MacDailyNews - Where Mac news comes first

Jan 24, 08 - 12:30 am Comment from: TowerTone

Just caught him on Charlie Rose. He left no doubt as to his allegiance, or why.

Thin is in. Walt the check's in the mail.

Jan 24, 08 - 12:43 am Comment from: ericdano

Yeah, but I can't play all those great Zune Media things.......wait......what the hell........

External batteries aren't the wonder you describe here. On a plane, the external battery would go where your drink goes.

Kind of annoying. Better to have a battery bay.

Any speculation on what was the exact thing that killed a replaceable battery in the Air?

Sag on the bottom of the machine? Lack of smooth lines? Heat?

Don't see the upside.

And yes *all at once*: "Then this isn't the machine for you." Yeah, whatever. Could almost do it, but some plane flights are long, man, and externals blow.

You get an Apple for a sleek machine, not a dongle battery!

If you need to use a spare battery, just get an external one.
If you need an ethernet port, just use a USB adapter.
If you need more hard drive space, just get an external one.
If you need a modem, just get a USB adapter.
If you need FireWire, just use USB instead.
If you need to use multiple USB devices, just get a minihub.
If you need a CD/DVD drive, just get an external one or use RemoteDrive.

Or just get a MacBook.

Jan 24, 08 - 01:11 am Comment from: TowerTone

Oh yeah, we are supposed to be arguing about the Air. I forgot.

Mmm, OK. If you don't like it or need it, then I wouldn't get it.

If you have a Time Capsule, main desktop, Wi-Fi at most places you go, use an airline with power outlets, don't need ten things plugged in at once nor Firewire, then you might enjoy this.

I wouldn't mind having one at all. I just don't need it.

Jan 24, 08 - 01:23 am Comment from: MaLvado

Wow, Moss is fixated on the shiny plastic discs.

"There’s no Ethernet jack for wired broadband Internet connections and no dedicated slot for the most common types of external cellphone modems. That means that out of the box, the MacBook Air has only one way to get on the Internet — through its fast, built-in Wi-Fi connection."

There is another built-in way to get online. I use my SonyEricsson S710a with its bluetooth modem and my PowerBook G4 to get internet access via EDGE anywhere I have cell service but can't find Wi-Fi. It works great, and I average about 220kbps. That's only about 4 times faster than dial-up, but it beats a kick in the head when Wi-Fi isn't around.

Now think of a 3G iPhone with a Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR modem feeding your brand new MacBook air with all the internet access you can consume! Sweet!

The function of its design is to fit into the file fold of a briefcase. Its a business push

Jan 24, 08 - 01:34 am Comment from: Mr. Reeee

It's your SECOND machine.

The MB Air is NOT meant to replace a full-featured machine, but MANY people really have extremely simple and limited computing needs. Something like this would be just enough.

It's thin, light and beautiful.

I think it would be perfect for wirelessly drifting around the house, or office or the yard or tar beach (rooftop).

You're probably NOT going to be running CS3 or VectorWorks or Final Cut Pro on one of these things. iWork or Office, FileMaker Pro or Bento, Mail, Safari, some GTD app, a simple game or two and that's about it. You've already got an iPod for music, so what else do you need?

Mossberg: Apple's favorite sycophant.

Jan 24, 08 - 02:18 am Comment from: freefromdesign

People will buy this machine, just not very many of them. I would use it as my only portable if I could afford to buy an iMac and the MBA to replace my ancient Powerbook, but for now, I won't be getting one of these any time soon.

I hope Apple doesn't expect strong sales of these. It will sell in limited numbers, I think they know that.

As for all the "missing" features, most people don't need those, I know I don't use dvds, replace my battery or plug my computer into an ethernet port. It's just not a big deal.

Jan 24, 08 - 02:25 am Comment from: iWill

As observed earlier, MacBook Air is an elegant place holder for something more to come. A tablet perhaps?

Jan 24, 08 - 02:26 am Comment from: Brau

MDN take : Transparent denial. Everything Apple does is great.

"Particularly if that used up the only USB port available. You can have a battery or a hub. Nice. Last time I looked, hubs weren't too useful when the computer was out of power."


External batteries would attach to... drum roll please... the power port. Not the USB port.

Think before you knee-jerk

(Why is that anti-Apple folks are SO upset over this product? It really has them in a state! HIstorically, that has been a symptom of a great product.)

The only thing that is really missing is the FireWire, kind of limits dumping the videos on the HD for quick edit up to YouTube. But then those people carry MacBooks anyway.

How long it will take for somebody to come up with a case mod, where you can plug in an external battery on it, 2 minutes? There are lot of different power drill, photolight, laptop etc. rechargeables available, just need to find the suitable one.

MacBook Air seems to be a perfect product for a un-geek person living in hi-tech world.

Jan 24, 08 - 03:02 am Comment from: MacBill

Oh jesus, MacDailyNews. Stop trying to blindly support Apple and defending the MacBook Air. It's getting REALLY tiring for you to NEVER have a critical eye about ANYTHING THAT APPLE EVER DOES. Apple is not a flawless company, even though you derive all of your income from people clicking on Apple ads on your website. There is barely a market for the MacBook Air yet you keep defending all of its gigantic limitations. If any PC manufacturer came out with a product like the MacBook Air, you'd be jumping down their throats and attacking them for putting out such crap. But since its Apple, you keep defending it -- along with AN EXTERNAL BATTERY THAT DOESN'T EVEN EXIST?? MDN, maybe you should try OBJECTIVELY reporting the news instead of tooting Apple's horn nonstop.

This product id grate i've ordered one. If you price up the black macbook with 2GB of RAM the pricing isnt that different (i got me MBA on educational). The only difference in performance is a slower CPU and a smaller and slower hard drive.
The trade off = Ultra cool ultra slim macbook air that looks way better.
How many people use there DVD drive anymore. I have a DVD player hooked up to my HD TV and I have a Xbox 360, Both those devices can play DVDs. And to install software well use remote disk. This whole thing happened when apple got rid of the floppy drive in there iMac (everyone was angry and confused). This time instead of going to DVD and CD we will turn to fast Internet for movies and music. Apple are just pushing technology to advances that if microsoft had anything to do with would be shut down and we still wouldn't have a Graphical interface and machines would be boxes with lights. So stop complaining this device is perfect for what anyone needs. It just means you may need to get some accessories and invest in a wireless 802.11 N Network. (its a better life) i haven't used an Ethernet cable for 4 months now and I don't plan on changing.

Form follows function...MBA is Cube Part Deux.

Jan 24, 08 - 04:54 am Comment from: gzero

MacBill:

You don't like what MDN says on their own site, you're welcome to leave.

You know, I really like this site, and mostly I like MDN's snarky take on things. But I don't think it's at all necessary for MDN to be such an Apple boot licker. The sycophantic twist to every article makes MDN sound like an Apple apologist. And Apple totally doesn't need apologists. Objective reporting is Apples greatest friend.

I am pleased that Apple has only a small percentage of faithful, its about the same percentage of the general people that i am suppost to like. .

As always, while the lemmings fight it out about whether leaving out a FDD was wise or not, Apple pushes our whole civilisation up a technological rung, and forces us to revaluate what we consider important in computing. They force us to move irrevocably towards an all wireless internet, you know why? because the IDEA of it is better, more seamless, perfect.

Apple runs technology like governments are *supposed* to run society ... ie they make the hard decisions for us, for the greater good of all.

What everybody seems to forget when considering the Macbook Air is the following:

1) Many Airlines will not let you take a spare battery into the cabin. You have to check it in with the hold luggage. I know this has happened to me on every flight I have made overseas last year with my spare battery for the MBP.

2) When you travel and are using external devices you generally like to keep the number down. The only time you really need lots of external devices simultaneously connected is if you are using the laptop as a desktop replacement. In that situation you have the mains, so battery not relevant. You could use a USB Hub, so ports not relevant. Certainly when travelling every external device you would want to plug into a port is yet another device you have to carry. Get realistic. If you need a bag full of external devices when you travel then you are the wrong type of user for an MBA and should be looking at the other MB's.

3) Apple have never indicated in any way that the MBA is supposed to be a desktop replacement. It is clearly a machine aimed squarely at those who need portability and light weight. I see the typical user falling into one of two categories. Either a frequent traveller whop through experience will have cut down the external devices they need when on the move. Or the corporate type who spends half their life in meetings and needs access to the corporate network at the same time. As many corporations now allow wi-fi in meeting rooms to reduce cable clutter from the attendees the MBA is perfect in these situations.

So many people look at light weight laptops as if they should be full on desktop replacements. By their very nature they are a compromise in one way or another. Apple have chosen different compromises than most other manufacturers and this is okay. The market will say whether it likes what Apple have done. Personally as someone who travels overseas at least 10 times a year, I prefer the course Apple has chosen with the MBA because it more closely fits my needs when on the move.

It is funny. I read forum and blog posts all the time wishing for two things... the return of the 12" laptop and a cut down Mac Pro.

What do we get?

A cut down laptop! LOL.

Forgot the USB Ethernet adapter. I carry an Airport express when I travel with my MBP; just plug it in for near instant, encrypted wireless. I've gotten used to the freedom of wireless.

MDN: the Fox News of Apple, Inc.

"Stop trying to blindly support Apple and defending the MacBook Air."

I don't think anyone need defend it.

It's that good.

I guess Mossberg has to find a few things not to like with anything he reviews. And perhaps MDN doesn't need to quibble about Mossberg's "minuses", but it doesn't worry me too much if MDN wants to quibble with Mossberg. And, basically, Mossberg seems to like the MBA--as well anyone might.

I expect there'll be the usual chorus of whining from the anti-Apple sites, like those of the egregious Paul Thurott. Such people will try to pretend the product is seriously flawed in whatever way they can strain and come up with. IOW, we'll see a repeat of the fear that the iPhone raised with such people. But it won't matter a damn. And wouldn't any of Apple's competitors have loved to have brought out this product themselves?

I don't think the MBA suits what I want myself, but I reckon it will suit a lot of people--and people with deep pockets whose custom will be lucrative for Apple at that. I'll be staggered if this machine isn't a roaring success for Apple.

everybody has an obsession with portable batteries as if power outlets are non-existent in the world.

The MacBook Air has much longer batterlife than the MacBook or MacBook Pro .. if I am not mistaken, so you carry a smaller notebook with longer battery life vs. carrying a bigger notebook with a spare battery that equals to a little more battery life.

WHATEVER !!! ... In last 5 years I never met someone with a spare battery to a notebook. Not even digital camera !!!! .. there are power outlets everywhere for charging !!!!

and who watches DVDs ? .. hasn't he heard of DivX ?
or for that matter iTunes Movie Store ?

Jan 24, 08 - 07:55 am Comment from: Ampar

MacBill: What's the definition of insanity?

Comeon energiser, you make emergency power adapters with batteries for iPods and celluar phones.... why not the macbook air?

Listen up! Important!

The USB port on the MBA has more power than normal to drive the external MBA "only" Superdrive.

If a USB hub is used with the MBA, it's possible there could be problems or damage to your devices on the hub, possibly underpowering the external MBA "only" Superdrive.

AND because of the higher power requirements of the MBA Superdrive, it can't be used with other computers.

It's obvious now the MBA is a first in a new line of devices and changes to external devices. So expect the unexpected.

A zillion hits to the one who dissects their new $3000 MacBook Air.

any takers?

Jan 24, 08 - 08:46 am Comment from: shen

"If you need to use a spare battery, just get an external one.
If you need an ethernet port, just use a USB adapter.
If you need more hard drive space, just get an external one.
If you need a modem, just get a USB adapter.
If you need FireWire, just use USB instead.
If you need to use multiple USB devices, just get a minihub.
If you need a CD/DVD drive, just get an external one or use RemoteDrive."

and if, in a decade of laptop use you can count the number of times you needed any of the above on one hand, buy a MBA.

guess i should order one....

The MacBook Air. Steve Jobs hobby for 2008.

Jan 24, 08 - 08:58 am Comment from: Ampar

I had a spare battery for a PowerBook 5300cs. I never used it.

Jan 24, 08 - 08:59 am Comment from: Ampar

The odds of a MacBook Air dissection with photos posted online are one to one.

Any takers?

There have been loads of engineers who've pointed out that putting a latch and hinges would make the computer larger and the battery smaller/less powerful. Trade offs need to be made. Maybe you should be looking at a Macbook or a Macbook Pro and leave the Air to people who don't care where the battery is.

Jan 24, 08 - 09:27 am Comment from: Zune Tang®

Ampar, are you willing to wager your Zune points on that one?

Why do you think someone would waste their time and money picking apart a crappy computer nobody is interested in. Apple is too new to the laptop game for anyone to care.

I have to tell you I am super pumped to see the latest Gateway laptop teardown. Now that will be cool.

Your potential. Our passion.™

In order to get MBA to perform all the tasks of a normal notebook/computer one will need how many extra things hanging off the computer?
Try picking up a notebook with extra USB thing, ethernet plug-in, spare battery, DVD/CD drive, external hard drive, etc. hanging off it.

Pain in the butt.

Jan 24, 08 - 09:40 am Comment from: Ampar

"Apple is too new to the laptop game for anyone to care."

Apple has made some progress in laptop design in the last nineteen years.

From lowendmac.com:
"The 16-17 pound Mac Portable never set the world on fire. It had a crystal clear 9.8" 1-bit 640 x 400 pixel active matrix screen, a 16 MHz 68000 CPU, and a front-mounted handle (which doubled as a lock to keep the lid down). The best thing about the Portable was probably the up-to-ten-hour lead-acid battery."

(http://www.lowendmac.com/pb/portable.shtml)

It could also be used as ballast at sea:
http://www.lowendmac.com/pb/macuser1189.jpg

Jan 24, 08 - 09:45 am Comment from: Ampar

" . . . are you willing to wager your Zune points . . . "

My doctor advised me to stay away from Zune points and the Zune as well. He said there is strong evidence that both are directly linked to heavy and constant anal leakage, eye-watering halitosis, painful acne and narcolepsy.

@Ampar

LMFAOFF

Overall, I think Moss is a pretty fair and even handed person. Kudos.

But when someone says they want extra portability and everything built in, BUT they want to lug extra (and heavy) batteries around instead of a small light weight charger, I have to wonder.

I want it all built in............ but tiny.
I want extra batteries .......... but not an external battery (which would serve to charge the inside battery)
I want every kind of plug x2 available ..on the unit....... but I do not want to carry anything to plug into it.

Apple tends to look beyond the noise and ... er.... crap and decide what its customer really wants and how they will use it. Then they make it good for them. Geeks that want to dissemble the unit and make it different have NEVER been a part of Apples plan (not counting Apple II).

So...... Apple. If you want an Orange, see the other guy.

en

Jan 24, 08 - 10:34 am Comment from: Spark

I've been carrying various laptops for many years and have never had a spare battery. The bitterness expressed over the MBA can be attributed to the overwhelming desire most have for this sleek machine combined with the reality that most of us do not fit the profile for whom it was designed. We are stressed because we can't rationalize a purchase, and it is tearing us up.

Jan 24, 08 - 10:36 am Comment from: silverhawk

@Comment time today???

Don't you mean if you want a lemon, se the other guy?

I have a macbook pro with one battery, it lasts around 2:45, when the battery is drained, I plug it in and recharge it. When I travel I use my laptop for as long as it will last on the flight. I do not carry an extra battery, there is no need for me. Plus on most flights those REALLY important PC power users are either watching a movie, or trying to beat solitaire, not really business critical. The macbook air is for business executives and other professionals that need a system to check email, and work on spread sheets or keynotes. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

Jan 24, 08 - 10:46 am Comment from: iSteve

The design is not flawed.

On my iMac I have three USB ports and all are full --- I need a hub for that. One is keyboard (I could use wireless but I'd have to remember to turn it on/off), a printer (could go wireless but the scanner function requires it be plugged in), and my iPhone. I have to unplug the printer or iPhone to upload photos from my digital camera. I've got a 500gb hard drive in a Firewire port.

My 12" PB is my grad school and travel companion. Sometimes hotels don't have wi-fi so I would need to either bring my airport express or bring along the USB adapter (smaller, better idea) for the MPA. When I am in class or traveling I don't bring printers or other devices with me. On the off chance I need the USB for connecting to the internet and I need to download pictures I can disconnect for that brief period. For me, the portability of the device is what is so appealing --- the trade offs make perfect sense for my individual needs.

Jan 24, 08 - 12:20 pm Comment from: alansky

This could easily turn into a really silly discussion. It's a little like a family of six complaining that there's not enough room for the kids in the new Honda sports car. Hey dudes: If the shiny red sports car isn't roomy enough for you, BUY SOMETHING ELSE!

Jan 24, 08 - 01:16 pm Comment from: Ampar

"This could easily turn into a really silly discussion."


Could? We are there.