***Official MacBook Air Thread***

Paras said:
You lot are missing the point, it’s a not a laptop to be used in the home, its an ultra portable and the price is not bad for what it is.

I was looking at the IBM X61s which is not too much cheaper than this, I will probably buy one after I get to play with it in real life. Yes the sepc is crap but that does not matter because what is important is how much space it takes up in your bag and how heavy it is.
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Yup - and it fits the bill perfectly - 5 hours battery life, if thats achievable then its crackin - 'specially when apple bring out the firmware update - which invariably adds an other 10% onto that...

In terms of the specs - from what I've gleaned from other similar products - seem to be inline with the 'ultra-portable' market... I'm just gutted I dont have endless funds to play with! :)

Even so, my macbook is more powerful and perfect for me - but I can see this concept catching on.. lets just wait and see who brings out the next beige box version... my money is on sony! :)

EDIT - Nobody seems to have mentioned how apple have overcome the lack of an optical drive - how ingenious - simply share another computers' drive wirelessly! ...and it works on windows too!

Tom*
 
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Looks good, but I'm wondering how long its going to take Steve Jobs to realise that us Brits don't like being ripped off, unlike their loyal fanboys in the US.
 
Yeggstry said:
Looks good, but I'm wondering how long its going to take Steve Jobs to realise that us Brits don't like being ripped off, unlike their loyal fanboys in the US.
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Thinkin the same thing - the problem is currency fluctuations etc etc - we always pay more for things this side of the pond, I think its just a fact we have to live with... :(

I remember when I bought my 1G ipd for $400 when i was in California - when they were released over here it was £400!

Its just the way the system works - but it still shucks!

Tom*
 
khimbar said:
Looks rubbish and pointless.
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It'll always be nicer to share your argument than throw a statement:)

As I've said countless of time, the MacBook Air is high tech stuff, it's almost like the iPod Nano release of the Laptop world here. The price is what puts us average consumers off - people however, with business money / fat wallets now have something to buy and show off (if they need it) - with decent power, battery life, big screen(?) and as mentioned by itsallaboutyou, how ingenious Apple have made the laptop able to "borrow" a Mac's or even a PC's optical drive...

Target audience for the MacBook Air:

Business men (especially who who always need to lug a laptop around e.g. Financial Advisers, Insurance, Private Sectors and the likes)

Students (who already own a desktop or a bigger MacBook (Pro) and wanting something to ni to college / uni with, either have fat wallets or they found use for their student loans!)

Apple Loyalist.

Tech-Gadget Boys.

Maybe others too but that's the 4 main groups of marketing targets.
 
Caged said:
Do you honestly believe that? Intel designed a smaller CPU because shrinking die-sizes is what happens with CPUs, and they're letting Apple have it first.
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Do your research ;)

The CPU in the MacBook Air is based on the current 65nm die size (Core 2 Duo), not the new Intel 45nm processors announced at CES.
For sure Intel might make it available to other OEM's, I guess time will tell.

For info - Intel also made a special CPU for the Apple TV.


Anyway, I'm a photographer and something like this is perfect !!!
 
SDK^ said:
A bit like your post ;)
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The original post asked for thoughts. I think it looks rubbish and is pointless. ;) I really don't see the appeal of paying a premium for something so hamstringed, nor do I understand the fanboy appeal of it.
 
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khimbar said:
Looks rubbish and pointless.
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In what way? I think the style is fantastic - yes black keys aren't exactly what I would have picked - but I'm guessing its to provide a contrast for the backlight??

As for pointless - Dr Jones explained the target market and I think its spot on... Basically, people who are after ultra, nay uber portability, but not compromising (too much) on power will lap this up. A problem i've spotted is the lack of firewire (I think it was mentioned above) - so photographers on the move may take issue with that - but the advantages in my eyes definitely outweigh the disadvantages.. it fits in a jiffy bag fgs!! :)

Personally, I can see the Macbook Air being as groundbreaking as the first iPod. Yes, its a bit pricey - but this won't put off people who genuinely have a use for it!

I can't wait to go and have a play with one in the apple store!

Tom*
 
I think I'll take another look at the Air when Apple release an all-black version as I think the keyboard looks a bit silly with the current look, at least from initial photos. I also think that it's overpriced by a few hundred so you're probably paying the usual Apple product premium so I doubt it'll sell well after the initial rush.

I think I'm more interested in the processor used in the Air than the Air itself as it'll be interesting to see if Intel are allowed to put the product into other laptop designs from the likes of Dell etc depending on agreements with Apple.
 
afraser2k said:
I also think that it's overpriced by a few hundred so you're probably paying the usual Apple product premium so I doubt it'll sell well after the initial rush.
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What's new - Apples whole product range is overpriced.
If you want value for money then buy an Acer laptop ;)

Also, any product that genuinely is the Worlds best, smallest, thinnest, fastest etc is not going to be cheap.
 
I think people that are moaning about the price of the Hard drive its too true :)

Its just a Ipod Harddrive.

You could get a 32gb Compact Flashcard and put it in it for about £120

But you paying a premium to get it and to keep your warranty :)

If they were under £1000 i would have sold my mac for one.
 
SDK^ said:
What's new - Apples whole product range is overpriced.
If you want value for money then buy an Acer laptop ;)

Also, any product that genuinely is the Worlds best, smallest, thinnest, fastest etc is not going to be cheap.
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Typical i hate mac comment....

They work. Simple as.
 
i actually dont like it... i was aware that a new model was on route when i bought my macbook a while back and i took a gamble that it wouldn't be something i'd want... and luckily, i dont :D overpriced, ugly... give me my nice white macbook anyday ;)
 
waso_dude said:
Typical i hate mac comment....

They work. Simple as.
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i dont think it was a mac hater comment, mac hardware IS overpriced... you do get a lot more for your cash with an acer notebook, and i suppose its true that to have the worlds thinnest/fastest etc... you gotta shell out...

i love apple, but the hardware pricing can be silly...
 
QuiKsiLVeR said:
i dont think it was a mac hater comment, mac hardware IS overpriced... you do get a lot more for your cash with an acer notebook, and i suppose its true that to have the worlds thinnest/fastest etc... you gotta shell out...

i love apple, but the hardware pricing can be silly...
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Agreed.
It's almost like a double edge sword, on one hand, if you lower the price too much, everyone will have it (Macs wouldn't "stand out") and more consumers, will more than likely lead to poorer QC check and more marketing shares = more potential target for haters/challengers to hack or deliver a "OS X" type of virus.

Yet on the other hand, over-priced and Apple will be dubbed as a Snub in the consumer market, too expensive and semi-pro consumers will have to think twice to forking out such amount of money for a slightly above average specs.
 
SDK^ said:
What's new - Apples whole product range is overpriced.
If you want value for money then buy an Acer laptop ;)

Also, any product that genuinely is the Worlds best, smallest, thinnest, fastest etc is not going to be cheap.
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++ - Boom! - I kinda like it that way (though my wallet disagrees...).

You could go an buy a beige box laptop with a stonking spec for a fraction of the price of the MB Air, but the apple consumers (and professionals) are happy to pay the premium - because 99.9% of the time, everything works seamlessley together. And with apple deciding to follow up with Apple TV and the new Timecapsule device - wireless communication really is the the new medium of choice. You could argue it has been for a while - but only recently, in last 18 months has the technology become mainstream. I remember when I was living at home and I could only see the one wireless network, mine! Whereas now, I can see 20 without leavingmy parents living room! But wireless has a problem and thats power consumption.

For apple to develop a piece of hardware thats not only sexeh - but also functional is something of a given.. You equate apple with attractively styled products. The MB Air simply takes it to the next level for a truly portable experience... Form follows function and vice versa (god - I sound like Kevin Mcloud!)

The only issue I can see, excluding the lack of firewire is the availability of docking station solutions - there are none!

Sorry to sound like "the" apple fanboy - but I'm gradually becoming more and more impressed with apple as a company, and mac os as a platform. :) *

Tom

* to even things up a bit - I still love my pc - just not as much... :eek:

Wiki Link
 
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QuiKsiLVeR said:
i actually dont like it... i was aware that a new model was on route when i bought my macbook a while back and i took a gamble that it wouldn't be something i'd want... and luckily, i dont :D overpriced, ugly... give me my nice white macbook anyday ;)
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At least we don't have to answer the 6152 threads you'd have made about "why can't I change my battery" or "how do I use ethernet" if you'd got one ;)
 
EVH said:
At least we don't have to answer the 6152 threads you'd have made about "why can't I change my battery" or "how do I use ethernet" if you'd got one ;)
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Ouch! Feels like a punch between the legs :p

One thing said tho, the battery change is $129 (Free Replacement Fees tho:rolleyes:)
 
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