01-21-2008, 04:14 AM

Well, my question is quite simple, but basically, I really like the multi touch features in the macbook air, seeing as I have an iphone and I just can't get enough of the pinching and whatnot, so I would love to have it on a laptop.

The only problem I see with the macbook air is that it is not all that practical. The price, processor speed, hardrive space, lack of various ports and a cd/dvd drive. I really don't see the air being a best seller due to its inpractibility. People are used to plugging their cameras into a laptop through firewire and uploading pictures, putting a cd in the drive to install something, ect, its just simple and practical, what people look for in a mac. I really just don't see people making a quick adaption to the whole "wireless" thing apple is proposing, perhaps sometime in the future, but I just don't think we are ready for that. And I am certain we are not ready for less than 2 usb ports .

ANYWAY....

Do you think apple will be incorporating the multi-touch features into the macbook/macbook pro? Or will this remain a macbook air exclusive thing?

01-21-2008, 04:51 AM

I'd guess the trackpad will be available on future notebook revisions as well.
The 2-finger scrolling was initially a Powerbook only thing, later the iBooks were also updated to have that feature.

01-21-2008, 05:57 AM

Hopefully, not to much. the macbook air is a joke. i could go down to best buy and buy a windows pc that would drive circles around the macbook air for less money. I like my macbook, but lets be practical....!

01-21-2008, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by TWM

Hopefully, not to much. the macbook air is a joke. i could go down to best buy and buy a windows pc that would drive circles around the macbook air for less money. I like my macbook, but lets be practical....!

Yes i agree totally, i just hope that any upgrades to the MacBook are at least as good as a MacBook is now and not "half a Notebook" for more money as is the Air

01-21-2008, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by TWM

Hopefully, not to much. the macbook air is a joke. i could go down to best buy and buy a windows pc that would drive circles around the macbook air for less money. I like my macbook, but lets be practical....!

You could also buy a regular Macbook for less that would drive circles around it. So what's your point?

The point is the physical size and weight - it's the most portable Mac that still offers nearly as much performance as the heavier alternatives.

01-21-2008, 10:55 AM

And it is marketed for people for which the money part of your argument is not a concern. Some people just need to come to grips with the fact that this machine is simply not targeted for their demographic.

Now don't get me wrong. I think the AIR is crap for the price as well. But drop the price to a more reasonable level for the hardware in it (we all know the thing costs less then a macbook to make if you don't count R&D) and it is a pretty nice 2nd or 3rd computer.

01-21-2008, 11:38 AM

Macbook Air; we took all the useful components from a Macbook... and replaced them with air; FRESH AIR!. So it's slim - BIG DEAL!!!!!!!. The reason it is SO slim, is due to the lack of anything actually useful inside it, because all the useful parts, have been taken OUT, to create a void, compressed down to this ridiculously thin machine.

If you buy one of these, at this price, you are certifiable. May as well go and blow some cash on one of those useless "Psion" semi-hybrid notebook thingamajiggies they made, a few years ago.

01-21-2008, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by macbookbutnoair

Macbook Air; we took all the useful components from a Macbook... and replaced them with air; FRESH AIR!. So it's slim - BIG DEAL!!!!!!!. The reason it is SO slim, is due to the lack of anything actually useful inside it, because all the useful parts, have been taken OUT, to create a void, compressed down to this ridiculously thin machine.

If you buy one of these, at this price, you are certifiable. May as well go and blow some cash on one of those useless "Psion" semi-hybrid notebook thingamajiggies they made, a few years ago.

Sheesh, people don't seem to get that not everything is for them!

What "useful components" did they take out?

Say I'm a journalist that needs something as light as possible to take around the globe with me. I need wifi, a USB port for my camera / 3G adapter and that's it.

So what's "missing"?
An ethernet port? Who hasn't got wifi these days?
Firewire? Unless you need to hook up a DV camera there's no need for it.
Optical drive? I use USB drives for storage and prefer digital music & movies.

I wouldn't buy it, because I don't need something that thin and light. But I bet there's a million journalists / businesspeople / academics out there that do.
And most of them will use it as a supplement to their main Mac.

01-21-2008, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Aptmunich

Sheesh, people don't seem to get that not everything is for them!

What "useful components" did they take out?

Say I'm a journalist that needs something as light as possible to take around the globe with me. I need wifi, a USB port for my camera / 3G adapter and that's it.

So what's "missing"?
An ethernet port? Who hasn't got wifi these days?
Firewire? Unless you need to hook up a DV camera there's no need for it.
Optical drive? I use USB drives for storage and prefer digital music & movies.

I wouldn't buy it, because I don't need something that thin and light. But I bet there's a million journalists / businesspeople / academics out there that do.
And most of them will use it as a supplement to their main Mac.

"Sheesh" lol... actually I "get" it a lot more than you realise. I was always of the imression, that the whole point of the internet, and forums, was to express one's own opinion. I am mistaken, evidently.

The Macbook air is a blatent ripoff for some, but perfect for others. The fact that they are using iPod 1.8" hard disks, designed for intermittent use - which will be spinning the majority of the time - at 4,200rpm?!. That you cannot replace the battery, is just groovy. I mean, halfway through an assignment, travelling to work and your battery dies - I mean, that's cool isn't it - what a wonderful innovation.

I love Apple products - I haven't even used/touched one of these yet, and may I remind you; NOR HAVE YOU, in all likeliness. I shall remain open minded until I have played with one, but they *ARE* overpriced, no matter what anyone says. You get less, for more?. Bah.

PS: I want to upgrade my Macbook Air ram... shhheeesshhhh I cannnn'tt!!!!

PPS: CD-Rs/DVD-Rs were released, but a mere few years ago... and suddenly, we are told that they are all but obsolete?. How about if you want to burn a backup copy of something vital, and mail it to a colleague - you _HAVE_ to send a hard, cd-based copy for archival purposes - you have to lug about a superdrive addon, which counteracts the whole POINT of the Air.

I think you will find that ONE usb port is a joke, also.

As you say, it is not for everyone; just those with too much spare ££/$$ to burn.

01-21-2008, 12:44 PM

I think that the macbook air is great. If you don't like it, get over it and get a macbook, you dont have to get one!, or even think about it!

01-21-2008, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by charliecrosslan

I think that the macbook air is great. If you don't like it, get over it and get a macbook, you dont have to get one!, or even think about it!

Why, thanks for your kind comments; I am "over it" I was never worried, just expressing MY opinion, just the very same as you have the right to do. I shall not be getting one, but I do have every right to say what I think, thanks all the same dude.

Great concept, bad price. Revision 1 of ANY product, is a "steer clear" for the wise ones, who think deeper about the pitfalls of becoming a lemming-like early adopter. How many have NASA ordered for the next shuttle mission? .

01-21-2008, 01:18 PM

Price is a big factor. I'm sure lots of people will go out and buy this product just for the name, but, seriously, you can get better laptops if you search around. To be honest, I would consider buying this if I were not a student and had lots of money lying around (or continued my studies in Journalism-related stuff), but I probably wouldn't buy it right away. I would think about it, especially since I like having some of the features that are available on the Macbook but not on the Macbook Air.

01-21-2008, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by macbookbutnoair

Macbook Air; we took all the useful components from a Macbook... and replaced them with air; FRESH AIR!. So it's slim - BIG DEAL!!!!!!!. The reason it is SO slim, is due to the lack of anything actually useful inside it, because all the useful parts, have been taken OUT, to create a void, compressed down to this ridiculously thin machine.

If you buy one of these, at this price, you are certifiable. May as well go and blow some cash on one of those useless "Psion" semi-hybrid notebook thingamajiggies they made, a few years ago.

WOW! there are some people on here with a bit of common sense, I was beginning to think that I was the only one. All that we are crying out for is a Aluminum MacBook, I have a mate that waited thinking it was coming last week and they bring out the MacBook Air. In my opinion half a computer, my mate has now purchased a windows notebook at a lot less money

01-21-2008, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by charliecrosslan

I think that the macbook air is great. If you don't like it, get over it and get a macbook, you dont have to get one!, or even think about it!

Well buy one then at half the thickness and another £400 UK, with less main features of a MacBook.

01-21-2008, 02:36 PM

Hear that whooshing sound, everyone? That's half the posters in here, missing the point.

Is it worth trying to explain ONCE AGAIN, in big print, that the MacBook Air is not targeted at everyone. Why don't we hear the same complaints about the MacPro being overpriced, and doesn't even come with a monitor!!!1!!!!1! Or the Mac Mini without a keyboard, or the MacBook without a backlit keyboard.

Because they are for different markets, just as the Air is for a different market, the Mini is a different market, and the Pro is a different market. How many different way does it have to be spelled out before people get it? Apple have released a product not targeted for you - get over it.




Edited to add: AppleInsider are reporting that the next MacBook Pro revision will have the multi-touch trackpad.