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Feb 01, 08 - 12:06 pm Comment from: Ampar

"it ticks my boxes"

T.M.I.

Feb 01, 08 - 12:13 pm Comment from: 84 Mac Guy

Finally someone who understands the Air is NOT meant to be your primary computer. All the extra ports, big-ass hard drive, etc., etc. need to be on your primary computer, not the Air.

The reviewers who bitch about the Air not having everything a computer should have are like critics who review a refrigerator and complain that they can't cook their dinner in it.

geez...buddy needs to calm down a bit. He was shakin' for chriss sakes! I will never understand how all these tech people who unbox stuff can't find someone to shoot it for them and do it under decent light. Nice computer from what I could see.

Feb 01, 08 - 12:23 pm Comment from: Jubei

Now that is what tech reviews is all about. First understand who the product was targeted for. How hard is that to understand? Apparently too much. Its no wonder there are instructions on how to open a Vista box. These people just cannot think beyond their comfort zone or out of the box.

He really needs to decrease his aderrol dosage .... Really !

Feb 01, 08 - 12:27 pm Comment from: JadisOne

All this criticism of the MBA reminds me of the flack Apple took in the tech media about the iPod when it came out. Everyone predicted it wouldn't sell, it didn't have features, blah, blah, blah. But we all know how that turned out.

If history is an indicator, then Apple will take a lion's share of the ultraportable market in about a quarter or two.

JD and the rest of complainers:

Be gracious that someone actually took the time and efforts to shoot the unboxing video quickly, for you. have an attitude of gratitude. focus on good things, and only good things. if it bothers you, don't spend a second on it. move on. life is too good to waste any negative energy on.

best
jim

Well there are always going to be people who won't be satisfied until they get a machine with a 42 inch screen that fits in their shirt pocket and 16 processors that run 20 hours on a watch battery.

There's all this bitching about the specs, but I honestly don't understand it.

1) I bought a Macbook a year ago. Guess what? 80 gig hd (and I've still got 20-some gigs left because I don't keep every single media file I barely use on it).
2) Not enough ports? It's got bluetooth built in for a wireless mouse (when I need one), and the only time I need to use the USB is if I'm hooking up a card reader. In a year, I've NEVER need more than one USB port at once. And as far as firewire goes, I do prefer it for my 4G iPod, but I can live with USB 2.0.
3) Optical drive? I rarely use the thing, but I imagine when need it my iMac for work will help me pull it off.
4) Ethernet? I'm wireless 100 percent of the time, baby. And it's getting hard to find a hotel/coffee shop/restaurant that doesn't offer wi-fi (unless you like to stay at dive hotels or drink your coffee in a convenience store parking lot).
4) And, with all that said, it's still not meant to be your 'every day' computer. But you know what, I say for many of us it could be.

Feb 01, 08 - 12:35 pm Comment from: Mr. Reeee

A Sensible review! I'm stunned...

Vincent Nguyen is completely wrong. The Apple iPod Air is another threat to the Windows status quo, and thus must be banned outright, its owners arrested, and all samples of the product confiscated and destroyed.

All computers must run DOS. Use of Windows is questionable, and acceptable perhaps if only running Windows 3.1. All computers must be beige. Proper laptops (I prefer to use the term "portable PCs") must weigh at least 10 lbs. RAM must be limited to 64K, in accordance with a statement by Mr. Bill Gates, who has said all that must be known about computing . (Blessed be his holy name.) All portable PCs must be able to use 5 1/4" floppy disks, and external navigation devices (which some people call a "mouse") should be avoided at all costs. Acceptable programs include PC Paintbrush and XY Write.

I am insulted and infuriated by attempts by inferior companies like Apple to innovate. It must be known that all innovation violates the DOS/Windows standard and should not be condoned. Further, users should be restricted from creating anything. After all, this is why we have IT departments, who are wise and know everything.

By following the standards set forth above, your life will be perfect and simple. This will allow you more time for activities like removing viruses and adware, and unplugging your computing devices from the Information Superhighway, which should be avoided at all costs. It pollutes your mind and exposes you to impure thoughts like those promoted by evil companies like Apple. You must view innovation and creativity as a threat to the established order. And the threat starts with dangerous products like the Apple Macintosh Air.

Feb 01, 08 - 12:45 pm Comment from: MaLvado

He tried to open the notebook from the wrong end at first... heh

LOL - ever realize how Apple products are so cool, that just unboxing them makes a great video. What about Dell unboxing ?
I suppose you could use 1 unboxing video forever, since all their dull products look the same anyway.

Feb 01, 08 - 01:05 pm Comment from: LorD1776

I don't think that was a Mini-to-Serial adapter. Looks like a Mini-DVI to VGA to me.

I'm sure the fellow was simply giddy with the joy of opening a new toy, the lucky devil.

I noticed some of the comments on the YouTube link appeared to be posted by Steve Ballmer. Of course, it could have been some of his clones that plague us on MDN. Filthy little vermin.

I've noticed that most of the critics have been male. And yet when I was in the Apple Store last night, they had one MBA, and it was hard to get a good look at because there was a line of women who were waiting to play with it.

Hmmmm. Maybe Steve's been listening to his wife.

Don't worry, hopefully the writer's strike will be over soon and you will have some good material again. Nice attempt though.

It's probably been so long since the guy's seen a VGA connector he just didn't recognize it. I'm honestly surprised Apple includes this adapter for free considering the "legacy-free" nature of the MBA.

Feb 01, 08 - 01:56 pm Comment from: iDon't

I just want one for a fashion statement. I want to pick up chicks at Starbucks.

Feb 01, 08 - 02:13 pm Comment from: LorD1776

TotalMac,

Forget the darn laptop. Play with the women!

Feb 01, 08 - 02:17 pm Comment from: Lurker_PC

It's interesting and telling that Apple produces the MacBook Air - a light and thin computer - something people want. As always, at the other end of the spectrum, Microsoft produces the Surface - a big ass table.

Peace.

Feb 01, 08 - 02:21 pm Comment from: LorD1776

Jooop,

I didn't see a VGA adapter included with the Air on Apple's site, but I may have missed it. I know you can buy one separately though.
You'd think they would only have a DVI adapter with the Air, but there are still a lot of monitors with VGA inputs only.

DVI to VGA adapters are pretty cheap and to easy to find. The DVI connector, in addition to putting out a digital signal, also puts out an analog signal that can be used by VGA connectors. That's how I connect my G5 with DVI-only video card to one of those super-old CRT monitors with VGA-only input.

To LorD1776

According to this Apple page:

http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/Conceptual/HWTech_Video/Articles/Video_implementation.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40003994-DontLinkElementID_35

Search for the MacBook Air section and you will find:

"Note: The MacBook Air ships with a micro-DVI to DVI adapter and a micro-DVI to VGA adapter. Available separately is a micro-DVI to video adapter, which provides composite and S-video support."

Feb 01, 08 - 03:08 pm Comment from: Olmecmystic

I said this already on MDN the day of (or the day after) the MacBook Air announcement, but we old Mac heads are going to have to get used to this new Apple that can specifically target niche markets to dominate. Not every product they roll out from here forward will always be intended for the great unwashed.

When I first saw the MBA, I didn't jump for joy and yell "That's for me! Thank you, Apple!" either, but I really wanted to see who the people were who would. Turns out to be the heavy duty road warriors, students, women, the fashion conscious, people fairly new to Apple (the post-iPod/iPhone crowd), people dissatisfied with the compromises inherent in the current crop of subnotebooks...hmmm, doesn't look so much like a small niche market any more, does it?

Some Mac fans need to learn that just because YOU don't like it or don't want it doesn't mean there aren't plenty of other folks who it's the perfect answer for. As for me, I'm loving my new (09/07) 20" iMac and I'm holding out for the 15" version of the MacBook Air.

Life is good getting better all the time.

Peace.
Olmecmystic

Feb 01, 08 - 03:28 pm Comment from: MacRaven

1. It is targeted at the traveler
2. It was built to work in tandem with your home or office computer.
3. Nobody said you can't have a MacBook Pro or MacBook anymore.

Here is the logic folks:
MacBook Air is to MacBook Pro
what
iPod Shuffle is to iPod Classic

Get it?

Feb 01, 08 - 03:43 pm Comment from: LorD1776

Handheld,

Yeah, I have several of the DVI-VGA adapters from graphics cards that I've purchased. I missed that about the Air having a VGA adapter. Thanks.

Apple is already high fashion on the campuses of the world and many young female students won't be able to resist this sleek and sexy notebook.

Actually, the brilliance of the MBA is that for some switchers it will actually make sense to bundle a desktop purchase and the MBA for roadwork.

I hope AppleStore sales-people are alert to that option, and it would be interesting to see what would happen if Apple fielded a couple ads suggesting that (the fine line being that it might draw criticism that the MBA is not a full-fledged, stand-alone computer, but after all it wasn't meant to be).

Feb 01, 08 - 04:22 pm Comment from: LorD1776

Olmecmystic,

Amen, brother.

Feb 01, 08 - 04:23 pm Comment from: silverwarloc

@MacRaven:

You're making too much damn sense!

Feb 01, 08 - 04:44 pm Comment from: praus

@ TotalMac

I think you may be right about this also being targeted to women. As soon as my mom saw this thing she wanted it. She's in her mid 50s and has a bad back. She's currently working towards her masters degree and traveling to and from school, work and her clients (she sees clients for her internship as a therapist). She needs something light that will work well with her current computer (20" iMac). She's probably gonna buy one soon.

Feb 01, 08 - 05:48 pm Comment from: Cubert

I'm sorry, but if you buy a MacBook Air because it is lighter to carry around than a MacBook or MacBook Pro, then you need to spend more time at the gym!!!

Feb 01, 08 - 06:00 pm Comment from: LorD1776

praus,

Old Mac Man wants your mom's phone number. He goes for young chicks who have a hard time escaping his clutches, the rotten bastard.

And it wouldn't hurt if she is training to be a psychotherapist.

The VGA adapter is good for projectors. Since this is for the road warrior or traveller having a VGA adapter makes sense.

Its a chick magnet.
Along with all its other attributes, but first and foremost - chick magnet!

I'm getting one.

Feb 02, 08 - 01:25 am Comment from: LorD1776

KenC,

Excellent point.

I had expected ALL MacBooks to be introduced at Macworld Expo with multi-touch trackpads. MBA sales would likely take a hit if all MacBooks had multi-touch trackpads.

3.5 to 5 hours of battery life is too significant a compromise for the light weight.

The SuperDrive weighs 0.71 lb which add 23.7% additional weight should you need to lug the SuperDrive, making MBA only 25.8% lighter than a faster MacBook. If 1.29 more lbs is too much to lug around, perhaps you ought not to to be lifting anything heavier than a pencil.

The weight of the USB-to-Ethernet connector is minimal, but having to carry it around because of low or no signal strength is just a pain. MBA works best in open urban areas with broad WiFi access, not the environment for all people.

I work at in a mountainous metropolis of 1.9 million people within a radius of 45 miles. Haven't seen any MBAs in the wild, Will keep ya posted.

Those who need MBA as a chick magnet obviously do not have any personality traits that attract women. Have you tried showering? It's cheaper than a MBA.

1. It is targeted at the traveler
2. It was built to work in tandem with your home or office computer.
3. Nobody said you can't have a MacBook Pro or MacBook anymore.

1. I haven't seen any travelers with the MBA, much less any other ultraportable notebook. Where are these people?

2. Meaning you have to purchase TWO machines, right? I know of several people who use their notebook at home as the their main computer and have eschewed the desktop, thus saving thousands of dollars. Give yer old desktop to charity and buy a fully functional notebook. What files could you not send to and from work with email for free or carry on a $90 flash drive that weighs less than 1.5% of a MBA?

3. Is this an argument for all other MacBooks?

Feb 02, 08 - 11:04 am Comment from: LorD1776

"I haven't seen any travelers with the MBA, much less any other ultraportable notebook. Where are these people?"

Has anyone gotten theirs yet? The MacBook Air site says estimated ship in 2 to 3 weeks.

@ LorD1776:

With all these MBA unboxing videos circulating the web it is obvious that people have the MBA in their possession. So, how did these people posting unboxing videos receive their MBAs? Has that thought ever crossed yer mind? Besides, an estimated ship date could very well mean that the MBA is being delivered earlier not later, fanboi.

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=laptops&articleId=9060678&taxonomyId=66&intsrc=kc_top "]Oh, no! The sweet lil MBA is also misbehaving.[/url]

I noticed that you could not answer the other questions. Take yer time. Maybe a cogent thought will eventually develop.

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=laptops&articleId=9060678&taxonomyId=66&intsrc=kc_top

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=307289

Feb 02, 08 - 01:52 pm Comment from: LorD1776

Phred,

Thank you.

Who are you thanking, LorD1776, and why?

Feb 02, 08 - 06:13 pm Comment from: LorD1776

"Who are you thanking, LorD1776, and why?"

I was thanking Phred. I like to do that occasionally. It bolsters his ego. I used to be in Boy Scouts. It's a good deed.

I was thanking Phred. I like to do that occasionally. It bolsters his ego. I used to be in Boy Scouts. It's a good deed.

Why would you think that posting a thank you message would bolster anyone's ego? Certainly a person giving aid, comfort, or support is in the position of strength and superiority and the person receiving aid, comfort, or support is in the weaker and subordinate position.

What did this Phred do that benefited you that makes you so willing to make public (sincere or otherwise) this offer of thanks?

Maybe Phred thinks that what you thread is completely irrelevant and inconsequential. Maybe Phred considers your thread insincere, deceptive, and contemptible.

Feb 03, 08 - 01:53 am Comment from: LorD1776

sfkfg,

And maybe Phred just likes to see his imbecilic ramblings in print. I would imagine that if Phred actually was the intellectual god that he seems to think he is, he wouldn't want to waste his time on those he considers inferior. Why would he even want to participate in a forum with people who he considers contemptible and beneath him.

Usually, people with such feelings of superiority won't even deign to acknowledge the existence of mere mortals such as me. What exactly could it be that keeps him coming back? This just doesn't appear to be rational behavior. A sign of psychosis perhaps? He undoubtedly suffers from feelings of inferiority brought about by his chronic thumb sucking and bedwetting.
Poor pathetic Phred.

Dear Sir,


I would like to buy APPLE MAC BOOK AIR thru online from Apple Store - USA. In this regard, I would like to know the following:

1. Is there any International Warranty?
2. Can I get any support like installation etc. from the local dealers ?

Your favourable response to the above would be highly appreciated.


Regards.
RASHID AL AMIN


ALI RASHID AL AMIN CO. BSC (C)
P.O. BOX. 643
MANAMA
KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

TEL : (00973) 17732220
FAX : (00973) 17730078
EMAIL :
WEBSITE : http://www.aralamin.com

LorD1776:

Ya ready for the following, fanboi?

02 Feb 2008 0513 you indicated that your comment was a gracious act bestowed by you to this Phred. 03 Feb 2008 1253 you recant the statement made 02 Feb 2008. Obviously, you haven't explained nor defended yerself and have aptly demonstrated that yer thread on 02 Feb 2008 was clearly insincere, deceptive, and contemptible.

As a bonus, you seem to suggest that this Phred cease tormenting mere mortals like you. Is this a sign that you becoming annoyed with yer incapacity to mentally spar with this Phred or are you admitting that Phred is besting you?

02 Feb 2008 0253 "Microsoft already giving up on Windows Vista" you threaded:

You are missing the point. The idiotic bickering is why many of us are here. Join the fun. Never ever say you like them all. Lie through your teeth and pick only one. Whatever you do, don't take it seriously.

Phred suspects that the first honest thread that you have posted is the one above that describes yerself as a lying and bickering idiot.

Maybe yer not qualified for honest discussion and debate if lying is yer motive, insincerity is yer purpose, and threading here is your form of "imbecilic entertainment as you have so carefully characterized yer presence at MDN. Maybe yer outta yer league, fanboi. Maybe yer a boy amongst men. Maybe ya should excuse yerself from discussions with persons with thoughtful questions and comments as these people do post here, too. Ya might consider taking Ampar with you.

Again, you threaded:

Heck, you can even use multiple personalities and bounce back and forth.

Has Phred not commented that a poor pathetic, insecure, childish fanboi hijacked his alias. Now yer complaining that this Phred cannot use his original sobriquet. Not Phred's fault, fanboi. Ya should be angry with the moron who resorted to such puerile tactics by hijacking Phred's alias. Would this be you or yer bosom buddy, Ampar? Jus' askin'. Besides, what is more important the pseudonym or the message?

And maybe Phred just likes to see his imbecilic ramblings in print...he wouldn't want to waste his time on those he considers inferior.

If you consider this Phred an imbecile who is superior to you, doesn't it logically follow that you have less mental acumen than an imbecile? You actually insult yerself, fanboi.

On the other hand, perhaps Phred won't argue that you are less intelligent than an imbecile. Perhaps Phred will concede this point about yerself. You haven't provided any evidence that Phred is not more intelligent than you. You seem more interested in chlidish retorts than debate and discussion.

You never seem to answer all of Phred's questions. Phred might conclude that answering them will reveal more of how you think and you are embarrassed by publicly displaying yer actual "thought processes".

Ooops, there's more fer ya, LorD1776.

And maybe Phred just likes to see his imbecilic ramblings in print...he wouldn't want to waste his time on those he considers inferior.

Ya characterize this Phred as an imbecile and chastise him for interacting with those he considers "inferior". I don't known how you derived yer assessment of Phred's motives as he hasn't revealed them. You may explain - if you are able.

Now then, if you consider Phred an imbecile why are you interacting with Phred? Doesn't yer own behavior run contrary to yer advice to Phred? Please explain.

Feb 03, 08 - 04:13 pm Comment from: LorD1776

Phred, asb, sfkfg, zh, adg,

You can use as many of these 'names' as you want to Phred, but you are still just an army of one. One 'what' I can't quite figure out.

I don't know why you appear to be infatuated by my every word, but I'm sure it's not healthy. You seem to have a hard time relating to others. Why not try staying away from your PC for awhile and mingling with people face to face? Work on holding your hostilities in check and controlling your antagonistic behavior.

For some reason you seem to think that I owe you something; that my reason for existence is play your game and to conform to your rules and regulations.

Well, I'm sorry, but that's not going to happen. You can continue your silly harassments until hell freezes over. Will it bother me?
Sometimes, yes it will. Me, and others here. So, at least you will have that thought to enrich your life. Enjoy.