My Thoughts on the Macbook Air
The public opinion regarding the Macbook Air has been mixed. Some are looking forward to this new ultra-thin form factor from Apple while others are quick to point out the machine’s lack of features.
If this is going to be your only/main computer, you will find this machine to be highly limiting. Puny storage, no integrated optical drive, no built-in ethernet.
If you think of this computer as an extension to your desktop or main laptop, you will find a lot to like. Ultra-thin and light, good battery life, and a port layout that’s designed for portability in mind.
But I question if this is going to be a hit with consumers. The problem is that the rest of the Macbook/Macbook Pro line is already made up of thin form factor notebooks.
Now, they’re not as freakishly thin as the Macbook Air but when the cheapest plain jane white Macbook is only about 1.1″ thick and much cheaper than the Macbook Air, I think you might have a potential issue with consumers.
Sure, you’re shaving a couple of pounds off the Macbook, but is this enough for consumers? I see people bringing some fairly thick/heavy laptops into the local Starbucks. Are they willing a spend several hundred dollars for some sleekness?
The had drive is another problem. They went with the 80GB 1.8″ iPod hard drive. As a very expensive option, you can get the 64GB Solid State storage drive. With the increased demand for digital media, was it a good idea to saddle the Air with such limited storage? As a desktop extension, I don’t think you need 1TB. But 64-80GB is puny by almost any standard.
While there’s a lot to like about the Macbook Air, ultimately, I wish they made it a bit thicker. With this increased thickness, I think they could’ve reduced the width and height of the notebook. And with this increase in space, they could’ve also incorporated a much more common (and much more spacious) 2.5″ hard drive. This would be the ultimate rebirth of the 12″ 13.3″ Powerbook.
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I think you got it right with the point that this is a laptop for people who already have a computer. Sure it can be used without one, but it’s built around the idea that you already have a nother computer.
Although i could see it being a pc for people who just want to check their emails, although it would be an expensive one at that.
As for the hdd, I think 80gb is more then enough for people to carry around presentations, or take notes. If it gets full, just put it on another computer on te network.
And if its using ipod hdd’s, couldnt they push it up to 160~gb, or whatever the biggest ipod is right now?
I’m a bit disappointed they went with the PATA 1.8″ hard drives instead of the more standard SATA 2.5″ drives.
I’ll admit that 160GB would be a good move. I wonder why they didn’t do this in the first place? Perhaps they didn’t want to make the 64GB SSD option look even less attractive?
My MacBookAir has arrived! And after the first week I can give a nice round-up of my first impressions.
1. Looks great, feels even better, good keyboard, super screen.
2. Limited storage: true, but I have a server with 1TB…so I carry what I need. And it isn’t heavy either! I have the 64SSD and it works quick and silent. Effective dskspace after installing all the stuff I need, including Parallel is 33 GB.
3. Battery life, enough for one days of work. Moving around, I think I get about 3-4 hours effective working time.
4. Instant on-off after XP-pro it works like a dream.
One remaining problem is getting my VPN to work!
Regards Mark
Congrats on your new Macbook Air. With the setup you have, it should work out pretty well.
I’m looking forward to a 200 GB Macbook Air. I can’t live without my media files.