on the wishlist is Toughbook, Thinkpad, MacBook since they can all be free'd from the limitations of their OEM OS or, in the case of ThinkPad, ordered with a more robust and flexible OS preinstalled.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2007-09-06
It's like getting your first cell phone; once you have one, generally, you can't figure out how you managed before having one.
Once I read my email on the patio in the rain (didn't need to do the duck, cover and run when it started) I was hooked. Folding my notebook and carrying it to class or work without having a bulky case was great. Touchscreen is also another spoiler after which a non-touchscreen notebook seems positively restrictive. Backlit keyboard beats the thinkpads integrated keyboard lamp (but that is a nice touch).
Granted, pretty; they're not. I like the rugged aesthetic of them myself but others prefer appearances over functions and that's perfectly fine too.
(can you imagine a nice cf28 or cf29 pentest box? oh baby.. one day my precious, one day.. first the certs, then the job.. then the budget)
Anyhow, that's why they are on the top of my wishlist even with the slower than bleeding edge cpu.
Member since:
2005-09-27
Being Thin and light has its plusses, and that alone may have its use. The CPU is not that slow it can run OS X and Vista quite nicely. Small and light have uses for people you need to walk and carry a laptop for a long time. I know my 17" MacBook Pro gets heavy after a while on my shoulder. But I am OK with that because the way I use my computer I use my MacBook Pro more like portable Desktop with a display then a Notebook. But other people actually use their systems wirelessly doctors, insurance adjusters, or almost anyone who works on the field would appreciate a small light system that runs at a good speed and has features to run what it needs to get the job done and well. No I won't be doing do much Movie Making or Heavy compiling or playing the latest and greatest game on it. But it will allow me to browse the Web, Use Office, and any other specialty app I need to run.
This comment reminds me of the Slashdot comment of the Gen 1 iPod.
Member since:
2007-03-20
Member since:
2005-07-06
the fujitsu that the author compares the macbook air to only has a core solo and a 12in screen. plus it also uses a 4200 rpm hd. it also only seems to support 1 gb ram MAX. and although there is no price on the fujitsu site, because i guess fujitsu stopped selling notebooks directly i would be willing to bet that it is in the same price range as the macbook air.
Member since:2005-07-06
Scarily enough the fujitsu mentioned costs even more than the Air, with the SSD. At least here in Sweden.
Fortunatly you have other options if you're looking for a laptop with a 12" screen that weighs a kilo. Toshiba, LG and Lenovo for example have laptops with equal or better specs for slightly lower prices. If not necessarily quite as sexy.
However non of them are much cheaper than the basic Air.
Member since:
2005-07-06
and what i love the most is that fujitsu comparison in point 9.
as for commandeering a optical drive over the network, been doing that for ages in windows and others. basically share the drive as a smb share, pop the disc in there, and be happy.
style over substance yet again. but people will still pick em up so that they can sit there at the local "indie" hangout and look stylishly "alternative".
Edited 2008-01-16 02:35 UTC
Member since:2006-07-19
Before boot? I mean it is no big deal but there aren't any PC's that I know of unless you count other EFI boxes that can't load os files from fireware/bios. It is about time. Better still would be a way to load it right from the net. dchp and load directly from apple. not even that much harder then....
but a useful tool that no one else has. It is just like bootable backup files? I mean why don't other os'es have features AIX has had since 93. I mean bootable tape, dvd, network backups.... it is just how it should be done.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:
2005-07-06
that title goes to the sony x505 which wins by .01" according to cnet, "the VAIO X505 runs a remarkable 0.75 inch thick at its widest point and 0.3 inch at its thinnest--smaller than the tiny Toshiba Portege R100 and Sharp Actius MM20. Tipping the scales at a twiggy 1.85 pounds, the VAIO X505 is also one of the lightest (if not the lightest) laptops available; the chocolate bar-size AC adapter bumps up its travel weight to a negligible 2.4 pounds."
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/sony-vaio-x505-series/4505-3121_7-3...
Member since:
2006-03-17
I think its a cracking laptop .. sure its not got ethernet, more than 1 usb port or a large hard drive but who cares, ill only plug my ipod in when im not charging my phone, 1 port needed .. The lack of ethernet is not a big deal for the ultra mobile ... why would it be on the road they have no switches .. The lack of built in wimax/edge/3g does not matter to those with a 3g (etc) phone and data plan, bluetooth is all that is needed for those internet moments.. The ultramobile people this is who this bad boy is aimed at ... I would have liked it more if it was 12" tbh .. My 13" macbook is a great laptop, i want it to be smaller thinner lighter, the multitouch pad is a bonus, id like to see it in action outide my touch .. A larger hard drive wold have been better obviously but again for the ultramobile this will not be a big deal .. Id probably buy one if i needed another laptop thats for sure .. No im not an Apple fanboy, i like Linux too :-)
Cass
EDIT : forgot to mention the battery, yeah thats a give n .. Id say a bit of a mistake there .. My macbook had issues in the beginning with batterys, hope this does not suffer the same ..
Edited 2008-01-16 02:41 UTC