Cnet: Who is Apple’s MacBook Air for?
By Jonathan Schlaffer
This question is being raised time and again by every person who reviews the MacBook Air. Who is this computer for? Sentiments that have been echoed the world over. Ultraportables aren’t known for their power and the MacBook Air is the slowest computer Apple makes.
Apple has been down a similar road before. Remember the G4 Cube? The G4 cube had a slow hard drive, lacked many common expansion ports and couldn’t be upgraded much though there were some aftermarket upgrade kits, it was not as good as just buying a better machine.
Cnet compares the MacBook Air to the G4 cube in that these two products have a market that doesn’t exist. Creating a product to create a market just seems pointless. Yes, that kind of worked with the iPod but that’s a little different, the iPod wasn’t overpriced and useless.
It’s possible to configure a better MacBook with a faster processor and larger hard drive for $150 less than the price of the MacBook Air. Granted the MacBook is 2lbs heavier and thicker but hey, faster processor, optical drive, more expansion ports, it’s almost a “no-brainer.” Though I have to say that the MacBook (for obvious reasons) lacks the aluminum case and (if it bothers you) a dedicated graphics card. But if you’re after a “thin and light” laptop, a dedicated graphics card is one of the first things that should get cut from your feature list.
As Molly Wood put it, “Apple certainly got its hat handed to it with the Cube. Let’s hope they’re not cranking out MacBook Airs by the hundred-thousand, because I just don’t think they’re going to need them.” I’m more sure than that, Apple isn’t going to need them, it’ll be lucky to sell 5,000 of them.
We’ve been here before, the MacBook Air is overpriced for what it offers even at the “entry level” $1,800 model and paying $3,100 for the 64GB SSD option is just insane. Spending $3,100 on a laptop had better net you one with Geforce 8800M GTS graphics cards in SLi configuration.
The most a thin and light laptop is worth is $1,500, maybe $2,500 if you want a rugged model. Beyond that price, just buy a full size “desktop replacement” laptop with all the trimmings.
Again, Apple, give us a 13″ MacBook Pro with a 1440 x 900 display (glossy or non-glossy), dedicated graphics of the 8400M GS/GT variety, 2GB standard memory and standard 120GB hard drive at a price of around $1,700 and watch them fly out of the retail stores.
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January 27th, 2008
This computer is for the business executive who needs a light computer for traveling and who uses it for little beyond email and documents, and for the Apple fanboys/fangrrls who will buy anything Apple puts out. A slim market. I am not impressed with the Air.
January 27th, 2008
I can wait to get my $3100 MBA! You guys are missing the boat. Who really needs 5 usb ports, firewire and CD/DVD? Good riddance!
January 27th, 2008
I think this computer won’t do as bad as many people think it would. Many people I know are definitely going to buy it even if it is limited, because it is a lot smaller and it has the basic features needed.
If you have the money, you would actually want it. If you don’t, you’re just jealous that some can afford having one of these.
January 27th, 2008
Q. Who is the Macbook Air for?
A. Cunts
January 27th, 2008
No, I do have the money, at least for the $1,800 model and if I was spending that much, I’d rather spend $200 more and get the base MacBook Pro. For me, for *MOST* it’s about features vs. price *NOT* how small and dainty it is… or if you prefer my translation… useless.
January 28th, 2008
It’s easy to say it’s a ‘no brainer’ and it probably is for a cost conscious computer geek who knows and cares about the numbers however… Most of my clients don’t know about the numbers, and the Mac users in particular don’t care… that’s why they use a Mac - their priorities are simplicity and elegance and I must say it’s causing quite a stir amongst those people - everyone’s been asking me about it recently.
You have a point that the majority of people never take their laptops out if the house so they would probably be better off with some power hungry leviathan of a toshiba but my laptop travels everywhere with me and I have clients who’s computers have to do the same - the wealthier among them will probably very much enjoy the Macbook Air and while they’re the minority they’re still significant in numbers… If they weren’t then why have laptop makers always made low power ultraportables?
Personally I’d love one but I don’t have that kind of cash to spare.. I have no need for sheer power in a laptop, my most used programs are a web browser and a text editor so my processor is idling over 99% of the time anyway. My current laptop is a PIII 1.2Ghz (£120 off ebay in 2007!) and that really doesn’t seem slow for the things I use it for so I can’t justify spending 20x more on an Air myself, but I’m sure quite a lot of people will find the form as important as (if not more than) the function and happily split with a couple of grand for something that light and gorgeous.
January 28th, 2008
Hilarious: “Apple isn’t going to need them, it’ll be lucky to sell 5,000 of them.” I should be grateful, I’ve made a lot of money of of people making such comments, as with the iPod. Remember, THIS “Air” is just the first version. And, well, peoiple have been spending more for Macs generally for a long time, with good reason. 5,000! Ha.
January 28th, 2008
You guys are just silly. It’s not comparable to the machines you are comparing it to. IF you want a faster and cheaper machine that is less portable and has less battery life, buy one. This is for those (like me) who want their laptop to actually be usable when not at home. That means it has to be light (so you don’t mind carrying it around if you walk a lot), and the battery has to last a long time (so you can actually use it if you want without constantly trying to find outlets). Look at comparable size/weight laptops from Sony, Panasonic, Lenovo, etc. They are MORE expensive. My sharp MM20, which is several years older and only 1GHz cost more than $1200 when it came out, and sharp is one of the cheaper producers of ultralights. Sony? Like I said, check the number and let me know. The fact is, Apple’s prices are competitive here. If you don’t like the trade-offs, you don’t have to buy it, but that doesn’t mean others won’t.
January 29th, 2008
1) My laptop bag is a rolling one
2) It also sports another battery
3)I can still use my laptop at the many businesses who don’t have wireless for security reasons
February 5th, 2008
Oh I am sure there must be 5,000 retards somewhere in America.
My M1330 is much better than this POS!
February 6th, 2008
Looking to purchase MBA!
These guys have great deals! wholesale price.
Currently they deal locally only…but soon will be online. Check out!
http://macbookdeals.info/
March 10th, 2008
Who is this marketed for? Two types of people.
The mac fanboy- Because its a mac.
And the computer illiterate.
I can’t see any other demographics having a use for this. A single USB port? No wired Ethernet? I can possibly understand not having a CD-rom. But no wired Ethernet? Wireless isn’t fast enough that I’m ready to get rid of my CAT5e just yet.
A single USB Port? So if I want to use a USB periphial, I have to either: A) buy a USB hub or B) unplug my mouse. Nice.
Apple creates flashy products for people who walk by a mac store in the mall and say “OOOOH SHINY!”.
They are fashionable products- not hardcore electronics for geeks.
Go look at a company like ASUS, who makes a better notebook-without the ridiculous features (or lack thereof), extraordinary price and foolish marketing.
The only reason Steve Jobs is still around is becuase he got to rip Xerox off.
Mactards need to shut up and get with the rest of the world. This type of person- the tight jean wearing, pop-music listening, All-American asshole is the reason why the terrorists want to kill us.