MacBookAir
more thoughts on the matter after class.
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Thoughts. I has them.
prior to getting the notebook i now love and cherish, i did a hefty amount of research into what i should use my OSAP moneys on. there was news of Intel's new Core Duo chips that would revolutionize CPUs and of Apple hopping onto the Intel-wagon and popping out new notebooks. as time progressed, i made my purchase and did not regret it at all, even when new stuff came out. even new sexy, sexy, sexy stuff.
in the past 6 months, i have begun researching my next waste of money purchase for 2 or 3 years down the road, when i will likely have an income one way or another. the intertubes have been clogged with rumours since Apple made the switch to Intel for a 12" Powerbook G4 replacement, and i had mentally set my mind to put it into high consideration. i figured that by the time i cam ready to purchase again, it will have been released and fiddled with and reviewed and refreshed and upgraded.
today, at the Macworld Expo in San Fransisco, the MacBook Air was revealed.
grab a gander at the official product images.
now take a look at the real life shots.
dimensions:
Height:0.16-0.76" (0.4 - 1.94 cm)
Width:12.8" (32.5 cm)
Depth:8.94" (22.7 cm)
Weight: 3.0 lbs (1.36 kg)
base specifications:
Processor: Intel C2D 1.6 GHz 800MHz FSB 2 MB cache
RAM: 2 GB (667MHz) DDR2 (soldered onboard)
Graphics: Intel GMA x3100 integrated graphics 144 MB shared
Hard Drive: 1.8" 80 GB 4200 rpm (P-ATA)
Screen: 13.3" WXGA (1280x800) LED-backlit glossy
Audio Out: Built-in speakers (mono)
Ports: 1 Audio Out (mini), 1 USB 2.0, 1 Micro-DVI
Inputs: 1 iSight camera, 1 built-in microphone, 1 Multi-Touch Touchpad, Backlit Keyboard
Accessories: 1 micro-DVI to DVI convertor, 1 micro-DVI to VGA convertor, 45W Magsafe Power Adapter (w/ MBA connector), Install/Restore DVDs, Documentation
Battery Life: 5 hrs. (according to Apple)
Price: $1799 USD / $1899 CAD
Pros and Cons, from what i can tell from pictures.
Pros:
Cons:
Verdict:
if we were to personify Apple's line of computers into stereotypes of people, the MBA would ring in as one of those really good-looking people without an ounce of common sense and very, very anorexic. the computing power is there, but it's all the little things around it that are lacking, like access to hard drive, RAM and battery. one would think that all the innovation that went into the MacBook's easy access hard drive, RAM and battery bay would have translated in this thinnovation. all in the name of thin. the drop-down port bay is marvelous and well implemented. for more ports, and thus greater usability, i would not mind a bit more thickness.
it's pretty hard to justify buying this notebook; i can't think of any market outside of the hardcore fanatical collector of all things Apple, or the compulsive buyers of the new and shiny for the MacBook Air. i personally would not consider this product for purchase, but i do consider it to be very promising for future revisions of the MacBook line, specifically regarding multi-touch touchpads, LED back-lit screens, back-lit keyboards with the MacBook style, more discreet power cord management. i'm excited to see where these innovations will evolve to come next year. until then, the MacBook Pro is still very svelte.
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i think the MBA takes the envelope out of the box and pushes it. other manufacturers will be forced to follow suit. and that's a good thing.
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2 comments:
At first glance, yes, HOMG indeed. But upon serious consideration, are you really going to get $1800-3000 of enjoyment out of a notebook that will last you about 5 hours a-charge? I mean, yeah it's neat and pretty and all, but honestly, I don't see the practicality of something like this. Especially not for the price (if price were not a factor, that'd be different). I'd hold off for awhile or just take a (hopefully) price-reduced MacBook Pro for that kind of money.
I am much more interested in the various features of this thing rather than the AMG LIGHT NOTEBOOK itself. For example, using another computer's optical drive over wireless? Also, included VGA adapter and cleaning cloth? WHERE WERE MINE? ;_;
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