Apple’s approach to enter the sub-notebook market, the Macbook Air, is a great competitor to existing products. I am lucky enough to have one to play with this weekend, and even to use one to write my first HWG blog post.
Let’s start with the obvious. As expected from Apple, the Macbook Air has a great, appealing design. It’s extremely portable and lightweight, and definitely very thin. It’s something I could put into my bag full of books, not notice the extra weight and have plenty of space left for those extra exciting maths books. (Yes, we are right. Math does have an ‘s’.)
As everyone who comes within a 10 meter radius of myself knows, I am a very big fan of OS X and Apple software. I think that Leopard works very well on the Macbook Air in terms of functionality, and Leopard’s default appearance looks great combined with the Macbook Air’s design. The notebook looks stylish, has a crisp, brightly lit screen, has a great keyboard and large trackpad, long battery life, and is a pleasure to use. However, I would not buy one.
I feel that the Macbook Air is for two specific markets. The first would be customers who want a Mac that works well for home or “basic” use, and perhaps travel a lot. The other market is for those who would buy a notebook regardless of its spec, as long as it “is fast and looks nice”. For the first, the Macbook Air is fine (though a little expensive, especially here in England). These people would perhaps not miss the Superdrive, not need more than one USB port, and love the portability. However, problems arise with the other set of people. It’s very easy to say “I won’t miss my Superdrive,” but what happens when it comes to watching a DVD? Remote Disc won’t help here as it doesn’t support movies. Problems like these can be solved, such as by purchasing the USB-powered Superdrive, but this may defeat the point of ultra-portability. And when it comes to a USB > ethernet adaptor for places without Wi-Fi, Mini DVI > DVI/VGA cables for usage of the Mini DVI port, USB hubs to allow for more USB ports (or to use the USB port, AND have ethernet connected), and many other devices to use such basic features of a general laptop, I believe that I’d rather have most features built in.
A feature of the Air that I don’t like, is the multi-touch trackpad. Sure, this is a “great timesaver”, but how often would this realistically be used? When I want to rotate a photo, I find it much faster to click a “rotate right or left” button than to twist my hand into an awkward position on the trackpad. And besides, other than this, the “pinch”, and the three-fingered scroll, every other “multi-touch” gesture is already built into Macbooks and Macbook Pro. This conveniently little-known fact can be activated on all Macbook and Macbook Pros in the Trackpad section in the Keyboard & Mouse System Preference Pane. Enabling Clicking, Dragging and “Tap trackpad using two fingers for secondary click” allows 7 of the 10 “new” multi-touch features. I am worried, a gimmick like this “new” feature will attract people into buying this attractive looking notebook, where the three new gestures will almost never be used.
Lastly, I have suspicions that the Macbook Air may accidentally promote piracy. I can easily picture a scenario where one wants to watch a movie on a DVD they already own, and as they cannot play it directly on the machine, or with Remote Disk, he would have to download it. Naturally, one would feel he shouldn’t repurchase or pay to rent the movie, as he already owns a copy.
On the whole, the Macbook Air is a great machine, and I completely recommend it to those who have seriously considered the lack of Superdrive, ethernet, and other ports. The battery life is great, the display is much brighter than my merom Macbook Pro, and the machine works great.
Comments: (16)
on Sat, Mar 08th, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Nice review, does it feel as if it can break easily?
on Sat, Mar 08th, 2008 at 07:57 PM
A little. It doesn’t feel as robust as other laptops, and I feel a little concious when holding the macbook air by one if its short edges, but it definitely feels well-built.
on Sat, Mar 08th, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Thanks for the write up Marc. You overlook another method of watching your DVD’s sans the external Super Drive. With software like Handbrake and a 2GB to 4GB flash drive you could rip it and copy it to the flash drive for transferring to the harddrive. IMO this is the more likely scenario given that the ‘Air is really a complementary device (rather than a main computer). It does have a superb screen but it’s too small for my older eyes.
on Sat, Mar 08th, 2008 at 11:07 PM
it looks nice but id be afraid to have one
on Sun, Mar 09th, 2008 at 11:27 AM
MacGuy, of course there is that option. I didn’t mention it, but I have considered it. However, this method breaks down when on the move, or travelling. This machine was “built to be wireless”, however, this method requires you to rip a DVD on another machine, transfer it to a flash drive, move it across and then play it, which is not a process one would do on the move.
But still, point taken. I guess the same applies to downloading a movie, although this can be done on the machine by itself.
But yes, if you look at it as a complementary device (and I agree, especially with Remote Disc), then I guess that excuses it lacking certain features.
on Sun, Mar 09th, 2008 at 12:07 PM
I guess it’s more about mindset. I think the 2nd market you alluded to for the ‘Air is likely to treat it as an ultra cool ultra expensive PDA hybrid with larger screen, capacity and power. Anyone that has come to rely on a PDA or smartphone (like my iPhone) becomes acquainted with moving data/multimedia to and from the device on a regular basis. In fact I’ve discussed an option for the ‘Air with my blog partner that makes sense to me and that’s the ability to sync via iTunes with another Mac just like an iPhone or ‘Touch. Yes you can share iTunes content with other computers on the network but I’ll bet the vast majority of users are not aware of it. Provide the user with a “Sync” option that once it’s configured to your liking, becomes transparent.
on Sun, Mar 09th, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Great review, Marc.
I had an opportunity to play around with one the other day and I must admit that I am impressed. The build felt solid, the screen was very impressive and it is flat-out the best looking laptop on the market.
“Complimentary device”.....I like that term and that’s exactly how I see the MBA. Apple already has a solid desktop replacement in the MBP and a full-featured laptop in the MB. The MBA is for those who want more than a PDA in a super-light, super-sleek form factor.
The lack of a removable media drive wouldn’t stop me from purchasing a MBA. As Mac has described, there are a multitude of other options available for stuff like watching movies.
on Sun, Mar 09th, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Thanks guys.
Skinny, I think you’re completely right. The MB, MBA, and MBP are pretty accurate as you describe them.
I just hope people think like this before making a purchase. I can imagine people expecting a MB or MBP when buying a MBA.
-magicmarc
on Sun, Mar 09th, 2008 at 02:27 PM
People are going to expect a powerful machine for the price they have to pay for the MBA, thats the problem with hyping up a device. People will expect too much from it.
on Sun, Mar 09th, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Agreed. I still don’t understand how the MBA is “between” the MB and MBP. Slower speed than both, smaller HDD than both.
Full comparison table here:
http://www.apple.com/getamac/whichmacbook.html
Plus, the 0.16 inches is only measured from the point where it comes down to the knife edge, and the thickest 0.76 inches is beaten by a 0.75 inch Vaio. (with a crapper OS...)
on Sun, Mar 09th, 2008 at 03:26 PM
I don’t see the MBA as “between” the MB and the MBP. It’s a completely different beast.....
on Sun, Mar 09th, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Now I see what you mean after going to the link you provided. The only “between” is the price point.
on Sun, Mar 09th, 2008 at 04:55 PM
yeah when you see that it typically gives you the impression that the more expensive is the faster and what not.
but then again all the major computer makers do that, list them by lower to higher in price than slower to faster.
on Sun, Mar 09th, 2008 at 06:04 PM
Totally OT but.......hey Marc, do you have any need for 512 mb sticks of iMac RAM?
on Sun, Mar 09th, 2008 at 06:48 PM
Errm, personally nope. I can’t think of anyone who does either!
Thanks though!
on Mon, Mar 10th, 2008 at 03:06 AM
wow the people on here are cool, they offer to give stuff away.
Anyone want to buy me a macbook lmao jk
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