MacBook Air

ZN13 · Post by **ZN13** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:32 pm

Here's a macbook pro comparison.

Link!!1!

Jongamer · Post by **Jongamer** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:45 pm

I showed this to a handful of people in my Info tech class, all but the Mac dweeb though it was stupid that it only had 1 USB port, a Expensive Solid state drive, NO DVD drive (Not even a friggin' CD drive), and no ethernet port.

What were they smoking when they designed this? Oh WAIT! Apple is always like this, if they were smoking somthing, they would probably doing the right thing.

HazmatB · Post by **HazmatB** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:57 pm

bicostp wrote:
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).

Yes, I agree, it's form factor isn't what I would buy, however it makes sense for a lot of things. I see it being great as a business presentation system. Students will find this useful as it keeps the machine lighter weight at 3 lbs, and taking up less backpack space while having a full sized screen. To name just 2.

bicostp wrote:
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.

I agree, they ought to have included at least 2, in fact, this is probably the biggest problem with it, but it isn't that big a deal, as hubs are really small.

bicostp wrote:
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).

Since this isn't a machine for home use, the security isn't that big a deal, I would agree 100% if this was a desktop replacement. Also in terms of securing WiFi, 64 bit encription and not using WEP will keep you very safe.

bicostp wrote:
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?

You do need a copy of Windows for Parallels, but you also do for dual booting. I think that the lack of a CD drive was a bad ommision, however the majority of files, and data can be transfered over the Network, or using USB keys, and the minority of data requiring a CD can be done with external USB drives.

As for having to re-buy all their software, this is something I have a big beef about. If I have purchased software that functions for both OSs, why the copulate should I have to pay for it again when I move to a different OS?! Companies should allow for this. I can understand the situation you describe though, and I can see the point. My thinking is that you probably wouldn't be jamming this system to the gills with software anyways... It isn't really a high efficiency work machine... it has a specialized application, and hopefully the people who buy it will recognize what that application is.

bicostp wrote:
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.

I do! I have an iMac. (note that I can upgrade ram). I think that it is a pain in the ass, and I am waiting for them to release an external battery pack. As far as harddrive: good luck finding a harddrive that thin anyways.

I can actually see using this computer as a laptop for school, if it weren't completely out of my budget. I would like to see Apple change several things on it...

As far as breaking it, I doubt this is very likely, but this will become apparent in the next months.

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:20 pm

HazmatB wrote:Students will find this useful as it keeps the machine lighter weight at 3 lbs, and taking up less backpack space while having a full sized screen.

I can actually see using this computer as a laptop for school, if it weren't completely out of my budget.

Hm, a laptop great for students, but costs way more than most students can afford.... Looks like Apple hit a homerun with the Air.

Really, if someone wants to to spend $700+ more than a Macbook for a slower, non-user serviceable machine thats half a inch thinner, thats fine by me.

Post by **bicostp** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:41 pm

I do! I have an iMac. (note that I can upgrade ram).

I'm sorry.

If you want a Mac and consider yourself a power user, you should go with a Mac Pro tower. At least then you get a regular socketed CPU and PCIe.

At least your RAM is upgradeable, unlike the Air's which (from what I've heard anyway) is soldered to the motherboard.

I bet if you open this thing up it's just got one big board inside.

Too bad the majority of Apple's product line follows the "why upgrade when you can buy a new one" motto. It doesn't help bust the "they're crap because you can't upgrade them" myth.

HazmatB · Post by **HazmatB** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:33 pm

I don't really know what it means to consider myself a power user... I don't mod my computer. I have no need nor desire to. I use Unix for my work, and for my school, so Windows is a terrible option for me. I usually only game on gaming platforms. I have used My Mac for over a year, and the only time I had to use Windows was for a 10 year old scanner which had not compatability for anythin above Windows 2k.

I operate on command line the majority of the time. Also, I am very much of the opinion that software is crap because people rely too much on good hardware making up for it.

Valium · Post by **Valium** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:58 pm

I'm just gonna stick with my Eee, $1500 less, more usb ports, and I mean come on, its the perfect student laptop, nearly pocketable for christs sakes.

ChrisS · Post by **ChrisS** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:41 pm

ZN13 wrote:Here's a macbook pro comparison.

Like OMG where'd it go!?!?! It's so uber small next that huge old laptop with a disc drive and adequate USB ports.

Why would anyone not just save at least $300 and buy a regular Macbook that actually has all the useful features you need. This is probably the most worthless device by Apple yet.

Bay_Wolf · Post by **Bay_Wolf** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:14 pm

Valium wrote:I'm just gonna stick with my Eee, $1500 less, more usb ports, and I mean come on, its the perfect student laptop, nearly pocketable for christs sakes.

I second that since my Eee is one of the best laptops I've owned. But if anyone wants to buy a Macbook Air I won't deny them the pleasure of buying it for me

.

Regards

nightwheel · Post by **nightwheel** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:24 pm

i wouldn't mind owning a mac book air. I think carying around a Disk drive for it would be a pain. Guess I will buy a MacBook Pro when I get the money.

But, If anyone wants to buy me a MacBook Air. I wouldn't mind ONE BIT.

Post by **Black Six** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:34 pm

bicostp wrote:
I do! I have an iMac. (note that I can upgrade ram).
I'm sorry. If you want a Mac and consider yourself a power user, you should go with a Mac Pro tower. At least then you get a regular socketed CPU and PCIe.

At least your RAM is upgradeable, unlike the Air's which (from what I've heard anyway) is soldered to the motherboard.

I bet if you open this thing up it's just got one big board inside.

Too bad the majority of Apple's product line follows the "why upgrade when you can buy a new one" motto. It doesn't help bust the "they're crap because you can't upgrade them" myth.

How many laptops do you know of that are super upgradeable? MacBook Air aside, my MacBook Pro can have RAM, hard drive, and optical drive upgrades, that seems pretty decent for a laptop. Same thing with the MacBooks, iMacs, and Mac Minis. My PowerMac G5 (and Mac Pros) can have all that plus graphics card and its PCI and AGP expansion slots. Yeah it's not a super-custom PC but it's still decent. I plan on using both my Macs for at least 5 years each, more like 6-7, and I'll probably still use them after I upgrade like I do with my old comps. Before my G5 I had a B&W G3 that I upgraded the hell out of and used for 6 years before I upgraded.

I agree that making the MacBook Air non-upgradeable is a drawback, but as has been said, it's not targeted at users like you and me, at least not as our primary computer. As a laptop for taking with me on trips or something it would be great due to it's weight and battery life.

Bibin · Post by **Bibin** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:07 pm

You guys, there is so much wrong with an SSD boot disk. Mac OS X usually uses up to 20GB of virtual ram, and as we all know, solid state memory has limited read-write cycles, and that will very quickly deplete the life the SSD has.

My fujitsu lifebook s5582 is a great school laptop. With dual batteries, it's 6 hour battery life is a great addition to being 4 pounds, counting both batteries.

My MacBook and PowerBook G4 12" share similar logic. They are all functional, totally portable, and not too expensive (2/3 of those were free. 100% free)

Post by **Triton** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:18 am

next laptop i might get would be a lifebook U810, touchscreen convertable tablet and its TINY under 90x7x1.25 inches! and moderatly powerful with 800-1200mhz intel A210? processor anda gig of ram hell it even has more than one usb port

teraflop122 · Post by **teraflop122** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:48 am

we all know, solid state memory has limited read-write cycles

Afraid that statement is just horrendously outdated. Solid-state memory still has a limited number of cycles, but its climbed to the point where you can expect a good number of years of constant use out of it.

If someone held a gun to my head and told me to buy a Mac, I'd just get one of the 13 inch macbooks. If someone held a gun to my head and told me to buy an Air, I'd end up splattered all over the place.

Post by **bicostp** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:37 am

Judging by the comparison photos, it doesn't look like it's much smaller than their other laptops. What's the point of a really thin laptop when it still takes up the same amount of table/lap space as the regular one? You could slap a flash hard drive into a 13" Macbook and essentially get the same thing.

I wish I could find a laptop like my old Powerbook Duo. It's a bit over an inch thick, but has the same footprint as a piece of paper. (About 8.5 by 11 inches.) All it really needs is a new batetry, and NiMh cells can't be too expensive... (117 or so mhz PPC 603e, 32 MB of RAM, System 7.5.5, all wrapped up in a 4 pound package.)

teraflop122 wrote:If someone held a gun to my head and told me to buy a Mac, I'd just get one of the 13 inch macbooks. If someone held a gun to my head and told me to buy an Air, I'd end up splattered all over the place.

I'm with you on that one.