MacBook Air Review
(
74)
Sat 2008/02/16 04:12
When my wife came back home with the MacBook Air I started to laugh - laugh at how small the MacBook packaging was.
The packaging is gorgeous - perhaps a bit too nice and makes me wonder how much of the 220,000 yen is for the packaging alone.
The MacBook Air rests on a plastic tray just like the iPod Touch and beneath the tray are all the bits n pieces. Comes with two monitor adapters and power adapter.
The MacBook Air rests on a plastic tray just like the iPod Touch and beneath the tray are all the bits n pieces. Comes with two monitor adapters and power adapter.
The power adapter is small but I dont know why Apple keep including that thick n ugly extension cable - any Mac owners out there that use it?
Comparison shot between the MacBook Air, old G4 PowerBook and Fauna's pantsu. Fauna wins.
Keyboard is backlight just like the MacBook Pro.
The touch pad is absolutely amazing - response is incredible. You can pinch to zoom in/out, three finger swipe to flick back and forth and two finger spin to rotate images etc too.
You can also use one finger to pick your bottom and then your left nostril after but you already knew that.
The touch pad is absolutely amazing - response is incredible. You can pinch to zoom in/out, three finger swipe to flick back and forth and two finger spin to rotate images etc too.
You can also use one finger to pick your bottom and then your left nostril after but you already knew that.
After being used to carrying around the MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air feels incredibly light - 1.3Kgs.
The built in speaker is....mono....yes I was thinking WTF too.
I do get the concept of the machine though - for people on the move - on business trips or within the building grounds.
During the good ol days at Amazon HQ in Seattle, we had the main building called Pac Med (the hospital on the hill) and US1 down in the International District. Meetings where held all day between these buildings and carrying around the heavy company issued HP laptop was a pain. Lugging that HP laptop around on the monthly scheduled overseas business trips was a pain in the bottom too.
Was managing software teams at Amazon and didn't have the need for a powerful graphic enabled machine - just enough for Exchange, intranet, Word, Excel and Powerpoint - a machine like the MacBook Air would have been perfect. Folks who are interested in what shenanigans I got up to at Amazon can read more here.
However, the machine is by no way lacking in performance at all. So far, many applications seem to boot faster than whats running on my Tiger MacBook Pro. Not sure how well it will handle apps like Photoshop though.
Havent upgraded to Leopard on my main machine yet because my current development environment would break. Leopard comes with different versions of PHP, MYSQL and Apache and config files live in different places too. Will upgrade as soon as I roll out the next major update to dannychoo.com - should be within two weeks.
I do get the concept of the machine though - for people on the move - on business trips or within the building grounds.
During the good ol days at Amazon HQ in Seattle, we had the main building called Pac Med (the hospital on the hill) and US1 down in the International District. Meetings where held all day between these buildings and carrying around the heavy company issued HP laptop was a pain. Lugging that HP laptop around on the monthly scheduled overseas business trips was a pain in the bottom too.
Was managing software teams at Amazon and didn't have the need for a powerful graphic enabled machine - just enough for Exchange, intranet, Word, Excel and Powerpoint - a machine like the MacBook Air would have been perfect. Folks who are interested in what shenanigans I got up to at Amazon can read more here.
However, the machine is by no way lacking in performance at all. So far, many applications seem to boot faster than whats running on my Tiger MacBook Pro. Not sure how well it will handle apps like Photoshop though.
Havent upgraded to Leopard on my main machine yet because my current development environment would break. Leopard comes with different versions of PHP, MYSQL and Apache and config files live in different places too. Will upgrade as soon as I roll out the next major update to dannychoo.com - should be within two weeks.
No Manila envelope here but do have a ToLove Ru clear folder. Does anybody know why a Manila Envelope is called a "Manila Envelope"?
Compared to the Feb issue of BugBug.
I read that some of you had worries about it snapping due to the thinness - tis sturdy as can be.
I read that some of you had worries about it snapping due to the thinness - tis sturdy as can be.
Thinner than an eroge mag!
These are the only ports you get to play with. Designed as a wireless machine for folks on the move, these ports are more than enough. One slot is for the monitor, one is the USB and the other is the (stereo) headphone socket.
Does your studies or work involve you being on the move a lot? Or are you stuck at a desk or in meetings/classes all day? If you are the latter then try to move around a bit more or you will end up like me.
Does your studies or work involve you being on the move a lot? Or are you stuck at a desk or in meetings/classes all day? If you are the latter then try to move around a bit more or you will end up like me.
Compared to the size of Dengeki Hime for no particular reason at all other than Sendo Erika from Fortune Arterial is a cutie.
One of the things that really impressed me is that you can install the OS wirelessly over a network. Turn on the machine with the Option (or Alt - I forget) key held down and you will be presented with a boot menu that detects WIFI connections - key in the password and you are ready to dance.
One of the things that really impressed me is that you can install the OS wirelessly over a network. Turn on the machine with the Option (or Alt - I forget) key held down and you will be presented with a boot menu that detects WIFI connections - key in the password and you are ready to dance.
The screen is incredibly bright n crisp too.
Just thought I'd take a snap of the recently acquired 32GB iPod Touch too - Mirai Inc will be developing applications for the Touch/iPhone - more on this soon.
The MacBook Air however is not for me or my wife but for the newly hired Chief Technologist to join my company Mirai Inc - I just get to play with it before I hand it over ^^;
Will be issuing Macs for all future Mirai Inc employees too.
Will be issuing Macs for all future Mirai Inc employees too.
Fauna-chan says hello.
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Mon 10/29 23:28 comments (22)
Software Engineer
The Macbook air is just incredible! I'm tempted to switch to Mac just so i can play around with it! All future Mirai Inc employees gets one? Where do i send my resume? ^^
(ID #72406) Posted on 2008/02/16 03:56
Student (CompSci) / Developer
As an undergrad and part time developer, YES I use the extension cable. In fact, I use only that cable! The short brick only is great, but the cable just isn't long enough to reach most power sources I'm forced to use. Unless the power is on the table or table height wall right next to the table, it's useless to me to have the brick without the cable. Another nice thing about the cable is that most power sources I use are filled, and those bricks tend to take up more plug space than they need to. Part of that is because I have the older "big" power brick for MacBook Pros.
(ID #72407) Posted on 2008/02/16 03:56
1st post here ^_^' I just switched my last PC (desktop... well it dies pitifully) to an 24" iMac with a dual 20" monitor. My wife and I together own an iMac, a Macbook and a Macbook Pro. I bring my MBP to work everyday and will love to have a Macbook Air instead. However, without any way to switch battery on the fly is keeping me from upgrading (I have 2 batteries for my MBP). Also the screen size concerns me too.
(ID #72408) Posted on 2008/02/16 04:13
radical anime fan in Singapore; starting to freeze up. Mmm, end-of-year weather. (Registered on 2007/01/25 21:20)
Polytechnic Freshman. Mmm... fresh.
I would kill for a Macbook. That way I don't have to rush home just to use the computer...
(ID #72410) Posted on 2008/02/16 04:18
Email & Network Support/Administration
I'm fairly sedentary, though some days I do get to walk around the office a lot - mainly bouncing between the developers' macs and my PC and phone. When the weather warms up I'll start walking again during lunch. Word of advice about upgrading (if you're not doing a clean install)from Tiger to Leopard, make sure to run the Permission and disk repairs from the Leopard DVD Disk Utility. Did that on two machines and the upgraded fine. The one that I didn't do it on didn't upgrade fine at all. Oh and backup, backup, backup.
(ID #72411) Posted on 2008/02/16 04:22
I just bought a new Mac Pro tower last week end. It's freakin sweet. I'm not a big fan of laptops, I'm more of a tower person. The fact that the MacBook Air lacks a DVD drive, makes it a definite "no" for me as well.
(ID #72413) Posted on 2008/02/16 04:24
MI Manager, Blogger and Newswriter
Your pictures are very nice and this new mac is amazing ^^
(ID #72414) Posted on 2008/02/16 04:24
No manila folder included? what a shame. The name comes from the material from which those folders are made http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila_hemp
(ID #72415) Posted on 2008/02/16 04:28
Danny, what are the specs on that book? At least tell us the processor and 3d-mark test or something?
(ID #72417) Posted on 2008/02/16 04:51
Director/代表取締役
Exalht dragon, Didn't want to repeat myself and bore you - the link from this article has all the specs. http://www.dannychoo.com/blogg_post/eng/1342/
(ID #72418) Posted on 2008/02/16 05:02
Secretary
I don't suppose you are looking for any overseas assistants or anything...boy would I love to work for you!!!
(ID #72419) Posted on 2008/02/16 05:03
Now I want that laptop. Screw the Toshiba laptop I own, MacBook Air!!! Now I want it. Man, I wish my Iphone can go online >_
(ID #72420) Posted on 2008/02/16 05:05
Part human, part student, 100% loser
A MacBook Air would be great for me next year, I would probably be on the move... Hope the prices fall down, even if it's just abit...
(ID #72421) Posted on 2008/02/16 05:13
Eh, I'm not very thrilled about the Macbook Air because of the design decisions, such as mono sound, MagSafe location, and the annoyance of the USB port (many flash drives and wireless adapters will not fit)... I also hear the battery life is abysmal, nothing near Apple's advertised life of 5 hours. The SSD also offers barely any improvement other than the fact that the SSD Air will not suffer from the same high-disk-reading problems that the HDD Air suffers from under heavy load.
(ID #72422) Posted on 2008/02/16 05:23
It's a nice laptop for few people I guess. I wouldn't buy it though. There are several reasons...
(ID #72423) Posted on 2008/02/16 05:43
Software Engineer
Slick looking unit indeed. Manilla Folders were created in Manilla so they owe the capital of the Phillipines for it.
(ID #72424) Posted on 2008/02/16 06:20
I use the fat power cable. I like to use my macbook while sitting back on my couch, and I need the extra length. The brick itself also has a tendency to fall out of my outlets.
(ID #72425) Posted on 2008/02/16 06:28
I saw the MacBook Air at the Apple store. Yes it's thin, but it's too small and not as light as I thought it should be. I paid half of what the Air costs for my HP DV6000, and the screen is bigger, brighter and it feels more rugged than the dainty MacBook Air.
(ID #72426) Posted on 2008/02/16 06:48
Web Developer/ウェブデベロッパー, Photographer/写真や
Am wanting a Macbook Pro myself. Not too keen with the Air but I absolutely love their multi-touch capabilities. Too bad it's only available on the Air atm ^^; The iTouch is a lad expensive over here, with the 32GB model going for a little over 800 SGD. Hope I can get a Macbook Pro myself this year!
(ID #72427) Posted on 2008/02/16 06:57
marvin (Registered on 2006/12/24 23:42)
Hey Danny, its called Manila Envelope because its made out manila paper, manila paper is made out of manila hemp which is from a banana tree like plant called abaka/abaca a plant native to the Philippines. ^^
(ID #72428) Posted on 2008/02/16 07:02
WebDesign, Coding, Administration
Well, i admit the Macbook Air looks neat, so thin... it's like a snap of future. I still prefer the Dennou Coil glasses though... nothing can beat that imo. :P I used to have a Macbook Pro with all goodies in it you could have, was owned by my company which went bankrupt though. But it was nice to work... though my new Laptop now is a normal PC thingie with Vista (yea now flamewar me lol), honestly i like to play MMOs and if i travel i would hate to not being able to play them when i'm alone in the hotel room at night. So i got me a nice LG Laptop with a load of performance on it's board. In any case, if it wasn't for the fact of playing games i would always stick with a Macbook Pro. (It makes a better overall image at presentations too, sort of more professional lol.. don't ask me why it just does that to me.)
(ID #72429) Posted on 2008/02/16 07:19
Web Design & Development
Issuing Macs for all future employees you say... On a completely unrelated note; can I have a job? :P
(ID #72431) Posted on 2008/02/16 08:05
thanks for your quick reply dhanny
(ID #72432) Posted on 2008/02/16 08:08
Online Shop
I envy the employees ^^;
(ID #72433) Posted on 2008/02/16 08:11
OK, ok, but can you do ASAP a webclip, it will look great with Mirai on my Iphone ^^
(ID #72434) Posted on 2008/02/16 08:14
And if you got few hours, a Dannchoo.com mobile will be great, even if i can use the Safarai zoom, it will be perfect a mobile version of the site ^^ Thanks in advance Danny :O) Ps: Where are the Gundams updates?
(ID #72435) Posted on 2008/02/16 08:18
Web Design & Development
About that iPod Touch; did your aptly named 'impulse buying-lingus' get the best of you again? 32GB < 60GB :O
(ID #72436) Posted on 2008/02/16 08:24
Pianist, Writer, Teacher
I do enjoy using the thick extension cord because I can leave it plugged into a hard-to-reach outlet near my desk; and then I can easily remove the powerbrick when I need portable power.
(ID #72437) Posted on 2008/02/16 08:45
anime/cosplay events organizer
i've heard that some tech reviewers benchmarked the MacBook Air with the other Mac notebook family and it was the slowest in the MacBook family o___o but i love to have a MacBook Air but the price is way beyond my financial capabilities and the lack of an optical drive and the inability to replace the battery is a bit of a turn-off o____o Manila envelope was originally made from manila hemp or abaca ^^
(ID #72438) Posted on 2008/02/16 09:05
Mandalorian in training + Otaku...
No wonder my friend were hell bent getting this at any cost.
(ID #72439) Posted on 2008/02/16 09:10
Secondary Student~
Now I'm still sitting on my lovely chair with the pleasure of looking at the four walls. Will get a macbook pro when I farewell to my chair. Air has the look but still not what I'm looking for =X
(ID #72440) Posted on 2008/02/16 09:11
wouldn't mind the lightness.. my hp is like.. 4 kilos.. :( in my arean i need a heavy duty processor and even a graphics card.. and dvd burner so this is out for me..though normal everyday use.. might be.. atleast need 2 usb.. portable hard drive an a mouse.. (hate the touch pad with gusto ! )
(ID #72444) Posted on 2008/02/16 10:07
Raven, AMV & MAD maker, Otaku
DAMN THAT THING IS THINNNNNNNNN!. Danny. you always get the good stuff [_[ LOL XD
(ID #72447) Posted on 2008/02/16 11:11
Government agent
just ordered a new macbookpro and a 32gb ipod touch along with final cut pro studio2 as well....still waiting for them to arrive though
(ID #72448) Posted on 2008/02/16 11:27
Student
WhOOA...So CooL :) great pic Danny ^^
(ID #72449) Posted on 2008/02/16 11:41
looks great but isn't the kind of notebook that fits my lifestyle.
(ID #72450) Posted on 2008/02/16 11:41
Thinkpad just released a better version of a thin computer. the x300 it is the same size as the air but has 3 usb ports and they aren't positioned so badly that you can't even put in a 3m thumb drive.
(ID #72451) Posted on 2008/02/16 11:49
Still not swayed until I see it for real. What did intrigue me though is Mirai Inc is developing apps for Touch with the new SDK. Does that mean there's a chance I'll be testing them out first before its public??! Ooooh yeah! I hope so
(ID #72452) Posted on 2008/02/16 12:10
Though a MacBook Air is extremely tempting, I beg to differ that there is another cheaper yet just as light alternative to the MacBook Air. The Asus Eee Pc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asus_eee_pc Starting at dirt cheap price of US $299, it is definitely for those on the go. Only concession is lack of disk space and the Linux OS which can be remedied by using an external hard disk to store data and install the OS. So if MacBook Air wants to have more buyers, it must definitely have more features in its next update.
(ID #72453) Posted on 2008/02/16 12:28
To do list: 1. Buy iPhone. 2. Buy MacBook Air. 3. Send resume to Danny.
(ID #72454) Posted on 2008/02/16 13:27
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
220,000 yen.. wow that's like a whole month salary for some.. >_<
(ID #72456) Posted on 2008/02/16 13:29
Japanese Student
Was thinking that the MacBook Air should be my next purchase... But then after a couple of months, something even better might come along... Should I wait? Decisions... decisions...
(ID #72457) Posted on 2008/02/16 13:46
I just wish the screen was a little bigger. I don't know how you code on a screen that small. It would kill me.
(ID #72458) Posted on 2008/02/16 14:04
Student
a macbook air is just what i need for college. shame itts bout £1,500 too far outta my price range. hmmmm......i wonder how long it will be till the macbook pro goes down in price? =03
(ID #72460) Posted on 2008/02/16 15:09
Public Relations / Marketing Manager
I actually use the extension cable because the power outlet isn't very close to where I use my macbook pro for work. Very good review Danny. You gave me a better idea who the Macbook Air is geared towards and I am happy that I did not wait for the Air. I purchased my Macbook Pro in Dec. and I couldn't be happier with it. Also, how does one join the ranks of Mirai Inc.? ;)
(ID #72462) Posted on 2008/02/16 15:30
IT, Programmer, ...
Very nice review. It still looks as good as Jobs said in his keynote ^^; But I would rather want to buy a MacBook Pro for my next laptop. Because I still need some Windows, I like the BootCamp feature so that you can run both Mac OS and Windows on the same machine (not in parallel, but that don't matter to me, I don't have a need to switch between OSes with a click of a button). I'd love to have an Ipod Touch though, because it has like WiFi & a browser ^^ No Iphone, as I just bought a new phone a year ago (has it really been that long?), and they aren't available in Belgium, and they won't be very soon either.
(ID #72464) Posted on 2008/02/16 19:15
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
wahhh envious of the people you're hiring! XD We went to an apple store when the husband was at San Jose for work, checked out Macbook Air, very thin and light indeed! o_o
(ID #72465) Posted on 2008/02/16 19:21
Mac Air is really nice indeed but I am having a hard time to justify the price ^^;;. I am more of a Desktop guy so I would rather spend $2000 on PC hardware. If I want to buy a MAC, I will prolly get a Mac Book Pro. Someone mentioned about Asus EEE PC. I bought one for my Dad's birthday present and played around with it for a bit. It's good for web browsing, watching movies, documents, however, I don't think it can handle heavy duty tasks. In addition, it only has 4 GB hdd and 512 RAM. You can add more RAM but it will cost more :(. In comparison, MacBook Air specs are clearly above Asus EEE pc.
(ID #72466) Posted on 2008/02/16 20:00
>エロゲ雑誌より薄い。 爆笑。
(ID #72467) Posted on 2008/02/16 20:26
Accountant, CPA, CIS, and Gundam Painter
I really like the design, but for the price and functionality it doesn't do justice. I really think it's only good for the looks and design for fashion, but for functionality and small size laptops id rather go with sony's TZ or SZ where it is small (not the SMALLETST compared to AIR) but it does the job right. Packed with functionality and for the price is well worth it. I'd get a AIR but probably just for fun...nice design though, otherwise i think its a waste of $ for functionality.
(ID #72468) Posted on 2008/02/16 20:26
Hey cool, I visit dannychoo.com everyday on my iphone. Nothing beats having the web in the palm of your hand, well, exept if you have laptop.
(ID #72470) Posted on 2008/02/16 20:52
Truly amazing...a co-worker of mine bought one for his home laptop and its incredible that its the next best thing an its half the size!
(ID #72471) Posted on 2008/02/16 21:42
Anime Retailer
I am behind the times, I haven't seen one of these yet. Is this true wireless like the iPhone? I didn't see the slot for the cell card. If that is built in... I MUST HAVE! I currently have a windows machine with 3G for my portable. I would love taking my MAC for a spin, but backpacking a tower aint no fun... ^_^
(ID #72472) Posted on 2008/02/16 21:48
pixels & photography
Cool review of the MBA, seems to be a good stuff to keep your bag lighter ... and Fauna Pantsu FTW ^^
(ID #72474) Posted on 2008/02/16 23:13
Director/Technical Director, Cameraman
Danny I dont know how you can survive without the extension cable. I can be in class and be 3 meteres awy form a plug and still get power. Really useful. And I just carry it around, if anything you can unplug it and plug in the little thing if you want it.
(ID #72475) Posted on 2008/02/16 23:50
NEET (no, student...)
I actually do use the extension -I thought it was rather cool they added it, imo...
(ID #72476) Posted on 2008/02/16 23:54
Composer-DJ-Sound Design.作曲家
MBA looks nice. I'll stick with my MBP..
(ID #72477) Posted on 2008/02/17 00:12
Policy & Research Officer
Very nice indeed. Hire me! I'd clean, cook, and mop the floor for you. Anyway, I just gotten myself a ipod touch too, and i'm loving it.
(ID #72479) Posted on 2008/02/17 01:48
No me, hire me! I'll do any jobs you give me, >_< , O_o . But wow, nice computer and office, =D .
(ID #72518) Posted on 2008/02/17 09:16
Student
Does anybody know why a Manila Envelope is called a "Manila Envelope"? They're made of Manila hemp, named after Manila, Philippines, which is indigenous to the said country.
(ID #72520) Posted on 2008/02/17 10:18
Hmmm... Normally, I spend about 13-14 out my house eveyday on work days, and I always take with me a lot of things, like PSP or DS(depends), mangas,resin kits or miniatures(to paint) and, of course, my portatil. mine is a HP Pavillion, that is a bit tougher that yours... Maybe you are asking yourself: "How can anybody carring all day with all that stuff?". No problem, I have a strong back, lol!!
(ID #72536) Posted on 2008/02/17 15:07
MacBook air??? how did they put some chips in that thin laptop? They give some hard thinking, the parts is to small and the HD is too small to use.And why the Manila envelop called "Manila" eh in philippines there is a city called "manila"? Why?
(ID #72542) Posted on 2008/02/17 15:31
well i'll say that i don't really need a laptop like that cuz i'm not really on the move and besides that laptops get either lost or stolen here
(ID #72554) Posted on 2008/02/17 17:01
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