World’s Thinest Notebook
I am not happy at all.
Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Co., delivered his annual January Macworld keynote today announcing great new products and updates for the millions of fans and soon to be fans of Apple and the Mac software. It really is a global love affair with this company.
Of those products was the MacBook Air, the thinest notebook in the world, which is 0.76 inches thick. It looks stunning and as usual, I quickly developed a lust. The cheapest one comes standard at $1699 (I get a $100 student discount) and I thought that I was definitely going to get it by May. But when I went to the Apple Online Store, I found a few things about it that turned me off.
No disc drive.
I use the CD/DVD drive a lot because I burn DVDs occasionally and I make CDs for my friends too. I’m also currently working on a project at home transferring all our home videos from VHS onto the computer and then onto DVDs. Apple has made an external drive to go with the MacBook Air and I don’t know how I feel about it. I don’t usually burn DVDs outside the house (because it takes a long time) but I do make the CDs when I’m out. Apparently it’s very portable and easy to carry around. So I’m kind of neutral about this.
No ethernet port.
I was really surprised with this. There are a total of three ports on this notebook: audio out, one USB 2.0, and micro-DVI. Ethernet is very important! Not everyone has access to wireless internet. Example: I wouldn’t be able to use it at my dorm here since for some reason, wireless access to the university network is not available on the resident floors, only on the main floor and the basement. I have it back at home but what if the wireless is down? With my iBook all I have to do is plug in the ethernet cable. Again, there is an external ethernet adapter available to those who want it.
They have compromised a lot to make the thinest notebook in the world. I’m not impressed. The external options are good enough to please others, but it’s not enough for me to go ahead and get it. I was waiting on getting a new Mac this year but I had to see what was about to be released. It’s a phenomenal design and I’m sure the new trackpad features are amazing as well. However, it looks like the MacBook will still remain on my shopping list for this year. After my custom add-ons and student discount, the total comes to $1450. That is a pretty decent price for all the things I want in a new notebook.
Hopefully many people feel the same way I do and request that the next line of notebooks to include the basic features that are essential.
January 16th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
I completely understand your take on the new MacBook Air, and it actually made me proud of my new, regular MacBook. Although, I have to say I am actually surprised on how much stuff they manage to squeeze in this tiny laptop. It’s price quite attractive as well.
January 18th, 2008 at 7:50 am
well i was surprised at first but then saw how much they took out.. not surprised anymore.
and i don’t think the price is decent as well.. all you are getting is a trackpad with a few new tricks and the right to say u have the thinest notebook in the world..
your regular macbook is way better, and it already is one of the lightest and smallest FULL FEATURED notebooks!
January 27th, 2008 at 12:41 am
The way I see it MacBook Air is just the beginning of a whole new era of portable computers. We’ll just have to wait and see.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:39 am
yes, but i just wish they hadnt rushed it.. but theyre still gonna make buttloads of money!
yalla inshalla the next versions will have all the standard basics :]
February 16th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Basically they made a perfect notebook for someone who just wants to surf the net and work, on the move…all other stuff just do it at home..:)…i mean that the way i see it…