Computer Chat Macbook Air

[Dean C]

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

I have an iPhone, I've had several iPods but I've never wanted an Apple computer up until now. It's simply astounding how they've made it so damn tiny. Wish I had $1799 lying about

[Floris]

That's the cheap (read: expansive) model they offer that comes with a (possibly) horrible performing hard drive. I strongly recommend people to not buy it (just yet). The speed of that drive is old-skool notebook 4200 RPM and doesn't justify the dual core and 2gb ram.. But the upgrade to 64gb sdd isn't worth it either. $999 upgrade option, or even worse, more cpu and all that to bump it to $3000. For that money I rather have a solid mac book pro, even though it's not 'that' thin.

It's an awesome device, I am just stunned a little by that hard drive. The device itself probably looks better in the flesh then it does on a video or computer generate image. If I had a mac book or mac book pro right now, I would certainly not switch at this point. Not until I've seen some objective and realistic benchmarking/reviews online.

I think I will remind people here too that I don't advice buying first generation of anything new Apple introduces, it WILL have unforeseen issues. (such as first intel mac book suffering exploding batteries and/or infinite loop reboots). I would also like to say it might be smart to just wait for the price to drop to $1499, which seems more reasonable. Because .. it isn't a revolution in laptop design or anything like that. They've just simply nailed it on how to transform form factor back to basic. (and done that really well).

I wish I could get one tomorrow, I wish it was just $1250 to $1500 so it feels more affordable. But I couldn't justify it at this point. Not with that hard drive speed, and not at the current price range. I need to read up on more info and get more facts and review it before I can say what I just typed is my final opinion - but it will do for now. I can't justify the price because everything you might be used to at this point is not built-in, it's optional. I don't mind, I have no problem not using an ethernet cable, or optical drive, or the apple remote. But for this price I kind of expected the remote to be included, and perhaps have the ethernet adapter in the box. As far as technology goes - I think people jump the bandwagon too quickly with buying it because it has 'touch'. But I think people might not just realize that touch here means the technology and not you press on the monitor and it reacts below your fingers. It's just the trackpad (and yes, it is still cool).

It seems you can't expand the system, you can't swap the hard drive (though this is uncommon, but you can't option build a bigger one during purchase). And it seems you can't expand the ram too - it's nice it's 2gb, but you can't get 4gb I believe. I don't see this at this point. The same with the battery, you can't replace it. A huge drawback in my opinion.

I am also not too sure about the video out options. Note that the micro to dvi means you can connect up to 24" externally, 30" requires dvi-dual (which the mac book pro offers) I believe they used to promote mac book with "mini" dvi out, and this is "micro" - so you probably can't use your old cable and have to re-buy the cable (which is probably a dongle). But, on the other hand, it does offer additional video out such a svhs ...

[edit] Never mind, the page mentions this in the specs:
Pure digital video output

DVI output using micro-DVI to DVI adapter (included)
VGA output using micro-DVI to VGA adapter (included)
Composite output using micro-DVI to video adapter (optional)
S-video output using micro-DVI to video adapter (optional)

Which tells me the required cable is included.

I also just read that the speaker is mono and not stereo.

Also, they introduced the remote disk (and remote optical drive), and on the site it mentions: "So instead of watching DVDs, you can rent movies wirelessly from the iTunes Store.", so does this mean you can't remote watch DVD's? I'd like someone to confirm this before I assume just something. I am sure it works.

I am looking forward discussing these points with some people in here. And to be honest, it's good to hear you're interested in the Mac platform now Dean, if not only because of it's design. Remember, you could just buy it, install bootcamp, make a huge partition for Windows, and install Windows for bootcamp and auto boot into Windows instead of OSX. Making it an awesome Windows laptop.

[Dean C]

The price of the $3000 model won't reach $1.5k anytime soon. SSD drives cost around $15 p/GB. That's why it's such a big increase in price.

@Floris: I've always been a fan of Apple's hardware design skills. I even like the look of their OS. But OSX is just not for me

[Floris]

I meant the $1700 one.

[MrNase]

Some pictures of the MBA: http://www.macrumors.com/2008/01/15/...e-macbook-air/

[Chazel]

I'd never get a computer without a CD drive. If I had the choice between a black MacBook and that, I'd pick the MacBook. It's so inconvenient to have to install something from another CD drive.

[Sergio68]

Sooooooooooooo Cool

[Sergio68]

I'd never get a computer without a CD drive. If I had the choice between a black MacBook and that, I'd pick the MacBook. It's so inconvenient to have to install something from another CD drive.

I will never get a computer without floppy disk.... and ethernet... and disc drive... and what else ?

I think they can look forward, if you need something, just download it or transfer it by wireless, usb.

[Dean C]

I'd never get a computer without a CD drive. If I had the choice between a black MacBook and that, I'd pick the MacBook. It's so inconvenient to have to install something from another CD drive.

Don't most people download software these days from the companys website? I can't remember the last time I bought anything other than Microsoft Office on a CD/DVD.

[Chazel]

Regardless, it's way too early to be getting rid of an optical drive.

[Weapon-x]

Where do you insert a CD at? I don't see a drive bay.

[Wayne Luke]

Regardless, it's way too early to be getting rid of an optical drive.

You can buy a USB superdrive fro $99.00 if you need it.

I'll have to admit that I am actually intrigued by this new product. Wonder how well it runs Windows Vista and not through Parallels or Bootcamp or whatever it is. Simply not a fan of OSX.

[Reeve of Shinra]

I wish I could trade in my work laptop for this... the laptop I have from work is heavy and no fun to slug around on subways and buses.

I could also see myself buying it to use in a class room. Especially if I had other pc's (like I already do) at home for extra capacity and optical drives.

Apple is deffinitely pushing the awesome with this.

[Razasharp]

We had a MacBook Air discussion on Gamesey earlier.... and I'll put my same thoughts on here.

I just don't know what I feel about it! I love the design, but I am not keen on how 'basic' the specs are unless you spend 2 grand! It only has an 80GB 4200-rpm PATA hard drive, 1.6 C2D, and max of 2GB ram. No built in CD drive (added extra or use an exisiting PC's - which is kinda neat in itself too).

It's like a rich persons Asus eee - which is only around £200 btw!!

I think I'd like to have seen a lot more specs for the price tbh - but it's a good step in the right direction for notebooks!

[Dismounted]

The Air is a tad expensive for the lack of features.