The new Apple MacBook Air

[CyberAkuma]

So the new MacBook are out and I have to say... wow... just ... wow...

The hardware is unimpressive, old, underpowered and most of all (not surprisngly) heavily overpriced, and let me put emphesis on *heavily* right there.
In order to justify the purchase one of these new line of Apple laptops one has to vey a VERY dedicated Apple fan.

Shall we look at the specs?

There's 2 main versions of it
One 11-inch and one 13-inch.

The 11-inch MacBook Air has:
CPU: Core 2 Duo 1.4 Ghz
RAM: 2GB
Storage: 128GB Flash Storage (Apples own propiertary SSD)
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics

The 13-inch MacBook Air has:
CPU: Core 2 Duo 1.86 Ghz
RAM: 2GB RAM
Storage: 256GB Flash Storage
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics

They are a couple of astonishing design desicions:

* None of them have an Ethernet port. The only way you're gonna be able to connect is WiFi
* The RAM is *SOLDERED* on to the board. So if your RAM breaks or if you want to upgrade - you can't. So you might as well get the 4GB version right away.

Now, before I get to the price of these let me fill you in what a PC laptop would cost with similar specifications.

There's multiple PC latops on the market from many many manufacturers. ASUS, HP, Acer etc that have similar specifications.
The price ranges between 600-900 US Dollars.
Take for instance the HP ProBook 4520s. It comes with Core i3-370M / 3GB / 320GB / 15,6-inch screen. Costs around $800. These laptops usually come with DVD Writers (the MacAir do not come with any optical drive), HDMI-out port, Ethernetport and VGA port.

Now... the price for the new Apple Macbook Air...?
The 11-inch baseline is $1149, the 13-inch is $1.6k...

Selling old technolgy for ridiculous prices seems to be Apples constant marketing strategy.
Excuse me... but Apple can kiss my ass

 

[Matt_LRR]

... so don't buy one?

-m

 

[Random Argument Man]

Excuse me if it doesn't sound polite, but...so?

People that won't buy the MacBook Air will continue their lives. People that do buy the MacBook Air will continue their lives.

Meanwhile, this thread will turn into an anti-Apple thread in 3...2....1

 

[TeeBs]

Eh I didn't really care to get one anyways.

 

[Sacman]

A lot of mac users I know think that they are superior than me because they use a mac despite the fact that they know absolutely nothing about the technology and usually paying more for an inferior product...<.<

 

[Buizel91]

Excuse me if it doesn't sound polite, but...so?

People that won't buy the MacBook Air will continue their lives. People that do buy the MacBook Air will continue their lives.

Meanwhile, this thread will turn into an anti-Apple thread in 3...2....1

Hehe that last part made me chuckle ^_^

And so? Does it matter? No, people who like Macs will like it, get over it.

I think what you have to realise is about 70% of people who use Macs/PC's don't give a rats arse about Specs, they care if they can access the internet and do their work. or to pass time.

 

[freedomweasel]

While it is overpriced based on the specs. How do the other laptops from Asus and HP (like the ProBook 4520) compare in size, weight, battery life and build quality?


I did a quick search before I posted this, the Probook 4520 has a keypad on the keyboard, and the Air is an ultralight ultra-portable.. Apples and Oranges? Why stop there, you can get desktops with the same specs for even less than that Probook.

Yes, its insanely expensive, and no I really don't want one, at all, but at least pick a competitor in the same category.

 

[Pingieking]

Isn't this just standard operating procedure for Apple?
Not really new, or something worthy of discussion. It's just how they roll, and lots of people seem to like paying a lot more for a sexier package.

 

[Snotnarok]

And of course the bloody thing still has no optics drive and probably like the last one no more than 1 USB and Firewire.

How do these things sell when there's netbooks that do the same and have more for half the price or less.

 

[Jark212]

Damn, My gaming monster desktop cost me $1.6k...

And my baby can run Crysis with no problems...

 

[Flac00]

A lot of mac users I know think that they are superior than me because they use a mac despite the fact that they know absolutely nothing about the technology and usually paying more for an inferior product...<.<

Ok thats untrue. I am a Mac user (i am right now using a G5 from 2005), and I don't think I am better than you. I also know that my Mac's hardware is not as good as a normal computer from Dell or someone like that. But I do know that my computer's software is significantly easier to use, and is much more understandable. I also know that using programs like iMovie, Garageband, iTunes, etc. I have been able to create school work (I go to high school) that is significantly better (if not just superficially) than that by my other classmates. It has nothing to do with my talent, and more to do with the fact that Macs are designed for someone like me, a person who doesn't spend enough time on their computer to know the ins-and-outs of every application.
Now that I have that out of the way, the macbook air is a niche computer. I wouldn't buy it, but I'm sure someone else would. For its size, it is really powerful, though lacking features that I would want.
PS: The MacPros are in fact much better, hardware wise, than any other PC I have. I would be using that if it weren't for the fact that I don't have that kind of dough lying around. Perfection comes at a price, and Apple's computers are just too expensive.

 

[Flac00]

And of course the bloody thing still has no optics drive and probably like the last one no more than 1 USB and Firewire.

How do these things sell when there's netbooks that do the same and have more for half the price or less.

Because it is so small. They cut everything to get to that size. Though it is REALLY small.

 

[Snotnarok]

And of course the bloody thing still has no optics drive and probably like the last one no more than 1 USB and Firewire.

How do these things sell when there's netbooks that do the same and have more for half the price or less.

Because it is so small. They cut everything to get to that size. Though it is REALLY small.

I don't see the value. If you want a device that's great for online...phones offer better value.

 

[tigermilk]

That's pretty pathetic. I could build one of identical specs for barely $100. Don't even get me started on what I could build for that price.

So, what could you build for that price? Sorry couldn't resist!

 

[Hateren47]

It's not that overpriced considering it's from Apple. The specs are between good and great (for a netbook) and 256 GB SSD storage isn't cheap + $300 Apple tax. If someone plopped one into my lap I'd install Windows 7 on it though.

Edit.
It's hard to compare it to netbooks/ultra-portables from other brands, for once, as it is both small and relatively powerful, though I'm sure Lenovo has something similar but more useful for around the same price.

 

[tigermilk]

That's pretty pathetic. I could build one of identical specs for barely $100. Don't even get me started on what I could build for that price.

So, what could you build for that price? Sorry couldn't resist!

1 Intel i5-680 processor - $285
1 Intel DH55HC Motherboard - $95
4 Compaq 416472-001 4GB Ram Cards - $204
2 ATI Radeon HD 4600 Graphics Cards - $111.98
1 Seagate SV35.5 Series 1 TB Internal Hard Drive - $70
1 AeroCool AB7080H CPU Cooler - $30
1 IBM (49P2040) 340-Watt Power Supply - $29.99
1 LG - 10x Internal Blu-ray Disc Double-Layer DVD±RW/CD-RW Drive - $150
1 Lian-Li Case PC-K58W Steel Mid Tower 5/0/4 ATX/microATX 1xFa - $74
Shipping - $30
Total: $1079.97

Knowing that you didn't get swindled by Apple - PRICELESS


Specs:
CPU: 3.6GHz
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 1 TB
Graphics Card: 1GB

Note: These are standard retail prices; I'm sure that one could acquire all of this for much cheaper if one shopped around.

I understood "Shipping" and swindling apple, which I am all for. Heard a scary rumour that they may be buying Sony, hopefully it is just a rumour though.

EDIT: I would probably pay a bit more for a 2TB hard drive.