Apple unveils new, instant-on MacBook Air: 'MacBook meets iPad' - Page 5

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Just looking at the 11.6" model:

A 1.4GHz or 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo processor. Up to 4GB memory, up to 128GB storage, 5 hrs operating time with WiFi on.

Compared to a typical Wintel notebook with an Atom CPU...

Whatever you're smoking, you need to stop before it's too late.

I don't know what to think of the direction Apple might be moving with their app-store. I am not interested in new pre-cooked Happy Apple Family methods of sharing the, a bit too artistically shot, footage of my exiting sporty lifestyle with friends.

But I can see my self buying such a mac-book air, in a year or so, with 10.7, first processor-speed-bump and 4 Gig ram.

Didn't get the I-pad as it is not a productivity tool (you CAN be productive, but in that it doesn't match up to a laptop). The new Air looks like the mobile tool for me.

Like instand on, like the new interface stuff in 10.7, but,
Steve ... I do need to install all my open-source tools, and the software I want!!!! Don't take that away from me, or you will loose me after 20-odd years!!!!

You say that like it's a bad thing.

It's not.

Can someone tell me where the Power Button is on this MBAir? I mean, how do you turn this thing ON when you get it or OFF for that matter?

Do you shake the laptop once to turn ON and shake it twice to turn OFF?

Why are the simple things so mysterious? \

Found it:

http://www.apple.com/macbookair/

Obviously more mature than you.

So some adults aren't excited about today's announcements. But for some that just need to overtly dis and bitch each and every thing that Apple introduces, without seeing, touching or heck even before they are on the shelves is asinine. As is your comment.

I had a couple of "wow" moments during the presentation but I am back on Earth now. I was really hoping for a matte/antiglare screen on one of these models so that it can be used outdoors.

No, it isn't. You need to watch the keynote.


Might be true, if you were right. You're not.

The flash mass storage is on a small plug-in card; four flash chips plus two support chips, with little gold fingers plugging in to the motherboard equivalent.

Did you look at the keyboard? It's where the eject button once was.

I'm not sure what would have made this more than "lack-lustre", according to you. Care to shed some light on what would have made you happy or impressed?

I think what hurt the original MBAs was the price. It was just too high to justify buying a machine spec'd lower than a MacBook. Well, Apple has fixed that problem. Now, at the given price point, you have a choice to go ultra-light and thin, or bigger and more capacity.

As I said a few days ago, I think these new MBAs would be perfectly suited for writers, beat reporters and English majors.

I think this is another win for Apple.

Lift the lid. It's instant on.

Close the lid. It's instant off.

Because it is the same for simple people.

Power requirements; not to mention that overall system performance, especially with the 1.8GHz version may not be all that much slower than the current top MBA. In some cases, the new graphics support may even be faster.

Keep tuned in ...


Power demand. Think about it. Run time on a charge is critical for this machine.

Not to mention, the ULV i5 and i7 probably weren't available early enough to make the cut for the MBA development. Even assuming they have low enough current draw.

4GB is optional. (As are 128 or 256GB storage, depending on model.)

As mentioned in the keynote, and on the MBA specs page.

Doesn't anyone read any more?

HAHAHA! Good point! That's what I should have said.

Three ways (at least):

- Direct download

- WiFi (from another machine on local net that's sharing its optical drive)

- From CD/DVD in optional external optical drive ($79).

I don't need one but I definitely want!!!

Maybe Steve's RDF hasn't reached me yet, but I'm not very impressed.

The only upgrade here is the form factor, if you care a lot about having a wedge-shaped computer. However the rest isn't that impressive considering the price.

If you're going to make an underpowered notebook, why Core 2 Duo? Even with a 45nm process, that's an ancient processor eating up probably 40-50w. If a C2D is enough for you, why not get a higher performing original MacBook unibody for a hell of a lot less, and upgrade its RAM. Don't like optical? Me neither, which is why I removed mine and installed a second hard drive. My old optical drive sits in its own case and hasn't been used since I tested it. That allows me to have 1Gig HD space, cheaply. It's like we're stuck in 2006.

If I wanted an ultra-portable, I'd get a Netbook and hackintosh it. They cost anywhere from half to less than a quarter as much, and support QE and even HD depending on the model. Easy to upgrade things like RAM, swappable battery packs, and lightweight. You might poo poo the Atom, but the N550 is a dual core processor that roughly has the same power of a 1.2Ghz C2D, and only uses 8.5W!

Not that I would have ever expected it, but I was secretly hoping Apple understood the popularity of Netbooks was in affordability. I mean, they priced the iPad right, why not a $500 Mac Netbook with a N550? Ah, but that would 'cannibalize' iPad and MacBook sales. Why grow the Mac user base when we can squeeze it?

At least I have alternatives to a $1000+ C2D with non-upgradable memory and a tiny drive which likely performs poorly compared to laptops made over FOUR YEARS AGO!

Every matte/antiglare screen goes virtually blank in bright sunlight.

If anything, the backlit MacBooks glossy screens are the only ones that I have seen that work well outside. True, it is susceptible to reflection, but if turning up the brightness and adjusting the screen angle doesn't suffice, place your laptop so the light in front of you is darker than the light behind you, otherwise best move into the shade.

That's a good point.

The lack of 3g to me too, is the only omission in this stunning device.

But I think it's an intentional one, they want you to have your iphone or ipad for that.

You can hold that against them of course, but they are a business and they have to differentiate their products even in ways that may seem unfair to a consumer.

Having said that you can always tether from the iphone or any other smart phone.

The 45nm C2D would consume over 50W at that speed, so of course they underpowered it.

We already know the speed of the GPU, and no, don't expect much.

This is a niche machine, unlike the Netbook which has become ubiquitous. They're trying to make something worth over $1000 using a four year old processor and anemic graphics.

Not that most people need anything better. In fact, having used Snow Leopard on an Atom, I doubt most people reading this post need anything faster than an Atom 330, let alone N550.

I only max out my 2.8Ghz C2D when using handbrake or compiling.

The processors that the MBA use are and have always been 17W TDP. That's how much heat they generate and related to how much power they use. The 11.6" MBA now uses a 10W CPU and this 13.3" still a 17W.

The only i-series processors with a similar and thus compatible TDP (18W) have much lower clock speeds: 1.2 (i3) to 1.47 GHz (i7).

The only big "feature" of an i-series is it's on-die GPU, however Intel's graphics are around 3-3.5 times lower performing than the 320M in these MBAs. Then on top of that the CPU itself is 1.5-2 times lower clocked? This is a case of new not being better.

no kidding genius... but you have to turn it on for the FIRST time, right?

<I updated my post, found it on the keyboard>

Definitely agree. My 17" PowerBook G4 does not work so well outside, but I've had very few problems seeing the glossy screen on my 13" MacBook inside or outside.

I have a matte 17" C2D MacBook and haven't found this to be the case.

In extreme sun I cover the laptop with a sheet which wouldn't work with a glossy screen due to reflections.

Yea, because english majors blow thousands on laptops all the time.

Sounds like you want an old mac or a science experiment (ie: hackintosh).

You could fit about 3 of these new MBAs in the space occupied by one of the old upgradeable MacBooks you mention. Not to mention the the old Mac's 3 hour runtime, probably less if you are spinning two HDDs instead of just the one. To your other point, not many would care to hackintosh. For me the quality & craftsmanship of a real Mac is well worth a premium price.

I like to upgrade things like the next guy, but get a clue. This is not the Mac for that, and it should not be. MBA has always been focused on size/weight & battery life for the uncompromisingly mobile user. If you need to be on the move for as long as possible with a REAL Mac (not an iPad) this Mac is the best one ever made for that purpose.

There are lots of people who need this capability and are willing to sacrifice expandability and performance to achieve it. This is similar to how you are willing to sacrifice battery life, size/weight and the quality fit and finish of a real Mac to satisfy your desire for expandability and price. Just don't deny someone their MacBook Air because it doesn't fit your particular purpose.

For it's intended niche it seems to be an improvement in every way over the prior MBA.

Its exactly like a netbook, and a very expensive one.

You are right. But it only once.

Niche is the word, and not, and not compatible with "lots of people."

I'm not denying that there is someone in SF right now who's choking on his latte and spooging his pants trying to get the first maxxed out MacBook Air out of the factory. I'm saying it won't sell any better than the previous Air, and Apple is missing the boat (and the POINT) when it comes to Netbooks.

Netbooks aren't a niche product. They're a phenomenon, and Apple just sits idly by...

Hard to listen to you when its not the same...

Size: its thinner and there's a new 11" model.
Weight: 3.0lbs verses 2.3-2.9lbs (albeit a modest improvement)
Graphics: you get the much better nvidia 320M now.
Memory: up to 4Gb now

Then instead of processor/bus improvements you get better battery life.

Plus the i-series ULV processors Intel is offering leave much to be desired as far as clock speed and graphics are concerned.

The Core 2 Duo SL9600 2.13 GHz is 17W TDP.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ge.2C_45_nm.29

The problem? See image above.

Anyone can build or hack together a machine for a lot cheaper than the MBAs, but most people don't want tothey either don't have the time, the interest, or the technical skill to do so. Apple may have been born out of the "Homebrew Computer Club", but homebrew geeks are not their primary customer base anymore, and haven't been for a long, long time. Apple knows that there are cheaper alternatives out there, but they're not gonna be as well-thought-out or well-built as an new MBA.

And can you name a sub-3 pound laptop from four years ago that has better specs than the new MBA at this price point? (I'm not challenging youI'm actually asking. If you can, then kudos!)

In terms of your take on the air rev. 1 I have to say this: The air has always been a cutting edge device, with compromises, it's been a way to test the limits of design, to go a bit further. Sure there are going to be problems, but nowhere near as many as you mention, I know lots of people who love it and swear by it. The 've had the thinnest, most beautiful (by far, and I think rev. 1 is more aesthetically pleasing than this version - it's a design classic) laptop for a while, one of the lightest ones, and a very powerful one for that matter. Ok, there were some hinge problems, a few lines on the screen, and the very first one had to be throttled down a bit for that awful flash, but we are talking here about a cutting edge product? If apple hadn't ventured (again) thus far, no one would have.

I think you are overreacting. Ok, some people might admire them as gods, maybe because they are immature, maybe because they are in need of admiring others as gods, apple isn't such a bad target to project - they have lots of good qualities. But I think the vast majority of users here who are happy here for very tangible reasons: They presented some very interesting updates to their core lifestyle suit (not personally to my liking most of them, or rather to my interest, but I am sure lots of people will love these features), also some very promising highlights from the new os (including an early shipping date), and updated a device that many people liked to something that is almost compelling to buy for a lot of people, myself included, by fixing and upgrading some of its key components: more ports, better batter life, great screen resolution, very aggressively priced, with an innovatory approach to having fast flash on the motherboard itself, an innovation with the instant on, with options for 4gb memory, which is lighter and also gives you the option to have an even smaller screen model, and without the dreaded to many glass on the screen. They pretty much satisfied most people's requests (smaller screen, bigger ram, better igfx, cheap price, no glass on the screen, more ports) whilst staying true to the character of the air and adding a bunch of their own innovations with the flash chips, instant on, thinner unibody design etc.

The question isn't what do you like about this, the question is what's not to like?

Ok they couldn't get an advanced shipment of the Jan-Feb. intel chips, and they couldn't make this bulkier just to have a discrete cpu in, so they went with the c2d. Big deal, as if the new crop of chips with crap gpus are as much better as the sites like anandtec and the rest of the flock on intels payroll make them out to be. As if they had any other option but including a c2d. This ideology that is stuck on the cpu is garbage anyway, both the c2d and even the next line of intel's chips will look Paleolithic in a couple of years anyway. And what exactly do people expect to run on their airs? The real bottleneck in such devices has always been the gpu and the hard drive speed anyway.

Ok, so they didn't include 3g in there, it's not as if most of us don't have a smartphone (and most of them can tether), it's not as if there are no other options out there such as mifi.

Again, to me, the question is what's not to like with this update of the air?

Well $1000, not "thousands". I worked in a retail computer store (in the Mac department, of course!) many years ago, and sold a lot of iBooks (this was pre-MacBook/Intel era) to English majors.

Exactly because they don't they can buy an air once and have it at least for the next half a decade, at least, rather than buying some netbook crap that they can't write on, or some bulky monster laptop to carry around, or some even more expensive niche thin and light pc with that dog of an os that is windows on it.

Not at all.

• 11 MBA = 5 hours wireless productivity
• 13 MBA = 7 hours wireless productivity
• 13 MB/MBP = 10 hours wireless productivity
• 15/17 MBP = 8-9 hours wireless productivity

I personally am in the market for one of these babies.

My only hesitation, is that the keyboard is not backlit.

And Steve's declaration that he sees the new MacBook Air as the future of the MacBook…and all notebooks will be like this one day, makes it even harder to decide.

Should I wait?

More important, can I afford to wait?

And the funny bit is that it still looks much better aesthetically, and much more well though out functionally (the clam shell allows for a full sized keyboard), and it's something they created 14 years ago...

But yes, why isn't apple making a netbook? Why can't we (pundits, 14 year olds, midwifes, scuba divers, windows aficionados, google freaks) just tell a company that has consistently innovated for more than 30 years what to do? We are living in the majority dictatorship of the internet, or are we not? So they made an ultra portable that's priced as high (or lower than) most decent (not good, just decent) quality netbooks from sony and toshi, yet has arguably much better specifications, it's much thinner, has a better os, and all sorts of innovations, it has a full keyboard you can actually type on.

Where the heck are those netbooks from 3 years ago, are people still using the atom, and who stole the consumers' money? Was it overpriced apple? Was it apple that gave them a fully functional ultra thin and light laptop and then gave them an ipad that was simple to use, fast, readable, thin, portable, with a long battery life, with an innovative touch interface, and too many other advantages to mention here? Or was it every other dime a dozen hack putting together a few standard parts without bothering to see if they even worked together, and slapping on top of that the great windoze (xp of course because vista needed 1gb to boot, and no one wanted them anyway...)? How many of these atom netbooks are NOT gathering dust in some garage now? I know mine is, because I was stupid, or naive enough to buy one for a friend.

Oh, but yes, it's fashionable to swallow the propaganda from the very dime a dozen manufacturers that lacked the foresight and flair and are now getting their asses whooped left right and center by apple, be it in the mobile, the laptop or desktop space. Apple is greedy and overpriced and we want our netbooks so in a couple of years they 'll be able to keep good company to our other netbooks, the current ones we own, in that cupboard in the garage next to the screws, and light bulbs.

But who cares about all that. Why don't apple make a netbook?

Battery life? You're crazy. Name another similar laptop that gets more battery life.

3G? Use a USB 3G adapter. That has the advantage of being easy to upgrade or flexible if you travel outside the U.S.


USB/SD adapter. you're going to skip a great computer because you're too cheap to spend $10 on an adapter?

Once again MSNBC proved to be idiots. Not that CNN or Fox News(if you can call Fox a News network) are any better. But I always have this hope that MSNBC could somehow balance out the Right with some extreme left. Geeze...for the days for impartial news.