Should you buy the MacBook Air?
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Is this the Road Warrior's Katana?
Appletm has generating a lot of talk with the new MacBook Air and as might be expected there's a lot market buzz as well. But is this the notebook computer you've been waiting for or not quite everything you need for your blitzkrieg business dealings?
As the processors and components get smaller and lighter it's only natural for laptop computers to also become lighter and smaller.
I think the best way to tell is to compare this computer with the other Apple laptop computers of similar size. Since Apple's last offering is the MacBook Pro I'll use this as the comparator.
Because the Air only comes with a 15" display I'll compare it to the MacBook Pro 15.4".
Size and Weight: This is likely one of the most important considerations. You have to haul this thing around with you everywhere you go. A few pounds here or there can add up quickly.
- The MacBook Pro weighs 5.4 pounds
- The MacBook Air weighs 3 pounds
Weight Summary: The MacBook Air weighs 2.4 pounds less than the MacBook Pro.
Thickness: The two MacBooks differ in thickness by a quarter inch (1/4) and this could also affect how well it travels.
- The MacBook Pro is one (1) inch thick
- The Macbook Air is slightly less than three-quarter (3/4) inch thick
Size Summary: The MacBook Air is one quarter inch thinner than the MacBook Pro.
Processing Power: Both Macbooks use the Intel Core 2 Duo processor, however they differ in processor speed. The MacBook Pro actually has three options when it comes to processor speed to the Air's two. Both machines have an L2 4MegaByte cache.
- MacBook Pro Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.2, 2.4, and 2.6 GigaHertz
- MacBook Air Intel Core 2 Duo at 1.6 and 1.8 GigaHertz
Processor Summary: A higher number here is better.
Video Processor(s):The MacBooks differ in this area. This must be one of the areas Apple chose to save size (thickness) and weight (a difference of over two pounds).
- The MacBook Air uses the embedded Intel GMA X3100 graphics subsystem. Embedded meaning it's part of the motherboard. Connected to an external monitor via the micro-DVi port, the max-res in extended desktop mode is 1,280 by 800 pixels (60Hz). Thie highest resolution available is 1,920 x 1200 through the MicroDVI port to an external monitor.
- The MacBook Pro uses a separate NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor that's connected to the dual-link DVI connector. In the extended desktop mode, the maximum resolution for the external display is 2,048 by 1,536 pixels (60Hz or 75Hz); mirrored mode, the maximum size is 1,680 x 1,050.
Video Summary: The MacBook Pro has better video both in the machine and connected to an external monitor. So if superior graphics are required the Pro might be the better choice. Since the MicroDVI is also expected to support the external optical device using the two simultaneously may be problematic.
Sound: Sound quality for the two machines is about equal but the actual externalization of the sound e.g. how you the user hear it is something else.
- MacBook Pro: Has stereo speakers built in to the case. You can also connect external speakers or headphones via the headphone jack or via a bluetooth device.
- MacBook Air: Has mono output to its speakers. For stereo output you will need to attach speakers or headphones to the headphone jack or a bluetooth device.
Sound Summary: If sound quality to a group of users is important the MacBook Pro might be the better choice.
Storage: This is another area Apple changed to save size and weight. In order to keep the Air under one inch thick Apple resorted to a smaller thinner disk drive.
- MacBook Air: Uses a 1.8-inch PATA (parallel ATA) drive off of a standard PATA bus. This means the drive, though smaller, is slower.
- MacBook Pro: Uses the larger, faster SATA (serial ATA) drives off of a 1.5Gbps SATA bus.
Storage Summary: This mean that if writing to and reading from your disk storage is important the MacBook Pro is likely the better choice.
Wireless Connectivity: The MacBook Air uses 802.11n WiFi connectivity with a maximum throughput of 74 Megabits per second and data rate of 248 Megabits per second. This is the fastest of any of the 802.11 standards. Wireless transmission of 70 meters (230 feet) indoors (depending on wall construction) and 250 meters (820 feet) outdoors means this wireless standard also has one of the longest ranges of any of the 802.11 networking methodologies.
Other Features: These may not seem so important, but I was impressed with them just the same. The MacBook air includes a video camera at the top center of the screen. Additionally to the right of this camera is a green LED that lights to tell you the camera is on. Also, there is a light sensor somewhere on the Air (I can't find it though) that detects light levels. Once those levels drop below a certain threshold the keyboard lights up from below.
TrackPad Gestures (Multi-Touch) have also been carried forward from the iPhone to this new offering. Once again Apples' intuitive interface makes one wonder; why didn't anyone else think of this?
Price: At $1,999.00 (retail) for the Pro and $1,799 (retail) for the Air the prices are very close. I would hazard to guess the Pro can be purchased for less than the near 2K price tag.
For a full list of MacBook Air Specifications click this link; for the MacBook Pro Specifications this link.
Last Word: I've heard it said that the MacBook Air is just a "designer laptop" for trendy types to show off with. I don't think this is quite fair. The specifications above pretty plainly demonstrate that this is a serious laptop. A better description might be that this is a business laptop without the fancy graphics or sound. A machine designed for travel not merely to impress.
I can tell you from personal experience that the lighter that laptop can be, and still be highly functional, the better. With a briefcase (or knapsack), luggage, coat, and who knows what else it doesn't take much else to make the business traveller feel like a pack animal instead of a business professional.
So kudos to Apple for making a lighter and thinner computer for those of us who have to lug them around.
For a hint of the future of portable computing I recommend reading Mathan1234's thought provoking piece titled Is the MacBook Air more Important than it seems?
Where to buy: At this writing the MacBook Air may only be purchased directly from Apple; whereas the MacBook Pro is available from many sources; not just Apple.
The video below gives some idea how how thin and light this new offering is.
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NEW MacBook Air 1.8Ghz 2Gb RAM 64GB
Current Bid: $1899.00
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Apple MacBOOK Air New 1.8Ghz 64GB SSD Core 2 Duo BNIB
Current Bid: $2449.99
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NEW Sleeve Carry Bag Case for Apple 13.3" MacBook Air
Current Bid: $9.98
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NEW Sleeve Carry Bag Case for Apple 13.3" MacBook Air
Current Bid: $9.98
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Apple MacBook Air MB003LL/A 13.3" Laptop (1.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive)
Price: $1,749.00
List Price: $1,799.00 |
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Apple MacBook Pro MA895LL/A 15.4" Laptop (2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD SuperDrive)
Price: $1,899.60
List Price: $1,699.00 |
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Apple MacBook MB061LL/B 13.3" Laptop (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 1 GB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, Combo Drive) White
Price: $1,189.00
List Price: $999.00 |
Beefs
Complaints about the MacBook Air
- The headphone jack is recessed so not all headphones can be plugged into the Air. Apple suggests buying an jack extender and states that the jack is recessed so that the 'swing down' cover can protect it.
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No wired connectivity.
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Comments
Apple's usage of PATA drives instead of SATA drives was actually smart cost saving measure. Running at 4200 rpm, the 1.8 inch drive isn't going to come anywhere near the data transfrer speeds that would would warrant needing a SATA bus. Apple already is the biggest purchaser of 1.8 inch PATA microdrives in the world, they're used in the 80gb iPod.
Apple gets preferential treatment and fantastic wholesale deals on 80gb 1.8 inch microdrives, but that drive is slowly being phased out in it's iPod line. They've got to do something with all of those 80gb drives, it makes sense to stick it in a sub-notebook.
Also, the addition of the SSD drive for $1,000 is odd, because its so inexpensive, yes I said inexpensive. Do a Google search for "64 gb SSD drive" and you'll be surprised how much they cost alone, much more than $1,000. Apple is the largest purchaser of flash memory in the world because of their iPod/iPhone line of products. The must have used their influence to get preferential pricing.
Tech-type people often will look at a machine like the Macbook Air and compare it feature by feature to other machines and talk about how it falls short. That's an error in logic unless you're comparing it to other sub-notebooks. Don't need a Macbook Air? You're probably not in the market for a sub-notebook anyway. :) Long comment, maybe I should've just written this as a hub of its own!
Mark: I'm not sure 2.4 pounds and a quarter inch would make that much difference, but how I feel about it personally really wasn't the point. Others may feel differently. I was trying to word the article in such a way that leaves such a determination up to the reader simply by providing them the differences between the Air and the Pro (the closest Apple offering in size and weight). I changed one word in the article title; "i" to "you." I was attempting to write a rhetorically titled hub. ;^)
I can tell you that when I was lugging portables around many years ago they were considerably larger and heavier. But it was always a trade-off between weight, performance, and durability. Eventually I determined that performance and durability were most important. But this Apple seems to embrace all three. And as Mathan points out (above) the "trade-offs" will be less important to the sub-notebook users. I think the lightest portable at the time was the ThinkPad at right around ten pounds.
Mathan1234: I really appreciate this additional insight. My aim was to provide the less technical reader with a valid comparison without getting too far into the technicalities. Having worked this profession for over a quarter century I know the fastest way to get someone's eyes to glaze over is to start running off acronyms, numbers, and jargon. Still, your enhanced explanation as to the use of PATA by Apple is both revealing and interesting. And, of course, appreciated. I also looked up 64GB SATA disks as you suggested. You are right of course. They are considerably more than the MacBook Air alone.
Naturally, any business worth it's stock position will look to cost savings via economies of scale. I'm happy to see that Apple is no exception to this practice. But I suspect that Apple has interesting plans for our futures and the Air is just the begining of those plans.
If I were a business traveller, I would seriously consider this computer. Like you said, its made for work not show. And as a person who (quite literally) hauls a heavy laptop a mile uphill daily, the size and weight do make a difference.
Actually, my issue with this is with Apple, not with you. I feel it is practically a disposable computer, and that's what I take issue with.
They are really selling this based on how pretty it is. It is overpriced and bad for the environment, despite the fact that it's billed as "green."
But already there are a legion of people such as the phantom blot here who will justify buying one because of the 2.4 lb weight saving. It's not built for work. The macbook pro is a far more practical machine.
As for not being a personal opnion, I would suggest this whole hub is about your personal opinion:
"Size and Weight: This is likely one of the most important considerations. You have to haul this thing around with you everywhere you go. A few pounds here or there can add up quickly."
"I can tell you from personal experience that the lighter that laptop can be, and still be highly functional, the better."
The only thng you have really said about this computer is that you think people should buy one because it's lighter and smaller.
For an alternative opinion:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Apple-MacBook-Air
Mark:
First, you must have missed my smiley face.
As to green I don't totally agree. No, Apple should not tout this computer as green. Then again no one else should either. Greener perhaps; green no. That said aluminum is a much easier material to recycle than plastic. That Apple has removed lead and arsenic from certain parts in this computer is also good. It's a step in the right direction.
Another thing I'd like to point out is here in California any consumer electronic device now has an eight dollar recycling fee tagged to it. How California implements this "green" program remains to be seen, but they are doing something.
Who else is making a laptop with recyclable aluminum, and reduced arsenic and lead content?
Again having lugged computers around for a substantial portion of my professional career a pound here or there may not sound like much, but after a long trip traipsing from one end of an airport to the other and an ounce or two of extra weight feels like too much.
I'm not sure who blew smoke up your skirt Mark, but generally speaking anything said by anyone regarding "good" or "bad" is an opinion; just like the things you write.
Again did you miss the smiley?
"Size and Weight: This is likely one of the most important considerations. You have to haul this thing around with you everywhere you go. A few pounds here or there can add up quickly.""I can tell you from personal experience that the lighter that laptop can be, and still be highly functional, the better.
"The only thing you have really said about this computer is that you think people should buy one because it's lighter and smaller.
No I did not. As far as my promoting the MacBook Air or any computer for that matter you are way off base here. The two sentences above (that you quote from) address the trade-offs with any laptop computer, not just Apple, not just the MacBook and most certainly not just the MacBook Air.
This is like asking me (a single male) if I beat my wife much.
:)
Do you beat your wife much?
Like I said, my issue is really with Apple. I think they are making more of the "green" aspect than it deserves. Which brings me to another issue I have with them - "Recyclable" and "recycled" are two entirely different animals. Not a big fan of pushing some thing as recyclable.
Mark:
;^) Hey, I had to take a swipe at the big dog on the block.
Yes, I hear you. It sure didn't take long for the marketing wizards to figure out "green" meant dollars now did it?
I have one serious problem with this review....the Macbook Air is 13", not 15". Therefore, I personally think that the review should have been comparing the Air to the Macbook and not the Macbook Pro.
BDoubleG: You have a point of course. Part of the reason I chose the Pro is the many similar specifications in processor, memory, disc storage, etc. In truth the MacBook is considerably more flexible when it comes to the internals.
You may also appreciate this morning's Hub http://hubpages.com/hub/Who-Makes-the-Lightest-Ult e.g. Who Makes the Lightest Ultraportable? Hint: It isn't Apple.
I still prefer a laptop with a wider screen as I spend a lot of time in front of my computer. I would not buy it because it is slimmer and lighter.
I definitely see your points. I suppose I worded it a bit strongly...I guess it was more of an observation than a criticism, and I see where you are coming from. I've looked at the link, but I think there are some issues with the comparisons :)
And I see yours. The MacBook (not Air or Pro) is a very affordable machine compared to the aforementioned two and quite clearly has some excellent features. And of course you are quite correct to point out that the Air and the MacBook have the same screen size at 13.3 inches diagonal.
Also I did an end run around Toshibas marketing weighted web page and found the non SSD R500. I've reworded the hub to your recommendation.
Thanks for pointing out the error.
Well I think a little bit to expensive for what it can (exept the size and weight). I will wait for the second release. Regards, Erik
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<a href="http://www.gipsy-info.com">la vie est belle :-)</a>
working
Mark Knowles says:
6 months ago
So you really think a 1/4 inch and 2.4 lbs makes it worth buying?