Technology Anyone Buying the New MacBook Air?

[Dr Who]

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I already have an iMac that I use as my primary computer so I wanted something small and light. The white plastic macbook tends to get dirty quickly, while the black one tends to get "shiny" spots wherever there is constant friction, such as the palm rests which in my opinion made them look "worn out" too soon. On top of that I have noticed they tend to crack in the edges over time.
I have been holding out on buying a new laptop because I thought Apple was going to roll out brand new, redesigned aluminum macbooks at macworld. Imagine my surprise when they instead introduced the ultra portable macbook air instead.
As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted one, so I did. I know many people have issues with the trade offs Apple made in order to make it so thin, but you have to admit, the thing's a work of art. 😍
Like I said, I already have another computer, so I will use the macbook air mostly for websurfing and school work with some movies thrown in. The fact that it is so thin and weighs so little is a huge plus. So what are your opinions on the macbook air?

 

[MossPoh]

That is an expensive computer for just basic stuff. My white macbook doesn't get as dirty as you might expect. I wipe it down with glass cleaner wipes once in a while and it does just fine. Also, the aluminum does wear down if you are trying to avoid those wrist spots. I love apple products, but if you use it enough you'll have wrist spots regardless of what computer you use. I've seen it happen plenty of times. 😉

 

[southerndoc]

For almost a year I have said I would buy one when they are released. I changed my mind when I saw the specs of the MacBook Air.

Although my 12" PowerBook G4 1.5 GHz is not as fast as I would like for it to be, it is still perfectly fine to use for what I use it for: surfing the internet, checking email, presenting Keynote/PowerPoint presentations, and using it for word processing. I can wait the extra 2 seconds for any delays that might occur while doing these things.

For some reason, over the past few months I've had a major change in spending habits and only purchasing things I really need. Who knows if I will continue this when I am an attending in six months and making five times my current salary. I probably will since I am now centered on building up a wealthy retirement nest egg so I can retire early (50) and volunteer overseas.

Besides, in another year or two, it is likely the MacBook Air will be offered with a 2.0 GHz chip and have a 128 GB solid state disk drive instead of the current 64 GB model, which is too small for the amount of music and data files on my current computer (upgraded hard drive to 120 GB).

 

[Caverject]

what has happened to the real southerndoc? The one I knew would be all about putting in a pre-order for any new apple toy

 

[TMP-SMX]

I'd hold off on it for now. It's going to turn out like the iPhone and people will probably be pissed.

Anyway... I'd much rather get a MBP for that money. However, I would also wait for them to be updated first to make the choice clear. (However Apple probably realizes this and will probably hold off on updating them for a while).

I do have a new iMac as of August, but I'm realizing how nice a laptop would be. Honestly I would probably just get the low end Macbook, buy a Seagate HDD that is larger, and pop in 4 GB of RAM. But who am I kidding. I have no money. In fact, my damned school is the slowest ever giving me my loan disbursement.

 

[southerndoc]

what has happened to the real southerndoc? The one I knew would be all about putting in a pre-order for any new apple toy

I've been waiting for a quality replacement for my 12" PowerBook for a while now.

I ordered a new iMac when they first came out, but canceled it the next day after seeing one in person. I couldn't stand the glossy screen. Perhaps I'll change my mind in the coming months. For now, I'm keeping my iMac G5 1.8 GHz and PowerBook G4 1.5 GHz machines. Slow, but still capable of doing the tasks I need.

 

[TMP-SMX]

I don't have a problem really with the glossy screen. I just don't have it in front of a window. There are windows on the other side of the room but not at a perpendicular angle so it's fine.

 

[pharmdch]

Least expensive Macbook: $1099

2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
80GB @ 5400 rpm
1 GB memory (can be upgraded to 4 GB for less than $100 if you do it yourself)
user-replaceable 55-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
standard internal combo drive

5 pounds



Least expensive Macbook Air: $1799

1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
80GB @ 4200 rpm
2 GB memory (can not upgrade)
integrated 37-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery (replacement costs $129 and takes about five days)

optional USB super drive (+$99 for a total of $1898)

3 pounds (super drive weighs 0.71 pounds, but it's irrelevant since it would generally be left at home/office)



The Macbook Air is undeniably svelte; it's one sexy marvel of engineering. But do improved aesthetics and a reduction of two pounds justify the premium you'll pay?

For $700, you get a slower processor, a slower hard drive, and a smaller, integrated battery that must be replaced by Apple. For $799 you also get an optical drive, which you will likely want if the Macbook Air is to be your only computer.

Personally, I think this is a product that Apple has released to push the envelope, encouraging manufacturers to advance processor, hard drive, and battery technology to enable the next generation of mobile computing. At this time, it simply is not a good value. Sure, it's nice to look at, but that's about it. Apple has been understandably quiet regarding the non-user replaceable battery. I understand why they designed it that way, and, in all fairness, it's supposedly a trivial matter to replace it. Still, unless Apple makes the battery available for purchase, you'll have no choice but to surrender your computer for five days. Also, many people like having an extra battery that they can swap; this is not a practical option with the Macbook Air. On another note, I believe Apple utilizes the Reality Distortion Field to downplay the exclusion of the optical drive. In most respects, it is true that an optical drive is no longer a necessity, but it often is still the most convenient option. Consider software installation, for example. I understand that this is a computer built for the wireless age, but why would I want to insert a disk into a separate computer, and go through the process of accessing that computer's drive remotely to accomplish what could otherwise be done by simply inserting the disk into the Macbook Air? Wireless technology exists for convenience; this is not a scenario for which wireless is the most convenient method.

My advice is to wait for subsequent models of the Macbook Air in the coming years; the current model is simply too expensive for what it is. Apple's other laptops are also very stylish and their weight is class competitive. For now, save the $800 and purchase the Macbook, which is faster and more versatile with its internal optical drive and user-replaceable battery. For power users, buy a Macbook Pro for $1999, and enjoy much higher performance, a larger screen, and a dedicated graphics card.

 

[16846]

My three big gripes for the Macbook Air are:

1. 4200 RPM/PATA HD - MAJOR Bottleneck! Why not use SATA? I just can't think of a good reason.

2. Mono speaker - Are they seriously trying to say they couldn't shoehorn in one more speaker?

3. Integrated Battery - WTF?

 

[Dr Who]

My three big gripes for the Macbook Air are:

1. 4200 RPM/PATA HD - MAJOR Bottleneck! Why not use SATA? I just can't think of a good reason.

2. Mono speaker - Are they seriously trying to say they couldn't shoehorn in one more speaker?

3. Integrated Battery - WTF?

The hard drive and mono speaker are a bit of a drag. The battery is not integrated at all. It's just a bit more dificult to remove than normal computers. If the battery dies all you have to do is pay $129 at your local Apple store or send it in to replace. Somehow i think that cheaper batteries that the user can replace will appear shortly after the MBA ships. I dont know why people gripe so much about the batter as all it takes is a screwdriver to remove 4 small screws and the bottom panel pops off exposing the battery inside.

People should also stop comparing the MBA to normal computers, it is not. Compare it instead to the Sony TZ series or the Lenovo X300 series which are ultraportables and you will see that the macbook air blows them away in price, CPU and screen size. The only downside (but not for me) is the lack of internal DVD player and firewire port.
Here is a link to a site comparing the macbook air with the Sony TZ, which START at $2,099 with a 1.06 Ghz processor!.
http://http://dealmac.com/features/-Head-to-Head-Apple-Mac-Book-Air-vs-Sony-VAIO-TZ-Series-Subnotebook/208393.html
The bottom line is if you are complaining about the lack of internal DVD or other features then the macbook air is not for you. Try looking at the macbook or better yet, the macbook pro, for a more full featured, conventional laptop.
I already have an iMac as my primary computer and I rarely use the DVD drive at all. I was looking for a light laptop so to use as a second computer to basically websurf and do school work which wont require serious horse power at all. So for me, the macbook air is a great fit.

 

[southerndoc]

I think I will get a regular MacBook once they transition to aluminum cases. I like how thin the MacBook Air is, but I need the ports, a swappable battery, and the bigger hard drive.

 

[TMP-SMX]

I think I will get a regular MacBook once they transition to aluminum cases. I like how thin the MacBook Air is, but I need the ports, a swappable battery, and the bigger hard drive.

Those are my thoughts exactly down to the t. In fact, it is the aluminum I'm looking for not only for looks but also for heat dissipation. Being able to use at least F400 is also a plus so I can backup the drive every once in a while. I have my external HDD hooked up to my iMac all the time but not on.

I'd love to stream lectures on a notebook computer so I don't have to sit in front of my iMac for 10 hours a day... I am already using wireless in my house and it would be nice to have it on campus and also at a coffee shop. I really can't afford it, but that's why I get loans after-all and it would be a worthwhile expense if the price and value is right.

 

[mustangsally65]

I was so excited for this announcement, but it's not for me right now. I haven't seen one in person yet, but the weight and size looks good. Just too expensive and my PowerBook still works well for me. I've looked at the other laptops, but they don't have a big range of sizes, and I think I'd rather have a Pro but in a smaller size than 15". Guess I'll just have to wait.

Anyone get one yet?

 

[Dr McSteamy]

all hype.
stupid, when you look at the big picture.

and wrist spots....... are preventable by applying transparent static-cling decals over the area.

 

[southerndoc]

By the way, slightly off-topic, but I didn't want to create another thread for it: Office:mac 2008 takes a loooooong time to load on my G4 and G5 -- 30-40 seconds from the time I click the Word:mac icon to the time I can begin typing. (Yes, I timed it.) Makes me want a new C2D CPU even more, but 40 seconds is still not eternity, and I could probably squeeze another year or two out of both computers.

 

[TMP-SMX]

By the way, slightly off-topic, but I didn't want to create another thread for it: Office:mac 2008 takes a loooooong time to load on my G4 and G5 -- 30-40 seconds from the time I click the Word:mac icon to the time I can begin typing. (Yes, I timed it.) Makes me want a new C2D CPU even more, but 40 seconds is still not eternity, and I could probably squeeze another year or two out of both computers.

I think 2004 was more than sufficient. I will upgrade to 2008 soon as I do have an intel computer.

 

[southerndoc]

I think 2004 was more than sufficient. I will upgrade to 2008 soon as I do have an intel computer.

I only upgraded because of business reasons (business, our lawyers, our CPA's, etc. use Office 2007 for Windows). So all the Word documents and Excel spreadsheets are arriving in Open XML format, which was becoming a pain to convert prior to opening with the old Office:mac. So I bit the bullet and upgraded. Overall, it's probably saved time since I no longer have to convert files prior to opening them.