MacDailyNews - Where Mac news comes first

Apple Store

5 Day Most Commented

Opinion Archive

Current Headlines

Latest Joy of Tech

  • Latest Joy of Tech!

MacNN

AppleInsider

MacMinute

Macworld UK

Yahoo! Finance AAPL

iTunes Top 10 Albums

Mac OS X Downloads

Sun, May 11, 2008 - 06:44 PM EDT  —  AAPL: 183.45 (-1.61, -0.87%) |  NASDAQ: $data[1] ($data[4], $percent)"; //close the filehandle $fp fclose ($fp); ?>

Computerworld reviews Apple’s MacBook Air: incredible, amazing, truly innovative Mac
Friday, January 25, 2008 - 01:59 PM EDT

"There can be no real question that the MacBook Air is a truly innovative product. One close-up look at its incredibly bright, clear screen; its stunningly light and thin design; the inclusion of multi-touch functions; and the combination of wireless technologies show that the MacBook Air continues Apple's tradition of next-generation innovation and design," Ryan Faas reports for Computerworld. "But does that mean that it's the perfect portable Mac for everyone?"

"Probably not," Faas reports.

"For users who want a second Mac for the road, the MacBook Air could put you on cloud nine. If you already own another computer to balance out the MacBook Air's limitations at home or work, you may not even notice them. Even if you don't rely on another Mac, an external hard drive - either connected directly or shared via an AirPort Extreme or the new Time Capsule - may be all you need, though it's still a wise idea to get the USB SuperDrive," Faas reports.

"For users who want a Mac that goes anywhere and weighs next to nothing, the MacBook Air is an incredible solution. Any road warrior will love both its size and weight, as well as the battery life. While there may not be a huge number of Mac users ready to pay for such portability, there is no doubt a market for the MacBook Air - especially when you consider that it is aggressively priced compared with the competition. And like all Intel Macs, it allows you to run both Mac OS X and Windows," Faas reports.

"The MacBook Air won't be out for another couple of weeks, but anyone who spends a few minutes with the machine will be amazed on many levels. It may not be the portable Mac for everyone, but no one can say that it isn't an incredible achievement. And for those for whom it makes sense, it is also an incredibly sophisticated next-generation computer," Faas reports.

Full review here.


  • Social Web
  • E-mail






Always -- Free ground shipping with orders over $50 at the Apple Store.

Reader Feedback: ( = registered)

Jan 25, 08 - 03:18 pm Comment from: Jamie

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.

My head wants one, but my wallet won't allow me.

What's a guy to do?

Jan 25, 08 - 03:21 pm Comment from: MacMental

I like the way it appears to float when you are looking down at it. Genius!

And like most Apple products it is a forward thinking machine. What most reviewers are calling "cons" are really things that are unnecessary and or soon will be obsolete.

Since a built in wireless modem is really out of the question due size and carrier lock-in, Apple should design USB modems that will work for the different carrier networks.

Jan 25, 08 - 03:28 pm Comment from: Dilbert

I want one but the price and lack of features scares me off. Like having a Lamborgini with a 4 cylinder 90 HP engine

Jan 25, 08 - 03:36 pm Comment from: I love glossy

My wife is interested. Can wait to see a real one.

I guess the stock is really going to 130.

Jan 25, 08 - 03:40 pm Comment from: ChrissyOne

I might have bought one...

...if my nest egg hadn't just got scrambled.

Jan 25, 08 - 03:40 pm Comment from: Ampar

"My head wants one, but my wallet won't allow me. What's a guy to do?"


Easy. Get a new wallet first.

Jan 25, 08 - 03:49 pm Comment from: Bob

I've yet to see any review(er) grab the corners of the display and try to twist them. Is it flimsy or not? Same for the base. Just wondering.

Jan 25, 08 - 03:51 pm Comment from: Skabeetle

Nice 'second' Mac but too expensive for that purpose. It is beautiful though!

Jan 25, 08 - 03:51 pm Comment from: Brau

I find it surprising that so few even make mention of the DRM Apple has installed at the core level of the OS where Remote Disc won't let you play, transfer, or move copies of any media files. This can have massive implications if you are trying to restore your system from a back-up drive and have any collection of purchased media. For me this a major deal killer as I will never support DRM in any fashion, and I simply don't want or need Uncle Steve treating me like a thief. Perhaps they haven't been paying attention to the main reason most kids I know won't upgrade to Vista and are instead considering Linux; primarily because of the core level embedded DRM. I will be watching Apple closely on this issue and if they continue on this trend I may find myself making a reluctant switch to Linux.

Jan 25, 08 - 04:02 pm Comment from: Real IT Guy

I find it surprising that so few even make mention of the DRM Apple has installed at the core level of the OS where Remote Disc won't let you play, transfer, or move copies of any media files.

Care to back that assertion up with a reference? I can't find any.

Jan 25, 08 - 04:04 pm Comment from: Fred Went to Bed

If I read one more 'journalist' refer to Mac fans as 'the faithful' I think I'm going to puke.

Is it required or something?

Jan 25, 08 - 04:13 pm Comment from: DJ

"My head wants one, but my wallet won't allow me. What's a guy to do?"

Sell the wife.

Jan 25, 08 - 04:14 pm Comment from: @Brau

Most kids won't upgrade to Vista because it has DRM and therefore cannot be bootlegged.

Computer makers know who they're dealing with, as do retailers, who know that 45% of the theft from their stores is from their own employees. People are thieves and don't consider it stealing to run bootlegged software. Apple, HP, Adobe, Quark etc etc know this so they face reality and treat everyone as thieves to mitigate the risk.

Before you kneejerkers reply, note I didn't say ALL people.

Jan 25, 08 - 04:15 pm Comment from: Brau

"care to back that up..."

Okay.

http://tinyurl.com/363ojs

Jan 25, 08 - 04:15 pm Comment from: maclover

Dilbert's right, the MBA is exactly like a Lamborgini, most people simply can't afford it, and make excuses. They are both in a class by themselves, and if you could afford it, you'd buy one. Honestly, with a Lambo you have to worry about insurance, theft, service, not to mention it's not a family car, yet Lamborgini still finds people on this planet who'll want it, and buy it.Steve Jobs has thought of everything when it come to the MBA, it's just not for the masses, like a Lambo or 8 core Mac Pro. So why don't the masses just be honest like me and say "it's perfect, but it's outta my league".

Jan 25, 08 - 04:22 pm Comment from: Georgy Porgy

This unit needs to be seen and touched before any judgement is made. Students are going to eat this thing up later in the year.
C1, making scrambled eggs on your yacht a few months later than planned is no big deal.

Jan 25, 08 - 04:31 pm Comment from: Touch me

Awesome in pictures, better in person... but I want that giant pinch-zoomin' trackpad more than I want the light weight.

The price is right, but if new MacBook Pros get the multitouch stuff soon, I'll go that route instead. I don't travel much.

Jan 25, 08 - 04:33 pm Comment from: Raymond from DC

Says maclover, "the MBA is exactly like a Lamborgini, most people simply can't afford it". Well, not exactly. It's more like a BMW 335xi coupe for those who can only afford a Mazda or Ford. Many compromises, but a real joy nonetheless. The Lambo' is an order of magnitude more expensive than the mainstream product, which the MBA is not.

Jan 25, 08 - 04:44 pm Comment from: maclover

LOL - Raymond, you know what I mean, quit nitpickin, this forum does enough of that, I even get up on my soapbox and do it sometimes, but your point is well taken. As a matter of fact, it's 3:30pm on a friday here in New York, I need to find something
better to do, like hard drinks and soft women.
Have a great weekend evryone.

Jan 25, 08 - 04:49 pm Comment from: HolyMackerel

I have never missed an optical drive, user-replaceable battery or ethernet on my iPod Touch. What is my point? That the MBA is a Mac designed as if the iPod Touch was the design of computers.

Think Different - remember…

Jan 25, 08 - 04:55 pm Comment from: @ Brau

With the MBA you can't rip a DVD over the WiFi network using a remote disk. You can rip a DVD using the optional external Superdrive.

Tell me, how is that evidence of built in DRM on the MBA, if you can still rip a DVD with a MBA?

Go spread your FUD elsewhere.

Jan 25, 08 - 05:13 pm Comment from: ron

"Dilbert, I want one but the price and lack of features scares me off. Like having a Lamborgini with a 4 cylinder 90 HP engine."

Appropriate name.

Jan 25, 08 - 05:27 pm Comment from: KenC

Yeah, I'm with C1 on this. I've got 1670 shs of Apple now, since I doubled down this week. I need the stock to go up $1 in order to pay for my MBA! Actually, I'd like it to go up $20, before I'll feel comfortable enough to take some money out to buy an MBA. Actually, actually, I'll wait until the first units are out to make sure there aren't any bugs, and then start shopping the refurb store!

Jan 25, 08 - 07:07 pm Comment from: Thanks Osama

Here you go, guys:
http://www.barakhusseinobama.com/

Jan 25, 08 - 07:16 pm Comment from: Brau

"With the MBA you can't rip a DVD over the WiFi network using a remote disk. You can rip a DVD using the optional external Superdrive. Tell me, how is that evidence of built in DRM on the MBA, if you can still rip a DVD with a MBA? Go spread your FUD elsewhere."

Glad to see you finally figured it out. In order to simply watch a DVD or listen to a CD, you will need the optional optical drive; a drive that will only work on the authorized MBAir and nothing else - just like an iPod - to make sure you can't transfer media files. That's DRM on a hardware level. And furthermore, how will you rebuild your iTunes library from a back-up network harddrive when it refuses to let you import your already paid for music files? Oh yeah, that's right, I forgot - you can just buy them all again from iTunes.

Enjoy your Kool-Aid fanboy.

Jan 26, 08 - 12:48 pm Comment from: grognard

I suspect that many of these objections will be overcome by Apple introducing a bit of software that will 'wirelessly' let you sync all your files ( or those designate) from your desktop to the MBA - i.e. the MBA is simply an extension or satellite of your 'main' computer.

Who knows maybe some third party folks are working on this right now.

Jan 26, 08 - 12:55 pm Comment from: 0 to 60 in 4.2

I love it when people say "enjoy your kool-aid fanboy" like that is supposed to be such a negative relfection on somebody that enjoys a particular product or product line-up.

The term is such over used rhetoric that it is laughable.

This "fanboy" will keep on thirsting for more "kool-aid" thank you very much

Jan 27, 08 - 01:31 pm Comment from: ElderNorm

Reference the article:
" Cons: Expensive, no expansion, sealed battery"

Expensive. - Actually its cheaper than most other ultralights. grin

No expansion -- Actually since its air based, it expands to any computer or wireless device in range (which since its mobile is -- er -- anywhere. ) grin

sealed battery - Actually all batteries are sealed to keep them from leaking. If you want to add capacity, just take one of the after market battery jumpers out there (more on the way). You lug it just like a replacement battery and plug it into the MBA to recharge or extend the battery. And since it plugs in you do not have to carry any tools to open your computer. (PS, I saw one external battery extender unit that used replacable batteries so you could spend a fortune on AA batteries, or an even larger forture on rechargage lithium AA batteries.

SPEND SPEND SPEND Ha Ha ha ha ha

en

Jan 28, 08 - 01:17 am Comment from: Phred

Mac Cube was crowned as being innovative, too. We all know how well that went. Amazing and incredible are words that have no quantitative or objective value.

Reader feedback page 1 of 1 pages:

Always -- Free ground shipping with orders over $50 at the Apple Store.

Add Your Feedback:

Register or Login

Name:

Email: (optional)

Emoticons | Allowed HTML Tags

Remember my personal information   Notify me of follow-up comments?

Please enter the "MDN Magic Word" you see in the image below:








Current MacDailyNews Stories:

Climate Counts’ deceptive and meaningless attack on Apple
Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 09:25 AM EDT
iPhone ‘Currently Unavailable’ via U.S. Apple Store online
Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 09:17 AM EDT
Continuous reboots plague Windows XP SP3 sufferers
Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 09:03 AM EDT
O2: Apple iPhone no longer available in UK
Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 08:49 AM EDT
AT&T’s Wi-Fi for Apple iPhone coming sooner or later
Friday, May 09, 2008 - 04:57 PM EDT
.Mac is Apple’s next big thing; will become as important to Apple as Outlook is to Microsoft
Friday, May 09, 2008 - 03:21 PM EDT
Should Apple release a game console?
Friday, May 09, 2008 - 03:03 PM EDT
Zune a joke that gets funnier as time goes by (unless you’re Microsoft)
Friday, May 09, 2008 - 02:43 PM EDT
‘Back to My Mac’ catches Apple MacBook thieves
Friday, May 09, 2008 - 12:36 PM EDT
Apple slammed over failure to help solve ‘climate crisis’
Friday, May 09, 2008 - 12:14 PM EDT
RUMOR: Apple preps major revamp of .Mac to coincide with iPhone 2.0 launch
Friday, May 09, 2008 - 10:19 AM EDT
RIM’s BlackBerry 9000 Apple iPhone-lookalike: It’s no iPhone
Friday, May 09, 2008 - 09:31 AM EDT
Apple offers $45 store credit to Canucks who own older iPods
Friday, May 09, 2008 - 09:16 AM EDT
AT&T abruptly pulls free Wi-Fi for Apple iPhone info from site
Friday, May 09, 2008 - 08:50 AM EDT
Apple to refund customers to resolve replacement power adapter lawsuits
Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 06:22 PM EDT
Hands-on with ‘Mac Cloner’ Psystar’s Open Computer running Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.2
Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 04:56 PM EDT
Spring Medical Systems and MacPractice partner to provide solution for Mac-based medical practices
Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 04:18 PM EDT
NY Times’ Pogue reviews Apple’s Time Capsule: Takes network hard drive into a higher realm
Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 03:59 PM EDT
Will your iPhone destroy the Internet?
Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 02:09 PM EDT
Orb streams live TV and more to Apple iPhone and iPod touch
Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 01:30 PM EDT