I have redesigned the Macbook Air
Old stupid design:
Miraculous, amazing, new design [it's not complex, go figure]:
Point being they could have not used that stupid, stupid, stupid door and made a flat side wall to accommodate more ports, particularly an ethernet port. And the ports would also be able to be used by "all" peripherals. They could have done this side part is a sleek way, it could have actually looked good. Taper the whole side accept for the area around the ports, and make the transition between both shapes gradually contoured. Obviously this is a crude mockup, but then again the Air was designed by an amateur also - Ive's intern. Dongles, UBS hubs? As Jobs said about the stylus; "you have to get them, and put them away.. yuck!" I agree Steve, Yuck! Besides, the Air could then come with a 1 meter ethernet chord for very quick migration, no need for Firewire.
I can't wait to see you folks defend Apple here, I'm awaiting your predictable defense.
"That ethernet port is right by the power button, it wouldn't work..". Bla, bla, bla... it's a mockup. And it could be done!
Miraculous, amazing, new design [it's not complex, go figure]:
Point being they could have not used that stupid, stupid, stupid door and made a flat side wall to accommodate more ports, particularly an ethernet port. And the ports would also be able to be used by "all" peripherals. They could have done this side part is a sleek way, it could have actually looked good. Taper the whole side accept for the area around the ports, and make the transition between both shapes gradually contoured. Obviously this is a crude mockup, but then again the Air was designed by an amateur also - Ive's intern. Dongles, UBS hubs? As Jobs said about the stylus; "you have to get them, and put them away.. yuck!" I agree Steve, Yuck! Besides, the Air could then come with a 1 meter ethernet chord for very quick migration, no need for Firewire.
I can't wait to see you folks defend Apple here, I'm awaiting your predictable defense.
"That ethernet port is right by the power button, it wouldn't work..". Bla, bla, bla... it's a mockup. And it could be done!
Comments
No. That's the type of thing dell would do, or maybe HP. Apple (steve) can not stand an inconsistant look. They don't want an area on the side of the computer that sticks out, or is in any way different from the other side. Case in point: the screws on the macbook that do nothing.
Okay... and the giant gaping hole on the other side of the MacBook Air for the MagSafe adapter is what... an oversight in Apple design then?
I think the example Ireland bought up of Steve at MWSF07 being so adamantly against an idea of a stylus on the iPhone is a perfect example of the hypocrisy that the need to carry around and possibly lose and replace a stylus is different from having to carry around USB adapters and hubs just to use the most basic of items like a USB flash drive.
They could have built the MBA just as Ireland suggested, with the existing three ports on the side flush with the edge, contoured into the overall shape, and to maintain symmetry, do the same on the other side, add a standard MagSafe and (shock) two additional ports (a second USB, you know... when the first one is being occupied and maybe, just maybe, a Firewire port?)
I was hoping for a successor of my aging 12" PowerBook instead, although I am pretty impessed by the MBA, I am not going to buy it. I value it as a vision Apple had, a wireless, usable, light but durable laptop. As far as I remember, Apple was among the first companies that dropped the floppy drive, the rest is history.
The hotels I stay at have wireless internet connections and I have wireless at home; don't need ethernet.
I only use the USB port occasionally to back up stuff to my iPod (the cable connector fits fine) and sometimes to download photos and video from my great HD Canon video camera (which only has USB). Data can then be transferred at home using my iPod. A single USB is more than sufficient.
Had two presentations this past week. No video out, no presentation, so the mini DVI port needs to stay.
The door also helps maintain a smooth shape to the computer (the "gaping hole" for the power doesn't break this, either, and there are times when I am charging that I am not attached to pother devices).
If I need more power or to connect to more devices (which are big and bulky and heavy and often ugly) at the same time, I won't really notice the weight and bulk of my MBP (or my wife's MB). When I am out on the road going light, I won't be carrying anything else anyway, so the MBA is great.
You do understand who buys this, right? Traveling business people and professionals. They give presentations. They need a video out to connect to the projector in the conference room.
Plus, you have made no explanation of how the extra circuit board space for the ethernet chip and the extra USB controller are going to be found.
Trading away the video out just to get one lousy USB port, when that can easily be done with a hub, makes no sense.
Okay... and the giant gaping hole on the other side of the MacBook Air for the MagSafe adapter is what... an oversight in Apple design then?
I think the example Ireland bought up of Steve at MWSF07 being so adamantly against an idea of a stylus on the iPhone is a perfect example of the hypocrisy that the need to carry around and possibly lose and replace a stylus is different from having to carry around USB adapters and hubs just to use the most basic of items like a USB flash drive.
They could have built the MBA just as Ireland suggested, with the existing three ports on the side flush with the edge, contoured into the overall shape, and to maintain symmetry, do the same on the other side, add a standard MagSafe and (shock) two additional ports (a second USB, you know... when the first one is being occupied and maybe, just maybe, a Firewire port?)
Why the fluck would you want a stylus for an iphone? I'm pretty content with the Air's design. I own one. More changes are welcome in the future, but I don't even miss the 2nd USB port. Ethernet cable? Yesteryear.
Im waiting for the day that you won't even need a single USB port, everything will be done over the air, making the MBA ring true to its name.
You guys criticize everything too much. Why not just let it be and admire the products for what they are? Tell you what, I wanted a flying car when I was 12, but looking at it now, it is so impractical that it its a joke. Cool, yes. Practical, probably not.
Old stupid design:
...
Point being they could have not used that stupid, stupid, stupid door and made a flat side wall to accommodate more ports
Considering that, without doubt, a team at Apple sat around a table and discussed at length the merits of using a door vs. a normal side-plane, I'd say you're the stupid one. It's not just about looks, either. The bulky bits on HPs and Dells tend to get snagged when you're pulling them out of luggage or bags. This is, actually, tremendously irritating.
Why the fluck would you want a stylus for an iphone?
Missing the point entirely. Steve-O made such a big fuss at MWSF07 about how ridiculous the stylus was - you need someplace to store it, you lose it, you have to buy extras, they're a hassle, etc... and yet he does the exact same thing with the MBA. The lone USB port is in such an awkward place that for a lot of practical applications, you need an adapter - so you need someplace to store it, you might have to get a hub if you use more than one at a time, they're a hassle, you might lose it and have to replace it.
You can't wait for an all wireless world, well that's fine... let's let the technology catch up because we're not there yet.
Missing the point entirely. Steve-O made such a big fuss at MWSF07 about how ridiculous the stylus was - you need someplace to store it, you lose it, you have to buy extras, they're a hassle, etc... and yet he does the exact same thing with the MBA. The lone USB port is in such an awkward place that for a lot of practical applications, you need an adapter - so you need someplace to store it, you might have to get a hub if you use more than one at a time, they're a hassle, you might lose it and have to replace it.
You can't wait for an all wireless world, well that's fine... let's let the technology catch up because we're not there yet.
Well, I think the reasoning there is that most people won't travel without a laptop bag. Its would be dumb to carry around your $1700 investment around like a newspaper with no protectioning what-so-ever. I'm sure a tiny usb hub won't kill anyone, its smaller than the charger. Its kind of different with a phone, I used to lose my stylus with my Sony Clie all the time
As for my comment, I really meant, who the fluck would want a stylus on a phone
I think they have it though out.
HP send thanks, for their new laptop design.
That's not even funny. How dare you criticize Apple Ireland, Apple's always right. Yeah great design Apple, now I cannot plug in my 3G wireless antenna, and my Logitech mouse - how innovative.
Considering that, without doubt, a team at Apple sat around a table and discussed at length the merits of using a door vs. a normal side-plane, I'd say you're the stupid one.
The only table they sat round was an imaginary one, and they were clearly stoned at the sitting.
That's not even funny. How dare you criticize Apple Ireland, Apple's always right. Yeah great design Apple, now I cannot plug in my 3G wireless antenna, and my Logitech mouse - how innovative.
sucks for you
That's not even funny. How dare you criticize Apple Ireland, Apple's always right. Yeah great design Apple, now I cannot plug in my 3G wireless antenna, and my Logitech mouse - how innovative.
so were you going to actually purchase a macbook air if not for this 'deficiency'?
The only table they sat round was an imaginary one, and they were clearly stoned at the sitting.
I'm glad we have you around, as you purportedly are an industry expert with heaps of experience in electronic product development, industrial design, and business acumen. In other words, it's one thing to propose a new design. It's another thing entirely to deride as "stupid" the work of people who know a great deal more about their work than you do. Yes, there are times where, for one of many reasons, an otherwise well-regarded firm brings out an ill-conceived product or feature, but Apple has the form-factor design process completely figured out. You might as well be sending letters to Lockheed Martin with suggestions on how to improve the landing gear on an F-35, based on your experience with plastic models.
OK, that's an exaggeration, but if your design didn't suck (it does) we might not be so hard on you.
That's not even funny. How dare you criticize Apple Ireland, Apple's always right. Yeah great design Apple, now I cannot plug in my 3G wireless antenna, and my Logitech mouse - how innovative.
Then don't get a MacBook Air. They sell more than one model of computer. Since you clearly aren't concerned with having a truly slick-looking laptop, as evidenced by your picture, just get a MacBook and spare us the whining.
Why the fluck would you want a stylus for an iphone?
It's actually possible to build a stylus that works with the iPhone, so this doesn't even relate to the MBA issue Ireland has. In support of the stylus, I was in Chicago last week, and in that kind of weather I'm not eager to take off my gloves. In fact, I ended up buying a warmer pair while I was there, because it was so damn cold.
There are more to a "redesign" than just photoshopping extra ports onto an image.
IRL each port has to have components on the inside, each adding weight and volume.
Adding extra stuff to an MBA will just make it an updated MB (which, hopefully, is on its way).
Old stupid design:
Miraculous, amazing, new design [it's not complex, go figure]:
Point being they could have not used that stupid, stupid, stupid door and made a flat side wall to accommodate more ports, particularly an ethernet port. And the ports would also be able to be used by "all" peripherals. They could have done this side part is a sleek way, it could have actually looked good. Taper the whole side accept for the area around the ports, and make the transition between both shapes gradually contoured. Obviously this is a crude mockup, but then again the Air was designed by an amateur also - Ive's intern. Dongles, UBS hubs? As Jobs said about the stylus; "you have to get them, and put them away.. yuck!" I agree Steve, Yuck! Besides, the Air could then come with a 1 meter ethernet chord for very quick migration, no need for Firewire.
I can't wait to see you folks defend Apple here, I'm awaiting your predictable defense.
"That ethernet port is right by the power button, it wouldn't work..". Bla, bla, bla... it's a mockup. And it could be done!
I'd add the MicroDVI port to the mix and I do kinda like the door design. Otherwise you have the idea.
Then don't get a MacBook Air. They sell more than one model of computer. Since you clearly aren't concerned with having a truly slick-looking laptop, as evidenced by your picture, just get a MacBook and spare us the whining.
Right, its always the users fault. Apple is always perfect. I now this isn't going to get through that skull of yours, but the lack of an ethernet port and just a single USB port are practical drawbacks. I know you think we should just sit around and marvel at the design all day, but for those of us who want to turn it on and us it for actual business type stuff it has some flaws that could have been easily corrected and still have it be the thinest and lightest notebook in the world.
Nothing any human produces will be perfect, so the MBA is not perfect. However, it is a very good machine that suits a specific purpose. However, the MBA was fairly obviously not designed for some people and it seems to be those people who are griping about it because of some kind of pent up frustrations or insecurities.
There are innovations in the MBA that will work their way into the MB and MBP lines in due time. If somebody is unhappy with the Air, they can voice that dissatisfaction by not buying the machine. Many people are buying the MBA (as attested by its high ranking on Apple site around the globe) and many of them are very happy with their purchases (like I am).
Sure, I want something even smaller (a double-sized iPod Touch that has more functions and apps than the current Touch). However, the MBA is a fantastic little machine that can do great things.
I said it a while back but will say it again: We won't hear much from the happy users because they are too busy getting stuff done, but we will hear plenty from those who don't like the machine who tend to have little better to do in life than whine. I also said it would be interesting to revisit the MBA two years from now to see what the users did with it; I am sure some big whigs are making major decisions on their MBAs right now, and some writer is already writing the next novel. I'm also sure that the complainers will still be complaining about something.