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Isn't this more expensive than a MacBook for relatively less power? ($1,799)? Yes it's more expensive than any MacBook. Especially the "high end" option ($3k, ouch) with a slightly faster CPU and a SSD (a solid state drive, basically a flash drive). It also has the same GMA3100 as in the macbook... that's not upgraded in the Air. You really do pay more for style! Also it's not what a lot of people hoped as it has a multitouch touchpad instead of a multitouch screen. I have to admit though it's easy to get caught in how sexy\cute it is with its thinness... and that a small notebook such as this may be great for how more portable it is. Also it's great how it has a backlit macbook style keyboard. If I was gifted one I wouldn't complain.... and I'd make good use of it when I'm not at home.
But you wont see me in line to buy one with my own money. No offense but this is mostly good for those who can afford to get new computers on a whim and don't care how much they are throwing away on them. You see, my concerns aren't really too much about its gaming capabilites (that goes without saying) but rather what you get for the money hardware-wise. I'd suggest even if you think you absolutely need an Air to seriously think it over. Perhaps wait until you've let yourself calm down from all the hype (reality distortion field) release its grip a bit before you sink the cash in. I know some of you may say that since I'm complaining then that means it's not for me but I still feel like the thinness and stuff is a gimmick to distract from everything else. I got caught up in a gimmick once already and while I don't mind and don't regret that purchase I can't get caught up in it time after time.
That being said it's actually not as bad as I feared. I had feared it would have a sub-1GHz CPU and a GMA900 or worse (something integrated that is a lot slower than even intel) and that the only option would be an overpriced SSD with less storage.
The response to this is:
"...which is quite a lot – for a laptop of that size. You have to think within the category of this thing: it is a small, light-weight, very portable subnotebook. Show me a single other laptop of similar size and weight with similar features. When – if you should find one, it will be as expensive."
To which I respond:
"I'm sorry but I don't care. Like I said it's so easy to get caught up in those aspects and I totally understand why... and if someone bought one I wouldn't give them grief. I could actually also really use an ultraportable notebook.... even my 14 inch laptop is pretty cumbersome for taking with me to places in my opinion. The side of me that is totally into style is totally digging it. But in this case my more practical side is louder. So that doesn't mean that I'm going to take back any of what I said and run out and buy one right now. I am perfectly aware of any justification for the way it is. However, I don't think I'll ever agree that it's a great value for the dollar for what you get with the prices as they are now no matter what people may say.... sorry. I still say this is mostly for people who are rich who value size above everything else."
Someone else responded:
"How are you paying more for style? The SSD version looks exactly the same as the regular version, which is cheaper than a MBP. You're paying for the engineering that goes into making a computer as small as possible. Because it's Apple you pay some markup, but no more with the MBA than any other product, and it's quite competitive for what it offers."
I respond one more time:
"OK, I'll bite. You're paying more for style because you are getting a slower CPU than a MacBook but paying more for it than any one of their base models. But you are willing to pay for it because of its size and style. I don't even think the Air should be compared to the MBP which in its case you are getting what you paid for (more or less). The SSD version is $3k which you could get a good MacBook Pro for that price or even more or less a base Mac Pro with an 8800 BTO. Like I said I'm aware of all justification but I STILL don't agree, sorry.
Even if I agreed I would agree that no one absolutely needs a MBA. The thinness is a luxury... one that comes with the price of settling for less and paying more in terms of specs. Yeah I know, you disagree... I disagree with your disagreement. I don't think anyone would die if they don't have one. It may be nice to have but you can get by with other things.
If you are thinking it's a value you are obviously thinking more about style than price when you say, "It's competitive for what it offers". I mean you could ask why and say, "Because it's so thin and small and nice looking!"
But you wont see me in line to buy one with my own money. No offense but this is mostly good for those who can afford to get new computers on a whim and don't care how much they are throwing away on them. You see, my concerns aren't really too much about its gaming capabilites (that goes without saying) but rather what you get for the money hardware-wise. I'd suggest even if you think you absolutely need an Air to seriously think it over. Perhaps wait until you've let yourself calm down from all the hype (reality distortion field) release its grip a bit before you sink the cash in. I know some of you may say that since I'm complaining then that means it's not for me but I still feel like the thinness and stuff is a gimmick to distract from everything else. I got caught up in a gimmick once already and while I don't mind and don't regret that purchase I can't get caught up in it time after time.
That being said it's actually not as bad as I feared. I had feared it would have a sub-1GHz CPU and a GMA900 or worse (something integrated that is a lot slower than even intel) and that the only option would be an overpriced SSD with less storage.
The response to this is:
"...which is quite a lot – for a laptop of that size. You have to think within the category of this thing: it is a small, light-weight, very portable subnotebook. Show me a single other laptop of similar size and weight with similar features. When – if you should find one, it will be as expensive."
To which I respond:
"I'm sorry but I don't care. Like I said it's so easy to get caught up in those aspects and I totally understand why... and if someone bought one I wouldn't give them grief. I could actually also really use an ultraportable notebook.... even my 14 inch laptop is pretty cumbersome for taking with me to places in my opinion. The side of me that is totally into style is totally digging it. But in this case my more practical side is louder. So that doesn't mean that I'm going to take back any of what I said and run out and buy one right now. I am perfectly aware of any justification for the way it is. However, I don't think I'll ever agree that it's a great value for the dollar for what you get with the prices as they are now no matter what people may say.... sorry. I still say this is mostly for people who are rich who value size above everything else."
Someone else responded:
"How are you paying more for style? The SSD version looks exactly the same as the regular version, which is cheaper than a MBP. You're paying for the engineering that goes into making a computer as small as possible. Because it's Apple you pay some markup, but no more with the MBA than any other product, and it's quite competitive for what it offers."
I respond one more time:
"OK, I'll bite. You're paying more for style because you are getting a slower CPU than a MacBook but paying more for it than any one of their base models. But you are willing to pay for it because of its size and style. I don't even think the Air should be compared to the MBP which in its case you are getting what you paid for (more or less). The SSD version is $3k which you could get a good MacBook Pro for that price or even more or less a base Mac Pro with an 8800 BTO. Like I said I'm aware of all justification but I STILL don't agree, sorry.
Even if I agreed I would agree that no one absolutely needs a MBA. The thinness is a luxury... one that comes with the price of settling for less and paying more in terms of specs. Yeah I know, you disagree... I disagree with your disagreement. I don't think anyone would die if they don't have one. It may be nice to have but you can get by with other things.
If you are thinking it's a value you are obviously thinking more about style than price when you say, "It's competitive for what it offers". I mean you could ask why and say, "Because it's so thin and small and nice looking!"
