RadioDoc
58ef2c0
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11
 ·AT&T Midwest
| reply to Authority
Re: Why the MacBook Air is "misunderstood"
said by Authority  :The danger is if a new user buys a MacBook Air on sex appeal and is disappointed with the performance or other limitations it could sour them to the Mac. * ding *
You nailed it.
Unfortunately, the Apple Acolytes can't contain themselves and absolutely will not listen to reason. Those limitations are going to hurt. Bad.
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bbarrera
Premium,MVM
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Sacramento, CA
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·SureWest Internet
2 edits | said by RadioDoc :Unfortunately, the Apple Acolytes can't contain themselves and absolutely will not listen to reason. Those limitations are going to hurt. Bad. I'm pretty reasonable guy and haven't come across the 'Apple Acolytes can't contain themselves' you speak of. Every review I've read is very balanced and points out the good and bad. And there isn't a lot of gushing on this forum, instead recent threads are clogged with negative comments from the 'anti MBA acolytes' hell bent on telling us how the MBA is a mistake on several fronts.
I think the Macworld review sums it up for me...
quote:
If the story of the MacBook Air is a story about compromise, the decision about whether the MacBook Air is a product worth having can be answered by one question: How much are you willing to compromise?
...
...
Judged merely on the cold technological specifications, the MacBook Air can't measure up to Apple's other laptops. For those to whom the tech specs matter above all else, the MacBook Air can't be seen as much more than an overpriced, underpowered toy.
But for those who factor size, weight, and yes, I'll admit it, style into the equation, the MacBook Air begins to make more sense. Up until now, Mac users who craved the smallest Mac laptop possible have made their own compromise, using the lower-powered MacBook (or clinging desperately to the even lower-powered 12-inch PowerBook G4).
...
...
Source: »www.macworld.com/article/131864/···air.html
So thats the deal, if you value Mac OS X and want/need a lightweight notebook then you are in the target market. |
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RadioDoc
58ef2c0
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11
·AT&T Midwest
| "I'm pretty reasonable guy and haven't come across the 'Apple Acolytes can't contain themselves' you speak of."
You must not be reading this site.
I would suggest you take your own advice and afford those with opposing views on the MBA the same courtesy you feel those who champion it deserve.
Apple's own website states:
"Between 0.16 to 0.76 inch thin and weighing only 3.0 pounds, MacBook Air sets new standards for ultra-portable computing — without the usual ultra-portable compromises."
There certainly seem to be quite a few of the usual ultra-portable compromises. But heaven help anyone who dares point them out.
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neuronbob
Health Care Reform Now
join:2000-03-30
Bedford, OH
| said by RadioDoc :Apple's own website states: "Between 0.16 to 0.76 inch thin and weighing only 3.0 pounds, MacBook Air sets new standards for ultra-portable computing — without the usual ultra-portable compromises." There certainly seem to be quite a few of the usual ultra-portable compromises. But heaven help anyone who dares point them out. This is absolutely true. As much as I feel the Air has a specific mission, the marketing is a wee bit inaccurate. I guess that would be a partial cause of some of the disappointment we read about on this board. The Reality Distortion Field can easily warp the mission of this machine beyond what it can really handle.
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Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept
join:2004-06-26
·Embarq
| Agreed ... Marketing - meh.
Don't forget the video for Leopard where the guy talks about how simple it is to "upgrade your system - just insert the disk" and then get lambasted when people ask you whether you upgraded or A/I or clean ... blah blah yada.
Zappa claimed in an interview that MBAs would ruin the world. He was truly visionary.
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bbarrera
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-23
Sacramento, CA
clubs:
·SureWest Internet
| reply to RadioDoc
said by RadioDoc :I would suggest you take your own advice and afford those with opposing views on the MBA the same courtesy you feel those who champion it deserve. I think you misunderstood my post -- what advice? I just observed there is a lot of MBA bashing on in this forum, I didn't pass judgement or tell you to stop.
said by RadioDoc :Apple's own website states: "Between 0.16 to 0.76 inch thin and weighing only 3.0 pounds, MacBook Air sets new standards for ultra-portable computing - without the usual ultra-portable compromises." Get real, that is the standard marketing BS and further it is in fact accurate. Apple did not make the usual ultra-portable compromises and that is the source of all the gnashing of teeth (where's the Ethernet? where's the optical drive? where's the replaceable battery? why can't I upgrade RAM? etc, etc). The MBA has a unique set of compromises that other notebook vendors have not taken and that is polarizing opinions about the MBA.
said by RadioDoc :But heaven help anyone who dares point them out. Poor attempt at playing the victim. Bash away at the MBA but don't mistake my observation about the quantity of negative posts for dishing out advice or suppressing opinions. Re-read my post, I didn't ask you to stop nor did I invalidate your opinion. Ironically you are imploring us to agree with your opinion -- "Unfortunately, the Apple Acolytes can't contain themselves and absolutely will not listen to reason. Those limitations are going to hurt. Bad." Wow, I'm left to assume that if I find the MBA compromises acceptable for my computing needs that I "absolutely will not listen to reason" because your point of view are more important.
After rereading the negative posts I think Macworld summarized it best:
quote:
Judged merely on the cold technological specifications, the MacBook Air can't measure up to Apple's other laptops. For those to whom the tech specs matter above all else, the MacBook Air can't be seen as much more than an overpriced, underpowered toy.
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RadioDoc
58ef2c0
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11
·AT&T Midwest
2 edits | MBA bashing? Is that what you call people expressing their legitimate opinions? Bashing? Most would call it criticism.
Jobs made a big deal at Macworld about not making any compromises. Now, you can dismiss that as PR fluff too but it goes to the real issue: Apple misrepresented this right out of the box. The much-maligned (in here at least) Dell XPS M1330 has few if any of the "compromises" inherent in the MBA. And that is just one example.
My opinion is formed by reading what those in the industry say about products, not what is posted on a fan-based user forum like this. There seems to be a constant trickle of issues now that people have gotten their hands on it, and Apple has started posting some of them to its website.
There are already heat issues reported and Apple says that the MBA will shut down one CPU and drop the clock on the remaining one in those situations. Their solution: Move it to somewhere cooler and/or put it on a notebook cooler. Oddly, the knowledge base document where this was stated has been pulled (#307297).
There have been issues with WiFi throughput when the lid is closed.
Transferring files is slow via WiFi. So slow Apple recommends using an Ethernet connection via the USB adapter.
You cannot use Remote Disc to install an OS via Boot Camp. You cannot boot from it at all in fact. You also evidently can't use it for DVD video or CD audio.
Many normal 3.5mm headphone plugs do not fit the audio out jack.
The USB fiasco in general.
The "restore disc" is specific to that computer and you'll need the $99 USB DVD drive to reinstall if it comes to that, which does not come with the MBA. Apple warns not to try to restore via a retail copy of Leopard, either.
There are issues when using multiple Bluetooth devices.
And that's just from what I read today. A lot of it is at macworld.com.
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bbarrera
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-23
Sacramento, CA
clubs:
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| Even with all the compromises I'd still buy one if traveling. As my MBP is only a bit over 1 year old and I'm not traveling much I'll avoid the early adopter growing pains.
In my office the MBP is connected to a 24" LCD via a single DVI cable and single USB cable. I only use a flash drive on the road. I carry a pocket-sized wireless router to use in hotels while on the road, so that I'm not tethered via Cat5e to the desk. I rarely use DVDs or CDs. The only hardware compromise from my point of view is the 100Mbps WiFi and Ethernet connectivity, but that isn't a big issue.
When the day comes that I need it I'm glad that Apple finally released a lightweight notebook. |
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Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept
join:2004-06-26
·Embarq
| reply to RadioDoc
** Attention **
______________
You post has been flagged for blatant use of objectivity, common sense and sourcing beyond the confines of the DSLR Steve0dome. We implore you to get with, and stick with, the program. If you require re-programming, please proceed to your nearest Apple store and breathe deeply for a minimum of five minutes. Thank you.
______________ |
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bbarrera
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-23
Sacramento, CA
clubs:
1 edit | I'll be sure and consult with you and RadioDoc on my next computer because you guys are like totally the computer gods with more common sense than anyone I know.
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Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept
join:2004-06-26
·Embarq
| said by bbarrera :I'll be sure and consult with you and RadioDoc on my next computer because you guys are like totally the computer gods with more common sense than anyone I know. I get your drift ... but his post was simply pointing out what other sites were saying, and anyone is free to research it on their own. If you think I really care whether anyone buys air-anything then you're sadly mistaken. Big time. I simply enjoy a parade
I'm no Authority, IOW.
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kfsutops
Premium
join:2002-08-19
Brandon, FL
clubs: 
| reply to RadioDoc
Don't worry. The kool-aid drinkers will say things like, "it's just first generation, apple will fix it in the next revision."
It's a POS product that the only redeeming quality is it looks cool. That's it.
I own Macs. I'm not some windows person coming in here trying to bash Macs. This will not go anywhere. I like how people say it's for the mobile business person to do "presentation."
Are you f-ing kidding me? Mobile professionals are not using Macs. Let that go people. Business is a Windows world.
Lil Susie to dad while sitting in the backseat on a long trip. "Dad I want to watch a movie, I'm bored." Dad, "I'm sorry honey my new $1800 laptop doesn't have a dvd player."
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RadioDoc
58ef2c0
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11
·AT&T Midwest
| reply to bbarrera
said by bbarrera :I'll be sure and consult with you and RadioDoc on my next computer because you guys are like totally the computer gods with more common sense than anyone I know. Considering some of the blind defense of this thing in here, by comparison I may be.
Look, I posted what a lot of "experts" have said, some of which are long-time Apple cheerleaders, and are less than thrilled with the Air. Some are downright depressed about it. Things like wireless connectivity problems & Bluetooth issues go straight to the usability of this thing since it does not have 'normal' ports as backup. You can buy whatever you want, but I certainly would not want to be stuck at a client site with one of these, no matter how sexy, light or thin it is.
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bbarrera
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-23
Sacramento, CA
clubs:
·SureWest Internet
| said by RadioDoc :Considering some of the blind defense of this thing in here, by comparison I may be. Compared to other topics I'm surprised by the almost complete lack of blind defense of the MBA, therefore I'm a bit bewildered by this comment you've repeated in several posts.
Yesterday my 8 year old had a Build a Bear birthday party at the mall. I briefly snuck out and went upstairs to the Apple store. I spent about a few minutes with the MBA and a few minutes watching others. Half the folks wanted more ports and weren't interested, and the other half planned on buying (myself included). I found it quite snappy compared to my Mac mini with 4200rpm drive. The size and weight are perfect in my opinion. I've traveled for business since 1988 and only briefly carried an extra battery before realizing I didn't need it. As mentioned earlier I only use a single USB and DVI cable to connect my MBP to a Dell 24" LCD so the limited ports aren't an issue for me. For several years now I travel with a pocket sized wireless router for use in hotels with Ethernet in the room, so the lack of an Ethernet port is not an issue for me. However it would be nice to have GigE port for use in the office when dealing with large files (>8GB because I have an 8GB usb flash drive). Firewire is not usually an issue as I hook up our Camcorder to an iMac, but if I did want to use FW it should be possible using my miniStack v3 (USB to MBA, then FW400, FW800 and eSATA devices are available to MBA).
I'll definitely buy a MBA at some point. My short-term plan is to sell the MBP and buy a Mac Pro for use as a serious engineering workstation and server. |
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Maranello
ChannelFlip
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-08
Butler, PA
 ·Armstrong Zoom In..
| said by bbarrera : I found it quite snappy compared to my Mac mini with 4200rpm drive. . Snappy, but quite a bit slower....
»www.macworld.com/article/131864/···ml?t=201
said by Authority :said by NOCMan :I have not misunderstood it. It's a toy. I think you have. The people who would buy this don't want to "open it up" or know/care what a PATA hard drive is. They do on he other hand thing an extra $500 is a small price to pay for something that looks cool and saves them a few ounces in their travel bag.
You've really proven my point, people who don't "get" what it's for will hate it.
I agree that some people will actually find the Air useful and that it does have a place, but you can't deny that a good many are going to buy this just because they think it's cool. |
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Mauricio9
Premium
join:2001-12-04
Vancouver, BC
1 edit | said by Maranello : but you can't deny that a good many are going to buy this just because they think it's cool. And that is a problem because...?
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Maranello
ChannelFlip
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join:2000-12-08
Butler, PA
·Armstrong Zoom In..
| said by Mauricio9 :said by Maranello : but you can't deny that a good many are going to buy this just because they think it's cool. And that is a problem because...? It isn't. It's just every time someone has referred to it as a toy a great chorus of voices rises from the valley and simultaneously shouts "you don't get it".
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bbarrera
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join:2000-10-23
Sacramento, CA
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·SureWest Internet
3 edits | reply to Maranello
I read that review before going to the mall and expected the MBA to be slow compared to my MBP. But after launching a few apps it seemed fine. Just re-read the Macworld review and noticed this:
quote:
"But for general uses, I rarely noticed that the system was slower than my MacBook."
Source: Macworld review of MBA
»www.macworld.com/article/131864/···air.html
There is no doubt the compromises made on the MBA will limit the appeal and market.
For the stuff I do on a daily basis every notebook is 'a toy' which is why I'm selling my MBP and buying a Mac Pro. And the MBA will be the perfect traveling computer for my needs as I'm not attempting to make it a desktop replacement. |
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