Do you have any reason to believe if you just changed the screen to 13.3, it would need to add a full 2 inches in width and 1.25lbs in weight?
Sure, the ports that pull down on the right hand side need a good inch of space, and on the other side, there needs to be room for the magsafe connector. In terms of weight - the battery in the Air is huge and is no doubt a contributing factor.
The 160GB drive is two platters the 80GB drive is one. Id est, it's too thick.
I don't think they make 1.8" 5400RPM drives.
I'm not sure what that would do. people are complainign about 64 and 80GB, what would a small SSD card really accomplish?
No, it shares the optical drive using Bonjour. And for Windows, shows it hoe to read HFS+ formatted discs. I don't see any reason why you won't be able to play DVDs via Remote Disc.
Now that is a good idea. Or maybe an Ethernet jack, too. It would sure make the DVD drive sales better.
i meant to have a have an extra slot for SSD storage on top of whichever built in storage you have. Why? cause SSD will be cheaper and cheaper, as its capacity will increase exponentially.
you sure that remote disc will let me play DVD movies and allow me to watch it on MBA simultaneously?... i doubt that...
the only reason i thought why they didn't put an USB port on the external dvd drive is power concerns; the unit might need all the power that an USB can provide and not being able to share anymore power to other devices.. I guess they didn't want to make the DVD drive sorta like a docking base..
that said.. maybe they should just put a dvd drive on the new Time Capsule..
i meant to have a have an extra slot for SSD storage on top of whichever built in storage you have. Why? cause SSD will be cheaper and cheaper, as its capacity will increase exponentially.
you sure that remote disc will let me play DVD movies and allow me to watch it on MBA simultaneously?... i doubt that...
the only reason i thought why they didn't put an USB port on the external dvd drive is power concerns; the unit might need all the power that an USB can provide and not being able to share anymore power to other devices.. I guess they didn't want to make the DVD drive sorta like a docking base..
that said.. maybe they should just put a dvd drive on the new Time Capsule..
The read that the USB port on the MBA outputs a good deal more power then the IEEE specifications when the DVD drive is attached. They wou;dn't have to have teh USB port on the DVD drive powered, just allow it to transfer data. But I can see where this miht cinfuse and upset people who plug in theor iPhone overnight thinking it will charge to find that it's DOA the the next morning. The solution is obvoisuly power management in the DVD drive, but that would add complexity to an item that will be widely purchased and only rarely used so why bother with all that.
Sure, the ports that pull down on the right hand side need a good inch of space, and on the other side, there needs to be room for the magsafe connector. In terms of weight - the battery in the Air is huge and is no doubt a contributing factor.
Ummm last time I checked the ports and magsafe jack are not on the screen. The screen simply doesn't need that huge bezel, except that it is apparently glass and needs some sort of protection from breakage. I've got an idea... why not make it not glass? Isn't glass heavy, too?
Ummm last time I checked the ports and magsafe jack are not on the screen. The screen simply doesn't need that huge bezel, except that it is apparently glass and needs some sort of protection from breakage.
That's right, they are on the base, and the lid needs to close flush with the base, hence the space on the sides.
AnandTech may be wrong about this being a mini-Merom C2D. The developer notes for the MBA state that it supports SSE4, so this might be a Penryn in here.
That might be true. Perhaps these are like the 3.0Ghz Woodcrests that the other makers didn't want. Precursors to LV Mobile Penryns or something that other makers are willing to wait a couple quarters for the real thing or in higher volumes.
The Air isn't going to move in large volume even if it takes 99% share in the ultralight market...
Ummm last time I checked the ports and magsafe jack are not on the screen. The screen simply doesn't need that huge bezel, except that it is apparently glass and needs some sort of protection from breakage. I've got an idea... why not make it not glass? Isn't glass heavy, too?
It's exceptionally short sided to think that Apple didn't make the width and lenght of the case as small as possible. (car analogy warning) Every car on the road could be made much lighter and therefore get better gas mileage, but at the expense of reducing it to a death trap. Structural integrity shouldn't be taken lightly in a portable computer.
What a waste of money. The G4 Cube failed for being overpriced and underpowered and underfeatured. The AirBook will fail for the same reason. The MacBook is already small, and the AirBook has the same size footprint, only slightly thinner. No one will spend $300 more for a laptop that is slower and offers less than the MacBook. Apple is even dumb enough to offer Final Cut Express on the AirBook page! You cannot do any video editing on the AirBook because you cannot connect any DV camera to it! Forget about taking it with you on vacation.
At least the PowerBook Duo gave you the option to add the remaining ports with a MiniDock. The AirBook doesn't even do that.
The G4 Cube was $1,799 and it failed. The Power Mac G4 was $200 less and offered more power and more features. The MacBook is $300 less and offers more power and more features. The MacBook and my PowerBook also both fit inside an envelope because they are only 1 inch thick. 0.77 is not much of a difference.
Non-removable battery? Since laptop batteries only last a few years, how much will Apple charge for a new battery? Hopefully it would be the same price as an external PowerBook battery with free installation.
That's right, they are on the base, and the lid needs to close flush with the base, hence the space on the sides.
You don't get it.
Current MBA:
Code:
XX---------XX
XXkkkkkkkkkXX
MSCCCCCCCCCPP
XX = Bezel
--------- = Screen
kkkkkkkkk = Keyboard
MS = Magsafe
CCCCCCCCC = Main Board, Battery, Internals
PP = Ports
Could be:
Code:
|---------|
|kkkkkkkkk|
MSCCCCCCCPP
Get it now? How on earth does the positioning of the ports mean a bezel is required. The screen needs to be 11 3/8" in width, and the keyboard needs to be 10 3/4" in width, but the main board and internals could be reduced in length further. Are you saying there's no room or the ports under the keyboard? I've got an idea, how about putting them in the front of the keyboard (parallel to the trackpad)?
It's exceptionally short sided to think that Apple didn't make the width and lenght of the case as small as possible. (car analogy warning) Every car on the road could be made much lighter and therefore get better gas mileage, but at the expense of reducing it to a death trap. Structural integrity shouldn't be taken lightly in a portable computer.
Oh, I guess that would explain the bezel on the MacBook Pro...
Not to mention every other lightweight portable, NONE of which have a space wasting 3/4" bezel on both sides (well except the eePC, but the eePC costs next to nothing!).
Oh, I guess that would explain the bezel on the MacBook Pro...
You think it makes more sense that the dozens of Apple engineering working on this project for a year never once thought to give it a smaller footprint, and your rudimentary observations are somehow more valid than their intricate, empirical knowledge of the device?
I think it's purely aesthetics, not an engineering choice. They wanted to have a very gently tapering arc to the edge all around to give the illusion and cachet of super thinness.
Given the minimum screen depth, that arc + screensize determines the size. The more the edges are squared off, the more conventional and bulky it looks, with its nice-but-big-for-an-ultralight screen. That thin aesthetic requires/explains the port-dropdown. No vertical sides allowed anywhere -- that would make it just a Macbook refresh.
Clearly they could have made it smaller engineeringwise. That above as-thin-without-taper 12.1" R500, with a hotter HD, has not only the Air's power, video-, audio-out but an entire internal DVD, 3 USB, Firewire, Ethernet, audio-in, SD card, PC card (for internal WWAN, not a big USB dongle housing the antenna). All this isn't necessary (would internal WWAN have been nicest for the Air's target audience?) and the Air's taper prohibits the DVD, but Apple could have crammed some of the rest in if they wanted. And ruined the unique minimalist aesthetic.
Criticizing the MBA for lack of ports and this n that, is like complaining that the Enzo Ferrari doesn't have 7 seats, or doesn't have an in-car DVD system.
Everyone can complain about something or another. There are cars that do 50mpg. There are cars that carry 7-8 people easily. There are cars that can traverse over rocky terrain. There are cars that blaze over 200mph. THere are cars that sell for a really cheap price. But there are no cars that do ALL of them.
The complaints made against the MBA is like the above analogy: Seems that Apple should have done the following: 2.2lb, 10" screen, built-in blu-ray, thus somehow fit a 1080p display into that tiny 10" screen, 8hrs battery life thats replaceable, 1" thick, have at least 1 FW 800 and 3 USB ports, full range of audio and video outputs, a 128GB SSD drive, at least a 2.2Ghz C2D chip and at least an 8800 nVidia mobile chip. Oh and still sell it for US$1000.
It's a very specialised machine. The MacBook was never designed for mobile professional artists. The Mac Pro was not ever designed for granny at home to just read on the web. The MacBook Air was not designed for for the poweruser.
End of story.
Asking for just TWO usb ports is hardly asking the world though, it it?!
Ah, memories. My first Mac was a SE/30, and I still remember it fondly, crappy tiny 9" black n' white screen and all.
.
Mine was a Mac Plus. Only retired it two years ago after 13 years of use, including an intercontinental flight in a dufflebag. Still the best keyboard I've ever used.
Ive has got a problem here. This new Macbook Air looks stunning! All of a sudden the Macbook Pro - Macbook - iPod Touch and iPhone look like common "bricks" ?
I also love the way the new power cable connects to the MBAir. It just flows from your desk i/o coming sideways ? it is a little detail, but it gives the user such a nice feel.
I also love the way the cooling vents are integrated into the curviness of the shape. It is sensual minimalisme. The way the ports are protected from the dust.
Asking for just TWO usb ports is hardly asking the world though, it it?!
.
What do you need to attach? Remember that people buying an ultra-light (I ordered my Air today) are trying to slim down on the computer and likely on attachments as well.
The Air has a multi-touch trackpad: leave the mouse at home.
Printing can be done wirelessly.
While out and about, the only thing I will need to attach to my Air is my camera so I can put photos and video clips to use immediately (my camera only has USB, no FW, so no problems at all; it also has hi def video!). That comes to a grand total of one USB port that I will need.
If you really need two USB ports, you are already lugging a couple of extra things around, so a tiny USB hub wouldn't change much. You could always buy a MB or MBP if you need more power. The Air is about lightness and slimness. All excess is cut.
What do you need to attach? Remember that people buying an ultra-light (I ordered my Air today) are trying to slim down on the computer and likely on attachments as well.
The Air has a multi-touch trackpad: leave the mouse at home.
Printing can be done wirelessly.
While out and about, the only thing I will need to attach to my Air is my camera so I can put photos and video clips to use immediately (my camera only has USB, no FW, so no problems at all; it also has hi def video!). That comes to a grand total of one USB port that I will need.
If you really need two USB ports, you are already lugging a couple of extra things around, so a tiny USB hub wouldn't change much. You could always buy a MB or MBP if you need more power. The Air is about lightness and slimness. All excess is cut.
Say for example i'd like to charge/sync my iPod for a couple of hours and burn some work on the external DVD drive, or print, or access an external bus powered HDD, or use the ethernet adapter: not everyone is going to be able to afford, or have immediately available to them, the wireless house of the future complete with TimeMachine, wifi, wifi printers, remote DVD drives etc etc...
Just seems like compromise and assumption to me.
Bus powering/charging isn't all that great over USB hubs, unless you buy a powered hub which will need a PSU, which wouldn't really do the crisp aesthetic any favours.
Comments
Do you have any reason to believe if you just changed the screen to 13.3, it would need to add a full 2 inches in width and 1.25lbs in weight?
Sure, the ports that pull down on the right hand side need a good inch of space, and on the other side, there needs to be room for the magsafe connector. In terms of weight - the battery in the Air is huge and is no doubt a contributing factor.
The 160GB drive is two platters the 80GB drive is one. Id est, it's too thick.
I don't think they make 1.8" 5400RPM drives.
I'm not sure what that would do. people are complainign about 64 and 80GB, what would a small SSD card really accomplish?
No, it shares the optical drive using Bonjour. And for Windows, shows it hoe to read HFS+ formatted discs. I don't see any reason why you won't be able to play DVDs via Remote Disc.
Now that is a good idea. Or maybe an Ethernet jack, too. It would sure make the DVD drive sales better.
i meant to have a have an extra slot for SSD storage on top of whichever built in storage you have. Why? cause SSD will be cheaper and cheaper, as its capacity will increase exponentially.
you sure that remote disc will let me play DVD movies and allow me to watch it on MBA simultaneously?... i doubt that...
the only reason i thought why they didn't put an USB port on the external dvd drive is power concerns; the unit might need all the power that an USB can provide and not being able to share anymore power to other devices.. I guess they didn't want to make the DVD drive sorta like a docking base..
that said.. maybe they should just put a dvd drive on the new Time Capsule..
i meant to have a have an extra slot for SSD storage on top of whichever built in storage you have. Why? cause SSD will be cheaper and cheaper, as its capacity will increase exponentially.
you sure that remote disc will let me play DVD movies and allow me to watch it on MBA simultaneously?... i doubt that...
the only reason i thought why they didn't put an USB port on the external dvd drive is power concerns; the unit might need all the power that an USB can provide and not being able to share anymore power to other devices.. I guess they didn't want to make the DVD drive sorta like a docking base..
that said.. maybe they should just put a dvd drive on the new Time Capsule..
The read that the USB port on the MBA outputs a good deal more power then the IEEE specifications when the DVD drive is attached. They wou;dn't have to have teh USB port on the DVD drive powered, just allow it to transfer data. But I can see where this miht cinfuse and upset people who plug in theor iPhone overnight thinking it will charge to find that it's DOA the the next morning. The solution is obvoisuly power management in the DVD drive, but that would add complexity to an item that will be widely purchased and only rarely used so why bother with all that.
Sure, the ports that pull down on the right hand side need a good inch of space, and on the other side, there needs to be room for the magsafe connector. In terms of weight - the battery in the Air is huge and is no doubt a contributing factor.
Ummm last time I checked the ports and magsafe jack are not on the screen. The screen simply doesn't need that huge bezel, except that it is apparently glass and needs some sort of protection from breakage. I've got an idea... why not make it not glass? Isn't glass heavy, too?
Trust me. Mag alloy looks tough and has great surface strength, but it is nearly as fragile as glass if you drop it.
Now Aluminum will dent, as my iPod Classic can attest to, but I'd rather have a dented case than a cracked/broken one like my wife's Toshiba.
Ummm last time I checked the ports and magsafe jack are not on the screen. The screen simply doesn't need that huge bezel, except that it is apparently glass and needs some sort of protection from breakage.
That's right, they are on the base, and the lid needs to close flush with the base, hence the space on the sides.
AnandTech may be wrong about this being a mini-Merom C2D. The developer notes for the MBA state that it supports SSE4, so this might be a Penryn in here.
That might be true. Perhaps these are like the 3.0Ghz Woodcrests that the other makers didn't want. Precursors to LV Mobile Penryns or something that other makers are willing to wait a couple quarters for the real thing or in higher volumes.
The Air isn't going to move in large volume even if it takes 99% share in the ultralight market...
Ummm last time I checked the ports and magsafe jack are not on the screen. The screen simply doesn't need that huge bezel, except that it is apparently glass and needs some sort of protection from breakage. I've got an idea... why not make it not glass? Isn't glass heavy, too?
It's exceptionally short sided to think that Apple didn't make the width and lenght of the case as small as possible. (car analogy warning) Every car on the road could be made much lighter and therefore get better gas mileage, but at the expense of reducing it to a death trap. Structural integrity shouldn't be taken lightly in a portable computer.
At least the PowerBook Duo gave you the option to add the remaining ports with a MiniDock. The AirBook doesn't even do that.
The G4 Cube was $1,799 and it failed. The Power Mac G4 was $200 less and offered more power and more features. The MacBook is $300 less and offers more power and more features. The MacBook and my PowerBook also both fit inside an envelope because they are only 1 inch thick. 0.77 is not much of a difference.
Non-removable battery? Since laptop batteries only last a few years, how much will Apple charge for a new battery? Hopefully it would be the same price as an external PowerBook battery with free installation.
That's right, they are on the base, and the lid needs to close flush with the base, hence the space on the sides.
You don't get it.
Current MBA:
XX---------XX
XXkkkkkkkkkXX
MSCCCCCCCCCPP
XX = Bezel
--------- = Screen
kkkkkkkkk = Keyboard
MS = Magsafe
CCCCCCCCC = Main Board, Battery, Internals
PP = Ports
Could be:
|---------|
|kkkkkkkkk|
MSCCCCCCCPP
Get it now? How on earth does the positioning of the ports mean a bezel is required. The screen needs to be 11 3/8" in width, and the keyboard needs to be 10 3/4" in width, but the main board and internals could be reduced in length further. Are you saying there's no room or the ports under the keyboard? I've got an idea, how about putting them in the front of the keyboard (parallel to the trackpad)?
It's exceptionally short sided to think that Apple didn't make the width and lenght of the case as small as possible. (car analogy warning) Every car on the road could be made much lighter and therefore get better gas mileage, but at the expense of reducing it to a death trap. Structural integrity shouldn't be taken lightly in a portable computer.
Oh, I guess that would explain the bezel on the MacBook Pro...
Not to mention every other lightweight portable, NONE of which have a space wasting 3/4" bezel on both sides (well except the eePC, but the eePC costs next to nothing!).
Oh, I guess that would explain the bezel on the MacBook Pro...
You think it makes more sense that the dozens of Apple engineering working on this project for a year never once thought to give it a smaller footprint, and your rudimentary observations are somehow more valid than their intricate, empirical knowledge of the device?
http://lowendmac.com/pb/art/macportable.jpg
I think there are still people in wheelchairs as a result of resting those things on their laps.
Given the minimum screen depth, that arc + screensize determines the size. The more the edges are squared off, the more conventional and bulky it looks, with its nice-but-big-for-an-ultralight screen. That thin aesthetic requires/explains the port-dropdown. No vertical sides allowed anywhere -- that would make it just a Macbook refresh.
Clearly they could have made it smaller engineeringwise. That above as-thin-without-taper 12.1" R500, with a hotter HD, has not only the Air's power, video-, audio-out but an entire internal DVD, 3 USB, Firewire, Ethernet, audio-in, SD card, PC card (for internal WWAN, not a big USB dongle housing the antenna). All this isn't necessary (would internal WWAN have been nicest for the Air's target audience?) and the Air's taper prohibits the DVD, but Apple could have crammed some of the rest in if they wanted. And ruined the unique minimalist aesthetic.
Criticizing the MBA for lack of ports and this n that, is like complaining that the Enzo Ferrari doesn't have 7 seats, or doesn't have an in-car DVD system.
Everyone can complain about something or another. There are cars that do 50mpg. There are cars that carry 7-8 people easily. There are cars that can traverse over rocky terrain. There are cars that blaze over 200mph. THere are cars that sell for a really cheap price. But there are no cars that do ALL of them.
The complaints made against the MBA is like the above analogy: Seems that Apple should have done the following: 2.2lb, 10" screen, built-in blu-ray, thus somehow fit a 1080p display into that tiny 10" screen, 8hrs battery life thats replaceable, 1" thick, have at least 1 FW 800 and 3 USB ports, full range of audio and video outputs, a 128GB SSD drive, at least a 2.2Ghz C2D chip and at least an 8800 nVidia mobile chip. Oh and still sell it for US$1000.
It's a very specialised machine. The MacBook was never designed for mobile professional artists. The Mac Pro was not ever designed for granny at home to just read on the web. The MacBook Air was not designed for for the poweruser.
End of story.
Asking for just TWO usb ports is hardly asking the world though, it it?!
.
Macintosh Portrait Display
— 640x870
— 1 bit (up to 256 shades of gray)
— 35lbs
— 13.1"H x 11.5W x 14.9"D
— b.1989 — d.1992
That is all I could find from Apple. I guess it was a 3rd party product.
Here is my first Mac:
Macintosh Performa 575
— 640x480
— 14" RBG
— 33Mhz Motorola
— 4MB RAM (had 20MB for an $800 premium, I think)
— 250MB HDD
— 2x CD-ROM
— System 7.1
— 40.5lbs
— 17.9"H x 13.5"W x 16.5"D
— b.1994 — d.1995 (used until 1997)
Ah, memories. My first Mac was a SE/30, and I still remember it fondly, crappy tiny 9" black n' white screen and all.
.
Ah, memories. My first Mac was a SE/30, and I still remember it fondly, crappy tiny 9" black n' white screen and all.
.
Mine was a Mac Plus. Only retired it two years ago after 13 years of use, including an intercontinental flight in a dufflebag. Still the best keyboard I've ever used.
I also love the way the new power cable connects to the MBAir. It just flows from your desk i/o coming sideways ? it is a little detail, but it gives the user such a nice feel.
I also love the way the cooling vents are integrated into the curviness of the shape. It is sensual minimalisme. The way the ports are protected from the dust.
Dammit! You are so beautifull!
Asking for just TWO usb ports is hardly asking the world though, it it?!
.
What do you need to attach? Remember that people buying an ultra-light (I ordered my Air today) are trying to slim down on the computer and likely on attachments as well.
The Air has a multi-touch trackpad: leave the mouse at home.
Printing can be done wirelessly.
While out and about, the only thing I will need to attach to my Air is my camera so I can put photos and video clips to use immediately (my camera only has USB, no FW, so no problems at all; it also has hi def video!). That comes to a grand total of one USB port that I will need.
If you really need two USB ports, you are already lugging a couple of extra things around, so a tiny USB hub wouldn't change much. You could always buy a MB or MBP if you need more power. The Air is about lightness and slimness. All excess is cut.
What do you need to attach? Remember that people buying an ultra-light (I ordered my Air today) are trying to slim down on the computer and likely on attachments as well.
The Air has a multi-touch trackpad: leave the mouse at home.
Printing can be done wirelessly.
While out and about, the only thing I will need to attach to my Air is my camera so I can put photos and video clips to use immediately (my camera only has USB, no FW, so no problems at all; it also has hi def video!). That comes to a grand total of one USB port that I will need.
If you really need two USB ports, you are already lugging a couple of extra things around, so a tiny USB hub wouldn't change much. You could always buy a MB or MBP if you need more power. The Air is about lightness and slimness. All excess is cut.
Say for example i'd like to charge/sync my iPod for a couple of hours and burn some work on the external DVD drive, or print, or access an external bus powered HDD, or use the ethernet adapter: not everyone is going to be able to afford, or have immediately available to them, the wireless house of the future complete with TimeMachine, wifi, wifi printers, remote DVD drives etc etc...
Just seems like compromise and assumption to me.
Bus powering/charging isn't all that great over USB hubs, unless you buy a powered hub which will need a PSU, which wouldn't really do the crisp aesthetic any favours.