During the MacWorld keynote Steve Jobs introduced various new products. Jobs started off with Time Capsule, an AirPort Extreme base station with an integrated hard drive, so you can use Time Machine wirelessly. The 500GB version is USD 299, the 1TB version USD 499. Apple also released an update to its Apple TV (free software update for current owners), which now does not require a computer to access new content. You can rent movies (new in iTunes) straight from the Apple TV, in DVD or HD quality. Lastly, as anticipated, Apple introduced the MacBook Air, which is quite thin at 0.16″ to 0.76″. It has a 13.3″ display, multi-touch trackpad, optional SSD 64GB drive, Core 2 Duo processor (1.6-1.8Ghz), and 2GB of memory. The device lacks an optical drive, but you can either ‘borrow’ one from another Mac, or buy an external one for USD 99. The machine costs USD 1799.
To me the atraction is the solid state HD that comes with it.
SSD does not come with it, it is an optional and very expensive extra.
To me the atraction is the solid state HD that comes with it.
If solid state HD interests you check out newegg’s solid state drives. I swapped an IDE magnetic drive with the 32 MB Samsung solid state. It is amazing how fast the laptop starts up. I’ve come to realize you don’t need solid state for all your OS needs. If you switch your main drive with your applications to solid state you get a real boost in application opening times.
To me, the attraction is that it’s the first Apple laptop that’s actually competitive with machines sub-notebooks like the x-series Thinkpads.
Maybe I’ll buy one to run Vista.
More DRM for everyone! Yeah!
Was there any new DRM announced?
I know there was with the AppleTV rental scheme but what DRM are you talking about?
I’m looking forward to the death of the hard drive.
But at 64GB it’s just not there for me yet.
Edited 2008-01-15 18:55 UTC
The size isn’t as much of a concern as the price, for me.
I think the 64 GB SSD adds another $1k on to the price.
That’s cheap compared to other SSD drives:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820609244
Same size, larger enclosure, 50% more than the addon for the macbook air.
Don’t forget that the $1k is the *difference* between the 64GB SSD and the 80GB HD. The HD is probably < $100, though, so it’s still a nice deal. Personally, I’ll wait for SSD prices to drop.
The iPod classic’s drive is being used in the machine, so that should be interesting to see how it does but I suspect a lot of drive failures.
Still, it’s less expensive than the Sony models and reasonably well-equipped. The new trackpad should turn some heads.
My 4th gen iPod lasted me 3 years before the drive died, which is surprisingly better than some of the PC drives I’ve had which lasted less than 2 years.
Eh, a PC hard drive gets a lot more stressed than an iPod’s. iPods have to use a lot of energy-saving measures that usually mean accessing the hard drive as little as possible. Sure you could use an HDD-based iPod as an emergency boot drive for Macs, but if you did that regularly….
Me want now.
You only need one kidney, right?
Or a testicle. God gave us spares.
Do you think they’ll take my 8 month old son for a trade?
Doesn’t a liver grow back to full size after a half of it has been removed? Maybe it grows fast enough to get a new model every release cycle.
LOL, no.
I can’t wait to see it in person. I can probably persuade myself to live with an external DVD/RW but the having that missing and also the ethernet port missing is a problem. I know there is a USB2.0 to ethernet adapter but thats just klunky.
I do realise that for many people none of the above is a problem and that Apple probably knows that for a many maybe even most people looking for a thin and light notebook it won’t be a problem either.
edit: typos
Edited 2008-01-15 19:14 UTC
Double post.>:|
Edited 2008-01-15 19:21 UTC
My girlfriend has a Dell X300 which is a one spindle laptop, and she hasn’t missed having a CD-ROM permanently attached. The last time it had a the media base attached was when I installed Xubuntu on it in September.
No Ethernet port? Only a dongle? What are they mad?
I’ve got to say, that one jumped out at me.
The laptop doesn’t come with an optical drive, and yet it ships with Install/Restore DVDs.
Why not ship it with an Install/Restore USB key?
Not that I plan on getting one, I can’t see myself living without a wired network connection.
I’m not a big fan of a laptop not meeting my needs without additional purchases.
Then again, I’m probably not their target audience.
Still, looks pretty spiffy.
Because install/restore usb key = 1GB+ of media. At least. And that will cost a whole hell of a lot more than the 12c the DVD costs them.
Yes, I’m aware that it would cost more. How much more? Probably a lot more than $0.12, but probably less than the cost of me buying an external DVD drive.
I suppose I just dislike the thought getting a laptop with media that I can’t use out-of-the-box.
2GB USB keys can be got here in the US for about $10 (retail)
I’m sure that price could have easily been absorbed in the sticker for an $1800 notebook.
I have seen 8GB flash drives for 240zl/pln (about 100$ at current exchange rates), I guess that would be way more than enough.
Actually all 8 GB will be used up if there is only one install key. Leopard = ~ 6 GB + iLife etc. and it will be full
Leopard comes on a dual layer DVD, so it’s probably close to 8GB if you include EVERYTHING on it.
Because install/restore usb key = 1GB+ of media. At least. And that will cost a whole hell of a lot more than the 12c the DVD costs them.
True that, but would a read-only USB media be cheaper than the read-write USB media? I’d imagine so, but I don’t know for sure. Anyway, it would be very useful, especially so in this case as there is no optical drive.
Though..2GB USB key costs like 15 euros and they would have gotten it for even cheaper price as they would have of course bought it in large amounts..
I would’ve thought if you were mad enough to spend £2,028 on a laptop with 64gb of storage, 1280×800 resolution screen, Intel graphics, no ethernet, no optical drive, no replaceable battery… the least you could expect would be a crummy USB key with your software on!
Edited 2008-01-15 22:30 UTC
I blogged here about the AppleTV:
http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2008/01/15/apple-oh-how-you-failed-me…
I am personally unhappy about it.
Advertising a blog in the comments section is usually called spam.
Yeah it is pretty shitty that industry can’t unf–k itself enough to produce a high quality system of hardware and software for media commerce. The hardware is cheap and common, the software is free and out there. I think Vudu probably does the movie rental thing the best so far though.
Edited 2008-01-15 20:41 UTC
…but it seems as if you’d like to sound a bit ‘VIP’ in terms of your opinion by pointing out ‘how you’ve already blogged about Apple TV’ instead of simply bringing on the arguments concerning this discussion in this forum.
If it’s not worth for you to repeat, it’s not worth for us to read anyway, I’m sure …
And knowing you, I’d like to point out that I’m not being hostile – I’m simply questioning whether you have something to say … -Just as you may wonder that when reading this, which by the way I’m totally OK with
I read your blog (but I can no longer post to it) and while I agree with most of what you say I think there are reasons why they don’t yet support 1080p and why they don’t support WMV, though why they don’t support DIVX is beyond me. The main reason I think they don’t offer 1080p is because first the current AppleTV doesn’t support it and I think they were not ready to put a lot of money behind developing a new AppleTV (it hasn’t done very well so far) just for 1080p support or allow for all of the additional bandwidth the larger file sizes would take up. The reason I believe they don’t support WMV is because Microsoft doesn’t support or develop WMV for Mac. It may be a dumb reason, but I think a legitimate one. Think about it, someone gets an AppleTV to use with their Windows PC, puts a lot of WMV files on it, then decides to get a Mac and then suddenly they can’t use those files with their computer, then their on the phone with Apple asking for help with something Apple can’t help them with. I also don’t think Apple wants to put anything on their products that will have to say Windows only. The simple answer is, if it doesn’t work with the Mac then they are not going to allow or support it period.
I don’t ask for 1080p for the current version, but for proper 720/30p. 1080p requires hardware update.
As for WMV, it can be ported to the Mac, should Apple shells the cash to license the codec.
…only that the Apple TV’s target doesn’t care and will never care about it.
Cry a river, build a bridge and get over it. The fact that you became an “expert” in movie/codec/video stuff lately, doesn’t mean that you can scream like hell at a product that is clearly not targeted at you.
You overreacted too much. It’s silly.
But wait… you can.
Why link a blog post on OSNews.com and then close the blog to comments simply because they aren’t in agreement with your own stance? Suelry you knew that by linking to OSNews.com you’d get people who would want to discuss your post? Or do you think you are the last word on all things video related, now that you’re no longer interested in OSes?
As for the format discussion on your blog, I personally would like to see MKV support as well as DivX\Xvid support added to the @TV. As well as every other format that can possibly be added–it’s a media center set top box, to me that means it should support as many possible media types as can be found. Otherwise, what’s the point?
–bornagainpenguin
Apple unsurprisingly wants to use the Apple TV to support the iTunes Store. Supporting formats that QuickTime/iTunes doesn’t is probably a longshot.
Yeah, I get that–only then why the emphasis on podcasts, particularly video podcasts in the iTunes store? User created video is going to be a driving force on any set top box like the Apple TV. It seems foolish to me to shut out any formats on the basis “it’s not an Apple format” and still hope to make a media player box that just works.
I can understand Apple’s reluctance in dealing with Microsoft and WMV–a quick scan at the latest with regard to their “Plays for Sure” audio files ought give any one a pause. I have a more dificult time understanding Apple’s decision not to license codec support from more approachable companies like DivX or using open standards like OGM, OGG, Theora, etc…
Bottom line it comes down to the question of whether Apple can afford to build a walled garden in this day and age…and whether or not customers will let them. Not supporting DivX at the very least these days would be like releasing the first iPod without MP3 support because Apple would prefer users buy from their store–an expensive and costly mistake.
–bornagainpenguin
I don’t get the obsession with thin.
I don’t care how thin my laptop is. I care how *big* it is. A difference of 0.2″ of thickness really doesn’t make any practical difference to me, but the difference between a 12″ and 13″ screen size does. I can fit a 12″ laptop in my shoulder courier bag, a 13″ one I can’t.
Given that most people just wind up sticking their laptop in a carrying case with a bunch of other stuff, why the obsession over a fraction of an inch of thickness? Just don’t get it. Height / width and weight matter more in most cases, I’d think.
overall, looks like a nice system, though.
I agree. I was looking at an acer 12inch the other day. Not the thinnest thing in the world, not great looking but not disagreeable. You buy a docking station with it, maybe a spare battery and you have pretty much the best of both worlds. Nice large screen, normal keyboard and mouse when at your desk and a small easy to use notebook for on the road while remaining powerful and sturdy enough for most applications.
This macbook air is more about show than any actual superior functionality – maybe the trackpad is more functional – its about the rush you get showing your buddies your cool new ultra thin notebook. You show them the trackpad features the wireless stuff, how thin the screen is. You take it to the coffee shop, the park, wherever people are so they can see you have style.
Looks like it would be very flimsy, and reduce the keyboard travel. No optical drive is fine, but no ethernet port? What the hell. I would accept that on a bargain laptop like the EeePC (which actually does have one), but on a $1800 machine?
This is more style accessory than useful I think.
Edited 2008-01-15 19:33 UTC
One reason the ultra thin notebook was predicted was because of a patent on notebook shell(chassis) construction. Basically it describes how to use glue and electrical bonding via a conductive paste to replace screws and rivets in many places. So you basically get a one piece shell which is stronger than one riveted and screwed together whichs allows thinner designs while maintaining required strength.
http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2007/05/17/new-apple-pate…
Note: I am not sure if this technique was used in the macbook air.
Edit: spelling
Edited 2008-01-15 19:55 UTC
Most sexy laptop.
Ever.
Apparently they got the thin in but left everything else out …
– The Graphic card is a low end Intel GMA 3100 with no upgrade option.
– The price is too high if they leave out the optical drive as an accessory.
– There is no remote included.
– There is no user replacable battery.
– It assume everyone is on wifi …
GMA X3100. Of course they limited it to 144M whereas it could have been upped to 384MB.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_GMA#Table_of_GMA_graphics_cores_…
Remote: $19 add-on.
Battery: Bad design decision.
I think if they could have achieved a low-profile replaceable battery they would have done so.
The 60% reduction in Chip-size by Intel is impressive.
No replaceable battery means it has 3 years of useful battery life in it before half the capacity is gone and it becomes a pariah.
I just watched the keynote and it seems that the battery is just above the bottom cover of the MBA. It doesn’t seem to be complicated to replace the battery: Just remove the 4 screws on the bottom and plug in a new battery.
Of course this is just the impression I got from the small schematic that was shown during the keynote. We’ll have to reserve our final judgement until somebody really disassembled one of those.
Intel graphics is good for anyone on Linux, but you’re right about no user-replacable battery being bad. Better get AppleCare on this one if you want it to last more than three years (about median lifetime for Li-I batteries).
Also just noticed the hard disk is 4200RPM.
Working with a 4200RPM hard disk can resemble dental surgery without an anaesthetic, at times. It gets the job done but it’s slow, troublesome and very painful.
I will say three things:
1) That laptop is a thing of beauty, but I won’t be paying that price tag anytime soon. If I need a UMPC, I primarily need wireless web access, VoIP, email, a word processor and a terminal, all of which are provided by the Asus eee laptop.
In fact, I can get myself 5 eee Asus laptops for the price of that laptop. Or rather get one and take my wife and son on a nice weekend trip and have money left over to put into a college or retirement fund. But hey, I know there is a market for these shiny toys, I am just not in that target market.
2) Congratulations to Apple for pushing the envelope, although I have seen laptops that were just as innovative in the Japanese market.
3) No ethernet port is a big deal to me.
In fact, I can get myself 5 eee Asus laptops for the price of that laptop. Or rather get one and take my wife and son on a nice weekend trip and have money left over to put into a college or retirement fund. But hey, I know there is a market for these shiny toys, I am just not in that target market.
This device isn’t an UMPC. I don’t know if you’ve played with an eee or any other UMPC*, but UMPC keyboards are merely sufficient for basic use and the screens (generally 800×480) are barely large enough for reasonable use.
* I’ve played with a Sony UX280P a bunch for work. I took it home one night and while I could check mail, writing anything took forever. The model had a 1024×600 screen which wasn’t bad, but I can’t see 800×480 being useful unless you’re using the mobile-device feeds. The eee’s keyboard should be a bit better; I tried to get my hands on one, but the project shot it down since the screen didn’t have the res.
So they’re releasing a new laptop and it’s suddenly the second coming?
It has no DVD drive, no 3D support, no ethernet and costs $500 more than a similar VAIO that has a faster 160GB drive, faster processor, and 3D support… but somehow, Apple is the “innovators” yet again?
Ah, so none of that matters, it’s the “thinness” that really matters. Well, why isn’t the Intel Mobile Metro heralded as the second coming, it’s comparable in specs, AND thinner: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/intel-mobile-metro-notebook/
I’ll never understand the undying love people have for a corporation.
The Mobile Metro is a *concept*. i.e., you can’t actually buy it. You can buy this and have it delivered in two weeks.
Looks like I can only pre-order it.
You must be my doppelganger, you joined OSNews on the same day
.
This Intel laptop is a concept, you can’t actually go and buy one of these. And this just about being “thin” issue…well, yes, it’s kinda supposed to. It’s not like they replaced other regular notebook models with this one. The whole idea is that it’s thin.
I’m not going to deny that it IS pretty, but a thin laptop isn’t very revolutionary.
The Intel GMA X3100 chip can’t do 3D? Yeah, right…
Check the facts first before you post something like this.
Wrong. The included chipset is capable of hardware accelerated 3D. Sufficient enough to play World of Warcraft, etc.
Does their notebook weight three pounds?
Does it have a mercury and arsenic-free display?
The list goes on. You’re overlooking the innovation because the features you want aren’t there.
The lightest Vaios weigh rather less than 3lb. Note that Apple is not claiming this is the world’s *lightest* laptop
. I believe Sony still owns that title.
Yes but said lightest Sony laptops are not the ones that cost $500 less as the parent poster was referring to, their the ones that cost about $300 more.
Erm, they’re. There.
The MacBook Air is meant to be a beautiful ultra-portable for the wealthy. It’s not meant for value – it’s meant for looks and portability. It also has innovative features in reducing size (like tiny processor) and innovative features in usability (like the multi-touch trackpad). Also, what do you mean by no 3D support? It has a [low end] graphics cards and will run games and 3d software decently.
The intel metro is an early prototype, is ugly, and it is not thinner than the MacBook. The Metro’s THINNEST part is 0.01″ thicker than the Macbooks THICKEST part. From what I heard, intel splurged on cost an it will cost an arm and a leg. And for it’s other specs, they are unknown (have not been released, in fact, it may never make it into production).
If you want an affordable feature laptop and dont care about style, get your VAIO (or get an ordinary MacBook if you do want style). The MacBook air is an ultra-portable, not a discount feature laptop.
The Vaio TX is a beautiful notebook and is far more portable than this considerably larger Apple notebook. This is more of a looker than an ultra portable. The macbook is about as portable.
Yes the VAIO TZ is good looking but I would still take the MacBook (it’s a matter of opinion). For portability, it depends on your definition of portable but the VAIO is definitely not “far more portable”. The VAIO is less wide than the MacBook (so it will fit in smaller bags) but the MacBook is much thinner. They weigh about the same (well the vaio is a third of a pound less).
The MacBook Air definitely offers better value. For $300 less than the base model, you get a better graphics card (GMA 950 vs X3100), brighter, higher res screen, twice the RAM, a much faster processor and bus and so on.
Edited 2008-01-16 01:10 UTC
I consider the VAIO much more portable than the new Airbook with 5 lbs of dongles, hubs, and adapters.
Seriously, a micro DVI port, no optical drive, one USB port?
It’s pretty, but it drops a lot of functionality for that. There are plenty of normal MacBooks that are only marginally bigger and have much more functionality for a cheaper price.
All I’m saying is that the “Air” is a pretty weak new product.
If you watched the updates on macrumors live of the presentationyou will have seen the screen shots of the presentation charts illustrating the profile of the new macbook air compared to the 11inch Sony. These are some very misleading chart because for each notebook they take the minimum and maximum thickness/height and draw a straight line. This picture completely distorts what is actually going on because the macbook air’s thickness profile is mostly .76 inches as it tapers very steeply at edges the 0.16 inches. So its hardly a linear progression as the chart suggests. For the sony the opposite is true so the differences are really exaggerated by the chart.
Back to the Apple Dell comparison. We’ll ignore software and focus only on hardware.
– Dell is .87 inches to 1.3 inches (LED screen version). But its mostly .87 inches. The battery is thin and relatively thick. The apple is mostly .76 inches thin and tapers very rapidly at the edges to 0.16 inches. So really the thickness is not that different. But the Apple will probably look much thinner in person.
– Both are LED 13 inch screens. Dell can be configured with TFT to. Both have cameras.
– Apple is 3 pounds minimum, Dell is a shade under 4 pounds.
– Dell has an HDMI port but no DVI. Apple has micro DVI but no HDMI.
– Both are very good looking but Apple is going to make more of a style statement
– Apple comes with new generation wireless, dell has good wireless options (IEEE 1394a) but I don’t think as cutting edge.
– Dell comes with an internal slot loading DVD/RW. Apple external DVD/RW only (extra cost).
– Dell supports 4 gigs of RAM and can be upgraded i.e. its not soldered like the Apple.
– Dell offers intel graphics or an Nvidia 8400GS with dedicated RAM.
– Dell offers a selection of batteries i.e. 4, 6 or 9 cell batteries and you can purchase a spare in any size very cheaply.
– Dell has an ethernet port.
– Dell has a wider choice of CPU’s including more powerful ones.
– Dell has a wider selection of traditional hardrives including 7200RPM 250Gig SATA drives. Both offer 64 Gig SSD. Apple has 80 gig PATA or 64 gid SSD. Please note Dell’s are SATA, Apples are PATA.
– Dell has stereo speakers, Apple has mono speakers.
– Dell has an 8 in 1 card reader.
– Dell has 2 USB 2.0 ports, Apple has one.
– Dell has stereo in & headphone/speaker out (x2) dual digital array mics where as Apple has analog out.
– Apple has a built in microphone.
– Dell has 54mm express card slot.
Dell M1330 $1499 model
————————————
– 2 gig CPU
– 3 gig RAM
– LED screen
– 250 Gig 5200rpm or 160 Gig 7200rpm SATA. 64 gig SSD is $750.00 extra.
– DVD/RW
– Nvidia 8400GS 128 Meg discreet RAM.
– Standard 3 year next day in home service is standard. upgrade to 4 year $79.
Macbook air $1700 model
—————————————–
– 2 Gig RAM soldered on.
– 80 Gig PATA drive. 64 Gig SSD is $999 ($250 more than Dell)
– 1.6 Ghz CPU. 1.8Ghz will cost you an extra $300.
– external DVD/RW an additional $80
– RJ45 adapter additional $25
– I think its 1 year standard warranty. 3 Yeat Apple care an additional $279
Summary
———————-
The Dell is cheaper, faster, fuller featured, more confurable, offers longer and more configurable support options, is more maintanable. Its good looking, gets good reviews from reviewers and users alike and its very thin and light.
BUT its not as thin as the Mac, its heavier than the Mac, it won’t make the same visual statement as the Mac and it does not run OSX.
Rationally MOST people shouldn’t choose the Mac over the Dell from a hardware point of view but the emotional response the Mac generates will likely drive sales. If you need a Mac OS and you want 13.3 inches I think its best to get a normal Macbook.
Notes
————
* The ability to use someone elses optical drive over the network has been easy on windows for a very long time. Why this is a feature I am unsure.
** The dell has heat sensitive/pressure quick access buttons(they don’t actually depress) that has an attractive glow effect when touched.
Edited 2008-01-15 22:26 UTC
I can appreciate your take on this with the Dell units, as I use the Optiplex for my workstations, however I use the Sony TX and TZ series laptops for our sales, marketing and executive group.
Frankly, even with what’s missing (CD/DVD, Ethernet, Additional USB, Removable Battery) this laptop still comes in cheaper than if I bought one of my Sony laptops. The last one I purchased with a 3 year warranty, ended up costing me estimated $2700. This is because the executives are interested in weight, size, battery life, and networking all in that order.
The TX and TZ series of laptops through most of the vendors I deal with can’t match up to the specs of the Macbook Air without going over the $2000 mark.
For Instance, the Sony VAIO TXN17P/B:
• 1.2GHz Intel Core Solo Processor (Solo…not Core2Duo, Core Solo)
• 2GB RAM
• 80GB hard drive (4200 rpm)
• DVD±RW (+R DL)
• WiFi 802.11b/g (no n spec, just b/g)
• Bluetooth (not 2.0 +EDR that I know of)
• 10/100 Ethernet
• Windows XP Pro
• 11.1″ WXGA display (1366 x 768)
* Warranty: 3 Year Onsite with ADR for $250
• 2.9 lbs.
Cost: $2615.05
MacBook Air
• 1.6GHz Intel Core2Duo Processor
• 2GB RAM
• 80GB hard drive (4200 rpm)
• SuperDrive Addon ($99)
• WiFi 802.11b/g
• Bluetooth 2.1 +EDR
• 1280X800 LED Display (13.3)
• USB to Ethernet Adapter Add-On ($29)
• OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
• 3 lbs.
• Warranty: 3 Year AppleCare for $249
• Apple Remote Add-On ($19)
Total: $2195
I’m sorry but I think I get a lot more than I lose with the MacBook Air.
Since the majority of my executives wouldn’t use the SuperDrive (most have Flash Drives that carry the majority of their content), there’s another $99 off the price.
Total $2100
I don’t know so I am actually asking. Can you get a docking station for the Macbook air?
I would have thought executives would use a docking station. Thats why thinking about it I like the 12inch for factor, the ones that use the regular notebook processor not the low voltage ones. At meetings they are really small and convenient, and then just use the docking station at home or work so you have a good screen and peripherals.
This Macbook air is relatively large and if you could replace the sony 11inch notebooks with this then you could probably also replace them with the XPS m1330. Its not your normal ugly Dell inspiron or even lattitude. It is a stylish, thin, and light notebook.
That being said I don’t know if you can get a docking station for XPS notebooks.
Edited 2008-01-15 23:38 UTC
I don’t know if you can get a docking station for an XPS notebook, but in previous experience with them, my executives wouldn’t be in favor of it.
Also, I’m having real doubts about running Vista in my environment (both hardware and software would have to be updated, and in my field testing, Vista didn’t measure up), so going with the Dell unit wouldn’t be feasible; as you are aware, XP is gone as of June 1, and I’m not running a mixed environment (I’m aware of the issue with that statement, as running a Mac would constitute a mixed environment, but either by Boot Camp or Parallels\Fusion, I can run XP, so in my view, this isn’t really a mixed environment)
The Sony’s only had 2 USB ports on them anyway, so we normally used USB hubs to extend off any peripherals other than video, which can be used with the mini DVI port converter.
Maybe Apple will shove the entire Air into a iMac-like enclosure (this was a recently discussed Apple patent, I believe).
But a docking station, no way.
First, docking stations are by definition ugly. A no-go for Apple.
Second, docking stations are by definition for business. And the Air is definitely not for business. Well, at least not the kind of business I’m in.
I can’t think of, for example, a single Thinkpad user that would swap his laptop for a Mcbk Air.
You’ve got toys, and you’ve got tools.
I remember the PowerBook Duo and the DuoDock, but of course Steve Jobs wasn’t back yet.
Edited 2008-01-16 10:34 UTC
Apple has been very good for some time at spinning an obvious disadvantage (no drive) into something cool.
They probably think it is very cool too that the machine lacks an ethernet port. I’m sure Apple is now desperately trying to figure out how to load the freakin’ battery wirelessly. No power adapter, will that be the great “feature” on the next generation MacBook Air?
For the Nike generation: no, this model MacBook Air will not bounce back when you drop it on the floor.
I hope you don’t see this as a personal attack, but I find it pretty appalling that you mention “emotional response” and “show” [http://osnews.com/permalink?296153] as the main reasons why someone would get this computer.
Yes, your stereotypical “posh spoiled brat who doesn’t know better” new age Apple customer will just look at the fashion appeal of the computer to get the system, but ignoring or downplaying factors such as the operating system (you do mention OSX but as an afterthought) and hardware elements not directly related to performance is way off.
Think about it. Subnotebooks can hardly be thought as workstations. The way I see it, machines like this are more to be used like mobile entertainment centers – oversized digital players, an extensions of your ‘main’ computer that allows you to do stuff on the go. That’s why the optical drive is downplayed, and things like wireless syncronization and Remote Disc are there. Thats why you have access to the iTunes store wirelessly. Apple is not that interested in the ‘be as close as possible as a real computer, just smaller’ objective of other manufacturers. If you really want do something beyond the capabilities of the MBA, might as well get an MBP.
Maybe its just that we see computers from completely different points of view, but for me the UI and OS go first, then the form factor, then the hardware capabilities. If the computer is powerful enough for what I want it to do, I am happy. Apple just happens to spend a lot on R&D in the first two areas, and I see a lot of value added in their software and how the system is put together. Value doesn’t has to be directly proportional to specs and list of features.
For the record, I don’t plan to get one of these. My main computer is a MBP which I carry to most places already. I currently am a fan of Apple because of what they do software wise, not because of the brand name or fashion value.
Hi no offence taken at all.
I think many of us have the, “really I should get X but I WANT Y.” I know I do. I think that many of us who buy an expensive toy want to show it off – at least a bit. We’ve told ourselves, “If I bought this I could use it here and there”. But for many of us our justifications don’t ever seem to fully materialise. Ellen Degenris did some hilarious standup on this subjectg using a hammer as a proxy.
Regarding your point about people may choose this because its an ultra-compact that firstly does what they NEED it do and then because of the form factor. I would in this case especially those who love minamilist design. I think you have a good point. Only if one took the purely utilitarian view could one say what I said. But if we took that attitude we would all be driving the safest, most fuel efficient, most spacious cars and there would be no place for a little passion and indulgence. So I suppose I agree with you.
P.S. “Many of us” used above could easily substituted with “I see that in myself and I think I see it in others”
It’s the new Cube.
Beautiful, over-priced, probably short-lived and a future eBay collectable no doubt…
Edited 2008-01-15 22:14 UTC
Well, unless it has the same kind of manufacturing faults as the Cube, it probably won’t be such a dud (not to mention it’s got a wider audience than the Cube). But still, with its impossible-to-upgrade design, high price and style-over substance design, there are definitely echoes of the Cube here. If they had just made it a little bit more upgradeable and a little bit cheaper, it would have been perfect. (Btw, for the record you can’t really say that the Cube was a complete dead-end design, as its spiritual descendant is the Mac mini!)
I’m not giving up on the Air yet, though. I’m holding out for the next generation! If I’m lucky it will have a bigger, faster hard drive, an even smaller chassis and a faster CPU.
I mean, is the hard drive in the Air even upgradeable? If not then that’s my personal biggest deal-breaker. I want to be able to have a double or perhaps triple-boot system with space left over for my 40GB of music and 20GB of photos, dammit! I can only imagine what would happen if I started downloading more films… I can only hope that with Apple promoting HD movies on the iTunes store, they will realize the err of their ways in providing a minuscule, ancient-technology hard drive and let users upgrade to (or at least configure) a bigger, faster drive.
All that said, I still want one. But I don’t have the money anyway, so I might as well complain about its flaws :-P.
Edited 2008-01-15 23:49 UTC
You’ve completely missed the MBA target. This is not a box for you, you don’t want to rush and sell your iMac MB, MBP, etc, in order to get this. You get this if you travel a lot and need to carry some stuff with you. Period. For that alone, it’s almost “the best you can get these days” (provided you like OS X that is).
Here (if you haven’t already seen it)-
http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/f27853y2/event/index.html?int…
$2499 in Australia.
I use XE.com and here are the results.
1,799.00 USD = 2,040.99 AUD
United States Dollars Australia Dollars
1 USD = 1.13452 AUD 1 AUD = 0.881433 USD
I suppose some fool will buy it.
What is stopping someone from buying from the US.
Does Australia have any import duties on such items?
Does Australia have sales tax, VAT, anything like that?
In South Africa we have 14% VAT which would need to be added. If I was to order one from the US I would pay import duties. Not sure of how much that would be.
What is stopping someone from buying from the U.S.?
Nothing, if you’re willing to pay the airfare.
Then again, the Customs Office will charge you for the difference; the end result will be the same or even higher price than buying it in your own store from the beginning.
Don’t be naive, there ARE taxes even if you “only ship it”. Unless, of course, you convince the people at apple to put “flowers” on the box. I highly doubt they will do that; and if they do, your Customs Inspector will probably not buy it…
just to mention that a funny part can be read on http://www.apple.com/timecapsule/wireless.html
“””
Works with Mac and PC.
… But that doesn’t mean Tiger, Windows XP, and Windows Vista users can’t enjoy the benefits of Time Capsule, …
“””
xp and vista users CAN’T enjoy