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| Date Reviewed: 14/02/08 |
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Strengths: Really compact, lightweight, Leopard included, advanced trackpad.
Weaknesses: Missing a lot of ports, no optical drive, hard drive a little slow.
Summary: This is a great computer for a student, office professional, or someone who just wants something in a small package that can be transported around easily. It has a bit too small of a hard drive (and it can be sluggish), but those are some of the sacrifices you have to make if you want a really compact, portable computer for everyday use. The screen is really nice, and the keyboard is full-sized, and the trackpad is better than any trackpad you've ever used in a laptop before. Overall, I'd say it's a pretty good laptop, a bit overpriced, but I enjoy it.
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| Date Reviewed: 19/02/08 |
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Strengths: Light weight, thinness, design
Weaknesses: Price, Weak processor, Batteries
Summary: Macbook Air is not for everyone. It's a portable notebook for people who travel alot. Because of it's thinness and light weight, it's easier to carry around. However because of the reduced size and weight, there's no optical drive (CD/DVD). Also you get a weaker processor then both Macbook and Macbook Pro. It also only has 1 USB port and no Firewire port. So if you are a mac notebook user who needs all the features that I just listed, maybe Macbook Air is not for you. But if you are somebody who cares more about the notebook's portability over features then the Macbook Air is for you. Many people ask how fast Macbook Air is and after using it for about a week, I have no problems with its speed. I use iLife, iWork, Safari with no problems. So if the price is right and you are looking for portable notebook, I strongly recommend Macbook Air.
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| Date Reviewed: 17/02/08 |
- sononkyo
from CA
- Member Since:
Mar 2005
View Member's:
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Strengths: Design, Mac Leopard, LED Screen, Keyboard, tapered edges, "little things"
Weaknesses: no firewire, SSD options prohibitive, battery life; Superdrive needs to be made a bundle
Summary: After using Windows/DOS in its many versions for 20 years, the feeling to switch to an alternative came about on the confluence of two things: Mac Leopard and the release of Vista. After seeing what Vista was (Windows ME all over again) and what Leopard was (an intuitive Windows XP Service Pack 2), it gave me reason to finally consider a Mac system. I needed three big requirements: The Screen had to be as good as the Sony TX screen, a full size keyboard this time, and the weight to remain 3lbs. Striking from consideration was the upgraded Sony TZ - I miss the full size keyboard and Windows Vista was on there and the gimped duo core took away from the small footprint I so adored. So I looked at a Macbook and Macbook Pro - the Macbook's SCREEN was ghastly. Everything else I loved. The Macbook Pro Screen was great, but I wasn't a fan of paying for what I didn't need - a dedicated video card and too many ports I don't use. Browsing the apple website, I came to a solution, a notebook with such great focus for writing that I decided to use as my initial platform for trying Leopard. What better way to start Mac OS X with the latest hardware from Apple, right?
Unpacking it, I felt familiar feeling of marvel. Great engineering has always been one of my motifs for buying any gadget and while it wasn't a novel feeling (I had the same initial reaction to my Sony), it felt re-affirming. Sleek lines and the metal felt cohesive, not out of place. The first thing was the keyboard feel - leagues better than my TX miniature ones. Yes, it felt very good. The sreen was the same and had better reds. LED screens I found sometimes oversaturated colors too much - this Macbook Air screen case trumps the TX LED screen only on this regard. Besides the bigger 2 inches, everything I loved about the Sony screen remain very much so on the Macbook screen. Performance wise, everything flowed. The Mac OS X just makes sense. Tinkering with computers for far too long made me forget that a computer needs to be a tool to get things done. I felt very much that motif - i just got things done. No more tweaking, no more this and that - everything was thought of. Thank you MAC OS X. Once SSD prices come down, hopefully, the upgrade path will make the 80mb 1.8 inch drive a dinosaur remanant for first generation purchasers. I can envision the 128gb SSD as base model within early 2009.
For the negatives, charging for the superdrive add-on was nickel and dimeing to the extreme. The penalty for flexibility I guess - Apple better make it a bundle because I can see people getting annoyed. Note, I don't watch DVDs. I have Blu-ray for my entertainment needs and a PC EAC method for extracting audio. Yet, I still needed the optical because CD-Roms need to be burned for clients - quick exchanges is the theme here. Wireless 802.11b/g/n cannot still even approximate a good ethernet 100mb, let alone 1000mb interface. I also didn't see what the big deal what the trackpad was about. I hate all pointing devices on laptops, this one did not dissuade me from that stance. I appreciated the large trackpad, I have big hands and finers. The pinching, three finger swiping - eh. My logitech nano is taking up permanent residence on that usb port. I miss the firewire--i thought the great thing about macs was the transfer of files through a firewire interface. Battery life is abysmal - though its the fault of lithium ion research rather than the apple machine.
For all its first generation warts, it does enough little things right. The fiber optic lighting, the tapered edges (unlike the suicide macbook edges), and the LED screen makes this purchase a no brainer. It's a perfect system as of right now, and looking far too ahead in the future to nitpicks its fault always is a risky proposition. The efficiency of the system in what it does sparkles with meticulous engineering. What I'm doing, writing papers and listening to music (streaming with airtunes to my stereo system) while surfing the web, makes this system perfect for WHAT I DO. What you do dictates this purchase - I haven't seen a machine this focused and polished on the initial attempt ever in my short lifetime here. For that, it deserves tremendous accolades and kudos from me and a no-brainer first generation purchase, even though everybody knows apple needs two revisions before it gets the system polished.
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| Date Reviewed: 20/02/08 |
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Strengths: Weight, keyboard, screen, form factor
Weaknesses: USB Superdrive should be included, not a good only computer, battery life so so
Summary: I have to say that I am very pleasantly surprised by this. I received this for work as a backup laptop to my desktop and for that role it fits perfectly. I'm writing this review trying to keep cost out of the equation as much as possible. If you are looking at the price and the specs and shaking your head, this might not be the best choice. It is awful in bang for the buck.
However, if you are looking for a portable OSX or Windows capable laptop with the main purpose that it be a tote-a-long anywhere computer, then this should be on your short list. The performance is surprisingly good. When I got this I half expected that the HD would make using it a bit painful. Don't get me wrong, the HD is slow, but you only notice it when using fairly intensive applications or starting hungry programs like Photoshop (why are you running Photoshop on this again? :)). The processor is just fine and really it is a solid setup for its purpose.
My complaints are that it should have the external USB Superdrive bundled in as well as the remote, and the battery life is so so. I get about 3.5 hours in normal web-surfing document writing use.
The design is sexy to the max (I can use that even though it isn't 1984) - you really have to see and hold it in person to appreciate that. It has a great screen and keyboard as well, even though I wish there were a matte option. I tend to use it mostly indoors so the glossy screen doesn't bother me all that much.
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| Date Reviewed: 28/02/08 |
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Strengths: Lightweight, solidly built, full-sized backlit keyboard, gorgeous 13.3" LED display, large multi-touch touchpad
Weaknesses: Faster than other ultra portables, but still a bit laggy, 1 USB port, remote/ ethernet dongle/ external SuperDrive are extra
Summary: Yes, this is NOT a _cheap_ notebook. Nor should it be if you take into account the little extras that Apple throws in such as the built-in iSight, lovely aluminum casing, magnetic latch, MagSafe adapter, backlit KB, "huge" multi-touch touchpad with all new gestures, and even the chipset had to be custom-built-- minimized to fit in this super thin notebook.
Some complain, "Who's so weak that they'd pay a premium to lighten their load by 2 measly pounds?" But that's not really the way to look at it at all. If given a choice, would you rather tote around a magazine or a hardcover college textbook? I know which I'd prefer. And truly, the three pounds in day-to-day computing is very noticeable. It is very noticeably light! A true joy to bring out and about and just when moving around the house.
For the user who doesn't use "power" apps (such as video/ music editing, or intensive graphics work), this is a superb notebook. NOT a desktop replacement like it's larger relative the 15" MacBook Pro, nor as cost-efficient and feature-filled as the cheaper but more power relative 13.3" MacBooks, but this is a solid machine that will readily handle web-browsing, word processing, the odd video clip or movie. This is also a great machine for the on-the-go traveler with lighter needs-- provided that they bring along the miniaturized AC adapter (and by mini, yes, it's still a brick, but it's about the size of the iPod charging brick, very small and light by computer power brick standards).
Those who would complain about the built-in battery? That's silly! It costs $199 which INCLUDES labor for the battery swap. Guess how much the replacement batteries are for Apple's MBs and MBPs? Yup, $199. So it's really no different, and not a big deal at all.
Yes, this is a revision A product-- please keep that in mind. There will inevitably be some kinks to be worked out with a brand new product. Not just hardware (occasional HDD clicking) but also software (KB backlighting is a bit skewed still, and remote disc doesn't always work perfectly) but I hope that given a little bit of time, these will be ironed out and as my external SuperDrive will soon be here, hopefully, that will help with some issues.
Overall, a great secondary machine. Not without some drawbacks-- but none that aren't fully disclosed anyway and readily smeared all over the internet. Any buyer should be savvy enough to know that it has no built-in optical drive, for instance. But truly, a fantastic notebook for users with light needs and for those who prefer lighter packages.
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| Date Reviewed: 27/02/08 |
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Strengths: Form factor, weight and portability
Weaknesses: Price, limited ports, and fixed battery.
Summary: The Macbook is not meant for everyone. There is nothing like it on the market right NOW. This is my second Mac. It has almost everything I want in a sub notebook. It has the perfect balance of weight, screen & keyboard size, and power. Of course nothing is without flaws and it definitely has room for improvements. Here is what I wish to see in in the next revision(s).
Make it Lighter (~2 lbs)
SSD comes standard (without price gouge)
Silver keyboard option
User Replaceable battery
Overall, I am very pleased with this purchase and would recommend the Macbook Air to anyone that this notebook is designed for.
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| Date Reviewed: 19/04/08 |
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Strengths: Size, look, well integrated package
Weaknesses: Connectivity options, battery life, no CD/DVD
Summary: I have been an MS user for like 20 years. Vista: they should really be ashamed of themselves! Time for a new PC for couch surfing and decided I would give it a try. Glad I did. Very light, people all want to try it out when they see it. The learning curve from Windows took like an hour. People complain about Safari but I think it performs pretty well. I did download FireFox as a comparison, but like Safari on the Mac better. Biggest drawback: no DVD/CD and only one USB. Performance is quite OK.
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| Date Reviewed: 21/03/08 |
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Strengths: Dimensions, weight, visuals and style
Weaknesses: Security (no place for a laptop lock), not enough ports, particularly ethernet port (but a mini hub can be purchased, as well as a usb ethernet adapter), lack of cd drive
Summary: I received my MBA 2 days ago and once again Apple has made an impressive statement in the form of presentation. The packaging alone was a thing of beauty. Once I got to the actual product all I could do was smile and thank the Lord that my PowerBook G4 12-inch died a week ago. Up until that point my 12-inch was attached to my hip. Compared to the current lineup of Apple laptops, the MacBook Air is lacking in a few key areas like hard drive space, internal CD drive, ports and speed. But for a traveler who needs a laptop when I'm on the go, losing the load is so worth it and this dawn thing can fit into the slimmest of places and not wear me down when I'm running for a plane. Note: I remedied the hard drive problem with the purchase of a Maxtor OneTouch 4 Mini 250GB portable hard drive, almost the size of a deck of cards. Final note: I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE my new MBA and could care less about the cons...BUT I better NOT hear about an upgrade 2 months from now:-)
33% of People (1/3) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 30/03/08 |
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 Cool Idea if you buy a computer on looks! Strengths: Great looking, ultra thin design.
Weaknesses: No cd/dvd drive, 1.6 Intel Core 2 Duo
Summary: Hmm, gotta give it to Apple again for making a light weight, good looking machine. Same as the I-pod, a first. Again, same as the i-pod, lacking in MAJOR functionality. No cd/dvd drive is a real killer! Battery life is pretty average but for what this doesn't have, I would expect better. Plus, that 1.6 gig Intel... boring. If you are going to spend that much money on a laptop, you might as well get something with some real power and it only weighs in at 5-6 lbs? Just as easy to tote around, does 3 lbs really make a difference or are we all that lazy?
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| Date Reviewed: 20/02/08 |
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Strengths: Weight, form factor, backlit keyboard, bright screen
Weaknesses: Price, remote disc, and wireless migration
Summary: If you can't live without an optical drive or ports for every device the Macbook Air isn't for you. The remote disc feature that Apple promotes works, but depending on your network it will take you quite a while to install apps such as Adobe CS3. I would highly recommend getting the optional external Superdrive.
Overall, the Macbook Air seems to perform much like my former Black Macbook however it is unbelievably thin and light. The aluminum enclosure and backlit keyboard make it a nice Pro level addition to Apple's 13" line of notebooks. I also have to stress that I have never seen a screen on a notebook that is this bright. If you're thinking of buying the Air and understand what you are giving up you will not be disappointed.
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| Date Reviewed: 19/04/08 |
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Strengths: Size, Weight, Look and coolness factor
Weaknesses: underpowered, only 1 usb port
Summary: Again, I am blown away by another apple product. This is one of the coolest laptops to hold in your hand. It's amazing how much a few pounds off the weight and the slimness of design makes such a big difference. I was a little disappointed by the battery power (only about 3 hours) though I've heard that other people have had varying amounts of battery life. All in all, I'm very happy about my purchase as a business traveler.
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