HazmatB wrote:It is a small portable computer! It is not a desktop replacement, and it doesn't claim to be hence: "Ultra-portable".
It's thin, but I don't think it has the world's smallest footprint (how much desk space it takes in square inches).
Would you expect a dozen USB ports from an Asus Eee?
The Eee has three USB ports. So does my Pavillion dv5000. Three or more is fine, two is okay, one is an inconvenience.
Battery replacement is inconvenient, but not a deal breaker as they will do free replacement (so will apple certified technicians I assume).
That's good. I wonder if that will apply to other products?
1 USB port isn't a problem as you can get a 1 - 4 USB port for about $20 now.
That's still another thing you have to buy and carry around. They could have done away with all the tapered ends and put in a proper assortment of ports like everyone else.
Having Solid state HD is great (expensive, but worth it for the battery life).
Aw yeah.
Ethernet: not an issue, I can't remember the last time I plugged even my desktop in.
It may not be an issue for
you, but I always use Ethernet. WiFi is way too insecure; you can get programs that can crack a WEP key in under 5 minutes. I only use wireless when I'm playing games (because our network blocks most ports) or in class (because they don't want us plugging our laptops into their internal network).
Boot-camp: not an issue, it isn't a gaming machine, so why would you put Windows on it? Use Parallels if you really need Windows for something.
But don't you need to have a copy of Windows to run Parallels? The problem isn't Boot Camp, it's the lack of an optical drive. I don't think you can install Windows off a USB disc drive without some tinkering. And maybe someone would want to run Windows on it so they didn't have to buy all of their software again just to get Mac native versions?
Non-user serviceable... not an issue, it isn't a machine that is made for modding, there is a sacrifice, a tiny machine like this requires a huge amount of engineering, and there is no reason to make it user serviceable.
So there's no reason to make it possible for the user to add RAM, upgrade the hard drive, or get a second battery so they can go longer without plugging in? Mmkay... When you buy your next desktop machine, have the entire case welded shut. It's pretty much the same concept.
As far as form over function, the main form decision that was made was for size! I emphasize that this is a SMALL laptop, made to be small!
Thin? yes. Small? Like I said there's smaller laptops out there that are more user serviceable.
I don't think it is a perfect product, but if you look at the hardware, and the size of the machine, keeping in mind what the goals were, it is a very worthwhile laptop, and not overpriced.
Yes, it's an okay computer for what it is. However, it's not something I'd want to use on a daily basis. No Ethernet, no optical drive, and only one USB port are real turn-offs. Plus I can't stand it when computers are too wide and thin. It just doesn't feel sturdy.
It's basically a regular MacBook that's been run over by a steamroller. It looks like it has about the same footprint (judging by the margins around the keyboard), the screen's basically the same, but the MacBook isn't as much of a closed box.
My opinion: it looks like a fun toy but it won't fit my needs. Stick a SSD hard drive in a regular MacBook and you'll get pretty much the same thing.
I mean I guess it's for remote disc or something, but still, kinda strange?
