Mossberg: Apple’s MacBook Air is not the computer to buy
All roads lead back to this year’s MacWorld, many were disappointed with the announcements as there were no widespread product revisions/announcements and by all counts, the MacBook Air is seen as “bad fruit.” Apple stocks are down temporarily but the long term outlook is good and it’s possible some new MacBook Pros are due soon.
The MacBook Air is not a laptop the majority are going to buy and it fills a niche that didn’t need filled in the first place. It’s probable that Steve Jobs thought people would just eat up anything he announced but not all Apple customers are sheep, some actually ask questions.
Reviews of the MacBook Air come to the same conclusions no matter who wrote it. It is not a mainstream laptop, it is overpriced, skimps on too many features but at least you can get a manilla carrying case for it.
Walt Mossberg, a tech columnist with the Wall Street Journal wrote a review about the MacBook Air. Despite some of the good things he had to say about it, it’s not enough to make up for its shortcomings. It only has three ports, a headphone jack, one paltry USB port and a connection for an external monitor.
It can only connect to the Internet using WiFi, there is no Ethernet but it is possible to use a $30 USB Ethernet adapter or cell phone modem which would occupy the only USB port on the laptop. He says, “You can buy a tiny, cheap USB hub that adds three more ports, but that’s yet another item to carry.”
By now all of us are aware of the lack of an optical drive but an external one is optional for $99, also, an almost essential for this laptop.
There are just too many things wrong or lacking on this laptop, his review is summed up nicely, “If you rely on spare batteries, expect the usual array of ports, or like to play DVDs on planes, this isn’t the computer to buy.” That would be, what, 90% of consumers? Way to go, Apple. Seriously, way to go.
Those that value portability, a large screen and full size keyboard in a subnotebook, the MacBook Air is for you. Which is clearly, not most of us.
If Apple had made a 13″ version of the MacBook Pro with a 1440 x 900 display (1680 x 1050 would be pushing it for that size) with the same ports as the Pro, nVidia 8-series graphics (say the 8400M GT), 2GB of memory, SuperDrive and all the things that make a MacBook Pro a “Pro” and say at a price of $1,800, Apple wouldn’t have been able to keep them in stock for long. The MacBook Air is just going to collect dust in stockrooms.
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February 6th, 2008
It’s sad that you acknowledge a niche out there and just because you are not in it you decide to bash it. I just got mine in the mail. I have been waiting for an ultra-thin, ultra-light Mac for over a year now. I am a student and it will fill ALL of my needs. Hubs? Adapters? I’ve never used an ethernet cable, more and two USBs at one time, nor any of the other ports. I use it for internet, chat, Word and other Office products. My PowerBook G4 had gotten slow, I wanted Leopard and to get both of those for my PowerBook would have cost a quarter of this new Air.
You people need to realize that there IS a large niche for this computer and it will be filled. Some of us who have used Macs since they were 4 years old, like myself, have been awaiting this computer for a while now.
It may not be the computer for you to buy, but for many out there it will be the computer to buy. Don’t bash it just because YOU don’t want it, because YOU don’t need its capabilities or because YOU think it’s too expensive. The funny thing is, my PowerBook G4 12” was nearly $500 more. With a student price of $1700… that aint bad.
Be positive, embrace it for its innovative and enabling features and be impressed that there is a computer that can do everything a PowerBook G4 can and still be under .8 inches.
February 24th, 2008
I couldn’t agree more with Mike’s comments. I just replaced my 12 inch powerbook with the Air as well and after using it for two day absolutely LOVE it.
August 7th, 2008
Absolutely agree with Mike!! The Air actually converted me from a hard-core PC user to Mac. It may not have all the ports you find on other laptops but do you really need ALL of them? A great buy!
August 29th, 2008
Agreed. Bought one for my wife. She went from a virtual Luddite who only used her laptop for work to mini-maven of online uses (her cooking hobbies, all our finances, lots more communication with family, etc.).
Why the difference? She _likes_ using it. Everywhere.
November 9th, 2009
It seems that the entire article is about how economically it is not a wise decision to purchase Macbook Air. Many of us who bought it can afford this fancy looking gadget and we do not lament the lack of optical drive or USB ports.
I bought the Super Drive but have only used it twice since 2008 as everything can be downloaded from internet sites or through iTune; I bought the Ethernet adapter but seldom use it as I’ve got Airport connection at home and find very few high-end hotel that doesn’t offer WiFi.
It truly is pricey compared to other Mac or PC on the market. But just as it takes $5 to purchase a refill for the Louis Vuitton Golden Agenda pen, the luxury of computing demands a premium. Not surprisingly it is the only computer that gets reported on Luxury Channel.