Apple Macbook Air

[_Slim_Shady_]

http://www.apple.com/macbookair/

This is sick! One model comes with SSD.

[revogamer]

ud be scared to snap it!

[Savuti]

4200 rpm drive, lack of ethernet port, supposedly 1 usb?

Surprisingly even with an absence of a disc drive and .16inch thickness, Apple couldn't get the weight down below 3lbs. It'll be interesting to see how it holds up to everyday use and how's the battery life on it. For all its touted portability, forgoing of an optical drive combined with it sporting an LED and low volt merom, this should at least (and this is being laxed) provide 5 hours of battery life. With its suggested retail price, unless portability is of utmost priority, I think most who are in the market for a macbook would rather go with a MBP.

[[XC] 2long4u]

Did you just get that e-mail too?

[[XC] Lead Head]

Should say "Don't expect to lose those inches and pounds for free" Starting at $1799

They will charge you an arm, leg, left testicle and your first born child for this :down:

Just checked, yes they do. $3000 for 64GB, and a 1.8GHz C2D and a 13" screen.

[_Slim_Shady_]

I may have plugged my DVD player in 2 or 3 times last year total. I have an extra hard drive in the bay 99% of the time.

Lack of an ethernet port could be an issue, but I think the target audience is more of the WiFi group.

You can get a solid state drive if you don't like the slow 4200 RPM drive.

This isn't the uber gaming/business laptop. The target audience is your average student, and for that it should work great.

It does look fragile though!

I don't own an Apple, and I'm certainly not a fan boy, but damn Apple is willing to push the design boundaries like no one else!

[perry_78]

This isn't a student laptop.. Way too pricey for the gain over the MB, not to mention no optical is a killer.

Seems like a bad attempt the lenovo X series.. Should have just revamped the old 12" PB design.

[lowfat]

I think it is a solid design. Just outside of the range I would spend on a notebook.

[zerazax]

No replaceable battery. Limited HD space. No expandable memory. One USB port. No speakers. No firewire. No ethernet.

Oh and $1700?

I don't see too many students wanting to pick one up at that price.

Hint: If you want to make a computer portable, you have to shrink its footprint aka screen size!

Intel must've made a lot of money to design the new platform for them...

[jonnyGURU]

It has several downfalls.

I applaude them for having the goal of that thin of a notebook and to have a working product this early, but I think it's TOO early technologically speaking. Slow HDD, limited expandability, high price. It needs another two to three years.

[alucasa]

Wouldn't Asus' Eee PC do the job better and much cheaper as well as much smaller (also portable) ?

[Omastar]

Oh, come on. How much battery life impact would a 5400rpm drive have? Jeez, Apple. And they want $100 for the external DVD drive? At the prices they charge for laptops (especially this series), why not just put it in the bundle? I could go on, but I'm getting sleepy.

[Vapor]

I think this will be a 'home' laptop for (mostly) the rich. If nothing else, I see it as a secondary system. Something to tote around for when you don't direct have access to your desktop. Wirelessly access all your stuff on your Mac Pro via .Mac or local wireless (or even control with the awesome "Share Screen" function built into Leopard), have full internet, OS X and all your identical settings, great keyboard and screen, etc. Moderate horsepower...nothing you'd do Photoshop/Lightroom work on, but 2GB of RAM with a C2D at 1.6/1.8 isn't going to have problems playing a H.264 movie and running Safari, iChat, Mail, and Office at the same time.

Ultimately though, I don't see this as a primary system. Simply not enough hardware (small HDD, low/mid-speed processors, no optical, only one USB).

Nor do I think it's nearly the same things an Eee--larger battery, full OS X, MUCH larger HDD (Eee is like 4GB!), full keyboard, 2x screensize, great touchpad, etc. Though in the vein of the Eee PC, it's not a primary PC.

If it has a major flaw, I have to agree with jonnyG here...just too soon. HDD and price limitations will go away the next few years, but are fairly big deals now.

Then again, Apple wanted another "World's ____est" product and they definitely did well with the form factor of the MBA. Will be interesting to see how it does and see if people around campus adopt quickly.

No 5400 might be for a reason...couldn't procure through the channels they wanted or known issues with thermals or even they just want to push SSD to see adoption rates.

[Kobalt]

I'm surprised they didn't call it the iAir or something. Please don't tell me Apple is foregoing the whole iXxxx naming scheme. I am thoroughly enjoying it and can't wait for something like the iPoop toilet. Really, I can't wait for the Macworld where Steve Jobs is behind a curtain and they lift it to show him taking a crap on Apple's new iPoop - the toilet that just says no to constipation!

[NoX]

Didn't Sony have a Vaio model 2-3 yrs ago which was thinner than this Mac? Hmmm smells like another Apple marketing stun.

[xlink]

innovations for the sake of innovation with the additional costs and deficiencies passed down to the consumer

[xlink]

but I think it's TOO early technologically speaking. Slow HDD, limited expandability, high price. It needs another two to three years.
sounds like iPod...

just wait until the apple marketing gets to the consumer though...

[rapty]

Far to expensive, not to mention all the other crap you have to carry around with it because of its lack of functionality, needed more development time and thought against other brands, Flop.

Apple are looking more like Microsoft everyday.

[MuffinFlavored]

Battery isn't removable, and a 13" screen? Eww.

sounds like iPod...

just wait until the apple marketing gets to the consumer though...

It will help you find peace and tranquility!
It will end world hunger!

[rapty]

No removable battery would not need you to sign up with apple care, for the extra gravey on the side.

[knightwolf654]

i want to karate chop it.

[naokaji]

i'd rather buy amd shares than a macbook air...

one usb port? :rofl:
no optical drive? :rofl:
13" screen in a device thats supposed to be ultra portable? :rofl:
4200 rpm hdd? :rofl:
and the weight is too high considering the sacrifices.

[jonnyGURU]

sounds like iPod...

just wait until the apple marketing gets to the consumer though...

It already has.

I work with a guy that uses Macs. Art guy... of course. He's already saying he wants one. Doesn't know why. Doesn't know much about the unit. Just wants one. :(

[dinos22]

EXTERNAL DRIVE = FAIL :p:

[FischOderAal]

Didn't Sony have a Vaio model 2-3 yrs ago which was thinner than this Mac? Hmmm smells like another Apple marketing stun.

think you mean the sony x505 and no, the x505 is not thinner, but not as wide (has a smaller Display).

I don't understand why ppl complain about the price?! it's on par with Sony Vaio TZ, but is smaller and has more power.

Oh, come on. How much battery life impact would a 5400rpm drive have? Jeez, Apple. And they want $100 for the external DVD drive? At the prices they charge for laptops (especially this series), why not just put it in the bundle? I could go on, but I'm getting sleepy.

when do you ever need a drive? I don't even have one in my PC! I've got a USB-Drive which I use whenever I need one and that's not very often :rolleyes: further more, try to find a 1,8" drive with 5.200 rpm ;)

if you ask me the MacBook Air has a got price/performance ratio, but I wouldn't buy one, too, because:
1. no Lan :( ok, the "Air" is not in the name for no reason
2. no removable Akku :shake: hell, a non removable Akku in an iPod or iPhone is one thing, but in a Notebook?

I've really been looking forward to seeing a new PowerBook, as my MacBook ist just too heavy and I don't need an internal drive. I'll be waiting until the 2nd Gen arrives and reconsider :D

[aznblueeboi]

It is not smaller than the TZ...it is only thinner. The TZ has a much smaller all around footprint, which is what ultraportables are about. Apple seems to be marketing its 13.3" screen as optimized for portability?

The TZ also has 2 USB ports, firewire, WWAN, ethernet, built in optical drive...etc., which is really an all in one package!

[dinos22]

TZ has an inbuilt DVDRW weighs 1.1kg and has 11 hour battery too

It's also Japanese made

i know what i'd be buying :D

[xlink]

when do you ever need a drive? I

but how will you install all those iProducts?

like iGotrippedoff
and iLikepretycolors

[PrometheusCon]

Neat concept, but like it's been said, not worth it. I'd rather get an Ipod over this because the lack of features on this notebook basically makes it one with a large screen.

[TorquedJetta]

but how will you install all those iProducts?

like iGotrippedoff
and iLikepretycolors



However, for those times when you still need to install software on MacBook Air from a CD or DVD, a new feature called Remote Disc lets you wirelessly use or “borrow” the optical drive of a Mac or PC in the vicinity. So you can have full access to an optical drive without having to haul one around.
First thing i read

http://www.apple.com/macbookair/wireless.html

[xlink]

First thing i read

http://www.apple.com/macbookair/wireless.html

that doesn't do any good if you have a corrupt OS.

[TorquedJetta]

that doesn't do any good if you have a corrupt OS.

well then you use the super drive or any other usb cdrom drive and fix it.

But really when is the "normal" person going to fix their corrupt OS? Most the time they take it in or send it away so really that point means nothing

[3NZ0]

First thing i read

http://www.apple.com/macbookair/wireless.htmlYou need to use another separate computer or a bulky, rather expensive, separate external drive. Of course, you're going to have to buy an external, bulky, powered usb hub if you intend to use more than one external thing at a time. :rolleyes:

Heap of **** in my eyes. Would take an XPS M1330 over that anyday.

[FischOderAal]

expensive external drive? :lol: mine cost 50 Euro and burns DVDs as well. they are not expensive any more.

@aznblueeboi: yeah, you're right :)

[TorquedJetta]

You need to use another separate computer or a bulky, rather expensive, separate external drive. Of course, you're going to have to buy an external, bulky, powered usb hub if you intend to use more than one external thing at a time. :rolleyes:

Heap of **** in my eyes. Would take an XPS M1330 over that anyday.

this isn't meant to be the single computer for a person. This is meant to be the laptop for home or on the go. Market which they are targeting is not the power user but user who doesn't want to sit in a computer room unless they need to. Move the computer where they want to (the living room, kitchen, bedroom). This is meant to be used in conjunction with another computer

[gdogg]

This is by far the sickest mac I have ever seen. Now all we need is new form of cooling, since you either loose speed or burn your legs.

[jonnyGURU]

I dunno... for portability, and for this kind of money, I'm thinking hella smart phone instead!!!! :D

For the money you save you could buy all the damn apps too!!!!

[rapty]

Problem is its like the US Dollar light and you can't use it, price wouldn't be so bad if they supplied a back pack for all the crap it will need and a half good answer why you want the bloody thing over the 15" MBP.

Bloombergs early report was that it would have a SSD Drive with a $1000.00 mark up, it doesn't take to many more gimmik products of extortionate pricing for the normal consumer to catch on to Apples ridiculous launch price and look elsewhere, only so long you can troubleshoot crap on the consumer in an unstable economy before you need a well thought out product.

As you can probably tell I wanted to buy one, not at this price its throwing money away I was expecting something a little more powerfull and professional, great maybe for the corporate world, crap for the image professional which use to be most of macs user base!

[Shadowmage]

The only advantage I see with this notebook over other ultraportables is the extra inch of LCD space (usually ultraportables are 12"). The price makes it totally not worth it though.

[JamesAvery22]

Jesus this forum rips on all that is new.

Yes its expensive, all macs are ridiculously priced. Apple focuses on larger purchases within a small group rather than making blanket products which are cheap and aimed at huge groups. Whether or not thats a good idea is debatable. Isn't Apple still losing money on all computer products? Last I read the iPod(and probably the iPhone) is the only thing keeping them afloat.

For all the people I've ever known or met who have macs this would be fine for any of them. Heck for 90% of the people I know period. Rarely any of them do anything that would require any external devices to this thing. A mouse or that USB -> Ethernet adapter maybe.

No one has ever made a laptop this thin. Kudo's to Apple for doing that. Disappointed in the weight though. I'll thoroughly enjoy pics of someone dissecting this thing. I guarantee Apple did some slick stuff in order to keep the laptop that thin.

[rapty]

Funny thing you didn't mention the price...

Intel did a die shrink with the cpu running at 1.6 - 1.8 ghz, seeing leopard is now multithreaded that worked out nicely for battery power, but hardly for "most users" like you mention this machine would be good for, when you can equally get a 2.4ghz machine may I mention ( For the same price ) & a graphics card for photoshop to work reasonably well leaves some high paying customers discontented at release gimmik prices, I think your evaluation is warped into a certain feild not all of us are in, as I'll mention value for money and high paying professionals that have been with apple since the 90's does hold substance with some of us, or maybe older generations.

[iddqd]

While it does have its pitfalls, I'm glad that at least someone out there is pushing the envelope.

This way, next year you'll see other OEMs coming up with their own ultra-slim designs, and some even beating them on slimness/features. The point is, someone had to do it first that would get noticed. I'm sure this isn't the only ultra-thin laptop ever conceived.

Also, Apple is in a unique position where it has no competitor, so their current paradigm is "spare no expense". That's why they can make exotic product that isn't necessarily cost-effective (or cheap). The PC OEMs are forced to sell you the cheapest crap they can find, since nobody would buy their product if the next guy has the same thing, only $100 cheaper because they used cheap fans and a terrible power supply, for instance.

But honestly, why is XS of all places whining about pricing of prebuilt OEM machines? It's not like anyone here would actually consider buying one.

[rapty]

Rather derogatory.

[Papu]

its disgusting imo.

asus eee
or a nice Xps laptop anyday

[perry_78]

Nah, not the vaio, the X61 is where it's at ;)

[Shadowmage]

While it does have its pitfalls, I'm glad that at least someone out there is pushing the envelope.

This way, next year you'll see other OEMs coming up with their own ultra-slim designs, and some even beating them on slimness/features. The point is, someone had to do it first that would get noticed. I'm sure this isn't the only ultra-thin laptop ever conceived.

Also, Apple is in a unique position where it has no competitor, so their current paradigm is "spare no expense". That's why they can make exotic product that isn't necessarily cost-effective (or cheap). The PC OEMs are forced to sell you the cheapest crap they can find, since nobody would buy their product if the next guy has the same thing, only $100 cheaper because they used cheap fans and a terrible power supply, for instance.

But honestly, why is XS of all places whining about pricing of prebuilt OEM machines? It's not like anyone here would actually consider buying one.

Apple is not pushing the envelope in this case. They aren't even the thinnest.

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/notebook-supermodel/intel-unveils-worlds-thinnest-laptop-almost-skinny-as-a-razr-263359.php

Another thinner notebook:
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9850943-7.html

[aznblueeboi]

Apple is not pushing the envelope in this case. They aren't even the thinnest.

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/notebook-supermodel/intel-unveils-worlds-thinnest-laptop-almost-skinny-as-a-razr-263359.php

Another thinner notebook:
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9850943-7.html

But that's how Apple presents it since the fans will be raving about it. They always spin the truth to their advantage.

[_Slim_Shady_]

This laptop obviously isn't for everyone. Kudos to Apple for doing something different.

The notebook Shadowmage mentions was available in 1998, and isn't relevant in my opinion.

Don't underestimate the younger crowd. This thing will sell like crazy, and will improve over time. For 90% of users this laptop would be more than sufficient. If you are into overclocking and playing Crysis on your laptop then obviously this isn't the product for you.

[Shintai]

So Apple released another poor quality laptop, with just even less functionality and alot higher chance of ending as trash after a bad encounter?

People buying it while worshipping Steve?

Priceless!

[Flambo]

This will be a rare occasion where I will agree with shintai on some of his comments.

Apple: What were you thinking????

Let's see:

No ethernet port
1 USB
Non-removable battery
Sharp edges that would crack a skull if it fell on a baby
No internal drive
$1800 for the base model with a freaking iPod hard drive
Non-upgradeable RAM
Average battery life for its class

Sounds like a laptop for rich people who don't mind throwing away their laptop after a year since you can't upgrade much of anything. Not to mention that there is a MacBook Pro for a couple hundred and a couple pound more with all the missing functionlities or a $1100 MacBook with most of the missing features.

Only for rich fashionistas who think they're too cool for their cloth. How many of them can there be? A rather limited market, I'd say.

Try harder next time, Steve.

[Papu]

lol my ipod has 160 gig , surely they could have put that in there :P

the intel Metro looks teh sex tho :D

[WangChung]

You know what's funny? This is one of the laptops that I use here @ work:

http://tinyurl.com/2fek6q

It's been out for a few months now, has way more features, and costs $500 less than what Apple wants for that... thing.

/thread :rolleyes:

[3NZ0]

this isn't meant to be the single computer for a person. This is meant to be the laptop for home or on the go. Market which they are targeting is not the power user but user who doesn't want to sit in a computer room unless they need to. Move the computer where they want to (the living room, kitchen, bedroom). This is meant to be used in conjunction with another computer

$3000+ on a laptop for use in the kitchen or living room? :rofl:

I'll pass, the m1330 offers a dvd drive, faster cpu, more ram, dedicated gpu, hdmi, 2 usb and a host of other things. It does everything the air does and more for less :rofl:

Fail :down:

[_Slim_Shady_]

This will be a rare occasion where I will agree with shintai on some of his comments.

Apple: What were you thinking????

Let's see:

No ethernet port
1 USB
Non-removable battery
Sharp edges that would crack a skull if it fell on a baby
No internal drive
$1800 for the base model with a freaking iPod hard drive
Non-upgradeable RAM
Average battery life for its class

Ethernet isn't necessary most of the time. If it is get a USB Ethernet adapter.

If you need more than 1 USB device get a USB hub.

The non-removable battery is more of PITA than anything IF it goes bad under warranty. It hasn't hurt iPod sales...

If you need an optical drive use an external USB one. I can count on one hand how many times last year I used my DVD drive.

They should have offered a 4GB version, but I'm guessing there in only one slot for memory.

This was never meant to be an ultra-high performance, uber configurable laptop. It is all about being sleek and sexy. Also, why would you need to be ultra-rich to buy an $1800 laptop? That's pretty much the median price of laptops. :rolleyes:

I remember people spending 3 times this for workstations to do Photoshop work, and those machines were less powerful. :confused:

Also, it is only $3000 if you opt for the over-priced SSD and the upgraded processor. I don't see them selling a lot of laptops with that configuration.

[Papu]

Ethernet isn't necessary most of the time. If it is get a USB Ethernet adapter.

If you need more than 1 USB device get a USB hub.

The non-removable battery is more of PITA than anything IF it goes bad under warranty. It hasn't hurt iPod sales...

If you need an optical drive use an external USB one. I can count on one hand how many times last year I used my DVD drive.

They should have offered a 4GB version, but I'm guessing there in only one slot for memory.

This was never meant to be an ultra-high performance, uber configurable laptop. It is all about being sleek and sexy. Also, why would you need to be ultra-rich to buy an $1800 laptop? That's pretty much the median price of laptops. :rolleyes:

I remember people spending 3 times this for workstations to do Photoshop work, and those machines were less powerful. :confused:

Also, it is only $3000 if you opt for the over-priced SSD and the upgraded processor. I don't see them selling a lot of laptops with that configuration.

erm listen

if you want to use a decent mouse like say a g9 , razor , or mx518 , you also want to use an external dvd drive. no you need a manky usb hub trailing out of it , Ethernet is very necessary because wireless networking is a pain.

if apple would have designed this thing to be used it would have
at least 3 usb ports
firewire of some sort
Gig ethernet
160gig ipod hdd
internal dvd
touch screen keyboard.

[Vapor]

at least 3 usb ports
firewire of some sort
Gig ethernet
160gig ipod hdd
internal dvd
touch screen keyboard.Get a regular MacBook (Pro) if you want those features in a Mac...it's still pretty thin. If you want the touchscreen, get the ModBook (http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ModBook).

People will get what laptop fits their purpose....this is obviously not what you want, doesn't mean the design is wrong.

[FischOderAal]

ppl will always complain. Apple bashing is as popular as bashing Microsoft.

most interesting thing is that 95% of the ppl complaining never even touched an Apple. you think Apple is ridiculous overpriced? k, I agree to disagree. I compared very extensive and the only competitor (13 inch Display) with Windows I would've bought was 100 Euro cheaper and had a bigger HDD. but it lacked for instance BlueTooth and n-Draft WLan and had a slightly slower CPU (which didn't matter for me). might have changed but the MacBooks are even cheaper now as back then when I bought one.
if you ask me the 100 Euro were well spend money, maybe the best 100 bucks I ever spend ;) I enjoy working on OS-X and if I had more room (or my own house) I would buy a Mac Mini and only switch on my PC if I wanted to play. maybe after studying :)

my family has 4 laptops, two Thinkpads, a Dell and a MacBook. I can tell you the one with the worst quality is NOT the Apple ;)

[Papu]

ppl will always complain. Apple bashing is as popular as bashing Microsoft.

most interesting thing is that 95% of the ppl complaining never even touched an Apple. you think Apple is ridiculous overpriced? k, I agree to disagree. I compared very extensive and the only competitor (13 inch Display) with Windows I would've bought was 100 Euro cheaper and had a bigger HDD. but it lacked for instance BlueTooth and n-Draft WLan and had a slightly slower CPU (which didn't matter for me). might have changed but the MacBooks are even cheaper now as back then when I bought one.
if you ask me the 100 Euro were well spend money, maybe the best 100 bucks I ever spend ;) I enjoy working on OS-X and if I had more room (or my own house) I would buy a Mac Mini and only switch on my PC if I wanted to play. maybe after studying :)

my family has 4 laptops, two Thinkpads, a Dell and a MacBook. I can tell you the one with the worst quality is NOT the Apple ;)

ive touched and apple

ive also touched and used an imacbookpro
it was a horrible experience , even using final cut pro , with professionals it was no fun.

[FischOderAal]

wow, a "horrible experience" without any details. that's as useful as stating Kilkenny is far superior to Guinness. ;) you belong to the 5% then. but it's hard to tell the difference if ppl don't name details about what they don't like about Apple (MacBook, OS-X and so on)

[Shintai]

Ethernet isn't necessary most of the time. If it is get a USB Ethernet adapter.

If you need more than 1 USB device get a USB hub.

The non-removable battery is more of PITA than anything IF it goes bad under warranty. It hasn't hurt iPod sales...

If you need an optical drive use an external USB one. I can count on one hand how many times last year I used my DVD drive.

They should have offered a 4GB version, but I'm guessing there in only one slot for memory.

This was never meant to be an ultra-high performance, uber configurable laptop. It is all about being sleek and sexy. Also, why would you need to be ultra-rich to buy an $1800 laptop? That's pretty much the median price of laptops. :rolleyes:

I remember people spending 3 times this for workstations to do Photoshop work, and those machines were less powerful. :confused:

Also, it is only $3000 if you opt for the over-priced SSD and the upgraded processor. I don't see them selling a lot of laptops with that configuration.

So what you say is, buy a smart fancy thin laptop and carry an army sized bag around with assesories to make it useable?

Thats innovation!

[Vapor]

If you need all the USB ports and the optical drive everywhere you go, then this laptop isn't for you. They offer the accessories because they don't want to alienate a sale, but ultimately the laptop is built to not use them (hence why they're not built into it).

It's another entry into the Apple system. You get your music/movies wirelessly from iTunes, you have your music-on-the-go on your iPod, you have another computer (iMac or Mac Pro they hope) for when you need an optical drive, more horsepower, or more HDD space. You can get wireless access and backup all your files (even settings) to a new Time Capsule automatically.

They're hoping the form factor will be a draw--either to convert to the MBA itself, or just begin to consider other Apple products. They hope all their products are like that and probably do a better job of it than any other company.

[_Slim_Shady_]

So what you say is, buy a smart fancy thin laptop and carry an army sized bag around with assesories to make it useable?

Thats innovation!

I figured you to be smarter than that. :D

How much space would those accessories REALLY take up? A small USB hub, USB ethernet, and USB DVD. Use Apple's Bluetooth Mighty Mouse, and you are set! If you need more than that then it probably doesn't make sense. Most people wouldn't need the DVD drive 100% of the time.

[Shintai]

I figured you to be smarter than that. :D

How much space would those accessories REALLY take up? A small USB hub, USB ethernet, and USB DVD. Use Apple's Bluetooth Mighty Mouse, and you are set! If you need more than that then it probably doesn't make sense. Most people wouldn't need the DVD drive 100% of the time.

OK Apple boy, I guess you have a bif desk so you can proudly show all the extra wires to your USB hub and such.

Well..its abit like the iPhone and features. We already had what it could and more 5 years ago. What can the Air do that any other OEM portable laptop cant? besides being alot less useful and simply crap the consumer in terms options and functionality. Not even to talk about service ability.

It all reminds me of this:

http://shintai.ambition.cz/pics/reloaded.jpg

[Gig4moller]

It all reminds me of this:

http://shintai.ambition.cz/pics/reloaded.jpg

Atleast apple isn't charging 500$ for their new, and worse OS.

Long live FOSS.

[_Slim_Shady_]

I don't own a single Apple product Shintai. :)

Also, why would there be a desk full of wires for a USB hub? Things have changed a little in the last 5 years.

[Papu]

wow, a "horrible experience" without any details. that's as useful as stating Kilkenny is far superior to Guinness. ;) you belong to the 5% then. but it's hard to tell the difference if ppl don't name details about what they don't like about Apple (MacBook, OS-X and so on)

right , the touch pad was horribe , when i plugged in my mx518 it wouldnt work , we had problems with the firewire connector , it would freeze when we plugged more than 2 external harddrives into it , it killed a citidisk and lost a whole mornings shoot , and burnt my lap :D

[Papu]

Atleast apple isn't charging 500$ for their new, and worse OS.

Long live FOSS.

lol what os is that?

[Power5]

If you want a powerful portable look no further:

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsnb_m2010?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

I mean it has a handle, how much more portable can you get?

[JamesAvery22]

holy nit-picking batman...
Arguing that there are better performance/dollar deals out there is moot. Regardless of all its shortcomings it will sell very well in the crowd apple will target. The majority of that target crowd doesn't know the difference between ethernet and wifi.

Yes there are cheaper and more feature packed laptops out there. Just like there are tons of cheaper and more user friendly MP3s out there.
Regardless, Apple's ability to make eye-catching and fad starting products/advertisements counts for more than any of these nit-picking hardware requirements when it comes to sales.

Kudos to Apple for making another slick looking product.

[sdsdv10]

Atleast apple isn't charging 500$ for their new, and worse OS.

Long live FOSS.

lol what os is that?

FOSS = Free and Open Source Software perhaps?!?!?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FOSS

Or maybe he ment Windows Vista Ultimate?!?!? Not sure, as it doesn't cost quite $500.

I'm curious too. Gig4moller, please ellaborate on your reply.

[Papu]

FOSS = Free and Open Source Software perhaps?!?!?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FOSS

i was asking about the 500$ one i know what foss is :P

vista ultimate is 148 euros. so he wasnt talking about that. just wondering what he was talking about

[Kingcarcas]

OK Apple boy, I guess you have a bif desk so you can proudly show all the extra wires to your USB hub and such.

Well..its abit like the iPhone and features. We already had what it could and more 5 years ago. What can the Air do that any other OEM portable laptop cant? besides being alot less useful and simply crap the consumer in terms options and functionality. Not even to talk about service ability.

It all reminds me of this:

http://shintai.ambition.cz/pics/reloaded.jpg
OMG i love you :p: I'm usually surrounded by Apple fanboys and they really get under my skin. :ROTF:

[celerity]

Apple is always one step ahead.

I believe you can connect DVD readers and ethernet via the USB port if you need to.

I like air very much :).

[dinos22]

Nah, not the vaio, the X61 is where it's at ;)

i retail laptops including those ibms

believe me TZ Sony laptops wipe the floor with any other machine out there :D

i wouldn't buy SSD yet as they cost more and have small capacity

http://www.sony.com.au/objects/pdf/vgn-tz17gn_n.pdf

ultraportables are all about battery

these apples just don't cut it plus who the :banana::banana::banana::banana: hides the battery to make more money
:mad:

[Boissez]

I like it. :)
Sometimes a lack of functionality can be a virtue.

PS: some ppl around here should get off the egotripping crack... Every manufacturers purpose in life is not to fulfil your every needs. Mileages may vary.

[Cupcake]

This isn't a student laptop.. Way too pricey for the gain over the MB, not to mention no optical is a killer.

Seems like a bad attempt the lenovo X series.. Should have just revamped the old 12" PB design.

I Agree, I recently bought a 12" Powerbook G4 and I love it

The battery gives me 5+ Hours of internet browsing and music with the backlight on full

I dont mind the extra half inch or so if it means I can have a 100gb normal HDD and a DVD-RW Drive :)

[//porre]

hm on apples homepage they say 2gb onboard RAM, does that mean that they are mounted on the motherboard lige the ones on the asus mainboard?

[iddqd]

Look, this isn't a high performance gaming laptop. Not even a business laptop. This laptop is for the minimalist Starbucks hack, who must update his blog or write another chapter of his terrible novel while sipping equally bad coffee. And it fulfills this role quite nicely.

The target audience isn't any of us. So get the hell off your high horses and stop circlejerking about how much you hate apple.

While the average Apple trinket may have its pitfalls; nothing is ever perfect, whatever Jobs may claim, Apple is also a leader in design paradigms. Whatever Apple does first, other people are sure to copy, and probably make a better copy while they're at it.

And I've never said that MacBook Air is the first (or even thinnest) ultra thin notebook,
I'm sure this isn't the only ultra-thin laptop ever conceived.

But honestly, who ever hears about those other ultra thins? They're buried under the obscurity of hundreds (if not thousands?) of other notebook designs, while the Apple PR machine pushes this one into the spotlight, where it's sure to be noticed by everyone. Soon, we'll see more and more ultra-thin laptops. Perhaps, in a year or two we will no longer be stuck in the 15.4"/5.5lbs paradigm even for midrange performing laptops.

[awdrifter]

hm on apples homepage they say 2gb onboard RAM, does that mean that they are mounted on the motherboard lige the ones on the asus mainboard?

I watched a video of the introduction, the ram chips are individually soldered onto the motherboard.

[JamesAvery22]

Uh

MacBook Air performance is as impressive as its form, thanks to its 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. This chip was custom-built to fit within the compact dimensions of MacBook Air.


First reaction is to call BS. But Intel's only FCBGA 1.8*ghz c2d mobile is only 2MB cache. Wonder if they made a 4MB cache version specifically for Apple :rollseyes:

[Vapor]

Uh


First reaction is to call BS. But Intel's only FCBGA 1.8*ghz c2d mobile is only 2MB cache. Wonder if they made a 4MB cache version specifically for Apple :rollseyes:The package these Meroms are on is 60% smaller than micro-FCBGA packages. And yeah, also 4MB of L2.

[n91htmare]

Intel will do anything for Apple.
Any Apple PC market share adds to intel's market share... Even though Apple's PC share is around 5-6%... That's still something.

[Papu]

i was thinking about it today and its kinda like a really really really small car with no extras, its only sole purpose is to be small , but for the price of a normal car ,

you can get decent lappy even gaming pc for 1700

[Shintai]

The package these Meroms are on is 60% smaller than micro-FCBGA packages. And yeah, also 4MB of L2.

Uhm? Intel manufactors Core 2 Mobile in 2 forms. Micro-FCBGA and Micro-FCPGA (S478/S479).

But yes, there is 4MB Micro-FCBGA that is soldered on.

Micro-FCBGA is 35x35mm like Micro-FCPGA. The difference is the socket area and then height.

http://download.intel.com/design/mobile/datashts/31407804.pdf

[Vapor]

Apple really did get Intel to make a 'new' CPU for them (again)...Merom on a significantly smaller package than what we've seen so far (22mm x 22mm).
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/1360/picture5bq7.png
http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=3201&p=2

[Shintai]

Apple really did get Intel to make a 'new' CPU for them (again)...Merom on a significantly smaller package than what we've seen so far (22mm x 22mm).
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/1360/picture5bq7.png
http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=3201&p=2

But that would require them to use 45nm. Aswell as its "only" 40% smaller. Its the entire chipset package thats 60% smaller.

And the Air is not having a 45nm CPU if it got 4MB cache.

So maybe its 3MB or 6MB penryns? At 1.8Ghz or 2Ghz that would explain it. because that Air is going nowhere without a ULV CPU. And 65nm stops at 1.33Ghz there. or 1.6Ghz for LV

[darkorb]

I like it

[_Slim_Shady_]

Shintai,

Are you saying the image is an optical illusion? It looks quite a bit smaller. :)

[Vapor]

Paul Otellini was on stage and said it was a 60% smaller package (40% of the original size). 35*35 : 22*22 :: 10 : 4

It's 65nm too.

[Shintai]

Shintai,

Are you saying the image is an optical illusion? It looks quite a bit smaller. :)

No, just saying I doubt its 65nm.

EDIT: Nomatter I found out its an L7700 CPU.

[Vapor]

Almost an L7700.

Has a slightly higher TDP of 20W, not 17W.

[Papu]

Shintai,

Are you saying the image is an optical illusion? It looks quite a bit smaller. :)


see one is small

the other one is far away :D

[[XC] Lead Head]

This makes no sense. Way way to expensive for what it offers, and what a lot of you saying about just getting USB adapters and hubs, you are forgetting that I just put down $1800 for a laptop, and I have to put out another $300-400 in accessories just to make it usable for all environments, and them I'm screwed in 2-3 years when its lagging behind everything else in performance and hard drive space and the battery life is starting to diminish. GG apple.

[Vapor]

Lead Head;2706790']This makes no sense. Way way to expensive for what it offers, and what a lot of you saying about just getting USB adapters and hubs, you are forgetting that I just put down $1800 for a laptop, and I have to put out another $300-400 in accessories just to make it usable for all environments, and them I'm screwed in 2-3 years when its lagging behind everything else in performance and hard drive space and the battery life is starting to diminish. GG apple.Clearly not for you then :p:

[iddqd]

Lead Head;2706790']This makes no sense. Way way to expensive for what it offers, and what a lot of you saying about just getting USB adapters and hubs, you are forgetting that I just put down $1800 for a laptop, and I have to put out another $300-400 in accessories just to make it usable for all environments, and them I'm screwed in 2-3 years when its lagging behind everything else in performance and hard drive space and the battery life is starting to diminish. GG apple.

This is mostly true for almost any laptop. GG [insert laptop manufacturer].

[darkorb]

Youre missing the point. It isnt for people with lots of peripherals. Its just supposed to be a small on the go PC, for documents, typing etc..

It saves weight by cutting all that stuff out. I can see what youre saying, but if u want that stuff just go for the Macbook or the Pro.

[iddqd]

It would be nice if it came with a free usb dock + optical drive to have all the peripherals you need when you're not on the go.

Knowing Apple, there will be exactly that, but you'll have to pay $200 extra for it.

[villa1n]

I think what people are losing sight of is the demographic and target market of this notebook. It is not a notebook for people who dont own a mac already. It is a status symbol for the loyal mac cult, and a piece of tech fashion jewelery for people in that niche. Any metric you compare it on, will not leave it first or best in any category, but that isnt the point. Apple wanted to sell the feeling to their customers that they were getting innovation, and the worlds best, and as we all know, if apple says it, the fan boys will eat it up. So i dont really see the point of trying to rationalize this notebook, because its not a rational or necessary piece of hardware. Its eyecandy for mac users, and in that regard, i think steve hit the nail on the head, and it will do well.

[Knight]

Sorry for my lack of my knowledge with laptops, but will this one be passively cooled?

[Papu]

Sorry for my lack of my knowledge with laptops, but will this one be passively cooled?

i wouldn't think so , there must be a little fan in there

[Xope_Poquar]

MacBook Air (http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1797523)

An in-depth video advertisement of the MacBook Air.

"Why should you buy the new MacBook Air? Why the hell not?"

:rofl:

[villa1n]

macheads the movie (http://macheadsthemovie.com/)

"If you thought we were Apple fanboys, you might want to check out this video and readjust your fanboy dial. It's a real trailer for a real movie called MacHeads the Movie, which apparently features real insane Apple users emoting for the camera about how Macs changed their lives. They even talked to such Mac whores as Guy Kawasaki and Andy Inhatko, just to lend a little credibility to their movie. We're still not sure what the film's going to be ABOUT (other than the obvious), so stay tuned as we investigate." http://gizmodo.com/347588/macheads-the-movie-trailer-shocks-revolts-intrigues-us

[Turok]

I never liked anything about Apple's products other than their design. They are incredibly overpriced for what they offer.

I would much rather buy THIS (http://www.microexpress.net/proddetail.asp?category=Laptop&subcat=&linenumber=120) Whitebook/Barebone Notebook and complete it with parts from NewEgg and/or ZipZoomFly if I were to buy a notebook without a dedicated video card. The Whitebook itself is $500, it has the same resolution as the MacBook Air, but a bit smaller screen (12.1" instead of 13.3")

http://www.microexpress.net/images/JFT00.jpg

Lets do the math: (Estimates)
Compal JFT00 = $500 + $15 S&H?
C2D T7500 (2.2Ghz) = $225
Hitachi 7k200 200Gb = $200
2x2Gb DDR2 = $100
Intel 3945 (Wireless) = $25
Total = $1065,
for a much more powerful, upgradeable, and smaller notebook.

The drawbacks of course are that you don't get an LED LCD, it's probably 2x thicker or a bit more, and battery life is probably shorter, but wth It's much cheaper and faster!

I got a Compal IFL90b from ZipZoomFly.com and these notebooks are awesome. If you look up Compal/Sager, they are a 1st party notebook vendor that makes notebooks for Dell, Toshiba, and others. and are the 2nd largest in the world.

The MacBook Air isn't a notebook worth buying unless :
1) You can afford the full package, which means getting a SSD, and
2) All you do is spreadsheets and surf the net.
I see a small market for this, which is mainly somewhat wealthy to rich business men, buut there may be enough Apple fanboys that this becomes profit. :stick:

[Vapor]

I really think people are ignoring one thing about this product...well not ignoring it, but not realizing what it can do:

It draws people to the store and to other Apple product lines. Maybe not XS users where a whitebox or shopping online purely by specs is our MO, but for a lot of people it will.

It, moreso than some of their other products, draws people into the store. From there they play with it and like it. Then they may buy it. Win for Apple if they do.

Or they may not...and this is where it is helping most, IMO. If for some reason they realize they can't have it, whether it costs a bit too much for what they want to spend, or they want a larger HDD, or an ODD, whatever the reason--they still may really want it. Then from there, why not look at what else Apple has to offer? In use, the other Apple laptops won't be particularly different...

If they don't mind the price or an increase in weight, MacBook Pro...more power, ODD, larger HDD, still only 1in thick.

If the price is too high and they still want more hardware, MacBook....same screen and keyboard, still only 1.08in thick, and noticeably lower priced.

Yeah, MBP and MB might be in different market segments, but the MBA has the potential to win a customer for Apple, even if they don't buy an MBA.

[Kyro38]

I found the ultimate accesory for MacBook Air :D

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2112/2205916326_8f641bde88_o.jpg (http://infomars.fr/forum/index.php?showtopic=1380)

Get styled as Steve Jobs like Steve Jobs with that enveloppe


i find it's a great idea but, to expensive :/