The MacBook Air
Unbelievably thin. Astonishingly slick. Knocking on excessively expensive. The new Apple MacBook Air has turned more than a few heads in different directions since its unveiling on Tuesday morning.
There are things in the MacBook Air that aren’t perfect, and some that aren’t even near acceptable. But these are the trade offs that must be had in ultra portable laptops. I feel a lot of the community was expecting far too much from a laptop that’s designed with portability, sleekness, and style in mind. Bottom line.
The MacBook Air falls behind in these aspects:
- Lack of ports, specifically, the dropping of FireWire and the miniscule number of USB ports (one). Those with FireWire HDDs or other devices connecting using the standard will be disappointed. The lack of an Ethernet port is a slight disappointment, but the the recent advances of 802.11 N, this is a smaller point of interest.
- Storage Capacity. Another major tradeoff due to the size of the laptop consumers will need to overcome. Shipping with a 80GB 1.8-inch HDD, storage is at a premium with the MBA. The 64GB SSD is a nice additional option, however pricey at this current point in time.
- CPU/RAM thresholds. Stock at 1.6Ghz, and clocking out at 1.8Ghz, the MBA is notably slower in clock speed than other Apple notebooks. RAM on the MacBook Air is limited to 2GB of non upgradeable memory due to the fact it’s tied to the systems motherboard. Anyone requiring more RAM will need to look at other options (more on that soon).
- No user swappable battery. Possibly one of the most talked about aspects of the machine over the past three days, is the lack of a user swappable battery - falling as a major disappointment for users who wish to carry a couple of spare batteries with them on travel.
- Mono only audio. Not much to say on this point. This is what external speakers are made for, or alternatively, headphones.
As you can see, there are many aspects of the MacBook Air which do lack compared to the MacBook and the MacBook Pro - there’s no lying.
How about some finer more positive points?
- Form factor. Labeled and claimed as the worlds thinnest notebook computer by Apple, this is the main pulling point of the new machine. Clocking in at just 3.0 lbs and dimensions 0.76 x 0.16 inches, the MacBook Air is set to take the notebook industry by storm. If there’s one thing Apple can be praised on in the process, is its strong and continually developing relationship with Intel, shown by the new chip Intel built specifically for the machine.
- Possibly the perfect companion notebook for iMac owners and don’t need any real power in their notebook.
- First Mac with a SSD (solid state drive) option. I feel this is one of the less talked about BTO options on the MBA, however we’ll soon see this as an option over Apple’s complete line of notebook computers as price becomes more competitive.
- Keyboard backlighting. A feature previously only available on the MacBook Pro’s, it’s a nice addition to see a full size keyboard complete with ambient light backlighting. A finer point of interest, but one which does impress.
- Multi-touch input. Possibly something which Apple will incorporate on its full line of notebook computers in the future, much like the SSD. Taken from the iPhone, it’s a great sign of innovation and Apple’s willingness to try new technology on new devices.
Thoughts
The MacBook Air has a lot going for it, and a lot going against it. It’s not going to be suited as a main machine for most people requiring more than a simple notebook. It will pair up perfectly as a second more portable machine for those already running iMac’s/Mac Pro’s, etc.
Although expensive, I feel it will still be a huge success for Apple. When SSDs come down in price and ship as the stock drive in the machine, the MacBook Air will be even closer to the perfect portable machine.
Yes - I want one. But not it its current state. I feel as technological advancements improve, Apple will equally do so with the MBA. How does a MacBook Air with a 128GB SSD standard sound for the same going price? A lot better, and that’s the direction we’re heading for 12-18 months down the track.
#1
Michael Mistretta → michaelmistretta.com
Not to mention battery life. The machine gets 5 hours when wifi is turned on, the screen is at half-brightness, and while browsing the web and checking email. Very nice for a little thing.
#2
LukeWatching the keynote, my mbp suddenly felt really big.
Hopefully in the future, apple will find a way to cram more features in there, (eg. more ports and a cd drive). For all we know, this could be the future of all notebooks.
#3
Ondra Soukup128GB SSD standard at the price ? Insane, find me a vendor who has that in 1.8″ version :)))
In other words, this it the final step to “the world is mine” scheme for Apple. Ok, maybe then can make some massaging chairs, but that’s about it…I’m so getting the 1.6GHz 64GB one :)
#4
EricI have only read until the end of the 2nd paragraph:
I feel a lot of the community was expecting too much from a laptop that’s designed with portability and sleekness style in mind. Bottom line.
’sleekness style’ doesn’t make sense. In fact that whole sentence doesn’t make much sense. I dread reading on. Please proof read in future.
#5
wphj → wphj.wordpress.com
I think it could be the perfect machine for specific people, especially college age.
I’ll get a new Mac for college next year myself, and it could be the perfect option. As you said though, I hope it’s specs will be a little more fleshed out by that time.
Here’s my post about how people are wrong to bash it so much.
http://macapper.com/2008/01/17/macbook-air-sucks-puuulease/
And Eric, so what, he forgot the word “and”
#6
wphj → wphj.wordpress.com
Eric, so what, he put the “and” in the wrong place.
“I feel a lot of the community was expecting too much from a laptop that’s designed with portability and sleekness style in mind.”
Is obviously meant to be
“I feel a lot of the community was expecting too much from a laptop that’s designed with portability, sleekness, and style in mind.”
#7
Aaron WatersNot much for me to say…
Except I totally agree with everything you said.
Cheers
#8
Calvin Chu → www.calvinchu.net
Your thoughts pretty much mirror mine Glenn. Don’t get me wrong I like the MacBook Air, but I don’t have that “urgeâ€? to get one.
I had high hopes for a smaller MacBook Pro announcement for this year’s MacWorld, so perhaps I feel a little more disappointed than I should be.
Bring on the SSD price drops :)
#9
Brendan → www.advertisehereforever.com
The MacBook Air would be nice as an accompaniment to my 24″ 2.8Ghz iMac, but I’m going to hold out for Apple’s tablet as my portable computer. After using the iPhone for a bit now, it becomes apparent that the multi-touch in this “Air’s” trackpad is merely a stop-gap measure between now and until Apple releases their tablet. I just know (not even owning one) where multi-touch is really going to shine is when you’re touching the Mac’s screen, not it’s trackpad.
Think Macworld 2009.
#10
AdriaanGreat post glenn, emailed you asking about it, and this post basically answered my questions. Decided to hold off for the SSD as well, or a great price drop. I’m going to have to try not to see one in real life, and not just on a computer screen, cause I think it’s great design may not be able to be resisted!
#11
DanRight now I am fine with my MacBook. I think the MacBook Air will do well in the future, but I think a few things need to happen first. I am not sure if this is possible, but I would like to see:
1. Upgradable ram/hard drive
2. more ports, I am not asking for an ethernet port, just a firewire port. Maybe Apple didn’t include a firewire port because they want everyone to use the Time Capsule wireless backup drive?
I think the MBA is a great idea, but it needs to be better equipped.
#12
MichaelApple should stop making things smaller and make them better.
#13
SamCI am really looking forward to getting this for college. since 1.6 is more than enough for basic productivity, and I never use my dvd-drive now, I really will not be losing when it comes to performance. However I will pick-up a 22″ dell wide screen to keep the MBA company, 15.4″ is too small now, I can’t imagine only having 13.3. My dad might be buying one for work(frequently travels), so it will be nice to see it in action at home before I make the switch.
#14
Joe Jacobs → joejacobs.tumblr.com
It completely baffles me why anyone would purchase this product. It has no real purpose. Sure, it’s thin. And yeah, it looks great, but why? It’s literally the same size as the Macbook but thinner.
Let’s face it, for the cost, you could put a lot more into a Macbook, like more RAM, a bigger HD, or extra batteries. Sure, the Macbook Air has some great wireless abilities, which will most likely make it to other Macs via updates.
It’s nice, but far from useful.
#15
Nathan → www.ishotimages.co.nz
I wonder if there is a way to steal that multi-touch technology and put it into a wacom tablet which can also detect finger touch. Now that would be cool
#16
IN THE AIR TONIGHT at Get off the Bandwagon Blog → www.getoffthebandwagon.com/blog/2008/01/18/in-the-air-tonight
[...] of the only sensible reviews we have found so far comes courtesy of Glenn Wolsey and can be found here. It is simple and informative, and mostly importantly outlines the pro and cons without fuss or [...]
#17
DawsonDon’t forget… no CD-ROM drive. Which sucks.
#18
BlahAnother “captian obvious” pro/con blog post. This was old and stale when the iPod came out and people complained about the lack of an FM tuner or recording abilities.
Cant we finally accept that Apple are somewhat more forward thinking than most of the blogosphere and be done with it?
I still remember the fury and outrage against Apple when they dropped the floppy. The humanity!
#19
Alec Feld → alecfeld.com
Shit shit shit shit shit.
That’s all I think of when I see this poorly designed pile of ass.
Fuck the RAM, fuck the CPU, screw ports and batteries. That’s not the issue here.
The issue is that Apple has failed to make a more portable notebook.
They only managed to make a thinner notebook.
For the record, thinner does not equal more portable. It only equals easier to break in your fucking bag.
Form over function is applicable for this, but it seems like it’s 100% form and 0% function.
For less, one could get a MacBook. Sure, thicker and shit, but at least don’t feel like it’s going to snap in my bag.
This shit will be discontinued IMO. Pile of garbage, really. Scale down the display, add a few extra things here and there, and lower the price about $700-800, and then I’ll just begin to consider.
A thin notebook isn’t revolutionary. It’s just stupid.
#20
Zac SI’ve noticed a lot of negative responses to Apple’s new laptop.
Primarily I think the one thing overlooked by most everyone is
that Apple did not intend for the MacBook Air to be a stand-alone computer.
It’s more importantly a type of ‘work away from your desktop’ setup.
@Alec’s remarks
Apple didnt fail to make a more portable notebook, they made a massively useful AND portable notebook to take your work away from home.
I don’t think that many people will buy it unless they have another Mac at home like an iMac or Mac Pro.
#21
Ruan Ellis → www.macslice.com
I’m incredibly dissapointed with Apple’s attempt at making a portable notebook, the fact that there is no upgradeable RAM in it makes it a big disadvantage, 1 USB port is an absolute joke, I’m sure it doesn’t make the notebook thicker adding at least 1 other USB port, there is no Firewire for if you have an external Hard Drive - which if you get the 64GB SSD, is more than likely, and the fact that you are paying £60 ($110 ish) for the external Superdrive is absolutely outrageous, in all honesty, they should just put one in with the package, considering the BASE Macbook Air is £1199 that should be more than enough just to throw in a DVD Writer in with the package!
For me, Macbook Air is a great dissapointment for me, they could have made it so much better with just a few small things, I doubt there are going to be many buyers of it becuase of the sheer cost and the distinct lack of features!
#22
Alex GutiérrezHeh… suddenly, without an audio-in jack, GarageBand becomes wasted space in the Air’s hard drive, unless you want only to record podcasts, o something like that.
#23
Blair BeckwithWell, I gave this blog one more chance, and it’s now leaving my collection of feeds. It really does seem like all we get here is a teenager who thinks he can ppear smart by listing a whole truckload of stuff that anyone can find out anywhere. Thanks for the posts, Glenn; it’s been fun.
#24
AllanI’ve watched Steve Job’s Keynote, and personally, I think the MacBook Pro is a waste of money. The only positive points for this product is it’s beautiful design and ultra portability. For video editing or photo editing this not the right computer. I’m doing video and photo editing on my MacBook Pro and I am very satisfied by the performance of the computer.
Anyways, MacBook Air is a waste of money, to me and when the MacBook Pro will be upgraded this will be a MAJOR change for Apple notebooks.
P.S: Does anyone know the possible date for the upgrade of the MacBook Pros? (next event) Thanks!
#25
ArnoldStill no Lightroom review. :-[
#26
Nathan → www.ishotimages.co.nz
Lol Arnold that was completely out of the blue.
Why don’t you download the trial version of lightroom… If you are a hobbyist photographer I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised……
#27
ArnoldBut, I need to know someone elses opinion before I waste my time. I mean, I already have Aperture…
#28
Nathan → www.ishotimages.co.nz
I don’t know what aperture is like so I can’t really compare the two. But lightroom has definitely made it easier for me to tweak those wedding shots or what ever you shoot. It also has the option of exporting to photoshop or other graphics editors to add your final touches then import them back to lightroom which I think is great!
One thing that always seems to annoy me is that lightroom always takes longer to load photo’s than photo browsers like ACDSee Pro. but its a pretty minor detail as I usually only import the photo’s that I’m going to edit/PP
#29
Jack → www.takethestage.wordpress.com
I agree. It is great as an accessory machine to something such as an iMac or a Mac Pro. I have really no interest in getting one as I wouldn’t call it the best machine for music creation, unless of course you were mixing/mastering on the run.
I think I have a blog idea!
#30
pb12 → mbp12.com
http://mbp12.com
!!!
#31
Glenn Wolsey : Blog Archive : Adding To The MacBook Air → www.glennwolsey.com/2008/02/10/adding-to-the-macbook-air
[...] publishing my first thoughts, I came to the consensus that the MacBook Air had a lot going for it, and a lot going against it. [...]
#32
Test again → rmaspero.com/beta/2008/02/19/test-again
[...] publishing my first thoughts, I came to the consensus that the MacBook Air had a lot going for it, and a lot going against it. [...]